Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Multisectoral Networks in Global Governance: Towards a Pluralistic System of Accountability 1

Abstract This paper outlines the elements of a pluralistic system of accountability with regard to one of the most ambitious institutional innovations in global governance: multisectoral public policy networks. These networks bring together the public sector (governments and international organizations), civil society and business around issues ranging from corruption, climate change and fighting malaria to environmental and labour standards. We argue that multisectoral networks should be embedded in a pluralistic system of accountability making use of a combination of accountability mechanisms on a number of dimensions (actors, process, outcomes). The paper discusses some of the key conceptual, empirical and practical challenges of a ‘learning model’ of accountability in networks.
Hierarchical Mixtures of GLMs for Combining Multiple Ground Truths

In real-world machine learning problems it is often the case that the gold-standard for a particular learning problem is not accurately reflected by any one particular data set. For example, when modeling the landing-page quality associated with a search result, labels from human evaluators are often biased towards “brandname” sites, whereas labels derived from conversions can potentially confound search abandonment and successful conversion. In this paper we propose a class of models for characterizing and isolating the relative bias of a prediction problem across multiple data sets. These models can be used either as tools for data analysis, with the goal of calculating the divergence to the hypothetical gold-standard, or as smoothing procedures aimed at capturing as much shared structure between the domains as possible.
Economic Costs and Benefits of Combating Terrorism in the Transport Sector

Countering the risks of terrorism imposes enormous costs. While it is impossible to remove completely the risk of terrorist attacks in the transport sector, measures designed to counter terrorism can add certainty and stability to the global economy, raise investor confidence and facilitate trade. Modelling suggests productivity losses associated with the increasing threat of terrorism can be more than offset by the positive effects of enhanced security. Nations have much to gain from cooperating to reduce the risk of terrorism.
Gait recognition using low spatial and temporal resolution videos

Due to limited transmission bandwidth and storage capacity, the gait sequences captured by a Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) camera are recorded at low frame-rates with low spatial resolution, which significantly affect the performance of a gait recognition method. Thus, this paper proposes a gait recognition method which uses dual-tree complex wavelet transform for spatial resolution enhancement of the input low resolution silhouettes. To achieve invariance to low frame-rate gait sequences, the method determines seven key frames from a gait sequence based on silhouette matching by weighted Krawtchouk moments to form a Gait Keyframe Image (GKI). The subjects are identified based on a similarity score obtained by Procrustes image distance between the gallery and probe GKIs. Experimental analysis on OU-ISIR gait dataset D demonstrates the efficacy of the method.
Development of bovine embryos in single in vitro production (sIVP) systems

Single in vitro production (sIVP) of embryos enables the study of developmental parameters of individual oocytes or embryos. Because several previously published sIVP systems showed varying levels of success, we attempted to design a simple, semidefined sIVP system that resulted in developmental rates similar to those obtained through group production (gIVP). In a 5 × 3 × 4 factorial experiment, 4200 oocytes were randomly assigned to combinations of various maturation (sIVM), fertilization (sIVF), and culture (sIVC) treatments based on media TCM199 (5 treatments), TALP (3 treatments), and SOF/aa/BSA (4 treatments), respectively. All sIVP steps were carried out in 10–12 μl drops under oil. Embryo development to blastocyst on days 7 and 8 of culture was determined and blastocyst cell numbers measured as an indicator of embryo quality. No interaction was found within any combination of sIVM, sIVF and sIVC treatments. Also, there was no difference in percentage of development to various stages for embryos in any of the sIVM or sIVF treatments (over all treatment combinations). However, when treatment combinations included charcoal‐treated serum addition on day 5 of culture, a significant increase in development (39.0% total blastocysts/total oocytes vs. 22.7, 23.8 and 23.5% for the other 3 sIVC treatments, respectively; P < 0.001) and decrease in mean cell number (114.2 vs. 149.1, 150.5 and 143.7 cells, respectively; P < 0.001) was observed. These results are comparable to those routinely obtained in this laboratory with gIVP and establish standard conditions for individual embryo production. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 51:143–147, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cleft Lip Repair: Through the Looking Glass

AbstractThe goal of cleft lip repair is an anatomic re-creation of the normal lip elements with no vertical discrepancy between the affected and normal sides of the central philtral element. Frequently, the repaired lip appears short in the vertical dimension despite careful preoperative measurements and intraoperative maneuvers. Some may be due to postoperative scar contraction, but some may be due to a failure to consider the internal surface when reconstructing the lip. Much literature has been dedicated to marking and repairing the skin and muscle of the lip; however, scant consideration has been given to careful reapproximation of the mucosal surface. The present study sought to review the literature, regarding mucosal reapproximation in unilateral cleft lip repair and to better describe closure of the mucosal surface to minimize tension and provide adequate lip length.
Parallel polyploid speciation: distinct sympatric gene‐pools of recurrently derived allo‐octoploid Asplenium ferns

Although polyploidy is widespread, its significance to the generation of biodiversity remains unclear. Many polyploids have been derived recurrently. For a particular polyploid, gene‐flow between the products of independent origin is typical where they come into contact. Here, we use AFLP DNA‐fingerprinting and chloroplast DNA sequences to demonstrate parallel polyploid speciation within both of the ferns Asplenium cimmeriorum and A. gracillimum. Both of these taxa comprise at least two allopolyploids, recurrently derived from the same progenitor pair. Each of these allopolyploids remain genetically distinguishable even with extensive sympatry, and could therefore be considered distinct species. To our knowledge, parallel speciation on this scale amongst recurrent polyploids has not been previously reported. With their parallel origins, these ‘evolutionary replicates’ provide an unrivalled opportunity to investigate how the reproductive barriers and ecological differentiation necessary for speciation arise following polyploidy.
Association between methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene promoter hypermethylation and the risk of idiopathic male infertility

Epigenetics has become a major field of reproductive medicine after the epigenetic regulation of gene expression was discovered. The aim of this study was to find out whether or not methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene promoter hypermethylation in the spermatozoa of men who were offered assisted reproduction is associated with idiopathic male infertility. Sperm DNAs from 40 idiopathic infertile men with normozoospermia and 40 controls consisting of healthy fertile men were isolated. Following the modification of DNAs by sodium bisulphite, the methylation status of the MTHFR gene promoter was quantified by pyrosequencing. No significant differences were observed between the clinical characteristics of patients and controls. The percentage of MTHFR promoter methylation in infertile men with normozoospermia (11%) was significantly higher than that in the healthy control (4.3%) group (p = .01). A 9.5% of methylation level was determined via receiver operator characteristic (ROC) analysis as the cut‐off value. There were 21 (53%) hypermethylated men among the infertile men and 2 (5%) in the control group (p = .0001). The intragroup analysis of the infertile group did not reveal any statistically significant differences in terms of overall clinical characteristics between hyper‐ and normo‐methylated infertile men. Our results suggest that epigenetic silencing (hypermethylation) of MTHFR could result in an elevated risk of male infertility.
Internationalization and Entry Modes: A Multitheoretical Framework and Research Propositions

Although several aspects of the internationalization process have been addressed in the literature, there is a lack of a unified theoretical framework that explains the internationalization process, entry modes, and timing strategies. This article synthesizes several foundational theories on modes of global entry and offers a conceptual framework of the internationalization process. Throughout the article, the authors identify several propositions based on the proposed theoretical framework.
Role of virus and host variables in virus persistence or immunopathological disease caused by a non-cytolytic virus.

C57BL/6 mice infected with increasing doses of the Armstrong isolate of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) or a variant Cl 13-Armstrong, derived from LCMV-Armstrong, exhibited distinct phenotypes with respect to clearance of virus and to cytotoxic CD8+ T cell (CTL)-dependent immunopathological disease. Low (10(2) p.f. u. ) and high doses (10(7) p.f. u. ) of LCMV-Armstrong were cleared rapidly from immunocompetent mice. Inoculation of a high dose (10(7) p.f. u. ) of LCMV Cl 13-Armstrong temporarily induced a partial deletion of the antiviral CTL precursors (CTL-p) leading to chronic infection in several organs. Although virus was cleared from most organs by day 90-150 post-infection, it persisted in the kidney. The few remaining CTL-p were able to expand and eventually clear the virus. Systemic viral titres correlated inversely with the number of CTL-p. However, in contrast LCMV-Docile injected at high dose was able to cause complete exhaustion of CTL-p resulting in long term viral persistence. LCMV-Aggressive, derived from the same parental LCMV-WE (UBC) as Docile, showed a phenotype comparable to wild-type virus. Doses of < 10(7) p.f. u. of both Armstrong virus and of Cl 13-Armstrong failed to exhaust CTL-p and caused lethal CD8+ T cell-dependent choriomeningitis and a substantial footpad swelling after local infection. By contrast, doses > 10(3) p.f. u. of LCMV-Docile failed to cause lethal choriomeningitis in C57BL/6 mice. When Cl 13-Armstrong virus (but not LCMV-Armstrong) was injected intravenously in addition to intracerebrally or into the foot, the local immunopathology was abrogated in a dose-dependent fashion. The suppression of immunopathology paralleled the extent of exhaustion of the specific CD8+ T cell response. Nucleotide sequence analysis of the viral S-RNA fragments coding for CTL epitopes in H-2b mice revealed an asparagine to serine change of amino acid 280 in the CTL epitope 275-286 of the LCMV-Docile glycoprotein (GP) in comparison to LCMV-Aggressive or wild-type WE. This change reduced overall CTL activity and thereby probably contributes to exhaustion of CTL responses in C57BL/6 (H-2b) mice. Thus, local versus systemic antigen distribution, viral characteristics and immunological parameters determine induction and exhaustion of CD8+ T cells and the course and extent of immunopathological disease.
The dynamics of neurological disease: integrating computational, experimental and clinical neuroscience

There is a vast (and rapidly growing) amount of experimental and clinical data of the nervous system at very diverse spatial scales of activity (e.g. from sub‐cellular through to whole organ), with many neurological disorders characterized by oscillations in neural activity across these disparate scales. Computer modelling and the development of associated mathematical theories provide us with a unique opportunity to integrate information from across these diverse scales of activity; leading to explanations of the potential mechanisms underlying the time‐evolving dynamics and, more importantly, allowing the development of new hypotheses regarding neural function that may be tested experimentally and ultimately translated into the clinic. The purpose of this special issue is to present an overview of current integrative research in the areas of epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease and schizophrenia, where multidisciplinary relationships involving theory, experimental and clinical research are becoming increasingly established.
Quantitative assessment of fluoride release and recharge ability of different restorative materials in different media: an in vitro study.

OBJECTIVE To measure fluoride release and recharge ability of restorative materials in deionised water, artificial saliva and lactic acid. MATERIALS AND METHODS Pellets were prepared from GC2, Ketac N100 and Beautifil II. Each pellets were individually immersed in 10 ml deionised water, artificial saliva or lactic acid as per respective subgroup for 24 h and then elutes were collected. Specimens were reimmersed in respective container. Fluoride released was analysed after 24 h, 7(th) and 15(th) day. On 15(th) day all specimens were exposed to 1.23% APF gel and fluoride release in respective solution was measured on 16(th), 22(nd), 30(th) day. RESULT Fluoride release was more after 24 h for all materials in all media then decrease gradually. GC2 shows more fluoride release than Ketac N100 at 24 hours and on 7(th) day but onwards Ketac N100 released significantly more fluoride. Beautifil II showed least fluoride release at all measured intervals in all media. Order of fluoride release in media was lactic acid > deionised water > artificial saliva for all materials. CONCLUSION GICs are smart material which release more fluoride when environment become more acidic and also show tendency to recharge which helps clinically in caries risk children.
Controlled structural variations in templated uranium sulfates.

A series of experiments in the UO(2)(CH(3)CO(2))(2). 2H(2)O/H(2)SO(4)/1-(2-aminoethyl)piperazine/H(2)O system were conducted to determine the effects of variation in initial reactant concentrations on the reaction products. Several reaction gels were produced, in which the composition varied from 16:80:4:500 UO(2)(CH(3)CO(2))(2). 2H(2)O/H(2)SO(4)/1-(2-aminoethyl)piperazine/H(2)O to 4:92:4:500 UO(2)(CH(3)CO(2))(2). 2H(2)O/H(2)SO(4)/1-(2-aminoethyl)piperazine/H(2)O. Single crystals of two new organically templated uranium sulfates, [N(3)C(6)H(18)](2)[(UO(2))(5)(H(2)O)(SO(4))(8)]. 5H(2)O and [N(3)C(6)H(18)][(UO(2))(2)(H(2)O)(SO(4))(3)(HSO(4))]. 4.5H(2)O, were isolated. Both compounds exhibit structures in which the inorganic frameworks are two-dimensional and the protonated amines reside between layers, participating in extensive hydrogen bonding. The composition and structure of each compound is dependent on the nature of the starting concentrations. Crystal data: for [N(3)C(6)H(18)](2)[(UO(2))(5)(H(2)O)(SO(4))(8)]. 5H(2)O, monoclinic, space group P2(1)/n (No. 14), a = 21.5597(3) A, b = 10.2901(2) A, c = 22.8403(3) A, beta = 96.7436(7) degrees, and Z = 4; for [N(3)C(6)H(18)][(UO(2))(2)(H(2)O)(SO(4))(3)(HSO(4))]. 4.5H(2)O, monoclinic, space group P2(1)/a (No. 14), a = 15.7673(4) A, b = 10.5813(3) A, c = 16.7710(5) A, beta = 99.9216(9) degrees, and Z = 4.
Biocompatibility of Peritoneal Dialysis Fluids: Long-term Exposure of Nonuremic Rats

Objectives Long-term peritoneal dialysis (PD) leads to structural and functional changes in the peritoneum. The aim of the present study was to investigate the long-term effects of PD fluid components, glucose and glucose degradation products (GDP), and lactate-buffered solution on morphology and transport characteristics in a nonuremic rat model. Methods Rats were subjected to two daily intraperitoneal injections (20 mL/day) during 12 weeks of one of the following: commercial PD fluid (Gambrosol, 4%; Gambro AB, Lund, Sweden), commercial PD fluid with low GDP levels (Gambrosol trio, 4%; Gambro AB), sterile-filtered PD fluid (4%) without GDP, or a glucose-free lactate-buffered PD fluid. Punctured and untreated controls were used. Following exposure, the rats underwent a single 4-hour PD dwell (30 mL, 4% glucose) to determine peritoneal function. Additionally, submesothelial tissue thickness, percentage of high mesothelial cells (perpendicular diameter > 2 μm), vascular density, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and transforming growth factor (TGF) β1 mRNA expression were determined. Submesothelial collagen concentration was estimated by van Gieson staining. Results Submesothelial tissue thickness and vascular density, mediated by VEGF and TGFβ production, in the diaphragmatic peritoneum increased significantly in rats exposed to any PD fluid. Gambrosol induced a marked increased fibrosis of the hepatic peritoneum. A significant increase in high mesothelial cells was observed in the Gambrosol group only. Net ultrafiltration was reduced in the Gambrosol and in the glucose-free groups compared to untreated controls. Small solute transport was unchanged, but all groups exposed to fluids showed significantly increased lymph flow. Conclusions Our results show that long-term exposure to different components of PD fluids leads to mesothelial cell damage, submesothelial fibrosis, and neoangiogenesis. Mesothelial cell damage could be connected to the presence of GDP; the other changes were similar for all fluids. Peritoneal transport characteristics did not change in any consistent way and the neoangiogenesis observed was not paralleled by increased solute transport.
Evaluation of unrestricted somatic stem cells as a feeder layer to support undifferentiated embryonic stem cells

The use of unrestricted somatic stem cells (USSCs) holds great promise for future clinical applications. Conventionally, mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) or other animal‐based feeder layers are used to support embryonic stem cell (ESC) growth; the use of such feeder cells increases the risk of retroviral and other pathogenic infection in clinical trials. Implementation of a human‐based feeder layer, such as hUSSCs that are isolated from human sources, lowers such risks. Isolated cord blood USSCs derived from various donors were used as a novel, supportive feeder layer for growth of C4mES cells (Royan C4 ESCs). Complete cellular characterization using immunocytochemical and flow cytometric methods were performed on murine ESCs (mESCs) and hUSSCs. mESCs cultured on hUSSCs showed similar cellular morphology and presented the same cell markers of undifferentiated mESC as would have been observed in mESCs grown on MEFs. Our data revealed these cells had negative expression of Stat3, Sox2, and Fgf4 genes while showing positive expression for Pou5f1, Nanog, Rex1, Brachyury, Lif, Lifr, Tert, B2m, and Bmp4 genes. Moreover, mESCs cultured on hUSSCs exhibited proven differentiation potential to germ cell layers showing normal karyotype. The major advantage of hUSSCs is their ability to be continuously cultured for at least 50 passages. We have also found that hUSSCs have the potential to provide ESC support from the early moments of isolation. Further study of hUSSC as a novel human feeder layer may lead to their incorporation into clinical methods, making them a vital part of the application of human ESCs in clinical cell therapy. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 79: 709–718, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Determinants of Work‐at‐Home Arrangements for German Employees

Flexible work arrangements such as allowing employees to work at home are increasingly widespread among firms. Using individual-level data from 10,884 German employees, this paper analyses the determinants of working at home. The analysis is based on descriptive analyses and a discrete choice model. The results reveal that men have a higher probability to work at home, but women are more likely to work at home intensively. Education, tenure, and the use of computers increase the probability of working at home whereas firm size and young age of employees reduce it. Having children less than 6 years old, overtime, and work time have a positive impact on both working at home and on working at home intensively.
ANALYSIS OF PERCEPTIONS OF QUALITY OF WILD AND CULTURED SEABREAM IN SPAIN

This paper explores the relationship between product quality evaluation scores for wild and cultured seabream. Data comes from a consumer survey representative of the Spanish fish and seafood market, from where seabream consumers who were able to distinguish wild from cultured were selected for specific questions. A behavioral structural equation model with factorial latent variables was formulated to test the interaction hypothesis. Results suggest that both wild and cultured seabream share a common image linked to the whole species, becoming complementary goods rather than substitutes.
Globalization and Employment Relations in the Korean Auto Industry: The Case of the Hyundai Motor Company in Korea, Canada and India

Examination is made of the complex interactions between globalization and employment relations as reflected in the operations of the Hyundai Motor Company (HMC) in Korea, Canada and India. After the closure of its short-lived attempt to manufacture cars for the North American market from Canada, the HMC ‘relaunched’ its globalization strategy in India in 1998. An examination of Hyundai's experience in both countries suggests that employment relations is likely to continue to be an evolving blend of company-specific policies and locally-based practices.
Proteorhodopsin genes are distributed among divergent marine bacterial taxa

Proteorhodopsin (PR) is a retinal-binding bacterial integral membrane protein that functions as a light-driven proton pump. The gene encoding this photoprotein was originally discovered on a large genome fragment derived from an uncultured marine γ-proteobacterium of the SAR86 group. Subsequently, many variants of the PR gene have been detected in marine plankton, via PCR-based gene surveys. It has not been clear, however, whether these different PR genes are widely distributed among different bacterial groups, or whether they have a restricted taxonomic distribution. We report here comparative analyses of PR-bearing genomic fragments recovered directly from planktonic bacteria inhabiting the California coast, the central Pacific Ocean, and waters offshore the Antarctica Peninsula. Sequence analysis of an Antarctic genome fragment harboring PR (ANT32C12) revealed moderate conservation in gene order and identity, compared with a previously reported PR-containing genome fragment from a Monterey Bay γ-proteobacterium (EBAC31A08). Outside the limited region of synteny shared between these clones, however, no significant DNA or protein identity was evident. Analysis of a third PR-containing genome fragment (HOT2C01) from the North Pacific subtropical gyre showed even more divergence from the γ-proteobacterial PR-flanking region. Subsequent phylogenetic and comparative genomic analyses revealed that the Central North Pacific PR-containing genome fragment (HOT2C01) originated from a planktonic α-proteobacterium. These data indicate that PR genes are distributed among a variety of divergent marine bacterial taxa, including both α- and γ-proteobacteria. Our analyses also demonstrate the utility of cultivation-independent comparative genomic approaches for assessing gene content and distribution in naturally occurring microbes.