Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Identification of inflammatory mediators in patients with Crohn's disease unresponsive to anti-TNFα therapy

Background Anti-tumour necrosis factor α (TNFα) therapy effectively induces and maintains remission in Crohn's disease (CD). Up to 40% of patients, however, fail to respond to anti-TNFα. Objective To identify the mechanisms underlying the persistence of mucosal lesions in patients who fail to respond to anti-TNFα therapy. Design An observational study based on whole-genome transcriptional analysis was carried out using intestinal biopsy specimens from patients with CD receiving (n=12) or not (n=10) anti-TNFα therapy. The transcriptional signature of responders was compared with that of non-responders after anti-TNFα therapy. Controls with non-inflammatory bowel disease (non-IBD) (n=17) were used for comparisons. Genes of interest were validated by real-time RT-PCR in an independent cohort of patients with CD receiving (n=17) or not (n=16) anti-TNFα and non-IBD controls (n=7). Results We confirmed that response to anti-TNFα is accompanied by significant regulation of a large number of genes, including IL1B, S100A8, CXCL1, which correlated with endoscopic activity. Remarkably, patients who failed to respond to anti-TNFα showed a mixed signature, maintaining increased expression of IL1B, IL17A and S100A8, while showing significant modulation of other genes commonly upregulated in active CD, including IL6 and IL23p19. Conclusions Our results show that anti-TNFα therapy significantly downregulates a subset of inflammatory genes even in patients who fail to achieve endoscopic remission, suggesting that these genes may not be dominant in driving inflammation in non-responders. On the other hand, we identified IL1B and IL17A as genes that remained altered in non-responders, pointing to potentially more relevant targets for modulating mucosal damage in refractory patients.
Adaptive control of a Networked Control System with hierarchical scheduling

In this paper, we consider a special class of Networked Control Systems (NCS) that occur in embedded systems where a hierarchical schedule is employed and uncertainties may be present either in the plant or in the network. An adaptive controller is proposed to accommodate the effect of uncertainties. It is shown that this adaptive controller can accommodate the uncertainties, stabilize the system, make use of the structure of the hierarchical scheduler in its design, and result in improved performance compared to non-adaptive NCS.
Relationship between Governance, Performance and Solvency: An Empirical Test in Italian Unlisted Family SMEs

The Italian manufacturing sector is largely made up of family businesses where the founder- entrepreneur is the main asset to guarantee success. The importance of these corporate categories has led many experts to study the characteristics of governance, especially from the perspective of agency theory. This work belongs to the typical studies that analyze the relationships between governance and economic-financial performance in family businesses, but it differs from the others because: 1) it analyzes a sample of small and medium-sized unlisted companies; 2) businesses are located in a region, Campania, which is suffering the economic crisis more than other regions. In particular, this research aims at demonstrating the critical importance of the resource represented by the founder-entrepreneur, both in terms of profit performance and in terms of solvency: at the time of succession it is therefore necessary that the power of command is given to a descendant who can make specific contributions to the process of value creation.
The combination of EEG Source Imaging and EEG‐correlated functional MRI to map epileptic networks

Functional electrophysiologic techniques such as electroencephalography (EEG) and magnetoencephalography (MEG) give insights into the dynamics of the networks involved in the generation of interictal and ictal epileptic activity and their interaction with physiologic brain activity. With recent advances in methodology and clinical validation, EEG source imaging (ESI) may now be used to map epileptic activity as well as evoked responses to external stimuli. By its ability to show hemodynamic changes time locked to epileptic activity in the whole brain, EEG‐correlated functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) (EEG‐fMRI) is the natural counterpart of ESI, circumventing some of its limitations, the former adding data from the depths of the brain, and the latter temporal resolution. To better understand the potential and limitations of both techniques, this review starts with a description of the neurophysiologic mechanisms that give rise to the measured signals, followed by validation studies based on comparison with intracranial EEG and surgical outcome. We then discuss analysis strategies to combine both techniques by reviewing studies in epilepsy, current methodologic development, and future directions of this fast‐developing field.
High-efficient queue-based spin locks for Network-on-Chip processors

As one of the mostly used synchronization schemes in parallel programming, spin lock is supported in most off-the-shelf multi-/many-core processors. However the classical spin lock synchronization may lead to contention of acquiring the only lock and starvation of some threads busy waiting to be served. Thus queue-based spin lock has been put forwarded to eliminate both contention and unfairness issues of conventional schemes. Whereas applying queue-based spin lock synchronization in NoC processors introduces additional on-chip traffic to preserve serving sequence of participated cores. In this paper we propose a hardware solution of queue-based spin locks for NoC processors. A new instruction is designed to perform atomic read-after-write operations within single instruction, and a synchronization controller is used to handle global synchronization requests efficiently. Experimental results prove that our proposal outperforms former solutions and can save more than half time in some cases with marginal hardware overhead.
The Meridional Thermospheric Neutral Wind Measured by Radar and Optical Techniques in the Auroral Region

Radar observations of ion velocities in the magnetic zenith over Chatanika, Alaska, were used to determine the geomagnetic meridional component of the thermospheric neutral wind. Corrections for molecular diffusion and molecular ion contamination of the pure O+ composition assumed for the ionosphere were included in the analysis. Comparison of the averaged diurnal variation of the meridional wind showed good agreement between the two measurement techniques. Good agreement was also found for several cases of simultaneous observations. The evidence suggested that differences were caused by gravity waves. The 7 years of radar meridional wind results were examined with respect to magnetic activity, solar cycle phase, and season. During the day, the meridional component is poleward with a maximum of about 65 m/s between 1400 and 1600 local time. During the night, the wind is equatorward with a maximum of about 175 m/s between 0200 and 0500 local time. This maximum occurs after local magnetic midnight, which is about 0130 local time. When the neutral wind is averaged for 24 hours, there is a large net equatorward flow. During periods of increased magnetic activity, the nighttime wind between 2300 and 0600 local time becomes stronger toward the equator. The average increase between 0200 and 0600 local time is about 100 m/s; however, on individual days it can be as large as 400 m/s. These data pertain mostly to equinox, but the few summer and winter observations in the data set differ in the manner predicted by theory. Comparison of these results with theoretical models shows good agreement at most times, but suggests possible heating poleward of Chatanika during the morning hours. Observed exospheric temperature increases support this hypothesis.
Taxol reduces cytosolic E‐cadherin and β‐catenin levels in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line TW‐039: Cross‐talk between the microtubule‐ and actin‐based cytoskeletons

Taxol affects microtubule dynamics by promoting microtubule assembly. To obtain a better insight into possible cross‐talk between the microtubule‐ and actin‐based cytoskeletons, we studied the short‐term effects of Taxol treatment on the expression of actin and the E‐cadherin/catenin complex in the nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line TW‐039 using immunofluorescence, immunoprecipitation, and immunoblotting methods. Morphologic changes in actin filaments, including ventral actin clumps and perijunctional actin blebs, were seen at Taxol concentrations ≥1 μM. Levels of detergent‐soluble E‐cadherin fell to 53% or 58% compared to controls in cells treated, respectively, with 1 or 5 μM Taxol, while levels of detergent‐soluble β‐catenin fell to 76% or 74%. Levels of the detergent‐soluble pool of α‐ and γ‐catenin and the detergent‐insoluble pool of the E‐cadherin/catenin complex were unchanged by Taxol treatment and no significant difference was seen in the levels of adenomatous polyposis coli or glycogen synthase‐3β or tyrosine phosphorylation patterns. These results suggest that modulation of microtubule dynamics by Taxol may have effects on the expression of actin and the cytosolic E‐cadherin and β‐catenin in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells through pathways not involving the phosphorylation of β‐catenin. J. Cell. Biochem. 79:542–556, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Spatial analysis of wing geometry in dengue vector mosquito, Aedes aegypti (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae), populations in Metropolitan Manila, Philippines.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES Aedes aegypti (L.) is an efficient vector for arboviral diseases such as dengue. The wings of Ae. aegypti has been extensively studied in order to investigate population heterogeneity and structure by utilizing a landmark based geometric morphometrics (GMs) approach. The aim of this study was to examine and assess the wing geometry of Ae. aegypti in Metropolitan Manila. METHODS In total, 312 Ae. aegypti mosquitoes were collected from 98 sampling points using a mosquito light-trap from May 2014 to January 2015. A complete coverage of the wing was achieved by removing wing scales with chemical and physical treatment, leading to identification of 26 landmarks. Geometric morphometric analyses were employed and the spatial distance pattern was estimated using isolation by distance (IBD) and spatial autocorrelation (SA). RESULTS The results of the GM analyses revealed population heterogeneity and structuring in Ae. aegypti populations for both sexes using principal component and canonical variate analyses respectively. Moreover, IBD and SA only detected significant spatial structure in male Ae. aegypti populations while female population structures were homogeneous throughout the geographical area. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION The newly modified wing preparation procedure was able to capture a complete coverage of the wings of Ae. aegypti, thus providing a stronger separation power for very close populations in an urban area. It is also noteworthy that the results of IBD and SA supported the findings of GM in the population structuring of male and female Ae. aegypti. The outcome of the study increases our understanding of the vector, which would be useful in developing effective control strategies.
A balancing act? : tenure diversification in Australia and the UK

Diversifying tenure on public housing estates, it is frequently claimed, helps to create a healthy social mix and leads to the establishment of balanced communities. This viewpoint stems from the perception that social and economic problems are reinforced on certain estates by the concentration of disadvantaged households. Residents in these areas, it is maintained, are isolated from the wider community, have fewer opportunities to gain education and employment, and are more likely to be engaged in anti-social behaviour or suffer their effects. Diversifying tenure, it is suggested, remedies these problems, creates 'social capital' and leads to a more sustainable social environment. While this perspective has reinforced the strategy of sale and transfer of stock in neighbourhood regeneration over the last decade in both Australia and the UK, much of the research evidence that exists, in both contexts, questions the effectiveness of the strategy. Conceptual difficulties are also apparent in current debates .
Can social enterprise address social exclusion? Evidence from an inner city community

This paper examines the potential impact of social enterprise on exclusion. The case study research involved participant observation over a two year period. Selection of cases was based on a preliminary typology for social enterprise. Exclusion was conceptualised as multi-dimensional and relative to the standards of the society in which a person lives. The research literature suggests that the aggregate impact of social enterprise on economic dimensions of exclusion is marginal. This is a consequence of a mismatch between policy expectations and what is happening in the field. This study found that different forms of social enterprise impacted on exclusion in different ways. People could become included within a group, but remain excluded by the standards of the society they lived in. This paper outlines these different impacts in order to open up a more balanced perspective on the potential and limitation of social enterprise in combating area based exclusion.
Macroeconomic Uncertainty and Performance in Asian Countries

We use a very general bivariate GARCH-M model and quarterly data for five Asian countries to test for the impact of real and nominal macroeconomic uncertainty on inflation and output growth. We conclude the following. First, in the majority of countries uncertainty regarding the output growth rate is related negatively to the average growth rate. Secondly, contrary to expectations, inflation uncertainty in most cases does not harm the output growth performance of an economy. Thirdly, inflation and output uncertainty have a mixed effect on inflation. Consistent results are found using the VAR-GARCH-M approach to investigate the dynamic relationship between inflation and output growth using impulse response functions. This evidence implies that macroeconomic uncertainty may even improve macroeconomic performance, i.e. raise output growth and reduce inflation. Our empirical results highlight important differences with those for industrialized countries.
Strategic behavior and competition in dynamic industry: Greek processed meats

The Greek processed meats industry is examined. Firm-level data on sales, media advertising, and production of different products were used to evaluate the terms for competition and determine the relationship between structural and conduct determinants during the period of 1983 to 1995. In analyzing the effects of advertising on the firms' market shares, this study differentiates between television, radio, and print media to account for different consumer responses to messages communicated through different media. Empirical results suggest that the main strategies applied by large firms (product development and media advertising) were significant in explaining their faster growth relative to their smaller competitors, as indicated by both static and dynamic measures of concentration. Informative advertising in print media was found to be the most effective strategy for the firms in the industry during the study period. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Ubiquitin not only serves as a tag but also assists degradation by inducing protein unfolding

Protein ubiquitination controls the cellular fate of numerous eukaryotic proteins. Despite its importance, many fundamental questions remain regarding its mechanism. One such question is how ubiquitination alters the biophysical properties of the modified protein and whether these alterations are significant in the cellular context. In this study, we investigate the effects of ubiquitination on the folding thermodynamics and mechanism of various substrates using computational tools and find that ubiquitination changes the thermal stability of modified proteins in a manner relevant to cellular processes. These changes depend on the substrate modification site and on the type of ubiquitination. Ubiquitination of the substrate Ubc7 at the residues that are modified in vivo prior to proteasomal degradation uniquely results in significant thermal destabilization and a local unwinding near the modification site, which indicates that ubiquitination possibly facilitates the unfolding process and improves substrate degradation efficiency. With respect to the substrate p194inkd, our results support a synergetic effect of ubiquitination and phosphorylation on the degradation process via enhanced thermal destabilization. Our study implies that, in addition to its known role as a recognition signal, the ubiquitin attachment may be directly involved in the cellular process it regulates by changing the biophysical properties of the substrate.
A Nexus Approach to the Post-2015 Agenda: Formulating Integrated Water, Energy, and Food SDGs

While the MDGs aimed to lift people out of poverty, the SDGs aim to keep them out of poverty by ensuring that development is both socially and environmentally sustainable. To achieve this, a “nexus” approach that integrates goals across sectors, makes the SDGs more cost-effective and efficient, reduces the risk that SDG actions will undermine one another, and ensures sustainable resource use is necessary. This paper aims to support the SDGs’ integration by showing how cross-sectoral interactions can be approached through examples from the water-energy-food nexus.
Option Compensation and Industry Competition

Compensation policy has become one of the most important ingredients of corporate governance. In this paper we take a new look at the issue, by contrasting the use of options with that of stock. We do this by integrating the repricing or resetting aspect of options with that of industrial structure. We show that industry competition may play an important role in dictating which form of compensation is optimal. When aggressive competition for key professional staff is an issue, the flexibility of options may actually become a disadvantage and therefore pure stock compensation may survive as an equilibrium. Thus compensation trends may be partly explained by trends in the nature of the competitive environment. Copyright 2009, Oxford University Press.
Effects of an Informational Intervention on Public Reactions to Clear-Cutting

This study examines the impact of information regarding some of the beneficial aspects of clear-cutting (a practice generally disliked by the public) on people's preferences for scenes depicting clear-cuts. Two different informational interventions were tested: one that discussed the beneficial aspects (e.g., wildlife habitat) of using periodic patch clear-cuts to maintain paper birch stands ( n = 33 ), and one that discussed the beneficial aspects of using clear-cutting to convert jack pine plantations to more "natural looking" stands ( n = 31 ). Both informational interventions significantly increased participants' preferences for scenes depicting clear-cuts. These increases were independent of participants' perceived expertise regarding forest management practices and their general attitudes toward active management.
Expected Mobility

This research combines information on mortgage terminations with housing market data to distinguish borrowers who prepay their mortgages because they are moving from those who prepay to refinance without moving. It uses a closed-form valuation formula to compute the callable value of the mortgage and property level data to estimate current loan-to-value ratios. Results show that expected mobility affects borrower behavior in an asymmetric fashion. Borrowers with high expected mobility are less likely to refinance, but borrowers with strong refinancing incentives are not more likely to move. Differentiating movers from refinancers provides a clearer picture of the responsiveness of prepayments to interest rate movements.
Cultural based Chinese leadership styles in a globalised market

A major premise of this paper is that any kind of ‘etic’ approach towards global leadership only partially explains contemporary leadership in China. Rather an ‘emic’ perspective has to be complemented. This study deals with the leadership behaviour of Chinese managers. Unfamiliar with the Chinese culture and their ways of doing business foreign managers will encounter differences. The objectives are to examine the fundamentals of Chinese culture with respect to leadership, identify the most popular leadership mechanisms and outline basic business implications. A questionnaire was designed for testing which leadership style can be identified in China.
The Maoist Movement in India: Some Political Economy Considerations

Revolutionary Left movements in India base their programme of radical social transformation on an understanding of Indian society that borrows heavily from the 1930s formulation of the Chinese Communist Party (CPC). The characterization of Indian society as semi-feudal and semi-colonial, and the elevation of the contradiction between feudalism and the broad masses as the primary (and basic) contradiction, seem to have been influenced by the programme of the CPC. This formulation may have had validity in the late 1960s, but transformations of the structure of the Indian economy since then seem to have made it less applicable at present. Drawing on recent research on Indian political economy, this paper (a) summarizes some of the key features of political–economic changes that have taken place in India over the past four decades, and (b) draws out some implications of these changes for the programmatic debate within the Indian communist movement.
THE CROSS‐AUTOCORRELATION OF SIZE‐BASED PORTFOLIO RETURNS IN EUROPE

This study examines the cross‐autocorrelation of size‐based portfolio returns in a sample of 15 major European markets using daily data from January 1990 through December 1999. Previous studies have primarily used U.S. data. This study extends previous research by considering results in multiple European exchanges. We examine whether a difference in size‐based portfolios exists by testing cross‐autocorrelation, granger‐causality, and asymmetric responses in the European markets. The results confirm that large stock portfolio returns lead small stock portfolio returns in most European countries, and that cross‐autocorrelation is present both within and between European financial markets.
Worker Turnover, Farm Labor Contractors, and IRCA's Impact on the California Farm Labor Market

Employer sanctions under the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) were intended to encourage U.S. employers to adjust to a smaller, more legal workforce. This paper presents findings of an econometric analysis of farm worker turnover as a vehicle to test IRCA's effectiveness. Our findings do not support the hypothesis that IRCA initially succeeded in reducing the reliance on new immigrants in California agriculture.
Pricing Excess of Loss Reinsurance with Reinstatements

Abstract In this paper we discuss the concept of excess of loss reinsurance with reinstatements. The main objective is to provide a methodology to calculate the distribution of total aggregate losses for two or more consecutive layers when there is a limited number of reinstatements. We also compare different premium principles and their properties to price these treaties for any number of free or paid reinstatements.