Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Transient alterations in granule cell proliferation, apoptosis and migration in postnatal developing cerebellum of CRMP1−/– mice

Collapsin response mediator proteins (CRMPs) consist of five homologous cytosolic proteins that participate in signal transduction involved in a variety of physiological events. CRMP1 is highly expressed during brain development; however, its functions remains unclear. To gain insight into its function, we generated CRMP1−/– mice with a knock‐in LacZ gene. No gross anatomical changes or behavioral alterations were observed. Expression of CRMP1 was examined by the expression of the knocked‐in LacZ gene, in situ hybridization with riboprobes and by imunohistochemistry. CRMP1 was found to be highly expressed in the developing the cerebellum, olfactory bulbs, hypothalamus and retina. In adults, expression level was high in the olfactory bulbs and hippocampus but very low in the retina and cerebellum and undetectable in hypothalamus. To study potential roles of CRMP1, we focused on cerebellum development. CRMP1−/– mice showed a decrease in the number of granule cells migrating out of explants of developing cerebellum, as did treatment of the explants from normal mice with anti‐CRMP1 specific antibodies. CRMP1−/– mice showed a decrease in granule cell proliferation and apoptosis in external granule cell layers in vivo. Adult cerebellum of CRMP1−/– did not show any abnormalities.
Is Country of Birth a Risk Factor for Acute Hospitalization for Cardiovascular Disease in Victoria, Australia?

International mortality studies show that some subgroups of migrants have a higher risk of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) than the native-born. To investigate whether country of birth increases the risk for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and cerebral infarction (stroke) hospitalization in Victoria, Australia. A retrospective analysis of Victorian AMI (ICD-10-AM codes I21 and I22) and stroke (ICD-10-AM I63 and I64) discharges from routinely collected hospital data in 2001-2002 was conducted. The outcome measures were directly age standardized rate ratios (RRs) of AMI and stroke hospitalization, calculated using 2001 Australian census data, with the Australian-born as the reference group. Males from 4 ethnic groups — USSR/Baltic; Southern Asia; Middle East; and Eastern Europe, displayed higher risk for AMI hospitalization than Australian-born men, whereas males and females from Southeast Asia and Northeast Asia were at lower risk. Furthermore, males from Western Europe and females from the Pacific were also at lower risk. Females from the Middle East, Southern Asia, and Southern Europe were at higher risk of stroke hospitalization than Australian-born women; in contrast, males from Eastern Europe, NorthAsia, Southern Asia, Southern Europe, and the United Kingdom and Ireland were at lower risk. Risk for AMI and stroke hospitalization varies by country of birth in comparison with the Australian-born population. It will be import to identify the factors associated with these varying risks in order to target preventive strategies aimed at reducing risk of AMI and stroke.
The influence of ISO 14000 on firm performance

Purpose - Economic prosperity has often come at the expense of the natural environment. Environmental degradation has surfaced in problems such as pollution, increased carbon dioxide emissions via burning of fossil fuels and environmental waste. Ignoring the ecological costs through indiscriminate use of non-renewable resources may lead to increase in the cost of doing business in the future. This unsustainable trend exacerbates inter-generational poverty and equity. Responsible firms have resorted to ISO 14000 certifications, which comprise guidelines for environmental management systems which promote green, efficient production processes. However, ISO 14000 is not a performance standard and does formulate financial key performance indicators. Nonetheless, extant literature has documented the perception that ISO 14000 certification leads to increased competitive advantage, pre-emption of regulations, increased financial performance, enhanced reputation and reduction of cost of business. This study seeks to bridge the lacuna in research on the influence of ISO 14000 certification on firm financial performance in Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach - Methodologically, certain matching criteria have been used to enhance the comparability of ISO 14000 certified firms with their non-certified counterparts based on the work of Collins, and Collins and Porras. Findings - The findings indicate that ISO 14000 certification improves average return of equity but not necessarily in terms of sales and capitalisation. Originality/value - The study suggests that there may be a business case for ISO 14000 certification terms of return on equity in the medium term within the Malaysian context.
Incorporation of CpG into a Liposomal Vaccine Formulation Increases the Maturation of Antigen-Loaded Dendritic Cells and Monocytes To Improve Local and Systemic Immunity

Liposomal vaccine formulations incorporating stimulants that target innate immune receptors have been shown to significantly increase vaccine immunity. Following vaccination, innate cell populations respond to immune stimuli, phagocytose and process Ag, and migrate from the injection site, via the afferent lymphatic vessels, into the local lymph node. In this study, the signals received in the periphery promote and sculpt the adaptive immune response. Effector lymphocytes then leave the lymph node via the efferent lymphatic vessel to perform their systemic function. We have directly cannulated the ovine lymphatic vessels to detail the in vivo innate and adaptive immune responses occurring in the local draining lymphatic network following vaccination with a liposome-based delivery system incorporating CpG. We show that CpG induces the rapid recruitment of neutrophils, enhances dendritic cell–associated Ag transport, and influences the maturation of innate cells entering the afferent lymph. This translated into an extended period of lymph node shutdown, the induction of IFN-γ–positive T cells, and enhanced production of Ag-specific Abs. Taken together, the results of this study quantify the real-time in vivo kinetics of the immune response in a large animal model after vaccination of a dose comparable to that administered to humans. This study details enhancement of numerous immune mechanisms that provide an explanation for the immunogenic function of CpG when employed as an adjuvant within vaccines.
Isolation and characterization of Tn7 transposase gain‐of‐function mutants: a model for transposase activation

Tn7 transposition has been hypothesized to require a heteromeric transposase formed by two Tn7‐encoded proteins, TnsA and TnsB, and accessory proteins that activate the transposase when they are associated with an appropriate target DNA. This study investigates the mechanism of Tn7 transposase activation by isolation and analysis of transposase gain‐of‐function mutants that are active in the absence of these accessory proteins. This work shows directly that TnsA and TnsB are essential and sufficient components of the Tn7 transposase and also provides insight into the signals that activate the transposase. We also describe a protein–protein interaction between TnsA and TnsC, a regulatory accessory protein, that is likely to be critical for transposase activation.
How corporations and environmental groups cooperate: Assessing cross-sector alliances and collaborations

Executive Overview Corporate environmental responsibility is becoming an increasingly important strategic concern for companies, their stakeholders, and nonprofit organizations (NPOs). Although many corporations now provide financial support, equipment, or personnel to assist environmental interest groups, the relationship between companies and NPOs has typically remained one of tension and mutual distrust. Given the complementary resources of these two types of organizations, forming cross-sector collaborations that more effectively use the knowledge and capabilities of both can create new opportunities to achieve both greater corporate profitability and stronger environmental protection. A growing interest by some corporations and NPOs in reconsidering traditional adversarial relationships is yielding new forms of cooperation. Executives interested in participating in more intensive cross-sector collaborations on environmental issues need to know about the types of interactions in which corporations and.
Oral Tolerance, Systemic Immunoregulation, and Autoimmunity

Abstract: Convincing clinical and experimental evidence suggests that the disturbance of important immunoregulatory and suppressive immunological events induced after oral (mucosal) antigen exposure (oral tolerance) may lead to allergic and autoimmune diseases. Within a variety of factors, age of the host and timing of antigen (food) administration are important characteristics in the development of food allergic disease. Induction of tolerance is seen as a Th2 skewed response, which on one side may prevent harmful mucosal immune reactions but on the other side may contribute to adverse responses in the susceptible individual. The primary mechanisms by which tolerance may be mediated include deletion, anergy, suppression, “ignorance,” and apoptosis. Cell‐mediated delayed hypersensitivity reactions (Th1), which are implicated in the development of autoimmune and gastrointestinal diseases, are particularly well suppressed. Regulatory events after mucosal exposure of antigen are not well characterized and remain controversial. The balance between tolerance (suppression) and sensitization (priming) is dependent on several factors, such as: (a) genetic background, (b) nature and dose of antigen, (c) frequency of administration, (d) age at first antigen exposure, (e) immunological status of the host, (f) antigen transmission via breast milk, and others. Overall there is evidence in rodents that multiple low‐dose feeds are more likely to induce regulatory cytokines (e.g., TGF‐β, IL‐10, IL‐4) in part secreted by CD4+CD25+ T regulatory cells. Despite the powerful suppressive effects of oral autoantigen exposure observed in experimental models of autoimmune diseases (including bystander suppression), their translation into clinical trials of autoimmune diseases has not yet yielded the expected beneficial results.
Inhibition of conjugated linoleic acid on mouse forestomach neoplasia induced by benzo (a) pyrene and chemopreventive mechanisms.

AIM To explore the inhibition of conjugated linoleic acid isomers in different purity (75 % purity c9,t11-, 98 % purity c9,t11- and 98 % purity t10,c12-CLA) on the formation of forestomach neoplasm and chemopreventive mechanisms. METHODS Forestomach neoplasm model induced by B(a)P in KunMing mice was established. The numbers of tumor and diameter of each tumor in forestomach were counted; the mice plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured by TBARS assay; TUNEL assay was used to analyze the apoptosis in forestomach neoplasia and the expression of MEK-1, ERK-1, MKP-1 protein in forestomach neoplasm were studied by Western Blotting assay. RESULTS The incidence of neoplasm in B(a)P group, 75 % purity c9, t11-CLA group, 98 % purity c9,t11-CLA group and 98 % purity t10, c12-CLA group was 100 %, 75.0 %(P>0.05), 69.2 % (P<0.05) and 53.8 % (P<0.05) respectively and the effect of two CLA isomers in 98 % purity on forestomach neoplasia was significant; CLA showed no influence on the average tumor numbers in tumor-bearing mouse, but significantly decreased the tumor size, the tumor average diameter of mice in 75 % purity c9,t11-CLA group, 98 % purity c9,t11-CLA group and 98 % purity t10, c12-CLA group was 0.157+/-0.047 cm, 0.127+/-0.038 cm and 0.128+/-0.077 cm (P<0.05) and 0.216+/-0.088 cm in B(a)P group; CLA could also significantly increase the apoptosis cell numbers by 144.00+/-20.31, 153.75+/-23.25, 157.25+/-15.95(P<0.05) in 75 % purity c9,t11-CLA group, 98 % purity c9,t11-CLA group and 98 % purity t10,c12-CLA group (30.88+/-3.72 in BP group); but there were no significant differences between the effects of 75 % purity c9,t11-CLA and two isomers in 98 % purity on tumor size and apoptotic cell numbers; the plasma levels of MDA in were increased by 75 % purity c9,t11-CLA, 98 % purity c9,t11-CLA and 98 % purity t10,c12-CLA. The 75 % purity c9,t11-CLA showed stronger inhibition; CLA could also inhibit the expression of ERK-1 protein and promote the expression of MKP-1 protein, however no influence of CLA on MEK-1 protein was observed. CONCLUSION Two isomers in 98 % purity show stronger inhibition on carcinogenesis. However, the inhibitory mechanisms of CLA on carcinogenesis is complicated, which may be due to the increased mice plasma MDA, the inducing apoptosis in tumor tissues. And the effect of CLA on the expression of ERK-1 and MKP-1 may be one of the mechanisms of the inhibition of CLA on the tumor.
Solvent entropy contribution to the free energy of protein crystallization.

We show with three proteins that trapping and release of the water molecules upon crystallization is a determinant of the crystallization thermodynamics. With HbC, a strong retrograde solubility dependence on temperature yields a high positive enthalpy of 155 kJ mol(-1), i.e., crystallization is only possible because of the huge entropy gain of 610 J mol(-1) x K(-1), stemming from the release of up to 10 water molecules per protein intermolecular contact. With apoferritin, the enthalpy of crystallization is close to zero. The main component in the crystallization driving force is the entropy gain due to the release upon crystallization of two water molecules bound to one protein molecules in solution. With both proteins, the density of the growth sites imaged by AFM is in excellent agreement with a calculation using the crystallization free energy. With lysozyme, the entropy effect due to the restructuring of the water molecules is negative. This leads to higher solubility.
Environmentalism and Tourism Preferences: A Study of Outdoor Recreationists in Sweden

This article explores the linkages between nature-based recreation and preferences of individuals classified as “environmentalists”. Following an overview of the literature, this paper reports on an empirical investigation of the nature-based recreation vs. environmentalism nexus using data from a national Swedish survey. Study findings show that environmentalists (environmentally-oriented individuals) behave differently in terms of their recreation-related preferences when compared to non-environmentalists. Environmentalists prefer outdoor activities with little or no impact on the environment as demonstrated, for example, by their avoidance of extractive (e.g. hunting) and motorized activities (e.g. snowmobiling). Despite these differences, the findings were inconsistent in that while environmentalists avoid some extractive and motorized activities, other similar activities were not avoided. Thus, the results question the use of simplistic recreational classification systems for the understanding of activity preferences and the authors call for more in-depth, qualitative research to further understand the nature-based recreation choices of environmentalists. Study findings also show that environmentally-oriented individuals do not hesitate to travel away from residential areas for participation in nature-based recreation. Therefore, this paper helps us to understand which nature-based activities environmentalists demand and can provide a more informed basis for tourism planning and management.
Impact of Correlated Default Risk on Credit Portfolios

Markets are evidencing increasing systemic risk, and the credit market is no exception. Correlated default is thus an important feature models must account for in credit portfolios. To complement the growing literature on theoretical models to capture correlated default, the authors explore the implications of correlated default for credit portfolios. Ex ante default probabilities are found to be strongly correlated, and regime-dependent; ignoring these features understates the risk profile of credit portfolios. Rating agencies must include correlated default in their analysis of debt pools.
Prevalence of obesity in Iran

Recent descriptive studies suggest that Iran has geared in the nutrition and epidemiological transition processes. Therefore, while the problems of undernutrition (e.g. growth retardation and micronutrient deficiencies) still exist, the burden of overweight/obesity and diet‐related chronic diseases is increasing. The prevalence of overweight (body mass index ≥ 85th reference percentiles) among urban 15–39 and 40–69 year olds is estimated at about 22% and 40% respectively. Corresponding values in rural areas are 16% and 26%. The transition seems faster among female population at national level. There are however, great differences between different provinces. Urgent preventive strategies are needed to simultaneously tackle both forms of malnutrition in the country.
Fiat Money, Individual Rationality and Production

Wallace's ‘Monetary Dictum’ insists that monetary models must specify why the monetary object is so used. Another important specification is that the use of this object as money should always be individually rational. We construct a model of ‘team production’ under uncertainty with a contract where a ‘hostage’ in the form of future purchasing power is handed over. The model is extended to show the rational development of banks as hierarchical enforcement mechanisms and government backing of the monetary system. The link thus established between money issue and production may be useful for the analysis of monetary policy.
The Post-Merger Performance Puzzle

While the bulk of the research on the financial performance of mergers and acquisitions has focused on stock returns around the merger announcement, a surprisingly, large set of papers has also examined long-run stock returns following acquisitions. We review this literature, concluding that long-run performance is negative following mergers, though performance is non-negative (and perhaps even positive) following tender offers. However, the effects of both methodology (see Lyon, Barber & Tsai, 1999) and chance (see Fama, 1998) may modify this conclusion. Two explanations of under performance (speed of price-adjustment and EPS myopia) are not supported by the data, while two other explanations (method of payment and performance extrapolation) receive greater support.
Institutions, the Illegal Drug Trade, and Participant Strategies: What Corrupt or Pariah States Have In Common with Liberal Democracy and the Rule of Law

Institutions generate incentives that guide behavior, but many analysts and policymakers underestimate the power of institutions to affect behavior by ignoring how distinct strategies work to generate similar outcomes in different institutional contexts. This article uses the illegal trade in psychoactive substances to illustrate how outcomes (the size of the illegal drug market) across very distinct political institutions can be the same because individuals adopt different strategies in their pursuit of the same behavior: to participate in the illegal drug trade. The illegal trade in psychoactive substances represents an understudied and poorly studied issue in international relations. Arguments that focus on the deviant characteristics of governments in the developing world and organized crime to explain the trade are misleading for empirical and methodological reasons. I propose a general argument about the proliferation of the illegal drug trade that accounts for its success in countries struggling with poverty, corruption, terrorism, and pariah leaders, as well as in rich, stable democracies in which the rule of law “reigns. ” The article takes factors that are often seen as distinct in explaining the drug trade (e.g., civil rights in liberal democracies and corruption in developing countries) and demonstrates that their explanatory logic represents variations on the same causal variable: the ability to conceal oneself. My insight is that the strategies used to achieve concealment vary by the institutional context in which participants find themselves.
Trends and Issues in Tourism and Hospitality Higher Education: Visioning the Future

Changes in the higher educational environment are having a tremendous impact on the education process, curricula, learning outcomes and instructional practices. This paper aims to identify the challenges facing established universities in tourism and hospitality education and to provide insight of how these could be managed in the future. Five sources of change are identified: the socio-economic and technological environment; global competition; the student market; educators and teaching methods; and the tourism and hospitality industry. The exploitation of modern technologies and the development of information literacy and knowledge management skills are the two major issues that universities need to consider in the future.
First aid: lessons from health economics for economic evaluation in social welfare

Beyond health care, the economic evaluation of social welfare programmes is rare but the demand for such evaluation is rising. To encourage greater use of economic evaluation, undoubtedly social welfare researchers need to gain a better understanding of the philosophy behind such evaluation and the methodologies necessary to carry these out in practice. However, there is also a need for economists to better understand the nature of social welfare interventions in order to ensure that the approaches they adopt are appropriate and feasible. This paper explores the principles that guide health economists, the evaluation issues raised by different types of intervention and the techniques used to address them, focusing on the implications for evaluating other social welfare interventions. It argues that there exists a spectrum of complexity in interventions, with many social welfare interventions demonstrating a level of complexity that is less often reached by health care services. This can cause problems for the application of ‘traditional’ economic evaluation techniques favoured by health economists, such as the measurement of generic outcomes and the randomisation of subjects between interventions. The paper concludes that efforts need to be made to ensure greater scientific validity of evaluations in social welfare research, whilst recognising that the complexity of many interventions may require greater attention to the details of trial design and modifications or additions to the ‘conventional’ model, such as a greater role for qualitative methods.