Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
European internal security as a public good

Abstract This introduction argues for a new research agenda on European internal security cooperation from the perspective of public goods. We set out our case in three parts. First, we identify new empirical puzzles and demonstrate significant explanatory gaps in the existing internal security literature which public goods theory could help address. Second, we outline the building blocks of a public goods approach and provide an overview of its application, both existing and potentially, in various areas of regional security and European integration. Third, we present three complementary ways of using public goods theory to analyse internal security in the European Union, with the aim of spurring new research questions while accepting some limitations of this theoretical approach.
Inductive teaching method–an alternate method for small group learning

Background: Different forms of small group interactive teaching have found an increasing role in medical education in the recent past. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of topic-based small group tutorials and compare between two such tutorials, the directed tutorial where the tutor takes the initiative and the inductive tutorial which places the initiative on the student. Methods: Final-year medical students were exposed to alternate sessions of directed and inductive teaching during their rotation in paediatric surgery. For inductive teaching, the topic was announced and the students took turns in asking questions and answering them, the tutor stepping in only when required. The tutor both initiated and guided the discussion in the directed method. Students assessed the tutorials and compared the two learning methods evaluating eight different parameters using a Likert scale. Statistical significance was tested using the Wilcoxon signed ranks test. Results: Feedback was available from 49 out of 52 students. The tutorials were ranked highly for all parameters studied. The inductive method was better for comfort, interest, memory, inspiration to read more, comprehension and for correlation with previous knowledge (P < 0.05). The directed method was superior for the content covered in a given time (P < 0.001). Conclusions: The topic-based tutorials were effective. The inductive method by adding a reflective component, appeared to facilitate deep learning. Further research will determine its suitability for formal introduction into the curriculum.
Defining sustainable leadership

The concepts of sustainable leadership remain complex and confusing for employees, leaders and organisations to grasp. It is a challenge for today's organisations to define these concepts and to be able to measure them. This study analysed the interpretations of sustainability, subsequently developing a sustainable leadership definition acceptable to all demographics within an organisation. This simplified definition and example will be used in a questionnaire developed by the authors, the Sustainable Leadership Questionnaire (SLQ). The ultimate objective for the use of this definition is to aid in gauging employees' perception of sustainable leadership in organisations by way of the SLQ. Additionally, the questionnaire will be used as a baseline to track organisational improvements, if any, over time in sustainable leadership behaviours.
Feminist research methodologies and student projects

Although there has been an increasing number of articles on teaching and gender, there has been little discussion of the implications of feminist research methodologies for student projects. This paper aims to overcome this 'blind spot' through discussion of the pedagogic implications raised by the adoption of such methodologies in student projects: choice of topic, choice of research methods, emancipatory role of the project, dilemmas experienced during 'fieldwork' and interpretive and writing styles used during the research process. The constraints mitigating against the adoption of feminist methodologies are explored, including issues of training, supervision, assessment criteria and presentational issues, with the aim of encouraging a discussion on the use of such methodologies in future student research projects.
ASSESSING TECHNOLOGY DIFFERENCES IN ELECTRONIC AND MOBILE PAYMENT SYSTEMS AMONG DEVELOPED AND DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

This paper examines 45 current electronic and mobile payment systems in developed and developing countries. First, each payment technology was assessed and classified as belonging to one of the several major categories consisting of SMS, WAP, USSD, NFC (RFID), Smart Card, Internet and IVR. Then, a technology prevalence matrix drawn from the previous stage was used as an input for sub-sample factor analyses. SMS, IVR and PC-based payment technologies were found to be more prevalent in developing countries, while smart card appeared most popular in developed countries. This contrast suggests that developing countries may have bypassed some established technologies and leapfrogged to mobile EPS instead. Factor analyses were run for each group and the first factor shows some differences in the main pattern of EPS for developing and developed countries. Mobile and PC-based technologies stand out when compared with NFC and smart card technologies for EPS.
Molecular modes of action of artesunate in tumor cell lines.

A profound cytotoxic action of the antimalarial, artesunate (ART), was identified against 55 cancer cell lines of the U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI). The 50% inhibition concentrations (IC50 values) for ART correlated significantly to the cell doubling times (P = 0.00132) and the portion of cells in the G0/G1 (P = 0.02244) or S cell cycle phases (P = 0.03567). We selected mRNA expression data of 465 genes obtained by microarray hybridization from the NCI data base. These genes belong to different biological categories (drug resistance genes, DNA damage response and repair genes, oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, apoptosis-regulating genes, proliferation-associated genes, and cytokines and cytokine-associated genes). The constitutive expression of 54 of 465 (=12%) genes correlated significantly to the IC50 values for ART. Hierarchical cluster analysis of these 12 genes allowed the differentiation of clusters with ART-sensitive or ART-resistant cell lines (P = 0.00017). For exemplary validation, cell lines transduced with 3 of the 12 genes were used to prove a causative relationship. The cDNAs for a deletion-mutated epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and for gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase increased resistance to ART. The conditional expression of the CDC25A gene using a tetracycline repressor expression vector increased sensitivity toward ART. Multidrug-resistant cells differentially expressing the MDR1, MRP1, or BCRP genes were not cross-resistant to ART. ART acts via p53-dependent and- independent pathways in isogenic p53+/+ p21WAF1/CIP1+/+, p53-/- p21WAF1/CIP1+/+, and p53+/+ p21WAF1/CIP1-/- colon carcinoma cells.
Proteomics Genomes , Proteomes , and the Central Dogma

Systems biology, with its associated technologies of proteomics, genomics, and metabolomics, is driving the evolution of our understanding of cardiovascular physiology. Rather than studying individual molecules or even single reactions, a systems approach allows integration of orthogonal data sets from distinct tiers of biological data, including gene, RNA, protein, metabolite, and other component networks. Together these networks give rise to emergent properties of cellular function, and it is their reprogramming that causes disease. We present 5 observations regarding how systems biology is guiding a revisiting of the central dogma: (1) It deemphasizes the unidirectional flow of information from genes to proteins; (2) it reveals the role of modules of molecules as opposed to individual proteins acting in isolation; (3) it enables discovery of novel emergent properties; (4) it demonstrates the importance of networks in biology; and (5) it adds new dimensionality to the study of biological systems. (Circ Cardiovasc Genet. 2011;4:00-00.)
Hierarchical Control and Optimum Firm Size

There is a great deal of evidence that almost all organizational structures tend to produce false images in the decision-maker, and that the larger and more authoritarian the organization, the better the chance that its top decision-makers will be operating in purely imaginary worlds. This perhaps is the most fundamental reason for supposing that there are ultimately diminishing returns to scale.
The Regulation of Media Markets in selected EU Accession States in Central and Eastern Europe

This article examines the phenomenon of policy transfer in the EU accession countries of the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovenia. When formulating media laws in the early 1990s, these countries were presented with models put forth by advisors from the US and EU Member States. Advisors proposed models based upon their own domestic policy and/or organisation agendas. A resulting 'battle of the models' can be observed with different experts and actors lobbying for the adoption of contrasting regulatory models. Underlying this were often political, economic and trade interests. In particular, 'Western' governments were interested in guaranteeing the opening of new markets, and the stability of these new media markets for Western capital investment, as well as wider political concerns of consolidating democracy in Europe. Interest groups and NGOs wished to transfer their ideas to Eastern Europe often in advocacy of their own agendas in an enlarged Europe.
Employment transformation enhancement in South Africa : establishing a job-sharing model to promote employment equity

South Africa embarked on major societal and economic transformations after the 1994 elections. Various legislative reforms, aimed at eliminating discrimination and promoting equity in the workplace also featured prominently. One of the most important pieces of legislation in this regard was the Employment Equity Act and as a result, employers are compelled to adhere, among other provisions, to employment equity plans to address the position of historically disadvantaged persons. lbrg There is, however, a plethora of workplace approaches that could be followed, but that are not all possible or to the advantage of organisations. The literature outlines a number of alternative work arrangements which could be applied in organisations, but which are limited in terms of the peculiarities of the South African labour market owing to the history of discrimination and apartheid. The labour market imbalances therefore necessitate alternative approaches to accommodate the transformation of the South African economy where employers are striving to achieve a representative non-racial labour force. lbrg This research paper analyses job-sharing as a means of addressing transformation to promote employment equity in South Africa by developing a model using the Delphi technique as part of the research methodology. A literature survey was first undertaken, followed by an empirical investigation at a very prominent financial institution in South Africa. The design of the job-sharing model is based on the following research assumptions: (1) not all positions allow for job-sharing (2) there are conditions in the working environment that enhance or detract from the effectiveness of job-sharing, and (3) there are certain characteristics of a job-sharing team that make them suitable for job-sharing. The research findings were used to obtain the necessary information for the actual design and implementation of the job-sharing model, which can be used by organisations characterised by a highly skilled workforce to optimise their efforts to promote equity and to address labour market imbalances in a manner that is optimal for all parties concerned.
A Conceptual Framework for the Evaluation of Comprehensive Labor Market Policy Reforms in Germany ∗

A Conceptual Framework for the Evaluation of Comprehensive Labor Market Policy Reforms in Germany Over the last year the German government has introduced a comprehensive set of labor market policy reforms, the so-called Hartz reforms, which aim at a significant reduction of unemployment. To this end, (a) many of the existing instruments of active labor market policy are modified considerably, (b) a set of new instruments is introduced, and (c) the administrative framework in which these measures operate is changed substantially. In order to be able to judge the success of these measures by the end of the current legislative period in mid-2006, the government has asked academic experts to set up an evaluation concept capable of generating reliable empirical evidence by that date. The task is therefore to develop a ready-to-implement concept for the evaluation of the full set of reforms in their entirety, as well as each instrument on its own, facing substantive constraints regarding data availability and a short time horizon. This paper presents such a concept. We discuss essential guidelines for an ideal evaluation design, conceptual and practical difficulties that arise in the context of evaluating the Hartz reforms, and ways to overcome these obstacles. After detailing the three main analytical steps – analyses of effectiveness, efficiency, and implementation and process analysis – we present the concrete evaluation design, specific methods applicable to particular instruments, and a sampling scheme for collecting the required data. In addition to the fact that our concept is directly implementable, it also has the advantage of being extensible for future labor market policy evaluations. JEL Classification: J0
Long‐term morbidity of patients with early breast cancer after sentinel lymph node biopsy compared to axillary lymph node dissection

Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is widely accepted as an excellent method in the management of early breast cancer in patients with clinically negative axillary lymph nodes. Since SLNB requires less traumatic surgery to the axilla than axillary lymph node dissection (ALND), it was assumed to result in reduced shoulder/arm morbidity. However, data on long‐term morbidity after SNLB are sparse. The present study was set up to compare long‐term arm/shoulder morbidity as well as oncological outcome after SLNB versus ALND in patients with early breast cancer.
Chronic Ethanol Consumption and Thiamine Deficiency Modulate β-Amyloid Peptide Level and Oxidative Stress in the Brain.

AIMS The effects of chronic ethanol (EtOH) consumption, associated or not with thiamine deficiency (TD), on β-amyloid peptide (Aβ) level and oxidative stress in the brain were studied in male C57BL/6 mice. METHODS Mice were prepared by feeding with an EtOH liquid diet, thiamine-depleted liquid diet and a thiamine-depleted EtOH liquid diet for 7 weeks. Biochemical parameters were measured by corresponding commercial kits. RESULTS EtOH consumption or TD induced a significant decrease in the thiamine level, but induced increased in the β-amyloid peptide 1-42 and β-amyloid peptide 1-40 (Aβ1-40) levels. EtOH consumption led to a significant increase in the malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) levels, total nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activities and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activities, but a significant decrease in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase activities. TD significantly elevated the MDA content and total NOS and iNOS activities but lowered SOD activity. Aβ1-40 overproduction, the change in the NO level, and SOD activity in the brain induced by chronic EtOH treatment associated with TD were greater than that induced by EtOH or TD alone. CONCLUSION Findings from this report suggested that chronic EtOH consumption could induce TD, excess Aβ production and oxidative damage, and the association with TD should have more severe effects on the brain. SHORT SUMMARY Chronic EtOH consumption or thiamine deficiency (TD) treatment could reduce the thiamine level, induce β-amyloid peptide (Aβ) overproduction and oxidative stress in the brain. When associated with TD, EtOH consumption caused Aβ overproduction and oxidative damage more serious.
The introduction of broker anonymity on the New Zealand Exchange

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of the introduction of anonymous trading on the liquidity of New Zealand Stock Exchange (NZX)‐listed stocks.Design/methodology/approach – The paper examines the impact of the switch to anonymous trading on effective spreads and adverse selection costs using both univariate and multivariate approaches and data spanning a 240‐day event window period. The paper also compares the NZX's share of trading in cross‐listed stocks before and after the switch to anonymous trading to determine if the change in market architecture improved the NZX's competitiveness vis‐a‐vis the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX). Findings – The paper finds that effective spreads and adverse selection costs increased following the switch to anonymous trading across the broad range of NZX50 stocks, consistent with an increase in information risk in the post‐event period. However, the paper also finds that the switch to anonymous trading improved the NZX's market share in trading .
Consistency, Choice, and Rationality

In Consistency, Choice, and Rationality, economic theorists Walter Bossert and Kotaro Suzumura present a thorough mathematical treatment of Suzumura consistency, an alternative to established coherence properties such as transitivity, quasi-transitivity, or acyclicity. Applications in individual and social choice theory, fields important not only to economics but also to philosophy and political science, are discussed. Specifically, the authors explore topics such as rational choice and revealed preference theory, and collective decision making in an atemporal framework as well as in an intergenerational setting.
Caregiver personality predicts rate of cognitive decline in a community sample of persons with Alzheimer's disease. The Cache County Dementia Progression Study

ABSTRACT Background: Environmental influences on the rate of Alzheimer's disease (AD) progression have received little attention. Our objective was to test hypotheses concerning associations between caregiver personality traits and the rate of AD progression. Methods: Care receivers (CR) were 161 persons with AD from a population-based dementia progression study; 55 of their caregivers were spouses and 106 were adult children. Cognitive status of the CR was measured with the Mini-Mental State Examination every six months, over an average of 5.6 (range: 1–14) years. Linear mixed models tested rate of cognitive decline as a function of caregiver personality traits from the NEO Five-Factor Inventory. Results: Significantly faster cognitive decline was observed with higher caregiver Neuroticism overall; however, in stratified models, effects were significant for adult child but not spouse caregivers. Neuroticism facets of depression, anxiety, and vulnerability to stress were significantly associated with faster decline. Higher caregiver Extraversion was associated with slower decline in the CR when caregivers were adult children but not spouses. Conclusions: For adult child caregivers, caregiver personality traits are associated with rate of cognitive decline in CRs with AD regardless of co-residency. Results suggest that dementia caregiver interventions promoting positive care management strategies and ways to react to caregiving challenges may eventually become an important complement to pharmacologic and other approaches aimed at slower rate of decline in dementia.
Hamstring injuries and predicting return to play: ‘bye-bye MRI?’

In the elite athlete setting, MRI has gradually gained a magical reputation: it is the crystal ball that answers all the questions of the injured athlete, coaching and medical staff. Without imaging the injury, there is no peace of mind within the team. There is no doubt that the evolution of imaging techniques can support the management of the injured athlete, but we argue that the current available data suggests that it is almost useless for predicting return to play (RTP) following hamstring injury. In a recently published systematic review of the literature, we concluded that there is no strong evidence for any MRI finding that can guide sports physicians and radiologists in predicting prognosis for the time to RTP after an acute hamstring injury.1 This conclusion is mainly based on two limitations in the current literature: 1. Multiple studies on hamstring injuries found correlations between different MRI measures and the time to RTP. Unfortunately, these are limited to univariate analyses …
Papillary-serous adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix during tamoxifen therapy after bilateral breast cancer.

BACKGROUND Papillary-serous adenocarcinoma (PSCC) is a very rare subtype of cervical cancer. To our knowledge, this is the first report on PSCC of the uterine cervix following bilateral breast cancer. CASE REPORT A 61-year-old Caucasian woman underwent conserving surgery of both breasts at the age of 57 years, because of bilateral invasive ductal carcinoma. Radiation and tamoxifen treatment followed. Routine surveillance examinations, including pelvic examination, Papanicolaou (Pap) smear, and transvaginal ultrasound, were uneventful. Recently, a small contact-bleeding mass of the cervix was found. The Pap smear was II (reactive); HPV-DNA test was negative. The biopsy of the mass revealed PSCC with a high expression of p53, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and Ki67 (50%). Staining for estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and vimentin was negative. The serum carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA-125) reached 159 U/ml. The patient was treated with radical hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and pelvic and paraaortic lymphadenectomy. A poorly-differentiated papillary-serous, non-secretory adenocarcinoma, pT1b1, pN0 (0/44), pM0, G3, R0, V0, L0, was confirmed. According to the German recommendations for early-stage cervical cancer, the patient received no adjuvant treatment. Currently, the patient is free of relapse 38 months after the diagnosis of cervical cancer and 87 months after that of breast cancer. CONCLUSION Immunohistochemistry is helpful in diagnosing rare entities. This case adds further evidence that the prognosis for early-stage PSCC is probably not poorer than that for other cervical adenocarcinomas.