Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hierarchy among multiple H-2b-restricted cytotoxic T-lymphocyte epitopes within simian virus 40 T antigen

Simian virus 40 large tumor (T) antigen contains three H-2Db-restricted (I, II/III, and V) and one H-2Kb-restricted (IV) cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) epitopes. We demonstrate that a hierarchy exists among these CTL epitopes, since vigorous CTL responses against epitopes I, II/III, and IV are detected following immunization of H-2b mice with syngeneic, T-antigen-expressing cells. By contrast, a weak CTL response against the H-2Db-restricted epitope V was detected only following immunization of H-2b mice with epitope loss variant B6/K-3,1,4 cells, which have lost expression of CTL epitopes I, II/III, and IV. Limiting-dilution analysis confirmed that the lack of epitope V-specific CTL activity in bulk culture splenocytes correlated with inefficient expansion and priming of epitope V-specific CTL precursors in vivo. We examined whether defined genetic alterations of T antigen might improve processing and presentation of epitope V to the epitope V-specific CTL clone Y-5 in vitro and/or overcome the recessive nature of epitope V in vivo. Deletion of the H-2Db-restricted epitopes I and II/III from T antigen did not increase target cell lysis by epitope V-specific CTL clones in vitro. The amino acid sequence SMIKNLEYM, which species an optimized H-2Db binding motif and was found to induce CTL in H-2b mice, did not further reduce epitope V presentation in vitro when inserted within T antigen. Epitope V-containing T-antigen derivatives which retained epitopes I and II/III or epitope IV did not induce epitope V-specific CTL in vivo: T-antigen derivatives in which epitope V replaced epitope I failed to induce epitope V-specific CTL. Recognition of epitope V-H-2Db complexes by multiple independently derived epitope V-specific CTL clones was rapidly and dramatically reduced by incubation of target cells in the presence of brefeldin A compared with the recognition of the other T-antigen CTL epitopes by epitope specific CTL, suggesting that the epitope V-H-2Db complexes either are labile or are present at the cell surface at reduced levels. Our results suggest that processing and presentation of epitope V is not dramatically altered (reduced) by the presence of immunodominant CTL epitopes in T antigen and that the immunorecessive nature of epitope V is not determined by amino acids which flank its native location within simian virus 40 T antigen.
Testing for Panel Cointegration with Multiple Structural Breaks

This paper proposes a Lagrange multiplier (LM) test for the null hypothesis of cointegration that allows for the possibility of multiple structural breaks in both the level and trend of a cointegrated panel regression. The test is general enough to allow for endogenous regressors, serial correlation and an unknown number of breaks that may be located at different dates for different individuals. We derive the limiting distribution of the test and conduct a small Monte Carlo study to investigate its finite sample properties. In our empirical application to the solvency of the current account, we find evidence of cointegration between saving and investment once a level break is accommodated.
Searching for a Theory of Bureaucratic Structure

Administrative institutions often have important implications for the allocation of scarce resources. To some extent, therefore, they reflect the interests of those who have a stake in policy implementation. Although scholars have devoted increased attention to this fact, current theories that seek to explain bureaucratic structure as a reflection of politics are severely limited in range. In addition, they provide little insight as to the kinds of interests that underlie specific institutional arrangements. Future research should seek to identify contextual variables that condition institutional choice within the administrative process. Scholars have shown a heightened interest in the political sources of bureaucratic structure. Thus, although it is hardly new, the idea that organizational arrangements and procedures within the administrative process reflect the interests of those who stand to be affected by policy implementation has been given much more explicit attention. Rational choice theorists have been especially ambitious in developing this thesis. In this article I will describe and then critique perspectives that view administrative design as an instrument of political control. Leading efforts to theorize about the systemic role of bureaucratic structure will be limited in two broad respects. The more obvious is that the determinants of institutional choice are much more varied than economic models suggest. The contractual metaphor employed by such explanations, in which structure is intertwined with the goals of specific programs, cannot be applied to many if not most constraints on public administration. A more damning criticism of rational-choice theory is that, even where they are valid, its assumptions about the relationship between delegated authority and program design provide little insight concerning the implications of particular structural choices for particular types of interests. Notwithstanding its pretensions 591/Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory I would like to thank Jim Anderson, Frank Baumgartner, Jim Clingermayer, and Ken Meier for their comments on earlier drafts of this article. J-PART 7(1997):4:591-613 This content downloaded from 157.55. 39.198 on Thu, 21 Jul 2016 04:06:48 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor. org/terms Searching for a Theory of Bureaucratic Structure to scientific explicitness and logical rigor, neoinstitutionalism has merely contributed to an already confused body of plausible but conflicting proverbs. The limitations of efforts to develop a coherent theory of bureaucratic structure suggest that we can gain a better understanding of the subject by identifying contextual factors that shape the motives and preferences of political actors.
Gene Transfer with Three Amphiphilic Glycol Chitosans—the Degree of Polymerisation is the Main Controller of Transfection Efficiency

A number of studies have examined the possibility of delivering genes for the treatment of genetic diseases using various polymers and lipids. We have previously demonstrated the gene transfer ability of amphiphilic polymers (a soluble amine polymer covalently bound to lipid pendant groups). In the current communication we explore the gene transfer activity of amphiphilic glycol chitosans. Glycol chitosan was acid depolymerised to give polymers of various molecular weights. Palmitoyl or hexadecyl and in some cases additional N-methyl quaternary ammonium groups were attached to the polymers. DNA binding was studied by measuring the reduced fluorescence of ethidium bromide and the polyplex particle size and zeta potential. Biological characterisation of the polyplexes involved haemolysis, cytotoxicity and gene transfer assays. For the 22 polymers tested, DNA binding was optimum at a nitrogen to phosphate ratio of 2:1 and above. Polyplexes were 200–500 nm in diameter with a neutral or positive zeta potential. The haemolytic activity of the N-methyl polymers was studied and no haemolysis was detected up to a concentration of 10 mg ml−1. Cytotoxicity studies showed that the biocompatibility of glycol chitosan was adversely affected by a combination of a palmitoyl group and depolymerisation and that biocompatibility was subsequently restored with the introduction of N-methyl groups. In vitro transfection efficiency superior to the cationic lipid formulation N-[1-(2,3-dioleoyloxy)propyl]-N,N,N-trimethylammonium methyl sulphate (DOTAP) was seen with depolymerised glycol chitosan in the A431 cell line only and with the depolymerised N-methyl quaternary ammonium amphiphilic derivatives in both the A431 and A549 cell lines. Degree of polymerisation (DP) was the most important controller of transfection efficiency and transfection resided within polymers with a DP of 73–171. High DP polymers diminished DNA–cell association, the first step in the cellular gene transfer process, thus apparently diminishing cell uptake. In vivo transfection with the N-methyl quaternary ammonium amphiphile was best at a DP of 86 and this glycol chitosan amphiphile gave superior liver and heart gene expression levels when compared to both Exgen 500 (linear polyethylenimine) and Superfect (a polyamidoamine dendrimer).
National and corporate cultural fit in mergers/acquisition: an exploratory study

While cultural fit has been acknowledged to be a potentially important factor in mergers and acquisitions, the concept has been ill-defined, with no distinction drawn between the national and corporate levels of culture. By examining both international and domestic mergers, the present study assesses the relative role of national and corporate cultural fit in predicting effective integration between merger partners. The innovative, nonparametric co-plot method is introduced, and its main advantage-the simultaneous consideration of both variables and observations-is utilized to explore cultural fit in the two groups of mergers. The findings confirm that national and corporate culture are separate constructs with variable attitudinal and behavioral correlates.
Non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs and prostate cancer progression

Experimental studies have suggested that the biosynthesis of arachidonic acid‐derived eicosanoids such as prostaglandin E2 via the cyclo‐oxygenase pathway may play a significant role in supporting cell proliferation in human prostate cancer cell lines. However, the aetiological significance of this for clinical prostate cancer has remained unclear. In particular, the potential for prostate cancer chemoprevention using non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (cyclo‐oxygenase inhibitors; NSAIDs) has received little attention. The purpose of our study was to investigate associations between prostate cancer risk and use of NSAIDs. A population‐based case‐control study was carried out over 13 months from 1996 in metropolitan Auckland, New Zealand. A total of 317 newly diagnosed prostate cancer cases (including 192 “advanced” cases) representative of all cancer cases in the study population were identified from urology clinic referrals and histology reports. A total of 480 age‐matched controls were recruited following random selection from the study population using electoral rolls as the sampling frame. After adjusting for potential confounding by socio‐economic status and dietary fat consumption, there was a trend toward reduced risks of advanced prostate cancer associated with regular use of total NSAIDs (RR = 0.73; 95% CI 0.50–1.07) and total aspirin (RR = 0.71; 95% CI 0.47–1.08). However, these associations failed to reach statistical significance at the usually accepted levels. Weaker inverse associations were found for total prostate cancers, which included a number of small, low‐grade tumours of less clinical significance. These findings lend support to proposed underlying aetiological hypotheses which imply a role for cyclo‐oxygenase activity in prostate cancer progression. Int. J. Cancer 77:511–515, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Developing Trust: The Importance of Cognitive Flexibility and Co-Operative Contexts

This research investigates relationships between group cognitive make‐up, co‐operative context, and the development of interpersonal trust. Results show that groups composed of individuals with similar cognitive processes are more trusting and achieve higher levels of performance than heterogeneous groups. Outlines the motivation and results of this study. Technological advancements are changing the competitive landscape in most industries. Many organizations are modifying both inter‐ and intra‐organizational structures to address the resultant competition. These modifications largely focus on increased small group co‐operation. In the execution of these changes managers frequently assume that employees will adapt to new co‐operative forms. In the adaptive process, previous research documents the importance of trust for successful co‐operation during organizational changes. Recognizes the importance of evaluating and considering two important factors prior to assigning groups to change teams: cognitive flexibility; and front loading group activities with collaborative decision processes.
An assessment of the current state of palliative care education in pediatric hematology/oncology fellowship training

Despite improved survival rates for pediatric oncology patients, childhood cancers continue to be the number one cause of non‐accidental death in children. Studies show that many children receiving end‐of‐life care, and their families, believe that physicians can improve significantly in the delivery of palliative care. This has led to the recommendation that increased palliative care training for physicians taking care of terminally ill pediatric patients is needed.
Shortened length of stay and hospital cost reduction with implementation of an accelerated clinical care pathway after elective colon resection.

BACKGROUND Patient care pathways have been developed for operative procedures with documented improvements in length of stay and cost without compromising outcome. The average hospital stay after colonic resection is 5 to 10 days. This study describes a clinical pathway for colon resections and examines patient outcome before and after institution of the pathway. METHODS One hundred thirty-eight patients underwent elective colon resections at our institution by a single surgeon before (n = 52) and after (n = 86) introduction of a clinical pathway. Length of stay, postoperative complications, readmissions, and cost per patient were compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS Mean total length of stay (+/- standard deviation [SD]) was less in the postclinical pathway patients (3.7 +/- 1.5 days) compared to preclinical pathway patients (6.6 +/- 3.3 days) (P <.001). When adjusted for age, sex, diagnosis, and type of operation, the difference in length of stay remains statistically significant (P <.001). There was 1 readmission in the prepathway group and 8 readmissions in the postpathway group. When the readmissions were added to the original admissions, the mean length of stay in the postpathway patients was 4.2 +/- 2.8 days and in the prepathway patients was 6.9 +/- 4.1 days (P <.001). The average cost per patient (+/- standard error of the mean), with readmission costs added, was 9310 +/- 5170 US dollars in the prepathway group and 7070 +/- 3670 US dollars in the postpathway group (P =.002). CONCLUSIONS The institution of a clinical pathway for elective, open colon resections can be done safely with improvements in cost and length of stay.
Investigating the relationship between the elements of the IFRS conversion cost in the context of small island economies (Mauritius)

Using a sample of 100 companies from a small island economy (Mauritius), this paper for the first time investigates IFRS conversion cost by dividing it into three main elements, namely; training cost, IFRS software cost and outsourcing cost and then observe their behaviour by using the Pearson correlation test. The outcomes of this study are that despite Mauritius Accounting Standards (MAS) were Anglo-Saxon based and IAS adapted all the preparers of accounts had recourse to training including new accounting software and some had recourse directly to external experts by outsourcing their IFRS tasks. This study also confirms that though many of the preparers invested in a new software, yet training on IFRS contents and software cost are negatively correlated and where the companies have outsourced the IFRS tasks, training and software cost have been low.
Effect of regulatory mutations of sulphur metabolism on the levels of cysteine- and homocysteine-synthesizing enzymes in Neurospora crassa.

1. Regulation of four enzymes involved in cysteine and homocysteine synthesis, i.e. cysteine synthase (EC 4.2.99.8), homocysteine synthase (EC 4.1.99.10), cystathionine beta-synthase (EC 2.1.22) and gamma-cystathionase (EC 4.4.1.1) was studied in the wild type and sulphur regulatory mutants of Neurospora crassa. 2. Homocysteine synthase and cystathionine beta-synthase were found to be regulatory enzymes but only the former is under control of the cys-3 - scon system regulating several enzymes of sulphur metabolism, including gamma-cystathionase. 3. The results obtained with the mutants strongly suggest that homocysteine synthase plays a physiological role as an enzyme of the alternative pathway of methionine synthesis. Cysteine synthase activity was similar in all strains examined irrespective of growth conditions. 4. The sconc strain with derepressed enzymes of sulphur metabolism showed an increased pool of sulphur amino acids, except for methionine. Particularly characteristic for this pool is a high content of hypotaurine, a product of cysteine catabolism.
Symbol Shifting: Tolerating More Faults in PCM Blocks

Phase-change memory (PCM) has emerged as a candidate that overcomes the physical limitations faced by DRAM and NAND flash memory. While PCM has desirable properties in terms of scalability and density, it suffers from limited endurance. Repeated writes cause PCM cells to wear out and get permanently stuck at a specific value. Recovering from stuck-at faults through a proactive error correcting scheme is essential for the widespread adoption of PCM. In this paper, we propose Symbol Shifting as a practical technique to increase the number of faults that an error correcting code can cover in single and multilevel cells memory chips. Since stuck-at cells can still be read, errors are manifested only when a worn-out cell is to be programmed with a symbol value different than the value it is stuck at. After a write operation fails for a given block of data, another write operation is attempted with all original data symbols shifted to another memory level. Shifting the data is likely to bring the number of errors within the nominal capability of the deployed error correcting code. Requiring only one additional auxiliary cell, Symbol Shifting can increase the number of faults that an error correcting code can cover by up to double the nominal capability and extends the lifetime by up to 37 percent.
Reflections on discounting: some philosophical remarks

This paper touches on some crucial ethical topics that are embedded in the economic technique of discounting. It is structured as follows. After a brief introduction, the notion of reflection is clarified in order to make room for a certain perspective from which the economic practice of discounting might be judged appropriately. Some distinctions are drawn, and some common patterns of argument are outlined, which might be helpful for further debate. At the end of the paper, some proposals for modifications, weighings and adjustments of discounting are mentioned. Finally, an argument why discounting should be replaced by discourse-oriented assessments is set out.
Poverty and Social Exclusion in Britain

This report presents the initial findings from the most comprehensive survey of poverty and social exclusion ever undertaken in Britain. The study was undertaken by researchers at four universities and the fieldwork was conducted during 1999 by the Office for National Statistics. The main part of the fieldwork, conducted during September/October 1999, was a follow-up survey of a sub-sample of respondents to the 1998/99 General Household Survey. It is particularly important at this time to create a base line understanding of the nature of poverty and social exclusion. On any measure, poverty at the turn of the new millennium remains one of the greatest social problems challenging Britain, and reducing social exclusion is at the heart of Government policy.
Multifrequency Acoustical Holography Using a Narrow Pulse

Absmct-A multifrequency hologram is obtained by use of a single narrow pulse to reduce data acquisition time. Imaging properties of the method are analyzed theoretically by deriving a point spread function. Analytical expressions of radial and azimuthal resolutions are also derived. Numerical images are reconstructed by the calculation similar to the beam-formed imaging method (BIM). Experiments are made to compare the new method with the BIM. Results demonstrate that the new method reconstructs much clearer images, since it equalizes frequency components of the pulse signal within the effective bandwidth, which sharpens pulse waveforms and removes noises outside the bandwidth.
Article in press-uncorrected proof Review From mammals to viruses : the Schlafen genes in developmental , proliferative and immune processes

The Schlafen genes have been associated with proliferation control and with several differentiation processes, as well as with disparate phenotypes such as immune response, embryonic lethality and meiotic drive. They constitute a gene family with widespread distribution in mammals, where they are expressed in several tissues, predominantly those of the immune system. Moreover, horizontal transfer of these genes to orthopoxviruses suggests a role of the viral Schlafens in evasion to the host immune response. The expression and functional studies of this gene family will be reviewed under the prism of their evolution and diversification, the challenges they pose and the future avenues of research.
Quantitative approach to impact analysis of microfinance programmes in Bangladesh—what have we learned?

The quantitative impact assessment of microfinance programmes, like the programmes themselves, originated in Bangladesh. This essay reflects on the significance and usefulness for present day researchers of the analytical advances made in Bangladesh since the beginning of the 1990s. Particularly in the area of selection bias, fungibility and the assessment of wider impacts, it argues, those advances are crucial, and need to be borne in mind by all practitioners; but financial sustainability remains an unresolved problem. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Blessing or Curse?

Little empirical study has been devoted to the impact of employer-sponsored work-family policies on women’s wages. These policies include flexible scheduling, telecommuting, reduced hours of work, and child care assistance. Although these work innovations may make family caregiving easier, many women fear that lower wage growth and blocked mobility will result from the use of these policies. This project followed a midwestern cohort of employed women for 7 years after childbirth, using detailed information about coverage and use of family responsive policies across all jobs held during that period. Results show consistent negative effects of policy use on wage growth after controlling for many productivity-related characteristics, though the effects vary in size depending on the specific policy used, workers’ job mobility, and the respondent’s managerial or professional status.
The effect of entrepreneurs' motivation and the local economic environment on young venture performance

In this study, we examine the effect of entrepreneurs' motivation and the local economic environment on young venture performance. Field data was collected from entrepreneurs of two different regions, South America and Europe. Our findings suggest that the degree of entrepreneurial motivation at firm creation (i.e., necessity-driven versus opportunity-driven motivation) determine subsequent venture performance during firm infancy (i.e., three to four initial years from inception). Results show that the human capital profile of necessity-driven entrepreneurs at the moment of firm start-up is weaker than that of opportunity-driven entrepreneurs in both regions. When we compare the profile of necessity-driven entrepreneurs for each region, noticeable differences arise.