Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cyclic adenosine monophosphate‐responsive elements are involved in the transcriptional activation of the human IL‐10 gene in monocytic cells

IL‐10 plays an important role in the regulation of immune responses. We and others have demonstrated recently that cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)‐elevating substances up‐regulate monocytic IL‐10 expression in vitro and in vivo. Computer analysis of the IL‐10 promoter/enhancer region localized four putative cAMP‐responsive elements (CRE1– 4) with homology to the CRE consensus motif. In electrophoretic mobility shift assays CRE1 and CRE4 bound protein complexes consisting of transcription factors CREB‐1 and ATF‐1, while CRE3 bound only marginal amounts of CREB‐1/ATF‐1 in combination with unknown protein(s). CRE2 showed no protein binding activity. In vitro mutation of CRE1 and CRE4 reduced the level of cAMP‐stimulated transactivation in reporter gene assays in comparison to the wild‐type promoter by 20 % and 50 %, respectively, while mutation of CRE3 had no effect. The main action of CRE4 on cAMP‐dependent stimulation is probably based on its adjacent localization to the TATA box and its sequence comprising a perfect half site. Experiments with double and triple mutants and with deleted promoter fragments indicated the participation of additional elements beside the CRE motifs in the cAMP‐dependent stimulation. Our data suggest that intracellular cAMP may directly affect expression of the immunoregulatory cytokine IL‐10 in monocytic cells via activation of the eukaryotic transcription factors CREB‐1 and ATF‐1 and their binding to CRE1 and CRE4 in the upstream enhancer of the IL‐10 promoter.
Acquiring overseas market knowledge: a comparison of strategies of expatriate and immigrant employees

Purpose – This conceptual paper starts from the recognition that internationalisation of business is an information‐intensive process and aims to investigate two key modes for the acquisition of knowledge: expatriates and immigrant employees.Design/methodology/approach – The paper sets out a conceptual framework which examines nine popular modes of knowledge acquisition essential to the internationalisation process and their comparative strengths and weaknesses. This is coupled with a more intensive evaluation of the relative merits of the two strategies of expatriates and immigrant employees.Findings – The analysis suggests that the modes of expatriates and immigrant employees can both be cost effective and yield high levels of relevant knowledge underpinning internationalisation. However, there are key differences between the two and it may be more useful to consider them as complements rather than simply substitutes. The strength of expatriates is their considerable knowledge of the home market, indust.
At the Movies: The Economics of Exhibition Contracts

We describe a real-world profit sharing contract--the movie exhibition contract--and consider alternative explanations for its use. Two explanations based on difficulties with forecasting fit the facts better than asymmetric information models. The first emphasizes two-sided risk aversion; the second emphasizes measurement costs. Transaction costs and long-term relationships also affect contractual practices. We use an original data set of all exhibition contracts involving 13 theaters owned by a prominent St. Louis exhibitor over a two-year period to inform our theories and test hypotheses. The findings question traditional contract theory and may be relevant for other contracting environments. (JEL L14, L82, D45, D80) Copyright 2005, Oxford University Press.
Increasing the Achievement of African American Males

The purpose of this research brief is to offer a brief review of those factors that contribute to the academic achievement gap between African American males and their counterparts. The three overarching factors included (1) those aspects that were germane to the studentsocioeconomic status, nutritional issues, and self-esteem-related concerns; (2) factors related to parental involvement; and (3) in-school dynamics such as teacher expectations/perceptions, teacher quality, lack of culturally responsive instruction, and limited school resources. Much has been written about the achievement gap between African American males and their counterparts. Yet, the literature is limited regarding strategies tailored specifically to address the achievement gap between African American males and other males. As a result, this literature review was written to gather pertinent strategies found in the research that may be valuable in increasing the academic achievement among African American males.
Dual illumination mode photoacoustic tomography for quantitative imaging

This study presents an algorithm to estimate the background optical properties for quantitative imaging, based on the initial pressure distribution obtained from photoacoustic tomography (PAT). The algorithm utilizes an alternative illumination mode of our original PAT system, which separately illuminates tissue from forward and backward directions toward an array transducer. The optical properties are determined by minimizing the difference between the following two ratios: one is the ratio of initial pressure distribution obtained from the illumination modes, the other is the ratio of the calculated light fluence distribution. We show that the algorithm estimates the background optical properties even if the initial pressure distribution is reconstructed under the limited-view conditions.
The Value of the Wildcard Option in Cash-Settled American Index Options

We estimate the size of the wildcard premium embedded in cash-settled American-style options. Similar to simulation results reported by Fleming and Whaley (1994), we find the wildcard premium significantly impacts the valuations of American-style put and call options. Furthermore, we find that the wildcard premium as a percentage of price is somewhat larger than the Fleming-Whaley simulation in periods of low implied volatility but not in periods of high volatility. Finally, we show a correlation between the size of the wildcard premium and overnight S&P 100 overnight returns.
Effect of bisphenol A on Ca2+ fluxes and viability in Madin-Darby canine renal tubular cells

The effect of the environmental contaminant, bisphenol A, on cytosolic free Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]i) in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells is unclear. This study explored whether bisphenol A changed basal [Ca2+]i levels in suspended MDCK cells by using fura-2 as a Ca2+-sensitive fluorescent dye. Bisphenol A, at concentrations between 50 and 300 µM, increased [Ca2+]i in a concentration-dependent manner. The Ca2+ signal was reduced, partly, by removing extracellular Ca2+. Bisphenol A induced Mn2+ influx, leading to quenching of fura-2 fluorescence, suggesting Ca2+ influx. This Ca2+ influx was inhibited by phospholipase A2 inhibitor aristolochic acid, store-operated Ca2+ channel blockers nifedipine and SK&F96365, and protein kinase C inhibitor GF109203X. In Ca2+-free medium, pretreatment with the mitochondrial uncoupler, carbonylcyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP), and the endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ pump inhibitors, thapsigargin or 2,5-di-tert-butylhydroquinone (BHQ), inhibited bisphenol A–induced Ca2+ release. Conversely, pretreatment with bisphenol A abolished thapsigargin (or BHQ)- and CCCP-induced [Ca2+]i rise. Inhibition of phospholipase C with U73122 abolished bisphenol-induced [Ca2+]i rise. Bisphenol A caused a concentration-dependent decrease in cell viability via apoptosis in a Ca2+-independent manner. Collectively, in MDCK cells, bisphenol A induced [Ca2+]i rises by causing phospholipase C–dependent Ca2+ release from the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria and Ca2+ influx via phospholipase A2–, protein kinase C–sensitive, store-operated Ca2+ channels.
Cardiovascular and Craniofacial Defects in Crk-Null Mice

ABSTRACT The Crk adaptor protein, which is encoded by two splice variants termed CrkI and CrkII, contains both SH2 and SH3 domains but no catalytic region. It is thought to function in signal transduction processes involved in growth regulation, cell transformation, cell migration, and cell adhesion. Although the function of Crk has been studied in considerable detail in cell culture, its biological role in vivo is still unclear, and no Crk-knockout mouse model has been available. Therefore, we generated a complete null allele of Crk in mice by using the Cre-loxP recombination approach. The majority of Crk-null mice die at late stages of embryonic development, and the remainder succumb shortly after birth. Embryos lacking both CrkI and CrkII exhibited edema, hemorrhage, and cardiac defects. Immunohistochemical examination suggested that defects in vascular smooth muscle caused dilation and rupturing of blood vessels. Problems in nasal development and cleft palate were also observed. These data indicate that Crk is involved in cardiac and craniofacial development and that it plays an essential role in maintaining vascular integrity during embryonic development.
Overview of the GSM system and protocol architecture

The global system for mobile telecommunications (GSM), which provides terminal mobility, with personal mobility provided through the insertion of a subscriber identity module (SIM) into the GSM network, is discussed. Cellular mobile communications, the cellular network infrastructure, and the specification of network databases and standards are described. The GSMs, numbering plan, radio channel structure, mobility management, call routing and signaling, protocol layering architecture, signaling transport protocols, and paging messaging systems are also described. <<ETX>>
Life satisfaction set point: stability and change.

Using data from 17 years of a large and nationally representative panel study from Germany, the authors examined whether there is a set point for life satisfaction (LS)--stability across time, even though it can be perturbed for short periods by life events. The authors found that 24% of respondents changed significantly in LS from the first 5 years to the last 5 years and that stability declined as the period between measurements increased. Average LS in the first 5 years correlated . 51 with the 5-year average of LS during the last 5 years. Height, weight, body mass index, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and personality traits were all more stable than LS, whereas income was about as stable as LS. Almost 9% of the sample changed an average of 3 or more points on a 10-point scale from the first 5 to last 5 years of the study.
The Irrelevancy of Dividend Policy in an Arrow‐Debreu Economy

THERE ARE TWO APPROACHES to proving the irrelevancy of dividend policy in a perfect financial market: (1) substitute financing and (2) neutral reinvestment. In the first approach, adopted by Miller and Modigliani [3], the assets of the firm are held constant and compensating equity financing is used to replace dividends. In the second approach, adopted by Gordon [2] and more recently by Brennan [1], assets are permitted to vary with changes in dividends but in such a way that the change in investment is not desired for itself. Both approaches are designed to sort out the separate effects of capital budgeting decisions and dividend policy. However, while the former approach explicitly incorporates uncertainty, the second, presumably because of the difficulty of valuing an uncertain income stream has not been so generalized. However, in an Arrow-Debreu (complete markets) economy it is possible to discount an uncertain stream of income and, therefore, to generalize the neutral reinvestment proof to uncertainty. Consider, for convenience, a three date (t =0, 1,2) complete markets economy. The state at date t = 0 is known with certainty; at date t = 1 any one of E(e = 1,2,.,E) states can occur and at date t=2 any one of S(s= 1,2,.,S) states can occur. Let {Xe} represent cash flows received at date t = 1 conditional upon state e, and given the occurrence of state e, let {Xs.e} represent cash flows received at date t = 2 conditional upon state s. If { 1 + re) and { 1 + rs.e} are the corresponding discount rates, then the present value P of this stream of income is represented by
Interfascial and perinephric pathways in the spread of retroperitoneal disease: refined concepts based on CT observations.

Robert I. Aizenstein , Andrew C. Wilbur, Howard K. 0’ Neil T wo well-defined fascial planes, the perirenal and lateroconal fascia, demarcate the abdominal retropentoneal space into three compartments: the anterior pararenal, posterior pararenal, and perinephric spaces [1, 2]. Whereas most slowly accumulating, nonaggressive fluid collections are confmed to these three retroperitoneal compartments, CT observations and cadaveric dissections suggest that rapidly developing fluid collections can accumulate and spread within the retroperitoneal fascial planes themselves [3]. Furthermore, the perinephric space contains bridging perinephric septa and a complex network of lymphatics that can act as conduits for disease spread to or from the perinephric space. In this pictorial essay, we illustrate three pathways of retroperitoneal disease spread: spread of disease within interfascial planes, disease spread to and from the pennephric space along perinephric bridging septa, and lymphatic spread of tumor to and from the pennephric space.
Treatment of small hepatocellular carcinoma with percutaneous ethanol injection: a validated prognostic model

OBJECTIVE:Percutaneous ethanol injection may prolong the survival of patients with small hepatocellular carcinoma associated with cirrhosis. The aim was to identify prognostic factors of survival and of local recurrence, as well as separate new lesions.METHODS:We performed Cox regression analysis in 115 consecutive patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (81 Child-Pugh class A, 34 Child-Pugh class B) treated by percutaneous ethanol injection. The validity of the model was tested by comparing predicted and observed survival in 105 independent patients from an external series.RESULTS:Overall survival rates were 89%, 63%, and 43% at 1, 2, and 3 yr, respectively. The 1-, 2-, and 3-yr survival rates were 96%, 78%, and 63%, respectively, for Child-Pugh class A patients and were 73%, 35%, 12%, respectively, for Child-Pugh class B. The albumin level was the only independent variable significantly associated with survival (p < 0.0001). The 3-yr rate of appearance of separate new lesions and local recurrence were 41% and 23%, respectively. The survival predicted by the model agreed with that observed in the independent patients.CONCLUSIONS:Survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma treated by percutaneous ethanol injection is related to baseline albumin level. The high rate of recurrence (both local and distant) points out the palliative role of this therapy.
A survey of internet financial reporting in Oman

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the extent and variety of practices of internet financial reporting (IFR) by companies listed on the Muscat Securities Market (MSM) in Oman. While IFR is fast becoming the norm in most western countries, there is little empirical evidence of the phenomenon in the Middle East region. This paper attempts to fill some of the gap in the literature by providing evidence of IFR practices in Oman.Design/methodology/approach – The 142 companies listed on the MSM were investigated to ascertain whether they maintain websites and/or if these sites are being used for communicating financial information.Findings – Only 84 of the listed companies were found to operate websites, with even less (only 31) engaging in IFR. However, IFR is not restricted to the publication of annual financial statements only as the companies also disclose financial highlights through their websites.Practical implications – The results of this study indicate that IFR is still at an embryo.
The Social and Economic Importance of Full Employment

Unemployment was singled out by John Maynard Keynes as one of the principle faults of capitalism; the other is excessive inequality. Obviously, there is some link between these two faults: since most people living in capitalist economies must work for wages as a major source of their incomes, the inability to obtain a job means a lower income. If jobs can be provided to the unemployed, inequality and poverty will be reduced--although such policy will not directly address the problem of excessive income at the top of the distribution. Most importantly, Keynes wanted to put unemployed labor to work--not digging holes, but in socially productive ways. This would help to ensure that the additional effective demand created by government spending would not be exhausted in higher prices as it ran up against bottlenecks or other supply constraints. Further, it would help maintain public support for the government's programs by providing useful output. And it would generate respect for, and feelings of self-worth in, the workers employed in these projects (no worker would want to spend her days digging holes that serve no useful purpose). President Roosevelt's New Deal jobs programs (such as the Works Progress Administration and the Civilian Conservation Corps) are good examples of such targeted job-creating programs. These provided income and employment for workers, actually helped increase the nation's productivity, and left us with public buildings, dams, trails, and even music that we still enjoy today. As our nation (and the world) collapses into deep recession, or even depression, it is worthwhile to examine Hyman P. Minsky's comprehensive approach to resolving the unemployment problem.
Intraocular electro-optic lens with ciliary muscle controlled accommodation

In this paper a concept is proposed of an intraocular lens implant with electro-optic accommodation of a variable-focus hybrid liquid-crystal-based lens. The dioptric strength of the lens is electronically controlled by a signal that is derived from the change of inductance of a sensing coil due to a marker implanted in the nearby contracting or decontracting ciliary muscle. Analytical, numerical and experimental results are reported on the dependency of the frequency of a Colpitts oscillator circuit on the location of a nearby conductive marker. A concept is also reported on the use as an electro-optic lens of a device based on a liquid crystal in planar alignment, which is held between a flat and a curved window coated with optically transparent and electrically conductive layers.
Pulmonary Function in HIV-Infected Recreational Drug Users in the Era of Anti-Retroviral Therapy.

BACKGROUND Individuals with HIV infection commonly have pulmonary function abnormalities, including airflow obstruction and diffusion impairment, which may be more prevalent among recreational drug users. To date, the relationship between drug use and pulmonary function abnormalities among those with HIV remains unclear. OBJECTIVE To determine associations between recreational drug use and airflow obstruction, diffusion impairment, and radiographic emphysema in men and women with HIV. METHODS Cross-sectional analysis of pulmonary function and self-reported recreational drug use data from a cohort of 121 men and 63 women with HIV. Primary outcomes were the presence (yes/no) of: 1) airflow obstruction, (pre- or post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 second/forced vital capacity<0.70); 2) moderate diffusion impairment (diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide <60% predicted); and 3) radiographic emphysema (>1% of lung voxels <-950 Hounsfield units). Exposures of interest were frequency of recreational drug use, recent (since last study visit) drug use, and any lifetime drug use. We used logistic regression to determine associations between recreational drug use and the primary outcomes. RESULTS HIV-infected men and women reported recent recreational drug use at 56.0% and 31.0% of their study visits, respectively, and 48.8% of men and 39.7% of women reported drug use since their last study visit. Drug use was not associated with airway obstruction or radiographic emphysema in men or women. Recent crack cocaine use was independently associated with moderate diffusion impairment in women (odds ratio 17.6; 95% confidence interval 1.3-249.6, p=0.03). CONCLUSIONS In this cross-sectional analysis, we found that recreational drug use was common among HIV-infected men and women and recent crack cocaine use was associated with moderate diffusion impairment in women. Given the increasing prevalence of HIV infection, any relationship between drug use and prevalence or severity of chronic pulmonary diseases could have a significant impact on HIV and chronic disease management.
Cash Versus Services: ‘Worlds of Welfare’ and the Decommodification of Cash Benefits and Health Care Services

Welfare state models have focused almost exclusively on the study of cash benefits, and typologies established on this limited basis have been used to generalise about all forms of welfare state provision. This ignores the fact that welfare states are also about the actual delivery of services and/or that countries vary in terms of the relative emphasis that they place upon cash benefits and welfare state services. This article explores the cash and services mix in, and between, welfare states with reference to recent welfare state typologies, most notably Esping-Andersen's decommodification-centred ‘worlds of welfare’. It compares the decommodification levels of the main cash benefits with the main area of service provision: health care. The resulting analysis suggests that when services are added into the comparative analysis of welfare state regimes there are five welfare state clusters: Social Democratic, Liberal, Conservative, and sub-groups within both the Liberal and Conservative regimes. The article concludes that, in order to maintain integrity or generalisability, future welfare state typologies need to reflect more adequately the role of services in welfare state provision.
Stakeholders, natural resource management and Australian rural local governments: A Q methodological study

Abstract This paper reports on a Q methodological study of stakeholder perceptions of rural local government management of natural resources. Data analysis of the Q sorts revealed that there are five distinct stakeholder perspectives relating to rural local government and natural resource management. In terms of natural resource management at the local level rural stakeholders perceive local government as an unwilling participant, an inconsequential participant, as a problematic participant, as a potential participant, and, most positively, a participatory partner. The paper describes each of these five stakeholder perspectives in detail before examining the implications of these findings for greater natural resource management at the local level in non-metropolitan Australia.