Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Financial Markets and the Challenges of Sustainable Growth

Abstract Sustainable growth and responsibility for the economy and the environment are postulates rarely associated with the term “financial market”. Financial markets are identified with the ruthless maximisation of profit at acceptable risk, rather than with socially responsible conduct. However, in the global economy businesses modify their priorities and become aware of not just the need to grow in financial terms but also to improve their quality performance. International financial markets have become part of this trend and are increasingly often adopting environmentally friendly attitudes and embracing the challenges posed by the concept of sustainable growth. Ideas such as CSR – Corporate Social Responsibility – and SRI – Socially Responsible Investment are gaining in importance. While sustainable growth of the economy as perceived from the point of view of the manufacturing or service sectors is widely discussed, the sustainable growth of financial markets is a relatively new concept and the available literature on “green” financial markets is quite scarce. This paper is intended to fill in this gap and examine the changes that have taken place on financial markets in the context of the idea of sustainable growth, with particular attention paid to the European Union markets.
Meeting commercial and social goals: institutional investment in the housing association sector*

Abstract Analyses of the impacts of the use of private finance by housing associations (HAs) across Europe regularly align with the hybridity in the social housing sector, linking private finance to a range of negative consequences related to the loss of social purposes by HAs. This article examines some of the implications of institutional investment for HAs in Britain to meet their economic and social goals. Using a combination of interviews with HAs and institutional investors and a round table discussion, the study shows how such investment has facilitated HAs as hybrid organisations which adopt a pragmatically ‘fit-for-purpose’ approach that combines social benefit with profitability. For institutional investors, investing in social housing is a profit-oriented business as well as a corporate social activity that creates public relations benefits. Importantly, the study shows how government regulations can affect the form of institutional investment (bond finance rather than equity investment) in social housing and help HAs balance the opportunities and risks in combining business and social orientations.
Haemophilus influenzae type b antibodies in vaccinated and non‐vaccinated children

Background: Invasive Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) infection has a high morbidity among young children, but the burden of disease and rate of Hib are different in different regions. The aim of the present study was to investigate the levels of Hib antibodies and the oropharyngeal Hib prevalence in young children.
Concise Review: Two negative feedback loops place mesenchymal stem/stromal cells at the center of early regulators of inflammation

Recent data demonstrated that MSCs can be activated by proinflammatory signals to introduce two negative feedback loops into the generic pathway of inflammation. In one loop, the activated MSCs secrete PGE2 that drives resident macrophages with an M1 proinflammatory phenotype toward an M2 anti‐inflammatory phenotype. In the second loop, the activated MSCs secrete TSG‐6 that interacts with CD44 on resident macrophages to decrease TLR2/NFκ‐B signaling and thereby decrease the secretion of proinflammatory mediators of inflammation. The PGE2 and TSG‐6 negative feedback loops allow MSCs to serve as regulators of the very early phases of inflammation. These and many related observations suggest that the MSC‐like cells found in most tissues may be part of the pantheon of cells that protect us from foreign invaders, tissue injury, and aging. STEM Cells 2013;31:2042–2046
Milk composition varies in relation to the presence and abundance of Balantidium coli in the mother in captive rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta)

Primate infants require extensive maternal investment, and lactation is the most expensive aspect of this investment. However, the relationship between maternal condition and milk composition has been largely uninvestigated in primates. To better understand this relationship, I collected mid‐lactation milk samples from 46 captive multiparous rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) at the Caribbean Primate Research Center, Sabana Seca Field Station, Puerto Rico. The maternal variables assessed were age, weight, weight for crown–rump length (CRL), and presence of parasites. Additionally the analysis included infant age, weight, and sex. Protein concentration in milk showed little interindividual variation, whereas fat had a high variance. Mothers without the lower intestinal parasite Balantidium coli had a significantly higher fat concentration in milk than mothers with B. coli, but other parasite species (Trichuris trichiura and Strongyloides fulleborni) were not associated with milk fat concentration. Females with younger infants had a higher fat concentration in their milk than mothers with older infants; however, the association between B. coli and milk fat remained significant after controlling for infant age. These results, obtained from a well fed captive population, indicate that even small differences among mothers are associated with milk composition. Am. J. Primatol. 69:625–634, 2007. © 2007 Wiley Liss, Inc.
A repeated measures model for analysis of continuous outcomes in sequential parallel comparison design studies

Previous authors have proposed the sequential parallel comparison design (SPCD) to address the issue of high placebo response rate in clinical trials. The original use of SPCD focused on binary outcomes, but recent use has since been extended to continuous outcomes that arise more naturally in many fields, including psychiatry. Analytic methods proposed to date for analysis of SPCD trial continuous data included methods based on seemingly unrelated regression and ordinary least squares. Here, we propose a repeated measures linear model that uses all outcome data collected in the trial and accounts for data that are missing at random. An appropriate contrast formulated after the model has been fit can be used to test the primary hypothesis of no difference in treatment effects between study arms. Our extensive simulations show that when compared with the other methods, our approach preserves the type I error even for small sample sizes and offers adequate power and the smallest mean squared error under a wide variety of assumptions. We recommend consideration of our approach for analysis of data coming from SPCD trials. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Substance P regulates the function of rabbit cultured osteoclast; increase of intracellular free calcium concentration and enhancement of bone resorption.

The effects of substance P on cultured rabbit osteoclasts were investigated. The intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) which was monitored by the microfluorometric technique using fura-2, in osteoclasts elevated by the addition of substance P (0.3-5 microM). The EC(50) value of substance P was about 200 nM. This substance P-evoked [Ca(2+)](i) elevation was not observed in the Ca(2+)-free medium. Simultaneous application of spantide, a substance P receptor antagonist, blocked the Ca(2+) response. The addition of substance P (0.1-10 microM) to cultured osteoclasts enhanced their bone resorption activity which was evaluated by the pit formation assay. Maximum enhancement of the pit formation by substance P (5 microM) peaked at about 170% of the control level. The addition of substance P receptor antagonists also inhibited the enhancement of the bone resorption by substance P addition. Substance P possibly stimulates the bone remodeling by osteoclasts via the [Ca(2+)](i) elevation.
Re-Examining the Effects of Regulation Fair Disclosure Using Foreign Listed Firms to Control for Concurrent Shocks

We re-examine prior studies' findings concerning the effects of Regulation Fair Disclosure (Reg FD) on properties of US firms' information environments. Our study's innovation is the identification of a sample of industry- and size-matched foreign listed firms (ADRs) explicitly exempt from the provisions of Reg FD. We use the ADR sample to control for events occurring at the same time as Reg FD and which affected all traded firms' information environments. Specifically, by examining the relative difference in changes in pre- versus post- information proxies for US versus ADR firms, we provide a more powerful test of effects unique to Reg FD. Across all tests, we find that US firms' information environments changed no more nor no less than those of ADRs, suggesting that Reg FD itself had little effect on the aspects of US firms' environments we consider.
Reversal potential of the calcium current in bull‐frog atrial myocytes.

1. Voltage clamp recordings of the calcium current (ICa) in single myocytes which were enzymatically isolated from bull‐frog atrium show that a genuine reversal of the current flowing through Ca2+ channels can be recorded (ef. Reuter & Scholz, 1977; Lee & Tsien, 1982, 1984; Campbell, Giles & Shibata, 1988c). In normal 2.5 mM [Ca2+]0 Ringer solution this apparent reversal potential (Erev) is near +50 mV, a value well below the predicted thermodynamic Ca2+ equilibrium potential (ECa). 2. None the less, Erev shifts with variations in extracellular divalent ion concentrations (Ca2+, Sr2+ and Ba2+) according to the predictions of a Nernstian divalent cation electrode, i.e. approximately 29 mV per 10‐fold change in the external concentration of divalent ion. 3. The existing theoretical analysis of this Erev has been extended in order to clarify its interpretation with regard to the selectivity characteristics of ICa. 4. The apparent reversal potential is analysed using a form of the constant field equation which has been modified to include (i) simultaneous monovalent and divalent cation movements and (ii) the presence of a surface potential (V'). This equation can be solved to yield an explicit expression for Erev. The effects of V' on apparent permeability ratios for the Ca2+ channel Erev are demonstrated. 5. In combination, our experimental results and calculations suggest that: (i) previous estimates of V' which were used to describe permeability (P) ratios of Ca2+ channels in various cardiac preparations may be in error, (ii) in normal [Ca2+]o the PNa/PCa ratio is very small, and (iii) PCa/PK must be greater than 1000. An analysis of the relative selectivity of the channel for divalent cations compared to K+ shows that PCa greater than PSr greater than PBa, assuming that PK remains the same after the divalent substitutions. 6. The Ca2+ channel in bull‐frog atrial cells is thus much more selective for Ca2+ ions than had previously been estimated; in particular, inward flow of monovalent cations (e.g. Na+) through these channels does not contribute significantly to the observed ICa. The physiological implications of this high selectivity for Ca2+ ions are discussed.
Dielectric material impact on capacitive RF MEMS reliability

The influence of different types of dielectrics on the switching behaviour and reliability of capacitive RF MEMS switches fabricated by metal surfacemicromachining is investigated. Sputtered AIN layers are compared to PECVD Si,N4 and TalOs layers. It has been found that switches with sputtered AIN can he operated without failure in a wide range of driving conditions. Besides the dielectric charging problem another degradation has heen observed independent of the dielectric material. The effect only occurs for operation in ambient air and is probably caused by an electrochemical reaction.
Efficient shaped quantizer dithering implementation for sigma delta modulators

A well-known limitation of sigma delta modulators is the generation of limit cycle oscillations for DC and slow varying inputs. These limit cycles give rise to undesired tones at the output of the modulator which result in the deterioration of the signal to noise ratio (SNR). However, the use of high dither signal amplitude results in raising the in-band noise floor level. Based on the analysis presented in this paper, it is shown that the required dithering amplitude can be minimal depending on the oversampling ratio (OSR). Moreover, a new dither injection technique for sigma delta modulators is presented based on the analysis findings. The proposed circuit effectively eliminates the undesired tonal components of the modulator though the randomization of the comparator's threshold levels. Simulation results using a first order single bit ΣΔ modulator show the suppression of the tonal components while deteriorating the SQNR by less than 1 dB.
Crystal structures of tris[1-oxopyridine-2-olato(1−)]silicon(IV) chloride chloroform-d 1 disolvate, tris[1-oxopyridine-2-olato(1−)]silicon(IV) chloride acetonitrile unquantified solvate, and fac-tris[1-oxopyridine-2-thiolato(1−)]silicon(IV) chloride chloroform-d 1 disolvate

The homoleptic triply-ligated cation in two silyl chloride salt solvates of 1-oxo-2-pyridinone is found to co-crystallize as a mixture of fac and mer isomers. A related silyl cation of 1-oxo-2-pyridinethione is found as the fac isomer.
Randomized, double‐blind phase II trial of Lexipafant, a platelet‐activating factor antagonist, in human acute pancreatitis

The aims of the study were to determine whether the platelet‐activating factor antagonist Lexipafant could alter the clinical course and suppress the inflammatory response of human acute pancreatitis. In a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study 83 patients were randomized to receive Lexipafant 60 mg intravenously for 3 days, or placebo. Clinical progression was assessed by daily Acute Physiology And Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score and organ failure score (OFS). The magnitude of the inflammatory response on days 1‐5 was assessed by serial measurement of interleukin (IL) 8, IL‐6, E‐selectin, polymorphonuclear elastase‐alpha1‐antitrypsin (PMNE‐α1‐AT), and C‐reactive protein (CRP). At entry, patients receiving Lexipafant (n = 42) or placebo (n = 41) were matched for age and sex, aetiology, APACHE II score and OFS. The disease was classified as severe in 29 patients (APACHE II score eight or more). There was a significant reduction in the incidence of organ failure (P = 0±041) and in total OFS (P=0±048) at the end of medication (72 h). During this time seven of 12 patients with severe acute pancreatitis who had Lexipafant recovered from an organ failure; only two of 11 with severe acute pancreatitis who had placebo recovered from an organ failure and two others developed new organ failure. Lexipafant treatment significantly reduced serum IL‐8 (P = 0±038), and IL‐6 declined on day 1. Plasma PMNE‐α1‐AT complexes peaked on day 1; the gradual fall to baseline over 5 days observed in controls did not occur in patients given Lexipafant. No effect was observed on serum CRP. This study provides a rationale for further clinical trials with the potent PAF antagonist Lexipafant in human acute pancreatitis.
Just-in-Time Adaptive Interventions (JITAIs): An Organizing Framework for Ongoing Health Behavior Support

An emerging mobile phone intervention design, called the just-in-time adaptive intervention (JITAI), holds enormous potential for adapting mobile phone-delivered interventions to the dynamics of an individual’s emotional, social, physical and contextual state, so as to prevent negative health outcomes and promote the adoption and maintenance of healthy behaviors. A JITAI is an intervention design aiming to address the dynamically changing needs of individuals via the provision of the type/amount of support needed, at the right time, and only when needed. Despite the increasing use and the practical and conceptual appeal of JITAIs, a comprehensive organizing scientific framework to guide the construction of efficacious evidence-based JITAIs has yet to be provided. To bridge this gap, the current manuscript provides an organizing scientific framework to guide the construction of JITAIs. The key components of a JITAI are described and illustrated using examples of JITAIs from various domains of psychological and health behavior research. Design principles are discussed, as well as practical and theoretical challenges that require consideration in the process of constructing efficacious JITAIs.
Proxisch: An Optimization Approach of Large-Scale Unstable Proxy Servers Scheduling

—Nowadays, big companies such as Google, Microsoft, which have adequate proxy servers, have perfectly implemented their web crawlers for a certain website in parallel. But due to lack of expensive proxy servers, it is still a puzzle for researchers to crawl large amounts of information from a single website in parallel. In this case, it is a good choice for researchers to use free public proxy servers which are crawled from the Internet. In order to improve efﬁciency of web crawler, the following two issues should be considered primarily: (1) Tasks may fail owing to the instability of free proxy servers; (2) A proxy server will be blocked if it visits a single website frequently. In this paper, we propose Proxisch, an optimization approach of large-scale unstable proxy servers scheduling, which allow anyone with extremely low cost to run a web crawler efﬁciently. Proxisch is designed to work efﬁciently by making maximum use of reliable proxy servers. To solve second problem, it establishes a frequency control mechanism which can ensure the visiting frequency of any chosen proxy server below the website’s limit. The results show that our approach performs better than the other scheduling algorithms.
Pericytes and periendothelial cells of brain parenchyma vessels co‐express aminopeptidase N, aminopeptidase A, and nestin

Within the parenchyma of the CNS, the endothelium of all vessels is surrounded by a layer of cells, pericytes in capillaries and periendothelial or intima smooth muscle cells in other vessels. The origin of these cell types, their relationship, and their role are unclear. However, it has been recently shown that genetically engineered mice that lack pericytes develop microaneurysms at late gestation and die before birth (Lindahl et al. [1997] Science 277:242–245). The goal of this study was to identify in situ molecular markers that would be common to pericytes and periendothelial cells of adult mouse brain. Immunocytochemistry experiments were carried out at the optical and electron‐microscopic levels on mouse brain sections with antibodies specific for aminopeptidase N, aminopeptidase A, and the intermediate filament nestin. The results of our experiments show that in all brain parenchyma vessels of all sizes, pericytes and periendothelial cells are immunoreactive for aminopeptidase N, essentially at the plasma membrane level, and are also labeled by nestin specific antibodies, which decorate typical intermediate filaments. In addition, brain pericytes and periendothelial cells are also immunoreactive to monoclonal antibodies to aminopeptidase A. In contrast, pericytes and periendothelial cells do not express microglial markers. Taken together these data show that pericytes and periendothelial intima smooth muscle cells share common markers, suggesting a common origin or function, and are distinct from microglia. J. Neurosci. Res. 58:367–378, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Diluent composition for use of API 20E in characterizing marine and estuarine bacteria

Nine chemically defined inoculation diluents, with compositions ranging from 0.85% NaCl to 35% marine salts, were used to evaluate the influence of diluent composition on the biochemical profiles of 30 marine and estuarine bacterial strains, including species of Vibrio, Aeromonas, Allomonas, and Photobacterium. Results demonstrated that a 20% marine salts diluent enabled the characterization of halophilic strains normally nonreactive by the API 20E system. Furthermore, the use of 20% marine salts showed that certain environmental isolates, identifiable as Vibrio parahaemolyticus by the recommended clinical inoculation procedure, were Vibrio vulnificus. An analysis of the profiles provided by the nine diluents indicates that the API 20E system, modified by the use of a diluent composed of 20% marine salts and incubated at 22 degrees C, can provide a reliable tool for the rapid characterization of marine and estuarine bacterial isolates.
Control of Ethanol Sensitivity of the Glycine Receptor α3 Subunit by Transmembrane 2, the Intracellular Splice Cassette and C-Terminal Domain

Previous studies have shown that the effect of ethanol on glycine receptors (GlyRs) containing the α1 subunit is affected by interaction with heterotrimeric G proteins (Gβγ). GlyRs containing the α3 subunit are involved in inflammatory pain sensitization and rhythmic breathing and have received much recent attention. For example, it is unknown whether ethanol affects the function of this important GlyR subtype. Electrophysiologic experiments showed that GlyR α3 subunits were not potentiated by pharmacologic concentrations of ethanol or by Gβγ. Thus, we studied GlyR α1–α3 chimeras and mutants to determine the molecular properties that confer ethanol insensitivity. Mutation of corresponding glycine 254 in transmembrane domain 2 (TM2) found in α1 in the α3A254G –α1 chimera induced a glycine-evoked current that displayed potentiation during application of ethanol (46 ± 5%, 100 mM) and Gβγ activation (80 ± 17%). Interestingly, insertion of the intracellular α3L splice cassette into GlyR α1 abolished the enhancement of the glycine-activated current by ethanol (5 ± 6%) and activation by Gβγ (−1 ± 7%). Incorporation of the GlyR α1 C terminus into the ethanol-resistant α3SA254G mutant produced a construct that displayed potentiation of the glycine-activated current with 100 mM ethanol (40 ± 6%) together with a current enhancement after G protein activation (68 ± 25%). Taken together, these data demonstrate that GlyR α3 subunits are not modulated by ethanol. Residue A254 in TM2, the α3L splice cassette, and the C-terminal domain of α3 GlyRs are determinants for low ethanol sensitivity and form the molecular basis of subtype-selective modulation of GlyRs by alcohol.
Selective Reaching: Distracter Effects on Movement Kinematics as a Function of Target—Distracter Separation

The authors investigated distracter effects on the kinematics of reaching movements to determine when during reaching responses (reaction time, time to peak velocity, time after peak velocity, or peak velocity) distracter interference occurred and how target-distracter separation affected the locus of interference. Participants moved a pen on a digitizing tablet toward a target appearing with or without a distracter. With a small target-distracter separation, distracter interference occurred during time after peak velocity (similar amounts of interference from near and far distracters). With a large target-distracter separation, distracter interference occurred during time to peak velocity (more interference from near compared to far distracters). The results demonstrated that target-distracter separation is an important determinant of the locus of distracter interference.