Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Non-Opsonic Recognition of Mycobacterium tuberculosis by Phagocytes

The interactions between Mycobacterium tuberculosis and host phagocytes such as macrophages and dendritic cells are central to both immunity and pathogenesis. Many receptors have been implicated in recognition and binding of M. tuberculosis such as the mannose receptor, dendritic-cell-specific intercellular adhesion molecule-3 grabbing nonintegrin, dectin-1 and complement receptor 3 as well as Toll-like receptors, scavenger receptors and CD14. While in vitro studies have demonstrated clear roles for particular recep- tor(s), in vivo work in receptor-deficient animals often revealed only a minor, or no role, in infection with M. tuberculosis. The initial encounter of phagocytic cells with myco- bacteria appears to be complex and depends on various parameters. It seems likely that infection with M. tuberculosis does not occur via a single receptor-mediated pathway. Rather, multiple receptors play different roles in M. tuberculosis infection, and the overall effect depends on the expression and availability of a particular receptor on a particular cell type and its triggered downstream responses. Moreover, the role of membrane cholesterol for M. tuberculosis interactions with phagocytes adds to the complexity of mycobacterial recognition and response. This review summarizes current knowledge on non-opsonic receptors involved in binding of mycobacteria and discusses the contribution of individual receptors to the recognition process.
Bone density in women: A modified procedure for measurement of distal radial density

This is a cross‐sectional study of bone densitometry in >700 normal healthy white women ranging in age from 18 to 98 years. A modified procedure for single–photon bone density analysis of the distal radius is described and compared with dual‐photon densitometric measurements of the second through fourth lumbar vertebrae. The distal radial site measured was separated from the ulna by 5 mm. This “5 mm” site was characterized according to trabecular and cortical bone content, measurement reproducibility, positioning precision, and the effects of wrist pronation or supination. The radial site demonstrated a bone density loss of <0.1%/year for normal women 25–50 years of age, increasing to 0.7%/year after 50 years of age. In contrast to the variability and inconsistency obtained by us and others utilizing the standard “9/10” site, bone loss with age at the new “5 mm” site correlated closely with generalized bone mineral loss of the axial skeleton. We suggest that there is a unique role for single‐beam densitometric measurements of the radius, permitting the rapid and relatively inexpensive evaluation of large populations of women without requiring a visit to a medical center. Such a process can select those requiring further evaluation or medical attention.
China in sub-Saharan Africa: implications for HRM policy and practice at organizational level

The presence of China in Africa has introduced a new geopolitical dynamic that should be incorporated into the way international human resource management (HRM) is studied cross-culturally. Despite a growing literature on China's international relations with and investment in Africa, little previous study has been undertaken at organizational level. We review relevant literature, together with that on management and organization in Africa and China, to develop a conceptual framework that incorporates critiques of North–South interactions including Dependency Theories that posit First World development is based on Third World underdevelopment, and Postcolonial Theory that posits the South's knowledge dependency on the North. We consider how a growing South–South dynamic may be integrated into a consideration of power dynamics and cultural crossvergence, and construct organizational and management ‘ideal types’ to enable us to frame a research agenda in this area. This is important, as it is difficult to sustain cross-cultural scholarship merely on cultural comparisons. By providing a way of studying cultural hybrid forms of organization, or cultural ‘third spaces’, it is hoped this will contribute to understanding the implications to people management practice in South–South partnerships, not only in Chinese organizations in Africa, and contribute theoretically to the development of cross-cultural management studies and its application to international HRM.
Financial and current account interrelationship: an empirical test

Theoretically, financial account (FA) serves as a means of financing deficit in a countryâ€™s current account (CA). With the outburst of the rapid globalization and the liberalization of the capital markets, the function of FA could be a major cause of CA instability. This study empirically investigates the interrelationship between CA and the components of FA for the four crisis-affected Asian countries of Indonesia, Korea, the Philippines and Thailand. Empirical results show that deficit in CA mirror the surplus in FA supporting the theoretical foundation of balance of payment (BOP). We observed CA Granger causes FA suggesting that CA can be used as the control policy variable for the flows of capital in these countries. Therefore, the innovation of CA (whether deficit or surplus) would be important information for the liberalization and globalization of FA.
Poly-Si TFTs With Three-Dimensional Finlike Channels Fabricated Using Nanoimprint Technology

This letter addresses the characteristics of polycrystalline-silicon (poly-Si) thin-film transistor (TFTs) with 3-D finlike channels fabricated using UV nanoimprint lithography. A transparent mold and poly-Si 3-D finlike channels with a line/space ratio of about 1:1 were fabricated and studied by SEM. The poly-Si TFTs with 3-D finlike channels, fabricated using a nanoimprint technique, have lower threshold voltage, higher ON/OFF current ratio, better subthreshold swing, higher field-effective mobility, and higher drain current than that with a single channel. The proposed approach can be utilized to fabricate high-performance poly-Si TFTs at low cost.
Audit quality and earnings management for Taiwan IPO firms

Purpose – This paper investigates the relationship between audit quality (as measured by auditor size and industry specialization) and earnings management (as measured by unexpected accruals) for Taiwan IPO firms.Design/methodology/approach – First uses unexpected accruals in the modified Jones model to measure earnings management in the IPO process. Then uses auditor type (big five versus non‐big five) and industry specialist to measure audit quality. The hypothesis predicts that Taiwanese firms with higher quality auditors engage less in earnings management in the IPO process. The sample consists of 367 new issues between 1999 and 2002 from the Taiwan Economic Journal database.Findings – It is found that big five auditors are related to less earnings management in the IPO year in Taiwan. This shows that higher quality auditors constrain earnings management for Taiwan IPO firms.Research limitations/implications – The finding shows that high quality auditors constrain earnings management and provide more .
Electrogenic Tuning of the Axon Initial Segment

Action potentials (APs) provide the primary means of rapid information transfer in the nervous system. Where exactly these signals are initiated in neurons has been a basic question in neurobiology and the subject of extensive study. Converging lines of evidence indicate that APs are initiated in a discrete and highly specialized portion of the axon—the axon initial segment (AIS). The authors review key aspects of the organization and function of the AIS and focus on recent work that has provided important insights into its electrical signaling properties. In addition to its main role in AP initiation, the new findings suggest that the AIS is also a site of complex AP modulation by specific types of ion channels localized to this axonal domain.
Modeling the Open Macro-Economy of Vietnam

The present macroeconomic model aims to provide a theory-consistent representation of the general structure of the Viet Nam economy and, as such, it offers real and financial sector forecasting and policy simulation capabilities targeted to the needs of the State Bank of Viet Nam. The model serves a dual purpose. First, it provides a framework for making rational and consistent predictions about Viet Nam's overall economic activity, the standard components of the balance of payments, and the production and expenditure concepts of the national accounts. Secondly, it offers a means of quantitatively evaluating the impact of exchange rate policies and other policy changes on the Vietnamese economy, and assessing the feedback effects that changes in key macroeconomic variables of the economy produce in other sectors. The modeling procedure has sought to account for the structure of the Viet Nam economy, the availability of data, and the degree of stability of time-series estimates of parameters during the country's transition process. The present model therefore aims to provide a mechanism to link policies and targets while, at the same time, providing an easy and adaptable means of both forecasting key macroeconomic variables and simulating the interrelationships between economic policy initiatives.
Positive Autoregulation of a KNOX Gene Is Essential for Shoot Apical Meristem Maintenance in Rice[W][OA]

This work reveals that rice KNOX genes OSH1 and OSH15 are required for shoot apical meristem (SAM) formation and maintenance and that KNOX gene expression is positively and directly regulated by OSH1 through evolutionarily conserved cis-elements. This is thought to be a novel mechanism that is indispensable for self-maintenance of the SAM. Self-maintenance of the shoot apical meristem (SAM), from which aerial organs are formed throughout the life cycle, is crucial in plant development. Class I Knotted1-like homeobox (KNOX) genes restrict cell differentiation and play an indispensable role in maintaining the SAM. However, the mechanism that positively regulates their expression is unknown. Here, we show that expression of a rice (Oryza sativa) KNOX gene, Oryza sativa homeobox1 (OSH1), is positively regulated by direct autoregulation. Interestingly, loss-of-function mutants of OSH1 lose the SAM just after germination but can be rescued to grow until reproductive development when they are regenerated from callus. Double mutants of osh1 and d6, a loss-of-function mutant of OSH15, fail to establish the SAM both in embryogenesis and regeneration. Expression analyses in these mutants reveal that KNOX gene expression is positively regulated by the phytohormone cytokinin and by KNOX genes themselves. We demonstrate that OSH1 directly binds to five KNOX loci, including OSH1 and OSH15, through evolutionarily conserved cis-elements and that the positive autoregulation of OSH1 is indispensable for its own expression and SAM maintenance. Thus, the maintenance of the indeterminate state mediated by positive autoregulation of a KNOX gene is an indispensable mechanism of self-maintenance of the SAM.
A comparative analysis of ECG-gated steady state free precession magnetic resonance imaging versus transthoracic echocardiography for evaluation of aortic root dimensions.

PURPOSE Accurate and reproducible measurement of aortic root dimensions is essential to inform clinical decision making. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is the first line test for assessment of the aortic root but has potential limitations due to its limited field of view and restricted acoustic windows. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is considered the "gold standard" technique for assessment of cardiac morphology and recently MRI reference ranges for aortic root dimensions have been published. The purpose of this study was to retrospectively compare aortic root measurements obtained from TTE with those derived from cardiac MRI. MATERIALS AND METHODS Sixty-eight patients (40 males, 28 females) who had undergone both cardiac MRI and TTE imaging within a 4-month interval (mean 62 days) were included. Steady-state-free precession MRI cine imaging was performed with an acquisition plane perpendicular to the aortic root and through the true cross sectional aortic valve plane. A cusp-commissure dimension from inside wall to inside wall in end-diastole was recorded and compared with standardized TTE derived Valsalva sinus measurements. Pearson correlation coefficients and a paired t-test were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS Mean aortic root dimension by TTE was 3.2±0.5 cm and MRI was 3.4±0.4 cm with a Pearson correlation coefficient of >0.7. Mean difference between TTE and MRI was 0.2±0.3 (P<0.001) with MRI producing a consistently higher measure. In four patients with a dilated aortic root by MRI the TTE measurement was within the normal reference range. In patients with a dilated aortic root (n=19) the mean difference was 0.2±0.4 cm (P<0.05) with MRI consistently producing the larger measure. In patients with a non-dilated aortic root t (n=49) the mean difference was 0.2±0.3 cm (P<0.05) with MRI consistently producing the larger measure. CONCLUSIONS There is a high level of correlation between TTE and MRI derived aortic root measurements at the Valsalva sinus level. MRI consistently measures the aortic root dimension higher than TTE which may under diagnose patients with a mildly dilated aortic root. Further investigation is required to properly integrate MRI into imaging assessment algorithms.
THE BEHAVIOR AND TESTING IMPLICATIONS OF CMOS IC LOGIC GATE OPEN CIRCUITS

The electrical and test properties of several logic gate open circuit defect structures were measured. Results indicate that tunneling current across fine geometry discontinuities enables low frequency operation of ICs. No significant capacitive coupling was observed for adjacent metal interconnect or for large metal opens on the gate interconnects. These results indicate the need for different methods of open circuit defect detection during test. I. Introduct ion Structured test methods require thorough knowledge of the defects that cause failure. This study presents data on the electrical characteristics of a common CMOS IC defect, an input open circuit to a logic gate. Individual transistor gate terminal opens are not considered. Data show that logic gate input open circuit defects for narrow interconnect discontinuities allow circuit functionality at frequencies from DC into the MHz region. Evidence supports electron tunneling as the basic mechanism for circuit functionality in the presence of this type of defect. This suggests that the open-circuited logic gate defect should be treated as a delay fault in order to guarantee detection. Open circuit defects with wide dimensions exhibited no signal coupling. Data also show the conditions under which quiescent power supply current (IDD,) tests can detect open circuit logic gate inputs. In the late 1980s two groups fabricated circuits or tested existing circuits with specific types of open circuits [l, 21. Others studied transistor-level open circuit phenomena and proposed design changes to reduce the occurrence of opens [3, 41. It was demonstrated that some open circuits are not detected by conventional stuck-at test methodologies.
Overview of real-time power management strategies in DC microgrids with emphasis on distributed control

In DC microgrids, effective power management in real time is important for optimum management of energy, resources, storage elements and loads. Power imbalance in the grid may also lead to fluctuation of grid voltage, which will adversely affect the reliability of the microgrid and may damage the loads. In this paper, different strategies for power management in the DC microgrids will be classified and reviewed. Emphasis will be given to distributed power management strategies, which are reliable and also cost-effective and thus are more suitable for remote Indian villages.
A Note on Arrow's Postulates for a Social Welfare Function

THE economist K. J. Arrow (1951) has proved that under general circumstances there does not exist any social welfare function which simultaneously satisfies a system of five axioms which constitute a test of its "reasonableness. " The axioms which are proved to be inconsistent by the well-known Possibility Theorem are the following: (1) existence of at least three alternatives and at least two individuals; (2) positive association of social and individual values; (3) independence of irrelevant alternatives; (4) citizen's sovereignty; (5) non-dictatorship. Each of these axioms has been the object of some discussion around the question "does it provide a criterion of reasonableness? " Another question that has arisen as a logical consequence of the previous one is "how restrictive is it? "' In this note it is suggested that the axiom on the positive association of social and individual values is more restrictive than commonly thought :2 it is shown, in fact, that the axiom becomes irrelevant if the set of alternatives available for choice is a connected set,3 insofar as the
INDUSTRIAL LOCATION AT A LOCAL LEVEL: COMMENTS ON THE TERRITORIAL LEVEL OF THE ANALYSIS

This paper contributes to the existing literature on industrial location by discussing the territorial levels that are used in location analysis. We use data for new manufacturing firms and analyse the advantages and disadvantages of performing location analyses at three levels: municipality, county and travel-to-work areas. We show that location determinants vary according to the territorial level used in the analysis and conclude that the level at which the investigation is performed should be carefully selected.
Linking to global logistics value chains: an imperative for developing countries

Advanced Logistics Services (ALSs) have emerged as an indispensable element in Global Value Chains (GVCs). By adapting to shipper demand, logistics services providers facilitate the expansion of world trade. Firms focus on cost-cutting measures, including outsourcing of logistics activities. This often means outsourcing some of their logistics activities to so-called Third- and Fourth-Party Logistics (3PL or 4PL) providers. This paper focuses on the role of ALS in connection to GVCs or Global Production Networks (GPNs). The term 'Logistics Value Chain' (LVC) is used to illustrate the complex market structure and division of work that has emerged between various service providers in the market for ALS. Recent development in East Asia, and also in other developing economies, is similar to what happened in western Europe over the past 20 years. Logistics Service Providers (LSPs) can take advantage of these experiences, well-functioning LVCs rely on two components: (1) committed and effective transport and Customs authorities and related policy-making; and (2) competitive logistics services. These two are essential for local producers – typically Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) – to connect to GPNs. The absence of effective logistics markets is a serious obstacle for firms wishing to internationalise, which often leads to sustained poverty.
Complementation of non-flagellate Salmonella mutants.

SUMMARY: Selection for resistance to phage χ led to the isolation from Salmonella typhimurium strain LT2 of fifteen non-flagellate (fla -) mutants due to spontaneous mutation at sites such that H 1 could be co-transduced with fla +. Treatment with phage P22 grown on LT2 fla + evoked swarms, i.e. motile (fla +) transductant clones, from all fifteen fla - mutants and from a fla - strain of S. paratyphi B; and also evoked trails, i.e. fla + abortive transductants, from all these mutants except four. When the fla - strains were crossed with each other by transduction all pairs yielded fla + clones, which indicated that none of the mutated sites was identical with, or overlapped, any other. In most pairs the appearance of trails showed that abortive transductants, of constitution fla1-fla2+/fla1+fla2- , were flagellate, as a result of complementation. The mutants fell into five groups, such that mutants of any one group complemented mutants of all other groups; these groups perhaps correspond to five fla genes. Some pairs of the ten strains of group A complemented, perhaps through intragenic complementation.
Unhealthy Societies: The Afflictions of Inequality

Chapter 1. Introduction The Health of Societies Chapter 2. Health becomes a social science Chapter 3. Rising life expectancy and the epidemiological transition Health Inequalities Within Societies Chapter 4. The problem of health inequalities Chapter 5. Income distribution and health, Social Cohesion and Social Conflict Chapter 6. A small town in the USA, war-time Britain, Eastern Europe and Japan Chapter 7. An anthropology of social cohesion Chapter 8. The symptoms of disintegration How Society Kills Chapter 9. The psycho-social causes of illness Chapter 10. Baboons, Civil Servants and children's height Redistribution, Economic Growth and the Quality of Life Chapter 11. Social capital: putting Humpty together again
Towards Integrated Cooperative Information: Evidence in the Industry of Healthcare Products

In recent years, facing the new business environment, the necessity of doing integrated reports has emerged. Companies of the healthcare industry have been pioneers and instigators in their making. For this information to be compared, an International Integrated Reporting Framework (IIRF) has recently been created. In this context, the purpose of this article is to provide evidence of the existent gap between the contents to be included according to such framework and the one writers of the current integrated reports in the healthcare industry understand. In order to achieve this, information included on these reports was analyzed and compared with the IIRF’s suggestions. Results show the existent gap up until now in this industry and the need to continue working on this field.
Exaggerated apoptosis and NF‐KB activation in pancreatic and tracheal cystic fibrosis cells

The pathophysiologic mechanisms causing inflammation in cystic fibrosis (CF) remain obscure. The effects of proapoptotic agents on pancreatic and tracheal cell lines expressing wild‐type CFTR (PANC‐1 and NT‐1, respectively) or the homozygous CFTR∆F508 mutation (CFPAC‐1 and CFT‐2, respectively) were assessed. An increased susceptibility to apoptosis was observed in CFPAC‐1 and CFT‐2 cells. Apoptosis was reduced by treatment with a pan‐caspase inhibitor and by incubation at 27°C, allowing recruitment of CFTR∆F508 at the plasma membrane. Inhibition of CFTR function in wild‐type cells induced an increase of apoptosis. Apoptosis in CFPAC‐1, but not in CFT‐2 cells, was associated with overexpression of the proinflammatory mediators inter‐leukin‐6 and interleukin‐8. In CF cells, apoptosis was linked to NF‐KB pathway activation. Conditioned medium from actinomycin D‐treated CFPAC‐1 cells produced an increase in apoptosis of wild‐type cells, suggesting that proinflammatory mediators secreted by mutant cells promote apoptosis. This was confirmed through the induction of apoptosis in wild‐type cells by exogenous interleu‐kin‐6 and interleukin‐8. These results suggest that CFTR∆F508 mutation, apoptosis, and activation of the NF‐KB pathway contribute to the self‐perpetuating inflammatory cycle, at least in pancreatic cells, and provide evidence that excessive apoptosis may account for the exaggerated proinflammatory response observed in CF patients. —Rottner, R. , Kunzelmann, C. , Mergey, M. , Freyssinet, J‐M. , Martínez, M. C. Exaggerated apoptosis and NF‐KB activation in pancreatic and tracheal cystic fibrosis cells. FASEB J. 21, 2939–2948 (2007)