Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
R&D in the Presence of Network Externalities: Timing and Compatibility

Two rival firms decide on the time of R&D and whether the new products should be compatible. I show that network externalities may induce the firms to introduce new incompatible technologies early, which is socially harmful as the R&D costs increase, and de facto standardization becomes less likely. Compared with the equilibrium outcome, both firms may gain by delaying the introduction of incompatible technologies. By agreeing on common standards before product introduction, entry is delayed and profit may increase. An ex post optimal standardization policy may increase the incentives for early product introduction and consequently be an undesirable policy ex ante.
Asymmetrical Spurline Resonator Design and its Application to Power Amplifiers

An improved spurline structure with two rejection bands is presented in this paper, which consists of asymmetrical spurline resonators and embedded directly into microstrip line. Asymmetrical spurline resonators provide dual-bandgap characteristics and slow-wave effect. Furthermore, asymmetrical spurline structure with dual rejection bands is proposed to reduce the higher harmonics of microwave power amplifiers. To evaluate the effect of asymmetrical spurline resonators on microwave amplifiers, two InGaP HBT power amplifiers were designed and fabricated. One of them has asymmetrical spurline structure at the output section, while the other has a conventional 50-Omega microstrip line only. Results show that asymmetrical spurline structure suppresses the second and third harmonics more than 27 dB at the output and yields improved power added efficiency (PAE) and output power by 6-8% and 1-4%, respectively.
Transmission of HIV-1 during primary infection: relationship to sexual risk and sexually transmitted infections

Objective:To study primary HIV-1 infections (PHI) using molecular and epidemiological approaches in order to assess correlates of transmission in this population. Methods:Individuals with PHI were recruited prospectively from a discrete cohort of 1235 individuals under follow-up in a well-defined geographical area between 1999 and 2003. PHI was diagnosed by one of the following: negative HIV antibody test within 18 months, evolving antibody response, or application of the serological testing algorithm for recent HIV seroconversion. The pol gene was sequenced to identify genotypic resistance and facilitate molecular epidemiological analysis. Clinical data were collected and linked in an irretrievable fashion when informed consent was obtained. Results:A total of 103 individuals with PHI diagnosed between 1999 and 2003 were included in the study; 99 (96%) were male and 90 (91%) were men who have sex with men. Viruses from 35 out of 103 (34%) appeared within 15 phylogenetically related clusters. Significant associations with clustering were: young age, high CD4 cell count, number of sexual contacts, and unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) in the 3 months before diagnosis (P < 0.05 for all). High rates of acute sexually transmitted infections (STI) were observed in both groups with a trend towards higher rates in those individuals with viruses within a cluster (42.9 versus 27.9%; P = 0.13). Conclusion:High rates of partner change, UAI and STI are factors that facilitate onward transmission during PHI. More active identification of individuals during PHI, the management of STI and highly active antiretroviral therapy may all be useful methods to break transmission networks.
Theme: Local Government: Concepts and Indicators of Local Authority Performance: An Evaluation of the Statutory Frameworks in England and Wales

A conceptual framework for evaluating statutory performance indicators for local authorities is developed. The framework, which contains 14 dimensions of organizational performance, is then applied to the indicators set for local government from 1993/94 to 2001/02. The results show that the validity and comparability of the indicators has improved substantially over time. However, a critical weakness that remains is the absence of indicators that link spending with service outcomes. Such indicators are essential if judgements about value for money and Best Value are to be made.
Collaboration and organisational learning: a study of a New Zealand collaborative research program

Collaboration with a research partner is one strategy that small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) can pursue to counter their size-imposed research and development (R&D) resource and capacity constraints and to enhance their learning. The Technology for Business Growth (TBG) program supports collaborative R&D projects between New Zealand industry and research institutions. This research attempted to gauge the effects of participation in a collaborative project on broader aspects of organisational learning, on the industry managers' subsequent attitudes towards R&D, as well as managers' perceptions of success and failure factors for collaboration. The majority of managers stated that their attitude to R&D had not changed (it was already positive prior to the project). However, their organisations' attitude towards the management of R&D projects had often changed, with many companies adopting the practices of project evaluation and planning enforced by the TBG application process, thus providing considerable evidence that organisational learning had taken place. Objective measures of subsequent R&D activity, such as increased spending on, and number of, R&D projects and increased employment of technical staff provide further evidence that the companies' learning experiences with collaborative projects may have encouraged them to invest more readily in R&D.
Severity Risk and the Adverse Selection of Frequency Risk

This article shows how the introduction of severity risk into a simple model of insurance markets affects the optimal level of insurance. Also examined is how severity risk affects the equilibrium for an insurance market exhibiting adverse selection in the frequency risk. Individuals are assumed to possess identical loss severity distributions, but differ in their privately-known probabilities of having a loss. In particular, the effects of severity risk on the Nash equilibrium of Rothschild and Stiglitz (1976), on the anticipatory equilibrium of Wilson (1977), and on Miyazaki's (1977) extension of Wilson's equilibrium are analyzed. Severity risk is shown to affect the type of equilibrium contracts (pooling vs. separating), equilibrium levels of coverage, and overall societal welfare.
Comparison of Occupational Stress among Academics in Federal and State Universities in Nigeria

In the workplace, both the managers and the subordinates are confronted with job stressors, and if not properly handled, there will be a telling effect on productivity. Effiom et al. (2007) had asserted that the desire of every work organization is to ensure stability in terms of workers’ satisfaction and productivity. Nigerian Universities are no exceptions to this assertion. Satisfaction in this regard has to do with a balance between the workers’ contentment in the job setting and the achievement of organizational objectives. Some psychosocial factors interacting with the job setting do determine the balance between job satisfaction and productivity. Stress, according to Ejue et al. (2006), is a familiar concept but with little consensus as to its meaning. For instance, more than three decades ago, Selye (1974) defined stress as the non-specific response of the body to any demand made upon it and Yoloye (2003: 1) defines it as ‘a state of worry resulting from pressure caused by the problem of living’. From available literature, it has been indicated that job stressors are related to strains and mental and physical ill-health among employees. This could be due to resentment and frustration in the workplace. Academic staff in universities are not only to engage in research but to use their research findings to improve teaching and their specialized skills to solve societal problems through community service (Obanya, 2002). So, in carrying out this triple mandate, academic staff may be exposed to stressful work conditions if not properly handled. In the past two decades, Nigerian universities have witnessed a lot of industrial actions with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) dominating. So disturbing is the trend that Aduke (2005: 83) opined that ‘currently, the wave of conflict behaviour has
Effects of periodontal therapy on GCF cytokines in generalized aggressive periodontitis subjects.

AIM To examine changes in levels of gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) cytokines, after periodontal therapy of generalized aggressive periodontitis (GAgP). MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty-five periodontally healthy and 24 GAgP subjects had periodontal clinical parameters measured and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) samples collected from up to 14 sites/subject. GCF samples were analysed using multiplex bead immunoassay for: GM-CSF, IFN-γ, IL-10, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6 and TNF-α. Aggressive periodontitis subjects were randomly assigned to either scaling and root planing (SRP) alone or SRP plus systemic amoxicillin (500 mg) and metronidazole (400 mg) 3 times a day for 14 days. Clinical parameters and GCF cytokines were re-measured 6 months after treatment. Differences over time were analysed using the Wilcoxon test and between groups using the Mann-Whitney test. RESULTS Significant reductions in GCF GM-CSF, IL-1β and the ratio IL-1β/IL-10 and increases in GCF IL-6 were detected after therapy. The mean change in GCF cytokines did not differ significantly between groups. CONCLUSIONS Periodontal therapy improved GCF cytokine profiles by lowering IL-1β and increasing IL-10 levels. The reduction in GCF GM-CSF after therapy implicates this cytokine in the pathogenesis of GAgP. There was no difference between therapies in changes of GCF cytokines.
Phosphorylation of histone H3 at serine 10 has an essential role in arsenite‐induced expression of FOS, EGR1 and IL8 mRNA in cultured human cell lines

Trivalent inorganic arsenite [iAs(III)] is known to alter the expression of a number of genes associated with transcription and cell proliferation, which was thought to be one of the possible mechanisms of arsenical carcinogenesis. However, the detailed mechanisms underlying iAs(III) induction of changes in gene expression are not fully understood. Here we examine the role of histone H3 phosphorylation at serine 10 (Ser10) in gene regulation when the cells were treated with iAs(III). Among the 34 genes tested, iAs(III) induced mRNA expression of JUN, FOS, EGR1, HMOX1, HSPA1A, IL8, GADD45A, GADD45B and GADD153. Phosphorylation of histone H3 Ser10 was induced by iAs(III) in interphase cells, and was effectively blocked by the ERKs pathway inhibitor (U0126). U0126 treatment significantly reduced constitutive mRNA expression of FOS and EGR1, and dramatically suppressed the induction of FOS, EGR1 and IL8 mRNA in iAs(III)‐treated cells. The other genes, which were induced by iAs(III), were not affected by U0126 treatment. When the histone H3 nonphosphorylatable mutant of serine 10 (S10A) was overexpressed in cells, iAs(III) induction of FOS, EGR1and IL8 expression was significantly decreased as compared with wild‐type cells. The other genes induced by iAs(III) were not changed in S10A cells nor by U0126 treatment. In addition, S10A cells were more resistant to iAs(III) cytotoxicity. These results indicated that the phosphorylation of histone H3 at Ser10 through the ERKs pathway in interphase cells is an important regulatory event for iAs(III)‐mediated gene expression. Aberrant gene expression seems to be an important cause of cytotoxicity and may have some relation to iAs(III) carcinogenicity. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Molecular architecture of the αβ T cell receptor–CD3 complex

Significance The T-cell receptor (TCR) does not signal on its own. Instead, it is constitutively associated with the CD3 coreceptors, which contain intracellular signaling motifs. Although antigen (Ag) recognition by the TCR and the activation of T cells after CD3 activation have been extensively studied, there is far less known about how the TCR relays the binding of Ag to initiate intracellular signaling. Detailed study of the eight-chain TCR–CD3 complex is hampered by limited structural information for how the components of the complex interact. We use complementary structural approaches to examine where the TCR–CD3 extracellular domains are placed relative to each other and the overall organization of the complex. αβ T-cell receptor (TCR) activation plays a crucial role for T-cell function. However, the TCR itself does not possess signaling domains. Instead, the TCR is noncovalently coupled to a conserved multisubunit signaling apparatus, the CD3 complex, that comprises the CD3εγ, CD3εδ, and CD3ζζ dimers. How antigen ligation by the TCR triggers CD3 activation and what structural role the CD3 extracellular domains (ECDs) play in the assembled TCR–CD3 complex remain unclear. Here, we use two complementary structural approaches to gain insight into the overall organization of the TCR–CD3 complex. Small-angle X-ray scattering of the soluble TCR–CD3εδ complex reveals the CD3εδ ECDs to sit underneath the TCR α-chain. The observed arrangement is consistent with EM images of the entire TCR–CD3 integral membrane complex, in which the CD3εδ and CD3εγ subunits were situated underneath the TCR α-chain and TCR β-chain, respectively. Interestingly, the TCR–CD3 transmembrane complex bound to peptide–MHC is a dimer in which two TCRs project outward from a central core composed of the CD3 ECDs and the TCR and CD3 transmembrane domains. This arrangement suggests a potential ligand-dependent dimerization mechanism for TCR signaling. Collectively, our data advance our understanding of the molecular organization of the TCR–CD3 complex, and provides a conceptual framework for the TCR activation mechanism.
The politics of administration: The Malaysian experience

Mavis Puthucheary is the most recent in a distinguished line of social scientists who have sought to explore the character of Malaysian political development by focusing specifically on the federal civil service. Works by Tilman, Ness, Esman, and Scott employ different analytical approaches, but agree on two basic points: that the civil bureaucracy plays a major role in Malaysian policy-making, and that the bureaucratic role is in turn profoundly affected by the society's ethnic divisions between Malays, Chinese, and Indians. Puthucheary joins in this consensus. But the time in which she is describing the Malaysian civil service is not only later but analytically distinctive; this is what makes her study more than simply another in a succession of administrative studies. Puthucheary did most of the original research for this book in 1972, using attitude surveys and socioeconomic background profiles of civil servants, but she has added commentary that takes account of developments through 1975. In other words, this is a study of the central state bureaucracy, particularly its senior civil service, since the outbreak of communal violence between the Malays and the Chinese in 1969 and since the launching of the New Economic Plan (NEP). With the NEP, the regime hoped to regain the support of its disaffected constituents, especially among the increasingly impatient Malay rank and file. A civil service never exists in a historical vacuum, nor is it ever merely a mirror passively reflecting the social structures and tensions around it. A state bureaucracy is created in order either to reproduce or to adjust social and economic relationships in such a fashion that they maintain the state and the order it values. There is a temptation in Malaysian studies to be so struck by the generations of interethnic conflict as to fall into the trap of implying that the civil service is no more than a helpless reflector of this continuing condition. If this was ever the case (which I strongly doubt), it certainly is not so in post-1969 Malaysia. For, as Puthucheary points out, the Malaysian regime responded to the May 13 riots of 1969 (which were themselves sparked in part by previous government policies or non-policies) by vastly expanding state organizations and by increasing state intervention in the economy. It is unfortunate, in this regard, that the present study does not examine the new state corporations, such as PERN AS and PETRONAS.
A framework of approaches to sustainable tourism.

Based on an extensive literature review, this paper proposes a framework of approaches to sustainable tourism. The framework is composed of four positions, chronologically sequenced according to the dominant understanding of sustainable tourism as a possession or goal. The positions are those of polar opposites, continuum, movement and convergence. The framework offers insights into the development of the sustainable tourism concept and enables identification of an author's approach to the concept.
Making Ends Meet: Student incomes and debt

This article seeks to explore the ways in which the current financial regime for supporting students impacts on the choices they make while studying for their first degree. It focuses particularly on the financial choices students make (or feel forced to make) in relation to work, debt and economising. It argues that the degree of discretion that students have is crucially related to the financial support they receive from their parents. However, even where parents are generous, most students seek an additional source of income to increase their autonomy in spending decisions. Parental attitudes are found to be important determinants of the ordering of drawing on other income. There is found to be a financially vulnerable group of students whose fragile financial position largely results from their parents being unable to offer much financial support; this group in particular finds their time at university characterised by considerable amounts of paid work and increasing debt.
Intestinal-Renal Syndrome: Mirage or Reality?

The recent interest in the role of the intestine in the cardiovascular stability of uremic patients, specifically on dialysis, but potentially also in chronic kidney disease, must be seen against the background of the recent great interest in the role of the gut in chronic heart failure [Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care 2008;11:632–639]. There has been a long-standing interest in the role of the intestine in renal failure, mainly concerning the role of metabolites of bacterial metabolism in the gut as potential uremic toxins. This area has recently been given a new twist by the finding that increased endotoxin concentrations in the blood of dialyzed patients are associated with hypotensive episodes and myocardial ‘stunning’. Recent studies suggest that intradialytic underperfusion of myocardial areas, the so-called stunning, may be related to the entry of bacterial endotoxin and/or cytokines across the mucosal barrier into the circulation, where they have a negative impact on myocardial function (and presumably beyond the negative cardiac side effect also contribute to catabolism and malnutrition). Entry of bacterial endotoxin during dialysis sessions is presumably the result of intermittent underperfusion of the intestine if the effective blood volume is rapidly reduced causing breakdown of the mucosal barrier. Apart from the impact on myocardial perfusion, the entry of bacterial endotoxin and/or cytokines across the mucosal barrier may also contribute to malnutrition, wasting and reduced life expectancy in hemodialyzed patients. Such a causal relationship is absolutely plausible in view of an extensive literature on congestive heart failure where clinical and experimental evidence indicates that bacterial endotoxin and/or cytokines may escape from a hypoperfused edematous gut, entering the circulation, triggering an inflammatory response, upregulating circulating cytokines and interfering with the function of the heart through several pathogenic mechanisms.
[Apoptosis in neurodegenerative diseases: facts and controversies].

OBJECTIVES In this article, the authors analyzed critically the morphological and biochemical evidences of cell death by apoptosis from postmortem studies in Alzheimer s, Parkinson s, Huntington s and Wilson s diseases. DEVELOPMENT During the last few years, apoptosis has been postulated as a type of neuronal death responsible for the neurodegenerative process in those heterogeneous, chronic and progressive neurological disorders, which are characterized by a selective and a symmetric loss of neurons in motor, sensory or cognitive systems. With regard to neuronal death mechanism and the contribution of the mutated or metabolic altered proteins such as betaA, P-tau, alpha-synuclein, Parkin, Huntingtin, ATP78B, proteins in the pathogenesis of those disorders are still unknown. CONCLUSIONS We consider that the morphological (e.g. DNA fragmentation without showing classical apoptotic morphology) and biochemical evidences are still insufficient and contradictory to formally indict apoptosis as the mechanism of neuronal cell death in those neurological disorders. The establishment of the molecular mechanisms leading neurons to cell death (by apoptosis? ) could provide significant information for the design of therapeutic strategies to retard or prevent the development of such neurodegenerative diseases in affected individuals.
Hotel managers' perceptions of the value of diversity training: an empirical investigation

Purpose – Recent research identifies several attributes that lead to the value proposition of a diversity-training program: corporate engagement in diversity training; participants' perceptions of how such programs aid their peers; self-analysis of participants in training; and perceptions regarding the benefit of diversity training for subordinates. The aim of this paper is to test a corresponding four-antecedent model of the value of diversity training from the point of view of hotel managers. Design/methodology/approach – A survey instrument was devised and sent to a random sample of hotel properties that asked managers questions related to the value of diversity training. Multiple regression analysis and t-tests were used as methods of data analyses. Findings – Results from 242 responses returned by managers of 96 hotels indicated that managers perceive themselves and the corporate executives to significantly add value to the organization through diversity training. Furthermore, ethnic minority manage.
Use of bioluminescence imaging to track neutrophil migration and its inhibition in experimental colitis

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is associated with neutrophil infiltration into the mucosa and crypt abscesses. The chemokine interleukin (IL)‐8 [murine homologues (KC) and macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)‐2] and its receptor CXCR2 are required for neutrophil recruitment; thus, blocking this engagement is a potential therapeutic strategy. In the present study, we developed a preclinical model of neutrophil migration suitable for investigating the biology of and testing new drugs that target neutrophil trafficking. Peritoneal exudate neutrophils from transgenic β‐actin‐luciferase mice were isolated 12 h after intraperitoneal injection with thioglycollate, and were assessed phenotypically and functionally. Exudate cells were injected intravenously into recipients with dextran sodium sulphate (DSS)‐induced colitis followed by bioluminescence imaging of whole‐body and ex vivo organs at 2, 4 and 16–22 h post‐transfer. Anti‐KC antibody or an isotype control were administered at 20 µg/mouse 1 h before transfer, followed by whole‐body and organ imaging 4 h post‐transfer. The peritoneal exudate consisted of 80% neutrophils, 39% of which were CXCR2+. In vitro migration towards KC was inhibited by anti‐KC. Ex vivo bioluminescent imaging showed that neutrophil trafficking into the colon of DSS recipients was inhibited by anti‐KC 4 h post‐cell transfer. In conclusion, this study describes a new approach for investigating neutrophil trafficking that can be used in preclinical studies to evaluate potential inhibitors of neutrophil recruitment.