Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Deencryption of cellular tissue factor is independent of its cytoplasmic domain.

Tissue factor (TF) is a transmembrane molecule that, when exposed to plasma, is the key initiator of coagulation. Cellular TF activity is normally "encrypted", but treating cells with calcium ionophore (i.e. , ionomycin or A23187) increases ("deencrypts") TF activity without increasing TF mRNA or antigen expression. Deencryption results from both plasma membrane phosphatidylserine (PS)-dependent and -independent mechanisms; however, the nature of the PS-independent component is unclear. Since deencryption has been suggested to result from release of TF dimers on the cell surface, and since TF's cytoplasmic domain binds to actin-binding protein 280 and interacts with the cytoskeleton, we hypothesized that interactions with the cytoskeleton, through the cytoplasmic domain, play a role in mediating encryption/deencryption. We examined TF deencryption and the role of the cytoplasmic domain in the PS-independent component using baby hamster kidney (BHK) cells expressing full length TF (BHK-TF) or TF lacking its cytoplasmic domain (BHK-descyt) (Sorensen et al. (1999) J. Biol. Chem. 274, 21349). Both BHK-TF and BHK-descyt cells exhibited a dose-dependent, 1.5- to 10-fold increase in TF activity upon treatment with calcium ionophore, and this increase in activity was only partially blocked by annexin V. These results indicate that deencryption is not restricted to cells which naturally express TF and that the PS-independent component of deencryption is intact on cells transfected with either full length or truncated TF. Our results clearly indicate that deencryption is not dependent on an intact cytoplasmic domain in transfected BHK cells.
Germany and the Euro Area: Differences in the Transmission Process of Monetary Policy

This study analyses the transmission of monetary policy in Germany for the EMS period in the framework of a structural vector error correction model (S-VECM) analysis. Cointegration relations derived from economic theory are tested within the Johansen framework in the first step. Three stable long-run relationships are found: a money demand relation, an interest rate spread and a stationary real interest rate. Based on the system taking these long-run relations into account, contemporaneous and long-run restrictions proposed by economic theory are imposed in the second step of the analysis identifying five structural shocks to the economy. The outcome of the analysis of the German monetary transmission process is compared to the findings of aggregated euro-area studies. The results indicate differences in real effects of monetary policy between Germany and other euro area countries. This finding highlights the importance to consider the national experiences in the context of monetary policy of the ECB.
Psychological aspects of succession in family business management

Purpose - Family firms appear to be an attractive topic in a number of research areas. Probably the most important topic is still the succession process combined with possible hurdles and gaps. This paper aims to focus on the special variable of the psychological dimension. It attempts to summarize findings and implications as well as suggestions for where potential research gaps are. Design/methodology/approach - The paper is based on a two-stage research design. The first step is a literature review. All articles published in the Findings - Psychological aspects are often used together with other constructs. The authors strongly recommend handling them as an individualized, highly complex topic, even if social, political, and other aspects are often mixed with psychological aspects and therefore difficult to discuss and separate. A separation of these factors will help researchers present findings in a much clearer way. Research limitations/implications - The main limitation of the article lies in the methodology itself, as the literature review solely concentrates on empirical papers that exclusively investigate psychological aspects with regard to succession. Nevertheless, the aim was to elaborate a focused psychological field model in terms of succession. Likewise, critical aspects considering the family business system have been taken into consideration. Finally, a literature review is commonly seen as a post-work “dead body”. However, the implications show a clear, directed focus within family business research. The authors recommend an increase in the number of concisely formulated research questions instead of generic approaches. Practical implications - Businesses should closely heed three imperative problem areas (individual, interpersonal and organizational) as well as the stage in which conflicts arise (preparation, transfer/takeover, and continuation), if they want to be successful in the succession process. Originality/value - The paper offers an overview of the limited number of existing articles and their implications that address the psychological aspects of the succession process. Furthermore, the psychological issues identified that cause conflicts during succession are consolidated and categorized.
Antecedents and consequences of project team cross-functional cooperation

Cross-functional teams can greatly facilitate the successful implementation of projects. This study examined the influence of a set four antecedent constructs (superordinate goals, accessibility, physical proximity and formalized rules and procedures) on the attainment of both cross-functional cooperation and perceived project outcomes. Through the use of path analysis, the results indicated that superordinate goals, physical proximity and project team rules and procedures have significant direct and/or indirect effects on project outcomes through influencing cross-functional cooperation. Further, cross-functional cooperation was a significant predictor of both perceived task and psychosocial project outcomes. Directions for management practice and future research are discussed.
The macroeconomic effects of international uncertainty shocks

We propose a large-scale Bayesian VAR model with factor stochastic volatility to investigate the macroeconomic consequences of international uncertainty shocks on the G7 countries. The factor structure enables us to identify an international uncertainty shock by assuming that it is the factor most correlated with forecast errors related to equity markets and permits fast sampling of the model. Our findings suggest that the estimated uncertainty factor is strongly related to global equity price volatility, closely tracking other prominent measures commonly adopted to assess global uncertainty. The dynamic responses of a set of macroeconomic and financial variables show that an international uncertainty shock exerts a powerful effect on all economies and variables under consideration.
Autocratic Institutions and Civil Conflict Contagion

We offer an account of civil conflict contagion in which we argue that in peaceful neighborhoods autocracies that provide an opportunity for legal participation in domestic politics—via elected legislatures—are able to offset violent demands for change from domestic opposition groups. We add, however, the expectation that these openings in the political institutions of the country are insufficient to appease renewed opposition demands in autocracies located in conflict-ridden neighborhoods. We suggest that this is because of the threat of externalities from nearby conflicts, as well as the likelihood that domestic opposition groups will emulate violent examples set overseas. Thus, conflict contagion affects autocracies with legislatures that reside in neighborhoods with ongoing civil conflicts. We test this claim via multivariate probit analyses in which conflict onset is a function of institutional design at the country level and conflict within the neighborhood. These analyses offer support for our test.
Working time options over the life course: new work patterns and company strategies

Profound socio-economic, demographic and cultural changes currently under way in Europe are modifying the way in which people organise their time and income over the life course. The ageing population, globalisation, the transition from a standard working organisation model to more diversified and individualised structures and changes in the gender division of labour – these are all shifting the boundaries between people’s work and personal lives. At the same time, changes in the timing of entry into and exit from the labour market have considerably reduced the time devoted to paid work.
Aquaporin-4 autoimmune syndrome and anti-aquaporin-4 antibody-negative opticospinal multiple sclerosis in Japanese

Background Antibodies to aquaporin-4 (AQP4) are found in a fraction of Japanese opticospinal multiple sclerosis (OSMS) patients. However, it remains unknown whether anti-AQP4 antibody-positive and negative OSMS patients possess an identical disease. Objective The objective of the current study was to clarify immunological differences between the two groups of patients. Methods We studied the serum antibody titers against AQP4 in 191 patients with idiopathic central nervous system demyelinating diseases and clarified their relationships with immunological parameters. Results Anti-AQP4 antibody positivity rate was higher in patients with OSMS (21/58, 36.2%), idiopathic recurrent myelitis (4/17, 23.5%), and recurrent optic neuritis (7/26, 26.9%), than in conventional MS (CMS) patients (6/90, 6.7%) and patients with other diseases (0/87). Anti-AQP4 antibody titer was significantly higher in patients with SS-A/B antibodies than in those without them. Anti-AQP4 antibody-negative OSMS patients showed significantly higher CD4+IFN-γ+IL-4−T cell percentages and intracellular IFN-γ/IL-4 ratios than anti-AQP4 antibody-positive patients, anti-AQP4 antibody-negative CMS patients, and healthy controls, and CD4+IFN-γ+IL-4−T cell percentages were negatively correlated with anti-AQP4 antibody titers. Conclusion Anti-AQP4 antibody-positive patients are immunologically distinct from anti-AQP4 antibody-negative OSMS patients owing to a Th2 shift in the former group in comparison to a Th1 shift in the latter.
Playing with fire? Swedish mobilization for participatory democracy

Abstract Swedish service democracy is solidly based on a successful welfare state configuration. When good social services are received, citizens reciprocate with their stabilizing trust and legitimacy. Towards the turn of the last century, several economic, organizational and ideological foundations of Swedish representative democracy were faltering, owing to exogenous trends as well as to self-inflicted actions. A governmental commission was set up in 1997 in order to combat a weakening legitimacy. Confronted with extensive social science research, the commission chose to try to shift the focus from the output side to the input side of Swedish democracy. It argued for a legitimacy rooted primarily not in substantial qualities of social service but in procedural qualities such as citizen opportunities to gain influence and autonomy. Not completely disinterested (as its members were party representatives), it recommended leaving room for a participatory democracy with advanced deliberative qualities. In the ensuing debate, competing ideals of democracy were advanced.
An integrated product development platform based on STEP and PDM

In today's highly competitive global economic environment, integration plays an important role in enterprise strategy, and its benefits are enormous. The conventional integration technologies have limitations for supporting information exchange and sharing in various stages of product development process. This has led to issues such as data format incompatibility, one-way and static integration. This paper proposes an integrated platform developed based on the STandard for the Exchange of Product data (STEP) and Product Data Management (PDM) to overcome these issues. The goal of the research is to provide an open and extensible infrastructure for dynamical and bidirectional product data exchange and sharing. A multi-layer reconfigurable architecture for the integrated platform is proposed. One of the key issues about process modeling is discussed, which is solved by a proposed workflow modeling method. A prototype version of the platform has been developed and demonstrated with case studies.
The ‘New’ Self-Employed: An Issue for Social Policy?

In this article, an attempt is made to advance the thinking about the ‘new’ self-employed (NSE). This is done by describing four cases which can be considered representative for the purposes of demonstrating the ambiguous attitude of social policy makers towards NSE. In the end four conclusions are drawn. The target group is too varied for statements about desirable legislation or social policy architecture, but a substantial proportion does deserve the qualification ‘precarious' and, consequently, the attention of social policy. The solution lies in categorical arrangements which address the need for protection in specific sectors. The time is ripe for this. Research has shown that the proposition that many NSE are concerned about their vulnerability as workers is untrue. They see that they are no longer protected by collective arrangements, and they know from experience that the market can resolve only a limited proportion of their problems. Their concerns can provide the foundation for a collective commitment to mandatory solidarity as long as the target group is closely related. And finally, the complexity surrounding NSE is especially challenging for the labour unions, but they could also approach the entry of NSE as an opportunity to regroup around the interests of all workers, no matter what their labour law status.
Futures price limit moves as options

This note demonstrates that an asset's price in an environment with price limit rules can be replicated by the price of a portfolio consisting of a riskless asset and two synthetic options. A procedure is developed to unbundle the unobservable option values imbedded in the actual futures price and impute a theoretical true futures price. Using this framework, evidence from the Treasury Bond futures market suggests that theoretical true futures prices diverge from actual futures prices, on average, 3 h prior to the activation of price limit rules, indicating that price limit moves might be predictable. The reversal of both the actual futures prices and the theoretical futures prices back within the limit range after a limit move provides support for the possibility that traders tend to overreact when market prices are near price limits. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 22:901–913, 2002
REGIONAL WATER FOOTPRINTS OF THE YANGTZE RIVER: AN INTERREGIONAL INPUT–OUTPUT APPROACH

Recently, researchers have applied the multi-regional input–output (MRIO) approach to water footprint (WF) analysis. The concept of interregional input–output (R-MRIO) was developed to analyse regional issues. Researchers have concentrated on the development of global or international input–output (N-MRIO) tables. Using the N-MRIO and the R-MRIO approach allows the study of global and regional issues, respectively. The WF is an indicator influenced by trade among nations and regions. However, the treatment of imports in an R-MRIO approach differs in whether international imports are separated or combined. We evaluate the effects of the difference between these models and discuss policy implications for the Yangtze River, China. The WF calculated using the combined type model is 11% larger than that by the separated type model. This difference can be ascribed to international imports, mainly internal consumption and interregional trade. We find that this difference affects social equity in water-abundant areas.
Ouabain targets the Na+/K+-ATPase α3 isoform to inhibit cancer cell proliferation and induce apoptosis

Ouabain has been used for the treatment of heart failure and atrial fibrillation. Its potential anticancer effect has also attracted great interest. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the anticancer effect of ouabain and investigate its molecular target. The effects of ouabain on the viability of and induction of cellular death on OS-RC-2 renal cancer cells were examined using the MTT assay and acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining. The levels of Ca2+ and reactive oxygen species were determined using Fura-3-acetoxymethyl ester and dichloro-dihydro-fluorescein diacetate probes, respectively. Apoptosis was examined using annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide staining and western blotting. The expression profile of the different Na+/K+-ATPase (NKA) isoforms in NCI-H446 small cell lung cancer cells was determined using immunocytochemistry and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis. In the present study, it was demonstrated that ouabain inhibited cancer cell proliferation and induced apoptosis while no significant difference in the expression of NKA α1 and α3 isoforms was detected following 48 h of ouabain treatment. Furthermore, expression of NKA α3 but not the α1 isoform was associated with ouabain sensitivity. The results of the present study indicated that ouabain targets the NKA α3 isoform, inhibits cancer cell proliferation and induces apoptosis.
Effect of oseltamivir on the risk of pneumonia and use of health care services in children with clinically diagnosed influenza*

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of oseltamivir in reducing the rate of complications of influenza in children. Research design and methods: Anonymous, patient-level data from Medstat's MarketScan Research Database between 2000 and 2004 were used to identify children with influenza, aged 1–12 years. Patients who received a prescription for oseltamivir within 1 day of influenza diagnosis were compared with those who received no antiviral therapy. Main outcome measures: Primary and secondary study outcomes included occurrence of pneumonia within 14 days of onset of influenza, rates of hospitalization for pneumonia, antibiotic use, numbers of healthcare services utilized, and healthcare expenditures. Results: In total, 4447 (17.9%) children received a prescription for oseltamivir within 1 day of when they were first clinically diagnosed with influenza, and 20 407 (82.1%) children received no antiviral treatment. Overall, children who received oseltamivir for the treatment of physician-diagnosed influenza were 51.7% less likely to be clinically diagnosed with pneumonia at a subsequent medical encounter (relative risk 0.483; 95% CI: 0.326, 0.717). This benefit was associated with reductions in antibiotic use, outpatient and emergency room visits, and savings in outpatient medical expenditures. Net expenditures per patient were not significantly different between children receiving oseltamivir and those who received no antiviral treatment (–$16; 95% CI: –$13, +$40) although pharmacy expenditures were higher. Wide regional variations in oseltamivir use were noted. Limitations: The study was restricted to patients with employer-sponsored health insurance. The lack of a virologic diagnosis of influenza, and an index date based on the first diagnosis of influenza rather than first exposure or symptom onset, may have resulted in a conservative estimate of treatment effect. Conclusions: Oseltamivir may reduce the risk of influenza-related morbidity in children when prescribed upon presentation of clinically diagnosed influenza. The use of oseltamivir in children may play an important role in managing influenza outbreaks.
The rationality of price forecasts: a directional analysis

Tests of direction are used to evaluate the rationality and uselfulness of the price (GDP implicit deflator) forecasts made by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for the G7 countries. Two procedures are employed to determine whether that price forecasts could be useful to users. This tests are based on Merton's (1981) and Henriksson and Merton's (1981) method for determining the conditions under which a market-timing forecast is useful to investors. The results indicate that year ahead forecasts are less good than near term forecasts, because there is no evidence that longer term price forecasts are valuable for the United States, Japan, France, Italy and Canada.
Cellular Reprogramming & Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

The endothelium plays a pivotal role in vascular homeostasis, regulating the tone of the vascular wall, and its interaction with circulating blood elements. Alterations in endothelial functions facilitate the infiltration of inflammatory cells and permit vascular smooth muscle proliferation and platelet aggregation. Therefore, endothelial dysfunction is an early event in disease processes including atherosclerosis, and because of its critical role in vascular health, the endothelium is worthy of the intense focus it has received. However, there are limitations to studying human endothelial function in vivo, or human vascular segments ex vivo. Thus, methods for endothelial cell (EC) culture have been developed and refined. Recently, methods to derive ECs from pluripotent cells have extended the scientific range of human EC studies. Pluripotent stem cells may be generated, expanded, and then differentiated into ECs for in vitro studies. Constructs for molecular imaging can also be employed to facilitate tracking these cells in vivo. Furthermore, one can generate patient-specific ECs to study the effects of genetic or epigenetic alterations on endothelial behavior. Finally, there is the opportunity to apply these cells for vascular therapy. This review focuses on the generation of ECs from stem cells; their characterization by genetic, histological, and functional studies; and their translational applications. Induction of Cardiomyocyte-Like Cells in Infarct Hearts by Gene Transfer of Gata4, Mef2c, and Tbx5; Inagawa et al22
Design and Evaluation of a Continuous Data Level Auditing System

SUMMARY: This study develops a framework for a continuous data level auditing system and uses a large sample of procurement data from a major health care provider to simulate an implementation of this framework. In this framework, the first layer monitors compliance with deterministic business process rules and the second layer consists of analytical monitoring of business processes. A distinction is made between exceptions identified by the first layer and anomalies identified by the second one. The unique capability of continuous auditing to investigate (and possibly remediate) the identified anomalies in “pseudo-real time” (e.g., on a daily basis) is simulated and evaluated. Overall, evidence is provided that continuous auditing of complete population data can lead to superior results, but only when audit practices change to reflect the new reality of data availability. Data Availability: The data are proprietary. Please contact the authors for details.