Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Silencing Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase-Activated Protein Kinase-2 Arrests Inflammatory Bone Loss

p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are critical for innate immune signaling and subsequent cytokine expression in periodontal inflammation and bone destruction. In fact, previous studies show that systemic p38 MAPK inhibitors block periodontal disease progression. However, development of p38 MAPK inhibitors with favorable toxicological profiles is difficult. Here, we report our findings regarding the contribution of the downstream p38 MAPK substrate, mitogen-activated protein kinase-activated protein kinase 2 (MK2 or MAPKAPK-2), in immune response modulation in an experimental model of pathogen-derived lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced periodontal bone loss. To determine whether small interfering RNA (siRNA) technology has intraoral applications, we initially validated MK2 siRNA specificity. Then, gingival tissue surrounding maxillary molars of rats was injected with MK2 siRNA or scrambled siRNA at the palatal regions of bone loss. Intraoral tissues treated with MK2 siRNA had significantly less MK2 mRNA expression compared with scrambled siRNA-treated tissues. MK2 siRNA delivery arrested LPS-induced inflammatory bone loss, decreased inflammatory infiltrate, and decreased osteoclastogenesis. This proof-of-concept study suggests a novel target using an intraoral RNA interference strategy to control periodontal inflammation.
Value of Travel Time Savings in the Context of Leisure Travel in the Czech Republic

This paper presents the results of a study focused on the estimation of the value of travel time savings in the context of long distance leisure travel by car. The study refers to the concept of willingness-to-pay for the reduction of travel time. Data on choice behavior were collected by means of a stated preference survey on a representative sample of the population in the Czech Republic and analyzed using methods of discrete choice analysis. Results of the study suggest that, in case of the most common type of long distance leisure trips – weekend trips, estimated values of travel time savings obtained by the above mentioned methods are consistent with values recommended by literature, i.e. within the range of 25 % and 50 % of the average hourly wage. The study also confirms that the value of travel time increases together with trip length.
Higher Education as a Tool for Human Capital Development in Nigeria

The paper focused on the role of higher education as an instrument for improving on human capital development in the country. Emphasis was laid on how higher institutions in the country can be repositioned for the development of human capital. The concept of higher education was explained as well as the meaning of human capital development which means improving on workers efficiency in the work place. The factors that influence human capital development such as government policies, level of technological advancement and enrollment level were pointed out. The challenges confronting human capital development in Nigerian higher institutions were highlighted and the strategies for overcoming such challenges. The paper concluded that higher education in the country is an important tool for the development of human capital in the country. It was therefore recommended that all educational stakeholders in the country should contribute towards the improvement of higher institutions in the country.
The origins and early development of the small cane farming system in Queensland, 1870–1915

Abstract Small cane farming in Queensland in 1870 was a mere adjunct to the plantation system of production, yet by 1915 it had become firmly established as the industry's main production unit. This paper argues that this change in the industry's production unit was brought about by a combination of the sugar price collapse of the mid-1880s that highlighted the economic inefficiency of plantation-produced sugar, and government policy which favoured the creation of a class of European farmers for social and political reasons. Initially both Europeans and non-Europeans, who were often former plantation labourers, became small cane farmers. However, non-European small cane farmers were forced to cease growing sugar cane after 1913 as the Queensland government sought to achieve a ‘whites’ only sugar industry.
Policy transfer in local crime control: beyond naïve emulation

Analysis of international transference of and local adaptations to policy responses to crime and disorder. It draws on Stenson's research on local crime control, funded by local authorities, Home Office and Thames Valley Police. Widely cited in the international policy transfer literature and reprinted in OU criminology reader on globalisation.
Conflict of interest and evaluation research: should we do effectiveness studies of our own educational programs?

Although little is known about the extent of conflict of interest (COI) in the field of continuing education in the health professions, my reading of the literature suggests that most of the evaluation research reported in the literature is conducted by investigators who were involved in the design and implementation of the program. The result is an increased potential for an actual or perceived COI. Internal evaluators often have a stake in the success of the intervention, increasing the risk of unintentional or even intentional bias. Unfortunately, we lack data on the extent of the problem and the association between COI and evaluation results in our field. In the field of criminology, however, Petrosino and Soydan1 reviewed meta-analyses of the impact of mixing the roles of program developer and program evaluator in interventions aimed at reducing criminal recidivism. Of the 12 analyses that addressed the issue, 11 showed that “effect size increased positively, sometimes substantially so, when evaluators were influential or involved in the treatment setting. ”1,p 435 They followed up with their own meta-analysis of 300 randomized field trials assessing the outcomes of offender treatment programs. They found that developersas-evaluators reported “consistently and substantially larger effect sizes”1,p 442 when the evaluator had a high degree of influence in the program setting. Petrosino and Soydan emphasized that there are two possible explanations for these effects. One is the high fidelity view, which assumes that high involvement of researchers leads to better outcomes due to factors such as better training for the faculty, closer monitoring of implementation, or
Genome‐wide linkage scan in Dutch hereditary non‐BRCA1/2 breast cancer families identifies 9q21‐22 as a putative breast cancer susceptibility locus

Breast cancer accounts for over 20% of all female cancers. A positive family history remains one of the most important risk factors for the disease, with first‐degree relatives of patients having a twofold elevated risk. Known breast cancer susceptibility genes such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 explain only 20–25% of this risk, suggesting the existence of other breast cancer susceptibility genes. Here, we report the results of a genome‐wide linkage scan in 55 high‐risk Dutch breast cancer families with no mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2. Twenty‐two of these families were also part of a previous linkage study by the Breast Cancer Linkage Consortium. In addition, we performed CGH analyses in 61 tumors of these families and 31 sporadic tumors. Three regions were identified with parametric HLOD scores >1, and three with nonparametric LOD scores >1.5. Upon further marker genotyping for the candidate loci, and the addition of another 30 families to the analysis, only the locus on chromosome 9 (9q21‐22, marker D9S167) remained significant, with a nonparametric multipoint LOD score of 3.96 (parametric HLOD 0.56, α = 0.18). With CGH analyses we observed preferential copy number loss at BAC RP11‐276H19, containing D9S167 in familial tumors as compared to sporadic tumors (P < 0.001). Five candidate genes were selected from the region around D9S167 and their coding regions subjected to direct sequence analysis in 16 probands. No clear pathogenic mutations were found in any of these genes. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Individual and Institutional Drivers of Technology Transfer in Open Innovation

The open innovation perspective offers a powerful framework which can be used in developing an understanding of the relationships that are established between academia and industry in the process of technology transfer. This paper develops a fourfold classification of technology transfer activities based on consultancy and the protection of intellectual property rights, and identifies the factors characterizing each activity. An empirical study was conducted with a sample of 249 researchers affiliated to Italian universities and the results indicate that specific forms of technology transfer are associated with particular configurations of regional systems of innovation, academic organizations and the motivations of researchers. The authors find that exchanges of tacit knowledge benefit from social interaction, while those based on codified knowledge are less context-dependent. In addition, more complex forms of technology transfer – those combining tacit and codified knowledge – require a broader endowment of resources, at both individual and contextual levels.
Cytotoxic and Antiviral Triterpenoids from the Mangrove Plant Sonneratia paracaseolaris

A chemical investigation was conducted on the aerial parts of the mangrove plant Sonneratia paracaseolaris, yielding five new triterpenoid paracaseolins A–E (1–4, and 11) together with twelve known analogues (5–10, 12–17). Their structures were established by extensive spectroscopic methods and comparisons their spectroscopic data with those of the known related compounds. The cytotoxicities against P388, HeLa, A549, and K562 tumor cell lines and anti-H1N1 (Influenza A virus) activities for the isolates were evaluated. Compound 4 showed potent cytotoxicity against the A549 cell line with an IC50 value of 1.89 µM, and compound 1 exhibited significant anti-H1N1 virus activity with an IC50 value of 28.4 µg/mL. A preliminary structure activity relationship was discussed.
CONSTANS Activates SUPPRESSOR OF OVEREXPRESSION OF CONSTANS 1 through FLOWERING LOCUS T to Promote Flowering in Arabidopsis1[w]

CONSTANS (CO) regulates flowering time by positively regulating expression of two floral integrators, FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) and SUPPRESSOR OF OVEREXPRESSION OF CO 1 (SOC1), in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). FT and SOC1 have been proposed to act in parallel pathways downstream of CO based on genetic analysis using weak ft alleles, since ft soc1 double mutants showed an additive effect in suppressing the early flowering of CO overexpressor plants. However, this genetic analysis was inconsistent with the sequential induction pattern of FT and SOC1 found in inducible CO overexpressor plants. Hence, to identify genetic interactions of CO, FT, and SOC1, we carried out genetic and expression analyses with a newly isolated T-DNA allele of FT, ft-10. We found that ft-10 almost completely suppressed the early flowering phenotype of CO overexpressor plants, whereas soc1-2 partially suppressed the phenotype, suggesting that FT is the major output of CO. Expression of SOC1 was altered in gain- or loss-of-function mutants of FT, whereas expression of FT remained unchanged in gain- or loss-of-function mutants of SOC1, suggesting that FT positively regulates SOC1 to promote flowering. In addition, inactivation of FT caused down-regulation of SOC1 even in plants overexpressing CO, indicating that FT is required for SOC1 induction by CO. Taken together, these data suggest that CO activates SOC1 through FT to promote flowering in Arabidopsis.
What difference does difference make

Agriculture does not develop according to the pattern traced by industry: it follows its own laws. Of this there can be no doubt. This does not mean that the development of agriculture and industry are opposed and irreconcilable. As long as they are regarded as common elements in one overall process, and not existing in mutual isolation, both can be shown to be advancing toward the same end. An investigation of the agrarian question which purports to follow Marx's method cannot simply focus on the question as to whether the smallholder has a future. Rather it has to consider all the changes through which agriculture has passed over the course of the capitalist mode or production: whether, and how, capital is seizing hold of agriculture, revolutionizing it, making old forms of production and property untenable and creating the necessity for new ones. Once we have answered these questions, we can then proceed to see whether Marx's theory is applicable to agriculture or not. Karl Kautsky, The Agrarian Question (1899: 11-12)
A low power charge-recycling CMOS clock buffer

A low power CMOS clock buffer based on charge recycling technique is presented. To accomplish the charge recycling process and avoid introducing the extra short circuit current during the recycling phase, an extra switching circuit and control signal are utilized to keep inverters momentarily tri-state. The feasibility of this design and its improved power efficiency are demonstrated by simulations.
Upward bipolar lightning flashes observed at the Gaisberg Tower

We analyze current records for 21 natural upward-initiated bipolar lightning flashes observed to the Gaisberg Tower (GBT) in Austria from 2000 to 2009. Thirteen (62%) of 21 bipolar flashes occurred in non-convective season (September- March) and twelve (57%) of them occurred in seasonal transmission periods of March, August, and November in Austria. Thirteen (62%) of them belong to Type 1 associated with a polarity reversal during the initial stage current, based on the classification as suggested by Rakov and Uman [1]. We also find that the initial polarity reversal from negative to positive occurs more often (16 of 21) than that from positive to negative within a bipolar flash, in agreement with observations in other studies. The geometric mean total absolute charge transfer is 99.5 C with a relatively short total duration of 320 ms.
The impact of ecotourism employment on rural household incomes and social welfare in six southern African countries

Rural African communities are largely characterised by high levels of unemployment and poverty, low skills levels and a heavy reliance on natural resources. Increasing populations, together with the impacts of climate change, are putting pressure on natural resources and the issue of sustainable land use is becoming critically important. Ecotourism is one possible sustainable land use which can also assist with both local socio-economic development and biodiversity conservation. This paper looks at the impact of ecotourism employment on rural household incomes and overall social welfare in six southern African countries. Extensive socio-economic interview schedules were conducted in camps run by Wilderness Safaris in Botswana, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe. A total of 385 staff interviews were conducted in 16 high-end ecotourism camps, constituting a majority of the staff in these camps. A further 1400 community interviews were conducted in over 30 rural communities associated with these ecotourism camps. Two types of community members are differentiated in this study: those directly employed in a high-end ecotourism operation (staff) and those not employed in the high-end ecotourism operation (non-staff). For every camp, both groups of respondents were from the same community, living either in or around the protected area where the ecotourism operation was situated; allowing for comparisons between the two groups. The results show that rural households are relying heavily on the market economy, largely in the form of ecotourism, for support and highlight ecotourism employment’s important role in local socio-economic development in remote, rural areas. The results also highlight the importance of formal education, livelihood diversification and other formal employment in these areas. Suggestions for increasing the benefits to local communities are put forward.
SERVANT LEADERSHIP MEASURES AND ORGANIZATIONAL COMMITMENT

The aim of this research is to examine different measures of servant leadership in literature and advance both the theoretical conceptualization and empirical validation of these in public leadership. Conceptually it extends the understanding of servant leadership measures as reflective constructs, incorporating authenticity, courage, standing back, and forgiveness. Empirically, it tests the relationship of these measures with organizational commitment of employees in the public sector. The model shows that servant leadership measures directly impact commitment. The value of the paper lies in its empirical and theoretical contribution.
Rural Household Savings Behavior in South Korea, 1962–76

This study documents the extent of savings in representative rural households in South Korea during 1962–76. A technique for measuring permanent income from cross-section data is used to estimate marginal savings behavior. The results show that households saved a remarkably large part of their incomes. During the late 1960s these savings were, on the margin, about one-fifth of permanent incomes and about four-fifths of transitory incomes. Authors also conclude that useful measures of permanent and transitory income can be estimated from cross-section data.
Travel Decision-Making: From the Vantage Point of Perceived Risk and Information Preferences

Abstract Characteristics of services in tourism make for a complex travel decision-making process full of intransparency and high financial and personal risk and uncertainty. Tourists therefore can be expected to search for variate information from different sources in order to reduce perceived risk. Risk perception and information search can be considered important factors influencing travel decision-making. This paper tries to investigate various aspects of perceived risk and information search through empirical analysis based on a survey among Austrian residents carried out in May 1996 in Austria.
How Much is Too Much: Are Merger Premiums Too High?

Is it too much to pay target firm shareholders a 50% premium on top of market price? Or is it too much to pay a 100% premium when pursuing mergers and acquisitions? How much is too much? In this paper, we examine how the extent of merger premiums paid impacts both the long-run and announcement period stock returns of acquiring firms. We find no evidence that acquirers paying high premiums underperform those paying relatively low premiums in three years following mergers, and the result is robust after controlling for a variety of firm and deal characteristics. Short term cumulative abnormal returns are moreover positively correlated to the level of the premium paid by acquirers. Our evidence therefore suggests that high merger premiums paid are unlikely to be responsible for acquirers' long-run post merger underperformance.
Differences in the Effectiveness of Internationalization of Undergraduate Business Education in Achieving Job Placement Success

Abstract We provide the results of a survey of business curriculum internationalization at AACSB member U.S. colleges and universities. Although internationalization is now pervasive, no one method of internationalization has emerged. In this study we attempt to profile differences between undergraduate international programs based on the success of the program's placement of students in internationally related jobs upon graduation. We find that schools with good placement success and those with poor placement success largely agree on the elements needed to internationalize the curriculum, although some elements of disagreement remain. Programs with poor placement have not internationalized to the same degree as institutions with better placement.
Toward routine billion-variable optimization using genetic algorithms

The push for better understanding and design of complex systems requires the solution of challenging optimization problems with large numbers of decision variables. This note presents principled results demonstrating the scalable solution of a difficult test function on instances over a billion variables using a parallel implementation of a genetic algorithm (GA). The problem addressed is a noisy, blind problem over a vector of binary decision variables. Noise is added equaling a tenth of the deterministic objective function variance of the problem, thereby making it difficult for simple hillclimbers to find the optimal solution. The genetic algorithm used—the compact GA—is able to find the optimum in the presence of noise quickly, reliably, and accurately, and the solution scalability follows known convergence theories. These results on noisy problem together with other results on problems involving varying modularity, hierarchy, and overlap foreshadow routine solution of billion-variable problems across the landscape of complexity science. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Complexity 12: 27–29, 2007
Mediation of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 binding by interaction of cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycans with the V3 region of envelope gp120-gp41

The mechanism of heparan sulfate (HS)-mediated human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) binding to and infection of T cells was investigated with a clone (H9h) of the T-cell line H9 selected on the basis of its high level of cell surface CD4 expression. Semiquantitative PCR analysis revealed that enzymatic removal of cell surface HS by heparitinase resulted in a reduction of the amount of HIV-1 DNA present in H9h cells 4 h after exposure to virus. Assays of the binding of recombinant envelope proteins to H9h cells demonstrated a structural requirement for an oligomeric form of gp120/gp41 for HS-dependent binding to the cell surface. The ability of the HIV-1 envelope to bind simultaneously to HS and CD4 was shown by immunoprecipitation of HS with either antienvelope or anti-CD4 antibodies from 35SO4(2-)-labeled H9h cells that had been incubated with soluble gp140. Soluble HS blocked the binding of monoclonal antibodies that recognize the V3 and C4 domains of the envelope protein to the surface of H9 cells chronically infected with HIV-1IIIB. The V3 domain was shown to be the major site of envelope-HS interaction by examining the effects of both antienvelope monoclonal antibodies and heparitinase on the binding of soluble gp140 to H9h cells.
Has the Byrd Amendment Affected US Imports?

The Continued Dumping and Subsidy Offset Act (CDSOA), also known as the Byrd Amendment, allows the US government to distribute revenues from antidumping duties to domestic firms alleging harm. Prior to the amendment these revenues were not distributed to firms. In this article, we formally test the hypothesis that the Byrd Amendment effectively provides double protection to US firms to the extent that it further restricts US imports, as argued by the EU and 11 other US trading partners. Using a rich panel of 362 US manufacturing industries for the period 1998 to 2003, we find that whether or not the Byrd Amendment restricted US imports depends crucially on the level of competitiveness in the import-competing industry. Specifically, we find that the Byrd Amendment served to restrict imports only in industries where competition is relatively weak, while the amendment is associated with an increase in imports in more competitive industries.