Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Generation of Multipotential Mesendodermal Progenitors from Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells via Sustained Wnt Pathway Activation*♦

Pluripotent embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are capable of differentiating into cell types belonging to all three germ layers within the body, which makes them an interesting and intense field of research. Inefficient specific differentiation and contamination with unwanted cell types are the major issues in the use of ESCs in regenerative medicine. Lineage-specific progenitors generated from ESCs could be utilized to circumvent the issue. We demonstrate here that sustained activation of the Wnt pathway (using Wnt3A or an inhibitor of glycogen synthase kinase 3β) in multiple mouse and human ESCs results in meso/endoderm-specific differentiation. Using monolayer culture conditions, we have generated multipotential “mesendodermal progenitor clones” (MPC) from mouse ESCs by sustained Wnt pathway activation. MPCs express increased levels of meso/endodermal and mesendodermal markers and exhibit a stable phenotype in culture over a year. The MPCs have enhanced potential to differentiate along endothelial, cardiac, vascular smooth muscle, and skeletal lineages than undifferentiated ESCs. In conclusion, we demonstrate that the Wnt pathway activation can be utilized to generate lineage-specific progenitors from ESCs, which can be further differentiated into desired organ-specific cells.
Bridging the Gap between Rhetoric and Reality: Line Managers and the Protection of Job Security for Ill Workers in the Modern Workplace

In the light of the long-standing concern in management regarding the gap that can arise between organizational policy prescriptions and line-management practice, the purpose of this article is to provide insights into the nature and causes of that gap. The particular focus of analysis is the line manager's role in facilitating the employment security of employees who have contracted serious illness, injuries or disabilities. More specifically, the article presents findings from four case-study organizations in the UK, and identifies a number of factors that militate against the ability of line managers to comply with organizational policies on the provision of workplace adjustments and employment security for ill or disabled workers. These factors include: contradictory policy requirements, weaknesses in training, lack of support from relevant internal and external specialists and various work and budgetary pressures. The authors suggest four areas of action that may begin to reduce the potential for conflicts between management and employees, and minimize the legal vulnerability of organizations in an area of increasing domestic and international regulation.
Performance appraisal in the Chinese state-owned coal industry

Performance Appraisal (PA) is a western management concept that is meant to improve individual and, concomitantly, organisational performance. Although performance appraisal systems have come under a plethora of criticisms, they continue to be a platform of human resource management systems. This study focused on the practices in state-owned coalmines in China. In contrast to the majority of previous studies on PA practices in China, and as a result of increasing pressure from intensified market competition, Chinese state-owned enterprises were found to be utilising modern PA measures as effective tools to enhance their management efficiency and productivity. This paper describes the implementation of performance appraisal in the state-owned coal sector, indicating some interesting variations upon western practices, and provides valuable insight into the significant changes occurring in PA in China.
Pricing Automobile Fuel Economy: A New Hedonic Approach

This paper proposes a new approach to analyzing how automobile fuel economy is valued in the market. A distinctive feature of our approach is the use of each vehicle’s miles traveled: a consumer’s marginal willingness to pay (MWTP) for fuel economy is inferred with her vehicle’s miles traveled. With the inferred MWTP, we apply the steps of the standard hedonic method backward and estimate each vehicle’s marginal and total price of fuel economy, and consumers’ discount rate for future fuel cost savings. We find that the standard hedonic method may not provide a stable and reasonable estimate of the value of fuel economy, likely due to the omitted variable bias from vehicle attributes such as safety features, interior equipment and reliability. Our method makes it possible to separate the portion of vehicle price that is attributable to fuel economy, and significantly alleviates the omitted variable bias. Applying the procedure to model year 2001 vehicles in the U.S. market, we estimate that consumers discount future fuel cost savings at the annual rate of 26-43%, that for the middle case of the dicount rate of 34%, the price of a 0.1 gallon per 100 miles improvement in fuel efficiency is on average $75 (in 2000 U.S. dollars), and that for the same case, the average total price of fuel economy is $1,950. We also find that larger, less fuel efficient vehicles tend to have higher marginal and total prices of fuel economy.
WORKING AMERICANS: EMERGING VALUES FOR THE 1990s

A new national survey has revealed that today's working Americans feel a marked change in priorities as the country heads into the century's final decade. In its exploration of American attitudes toward personal fulfilment, The Chivas Regal Report on Working Americans: Emerging Values for the 1990s find that the American workforce is placing less importance on financial success and more emphasis on family and community in its quest for personal happiness. The report is based on interviews with 1,001 working Americans, aged 25 to 49, who work full‐time outside the home. The interviews were conducted in October 1988 by Research & Forecasts Inc., and the report was commissioned by Chivas Regal, The House of Seagram.
Social peers rescue autism‐relevant sociability deficits in adolescent mice

Behavioral therapies are currently the most effective interventions for treating the diagnostic symptoms of autism. We employed a mouse model of autism to evaluate components of behavioral interventions that improve sociability in mice. BTBR T+tf/J (BTBR) is an inbred mouse strain that exhibits prominent behavioral phenotypes with face validity to all three diagnostic symptom categories of autism, including robust and well‐replicated deficits in social approach and reciprocal social interactions. To investigate the role of peer interactions in the development of sociability, BTBR juvenile mice were reared in the same home cage with juvenile mice of a highly social inbred strain, C57BL/6J (B6). Subject mice were tested as young adults for sociability and repetitive behaviors. B6 controls reared with B6 showed their strain‐typical high sociability. BTBR controls reared with BTBR showed their strain‐typical lack of sociability. In contrast, BTBR reared with B6 as juveniles showed significant sociability as young adults. A 20‐day intervention was as effective as a 40‐day intervention for improving social approach behavior. High levels of repetitive self‐grooming in BTBR were not rescued by peer‐rearing with B6, indicating specificity of the intervention to the social domain. These results from a robust mouse model of autism support the interpretation that social enrichment with juvenile peers is a beneficial intervention for improving adult outcome in the social domain. This novel paradigm may prove useful for discovering factors that are essential for effective behavioral treatments, and biological mechanisms underlying effective behavioral interventions.
The development of EEG-based brain computer interfaces: potential and challenges

Brain computer interface (BCI) technology potentially opens the door to allowing our brain to influence the outside world without the use of muscles. This research concentrates on developing new augmentative communication and control technologies for those with severe neuromuscular disorders, such as stroke and spinal cord injury. Most BCIs decode the intent of the user from the brain's electrical activity as recorded from the scalp (electroencephalography, EEG). The EEG signal is very difficult to process, but many advances have been made to translate the signal into commands. At The University of Auckland, EEG-based BCIs have been under development for the past few years. Our laboratory has produced excellent results including an EEG controlled video game, an EEG phone dialing system, and an EEG active rehabilitation exercise. Research is ongoing in this area, with new projects starting for control of prostheses or rehabilitation robots in clinical trials.
Eficiência e qualidade dos Programas de Pós-Graduação das instituições federais de ensino superior usuárias do Programa de Fomento à Pós-Graduação (PROF)

In 1998, the "Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior" (CAPES) instituted the Post graduation Promotion Program (PROF) in order to provide the public educational institutions with higher autonomy in the management of the financial resources assigned to post graduation programs, and consequently higher efficiency and the course quality improvement. This study analyzes both efficiency and quality of the postgraduation programs in the educational institutions financed by PROF, during the triennium 2001/2003. So, mean tests were used in order to compare the performance of the programs financed by PROF with the performance of other programs. According to the results, the post graduation programs in the educational institutions that receive the PROF resources showed higher quality levels, relative to other programs. When analyzing the efficiency of the post graduation programs, it was observed the PROF-financed programs to show higher efficiency in 2001, 2002 and 2003 in relation to those financed by other supporting modalities.
Mobile Werkzeuge als Sprachrohr für Endbenutzer

Die Einbindung von Endbenutzern in die Softwareentwicklung ist ein kontroverses Thema. So argumentierte Dijkstra [1], dass es fur Endbenutzer keinen Platz in der Softwareentwicklung gibt. Ausreichende Kommunikation mit Endbenutzern und deren intensive Einbindung in den Softwareentwicklungsprozess wird heute jedoch von vielen Forschern und Praktikern als Voraussetzung fur die erfolgreiche Entwicklung von Softwaresystemen angesehen [2]. Die Einbeziehung von Endbenutzern ist im Besonderen in den fruhen Phasen der Softwareentwicklung, wie zum Beispiel der Anforderungserhebung, relevant. In dieser Phase erhobene Anforderungen haben signifikanten Einfluss auf die spatere Systementwicklung [2]. In der Praxis werden Endbenutzer teilweise zu Anforderungserhebungsworkshops eingeladen (z.B. ART-SCENE [3], EasyWinWin [4]). Oftmals nehmen an solchen Treffen ausgesuchte Endbenutzer stellvertretend fur eine grosere Gruppe von Benutzern teil. Das Ziel der Workshops ist es, Anforderungen zu erheben, welche die Bedurfnisse dieser Gruppe von Projektbeteiligten widerspiegeln [5]. Individuelle Benutzerwunsche konnen dabei oft nicht beachtet werden. Neue Technologien wie zum Beispiel Software Services erlauben die Anpassung von Software an individuelle Benutzerwunsche. Eine Voraussetzung dafur ist die systematische Erhebung und Analyse von individuellen Anforderungen.
An Incremental Approach to Functional Diagnosis

This paper presents a methodology for an incremental approach to functional fault diagnosis of complex boards, used to identify candidate failing components based on the results of the executed tests, once a misbehavior has been detected but not localized. The proposal aims at reducing both time and effort during the diagnostic phase, by executing a subset of the available tests, analyzing the achieved results, and then supporting the operator by suggesting what tests should be run next, to identify the faulty component, should the already gathered information be insufficient. A methodology has been defined to analyze the available results, and to evaluate the effectiveness of the remaining tests to find the most probable cause of failure in a reduced number of additional test runs. The approach has been validated on a portion of a real life board and other circuits, to tune parameters and to evaluate the performance of the proposed methodology.
Brain Angiotensin II Modulates Sympathoadrenal and Hypothalamic Pituitary Adrenocortical Activation during Stress

Angiotensin II (Ang II) type‐1 (AT1) receptors are present in areas of the brain controlling autonomic nervous activity and the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal (HPA) axis, including CRH cells in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN). To determine whether brain AT1 receptors are involved in the activation of the HPA axis and sympathetic system during stress, we studied the effects of acute immobilization stress on plasma catecholamines, ACTH and corticosterone, and mRNA levels of CRH and CRH receptors (CRH‐R) in the PVN in rats under central AT1 receptor blockade by the selective antagonist, Losartan. While basal levels of epinephrine, norepinephrine and dopamine in plasma were unaffected 30 min after icv injection of Losartan (10 μg), the increases after 5 and 20 min stress were blunted in Losartan treated rats (P<0.05 for norepinephrine, and P<0.01 for epinephrine and dopamine, vs controls). Basal or stress‐stimulated plasma ACTH and corticosterone levels were unaffected by icv Losartan treatment. Using in situ hybridization studies, basal levels of CRH mRNA and CRH‐R mRNA in the PVN were unchanged after icv Losartan. While Losartan had no effect on the increases in CRH‐R mRNA levels 2 or 3 h after 1 h immobilization, it prevented the increases in CRH mRNA. The blunted plasma catecholamine responses after central AT1 receptor blockade indicate that endogenous Ang II in the brain is required for sympathoadrenal activation during immobilization stress. While Ang II appears not to be involved in the acute secretory response of the HPA axis, it may play a role in regulating CRH expression in the PVN.
Impact of Trade Openness on Growth of Brazilian States

The aim of this paper is to explore the impact of Brazil’s trade openness on regional inequalities by estimating the effect of international trade flows on growth of Brazilian states, depending on their income level. For this purpose, I run dynamic growth regressions, using the system GMM estimator, on a panel data set including 26 Brazilian states for the 1989 2002 period. Growth rates of Brazilian states are regressed on control variables and on Brazilian states’ trade openness variables. All variables vary across both states and year. The results indicate that trade openness benefits more the Brazilian states with higher levels of per capita income, thereby tending to increase regional inequalities in Brazil. Besides, I find that trade openness advantages more the states with a good level of human capital as well as the industrialized states rather than the states whose main activity is agriculture. The problem that this study reveals is that international trade seems to provide additional advantages to already well developed Brazilian states while one of the priorities of the Brazilian federal government is to achieve a better territorial balance in Brazil. E-mail address : madaumal@hotmail.com
Applying Transaction Cost Economy to Construct a Strategy for Travel Agents in Facing Disintermediation Threats

Globally, businesses have adopted web-based transactions as they allow fast and direct transactions with minimal cost. Many travellers nowadays make their travel arrangements through the web, leaving traditional intermediaries, such as travel agents under serious threat of disintermediation. Travel agents require strategies that will sustain them in their businesses, such as focusing on niche markets and creating close relationships with their customers, possibly using web technology. This study found that travel agents in Brunei are at risk of disintermediation, as travellers tend to buy travel products and services directly from travel providers' websites. However, travel agents still have opportunities to sustain their business by offering interesting packages and improving their services through intensive interaction with their customers. Researchers utilized transaction cost economics and customer relationship management (CRM) 2.0 to understand the change in business environment and construct a model for travel agents to sustain their businesses.
Impact of anti-takeover amendments on corporate performance

The long-term share price performance of firms is measured following the implementation of antitakeover amendments. Based on a sample of 346 US firms adopting antitakeover amendments, it is found that valuation effects accumulate to -13.55% after three years, and to -23.12% after seven years. The regulative cumulative valuation effects become significant in the second year and remain significant throughout the seven-year post-amendment period. The results support the hypothesis that antitakeover amendments can adversely affect corporate performance. These results may be attributed to the managerial entrenchment and the removal of efficiency incentives associated with the reduction in external market discipline. A cross-sectional analysis determined that the long-term valuation effects of firms following antitakeover amendments are conditioned on the proportion of insider holdings, the proportion of institutional holdings and the type of amendment used.
The effect of downsizing on morale and attrition

Concentrates on downsizing, the modern term for redundancy, which is, of course, no longer a short‐term “fix”. Notes that massive downsizing creates more problems than it solves – only rarely achieving its original financial objectives. Lists the three main types of downsizing as: workforce reduction; organizational redesign; and systematic strategies. Discusses the affect (negative) on morale for the staff left behind, who are called “survivors” here and also the displaced (or jobless) workers. Details the correct (less painful) procedures for downsizing within companies.
Bank Ownership and Performance in the Middle East and North Africa Region

Abstract Although both domestic and foreign private banks have gained ground in Middle East and North Africa (MENA) in recent years, state banks continue to play an important role in many countries. Using a MENA bank-level panel dataset for the period 2001–2008, the article contributes to the empirical literature on bank ownership and performance by documenting recent ownership trends and assessing the relations between bank ownership and performance in MENA while accounting for key bank characteristics such as size and balance sheet composition. The article is the first to analyze headline performance indicators as well as their key drivers and finds that state banks exhibit significantly weaker performance, despite their larger size and potential scale economies. This result is mainly driven by larger holdings of government securities, higher costs due to larger staffing, and larger loan-loss provisions reflecting weaker asset quality. These results seem to reflect both operational inefficiencies and policy mandates. Taken together, the results do not reject the development role of state banks, but show that their policy interventions come at a cost. As such, the article argues that there is scope to reduce the share of state banks in some MENA countries and to clarify the mandates, improve the governance, and strengthen the operational efficiency of most state banks in the region.
Differentiating purging and nonpurging bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder.

OBJECTIVE To explore similarities and differences in clinical and personality variables across three groups: binge eating disorder (BED), bulimia nervosa-purging type (BN-P), and bulimia nervosa-non purging type (BN-NP). METHOD The participants were 102 female eating disorders patients (34 BED, 34 BN-P, and 34 BN-NP) consecutively admitted to the eating disorders unit, at the University Hospital of Bellvitge, and diagnosed according to DSM-IV criteria. RESULTS BED patients were older, and more likely to have personal and family history of obesity. A gradient in psychopathological scores emerged with BN-P patients having higher pathological scores on the SCL-90-R, followed by BN-NP and BED patients. No statistically significant differences were observed in personality traits. DISCUSSION Our data supported that eating disorders (namely BED, BN-NP, and BN-P) followed a linear trend in general psychopathology. Whereas personality may represent a shared vulnerability factor, differences in clinical severity suggest there to be a continuum with BN-P being the most severe and BED being the least severe.
The Evolution of Fiscal Policy in Australia

This paper examines the evolution of Australian fiscal policy and the fiscal policy framework over the past quartercentury. Following the early 1980s recession, a sustained fiscal consolidation saw the general government budget balance (for all levels of government) move from a deficit of 3½ per cent of GDP in 1983s4 to a surplus of 1¾ per cent 5 years later in 1988s9. A severe recession in the early 1990s interrupted this process, and the budget returned to sizeable deficits which peaked at 4¾ per cent of GDP in 1992s3. The second half of the 1990s saw a repeat of the experience a decade earlier, with the budget returning to surplus in 1997s8. In contrast to the 1980s experience, however, the general government sector (for all levels of government) has recorded surpluses for the subsequent 8 years to the present. The paper outlines Australia's macroeconomic experience over this time and argues that there have been two significant medium-term factors motivating the extended periods of fiscal consolidation. The first factor, relevant since the mid-1980s, has been the large Australian current-account deficits since that time, and the associated build-up of net foreign liabilities. The second factor, which entered the public debate more recently, is a desire to provide fiscal policy flexibility to respond to the ageing of the population and the projected rising public cost of health services--both influences that are likely to be of increasing importance over the next generation or so. The paper discusses the introduction and evolution of Australia's medium-term fiscal framework which has been put in place to respond to these challenges. Copyright 2005, Oxford University Press.
WAS THERE A MID-20TH CENTURY FERTILITY BOOM IN LATIN AMERICA?*

ABSTRACT The historic process of fertility decline was interrupted during the central decades of the 20th century with an unexpected period of increasing fertility that has been called the baby boom. Normally it is considered a phenomenon exclusive to countries participating in the historic demographic transition. A recent study suggests that a similar trend change in fertility may have also taken place in a few developing nations at approximately the same time and with similar characteristics to the fertility boom in the developed world. The main goal of this paper is to examine the extent to which these trend changes took place in Latin America and whether or not their characteristics were similar to those holding in the developed world. RESUMEN El proceso de la transición demográfica se vio interrumpido durante las décadas centrales del siglo xx por un periodo de crecimiento inesperado de la fecundidad que en los países desarrollados se ha denominado el baby boom. Normalmente se ha considerado un fenómeno exclusivo de los países que participaban en la transición demográfica. Un estudio reciente sugiere que un cambio similar de tendencia en la fecundidad pudo haberse producido en unos pocos países en desarrollo aproximadamente al mismo tiempo y con características similares al boom de la fecundidad en el mundo desarrollado. El propósito principal de este trabajo es plantear en qué medida la experiencia de la fecundidad y los ciclos de la fecundidad de Latinoamérica son comparables a los de otras sociedades desarrolladas y otras sociedades en vías de desarrollo durante ese mismo periodo histórico.