Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Market values for olive oil attributes in Chile: a hedonic price function

Purpose – Focused on the olive oil sector in Chile which is a non-traditional market (both in production and consumption), the purpose of this paper is to determine the implicit value of the most relevant attributes of olive oil on the final price charged by supermarkets to consumers through the hedonic pricing methodology. Design/methodology/approach – Field work was carried out between September and October 2012 in 12 supermarkets belonging to the four most important Chilean retail chains. A log-linear price-attribute function was used to estimate the hedonic price function. The sample included 248 observations olive oil prices available to consumers in the leading supermarkets in the city of Chillan (Chile). Findings – The model estimation results led to the observation that the attributes that most positively influenced final price are oil acidity level, tin can container of imported oil, and origin. On the other hand, the attributes that most negatively influenced final consumer price are retailer ho.
Spend-and-Tax: A Panel Data Investigation for the EU

Using bootstrap panel analysis, allowing for cross-country correlation, without the need of pre-testing for unit roots, we study the causality between government spending and revenue for the EU in the period 1960-2006. We find spend-and-tax causality for Italy, France, Spain, Greece, and Portugal, while tax-and-spend evidence is present for Germany, Belgium, Austria Finland and the UK, and for several EU New Member States. Moreover, in the run-up to EMU there was some shifting away from a spend-and-tax strategy, implying adjustments of fiscal behaviour.
Hepatic Angiosarcoma Occurring After Cyclophosphamide Therapy: Case Report and Review of the Literature

A 54-year-old man with polyarteritis nodosa developed acute onset of right upper quadrant abdominal pain associated with a large liver mass. Transvenous liver biopsy revealed hepatic angiosarcoma, a rare liver tumor classically associated with environmental toxins. He had been treated with oral cyclophosphamide for 13 years. A review of the literature revealed two other cases of hepatic angiosarcoma in patients after long-term cyclophosphamide treatment. We propose that cyclophosphamide be added to the list of exposures potentially associated with hepatic angiosarcoma.
Plasma Adiponectin is Increased in Mice Selectively Bred for High Wheel-running Activity, but not by Wheel Running per sé

Mice selectively bred for high wheel-running activity (S) have decreased fat content compared to mice from randomly bred control (C) lines. We explored whether this difference was associated with alterations in levels of circulating hormones involved in regulation of food intake and energy balance, and whether alterations were caused by the presence of a running wheel. Plasma levels of leptin, adiponectin, and corticosterone as well as body composition were analyzed in male S mice housed with (+) and without (-) access to running wheels at ages of 10 and 18 months. These levels were compared to those found in C+ mice. Plasma corticosterone did not differ among groups. While plasma leptin levels tended to be lower in S+ mice as compared to S- or C+ mice, these differences were largely attributable to differences in fat content. Adiponectin levels were increased in S mice (+60%) compared to C mice, irrespective of wheel access. High levels of this hormone may be a trait co-segregated in mice bred for high wheel-running activity.
Family Firms and Entrepreneurship: Contradiction or Synonym?

(JSBE) Special Issue was motivated by increasing intellectual curiosity from within the entrepreneurship academic commu-nity to study entrepreneurial phenomenon in a family business context. Family enterprises dominate the commercial landscape in all economies, and interest in the unique challenges facing this business genre is growing. In many family firms, ownership and management are maintained across several generations, and a key challenge for long-term survival is to sustain the entrepreneurial spirit of the founding generation of entrepreneurs (Littunen and Hyrsky, 2000). All firms regularly need to renew their way of doing business in order to stay competitive, as they risk losing their entrepreneurial capacity when they mature (Kellermanns and Eddleston, 2006). However, family firms face many additional chal-lenges with regard to entrepreneurship (Zahra, Hayton and Salvato, 2004). Some scholars see family firms as conservative, introverted, inflexible and lacking en-trepreneurial spirit (i.e., a contradiction), while others argue the opposite and view family firms as a setting where entrepreneurship is enabled to flourish (i.e., a synonym). There is increasing evidence, including in the manuscripts in this edition, that families in business are robust sources of entrepreneurial activity (Naldi et al., 2007). It is apparent that family business and entrepreneurship are not contradictory; that family businesses
On the blood compatibility of end-point immobilized heparin

During the past several decades, the clinical use of arti cial materials in contact with living tissue has increased dramatically due to the progress in techniques such as extracorporeal procedures including cardio-pulmonary bypass, haemodialysis, haemoperfusion techniques, as well as in orthopedic, vascular, and reconstructive surgery. This evolution has highlighted the problems of biocompatibility, de ned as “the ability of a material to perform with an appropriate host response in a speci c application” [1]. In the case of blood, contact with foreign materials induces activation of several host defense mechanisms, the most obvious being the haemostatic mechanism, with such consequences as thrombus formation, occlusion of medical devices and embolization. Systemic anticoagulation, usually with heparin, to counteract complications related to coagulation, unfortunately increases the risk of uncontrolled bleeding, and does not exclude triggering of other defense systems. As a result of the intricate interaction between systems in blood and the vascular endothelium, a systemic (‘whole body’) in ammatory condition may evolve, which can lead to multiorgan dysfunction [2]. Efforts to improve the performance of biomaterials for applications in contact with blood have followed
Prevalence and 10-year secular trend of obesity in Oman.

OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity by age, gender and region and to assess the difference between rural and urban populations and determine the trends of the past decade. METHODS Analysis of nationally represented samples from 2 cross-sectional surveys conducted in 1991 and 2000, containing 5,086 and 6,400 Omani citizens aged >or=20 years. Body mass index (BMI) (weight in kg) divided by height (in meters squared) was calculated using measured height and weight data. Overweight was defined as BMI 25-29.9 kg/m2 and obesity as BMI >or= 30 kg/m2. RESULTS In the year 2000, the age adjusted prevalence of obesity reached 16.7% in men, compared to 10.5% in 1991 (p<0.001). In women, the prevalence was 23.8% in 2000, compared to 25.1% in 1991 (p=0.231). Similarly, the prevalence of overweight increased among men, from 28.8-32.1% (p=0.011) and decreased among women, from 29.5-27.3% (p=0.053). When obesity and overweight were combined, there was a significant increase in men (9.5%; p for the change <0.001) and decrease in women (3.5%; p for the change <0.003). Obesity and overweight combined was markedly more common in the Southern part of Oman (70%) compared to Northern areas (32-57%). People living in urban areas were more obese (21.1%) than those living in the rural communities (13.1%) (p<0.001). CONCLUSION The prevalence of obesity is high in Oman and has increased predominantly among men. Primary prevention programs are needed to counteract this condition and its cardiovascular and metabolic complications.
Marine n‐3 and saturated fatty acids in relation to risk of colorectal cancer in Singapore Chinese: A prospective study

Experimental data support multiple roles for fatty acids in colorectal carcinogenesis. We examined dietary fatty acids and incidence of colorectal cancer, and evaluated effect modification by sex and stage of disease among a population‐based cohort of 61,321 Singapore Chinese that was established between 1993 and 1998. As of December 31, 2005, 961 incident colorectal cancers were diagnosed. Presented hazard ratios (HRs) are for highest versus lowest quartiles with adjustment for potential confounders. Among women, we observed a dose‐dependent, positive association between saturated fat and localized colorectal cancer (Dukes A or B) [(HR = 1.69, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.08–2.63, p for trend = 0.01)]. No such associations were noted in men (p for interaction by sex = 0.04). Marine n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) intake was positively associated with advanced disease (Dukes C or D) (HR = 1.33, 95% CI = 1.05–1.70, p for trend = 0.01), regardless of sex. The association with marine n‐3 PUFAs was strongest among those with the shortest (≤5 years) duration of follow‐up (HR = 1.49, 95% CI = 1.00–2.21, p for trend = 0.04). In contrast, we observed a small, albeit imprecise, inverse association with marine n‐3 PUFAs for localized colorectal cancer among those with the longest duration of follow‐up (>10 years) (HR = 0.62, 95% CI = 0.29–1.34, p for trend = 0.55). Our findings suggest that subtypes of fatty acids may differentially influence risk of colorectal cancer of a specified stage. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Dose-Dependent Protective Effect of Inhalational Anesthetics Against Postoperative Respiratory Complications: A Prospective Analysis of Data on File From Three Hospitals in New England

Objectives: Inhalational anesthetics are bronchodilators with immunomodulatory effects. We sought to determine the effect of inhalational anesthetic dose on risk of severe postoperative respiratory complications. Design: Prospective analysis of data on file in surgical cases between January 2007 and December 2015. Setting: Massachusetts General Hospital (tertiary referral center) and two affiliated community hospitals. Patients: A total of 124,497 adult patients (105,267 in the study cohort and 19,230 in the validation cohort) undergoing noncardiac surgical procedures and requiring general anesthesia with endotracheal intubation. Interventions: Median effective dose equivalent of inhalational anesthetics during surgery (derived from mean end-tidal inhalational anesthetic concentrations). Measurements and Main Results: Postoperative respiratory complications occurred in 6,979 of 124,497 cases (5.61%). High inhalational anesthetic dose of 1.20 (1.13–1.30) (median [interquartile range])-fold median effective dose equivalent versus 0.57 (0.45–0.64)-fold median effective dose equivalent was associated with lower odds of postoperative respiratory complications (odds ratio, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.53–0.65; p < 0.001). Additionally, high inhalational anesthetic dose was associated with lower 30-day mortality and lower cost. Inhalational anesthetic dose increase and reduced risk of postoperative respiratory complications remained significant in sensitivity analyses stratified by preoperative and intraoperative risk factors. Conclusions: Intraoperative use of higher inhalational anesthetic doses is strongly associated with lower odds of postoperative respiratory complications, lower 30-day mortality, and lower cost of hospital care. The authors speculate based on these data that sedation with inhalational anesthetics outside of the operating room may likewise have protective effects that decrease the risk of respiratory complications in vulnerable patients.
Protection in Glutamate-Induced Neurotoxicity by Imidazoline Receptor Agonist Moxonidine

In the present study we investigated the effects of mixed imidazoline-1 and α2-adrenoceptor agonist, moxonidine, in glutamate-induced neurotoxicity in frontal cortical cell cultures of rat pups by dye exclusion test. Also, phosphorylated p38 mitogen activated protein kinases (p-p38 MAPK) levels were determined from rat frontal cortical tissue homogenates by two dimensional gel electrophoresis and semidry western blotting. Glutamate at a concentration of 10−6 M was found neurotoxic when applied for 16 hr in cell cultures. Dead cell mean scores were 12.8 ± 0.5 for control and 52.3 ± 4.8 for glutamate (p < .001). On the other hand, p-p38 MAPK levels start to increase at a glutamate concentration of 10−7 M for 20 min application. Moxonidine was found to have an U-shape neuroprotective effect in glutamate-induced neurotoxicity in neuronal cell culture experiments. Even though moxonidine did not induce neurotoxicity alone between the doses of 10−8 to 10−4 M concentrations in cell culture series, it caused the reduction of glutamate-induced dead cell population 23.07 ± 3.6% in 10−6 M and 26.7 ± 2.1% in 10−5 M concentrations (p <.001 for both, in respect to control values). The protective effect of moxonidine was confirmed in 10−8 and 10−7 M, but not in higher concentrations in glutamate neurotoxicity in gel electrophoresis and western blotting of p-p38 MAPK levels. In addition to other studies that revealed an antihypertensive feature of moxonidine, we demonstrated a possible partial neuroprotective role in lower doses for it in glutamate-mediated neurotoxicity model.
CD46/CD3 Costimulation Induces Morphological Changes of Human T Cells and Activation of Vav, Rac, and Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase1

Efficient T cell activation requires at least two signals, one mediated by the engagement of the TCR-CD3 complex and another one mediated by a costimulatory molecule. We recently showed that CD46, a complement regulatory receptor for C3b as well as a receptor for several pathogens, could act as a potent costimulatory molecule for human T cells, highly promoting T cell proliferation. Indeed, we show in this study that CD46/CD3 costimulation induces a synergistic activation of extracellular signal-related kinase mitogen-activated protein kinase. Furthermore, whereas T lymphocytes primarily circulate within the bloodstream, activation may induce their migration toward secondary lymphoid organs or other tissues to encounter APCs or target cells. In this study, we show that CD46/CD3 costimulation also induces drastic morphological changes of primary human T cells, as well as actin relocalization. Moreover, we show that the GTP/GDP exchange factor Vav is phosphorylated upon CD46 stimulation alone, and that CD46/CD3 costimulation induces a synergistic increase of Vav phosphorylation. These results prompted us to investigate whether CD46/CD3 costimulation induced the activation of GTPases from the Rho family. Indeed, we report that the small GTPase Rac is also activated upon CD46/CD3 costimulation, whereas no change of Rho and Cdc42 activity could be detected. Therefore, CD46 costimulation profoundly affects T cell behavior, and these results provide important data concerning the biology of primary human T cells.
Espoused Values of Organisations

We review a series of studies whose focus is the measurement and comparison of values espoused by organisations in their public documents, in particular their annual reports. We begin by considering the construct of organizational values and the advantages and assumptions involved in using content-analysis of organizational documents to measure espoused values. Three interrelated studies of espoused organisational values are then described. The first of these investigates the value profiles of a sample of large Australian companies in order to test the validity of a previously developed typology of organisational values derived from distributive and procedural justice theory (Kabanoff, 1991). Changes in organisational values over time for the same group of companies are then considered. This study illustrates that how one studies value change, either in a univariate way by comparing single values over time or by comparing the incidence of different organisational ‘types’, that is organisational with different types of value profiles, significantly influences the results and interpretations of changes over time. The final study is a cross-national comparison involving Australian and US organisations that reveals several meaningful differences between the countries in the incidence of organisations with different value profiles. We conclude with a brief discussion of future planned research using the same methodology and focusing on the role of espoused values in organisational mergers and acquisitions.
Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells can differentiate into type II alveolar epithelial cells in vitro

In this study, we demonstrate that BMSCs (bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells) can be successfully differentiated into type II alveolar epithelial cells in vitro under mimic pulmonary microenvironment. BMSCs were co‐cultured with MRC‐5 cells in modified SAGM (small airway growth medium). The BMSC‐derived type II alveolar epithelial cells morphologically resemble human lung epithelial cells. They began to appear after 10 days in co‐culture and became morphologically dominant after day 15. Correspondingly, SPC (surfactant protein C), a specific functional marker of human type II alveolar epithelial cells, was detected in differentiated cells by RT—PCR (reverse transcription—PCR) analysis after day 15. Immunostaining analysis revealed the present of scattered SPC‐positive cells with a differentiation efficiency of 2.43–4.21%. Our study further showed that the SPC gene expression level in differentiated cells was related to the ratio of BMSCs to MRC‐5 cells and the components of modified SAGM.
Effect of seat inclination on seated pressures of individuals with spinal cord injury.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Manual wheelchair configurations commonly include "squeezing" the wheelchair frame to improve balance for users with spinal cord injuries. This squeezing is achieved by lowering the rear portion of the seat relative to the front of the seat while maintaining the same back angle. The study's purpose was to examine the effect of increasing posterior seat inclination on buttock interface pressures. SUBJECTS Nine male and 5 female subjects (mean age=37 years, SD=11.2, range=19-55) with complete thoracic or lumbar spinal cord injury were tested. METHODS Subjects sat on a pressure mat placed over a foam cushion. Pressure readings were taken at seat angles reflecting seat height decreases of 0, 5.1, 7.6, and 10.2 cm (0, 2, 3, and 4 in) of the rear of the seat relative to the front of the seat. An analysis of variance and a Duncan multiple range test were used for data analysis. RESULTS No meaningful differences were found in measurements of interface pressure (dispersion index, contact area, and seat pressure index), total force on seat, or peak pressure index with posterior seat inclination. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION The data indicate no meaningful evidence that squeezing a wheelchair frame increases seat interface pressures.
Expression of volume‐sensitive Cl− channels and ClC‐3 in acinar cells isolated from the rat lacrimal gland and submandibular salivary gland

1 The expression of ClC‐3 was examined in rat lacrimal gland and submandibular salivary gland cells using RT‐PCR and Western analysis. Whole‐cell patch clamp methods were used to investigate the expression of volume‐sensitive anion channels in acinar cells isolated from these tissues. 2 Expression of mRNA encoding ClC‐3, and ClC‐3 protein, was found in rat submandibular gland by RT‐PCR and Western analysis. Rat lacrimal gland cells, however, did not appear to express mRNA encoding for ClC‐3, nor the ClC‐3 protein. 3 Volume‐sensitive anion conductances were observed in both rat lacrimal gland and submandibular salivary gland acinar cells. The conductance was of a similar size in the two cell types, but was much slower to activate in the lacrimal cells. 4 The properties of the conductances in lacrimal and submandibular cells were similar, e.g. halide selectivity sequence (PI > PCl > Paspartate) and inhibition by 4,4′‐diisothiocyanostilbene‐2,2′‐disulphonic acid, 5‐nitro‐2‐(3‐phenylpropylamino)‐benzoate and tamoxifen. 5 The data suggest that the expression of ClC‐3 is not an absolute requirement for the activity of volume‐sensitive anion channels in rat lacrimal gland acinar cells.
Impact of outcome-based education on software engineering teaching: A case study

This paper investigates the impact of outcome- based education (OBE) on students' learning achievement from a software engineering (SE) program. It is not easy to transform an SE curriculum from traditional knowledge-based education (KBE) method to OBE method since it requires us to identify the outcomes clearly and map the outcomes with the expected capabilities of students. We first give a briefing on our SE program and outline the curriculum, then investigate the impact of OBE in two selected courses in SE program, with the completion of one course being the prequisite for admission into the other one. Experimental results show that OBE can greatly improve the learning effectiveness of students and teaching quality.
Pervasive developmental disorders in preschool children: confirmation of high prevalence.

OBJECTIVE The rate of reported pervasive developmental disorders has increased, and the authors found a rate of 62.6 per 10,000 in a previous study of preschoolers in Stafford, U.K. They conducted another survey in 2002 to estimate the prevalence in children in a later birth cohort and to compare it to previous findings from the same area. METHOD Screening for developmental problems included 10,903 children ages 4.0 to 6.0 years who were living in a Midlands town on the survey date. Children with symptoms suggestive of pervasive developmental disorders were intensively assessed by a multidisciplinary team using standardized diagnostic interviews, psychometric tests, and medical workups. RESULTS Sixty-four children (85.9% boys) were diagnosed with pervasive developmental disorders. The prevalence was 58.7 per 10,000, with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 45.2-74.9, for all pervasive developmental disorders, 22.0 per 10,000 (95% CI=14.1-32.7) for autistic disorder, and 36.7 per 10,000 (95% CI=26.2-49.9) for other variants. These rates were not significantly different from the previous rates. The mean age at diagnosis was 37.8 months, and 53.1% of the children were originally referred by health visitors. Of the 64 children with pervasive developmental disorders, 29.8% had mental retardation, but this rate varied by disorder subtype. Few children had associated medical conditions. CONCLUSIONS The rate of pervasive developmental disorders is higher than reported 15 years ago. The rate in this study is comparable to that in previous birth cohorts from the same area and surveyed with the same methods, suggesting a stable incidence.