Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Working for the Union: British Trade Union Officers

This book is a study of the relationship between full-time union officials and shop stewards across the whole of British industry (public and private, manufacturing and services) in 1986–91. It is the first major study of union officials for 20 years, and one of the most detailed studies of workplace collective bargaining and union organisation following the recession of the early 1980s. In the wake of recession, union decline, industrial restructuring, anti-union legislation, and changes in union policies (towards a new realism), Britain is said by some commentators to be entering a new era of industrial relations. This book provides a unique body of evidence that throws new light on this claim, and casts serious doubt on its validity. It combines survey, interview, questionnaire and observation data and thus overcomes the well known limitations of both large-scale surveys and individual case studies.
Casein Kinase 2-mediated Synaptic GluN2A Up-regulation Increases N-Methyl-d-aspartate Receptor Activity and Excitability of Hypothalamic Neurons in Hypertension*

Background: We determined changes in GluN2 subunit composition responsible for increased N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) activity in hypothalamus in hypertension. Results: Protein kinase CK2 mediates up-regulation of synaptic GluN2A, which increases NMDAR activity and neuronal excitability in hypertension. Conclusion: Increased NMDAR activity in hypertension results from CK2-mediated GluN2A up-regulation. Significance: Understanding GluN2 subunit changes in brain is important for developing new treatments for hypertension. Increased glutamatergic input, particularly N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) activity, in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus is closely associated with high sympathetic outflow in essential hypertension. The molecular mechanisms underlying augmented NMDAR activity in hypertension are unclear. GluN2 subunit composition at the synaptic site critically determines NMDAR functional properties. Here, we found that evoked NMDAR-excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) of retrogradely labeled spinally projecting PVN neurons displayed a larger amplitude and shorter decay time in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) than in Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. Blocking GluN2B caused a smaller decrease in NMDAR-EPSCs of PVN neurons in SHRs than in WKY rats. In contrast, GluN2A blockade resulted in a larger reduction in evoked NMDAR-EPSCs and puff NMDA-elicited currents of PVN neurons in SHRs than in WKY rats. Blocking presynaptic GluN2A, but not GluN2B, significantly reduced the frequency of miniature EPSCs and the firing activity of PVN neurons in SHRs. The mRNA and total protein levels of GluN2A and GluN2B in the PVN were greater in SHRs than in WKY rats. Furthermore, the GluN2B Ser1480 phosphorylation level and the synaptosomal GluN2A protein level in the PVN were significantly higher in SHRs than in WKY rats. Inhibition of protein kinase CK2 normalized the GluN2B Ser1480 phosphorylation level and the contribution of GluN2A to NMDAR-EPSCs and miniature EPSCs of PVN neurons in SHRs. Collectively, our findings suggest that CK2-mediated GluN2B phosphorylation contributes to increased synaptic GluN2A, which potentiates pre- and postsynaptic NMDAR activity and the excitability of PVN presympathetic neurons in hypertension.
The Intergenerational Transmission of Employers in Canada and Denmark

The intergenerational transmission of employers between fathers and sons is a common feature of labour markets in Canada and Denmark, with 30 to 40% of young adults having at some point been employed with a firm that also employed their fathers. This is strongly associated with the first jobs obtained during the teen years, but for four to about six percent it also refers to the main job in adulthood. In both countries the transmission of employers is positively associated with paternal earnings, rising distinctly and sharply at the very top of the father's earnings distribution, and has implications for the intergenerational transmission of earnings. Mobility out of the bottom has little to do with inheriting an employer from the father, while the preservation of high income status is distinctly related to this tendency. These findings stress that child adult outcomes are related to the structure of labour markets, and underscore the role of resources parents have – though information, networks, or direct control of the hiring process – in facilitating the job search of their children.
The prevalence and consequences of unmet need. Contrasts between older and younger adults with disability.

OBJECTIVES This article investigates the prevalence, determinants, and consequences of unmet need for assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), and transportation in a randomly selected sample of adults with disability residing in Springfield, Massachusetts. METHODS Respondents were contacted through random digit dialing, and eligibility was determined through a disability screen. Eligible individuals were stratified by age; 632 people were interviewed (78% of contacted eligibles). The prevalence of need and unmet need for ADLs, IADLs, and transportation assistance was calculated separately by age strata, as was the prevalence of selected negative consequences attributed to inadequate help with specific activities. The determinants of unmet need were modeled using logistic regression. RESULTS The prevalence of unmet need for assistance with individual ADLs ranged from 4.1% (eating) to 22.6% (transferring) of the full sample. Unmet need for IADLs assistance was higher, ranging from 15.9% (cooking) to 34.6% (heavy housekeeping). Respondents younger than age 65 reported higher levels of unmet need for IADLs and transportation help than respondents age 65 or older; members of the younger group also were more likely to report five of the seven negative consequences attributed to inadequate help with IADLs and transportation (eg, missing medical appointments). Regression results revealed inability to meet expenses, having few or no reliable helpers, and impairment severity to be key determinants of unmet need. CONCLUSIONS Financial problems, and not age per se, placed working age adults at elevated risk of unmet need in this study. The consequences of inadequate help can impede management of chronic health conditions, and may compromise individuals' ability to maintain a safe and reasonable quality of community living.
Replicating DNA at top speed : chromatin at risk

• A submitted manuscript is the version of the article upon submission and before peer-review. There can be important differences between the submitted version and the official published version of record. People interested in the research are advised to contact the author for the final version of the publication, or visit the DOI to the publisher's website. • The final author version and the galley proof are versions of the publication after peer review. • The final published version features the final layout of the paper including the volume, issue and page numbers. Link to publication
Renúncia Fiscal: Redução de Custos ou Investimento?

Este estudo verifica a renuncia fiscal do imposto de renda por setor economico e sua influencia na decisao de investimento das empresas brasileiras. Considera os tributos como custos e a renuncia fiscal como um beneficio que permite a empresa aumentar o seu fluxo de caixa. Foi utilizada uma amostra composta por 308 companhias com acoes negociadas na Bovespa, de 1998 a 2007, em tres etapas: i) identificar por setor o grau de renuncia fiscal e, em relacao ao lucro antes do imposto de renda; ii) verificar o impacto da renuncia fiscal nas decisoes de investimento utilizando regressoes pooled ordinary least squares (POLS), dados em painel e regressao robusta pela mediana e; iii) comparar se o os investimentos possuem mais relacao com a renuncia fiscal ou com o fluxo de caixa das operacoes. Os resultados mostraram que a media da renuncia fiscal para amostra e de 29%. Os setores de papel e celulose, construcao, eletroeletronicos, mineracao, energia e agronegocios possuem maior proporcao (115%, 42%, 41%, 36%, 33% e 32%, respectivamente). Os setores de comercio, maquinas industriais, siderurgico, textil e de veiculos apresentaram media abaixo da amostra total (15%, 21%, 23%, 23% e 19%, respectivamente). Os resultados mostraram que a renuncia fiscal e fator mais relevante do que o fluxo de caixa operacional e ambas as variaveis sao utilizadas para decisao de investimento. O montante que deixa de ser pago ao Estado em forma de tributos, possui relevância na politica das firmas, possivelmente, pela reducao dos custos incluidos no arranjo empresarial.
Non–parallel yield curve shifts and durational leverage

La duration modifiée qui reflète la sensibilité du portefeuille aux translations des courbes de rendement peut être divisée en plusieurs durations partielles qui reflètent la sensibilité de la courbe de rendement point par point. Une vulnérabilité de portefeuille aux decalages globaux non-parallèles est alors facilement comprise et quantifiée; souvent, cette sensibilité est découverte comme étant bien supérieure à ce qu’implique la duration.
Assessing Competencies of Counselors-in-Training: Complexities in Evaluating Personal and Professional Development

In this article, the authors examine the complexities of assessing the professional and personal development of counselors-in-training. The authors discuss a set of issues the profession must address in an effort to reduce inconsistencies and uncertainties related to student assessment, and the authors provide questions, recommendations, and future directions for assessing student competencies in the areas of professional and personal development.
Prostitution Harms Women Even if Indoors

can be found at: Violence Against Women Additional services and information for http://vaw.sagepub. com/cgi/alerts Email Alerts: http://vaw.sagepub. com/subscriptions Subscriptions: http://www.sagepub. com/journalsReprints.nav Reprints: http://www.sagepub. com/journalsPermissions.nav Permissions: http://vaw.sagepub. com/cgi/content/refs/11/7/950 SAGE Journals Online and HighWire Press platforms): (this article cites 8 articles hosted on the Citations
Acoustic Emission-Based Prognostics of Slow Rotating Bearing Using Bayesian Techniques Under Dependent and Independent Samples

This study develops a novel degradation assessment index (DAI) from acoustic emission signals obtained from slow rotating bearings and integrates the same into alternative Bayesian methods for the prediction of remaining useful life (RUL). The DAI is obtained by the integration of polynomial kernel principal component analysis (PKPCA), Gaussian mixture model (GMM), and exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA). The DAI is then used as inputs in several Bayesian regression models, such as the multilayer perceptron (MLP), radial basis function (RBF), Bayesian linear regression (BLR), Gaussian mixture regression (GMR), and the Gaussian process regression (GPR) for RUL prediction. The combination of the DAI with the GPR model, otherwise known as the DAI-GPR gave the best prediction with the least error. The findings show that the GPR model is suitable and effective in the prediction of RUL of slow rotating bearings and robust to varying operating conditions. Further, the findings are also robust when the training and tests sets are obtained from dependent and independent samples. Therefore, the GPR model is found useful for monitoring the condition of machines in order to implement effective preventive rather than reactive maintenance, thereby maximizing safety and asset availability.
Monitoring Trail Allocation in all-optical networks with the Random Next Hop Policy

The concept of monitoring trail (m-trail) provides a striking mechanism for fast and unambiguous link failure localization in all-optical networks. To achieve fast m-trail design in large-size networks, two efficient heuristics RCA+RCS and MTA are proposed against the optimal ILP (Integer Linear Program) model. However, RCA+RCS suffers from the disjoint trail problem which increases the required number of m-trails, and MTA always finds a deterministic solution which may not be good enough due to the limited solution space. In this paper, we propose a new heuristic RNH-MTA (Monitoring Trail Allocation with the Random Next Hop policy) to solve those issues. Similar to MTA, RNH-MTA ensures a valid optical structure of each m-trail and sequentially adds necessary m-trails to the solution, and thus is free of the disjoint trail problem. By replacing the deterministic searching in MTA using the Random Next Hop policy, RNH-MTA sets up a probabilistic model in extending each m-trail. This not only enlarges the solution space and increases the solution diversity, but also enables a controllable tradeoff between the solution quality and the running time of the algorithm. Our numerical results show the advantages of RNH-MTA over both RCA+RCS and MTA.
Characterizing a Mammalian Circannual Pacemaker

Many species express endogenous cycles in physiology and behavior that allow anticipation of the seasons. The anatomical and cellular bases of these circannual rhythms have not been defined. Here, we provide strong evidence using an in vivo Soay sheep model that the circannual regulation of prolactin secretion, and its associated biology, derive from a pituitary-based timing mechanism. Circannual rhythm generation is seen as the product of the interaction between melatonin-regulated timer cells and adjacent prolactin-secreting cells, which together function as an intrapituitary “pacemaker-slave” timer system. These new insights open the way for a molecular analysis of long-term timing mechanisms.
Sex Differences in Cannabinoid 1 vs. Cannabinoid 2 Receptor-Selective Antagonism of Antinociception Produced by Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol and CP55,940 in the Rat

The purpose of this study was to determine whether sex differences in cannabinoid (CB)-induced antinociception and motoric effects can be attributed to differential activation of CB1 or CB2 receptors. Rats were injected intraperitoneally with vehicle, rimonabant [5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-4-methyl-N-1-piperidinyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxamide (SR141716A), a putative CB1 receptor-selective antagonist; 0.1–10 mg/kg ] or 5-(4-chloro-3-methylphenyl)-1-[(4-methylphenyl)methyl]-N-[(1S,2S,4R)-1,3,3-trimethylbicyclo[2.2. 1]hept-2-yl]-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxamide (SR144528) (a putative CB2 receptor-selective antagonist; 1.0–10 mg/kg). Thirty minutes later, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC; 1.25–40 mg/kg) or 5-(1,1-dimethylheptyl)-2-[5-hydroxy-2-(3-hydroxypropyl)cyclohexyl]phenol (CP55,940) (0.05–1.6 mg/kg) was injected. Paw pressure and tail withdrawal antinociception, locomotor activity, and catalepsy were measured. Rimonabant dose-dependently antagonized THC and CP55,940 in each test, but was up to 10 times more potent in female than male rats on the nociceptive tests; estimates of rimonabant affinity (apparent pKB) for the CB1 receptor were approximately 0.5 to 1 mol/kg higher in female than male rats. SR144528 partially antagonized THC-induced tail withdrawal antinociception and locomotor activity in females, but this antagonism was not dose-dependent or consistent; no SR144528 antagonism was observed in either sex tested with CP55,940. Neither the time course of rimonabant antagonism nor the plasma levels of rimonabant differed between the sexes. Rimonabant and SR144528 did not antagonize morphine-induced antinociception, and naloxone did not antagonize THC-induced antinociception in either sex. These results suggest that THC produces acute antinociceptive and motoric effects via activation of CB1, and perhaps under some conditions, CB2 receptors, in female rats, whereas THC acts primarily at CB1 receptors in male rats. Higher apparent pKB for rimonabant in female rats suggests that cannabinoid drugs bind with greater affinity to CB1 receptors in female than male rats, probably contributing to greater antinociceptive effects observed in female compared with male rats.
Taxes in a simple wealth distribution model by inelastically scattering particles

In this work we use an inelastic scattering process of particles to propose a model able to reproduce the salient features of the wealth distribution in an economy by including taxes to each trading process and redistributing that collected among the population according to a given criterion. Additionally, we show that different optimal levels of taxes may exist depending on the redistribution criterion.
The boom-bust cycle in Finland and Sweden 1984-1995 in an international perspective

This paper compares the boom-bust cycle in Finland and Sweden 1984-1995 with the average boom-bust pattern in industrialized countries as calculated from an international sample for the period 1970-2002. Two clear conclusions emerge. First, the Finnish-Swedish experience is much more volatile than the average boom-bust pattern. This holds for virtually every time series examined. Second, the bust and the recovery in the two Nordic countries differ markedly more from the international pattern than the boom phase does. The bust is considerably deeper and the recovery comes earlier and is more rapid. We explain the highly volatile character of the Finnish and Swedish boom-bust episode by the design of economic policies in the 1980s and 1990s. The boom-bust cycle in Finland and Sweden 1984-1995 was driven by financial liberalization and a hard currency policy, causing large pro-cyclical swings in the real rate of interest transmitted via the financial sector into the real sector and then into the public finances.
Helicobacter pylori incidence and re-infection in the Aklavik H. pylori Project

Background The Aklavik H. pylori Project (AHPP) (www.canhelpworkinggroup.ca) is a community-driven project examining Helicobacter pylori infection and its influence on health in a diverse Aboriginal community in the Northwest Territories. Initial research revealed that 58% of 333 participants who underwent a urea breath test (UBT) between 2007 and 2010 were H. pylori-positive. From 2008 to 2010, we offered treatment to H. pylori-positive participants and 113 consented to this treatment. Objective We estimated H. pylori incidence in AHPP participants who initially tested negative and the re-infection frequency in initially positive participants who were successfully treated to clear the infection. Methods Participants who were initially H. pylori-negative or negative after treatment during 2008–2010 were eligible for inclusion. From November 2011 to June 2012, participants were offered a UBT and the samples were analyzed using infrared spectroscopy (IRIS). Participants with a positive test result were classified as new cases for estimating incidence among participants testing negative at baseline and re-infection among those successfully treated for H. pylori infection. Results Among 38 initially negative participants, follow-up UBT showed that 33 remained negative, 3 were positive, and 2 had uncertain status. The estimated incidence proportion during the follow-up period was 8.3% (95% CI: 1.8–22.0%). Among 43 participants with a negative post-treatment UBT, 41 remained negative and 2 were positive. The estimated re-infection proportion during the follow-up period was 4.7% (95% CI: 0.6–16.0%). The frequency of new cases was similar in males and females. Aboriginal participants had a combined re-infection/incidence rate of 2.4% per year (95% CI: 0.8–5.9% per year). All 9 non-Aboriginal participants remained free from infection throughout the study period, as did all 23 participants aged 55 years and above. Conclusions The AHPP has substantially reduced the burden of infection in Aklavik since 2008. Continued monitoring, treatment, community engagement and knowledge translation activities are needed to ensure a lasting benefit of the project.
Exchange Rate and Interest Rate Exposure of UK Industries Using First‐Order Autoregressive Exponential GARCH-in‐Mean (EGARCH‐M) Approach

type="main"> We examine the sensitivity of 31 UK non-financial industries to exchange and interest rate exposure from 1990 to 2006 using first-order autoregressive exponential GARCH-in-mean (EGARCH-M) model. We find that the stock returns of UK industries are more affected by long-term interest rate risk than exchange rate risk and short-term interest rate risk. Moreover, the euro introduction decreases exchange and interest rate exposure and competitive industries exhibit higher returns volatility than concentrated industries. Furthermore, for most UK industries: increased risk does not necessarily lead to an increase in returns and persistence of volatility is much higher in some industries than others.
Influence of Immunosuppressive Therapy on the Natural History of Genotype 3 Hepatitis-E Virus Infection After Organ Transplantation

Background. Hepatitis-E virus (HEV) infection can be responsible for chronic hepatitis in solid-organ transplant patients. Methods. We identified 33 cases of autochthonous acute HEV infection in solid-organ transplant patients. Results. Among 27 HEV-positive patients, who had a follow-up of more than 6 months, 16 (59.25%) evolved to chronic HEV infection, defined by persisting elevated liver-enzyme levels and positive serum HEV RNA 6 months after diagnosis. Serial liver biopsies showed progression in liver activity and liver fibrosis. Three patients developed liver cirrhosis. The proportion of patients receiving tacrolimus compared with cyclosporine A was significantly higher in patients who evolved to chronic disease. Immunosuppressive therapy was reduced in patients with chronic hepatitis; however, those who had a dramatic decrease in tacrolimus trough levels were more likely to clear the virus. Four chronic liver transplant patients were cleared off the virus at 14, 16, 22, and 23 months after diagnosis. At last follow-up, their tacrolimus trough levels and daily steroid doses were significantly lower than those who remained viremic. These four patients had lower liver-enzyme levels and lower activity scores on liver biopsies, and their peripheral blood CD3- and CD4-positive cell counts were also significantly higher. Conclusions. The rate of chronic HEV-related hepatitis is approximately 60% in solid-organ transplant patients. When possible, the reduction of immunosuppressive drugs targeting T cells should be considered as a first-line therapeutic option.
Polynucleated Urban Landscapes

City systems show a degree of resilience and persistence that has rarely been emphasised in urban theory. There is a fascination for recent and contemporary change which suggests that phenomena such as the rise of the 'edge city', for example, comprise the predominant forces determining how a polynucleated landscape of cities is emerging. We argue here that such explanations of polynucleation are largely false. Urban settlement structures from much earlier times are persistent to a degree that is extraordinary. We show this in two ways: first, from empirical evidence of stable rank-size relations in the urban settlement system for Great Britain over the past 100 years; and, secondly, from simulations based on weak laws of proportionate effect which produce aggregate patterns entirely consistent with these empirical relations. We then propose various spatially disaggregate models of urban development which generate an evolution of polynucleated settlement from initial, random distributions of urban activity. These models simulate the repeated action of agents locating and trading in space which illustrate how early settlement patterns are gradually reinforced by positive feedback. These produce lognormally distributed settlement structures that are characteristic of city systems in developed countries. In this way, we begin to explain how aggregate urban structures persist in spite of rapid and volatile micro change at more local levels of locational decision-making. Polynucleated urban landscapes are clear evidence of this phenomenon.