Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Chaebol Firms’ Donation Activities and Firm Values

This paper aims to investigate the effects of donation activities of chaebol firms on their firm values. The firm values will vary depending on capital market participants’ view on the donation activities of chaebol firms. To verify this hypothesis, data of firms listed in the Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) from 2001 to 2017 are empirically analyzed. Whether a firm is a chaebol firm or not is assessed by whether the firm has been designated as a firm in one of the large business groups announced by the Korea Fair Trade Commission, and firm values are measured by Tobin’s Q and market-to-book value ratio (MTB). The results of analysis indicated that donation activities of chaebol firms were negatively related to firm values. The donation activities of chaebol firms seem to be not positively evaluated in the capital market. This paper is meaningful in that it verified how capital market participants evaluate the donation activities of chaebol firms, which account for a large portion of the South Korean economy. To gain public support, chaebol firms should strive to truly fulfill their social responsibilities.
Dissociation and reassembly of adherens junctions during experimental acute pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS The initial pathophysiological events that characterize acute pancreatitis include the formation of pancreatic edema. An interstitial accumulation of fluid, however, is incompatible with the presence of intact intercellular junctions between acinar cells. This study examined the major components of adherens junctions, E-cadherin, alpha-catenin, beta-catenin, and actin, during the initial phase of experimental pancreatitis. METHODS Pancreatitis was induced in rats by 10 micrograms.kg-1.h-1 intravenous cerulein for up to 12 hours. Adherens junction proteins were localized by immunocytochemistry for fluorescence microscopy or electron microscopy, their expression was studied by slot blot analysis, and their association was investigated by immunoprecipitation and Western blot. RESULTS During a rapid increase of E-cadherin-encoding RNA, E-cadherin protein declined only moderately and, unlike its cytoskeletal binding partner actin, was not proteolytically cleaved during pancreatitis. Morphologically, E-cadherin and beta-catenin were localized at the basolateral cell membrane from where they rapidly dissociated early in pancreatitis and to where they slowly relocalized during the subsequent course. E-cadherin/beta-catenin complexes disintegrated and reassembled completely in parallel on immunoprecipitation experiments. CONCLUSIONS The dissociation of adherens junctions and the internalization, relocalization, and reassembly of their major components seem to represent the critical biochemical event at cell-cell contacts during edema formation and resolution in acute pancreatitis.
A Forward-looking Model of the Australian Dollar | Bulletin – December Quarter 2018

The exchange rate is an important mechanism that helps the economy adjust to external shocks. This article analyses the key determinants of the Australian dollar – the terms of trade and differences between interest rates in Australia and other advanced economies. It emphasises that ‘forward-looking’ measures of these determinants are important for capturing movements of the observed real exchange rate. In particular, they capture longer-term movements in the real exchange rate, including around key turning points, for instance during the global financial crisis. R E S E R V E B A N K O F AU S T R A L I A B U L L E T I N – D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 8 1 The Real Exchange Rate and Its Key Determinants The Australian dollar was floated in December 1983 and the capital account was liberalised allowing the free movement of capital. Because Australia is a small trade-exposed economy, the flexible exchange rate has been an important buffer against external shocks, particularly during Australia's recent mining investment boom (see Stevens 2013 and Kent 2016). The flexible exchange rate is an important feature of the inflation targeting framework, as it allows monetary policy to respond to domestic economic conditions. The trade-weighted (TWI) exchange rate is a measure of the Australian dollar against a basket of the currencies of Australia's major trading partners. The Reserve Bank maintains a suite of exchange rate models to help understand movements in the exchange rate. These models are used to assess how consistent the level of the exchange rate is with the level that would be expected based on its historical relationship with other economic variables – or ‘determinants’. These determinants are the terms of trade – the ratio of export to import prices – and prospective investment returns on Australian assets compared with those abroad, commonly captured by real interest rate differentials (Graph 1).
Assessment of the Validity of the Double Superhelix Model for Reconstituted High Density Lipoproteins

For several decades, the standard model for high density lipoprotein (HDL) particles reconstituted from apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) and phospholipid (apoA-I/HDL) has been a discoidal particle ∼100 Å in diameter and the thickness of a phospholipid bilayer. Recently, Wu et al. (Wu, Z., Gogonea, V., Lee, X., Wagner, M. A., Li, X. M., Huang, Y., Undurti, A., May, R. P., Haertlein, M., Moulin, M., Gutsche, I., Zaccai, G., Didonato, J. A., and Hazen, S. L. (2009) J. Biol. Chem. 284, 36605–36619) used small angle neutron scattering to develop a new model they termed double superhelix (DSH) apoA-I that is dramatically different from the standard model. Their model possesses an open helical shape that wraps around a prolate ellipsoidal type I hexagonal lyotropic liquid crystalline phase. Here, we used three independent approaches, molecular dynamics, EM tomography, and fluorescence resonance energy transfer spectroscopy (FRET) to assess the validity of the DSH model. (i) By using molecular dynamics, two different approaches, all-atom simulated annealing and coarse-grained simulation, show that initial ellipsoidal DSH particles rapidly collapse to discoidal bilayer structures. These results suggest that, compatible with current knowledge of lipid phase diagrams, apoA-I cannot stabilize hexagonal I phase particles of phospholipid. (ii) By using EM, two different approaches, negative stain and cryo-EM tomography, show that reconstituted apoA-I/HDL particles are discoidal in shape. (iii) By using FRET, reconstituted apoA-I/HDL particles show a 28–34-Å intermolecular separation between terminal domain residues 40 and 240, a distance that is incompatible with the dimensions of the DSH model. Therefore, we suggest that, although novel, the DSH model is energetically unfavorable and not likely to be correct. Rather, we conclude that all evidence supports the likelihood that reconstituted apoA-I/HDL particles, in general, are discoidal in shape.
Three-level Inverter Controlled by means of Vector Hysteresis Current Control. Application to Back to Back Structure

The studied application is a back to back power electronic structure feeding a three-phase load. The line side converter is a two-level PWM rectifier controlled by a current hysteresis controller in the abc reference frame. It regulates the dc voltage and enables a unit power factor. The load side converter is a three-level voltage source inverter (VSI), which is controlled by means of a novel vector hysteresis current control (V.H.C.C). The proposed V.H. C.C, which is based on error square areas, controls the three-phase load AC currents. In addition, it regulates the neutral point voltage using the redundant inverter switching states. The three load current errors are gathered into a single space vector quantity. In this case, the magnitude of the error vector is limited within boundary areas of a square shape. The control scheme is based on the detection of areas and sectors, in which the vector tip of the current error can be located. Then it applies an appropriate voltage vector among the 27 voltage vectors. Simple look-up tables are required for the detection of areas and sectors, and also for the vector selection. The proposed V.H. C.C can be extended to further multilevel inverters.
Comparison of immunoreactive score, HER2/neu score and H score for the immunohistochemical evaluation of somatostatin receptors in bronchopulmonary neuroendocrine neoplasms

Due to the growing number of somatostatin receptor (SSTR) targeting analogues and radiopeptides used for the diagnosis and therapy of neuroendocrine neoplasms (NEN), the assessment of SSTR subtype status has increasingly gained predictive value. In pathology, the SSTR protein levels are detected routinely by immunohistochemistry (IHC); however, a lack of a standardized evaluation system persists. Thus, in the present investigation, three well‐established semi‐quantitative scoring systems [immunoreactive score (IRS), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)/neu score, H score] used commonly for SSTR‐IHC evaluation in NEN were compared.
Establishment and functional characterization of human herpesvirus 6-specific CD4+ human T-cell clones

In order to clarify the protective immune responses against a newly identified herpesvirus, human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6), we established HHV-6-specific human T-cell clones and examined their functional properties. Five CD3+CD4+CD8- T-cell clones, which proliferated in response to stimulation with two different strains of HHV-6 in the presence of autologous antigen-presenting cells but not with herpes simplex virus type 1 or human cytomegalovirus, were established from peripheral blood lymphocytes of a healthy individual. The proliferative response of all T-cell clones to HHV-6 antigen was inhibited by addition of anti-HLA-DR monoclonal antibody, indicating that these clones were human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II DR restricted. Of the five clones, two lysed HHV-6-infected autologous lymphoblasts, but not HHV-6-infected allogeneic cells or natural killer-sensitive K562 cells (group 1); one showed cytotoxicity against HHV-6-infected autologous lymphoblasts as well as HHV-6-infected allogeneic cells and K562 cells (group 2); and the remaining two showed no cytotoxic activity (group 3). The cytotoxic activity of group 1 was inhibited by addition of anti-HLA-DR monoclonal antibody to the culture, whereas this monoclonal antibody had no effect on the cytotoxicity of group 2 and did not induce the cytotoxicity of group 3. Perforin, which is one of the mediators of cytotoxicity, was abundantly expressed in group 1 and 2 clones. Moreover, all groups of clones produced gamma interferon after culture with antigen-presenting cells followed by HHV-6 antigen stimulation. These results suggest that HHV-6-specific CD4+ T cells have heterogeneous functions.
The Value of US Government Data to US Business Decisions

The US government is a major producer of economic and financial data, statistics, analysis, and forecasts that are gathered, compiled, and published as public goods for use by citizens, government agencies, researchers, nonprofits, and the business community. There is no market transaction in the publication and dissemination of these government data and therefore no market-determined value. The purpose of this paper is to outline and augment our understanding of the value of government data for business decision-making. We provide an overview of the topic, including results from government reports and a private sector survey. We then provide concrete examples of how these government data are used to make business decisions focusing on three sectors: automotive, energy, and financial services. Examples of new initiatives by the federal government to open access to more data, exploiting technology advances associated with the internet, cloud storage, and software applications, are discussed. With the significant growth in the digital economy, we also include discussion and insights around how digital platform companies utilize government data in conjunction with their privately generated data (or “big data”) to foster more informed business decisions.
Ouabain Increases Gap Junctional Communication in Epithelial Cells

Background/Aims: The finding that endogenous ouabain acts as a hormone prompted efforts to elucidate its physiological function. In previous studies, we have shown that 10 nM ouabain (i.e., a concentration within the physiological range) modulates cell-cell contacts such as tight junctions and apical/basolateral polarity. In this study, we examined whether 10 nM ouabain affects another important cell-cell feature: gap junction communication (GJC). Methods: We employed two different approaches: 1) analysis of the cell-to-cell diffusion of neurobiotin injected into a particular MDCK cell (epithelial cells from dog kidneys) in a confluent monolayer by counting the number of neighboring cells reached by the probe and 2) measurement of the electrical capacitance. Results: We found that 10 nM ouabain increase GJC by 475% within 1 hour. The Na+-K+-ATPase acts as a receptor of ouabain. In previous works we have shown that ouabain activates c-Src and ERK1/2 in 1 hour; in the present study we show that the inhibition of these proteins block the effect of ouabain on GJC. This increase in GJC does not require synthesis of new protein components, because the inhibitors cycloheximide and actinomycin D did not affect this phenomenon. Using silencing assays we also demonstrate that this ouabain-induced enhancement of GJC involves connexins 32 and 43. Conclusion: Ouabain 10 nM increases GJC in MDCK cells.
Topography of corpuscular mechanoreceptors in the shoulder joint region of monodelphis domestica

The topography and structure of corpuscular mechanoreceptors in the shoulder joint capsule and periarticular connective tissue of a small laboratory marsupial (monodelphis domestica) were studied using light and electron microscopy. This animal is known to use its upper extremities for a wide range of activities like climbing and manipulating food. Thus, the shoulder joint of this animal species has a similar wide range of movement as the human shoulder joint, but is small enough for serial sectioning in its entirety. Silver stained serial paraffin sections were examined under the light microscope and the distribution of the different types of mechanoreceptors was reconstructed using three‐dimensional image processing. In addition, selected mechanoreceptors were studied electron microscopically. Approximately 100 small lamellated corpuscles were found in the dense connective tissue of the joint capsule close to the insertion on the scapula and in the thickening of the joint capsule close to the glenoid labrum. Ruffini corpuscles were found in much smaller numbers in the moderately dense connective tissue of the axillary region. Only very few Vater‐Pacinian corpuscles were seen in the soft periarticular connective tissue. The large number and localization of mechanoreceptor corpuscles in the shoulder joint capsule especially close to the glenoid labrum suggests, that these specialized nerve endings are likely to play an important role in control of joint movement. They can induce protective reflexes during extreme movements in the shoulder joint preventing shoulder luxation by increasing the tone of muscles pressing the humerus head into the glenoid cavity. Anat Rec 263:35–40, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Explicit and implicit theories of change when designing and implementing preventive ergonomics interventions--a systematic literature review.

OBJECTIVE In contrast to several previous papers dealing with the structure and effects of ergonomics interventions, this systematic literature review focuses on the theories concerning change processes upon which these interventions--implicitly or explicitly--have been based. METHODS In a systematic search of 13 literature databases, 30 peer-reviewed intervention studies published between 2000-2007 were identified that provided sufficient information for the change process theory to be identified. RESULTS Thirteen studies referred to an explicit theory of change, the most common being participatory theory, while in 17 studies, the change theory could only be discerned indirectly from the described intervention strategy. Twenty-five studies explained the reason for choosing their strategy, with a clear reference to theory or previous research, whereas five provided only a weak background. Four categories of intervention strategies for change were identified: (i) changes targeting the individual, (ii) changes focusing on the work environment, (iii) changes relying on interactions between people, and (iv) structural and organizational changes. CONCLUSIONS A strikingly small proportion of ergonomics intervention studies have explained the theory behind the expected change process. A better awareness of the assumptions about change processes embedded in intervention strategies--whether implicit or explicit--may help in identifying and examining those ideas and processes that promote or restrict successful implementation. Such knowledge, in turn, can contribute to the development of interventions that are thoughtfully designed and effectively implemented.
Prediction of Protein Sub-Cellular Localization through Weighted Combination of Classifiers

Prediction of subcellular localization of proteins is an important step in genome annotation and in search for achieving novel drug targets. Conducting experiments for extracting information about protein sub cellular localization is both time consuming and costly effort. Machine learning approaches, especially, ensemble of classifiers, providing efficient and reliable mechanism of computational prediction are thus highly desired In this context, we propose a modification to the approach proposed in [K. C. Chou, J. Cell. Biol. 99(2006)517]. We have used a weighted polling method to fuse the output of individual covariant discriminant classifiers. The individual classifiers are trained on features based on pseudo-amino add composition of proteins. Three methods of verifications; re-substitution, Jackknife, and independent data set tests have been employed and give over all accuracies of 87.13%, 71.15% and 74.90% respectively. The predicted accuracies are higher than that of the existing schemes.
Quantifying the effects of non-tariff measures on African agri-food exporters

ABSTRACT Non-tariff measures (NTMs) such as technical barriers to trade (TBT) and sanitary and phytosanitary measures (SPMs) have become new trade barriers, which is contrary to these measures’ original intention to correct market failure and adverse selection of free markets and to protect the people, animals, plants and the environment in importing countries. For different African agri-food exporters, the compliance with NTMs has varied impacts. For relatively comprehensive exporters, NTMs are helpful in upgrading their food production, increasing agricultural input and promoting sustainable development. For countries with relatively less diversified crops, however, such compliance has huge negative effects such as rise in trading costs and reduction in exporting profits. In an attempt to address the above-mentioned issue using the VARMA(X) model and intervention analysis, this paper first examines agri-food trade records between African countries and analyses NTMs, which reveals the mechanisms of NTMs. Second, defining impacts of NTMs as the difference between the estimated agri-food trades’ volumes between African countries from 1996 to 2013 without NTMs and the actual volumes, the paper shows that NTMs have in fact led to a significant reduction in agri-food trade volume in Africa. Finally, based on these empirical econometrical results, the authors suggest possible solutions, including strengthening external assistance, improving trade liberalisation and accelerating economic integration.
A Low-Voltage and Low-Power Adaptive Switched-Current Sigma–Delta ADC for Bio-Acquisition Microsystems

An ultralow-voltage and low-power adaptive sigma-delta analog-to-digital converter (SDADC) with a 10-bit dynamic range for bio-microsystem applications is presented. The proposed SDADC includes a switched-current sigma-delta modulator (SISDM) and a digital decimator. In order to achieve the low-voltage requirement, a novel class-AB switched-current memory cell is adopted to implement the SISDM with the oversampling ratio (OSR) of 64. In addition, a proposed differential current comparator and a low-voltage 1-bit switched-current digit-to-analog converter (SIDAC) are used for the design of the SDM. Benefits from the SISDM using the class-AB memory cell are low power consumption and high dynamic range. Moreover, a new single-multiplier structure is presented to implement the finite-impulse-response (FIR) digital filters which are the major hardware elements in the decimator. For the various applications with different biosignal frequencies, the SDADC could be manipulated in different operating modes. The overall ADC has been implemented in a TSMC 0.18-mum 1P6M standard CMOS process technology. Without a voltage booster to raise the gate voltage of switches, measurement results show that the SISDM has a dynamic range over 60 dB and a power consumption of 180 muW with an input signal of 1.25-kHz sinusoid wave and 5-kHz bandwidth under a single 0.8-V power supply for electroneurography signals. In addition, the postlayout simulations of SDADC including SISDM and decimator reveal that the dynamic range is still over 60 dB without degrading by digital circuits
Mechanisms of spontaneous osteoclastogenesis in cancer with bone involvement

Bone metastases represents a common cause of morbidity in patients suffering many types of cancer: breast, lung, kidney, prostate, and multiple myeloma. Osteolytic metastases often cause severe pain, pathologic fractures, hypercalcemia, spinal cord compression, and other nervecompression syndromes. Osteoclasts (OCs), cells deriving from granulocitic‐macrophagic lineage, are responsible for osteolysis, which may be reduced by inhibiting both OCs formation and activity. By studying bone osteolytic metastases mechanism in solid tumors, we report here our findings that cancer patients with bone involvement display an increase in osteoclasts precursors, compared with both healthy controls and cancer patients without bone metastases. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with osteolytic lesions show osteoclastogenesis without adding M‐CSF, RANKL, or TNF‐α. However, these factors are necessary to generate OCs from healthy donors, non‐osteolytic patient PBMCs and T‐cell depleted PBMCs. OCs derived from cancer patients show more resorption pits than OCs from healthy donors and express genes involved in osteoclastogenesis. Our data show that a spontaneous osteoclastogenesis occurs in patients affected by osteolytic lesions and may be supported by factors released by T lymphocytes. These factors could give a priming to osteoclast precursors and promote osteoclastogenesis. In fact, T‐cell depleted PBMCs do not differentiate into OCs without adding M‐CSF and RANKL. Moreover, we do not obtain a higher number of OCs by increasing RANKL doses in cultures, and OCs and T lymphocytes mRNA level are detected for TNF‐α but not for RANKL. The addition of OPG to PBMCs cultures do not modify spontaneous osteoclastogenesis. A neutralizing anti‐TNF‐α antibody in unstimulated PBMC cultures of osteolytic cancer patients induces an inhibition of osteoclastogenesis. These data suggest that TNF‐α may be responsible for osteoclastogenesis in these tumors.