Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Review on the effects of influenza vaccination during pregnancy on preterm births

Pregnant women are considered to be susceptible to severe influenza illness and are recommended as a priority group to be targeted for influenza vaccination in countries with vaccination programs. Increased rates of poor birth outcomes have also been temporally associated with influenza infection, especially when pandemics strains emerge. Even though the primary purpose for influenza vaccination during pregnancy is to decrease the risk of influenza infection in the women, other potential benefits include protection of their young infants against influenza illness and possibly improving birth outcomes. The 2009 influenza A/H1N1 pandemic highlighted the importance of influenza vaccination during pregnancy, after pregnant women were identified as a group with heightened morbidity and mortality during the pandemic. A few studies conducted before the 2009/10 season and a large number of reports during and after the 2009 pandemic have assessed the association between maternal influenza vaccination and birth outcomes. Although these studies indicate that influenza vaccination is safe for both the mother and the fetus, there are conflicting data on the effect of vaccination in improving preterm birth rates. We reviewed the 2 published randomized control trials and other observational studies that explored the relationship between maternal influenza vaccination and preterm births.
International Human Rights Law and Natural Resources Projects Within the Traditional Territories of Indigenous Peoples

This article explores the relevance of international human rights law to natural resource developments within the traditional territories of indigenous peoples. The author argues that international law prescribes standards that limit the authority of the state to grant resource rights to third parties and to approve resource projects within the traditional territories of indigenous peoples. In making this argument, the article examines interactions between recent developments in human rights law and the domestic legal system. The author approaches the topic through an examination of how several recent international decisions deal with conflict between territorial rights asserted by indigenous peoples and resource development permits granted by domestic governments within those territories. The article suggests that these decisions point to an emerging trend on the international human rights stage to interpret international rights instruments as requiring consideration of the relationship of indigenous peoples to the land prior to allowing resource exploitation.
Proteomics of MUC1‐containing lipid rafts from plasma membranes and exosomes of human breast carcinoma cells MCF‐7

Apically expressed human MUC1 is known to become endocytosed and either to re‐enter the secretory pathway for recycling to the plasma membrane or to be exported by the cells via the formation of multi‐vesicular bodies and the release of exosomes. By using recombinant fusion‐tagged MUC1 as a bait protein we followed an anti‐myc affinity‐based approach for isolating subpopulations of lipid rafts from the plasma membranes and exosomes of MCF‐7 breast cancer cells. MUC1+ lipid rafts were not only found to contain genuine raft proteins (flotillin‐1, prohibitin, G protein, annexin A2), but also raft‐associated proteins linking these to the cytoskeleton (ezrin/villin‐2, profilin II, HSP27, γ‐actin, β‐actin) or proteins in complexes with raft proteins, including the bait protein (HSP60, HSP70). Major overlaps were revealed for the subproteomes of plasma membranous and exosomal lipid raft preparations, indicating that MUC1 is sorted into subpopulations of rafts for its trafficking via flotillin‐dependent pathways and export via exosomes.
A management tool for developing the relationships between large purchasing organisations and small ethnic minority suppliers

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to scrutinise the characteristics of the relationship between large purchasing organisations (LPOs) and ethnic minority suppliers (EMSs) engaging with supplier diversity programmes and provide an assessment and developmental framework for such organisations. Design/methodology/approach: Having considered an array of purchaser-supplier relationship frameworks in relevant streams of literature, the paper draws on Lamming et al.'s framework to advance a tool for assessing and developing the relationship between LPOs and EMSs. Findings: The submitted relationship assessment and development framework brings in sharp focus the characteristics of the relationship between LPO and EMS, providing a systematic way to examine the inter-organisational context within which EMS development takes place. Research limitations/implications: The framework submitted could signpost future research in this field, which should take a longitudinal, processual approach. This is necessary to provide opportunities to examine the dynamics underlying the development of potent LPO-EMS relationships in a variety of settings, including negative instances. Practical implications: The paper has implications for corporate policy making and practice in this arena. Assessing the potency of LPOs-EMSs relationships by applying the proffered tool can help both parties engage with supplier diversity, to develop fruitful relationships that enhance their competitiveness. Social implications: The latter can have social implications, as EMSs often operate in and employ people from disadvantaged communities. Originality/value: The framework advanced in this article constitutes a novel tool that highlights the areas in which LPOs and EMSs should channel their efforts, in order to develop a potent relationship between them, which underpins the development of EMSs' supply capabilities. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited.
A Time Domain differential CMOS Temperature Sensor with Reduced Supply Sensitivity

In this paper, a time domain CMOS temperature sensor with differential temperature sensing circuit and reduced supply sensitivity is presented. Differential temperature sensing is achieved by using two delay generators, each for generating positively and negatively proportional to temperature delays respectively. The effective temperature signal can then be increased for quantization. The variation in supply voltage is sensed and converted to bias currents proportional to supply voltage. Temperature error due to 10% supply voltage variation can be reduced to less than plusmn1degC. A temperature dependent pulse will be generated and then digitized by a ripple counter using an external clock signal. Simulation results show that a plusmn0.6degC with two-point calibration can be achieved with a temperature variation from 0degC to 100degC. The circuit consumes 12 muA and 70 muA in static and temperature acquiring mode, respectively, and has a sampling rate of more than 80 k samples/s.
Oxidation of low density lipoprotein by thiols: superoxide-dependent and -independent mechanisms.

Oxidatively damaged low density lipoprotein (LDL) may cause macrophages to accumulate cholesterol in an unregulated manner, initiating the development of atherosclerotic lesions. Cultured smooth muscle cells oxidize LDL by a superoxide (O2.-)-dependent mechanism that requires L-cystine and redox-active transition metal ions in the incubation medium. To test the hypothesis that cellular reduction of L-cystine to a thiol might be involved, we exposed LDL to L-cysteine, glutathione, and D,L-homocysteine. In a cell-free system each thiol modified LDL by a pathway that required either Cu2+ or Fe3+. Thiol- and Cu(2+)-modified LDL underwent lipid peroxidation and exhibited a number of properties of cell-modified LDL, including increased mobility on agarose gel electrophoresis and fragmentation of apolipoprotein B-100. Superoxide dismutase inhibited modification of LDL by L-cysteine/Cu2+, whereas catalase and mannitol were without effect. In striking contrast, superoxide dismutase had little effect on oxidation of LDL by Cu2+ and either homocysteine or glutathione. Moreover, only L-cysteine/Cu(2+)-modified 125I-labeled LDL was degraded more rapidly than 125I-labeled LDL by human monocyte-derived macrophages: superoxide dismutase in the reaction mixture blocked the facilitated uptake of L-cysteine/Cu(2+)-modified 125I-labeled LDL, suggesting involvement of O2. -. These results indicate that LDL oxidation by L-cysteine and Cu2+ requires O2. - but not H2O2 or hydroxyl radical. The reaction may involve the metal ion-dependent formation of L-cystine radical anion which is oxidized by oxygen, yielding O2. - and the disulfide. LDL modified by L-cysteine and smooth muscle cells exhibit similar physical and biological properties, indicating that thiol-dependent generation of O2. - may be the oxidative mechanism in both systems. Thiols also promote lipid peroxidation by O2(.-)-independent reactions but human macrophages fail to rapidly degrade these oxidized LDLs.
Dual C- and S-Band CMOS VCO Using the Shunt Varactor Switch

This paper proposes a high-performance CMOS voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) with two subfrequency bands. The VCO consists of two cross-coupled VCOs coupled by a pair of mode-switched inductors. Two pairs of shunt varactors are used to switch highand low-frequency bands. With the varactors as the mode switches, the odd mode VCO operates at the high frequency (C-band) and the even mode VCO operates at the low frequency (S-band). The proposed VCO has been implemented with the TSMC 0.18-μm 1P6M CMOS technology and it can generate differential signals in the frequency range of 5.21-6.66 GHz (IEEE 802.11a) and 3.26-3.84 GHz (IEEE 802.16a) and it also has high output voltage swings at both lowand high-frequency bands. The die area of the dual-band VCO is 0.976 mm × 1.092 mm. At the supply voltage of 0.75 V, the high(low)-band figure of merit is -190.5(-190.4) dBc/Hz.
Fast adaptation, strategic flexibility and entrepreneurial roles

Purpose – Strategic change is critical for firms suffering greater environmental uncertainty, but how can firms change their strategies quickly? The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of entrepreneurial orientation (EO) on the speed of strategic change (SSC) together with the moderating effect of strategic flexibility (composed of resource flexibility (RF) and coordination flexibility (CF)). Design/methodology/approach – A survey instrument of 351 Chinese firms obtained through the face‐to‐face interview method is used to empirically test the hypotheses.Findings – This study finds that EO has a positive impact on the SSC. In addition, the moderating effect of RF on the relationship between EO and the SSC is inverse U‐shaped, while that of CF is positive. The findings indicate that both EO and strategic flexibility are important antecedents of the SSC.Originality/value – This study adds an in‐depth understanding on the roles of EO and strategic flexibility as the antecedents of the SSC.
The First Mover in New Emerging Markets: Balancing Risks versus Opportunities in the Case of Belarus

This article elaborates on the first-mover advantages for foreign companies entering emerging markets based on the example of Belarus. It builds its theoretical framework on international business theories of localization and timing of market entry. The article offers a short review of the current economic situation in Belarus, with an accent on opportunities and incentives for investors versus possible risks and ways to offset them. Finally, several examples are offered demonstrating the performance of investors who managed to evaluate properly the balance between risks and opportunities and voted for an early entry in Belarus. It would appear that first-comer advantages clearly outweighed the risks.
Firms' Resource Deployment and Project Leadership in Open Source Software Development

When using the open source software (OSS), development model firms face the challenge to balance the tension between the integration of knowledge from external individuals and the desire for control. In our investigation, we draw upon a data set consisting of 109 projects with 912 individual programmers and 110 involved firms and show how those different projects are governed in terms of project leadership. Our four hypotheses show that despite the wish for external knowledge from voluntary programmers firms are relying on own resources or those from other firms to control a project, that projects with low firm participation are mainly led by voluntary committers, and that projects with high firm participation are mainly led by paid leaders. This research extends the dominating literature by providing empirical evidence in that area and helps to deepen our understanding of firm participation in OSS projects as a form of open innovation activity.
Interaction of Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli with Human Intestinal Mucosa: Role of Effector Proteins in Brush Border Remodeling and Formation of Attaching and Effacing Lesions

ABSTRACT Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) strains deliver effector proteins Tir, EspB, Map, EspF, EspH, and EspG into host cells to induce brush border remodeling and produce attaching and effacing (A/E) lesions on small intestinal enterocytes. In this study, the role of individual EPEC effectors in brush border remodeling and A/E lesion formation was investigated with an in vitro human small intestinal organ culture model of EPEC infection and specific effector mutants. tir, map, espB, and espH mutants produced “footprint” phenotypes due to close bacterial adhesion but subsequent loss of bacteria; an espB mutant and other type III secretion system mutants induced a “noneffacing footprint” associated with intact brush border microvilli, whereas a tir mutant was able to efface microvilli resulting in an “effacing footprint”; map and espH mutants produced A/E lesions, but loss of bacteria resulted in a “pedestal footprint. ” An espF mutant produced typical A/E lesions without associated microvillous elongation. An espG mutant was indistinguishable from the wild type. These observations indicate that Tir, Map, EspF, and EspH effectors play a role in brush border remodeling and production of mature A/E lesions.
Trends in the Participation and Performance of Students with Disabilities. Technical Report 50.

A report describing the first comprehensive analysis conducted by the National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO) of trends in the public reporting of state assessment results for students with disabilities. The study followed NCEO's four analyses of public reporting since the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. More states are reporting assessment data for students with disabilities disaggregated by grade level and content area. States have also improved their data collection systems that make this type of reporting possible but the number of states for which data were available across the four years was relatively small. Based on the states with data across years, average percentages of students with disabilities performing at the proficient or above level showed moderate increases across the four years for both reading and math in elementary and middle schools but not in high schools. Trend data also showed higher percentages of elementary school students demonstrating proficient or above performance in reading and math than their counterparts in middle and high school. Trends in the Participation and Performance of Students with Disabilities is a brief summary of this report.
Market timing effects on the investment performance of Asia-Pacific and European ADRs listed on the New York stock exchange

This study tests early and aftermarket returns of Asia-Pacific and European equities traded on the New York Stock Exchange as American Depository Receipts (ADRs) for a period of three years from the date of issue. The results provide evidence that the US markets overpriced on average the Asian ADRs for the entire sample period from January 1987 through September 2000. However, while the sample of Asia-Pacific equities issued from January 1987 through May 1998 underperformed the S&P 500 by almost 23%, the ADRs issued from May 1998 through September 2000 returned roughly the same as the S&P 500 for the three-year bear market holding period. These results may suggest timing of Asia-Pacific ADR issuance affects excess returns over the S&P 500 in the long run. On the other hand, the performance of the European ADR sample was roughly the same as the S&P 500 regardless of when issued.
A Multilevel Analysis of the Unemployment in Egypt

Despite its recent economic development, Egypt employment inequalities among gender and between different age cohorts are still an unresolved issue. In this work we apply a Multilevel Generalized Linear Mixed Model to the Egyptian Labor Market Panel Survey 2006 (ELMPS 2006) and 2012 (ELMPS 2012). By exploiting the hierarchical structure of the survey data, we investigate how the interplay between individual characteristics and regional context conditions Egyptians' individual probability of being unemployed. Moreover, we attempt to check \textit{if} and \textit{how} these same characteristics have changed between 2006 and 2012, that is, before and after the 2008 global financial crisis and the 2011 Revolution of the Arab world.
Releasing of restricted shares, firm quality, and market trading activity

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to examine the market reactions and its determinants of the releasing of restricted non-tradable shares and to provide some useful information for the coming releasing peak of IPO-restricted shares in China. Design/methodology/approach - The paper employs event study and empirical analysis. Findings - It was found that the cumulative abnormal return during the releasing windows is significantly negative, and firm quality, agency problems, and the market trading activity play important roles in explaining the negative market relations. This evidence shows that the cumulative abnormal returns during the releasing windows are positively associated with firm performance, assets turnover ratio, assets quality and trading turnover ratio, and are negatively associated with market-to-book ratio, financial leverage, the local government or private character of the ultimate ownership controller, and sum of trading on the announcement day. Originality/value - The paper's value to investors is to show that one should choose firms with good financial position, not controlled by local government or private, and refer to the market trading activity in releasing windows. The paper's value to regulation parties is that they should regulate disclosure quality of financial reports, and avoid arbitrage due to information asymmetry during the releasing process to reduce the negative wealth effects to investors.
Chemical Exposure as Etiology in Developmental Origin of Adult Onset Human Cancer

Chemical exposures are in principle preventable causes of cancer. People are exposed to chemicals already during fetal period and the possibility of disturbances in human development by chemical compounds leading to cancer later in life has been proven by diethylstilbestrol. The mechanisms most probably include epigenetic modifications of promoter regions of key genes. The world-wide increases in cancer incidence and concurrent increase in the number and quantity of chemicals in the environment raises concerns about a link between these two. Developmental origin and related mechanisms in chemically induced human cancer are worth pursuing.
The Field of Eurocracy: Mapping EU Actors and Professionals

fragmentation and limitations due to a top-down institutional structure. The second part of this volume starts with Maurizio Carbone’s analysis of the EU’s donor coordination and division of labour over recipient ownership, often resulting in ‘policy evaporation’ (Chapter 7). Along similar lines, Gordon Crawford demonstrates the rhetoric–reality gap in the EU’s attempt to promote democracy and human rights in Africa and explains it by a gradual process of norm diffusion, the significance of the nature and quality of the partnership, and by the negative influence of certain African autocratic leaders (Chapter 8). Focusing on Economic Partnerships Agreements (EPAs), Christopher Stevens indicates limitations to the EU’s ‘hard power’, even in negotiations with a group of weak and EU-dependent developing countries (Chapter 9). Also focusing on economic relations, in Chapter 10 Alan Matthews determines decisive improvement in terms of the EU’s coherent agricultural and fisheries policies towards Africa, as ‘the African exporters have broadly tariff-free access to the EU market for unlimited volumes of agri-food exports’ (205). Amelia Hadfield examines the emergence and evolution of an energy– development policy nexus in EU–Africa relations and claims that due to Africa’s uneven energy distribution ‘some areas and states will become prominent energy actors and other will remain as importers or transit states’ (232) (Chapter 11). In the following chapter, Simon Lightfoot argues that policy coherence helps the EU to be ‘ahead of the game’ in promoting adaptation to climate change in Africa. The same conclusion is drawn by Tine Van Criekinge, who analyses migration policy (Chapter 14). Chapter 15 proceeds with Jan Orbie’s contribution to the social dimension of EU–Africa relations, demonstrating poor implementation as a result of a lack of political will and capacity problems. Michael Smith’s concluding chapter (15) reflects on three assumptions of the EU’s involvement in Africa and summarises the findings of this volume. The majority of authors underline the interrelated nature of these assumptions, explaining them by the EU’s institutional framework and policy-making processes. Stemming from ‘path dependency’, the EU’s incoherent approach towards Africa results in dealing with ‘several Africas’. Similarly, the mixed nature of policy-making and diverse negotiating arrangements (Joint Africa–EU Strategy, the Cotonou Agreement and the EPAs) further contribute to the asymmetrical EU–Africa partnership which is complicated by the emergence of significant competitors, thus undermining the EU’s status as an African power. As this volume delivers a comprehensive analysis of EU–Africa relations since the beginning of the twenty-first century, its findings will be of great interest not only to EU scholars, but also to anyone involved in international relations, regional and development studies.
Recognition of partially occluded face using Gradientface and Local Binary Patterns

Currently one of the most important challenges of face recognition systems is the problem of occlusion, which is quite common in real applications. There are several studies in the literature treating this problem, but no defined or robust solution is agreed. The focus of this work is to develop face recognition method with sunglasses and scarf occlusion. We propose a robust approach which consists in detecting the face region that does not have occlusion and uses this region to obtain the recognition. To classify the occluded and non-occluded parts, a Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP) is applied. While for the recognition a combined Gradientface and Local Binary Pattern (LBP) are used. Gradientface is applied to address the variation in the illumination of the image. Experiments are shown using the AR Face and ORL databases.