Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Three endpoints of in vivo tumour radiobiology and their statistical estimation

Purpose: To review the existing endpoints of tumour growth delay assays in experimental radiobiology with an emphasis on their efficient estimation for statistically significant identification of the treatment effect. To mathematically define doubling time (DT), tumour-growth delay (TGD) and cancer-cell surviving fraction (SF) in vivo using exponential growth and regrowth models with tumour volume measurements obtained from animal experiments. Materials and methods: A statistical model-based approach is used to define and efficiently estimate the three endpoints of tumour therapy in experimental cancer research. Results: The log scale is advocated for plotting the tumour volume data and the respective analysis. Therefore, the geometric mean should be used to display the mean tumour volume data, and the group comparison should be a t-test for the log volume to comply with the Gaussian-distribution assumption. The relationship between cancer-cell SF, TGD and rate of growth is rigorously established. The widespread formula for cell kill is corrected; it has been rigorously shown that TGD is the difference between DTs. The software for the tumour growth delay analysis based on the mixed modeling approach with a complete set of instructions and example can be found on the author's webpage. Conclusions: The existing practice for TGD data analysis from animal experiments suffers from imprecision and large standard errors that yield low power and statistically insignificant treatment effect. This practice should be replaced with a model-based statistical analysis on the log scale.
ADVANCES IN ENERGY FORECASTING MODELS BASED ON ENGINEERING ECONOMICS

New energy efficiency policies have been introduced around the world. Historically, most energy models were reasonably equipped to assess the impact of classical policies, such as a subsidy or change in taxation. However, these tools are often insufficient to assess the impact of alternative policy instruments. We evaluate the so-called engineering economic models used to assess future industrial energy use. Engineering economic models include the level of detail commonly needed to model the new types of policies considered. We explore approaches to improve the realism and policy relevance of engineering economic modeling frameworks. We also explore solutions to strengthen the policy usefulness of engineering economic analysis that can be built from a framework of multidisciplinary cooperation. The review discusses the main modeling approaches currently used and evaluates the weaknesses in current models. We focus on the needs to further improve the models. We identify research priorities for the modeling framework, technology representation in models, policy evaluation, and modeling of decision-making behavior.
Targeting and Processing of Nuclear-encoded Apicoplast Proteins in Plastid Segregation Mutants of Toxoplasma gondii*

The apicoplast is a distinctive organelle associated with apicomplexan parasites, includingPlasmodium sp. (which cause malaria) and Toxoplasma gondii (the causative agent of toxoplasmosis). This unusual structure (acquired by the engulfment of an ancestral alga and retention of the algal plastid) is essential for long-term parasite survival. Similar to other endosymbiotic organelles (mitochondria, chloroplasts), the apicoplast contains proteins that are encoded in the nucleus and post-translationally imported. Translocation across the four membranes surrounding the apicoplast is mediated by an N-terminal bipartite targeting sequence. Previous studies have described a recombinant “poison” that blocks plastid segregation during mitosis, producing parasites that lack an apicoplast and siblings containing a gigantic, nonsegregating plastid. To learn more about this remarkable phenomenon, we examined the localization and processing of the protein produced by this construct. Taking advantage of the ability to isolate apicoplast segregation mutants, we also demonstrated that processing of the transit peptide of nuclear-encoded apicoplast proteins requires plastid-associated activity.
A Framework for Ecopreneurship: Leading Bioneers and Environmental Managers to Ecopreneurship

The author proposes a framework to position ecopreneurship in relation to other forms of environmental management. The framework provides a reference for managers to introduce ecopreneurship. Five basic positions are distinguished according to the degree of environmental orientation of a company's core business and the market impact of the company: environmental administrators, environmental managers, alternative activists, bioneers and ecopreneurs. The author suggests an approach to the qualitative operationalisation of ecopreneurship and to how to assess the position of a company in a classification matrix. The degree of environmental orientation in the company is assessed on the basis of environmental goals and policies, the ecological profile of the range of products and services, the organisation of environmental management in the company and the communication of environmental issues. The other dimension of ecopreneurship examined, the market impact of the company, is measured on the basis of market share, sales growth and the reactions of competitors. The approach is then applied to seven case studies of companies. The case studies show that the basic concept of ecopreneurship is applicable. The company representatives saw the approach as helpful in clarifying their position in ecopreneurial terms. The main benefit of the approach is that it provides a framework for self-assessment and indications for improvement. (Publication abstract)
Glucose and nonmaintained pH decrease expression of the accessory gene regulator (agr) in Staphylococcus aureus

The effect of glucose on accessory gene regulator (agr) expression in Staphylococcus aureus was examined. agr is a global regulator that affects the expression of numerous genes, including those for some factors implicated in virulence, such as toxic shock syndrome toxin 1, alpha-hemolysin, and protein A. The agr locus determines two divergent transcripts, designated RNAII and RNAIII. RNAII contains four open reading frames (agrABCD), and RNAIII encodes delta-hemolysin. The mechanisms responsible for agr-mediated regulation are not well understood, but it appears that the RNAIII transcript plays a central role in the regulation of a number of target genes, including those for alpha-hemolysin (hla), beta-hemolysin (hlb), protein A (spa), and staphylococcal enterotoxin B (seb+). In this study, S. aureus cultures were grown either in a shake flask system with a complex medium or in a fermentor system with a completely defined medium in which the pH and glucose concentration were maintained. Northern (RNA) blot analysis revealed that a dramatic reduction in agr expression was apparent only when the cultures contained glucose and when the pH was 5.5 or was not maintained. The effect of glucose on two agr target genes, sec+ and hla, was also studied. Glucose-containing cultures produced less sec+ and hla mRNAs at maintained pH (6.5). In addition, the glucose effect on sec+ and hla was enhanced under conditions that inhibited agr expression (i.e., pH 5.5 or a nonmaintained pH).
Major stressful life events in relation to prevalence of undetected type 2 diabetes: the Hoorn Study.

OBJECTIVE To test whether chronic psychological stress is positively associated 1) with the prevalence of type 2 diabetes; 2) with visceral adiposity; and to test whether 3) the relationship between stress and diabetes is mainly mediated by visceral adiposity RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS In a general Caucasian population aged 50-74 years without a history of diabetes (n = 2,262), the number of major stressful life events experienced during the past 5 years was assessed by self-report before the administration of an oral glucose tolerance test. RESULTS Diabetes was newly diagnosed among 5% of the subjects. The number of stressful events was positively associated with the prevalence of hitherto undetected diabetes. The highest quintile had a 1.6-fold (95% CI 1.0-2.6) increased probability of undetected diabetes compared with the remaining four quintiles (P<0.05 by logistical regression analysis adjusted for age and sex). This increased probability remained significant after additional adjustment for family history of diabetes, heavy alcohol consumption, physical activity, and low level of education. The number of stressful events was weakly positively associated with waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) (men, P<0.01; women, P = 0.05 by multiple regression analysis adjusted for age). The age- and sex-adjusted association between stress and diabetes was only marginally reduced by adding the WHR into the logistical regression model (odds ratio 1.5 [0.9-2.4]; P = 0.08). CONCLUSIONS These cross-sectional findings are partially consistent with Björntorp's theory that stressful life events, which indicate chronic psychological stress, are indeed associated with undetected type 2 diabetes and with visceral adiposity. However, in this white middle-aged population, visceral adiposity does not seem to be the main link between stress and diabetes.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa Rugose Small-Colony Variants Have Adaptations That Likely Promote Persistence in the Cystic Fibrosis Lung

ABSTRACT Pseudomonas aeruginosa is recognized for its ability to colonize diverse habitats, ranging from soil to immunocompromised people. The formation of surface-associated communities called biofilms is one factor thought to enhance colonization and persistence in these diverse environments. Another factor is the ability of P. aeruginosa to diversify genetically, generating phenotypically distinct subpopulations. One manifestation of diversification is the appearance of colony morphology variants on solid medium. Both laboratory biofilm growth and chronic cystic fibrosis (CF) airway infections produce rugose small-colony variants (RSCVs) characterized by wrinkled, small colonies and an elevated capacity to form biofilms. Previous reports vary on the characteristics attributable to RSCVs. Here we report a detailed comparison of clonally related wild-type and RSCV strains isolated from both CF sputum and laboratory biofilm cultures. The clinical RSCV had many characteristics in common with biofilm RSCVs. Transcriptional profiling and Biolog phenotypic analysis revealed that RSCVs display increased expression of the pel and psl polysaccharide gene clusters, decreased expression of motility functions, and a defect in growth on some amino acid and tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates as sole carbon sources. RSCVs also elicited a reduced chemokine response from polarized airway epithelium cells compared to wild-type strains. A common feature of all RSCVs analyzed in this study is increased levels of the intracellular signaling molecule cyclic di-GMP (c-di-GMP). To assess the global transcriptional effects of elevated c-di-GMP levels, we engineered an RSCV strain that had elevated c-di-GMP levels but did not autoaggregate. Our results showed that about 50 genes are differentially expressed in response to elevated intracellular c-di-GMP levels. Among these genes are the pel and psl genes, which are upregulated, and flagellum and pilus genes, which are downregulated. RSCV traits such as increased exopolysaccharide production leading to antibiotic tolerance, altered metabolism, and reduced immunogenicity may contribute to increased persistence in biofilms and in the airways of CF lungs.
The long-term consequences of war: the experience of World War II

Abstract Seven hundred and thirty-one World War II and Korean War veterans completed a questionnaire about their experiences and their current psychological reactions to the war. Nineteen percent scored above the cut-off points for both the General Health Questionnaire and the (war-related) Impact of Event Scale, demonstrating that, even over 50 years after the event, many veterans still experience problems relating to their war experiences. Psychological distress was in part directly related to particular experiences, but intrusion and avoidance both played an important role as mediating variables. Other factors, such as prisoner of war (POW) status, type of service, rank, and illness were also considered. The findings indicate that the effects of a traumatic experience such as war can persist into later life.
Voters' Perceptions of Policy Convergence and the Short‐term Opportunities of Anti‐immigrant Parties: Examples from Sweden

In contrast to previous studies on the political opportunity structures of anti-immigrant parties, this article argues that voters’ perceptions of policy convergence between mainstream alternatives affect their short-term propensity of supporting such partisan challengers. Drawing on leading research in the field, two hypotheses about voters’ perceptions of policy convergence, in two policy areas (economic-redistribution and immigration), are presented. The main findings in the article suggest that policy convergence between mainstream parties has a more immediate impact on the electorate than commonly recognised. Building on unique data from Sweden, the article shows that perceived convergence between Swedish mainstream parties in the field of immigration policy increases potential support for the anti-immigrant party, the Sweden Democrats (SD). Yet the results are the opposite when it comes to perceptions of convergence in the field of economic-distributive policies. In contrast to widespread assumptions, the article thus finds that policy convergence between mainstream parties only appears to create short-term opportunities for anti-immigrant parties if it takes place on their own policy turf. These results indicate, in other words, that the potential electorate of the SD – which is a wider group than hard-core xenophobes – is largely driven by preferences about immigration policy, rather than the short-term urge to protest against mainstream parties. The article, therefore, concludes that the cordon sanitaire to isolate the SD in Sweden – which is underpinned by de facto convergence between mainstream parties on immigration policy – could improve, an is unlikely to curb, the short-term electoral opportunities of this party.
Do Foreigners Deserve Rights? Determinants of Public Views Towards Foreigners in Germany and Israel

In the present paper we compare public views regarding the equality of rights foreigners deserve in Germany and Israel using data from two national representative samples (ALLBUS in Germany, 1996 and Attitudes Towards Minorities Survey in Israel, 1999). The data reveal that anti-immigrant sentiments (as expressed by the denial to grant rights to foreign workers) are more pronounced in Israel than in Germany. These findings hold even after controlling for individual socio-economic and demographic characteristics and differential levels of threat. In both countries, support for foreigners' rights tend to increase with level of education and to decline with age. In Germany, support for rights is also affected by income (positively), right-wing orientation (negatively), and residence in East Germany (negatively). In both countries, the most important determinant of support for foreigners' rights is the perception of threat. The greater the threat the more likely citizens are to deny rights to labour migrants. It should be noted, however, that the impact of threat on attitudes towards foreigners'rights as well as the impact of political orientation (right-wing) is more pronounced in Germany than in Israel. While threat is the more important determinant of anti-foreigner sentiments in both societies, it only partially intervenes between individual characteristics and attitudes toward foreigners' rights
The Dilemma of Growth: Understanding Venture Size Choices of Women Entrepreneurs

In recent years the number of women‐owned firms with employees has expanded at three times the rate of all employer firms. Yet women remain underrepresented in their proportion of high‐growth firms. A number of plausible explanations exist. To develop richer insights, a two‐stage research project was undertaken. A mail survey was sent to a sample of female entrepreneurs to assess motives, obstacles, goals and aspirations, needs, and business identity. Based on the survey results, follow‐up, in‐depth interviews were conducted with entrepreneurs, selecting equally from modest‐growth and high‐growth ventures. In terms of quantitative findings, growth orientation was associated with whether a woman was “pushed” or “pulled” into entrepreneurship, was motivated by wealth or achievement factors, had a strong women's identity in the venture, had equity partners, and believed women faced unique selling obstacles. The qualitative research made clear that modest‐ and high‐growth entrepreneurs differ in how they view themselves, their families, their ventures, and the larger environment. The results of both stages suggest that growth is a deliberate choice and that women have a clear sense of the costs and benefits of growth and make careful trade‐off decisions.
General-Equilibrium Implications Of International Product-Market Competition For Jobs And Wages

This paper extends the insight that trade increases international product-market competition to show that in a world with an endogenous natural rate of unemployment, countries can benefit through a decline in the natural rate. When the number of firms in the integrated world market is greater than the number of firms in each economy in autarky, all trading nations in a world of identical factor proportions experience a decline in equilibrium unemployment. When factor proportions differ, equilibrium unemployment must fall in the labor-abundant country but may rise or decline in the capital-abundant country.
On monitoring financial stress index with extreme value theory

Banking activities have become more complex and diverse in recent years. This increasing complexity has been accompanied by a process of innovation in how banking institutions measure and monitor their exposure to different kinds of risk. Banking crises and their determinants have been the subject of widespread empirical research in the last few years (Demirgüç-Kunt and Detragiache 1997, 1998, 1999, Kaminsky 1998, Hardy and Pazarbasioglu 1999, Hutchison and McDill 1999). Binary variables, which signal whether a banking sector is in a crisis or not, are frequently used in the literature to describe the condition of banking sectors in emerging markets (Goldstein et al. 2000). Recently, stressful events have been occurring with alarming regularity and with severe impacts. In the last 15 years alone there have been about 12 stress events, some examples of which are the Gulf War, the Asian Crisis, the Russian Default, September 11, 2001, and the Argentine default. The most recent are the subprime crisis in 2007 in the USA followed by the financial crisis of the most important investment banks. In the literature on financial crises, many procedures have been developed to tackle the problem of risk prediction and many researchers have questioned the predictability of crises and the appropriateness of early warning indicators. Eichengreen et al. (1995, 1996) and Kaminsky and Reinhart (1999) combined the sample mean and the standard deviation (Std) to compute an index able to identify a crises period when it exceeds a specified threshold. The latter is in terms of a multiple Std(1, 2) above the mean based on the assumption that the index follows a normal distribution. This approach has been criticized for its arbitrariness in the choice of the crisis threshold since the normality assumption does not hold due to fat tails and skewness of the data. The problem is then how to model rare phenomena that lie outside the range of available observations. In such a situation it seems essential to rely on a well-founded methodology. In general, due to the nonnormality of financial indices, we avoid relying on parametric assumptions in identifying thresholds. 2012 iStockphoto LP
Crowding Out in Blood Donation: Was Titmuss Right?

In his seminal 1970 book, The Gift Relationship, Richard Titmuss argued that monetary compensation for donating blood might crowd out the supply of blood donors. To test this claim we carried out a field experiment with three different treatments. In the first treatment subjects were given the opportunity to become blood donors without any compensation. In the second treatment subjects received a payment of SEK 50 (about $7) for becoming blood donors, and in the third treatment subjects could choose between a SEK 50 payment and donating SEK 50 to charity. The results differ markedly between men and women. For men the supply of blood donors is not significantly different among the three experimental groups. For women there is a significant crowding-out effect. The supply of blood donors decreases by almost half when a monetary payment is introduced. There is also a significant effect of allowing individuals to donate the payment to charity, and this effect fully counteracts the crowding-out effect. (JEL: C93, D64, I18, Z13) (c) 2008 by the European Economic Association.
Identification of the Region in Actin-binding Protein that Binds to the Cytoplasmic Domain of Glycoprotein Ibα*

Actin-binding protein (ABP-280) is a component of the submembranous cytoskeleton and interacts with the glycoprotein (GP) Ibα subunit of the GP Ib-IX complex in platelets. In the present studies, we have identified the binding site for GP Ibα in ABP-280. A melanoma cell line lacking ABP-280 was stably transfected with the cDNAs coding for GP Ib-IX, then transiently transfected with cDNA coding for various carboxyl-truncates of ABP-280. Immunocapture assays and co-immunoprecipitation experiments from detergent-lysed cells showed that deletion of the carboxyl-terminal repeats 20-24 of ABP-280 had no effect on GP Ib-IX binding, but deletion of residues 2099 through 2136 within repeat 19 abolished binding. In the yeast two-hybrid system, an ABP-280 fragment comprising repeats 17-19 bound GP Ibα. Deletion from either end abolished binding. Individual or multiple repeats of ABP-280 were expressed as fusion protein in bacteria and purified; structural folding was evaluated, and binding to GP Ib-IX was assessed. Binding depended on the presence of repeats 17-19. None of the individual repeats were able to bind to GP Ib-IX. These findings demonstrate that residues 1850-2136 comprising repeats 17-19 contain the binding site for GP Ib-IX.
Understanding social enterprise: a case study of the childcare sector in Scotland

Purpose – To investigate the application of the social enterprise model to the childcare sector in Scotland and develop a practical model for analysing such social enterprises.Design/methodology/approach – A review of the literature of ideas on social enterprise found in official and academic literature is presented. The concept of “social enterprise” is reviewed with particular reference to features of the childcare sector that relate both generally and specifically to Scotland. Reports the results of a questionnaire survey, conducted in late 2005 and early 2006, involving 81 childcare organizations (27.0 per cent response rate). Findings – The results indicated that about two‐thirds of the organizations operated at just one site, with playgroups tending to be local groups operating in relatively small geographical areas. Reveals that the issue of whether childcare should be free caused mixed but fairly evenly distributed responses, from strong agreement to strong disagreement, but the issue of external s.