Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Exchange Rate and Foreign Price Effects on UK Inflation

The issue of incomplete pass-through from exchange rate changes to domestic inflation has received considerable attention. Most models try to account for this by using a variety of assumptions about the costs of changing prices. These suggest complete pass-through, but only after the possible elapse of a considerable delay. In contrast, in this article Graeme Chamberlin and Brian Henry provide evidence that exchange rate effects on inflation may be non-linear and, more specifically, subject to thresholds. Their tentative results suggest this may be important in describing price-setting behaviour in the UK.
Why SMEs invest in Environmental Measures: Sustainability Evidence from Small and Medium-sized Printing Firms

Why do SMEs invest in environmental measures? From the literature we know that most SMEs are rather slow in adopting these sustainable measures, but then the following question arises: why are other SMEs fast in this respect? From our research, it becomes clear that improving the working conditions is the most important reason why these fast-going SMEs invest in environmental measures, as this probably improves their employees' motivation and performance. This explanation connects ‘planet’ and ‘people’ with each other, and does not exclude ‘profit’, which completes the traditional sustainability circle. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Coronary Artery Calcium Scoring by Computed Tomography in Global Cardiovascular Risk Assessment and in Evaluation of Patients With Chest Pain

on Coronary Artery Calcium Scoring by Computed Tomography in Global Cardiovascular Risk Assessment and in Evaluation of Patients With Chest Pain A Report of the American College of Cardiology Foundation Clinical Expert Consensus Task Force (ACCF/AHA Writing Committee to Update the 2000 Expert Consensus Document on Electron Beam Computed Tomography) Developed in Collaboration With the Society of Atherosclerosis Imaging and Prevention and the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography
THE ROLE FACULTY SCHOLARSHIP PLAYS IN PRODUCING ECONOMICS PH.D.S FROM LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGES

This paper investigates how faculty scholarship by economics professors at elite liberal arts colleges in the United States is related to the rate at which college graduates eventually earn a Ph.D. in economics. On the surface it appears that faculty scholarship is strongly and positively correlated with producing Ph.D. students. Using a multi-variable regression model that includes several college characteristics, however, what really drives the production of Ph.D. students is enrolling high ability students.
Puberty in Subjects with Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome

Background: Androgen receptor defects affect the regulation of the gonadotropic axis. However, little is known about the timing of pubertal maturation in complete androgen insensitivity syndrome (CAIS). Aims: To evaluate growth, skeletal maturation and gonadotropin and sex steroid secretion in patients with CAIS and intact gonads at puberty. Methods: Clinical, auxological and hormonal evaluation of 9 patients with CAIS from birth up to 17 years of age, prior to gonadectomy, in a single institution, retrospective study. Results: Breast development occurred at a median age of 11.1 years, thumb sesamoid appeared at 11.5 years, and peak height velocity at 12.3 years, all consistent with average female values. However, median adult male height (+1.2 SDS) was closer to the patients’ male target height (–0.3 SDS). Plasma testosterone levels rose early compared to normal boys. LH (basal and GnRH-stimulated) increased rapidly, above normal male values, in early puberty. Conclusions: This retrospective evaluation of a limited number of cases with a heterogeneous pattern of follow-up suggests that patients with CAIS may enter puberty at an age closer to female standards. These results imply a major role of direct androgen action, in utero or in early life, in determining the pattern of pubertal gonadotropin maturation.
Nasopharyngeal carriers of Neisseria meningitidis. Studies among air force recruits.

Since emergence and wide dissemination in the civilian population of sulfadiazine-resistant strains of Group B Neisseria meningitidis , all military recruit training centers in the United States have had some experience with disease caused by those organisms. In comparison to other centers for basic military training, however, Lackland Air Force Base, located near San Antonio, Tex, has been minimally afflicted. No cases of meningococcal meningitis due to Group B organisms occurred in recruits at Lackland in 1962, 1963, or 1964. During that time meningitis had caused the input of recruits to be suspended temporarily at the San Diego Naval Training Center, 1 where the problem of sulfadiazine-resistant meningococci was first recognized, 2 and at Fort Ord, the US Army facility near Monterey, Calif. 3,4 The disease caused great concern in other military training centers in 1964. Possible explanations for the prolonged absence of clinical cases of Group B meningococcal infection in
Simplifying the Choice between Uncertain Prospects Where Preference is Nonlinear

This work makes analytical progress in reducing or avoiding two practical difficulties in using preference or utility theory in the analysis of decisions involving uncertainty: (1) assessing the preference curve, and (2) doing calculations with the resultant curve, which may not have an analytically-convenient functional form. The paper identifies circumstances under which simplifications can be found which overcome these difficulties, while at the same time properly reflecting attitude towards risk in the analysis. It is assumed that a decision-maker must choose between risks w1 and w2. He wishes to make decisions consistent with a preference curve u(·) which exists, but has not necessarily been assessed, so he can choose i to maximize expected preference, Eu(wi). Most results require that the cumulative probability distribution of w1 and w2 cross at most once. The results are widely but not universally applicable. Situations are identified where an easy-to-assess, easy-to-analyze preference curve w.
Characterization of Mouse Models of Mycobacterium avium Complex Infection and Evaluation of Drug Combinations

ABSTRACT The Mycobacterium avium complex is the most common cause of nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease worldwide; yet, an optimal treatment regimen for M. avium complex infection has not been established. Clarithromycin is accepted as the cornerstone drug for treatment of M. avium lung disease; however, good model systems, especially animal models, are needed to evaluate the most effective companion drugs. We performed a series of experiments to evaluate and use different mouse models (comparing BALB/c, C57BL/6, nude, and beige mice) of M. avium infection and to assess the anti-M. avium activity of single and combination drug regimens, in vitro, ex vivo, and in mice. In vitro, clarithromycin and moxifloxacin were most active against M. avium, and no antagonism was observed between these two drugs. Nude mice were more susceptible to M. avium infection than the other mouse strains tested, but the impact of treatment was most clearly seen in M. avium-infected BALB/c mice. The combination of clarithromycin-ethambutol-rifampin was more effective in all infected mice than moxifloxacin-ethambutol-rifampin; the addition of moxifloxacin to the clarithromycin-containing regimen did not increase treatment efficacy. Clarithromycin-containing regimens are the most effective for M. avium infection; substitution of moxifloxacin for clarithromycin had a negative impact on treatment efficacy.
Minipig as a potential translatable model for monoclonal antibody pharmacokinetics after intravenous and subcutaneous administration

Subcutaneous (SC) delivery is a common route of administration for therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) with pharmacokinetic (PK)/pharmacodynamic (PD) properties requiring long-term or frequent drug administration. An ideal in vivo preclinical model for predicting human PK following SC administration may be one in which the skin and overall physiological characteristics are similar to that of humans. In this study, the PK properties of a series of therapeutic mAbs following intravenous (IV) and SC administration in Göttingen minipigs were compared with data obtained previously from humans. The present studies demonstrated: (1) minipig is predictive of human linear clearance; (2) the SC bioavailabilities in minipigs are weakly correlated with those in human; (3) minipig mAb SC absorption rates are generally higher than those in human and (4) the SC bioavailability appears to correlate with systemic clearance in minipigs. Given the important role of the neonatal Fc-receptor (FcRn) in the PK of mAbs, the in vitro binding affinities of these IgGs against porcine, human and cynomolgus monkey FcRn were tested. The result showed comparable FcRn binding affinities across species. Further, mAbs with higher isoelectric point tended to have faster systemic clearance and lower SC bioavailability in both minipig and human. Taken together, these data lend increased support for the use of the minipig as an alternative predictive model for human IV and SC PK of mAbs.
Engineering disulfide bridges to dissect antimicrobial and chemotactic activities of human β-defensin 3

Human defensins form a family of small, cationic, and Cys-rich antimicrobial proteins that play important roles in innate immunity against invading microbes. They also function as effective immune modulators in adaptive immunity by selectively chemoattracting T lymphocytes and immature dendritic cells. On the basis of sequence homology and the connectivity of six conserved Cys residues, human defensins are classified into α and β families. Structures of several β-defensins have recently been characterized, confirming the disulfide connectivity conserved within the family, i.e., Cys1–Cys5, Cys2–Cys4, and Cys3–Cys6. We found that human β-defensin 3 (hBD3), a recently described member of the growing β family, did not fold preferentially into a native conformation in vitro under various oxidative conditions. Using the orthogonal protection of Cys1–Cys5 and of Cys1–Cys6, we chemically synthesized six topological analogs of hBD3 with predefined disulfide connectivities, including the (presumably) native β pairing. Unexpectedly, all differently folded hBD3 species exhibited similar antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, whereas a wide range of chemotactic activities was observed with these analogs for monocytes and cells transfected by the chemokine receptor CCR6. Furthermore, whereas substitution of all Cys residues by α-aminobutyric acid completely abolished the chemotactic activity of hBD3, the bactericidal activity remained unaffected in the absence of any disulfide bridge. Our findings demonstrate that disulfide bonding in hBD3, although required for binding and activation of receptors for chemotaxis, is fully dispensable for its antimicrobial function, thus shedding light on the mechanisms of action for human β-defensins and the design of novel peptide antibiotics.
Congenital heart disease and genetic syndromes: new insights into molecular mechanisms

ABSTRACT Introduction: Advances in genetics allowed a better definition of the role of specific genetic background in the etiology of syndromic congenital heart defects (CHDs). The identification of a number of disease genes responsible for different syndromes have led to the identification of several transcriptional regulators and signaling transducers and modulators that are critical for heart morphogenesis. Understanding the genetic background of syndromic CHDs allowed a better characterization of the genetic basis of non-syndromic CHDs. In this sense, the well-known association of typical CHDs in Down syndrome, 22q11.2 microdeletion and Noonan syndrome represent paradigms as chromosomal aneuploidy, chromosomal microdeletion and intragenic mutation, respectively. Area covered: For each syndrome the anatomical features, distinctive cardiac phenotype and molecular mechanisms are discussed. Moreover, the authors include recent genetic findings that may shed light on some aspects of still unclear molecular mechanisms of these syndromes. Expert commentary: Further investigations are needed to enhance the translational approach in the field of genetics of CHDs. When there is a well-established definition of genotype-phenotype (reverse medicine) and genotype-prognosis (predictive and personalized medicine) correlations, hopefully preventive medicine will make its way in this field. Subsequently a reduction will be achieved in the morbidity and mortality of children with CHDs.
Comparison of Three Measures of the Ankle-Brachial Blood Pressure Index in a General Population

The ankle-brachial blood pressure index (ABI) predicts cardiovasular disease. To our knowledge, no study has compared manual ABI measurements with an automated electronic oscillometric method in a population sample. We enrolled 946 residents (50.8% women; mean age, 43.5 years) from 8 villages in JingNing County, Zhejiang Province, P.R. China. We computed ABI as the ratio of ankle-to-arm systolic blood pressures from consecutive auscultatory or Doppler measurements at the posterior tibial and brachial arteries. We also used an automated oscillometric technique with simultaneous ankle and arm measurements (Colin VP-1000). Mean ABI values were significantly higher on Doppler than auscultatory measurements (1.15 vs. 1.07; p<0.0001) with intermediate levels on oscillometric determination (1.12; p<0.0001 vs. Doppler). The differences among the three measurements were not homogeneously distributed across the range of ABI values. Doppler and oscillometric ABIs were similar below 1.0, whereas above 1.2 Doppler and auscultatory ABIs were comparable. In Bland and Altman plots, the correlation coefficient between differences in Doppler minus oscillometric ABI and ABI level was 0.21 (p<0.0001). The corresponding correlation coefficient for Doppler minus auscultatory ABI was −0.13 (p<0.0001). In conclusion, automated ABI measurements are feasible in large-scale population studies. However, the small differences in ABI values between manual and oscillometric measurements depend on ABI level and must be considered in the interpretation of study results.
Vendor Selection Using Interpretive Structural Modelling (ISM)

Vendor selection is one of the most important activities of a purchasing department. Traditionally, vendors are selected for their ability to meet the quality requirement, delivery performance and the price offered. However, as they are selected not only to meet the immediate requirement but also future needs, one needs to consider many other factors when selecting a reliable vendor. Analyses some of the most important criteria which have been classified into four categories: autonomous, dependent, linkage and driver depending on their driver power and dependence. Develops an interpretive structural model (ISM) to show the inter‐relationship of different criteria and their levels of importance in the vendor selection process. Reveals that “attitude and willingness for business” and “after sales service” are as important factors as quality, delivery and practice. These criteria are dependent on all the others. This analysis could provide a meaningful analytical base in the vendor selection process.
Human Capital and Growth of Information and Communication Technology-intensive Industries: Empirical Evidence from Open Economies

Murphy G. and Siedschlag I. Human capital and growth of information and communication technology-intensive industries: empirical evidence from open economies, Regional Studies. This paper examines the effect of human capital on the growth of information and communication technology (ICT)-intensive industries using data from a sample of open economies over the period 1980–1999. The econometric analysis suggests that value added and employment in ICT-intensive industries grew relatively faster in countries with a higher ex-ante human capital stock and in countries with a fast improvement in human capital. Further, in countries with fast human capital accumulation, labour productivity in ICT-intensive industries grew faster. The results are robust to controls for other determinants of industry growth and country characteristics affecting industry specialization and to using alternative human capital measures.
Collective Action and the Sustainability of Co-Production

Abstract This article addresses the sustainability of citizen/user participation in the provision of public services, often referred to as co-production. Co-producing public services not only promises to limit cost, but it also requires a change in the relations and behaviour of public servants and citizens/users, in order for the latter to make a long-term commitment to co-production. The article notes that Olsen proposes two logics of collective action, not just one. Focusing on small group interaction can provide an important strategy for achieving sustainable co-production, particularly of enduring welfare services. However, Ostrom criticizes too simplistic approaches based on size alone for promoting social cooperation in collective action situations. She proposes seven structural variables of importance in resolving social dilemmas. Several of them can also be perceived as factors that facilitate sustainable citizen participation in co-production. Some additional factors are also considered important for sustainable co-production, like the nature of the service itself, organizational diversity, a dialogue between the staff and clients, and facilitating small group interactions in large organizations. This article concludes that governments should develop more flexible, service-specific and organization-specific approaches for promoting co-production, rather than looking for simple ‘one size fits all’ solutions to the challenges facing public service delivery, particularly of enduring welfare services. It also proposes a research agenda on sustainable co-production.
A 1.5GHz-modulation-range 10ms-modulation-period 180kHzrms-frequency-error 26MHz-reference mixed-mode FMCW synthesizer for mm-wave radar application

A frequency modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) radar using triangular modulation is one of the promising candidates for realizing a CMOS radar IC [1–3]. Range and velocity resolutions of the FMCW radar are determined by the bandwidth and period of triangular modulation [4]. A short-range measurement requires wide (several GHz) bandwidth, while a long-range measurement with high-velocity resolution requires moderate (hundreds of MHz) bandwidth and long (several ms) period. Furthermore, since frequency error in the FMCW signal deteriorates range and velocity accuracy, a highly linear frequency chirp signal is required. However FMCW radars reported so far [2,3] exhibit a period up to 1.5ms because a long period degrades the chirp linearity in a conventional analog PLL. In this work, an analog/digital mixed-mode 82GHz FMCW synthesizer with 1.5GHz bandwidth, a period from 1ms to 10ms and less than 180kHzrms frequency error is described. The achieved performance corresponds to range and velocity resolutions of 10cm and 1.4km/h, respectively.
Gamma Unobserved Heterogeneity and Duration Bias

Røed et al. (1999) demonstrate that the standard result of known negative duration bias does not necessarily hold in a two-state mixed proportional hazard (MPH) model. We show that the duration bias is still ambiguous in a MPH model with a multivariate gamma distribution. A discrete time two-state version of our MPH model is developed to analyze the duration of higher education. The estimation results show that we cannot reject the hypothesis that the two unobserved heterogeneity variables are uncorrelated. Accepting this hypothesis implies that the standard result holds in our analysis.
Humoral Immunity to Commensal Oral Bacteria in Human Infants: Salivary Secretory Immunoglobulin A Antibodies Reactive withStreptococcus mitis biovar 1, Streptococcus oralis, Streptococcus mutans, andEnterococcus faecalis during the First Two Years of Life

ABSTRACT Secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) antibodies reactive with the pioneer oral streptococci Streptococcus mitis biovar 1 andStreptococcus oralis, the late oral colonizerStreptococcus mutans, and the pioneer enteric bacteriumEnterococcus faecalis in saliva samples from 10 human infants from birth to age 2 years were analyzed. Low levels of salivary SIgA1 and SIgA2 antibodies reactive with whole cells of all four species were detected within the first month after birth, even thoughS. mutans and E. faecalis were not recovered from the mouths of the infants during the study period. Although there was a fivefold increase in the concentration of SIgA between birth and age 2 years, there were no differences between the concentrations of SIgA1 and SIgA2 antibodies reactive with the four species over this time period. When the concentrations of SIgA1 and SIgA2 antibodies reactive with all four species were normalized to the concentrations of SIgA1 and SIgA2 in saliva, SIgA1 and SIgA2 antibodies reactive with these bacteria showed a significant decrease from birth to 2 years of age. Adsorption of each infant’s saliva with cells of one species produced a dramatic reduction of antibodies recognizing the other three species. Sequential adsorption of saliva samples removed all SIgA antibody to the bacteria, indicating that the SIgA antibodies were directed to antigens shared by all four species. The induction by the host of a limited immune response to common antigens that are likely not involved in adherence may be among the mechanisms that commensal streptococci employ to persist in the oral cavity.
Locally Sierpinski Julia Sets of Weierstrass Elliptic P Functions

We define a locally Sierpinski Julia set to be a Julia set of an elliptic function which is a Sierpinski curve in each fundamental domain for the lattice. In order to construct examples, we give sufficient conditions on a lattice for which the corresponding Weierstrass elliptic ℘ function is locally connected and quadratic-like, and we use these results to prove the existence of locally Sierpinski Julia sets for certain elliptic functions. We give examples satisfying these conditions. We show this results in naturally occurring Sierpinski curves in the plane, sphere and torus as well.
Mouse EP3 α, β, and γ Receptor Variants Reduce Tumor Cell Proliferation and Tumorigenesis in Vivo*

Prostaglandin E2, which exerts its functions by binding to four G protein-coupled receptors (EP1-4), is implicated in tumorigenesis. Among the four E-prostanoid (EP) receptors, EP3 is unique in that it exists as alternatively spliced variants, characterized by differences in the cytoplasmic C-terminal tail. Although three EP3 variants, α, β, and γ, have been described in mice, their functional significance in regulating tumorigenesis is unknown. In this study we provide evidence that expressing murine EP3 α, β, and γ receptor variants in tumor cells reduces to the same degree their tumorigenic potential in vivo. In addition, activation of each of the three mEP3 variants induces enhanced cell-cell contact and reduces cell proliferation in vitro in a Rho-dependent manner. Finally, we demonstrate that EP3-mediated RhoA activation requires the engagement of the heterotrimeric G protein G12. Thus, our study provides strong evidence that selective activation of each of the three variants of the EP3 receptor suppresses tumor cell function by activating a G12-RhoA pathway.