Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Performing discovery-driven neonatal research by transcriptomic analysis of routinely discarded biofluids

Objective: To perform discovery-driven research on the neonatal salivary and cord blood transcriptomes. Methods: Two separate cohorts of infants were enrolled in this study. In one, cord blood (n = 10) and in the other, saliva samples (n = 10) were collected at term gestation. Total RNA was extracted, amplified and hybridized onto Affymetrix HG U133a gene expression microarrays. Following normalization, genes expressed in the highest quintile (≥ 80%) across all subjects in each biofluid were analyzed with Ingenuity Pathway Analysis. Over-represented pathways relating to organ specific development and physiological functions in the newborn were explored. Results: There were 303 genes in neonatal saliva and 282 genes in umbilical cord blood that met statistical criteria. Of these, 114 were common to both biofluids. Pathway analyses revealed the important roles of redox balance, cellular proliferation, and smooth muscle relaxation. In blood, hematopoiesis and immune response pathways predominated. In saliva, pathways associated with the gastrointestinal system were highlighted. Conclusions: Neonatal cord blood and saliva provide a wealth of transcriptomic information. These normally discarded biofluids should be considered an important source of real-time gene expression data that may elucidate key pathways in neonatal physiology and pathology.
Diagnostic Checks for Single-Equation Error-Correction and Autoregressive Distributed Lag Models

Single equation error correction models (ECMs) are widely used in the analysis of cointegrated variables. It is important to check the specification of ECMs using diagnostic tests. Monte Carlo evidence is reported that shows that the finite sample significance levels of such tests can be sensitive to the method used to estimate long-run coefficients that yield the error-correction term of the ECM. Estimates of long-run coefficients based upon autoregressive-distributed lag (ADL) models are recommended. The applicability of diagnostic checks to ADL models for integrated variables is examined. An indirect approach to obtaining asymptotically valid checks is proposed. Copyright 1998 by Blackwell Publishers Ltd and The Victoria University of Manchester
Foresight and futures in Europe: an overview

Purpose – As part of the State of Play of the Futures Field project this paper attempts to assess the nature of futures in Europe.Design/methodology/approach – The paper presents internet‐based research.Findings – The paper reveals an overview of futures work in Europe.Research limitations/implications – The review is based on web‐based information mainly in English.Originality/value – The paper is part of a global study assessing the level of futures work.
The Role of the Sca‐1+/CD31− Cardiac Progenitor Cell Population in Postinfarction Left Ventricular Remodeling

Cardiac stem cell‐like populations exist in adult hearts, and their roles in cardiac repair remain to be defined. Sca‐1 is an important surface marker for cardiac and other somatic stem cells. We hypothesized that heart‐derived Sca‐1+/CD31− cells may play a role in myocardial infarction‐induced cardiac repair/remodeling. Mouse heart‐derived Sca‐1+/CD31− cells cultured in vitro could be induced to express both endothelial cell and cardiomyocyte markers. Immunofluorescence staining and fluorescence‐activated cell sorting analysis indicated that endogenous Sca‐1+/CD31− cells were significantly increased in the mouse heart 7 days after myocardial infarction (MI). Western blotting confirmed elevated Sca‐1 protein expression in myocardium 7 days after MI. Transplantation of Sca‐1+/CD31− cells into the acutely infarcted mouse heart attenuated the functional decline and adverse structural remodeling initiated by MI as evidenced by an increased left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction, a decreased LV end‐diastolic dimension, a decreased LV end‐systolic dimension, a significant increase of myocardial neovascularization, and modest cardiomyocyte regeneration. Attenuation of LV remodeling was accompanied by remarkably improved myocardial bioenergetic characteristics. The beneficial effects of cell transplantation appear to primarily depend on paracrine effects of the transplanted cells on new vessel formation and native cardiomyocyte function. Sca‐1+/CD31− cells may hold therapeutic possibilities with regard to the treatment of ischemic heart disease.
Genomic and chromatin features shaping meiotic double-strand break formation and repair in mice

The SPO11-generated DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) that initiate meiotic recombination occur non-randomly across genomes, but mechanisms shaping their distribution and repair remain incompletely understood. Here, we expand on recent studies of nucleotide-resolution DSB maps in mouse spermatocytes. We find that trimethylation of histone H3 lysine 36 around DSB hotspots is highly correlated, both spatially and quantitatively, with trimethylation of H3 lysine 4, consistent with coordinated formation and action of both PRDM9-dependent histone modifications. In contrast, the DSB-responsive kinase ATM contributes independently of PRDM9 to controlling hotspot activity, and combined action of ATM and PRDM9 can explain nearly two-thirds of the variation in DSB frequency between hotspots. DSBs were modestly underrepresented in most repetitive sequences such as segmental duplications and transposons. Nonetheless, numerous DSBs form within repetitive sequences in each meiosis and some classes of repeats are preferentially targeted. Implications of these findings are discussed for evolution of PRDM9 and its role in hybrid strain sterility in mice. Finally, we document the relationship between mouse strain-specific DNA sequence variants within PRDM9 recognition motifs and attendant differences in recombination outcomes. Our results provide further insights into the complex web of factors that influence meiotic recombination patterns.
Phase II randomized study of vaccine treatment of advanced prostate cancer (E7897): a trial of the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group.

PURPOSE A phase II clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the feasibility and tolerability of a prime/boost vaccine strategy using vaccinia virus and fowlpox virus expressing human prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in patients with biochemical progression after local therapy for prostate cancer. The induction of PSA-specific immunity was also evaluated. PATIENTS AND METHODS A randomized clinical trial was conducted by the Eastern Cooperative Oncology group and 64 eligible patients were randomly assigned to receive four vaccinations with fowlpox-PSA (rF-PSA), three rF-PSA vaccines followed by one vaccinia-PSA (rV-PSA) vaccine, or one rV-PSA vaccine followed by three rF-PSA vaccines. The major end point was PSA response at 6 months, and immune monitoring included measurements of anti-PSA and anti-vaccinia antibody titers and PSA-specific T-cell responses. RESULTS The prime/boost schedule was well tolerated with few adverse events. Of the eligible patients, 45.3% of men remained free of PSA progression at 19.1 months and 78.1% demonstrated clinical progression-free survival. There was a trend favoring the treatment group that received a priming dose of rV-PSA. Although no significant increases in anti-PSA antibody titers were detected, 46% of patients demonstrated an increase in PSA-reactive T-cells. CONCLUSION Therapy with poxviruses expressing PSA and delivered in a prime/boost regimen was feasible and associated with minimal toxicity in the cooperative group setting. A significant proportion of men remained free of PSA and clinical progression after 19 months follow-up, and nearly half demonstrated an increase in PSA-specific T-cell responses. Phase III studies are needed to define the role of vaccination in men with prostate cancer or those who are at risk for the disease.
The Successful Use of Phosphodiesterase Type 5 Inhibitors to Treat the Syndrome of Cor Pulmonale and Prerenal Azotemia with Diuresis of Anasarca (CorPRADA)

Background: The occurrence of deteriorating renal function test results along with the attempts at diuresis of anasarca has been described but not named, and no solution other than the standard treatment of related medical conditions such as congestive heart failure (CHF) and reducing or stopping diuretics has been offered. Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PD5I) are known to reduce pulmonary hypertension (PH). The PD5Is sildenafil and, just recently, tadalafil, have FDA indications in primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH). Methods: In this observational study of CorPRADA patients treated with PD5I, 12 out of 19 cases met criteria for inclusion in statistical analysis. Medication reductions/discontinuations generally were made. Pre- and post-treatment data were analyzed using matched pairs. Results: There were significant improvements in edema, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), weight, and loop diuretic dosage required, while strong trends were seen in urine output per day and urine output per unit loop diuretic per day. Conclusion: The identification of CorPRADA and the use of standard treatments for PH plus PD5I medication show promise in achieving successful diuresis of anasarca while stabilizing or improving renal function simultaneously.
Unplanned buying and in‐store stimuli in supermarkets

Manufacturers and retailers in industrialized countries spend large sums on advertising and/or in-store promotion in the hope of increasing sales of their merchandise through ‘impulse’ buying. Results are reported in this paper of the unplanned buying behaviour of 450 consumers in 15 major supermarkets in South Africa compared with similar studies in the United States and the United Kingdom. The findings indicate that unplanned buying is higher in the United States than in South Africa, but that the importance of in-store stimuli holds true across cultures. Analysis of other variables such as brand loyalty, specific outlet, and presence of a shopping list is also reported on a cross-cultural basis.
Rab11‐FIP2 Interaction with MYO5B Regulates Movement of Rab11a‐Containing Recycling Vesicles

A tripartite association of Rab11a with both Rab11‐FIP2 and MYO5B regulates recycling endosome trafficking. We sought to define the intermolecular interactions required between Rab11‐FIP2 and MYO5B. Using a random mutagenesis strategy, we identified point mutations at S229P or G233E in Rab11‐FIP2 that caused loss of interaction with MYO5B in yeast two‐hybrid assays as well as loss of interaction of Rab11‐FIP2(129‐356) with MYO5B tail when expressed in HeLa cells. Single mutations or the double S229P/G233E mutation failed to alter the association of full‐length Rab11‐FIP2 with MYO5B tail in HeLa cells. While EGFP‐Rab11‐FIP2 wild type colocalized with endogenous MYO5B staining in MDCK cells, EGFP‐Rab11‐FIP2(S229P/G233E) showed a significant decrease in localization with endogenous MYO5B. Analysis of Rab11a‐containing vesicle movement in live HeLa cells demonstrated that when the MYO5B/Rab11‐FIP2 association is perturbed by mutation or by Rab11‐FIP2 knockdown, vesicle movement is increased in both speed and track length, consistent with an impairment of MYO5B tethering at the cytoskeleton. These results support a critical role for the interaction of MYO5B with Rab11‐FIP2 in stabilizing the functional complex with Rab11a, which regulates dynamic movements of membrane recycling vesicles.
The Battlefield of The Mountain: Exploring the Conflict of Tourism Development on the Three Peaks in Idre, Sweden

This paper explores the conflict between a Swedish Sami community and a local tourism company eager to exploit traditional Sami land. The aim of the paper is to illustrate the Sami approach and how they negotiated during a conflict concerning the planning process of a large scale tourism development. Three research questions frame the study. How did the stakeholders involved in the conflict communicate and mediate? How were the various objectives prioritized? What is the major contribution this conflict can offer future conflicts? Published text was analysed as a way to map out the conflict and demonstrate how such conflicts are currently managed. Specifically, newspaper articles, letters to editors and authoritative documents were reviewed. A text analysis was employed to scrutinize the published text. Furthermore, the researchers carried out a critical discourse analysis for the purpose of analysing the published and empirical data. Key findings of this study indicate that there is a strong hierarchal order among the different interests of land use. Furthermore, traditional claims to the land are not always considered as superior to economically driven plans. Instead, objectives consolidated by the state government are an important factor in such types of conflicts.
Activity‐based costing in UK universities

This article describes the results of a survey of the usage of Activity‐Based Costing (ABC) in UK universities in Autumn 1994. One‐fifth of the respondents had made use of this costing method, and were overwhelmingly positive about its benefits, in particular its value in improving cost‐awareness in the organization. Perhaps the most interesting result of the survey was that most institutions viewed ABC as a tool for rational allocation of central costs to academic departments, whereas the usual rationale for ABC (outside universities) is in terms of product costing. The article concludes with a discussion of the implications of financial devolution on the use of these methods.
Do exchange rates affect the capital–labour ratio? Panel evidence from Canadian manufacturing industries

Using industry-level data for Canadian manufacturing industries from 1981 to 1997, we find empirical evidence of a negative relationship between the capital–labour ratio and the user cost of capital relative to the price of labour. A 10% increase in the user cost of the Machinery and Equipment (M&E) relative to the price of labour results in a 3.3% decrease in the M&E–labour ratio in the long run. Assuming complete exchange rate pass-through into imported M&E prices, the maximum effect of a permanent 10% depreciation in the exchange rate is a 1.7% decline in the M&E–labour ratio. This result implies that the cumulative growth of the M&E–labour ratio during the 1991 to 1997 period would have been 2.3 percentage points higher had the dollar not depreciated. This may appear to be significant, but considering both M&E as a share of total capital and the capital share of nominal output are both approximately one-third, in terms of a simple growth accounting framework, the effect on labour productivity is small.
A Heteroskedastic Multivariate Tobit Analysis of Price Dynamics in the Presence of Price Floors

This article presents an econometric analysis of the effects of price floors on price dynamics and price volatility in a multimarket context. We investigate the implications of a government price-support program providing a censoring mechanism to the price determination process. The analysis uses a dynamic multivariate Tobit model under time-varying volatility. The model is applied to the U.S. dairy markets with a special focus on the effects of government price-support programs in a period of market liberalization. The econometric analysis provides useful information on the multimarket effects of price supports on price dynamics and price volatility.
A Demographic Perspective on U.S. Consumers’ Out-of-Town Vacationing and Commercial Lodging Usage while on Vacation

This study reports on a 24-month series of national measurements of usage for out-of-town vacations and vacation commercial lodging services. The portion of consumers who reported taking an out-of-town vacation in the past 12 months was 59.4%. Of these out-of-town vacationers,59.6% reported using commercial lodging while on vacation. Logistic regression modeling offered insights into demographic patterns characterizing out-of-town vacation usage and vacation commercial lodging usage across demographic groups in the United States. The income variable was the most influential independent variable in each model.
Figure ground discrimination in age-related macular degeneration.

PURPOSE To investigate impairment in discriminating a figure from its background and to study its relation to visual acuity and lesion size in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). METHODS Seventeen patients with neovascular AMD and visual acuity <20/50 were included. Seventeen age-matched healthy subjects participated as controls. Complete ophthalmologic examination was performed on all participants. The stimuli were photographs of scenes containing animals (targets) or other objects (distractors), displayed on a computer monitor screen. Performance was compared in four background conditions: the target in the natural scene; the target isolated on a white background; the target separated by a white space from a structured scene; the target separated by a white space from a nonstructured, shapeless background. Target discriminability (d') was recorded. RESULTS Performance was lower for patients than for controls. For the patients, it was easier to detect the target when it was separated from its background (under isolated, structured, and nonstructured conditions) than it was when located in a scene. Performance was improved in patients with increasing exposure time but remained lower in controls. Correlations were found between visual acuity, lesion size, and sensitivity for patients. CONCLUSIONS Figure/ground segregation is impaired in patients with AMD. A white space surrounding an object is sufficient to improve the object's detection and to facilitate figure/ground segregation. These results may have practical applications to the rehabilitation of the environment in patients with AMD.
The rate of learning must be greater than the rate of change

The need for strong leadership is at the top of the agenda for many companies, but understanding what constitutes good and effective leadership that will help companies overcome transitionary periods such as economic downturns or increased competition is not as simple as it might seem. Many companies are spending a lot of time and money to train their top management, but these training methods often do not fulfil the business and individual needs critical for long‐term survival. Examines one company where the provision of focussed, business enhancing management and leadership has helped to fuel the next stage of its development.
DOES INFORMATION SYSTEMS SUFFER AN IDENTITY CRISIS? A CASE STUDY OF CONFUSION AND MISINFORMATION

More than a thousand colleges and universities have information systems (IS) programs. Many of these programs are housed within departments that also contain Computer Science programs. However, for many reasons, Information Systems still seems to have an identity problem in its constant comparison with Computer Science. Furthermore, there is confusion with MIS and IT—to the extent that these names are used interchangeably. This paper discusses how IS programs seem to be regarded as Computer Science programs instead of being recognized as a stand-alone discipline. As a result, IS programs have become less recognized and acknowledged even within the same academic department and has been reduced to the extent that Information Systems struggles to gain legitimacy as a standalone discipline—in a time period where demand for graduates with IS skillsets supersede supply. The proposed research seeks to provide understanding of why Information Systems continues to be a misunderstood discipline. A case study will be introduced to provide context for the complexity of issues associated with distinction between CS, CIS (IS), and MIS.
ECONOMETRIC APPROACHES TO EMPIRICAL MODELS OF EXCHANGE RATE DETERMINATION

This paper identifies four principal econometric approaches to the estimation and testing of asset market models of exchange rate determination: the traditional, static reduced-form approach; the error correction and cointegration, dynamic reduced-form approaches; the simultaneous equations approach; and large scale, multi-equation macroeconometric simulation models. Each of these econometric approaches is evaluated with respect to its theoretical validity and the comparative properties of the empirical results obtained. This leads to the conclusion that although there may be little to choose between the different theoretical exchange rate models, there may be grounds for favoring a multi-equation, simultaneous estimation procedure for this class of models. Copyright 1991 by Blackwell Publishers Ltd
Work and Leisure in the U.S. And Europe: Why so Different?

Americans average 25.1 working hours per person in working age per week, but the Germans average 18.6 hours. The average American works 46.2 weeks per year, while the French average 40 weeks per year. Why do western Europeans work so much less than Americans? Recent work argues that these differences result from higher European tax rates, but the vast empirical labor supply literature suggests that tax rates can explain only a small amount of the differences in hours between the U.S. and Europe. Another popular view is that these differences are explained by long-standing European "culture," but Europeans worked more than Americans as late as the 1960s. In this paper, we argue that European labor market regulations, advocated by unions in declining European industries who argued "work less, work all" explain the bulk of the difference between the U.S. and Europe. These policies do not seem to have increased employment, but they may have had a more society-wide influence on leisure patterns because of a social multiplier where the returns to leisure increase as more people are taking longer vacations.
Clinical Relevance of Different Handgrip Strength Indexes and Mobility Limitation in the Elderly Adults.

BACKGROUND More efficient clinical indexes are needed to identify older people most likely to present mobility impairments. The aim of the present study was to determine which handgrip strength (HS) indexes are clinically relevant to detect risk of mobility limitation in the elderly adults. In addition, we attempted to determine an optimal cutoff point for the most relevant index. METHODS Data are from 469 men and 609 women aged 60 years and older recruited in the Hangu area of Tianjin, China. Participants scoring in the top 20% on the Timed Up and Go Test or in the slowest 20% for the 4-m walk test were defined as having mobility limitation. RESULTS The prevalence of mobility limitation was 27.6% in women and 24.5% in men. The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve for HS/body fat mass was 0.723 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.658-0.788) in men and for HS/weight was 0.684 (95% CI = 0.628-0.739) in women. These values were indicated higher levels of mobility limitation compared with HS and other relative HS indexes. The cutoffs of the most relevant index in men and women that effectively identified individuals at risk of mobility limitation were 1.884 and 0.281, respectively. CONCLUSION HS/body fat mass and HS/weight appear to be the indices best associated with mobility limitation for men and women, respectively. Optimal cutoffs for clinically relevant index have the potential to identify elderly adults at risk of mobility limitation.