Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Modification of the Mycotoxin Deoxynivalenol Using Microorganisms Isolated from Environmental Samples

The trichothecene mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) is a common contaminant of wheat, barley, and maize. New strategies are needed to reduce or eliminate DON in feed and food products. Microorganisms from plant and soil samples collected in Blacksburg, VA, USA, were screened by incubation in a mineral salt media containing 100 μg/mL DON and analysis by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Two mixed cultures derived from soil samples consistently decreased DON levels in assays using DON as the sole carbon source. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis indicated that 3-keto-4-deoxynivalenol was the major by-product of DON. Via 16S rRNA sequencing, these mixed cultures, including mostly members of the genera Acinetobacter, Leadbetterella, and Gemmata, were revealed. Incubation of one of these mixed cultures with wheat samples naturally contaminated with 7.1 μg/mL DON indicated nearly complete conversion of DON to the less toxic 3-epimer-DON (3-epi-DON). Our work extends previous studies that have demonstrated the potential for bioprospecting for microorganisms from the environment to remediate or modify mycotoxins for commercial applications, such as the reduction of mycotoxins in fuel ethanol co-products.
What Money Can't Buy: Family Income and Children's Life Chances

Introduction America's Response to Poverty From Moral Guidance to Income Support The Cycle Repeats Changes in Government Expenditures on Poor Children How Rich and Poor Children Differ Measures of Children's Well-Being How Large Are the Differences? Why Parental Income Might Be Important Conventional Estimates of the Effect of Income What Other Studies Show Re-estimating the Conventional Model Changes in Parental Income The "True" Effect of Income The Source of Income Income before and after an Outcome Income and Material Well-Being How Families Spend Additional Money Income and Material Hardship Living Conditions and Children 's Outcomes Income, Psychological Well-Being, and Parenting Practices Income and Parental Stress Income and Parenting Practices More Evidence on the "True" Effect of Income Trends in Parents' Income and Children's Outcomes State Welfare Benefits and Children's Outcomes What Social Experiments Show Helping Poor Children Raising Parental Income How Much Is Enough? Changing Parents' Noneconomic Characteristics Where the Trouble Begins Appendix: Description of the Samples and Variables Appendix: Conventional Estimates of the Effect of Income Appendix: The "True" Effect of Income Appendix: Index Construction Appendix: More Evidence on the "True" Effect of Income Notes References Index
An Empirical Investigation of Greek-Balkan Bilateral Trade

This article examines the role that Greece has played in the reorientation of the foreign trade of the transition Balkan countries toward the European Union (EU). Greece's imports from and especially its exports to the other Balkan countries have grown much more rapidly than that of the other EU countries. While proximity plays a role in explaining this, there are important schemes for regional integration in the Balkans that may also play a role. Nevertheless, a gravity model of trade in the region suggests that there is considerable unexploited potential for greater intra-regional trade.
뀀Ƞ Job-Lock and Health Insurance Premiums: Evidence from the Massachusetts Health Care Reform

In this paper, I use the 2006 Massachusetts state health care reform to analyze the effect of a change in the price of individual market insurance on job-lock. I find that lower individual market insurance premiums do not reduce job-lock at levels significantly different from zero. Previous studies of job-lock have not explicitly quantified the relationship between premium prices and job-lock for the aggregate working population. My findings suggest that the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, which is largely modeled after the Massachusetts reform, may have a smaller effect on job-lock than originally anticipated.
Current issues in pediatric transplantation

Abstract: Pediatric solid organ transplantation is so successful that >80% of children will survive to become teenagers and adults. Therefore, it is essential that these children maintain a good quality life, free of significant long‐term side effects. While intensive immunosuppressive regimens (containing CsA, tacrolimus, MMF, and steroids) effectively reduce acute or chronic rejection, they can produce long‐term side effects including viral infection, renal dysfunction, hypertension, and stunting. The development of effective methods of diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of CMV means that this is no longer a significant cause of mortality, but morbidity remains high. In contrast, infection rates of EBV remain high in EBV‐negative pre‐transplant patients. However, pre‐emptive reduction of immunosuppression or treatment with rituximab or adoptive T‐cell therapy is effective in preventing/treating post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disease. Recent protocols have concentrated on reducing CsA immunosuppression, to prevent unacceptable cosmetic effects, and to reduce the hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and nephrotoxicity. Both CsA and tacrolimus cause a 30% reduction in renal function, with 4–5% of patients developing severe chronic renal failure. The use of IL‐2 inhibitors for induction therapy with low‐dose calcineurin inhibitors, in combination with renal‐sparing drugs such as MMF or sirolimus for maintenance immunosuppression, should prevent significant renal dysfunction in the future. The concept of steroid‐free immunosuppression with IL‐2 inhibitors, tacrolimus, and MMF is an attractive option, which may reduce stunting and renal dysfunction. However, these regimens may be associated with the increased development of de‐novo autoimmune hepatitis in 2–3% of children. The most important challenge to long‐term survival in transplanted children is the management of non‐adherence and other adolescent issues, particularly when transferring to adult units, as this is the time when many successful transplant survivors lose their grafts.
Shop stewards in action: The organization of workplace conflict and accommodation

In their commentary, the editors repeatedly emphasize that all research in the field, including their own, should be considered tentative. The still short life of public sector bargaining, the variety of contexts in which it arises, and the thus far restricted exploration of the conditioning and limiting variables make such caution appropriate. Qne example suffices to make the point. Authoritative commentatorsamong them Kheel, Sturmthal and Gerhart-have hypothesized that as their labor-management relations mature, public sector unions will turn more to bargaining and less to political pressure to achieve their ends. Some of the scholars in this volume disagree. Begin confirms the hypothesis, finding that use of political pressure and tactics by municipal unions declined as bargaining became established, but Juris and Feuille state that in the case of police, political pressure still is the most important method of achieving goals even after bargaining is secure. Both Kochan and Feuille emphasize "political access" as a key variable in union success. This suggests no diminution in use of political tactics, at least in situations where the public employer has not yet firmed-up ranks to present the union with a single voice. On this subject, as on so many others, the final returns are not yet in, but the research casts doubt on the conventional wisdom. As a text for a graduate course in the field or as a source of supplementary readings for use in a seminar, this volume fills a need. It may be even more useful as a guide to new graduate students on the kind of research that needs to be carried forward on public sector labor relations. Charles M. Rehmus Chairman Michigan Employment Relations Commission
The Role of 15-lipoxygenase in Disruption of the Peroxisomal Membrane and in Programmed Degradation of Peroxisomes in Normal Rat Liver

Our earlier electron microscopic observations revealed that prolonged exposure of glutaraldehyde-fixed rat liver sections to buffer solutions induced focal membrane disruptions of peroxisomes with catalase diffusion as shown cytochemically. Recently, it was suggested that 15-lipoxygenase (15-LOX) might be involved in natural degradation of membrane-bound organelles in reticulocytes by integrating into and permeabilizing the organelle membranes, leading to the release of matrix proteins. We have now investigated the localization of 15-LOX and its role in degradation of peroxisomal membranes in rat liver. Aldehyde-fixed liver slices were incubated in a medium that conserved the 15-LOX activity, consisting of 50 mM HEPES–KOH buffer (pH 7.4), 5 mM mercaptoethanol, 1 mM MgCl2, 15 mM NaN3, and 0.2 M sucrose, in presence or absence of 0.5–0.05 mM propyl gallate or esculetin, two inhibitors of 15-LOX. The exposure of aldehyde-fixed liver sections to this medium induced focal disruptions of peroxisome membranes and catalase diffusion around some but not all peroxisomes. This was significantly reduced by both 15-LOX inhibitors, propyl gallate and esculetin, with the latter being more effective. Double immunofluorescent staining for 15-LOX and catalase revealed that 15-LOX was co-localized with catalase in some but not all peroxisomes in rat hepatocytes. By postembedding immunoelectron microscopy, gold labeling was localized on membranes of some peroxisomes. These observations suggest that 15-LOX is involved in degradation of peroxisomal membranes and might have a physiological role in programmed degradation and turnover of peroxisomes in hepatocytes. (J Histochem Cytochem 49:613–621, 2001)
IBM 2000 to 2010: continuously transforming the corporation while delivering performance

Purpose – The strategic initiative IBM undertook to resurrect itself after the dot.com era of a decade ago provides meaningful lessons for other multinational corporations looking to pursue higher margins, globalize their operations, and change and reduce their cost structures. This paper aims to look at these lessons.Design/methodology/approach – This case describes how IBM executed a number of strategic shifts – from investing billions of US dollars in strategic acquisitions and new markets, such as India, China and Brazil, to aggressively driving costs out of selling, general and administrative expense (SGA invest for growth: take advantage of the global footprint to benefit from global growth, as well as invest in new market.
The incidence of JAK2 V617F mutation in bcr/abl-negative chronic myeloproliferative disorders: assessment by two different detection methods

A recurrent specific JAK2 V617F mutation has been reported in bcr/abl-negative chronic myeloproliferative diseases (cMPD), including polycythemia vera (PV), essential thrombocythemia (ET) and idiopathic myelofibrosis (IMF). The mutation is detectable in a variable proportion of neoplastic clones, depending on the molecular methods employed. In this study, we attempted to establish the JAK2 V617F mutation frequency in two partially overlapping cMPD patient series by two different PCR-based techniques. Using an allele-specific polymerase chain reaction assay (AS-PCR), the JAK2 V617F mutation was detected in 124/158 (78.5%) cMPD patients; in particular, 90.2, 72.1, 63.2 and 50% of PV, ET, IMF and unclassified (U)-MPD cases, respectively, showed the mutation. Employing a semiquantitative 5′ fluorogenic TaqMan assay, the JAK2 V617F mutation was identified in a much larger percentage of cMPDs patients (118/127: 92.9%). Rates of mutation in PV, ET, IMF and U-MPD cases were 95.9, 85.7, 91.7 and 92.9%, respectively. Furthermore, a statistically higher percentage of JAK2 mutated alleles was detected by TaqMan assay in PV (68 ± 3.5, mean value ± SEM) and IMF (64 ± 9.3) cases as compared with ET (35 ± 5.4). Finally, a significant correlation between JAK2 V617F mutational status and hematocrit (Ht), white blood cell and platelet counts in PV patients, and Ht values in ET cases, was observed by AS-PCR. Overall, these data indicate that TaqMan technology significantly improved sensitivity in detecting the JAK2 mutation in cMPD patients and may be worth of further evaluations as a clinically useful tool for detection of small amounts of mutated clones.
Emerging Polycentricity in Beijing: Evidence from Housing Price Variations, 2001–05

This paper examines the emerging multiple centre urban spatial structure in Beijing using housing price variation as an indicator. A random sample of 3783 apartment units was used. These apartments were recent sales in 2001, 2003 and 2005. The dataset included transaction prices and main housing attributes gathered from the Beijing Construction Committee. A hedonic price model was calibrated to investigate the importance of the different urban centres to housing price variations. The results show that multiple urban centres (such as Tian’anmen, CBD, Zhongguancun and the Olympic Centre) explain more of the variations in housing price differences in the metropolitan space than any centre does alone. The findings also reveal changes in impacts from the individual centres in the study period. These outcomes confirm that Beijing is moving towards a polycentric urban form. The emerging multiple urban centres are key factors in understanding the spatial restructuring of Beijing, especially in modelling its emerging housing market.
An Investigation into the Procedures Involved in Creating the Hampyeong Butterfly Festival as an Ecotourism Resource, Successful Factors, and Evaluation

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the factors that made the Hampyeong Butterfly Festival a success and to identify its impacts on the host community. Hitherto, most studies have focused on a festival's economic impact or the level of visitor satisfaction, which was mainly regarded as the overall satisfaction of festival participants. However, this study examines the festival's operational procedures to clarify the successful factors. In addition, this study indicates some problems the festival has experienced, as well as offering solutions through assessing the economic, socio-cultural and environmental impacts.
New Venture and Family Business Teams: Understanding Team Formation, Composition, Behaviors, and Performance

New ventures are frequently started by entrepreneurial teams rather than lone entrepreneurs. Often, team members have family ties. Yet, there has been relatively little research on new venture and family business teams. The papers in this special issue address this gap by studying team formation and composition, faultlines among team members, generational involvement in teams, the influence of shared organizational experience and functional homogeneity, and the likelihood of couples, biologically related, and unrelated teams achieving first sales. Combined, they suggest that relationships are more important than skill diversity in determining the effectiveness of both family business and new venture teams.
Hepatic sequestration and modulation of the canalicular transport of the organic cation, daunorubicin, in the rat

In contrast to organic anions, substrates for the canalicular mdr1a and b are usually organic cations and are often sequestered in high concentrations in intracellular acidic compartments. Because many of these compounds are therapeutic agents, we investigated if their sequestration could be regulated. We used isolated perfused rat liver (IPRL), isolated rat hepatocyte couplets (IRHC), and WIF‐B cells to study the cellular localization and biliary excretion of the fluorescent cation, daunorubicin (DNR). Despite rapid (within 15 minutes) and efficient (>90%) cellular uptake in the IPRL, only ≈10% of the dose administered (0.2‐20 μmol) was excreted in bile after 85 minutes. Confocal microscopy revealed fluorescence predominantly in vesicles in the pericanalicular region in IPRL, IRHC, and WIF‐B cells. Treatment of these cells with chloroquine and bafilomycin A, agents that disrupt the pH gradient across the vesicular membrane, resulted in a loss of vesicular fluorescence, reversible in the case of bafilomycin A. Taurocholate (TC) and dibutyryl cAMP (DBcAMP), stimulators of transcytotic vesicular transport, increased the biliary recovery of DNR significantly above controls, by 70% and 35%, respectively. The microtubule destabilizer, nocodazole, decreased biliary excretion of DNR. No effect on secretion was noted in TR− mutant rats deficient in mrp2. Coadministration of verapamil, an inhibitor of mdr1, also decreased DNR excretion. While TC and DBcAMP did not affect the fluorescent intensity or pattern of distribution in IRHC, nocodazole resulted in redistribution of DNR to peripheral punctuate structures. These findings suggest that the organic cation, DNR, is largely sequestered in cells such as hepatocytes, yet its excretion can still be modulated
BClassifier: a personal agent for bookmark classification

For the study of software systems helping users reduce personal tasks, we implemented an agent, called BClassifier, which classifies bookmarks on behalf of the user. The BClassifier is an agent based on a naive Bayesian learning algorithm which acquires knowledge through training with examples. We present the findings of experimentation where the BClassifier consistently exhibits success rates over 70%. Two other types of learning methods are compared with the naive Bayesian technique.
Investigating the critical success factors of corporate social responsibility implementation: evidence from the Iranian banking sector

Purpose – The main purpose of this paper is to identify the critical success factors of corporate social responsibility (CSR). By illustrating the CSFs of CSR implementation, policy‐ and decision‐makers can handle the business at a higher level of effectiveness and efficiency and will achieve sustainable development in a turbulent business environment. To achieve this purpose and to identify the CSFs of CSR implementation, evidence from the banking sector of Iran will be gathered. By using the experts in this field, the CSFs identified will be validated and then ranked.Design/methodology/approach – To achieve this purpose and to identify the CSFs of CSR implementation, evidence from the banking sector in Iran will be gathered. By using the experts in this field, the CSFs identified will be validated and then ranked. This research, implemented in the banking sector, is an innovative study that can contribute valuable insights for both academicians and professionals in the field. In the final section of thi.
Analysis of Maryland Cancer Patient Participation in National Cancer Institute–Supported Cancer Treatment Clinical Trials

Purpose. We examined the relationship of sociodemographic factors, urban/rural residence, and county-level socioeconomic factors on accrual of Maryland patients with cancer to National Cancer Institute (NCI)–sponsored cancer treatment clinical trials. Patients and Methods. Data were analyzed for the period 1999 to 2002 for 2,240 Maryland patients with cancer accrued onto NCI-sponsored treatment trials. The extent to which Maryland patients with cancer and patients residing in lower socioeconomic and/or rural areas were accrued to cancer trials and were representative of all patients with cancer in Maryland was determined. Data were obtained from several sources, including NCI’s Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program for Maryland patients with cancer in Cooperative Group therapeutic trials, Maryland Cancer Registry data on cancer incidence, and United States Census and the Department of Agriculture. Results. For Maryland patients with cancer accrued onto NCI-sponsored treatment trials between 1999 and 2002, subgroups accrued at a higher rate included pediatric and adolescent age groups, white patients, female patients (for sex-specific tumors), patients with private health insurance, and patients residing in the Maryland National Capitol region. Moreover, between 1999 and 2002, there was an estimated annual decline (8.9% per year; P<.05) in the percentage of black patients accrued onto cancer treatment trials. Logistic regression models uncovered different patterns of accrual for female patients and male patients on county-level socioeconomic factors. Conclusion. Results highlight disparities in the accrual of Maryland patients with cancer onto NCIsponsored treatment trials based on patient age, race/ethnicity, geography of residence, and county-level socioeconomic factors. Findings provide the basis for development of innovative tailored and targeted educational efforts to improve trial accrual, particularly for the underserved.
Trends in Institutional Commission Costs Following Deregulation: Evidence From the USA

Deregulation of common stock brokerage commissions occurred in the United States on 1 May 1975, when the Securities and Exchange Commission prohibited the New York Stock Exchange from setting minimum brokerage rates for member firms. Prior to this time, brokerage charges for common stock transactions had been set for all traders by a mutual agreement. With the advent of negotiated commissions, competition led to dramatic structural shifts in commission pricing particularly for institutional traders. The purpose of this research is to examine the effect on portfolio diversification costs resulting from a changing commission rate schedule. The commission schedule is estimated with actual commission cost information for over 28,000 transactions executed by institutional investors (bank trust departments) during the two years following the advent of negotiated commissions. This large sample of transactions, for a number of traders and securities, provides clear evidence that diversification of institutional portfolios became costless with respect to commissions following deregulation.
The use of vegetable subproducts from greenhouses (VSG) for animal feed in the Poniente region of Almería

Abstract The purpose of this research is to show that the vegetable wastes produced by the greenhouses of the Poniente region of Almería, which grow eight main horticultural crops, can be defined as vegetable subproducts and used for animal feed. These vegetable subproducts from greenhouses (VSG) meet existing legal maximum limits of waste from phytosanitary products at the European level, and they are free of other solid wastes. For this purpose, a farm must show that subproducts are traceable. The use of such VSG by sheep and goats would allow considerable reduction in biomass generated by vegetable greenhouses along with sustainable profit. At the same time, the cost of food for livestock would be reduced at a time when prices of fodder and concentrates are increasing. Finally, new traceability for vegetable wastes is proposed that would be compatible with and complementary to that existing nowadays, and would reduce the environmental impact of these wastes.
EVALUATING SOCIAL LEARNING POTENTIALS GENERATED BY EU STRUCTURAL FUNDING PROGRAMMES

The EU structural funding programmes affect the circumstances in which people and organizations are to take part in regional development. The evaluation of this institutional impact poses a challenge to policy analysis. This paper suggests that the evolution of participation conditions can be evaluated by focusing on the social learning potential generated by the practices of programme implementation. Following Bourdieu, the context of social learning is described as a field; the crucial quality of a field is its level of autonomy. The analysis of the regional implementation of two Objective 5b programmes shows that the logic of structural funding restricts participation in many crucial ways. At the same time the constitution of social learning potential depends on the quality of the fields for which the programmes provide symbolic capital. However, policy implementation is non-linear by nature. The initiatives of civil actors and ‘reflexive practitioners’ can, for example, make a difference.