Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Economic Resilience of the Firm: A Production Theory Approach

As a result of catastrophic events, firms and other organizations are faced with input shortages and price shocks. Firms can respond to these events using a variety of “resilience” actions, or tactics. Here we provide a microeconomic foundation for analyzing a comprehensive range of these tactics, incorporating both inherent and adaptive concepts of resilience. We classify these tactics and derive optimality conditions for production with the use of each class of resilience in the context of a nested Constant Elasticity of Substitution (CES) function consisting of aggregated Capital (K), Labor (L), Infrastructure (I), and Materials (M). The framework has broad applicability, including measurement and scoring of resilience, cost-effectiveness assessment of resilience tactics individually and as a group, calculation of resilience indices, and supply-chain management.
The association of diabetes specialist care with health care practices and glycemic control in patients with type 1 diabetes: a cross-sectional analysis from the Pittsburgh epidemiology of diabetes complications study.

OBJECTIVE To determine whether diabetes care characteristics and glycemic control differ by use of specialist care in a representative cohort of patients with type 1 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Health care, sociodemographic characteristics, and glycemic control were compared between participants in the Pittsburgh Epidemiology of Diabetes Complications Study who reported receiving specialist care (n = 212) and those who did not (n = 217). Specialist care was defined as having received care from an endocrinologist or diabetologist or diabetes clinic attendance during the last year. RESULTS Patients who reported receiving specialist care were more likely to be female, to have an education level beyond high school, to have an annual household income >$20,000, and to have health insurance. Additionally, patients receiving specialist care were more likely to have received diabetes education during the previous 3 years, to have knowledge of HbAlc testing and to have received that test during the previous 6 months, to have knowledge of the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial results, to self-monitor blood glucose, and to inject insulin more than twice daily. A lower HbA1 level was associated with specialist care versus generalist care (9.7 vs. 10.3%; P = 0.0006) as were higher education and income levels. Multivariate analyses suggest that the lower HbA1 levels observed in patients receiving specialist care were restricted to patients with an annual income >$20,000. CONCLUSIONS Specialist care was associated with higher levels of participation in diabetes self-care practices and a lower HbA1 level. Future efforts should research and address the failure of patients with low incomes to benefit from specialist care.
Identification of Surrogates and Correlates of Protection in Protective Immunity against Mycobacterium bovis Infection Induced in Neonatal Calves by Vaccination with M. bovis BCG Pasteur and M. bovis BCG Danish

ABSTRACT Vaccination of neonatal calves with Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) induces a significant degree of protection against infection with virulent M. bovis, the causative agent of bovine tuberculosis (bTB). We compared two strains of BCG, Pasteur and Danish, in order to confirm that the current European human vaccine strain (BCG Danish) induced protective immunity in calves, and we assessed immune responses to determine correlates of protection that could assist future vaccine evaluation in cattle. Both vaccine strains induced antigen (purified protein derivate [PPD])-specific gamma interferon (IFN-γ) in whole-blood cultures. These responses were not significantly different for BCG Pasteur and BCG Danish and peaked at week 2 to 4 postvaccination. Vaccination with either BCG Danish or BCG Pasteur induced significant protection against bTB, with reductions in both lesion score and bacteriological burden evident in both groups of vaccinated calves compared with nonvaccinated control calves. Measurement of IFN-γ-expressing T lymphocytes postvaccination and postchallenge revealed both correlates and surrogates of protective efficacy. The frequency of central memory T lymphocytes present at 12 weeks postvaccination (at the time of M. bovis challenge) correlated significantly with protection. Conversely, the number of IFN-γ-expressing effector T cells present after M. bovis challenge was correlated with disease. These results demonstrate that vaccination of neonatal calves with either BCG Pasteur or BCG Danish induces protective immune responses against TB. In addition, we show that measurement of antigen-specific T lymphocyte populations may provide a reliable means for identifying protective vaccine candidates.
Alcohol consumption and mortality in Russia since 2000: are there any changes following the alcohol policy changes starting in 2006?

AIMS To elucidate the possible effects of Russian alcohol control policy on alcohol consumption and alcohol-related mortality for the period 2000-2010. METHODS Narrative review including statistical analysis. Trends before and after 2006 are compared, 2006 being the date of implementation of the Russian government's long-term strategy to reduce alcohol-related harms. Mortality data were taken from the World Health Organization (WHO) database 'Health for All'. Data on recorded alcohol consumption were taken from the WHO, based on the Russian Statistical Service (Rosstat). For unrecorded consumption, the calculations of Alexandr Nemtsov were used. Russian public opinion surveys on drinking habits were utilized. Treatment data on alcohol dependence were obtained from the Moscow National Research Centre on Addictions. Information on alcohol policy was obtained from official reports. RESULTS Marked fluctuations in all-cause and alcohol-associated mortality in the working-age population were observed during the reviewed period. A decrease in total consumption and mortality was noted since the end of 2005, when the Russian government initially adopted the regulation of alcohol production and sale. The consumption changes were driven by decreases in recorded and unrecorded spirit consumption, only partly compensated for by increases in beer and wine consumption. CONCLUSIONS Alcohol is a strong contributor to premature deaths in Russia, with both the volume and the pattern of consumption being detrimental to health. The regulations introduced since 2006 seem to have positive effects on both drinking behavior and health outcomes. However, there is an urgent need for further alcohol-control strategies to reduce alcohol-related harm.
The intellectual structure of research in ISO 9000 standard series (1987–2015): a Bibliometric analysis

Since its inception in 1987, the ISO 9000 standards series has received remarkable appreciation as a quality management system as well as a prolific field of research. The substantial amount of ISO standards scholarly research has contributed over the years to the accumulation of sound scientific knowledge. This article aims to develop a better view of ISO 9000 standards, as a field of research, by investigating the intellectual structures of summative knowledge, underlying dynamics, temporal progression, current development, and future evolution of research dimension. The Elsevier Scopus Bibliometric database searched for journal articles largely focused on ISO 9000 series, published during 1987–2015 period. The synchronised use of Bibliographic Coupling Technique and Factor Analysis yields eight prominent research streams. The study suggests that within the domain of ISO 9000 standards, some issues have been more frequently researched, such as organisational motives behind seeking ISO 9000 certification, perceived operational, marketing, business outcomes, and cultural transformation essential for successful adaption of ISO 9000 standards. Secondly, research is still inconclusive about some other well-researched issues: comprehended performance outcomes, challenges in acquiring, registering, and maintaining certification, lessons learned, and effectiveness of certification, internal and external challenges, and the trade-off between cost and benefits.
Population subdivision in marine environments: the contributions of biogeography, geographical distance and discontinuous habitat to genetic differentiation in a blennioid fish, Axoclinus nigricaudus

The relative importance of factors that may promote genetic differentiation in marine organisms is largely unknown. Here, contributions to population structure from a biogeographic boundary, geographical distance and the distribution of suitable habitat were investigated in Axoclinus nigricaudus, a small subtidal rock‐reef fish, throughout its range in the Gulf of California. A 408‐bp fragment of the mitochondrial control region was sequenced from 105 individuals. Variation was significantly partitioned between 28 of 36 possible combinations of population pairs. Phylogenetic analyses, hierarchical analyses of variance and a modified Mantel test substantiated a major break between two putative biogeographic regions. This genetic discontinuity coincides with an abrupt change in ecological characteristics, including temperature and salinity, but does not coincide with known oceanographic circulation patterns or any known historic barriers. There was an overall relationship of increasing genetic distance with increasing geographical distance between population pairs, in a manner consistent with isolation‐by‐distance. A significant habitat‐by‐geographical‐distance interaction term indicated that, for a given geographical distance, populations separated by discontinuous habitat (sand) are more distinct genetically than are populations separated by continuous habitat (rock). In addition, populations separated by deep open waters were more genetically distinct than populations separated by continuous habitat (rock). These results indicate that levels of genetic differentiation among populations of A. nigricaudus cannot be explained by a single factor, but are due to the combined influences of biogeography, geographical distance and availability of suitable habitat.
Short article: Why mix-ups don't happen in the nursery: Evidence for an experience-based interpretation of the other-age effect

Adults’ face recognition abilities vary across face types, as evidenced by the other-race and other-species effects. Recent evidence shows that face age is another dimension affecting adults’ performance in face recognition tasks, giving rise to an other-age effect (OAE). By comparing recognition performance for adult and newborn faces in a group of maternity-ward nurses and a control group of novice participants, the current study provides evidence for an experience-based interpretation of the OAE. Novice participants were better at recognizing adult than newborn faces and showed an inversion effect for adult faces. Nurses manifested an inversion cost of equal magnitude for both adult and newborn faces and a smaller OAE in comparison to the novices. The results indicate that experience acquired exclusively in adulthood is capable of modulating the OAE and suggest that the visual processes involved in face recognition are still plastic in adulthood, granted that extensive experience with multiple faces is acquired.
Autoantibody "subspecificity" in type 1 diabetes: risk for organ-specific autoimmunity clusters in distinct groups.

OBJECTIVE Autoimmune thyroid disease (AIT), celiac disease, and Addison's disease are characterized by the presence of autoantibodies: thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) and thyroglobulin antibody (TGAb) in AIT, tissue transglutaminase antibody (TTGAb) in celiac disease, and 21-hydroxylase antibody (21-OHAb) in Addison's disease. The objective of this study was to define the prevalence of these autoantibodies and clinical disease in a population with type 1 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We screened 814 individuals with type 1 diabetes for TPOAb, TGAb, TTGAb, and 21-OHAb. Clinical disease was defined by chart review. Factors related to the presence of autoimmunity and clinical disease including age at onset of type 1 diabetes, duration of diabetes, age at screening, sex, and the presence of autoantibodies were reviewed. RESULTS The most common autoantibodies expressed were TPOAb and/or TGAb (29%), followed by TTGAb (10.1%) and 21-OHAb (1.6%). Specific HLA DR/DQ genotypes were associated with the highest risk for expression of 21-OHAb (DRB1*0404-DQ8, DR3-DQ2) and TTGAb (DR3-DQ2- DR3-DQ2). The expression of thyroid autoantibodies was related to 21-OHAb but not to TTGAb. The presence of autoantibodies was associated with and predictive of disease. CONCLUSIONS In this large cohort of individuals with type 1 diabetes, the expression of organ-specific autoantibodies was very high. The grouping of autoantibody expression suggests common factors contributing to the clustering.
Exploring the limits of incentive compatibility and allocative efficiency in complex economic environments

In this dissertation auction formats are developed and discussed that focus on three specific economic environments. Regarding the impossibility results from mechanism design, the main task for the implementation of auction designs is to balance allocative efficiency and incentive compatibility – the main characteristics a mechanism should provide. Therefore, the dissertation investigates the limits of conceivable relaxations of allocative efficiency and incentive compatibility for complex settings such as double auctions, interdependentvaluation environments and electricity market designs. The overall aim is to carefully weigh up the advantages and disadvantages for either relaxing allocative efficiency or respectively incentive compatibility. Dissertation
Isolation and characterization of an Ehrlichia sp. from a patient diagnosed with human ehrlichiosis

A new disease was recognized in the United States in 1986. The etiologic agent, although not previously isolated from a human, appeared to be serologically related to Ehrlichia canis, a canine leukotropic rickettsia. We obtained blood specimens from 27 febrile patients with a history of tick exposure. Leukocytes from 24 patients not treated with tetracycline were placed onto a monolayer of DH82 cells. We performed indirect immunofluorescence on sera from all 27 febrile patients as well as sera from 12 patients with previously diagnosed ehrlichiosis. Intractoplasmic inclusions were first observed in culture 35 days after the addition of infected blood from one patient. Partial sequencing of the rRNAs from the human isolate and E. canis indicated that they are 98.7% related. Positive indirect immunofluorescence reactions to the human isolate were obtained for all 12 previously diagnosed patients and for 33% of the 27 febrile patients. Two patients were seropositive for the human isolate but not for E. canis. No sera were positive for E. canis and negative for the human isolate. We report the isolation of a previously unrecognized Ehrlichia sp. that appears to be the etiologic agent of human ehrlichiosis. Serologic data (range of antibody titers, 256 to 32,768) in combination with rRNA sequencing indicated that the newly isolated Ehrlichia sp. is similar, but not identical, to E. canis.
Toxic neurofilamentous axonopathies– accumulation of neurofilaments and axonal degeneration

A number of neurotoxic chemicals induce accumulation of neurofilaments in axonal swellings that appear at varying distances from the cell body. This pathology is associated with axonal degeneration of different degrees. The clinical manifestation is most commonly that of a mixed motor–sensory peripheral axonopathy with a disto‐proximal pattern of progression, as in cases of chronic exposure to n‐hexane and carbon disulphide. It has been demonstrated that protein adduct formation is a primary molecular mechanism of toxicity in these axonopathies, but how this mechanism leads to neurofilament accumulation and axonal degeneration remains unclear. Furthermore, little is known regarding the mechanisms of neurofilamentous axonopathy caused by 3,3′‐iminodipropionitrile, an experimental toxin that induces proximal axon swelling that is strikingly similar to that found in early amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Here, we review the available data and main hypotheses regarding the toxic axonopathies and compare them with the current knowledge of the biological basis of neurofilament transport. We also review recent studies addressing the question of how these axonopathies may cause axonal degeneration. Understanding the mechanisms underlying the toxic axonopathies may provide insight into the relationship between neurofilament behaviour and axonal degeneration, hopefully enabling the identification of new targets for therapeutic intervention. Because neurofilament abnormalities are a common feature of many neurodegenerative diseases, advances in this area may have a wider impact beyond toxicological significance.
Design and Implementation of a Field Inspection Management System Based on Wireless Sensor Networks

Various errors and failures occur every day in the plant field. However these errors have been managed manually by field inspector. In this paper, we present a design and implementation of a field inspection management system based on wireless sensor networks. This system works on a portable embedded device. To develop the field inspection management system, we analyzed work tasks and process in the plant field. In addition, we propose security measures for preventing information stealing and alteration in the embedded system. Through this system, we can manage effectively error information collected in the field.
Monoclonal antibodies that inhibit mitogenic activity of Mycoplasma pulmonis

Previous studies have suggested a correlation between mitogenic, polyclonal activation of host lymphocytes and the respiratory tract inflammatory diseases induced by Mycoplasma pulmonis. This study describes the generation of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to M. pulmonis membrane antigens with different capacities to inhibit stimulation of cultured rat lymphocytes by mycoplasmal membranes and with variable effects on M. pulmonis growth. We show that the inhibitory effects exerted on mitogenesis by purified MAbs are inversely related to the effects of MAbs on M. pulmonis growth. Immunoblotting of electrophoretically separated membrane proteins, with both growth- and mitogenesis-inhibiting antibodies, revealed significant changes in the reactions obtained with both types of MAb following short exposure of membranes to heat. Growth-inhibiting MAbs strongly react with heat-labile antigenic complexes with molecular weights of 65,000 to 75,000. Inhibition of mitogenesis is mainly associated with recognition of membrane complexes of 84 to 113 kDa that exhibit disperse smears and variable heat sensitivities. Following brief heating of membranes, more distinct bands of 103, 90, and 84 kDa are obtained with MAbs that inhibit mitogenesis. Experiments with other mitogenic mycoplasma species and MAb 3.3. 10.2, a potent inhibitor of mitogenesis reveal that whereas the antigenic epitope recognized by this antibody is present on unheated membranes from different mycoplasmas, with heated membranes the MAb yields reactions only with M. pulmonis and M. arthritidis. Our studies suggest that M. pulmonis mitogens are unique membrane complexes of variable molecular weights, highly susceptible to heat and less sensitive to reducing agents.
Modulation of Lrp action in Escherichia coli by leucine: effects on non-specific binding of Lrp to DNA.

Lrp is a global regulator of metabolism in Escherichia coli that helps cells respond to changes in environmental conditions. The action of Lrp as a transcriptional activator or repressor is sometimes affected by whether the medium contains exogenous leucine. The abundance of Lrp in cells is relatively high (about 15 microM in monomer), and given the relatively high Lrp binding affinity in vitro for specific binding sites (nanomolar apparent dissociation constants), the expectation is that all binding sites will be saturated with Lrp in vivo. Here we consider the fraction of the total Lrp in cells that is free and the fraction that is bound to DNA. Using minicell-producing strains, we measured the distribution of Lrp between cytoplasm and nucleoid in cells grown under different nutritional conditions and in cells in different phases of growth. In E. coli cells grown in minimal medium to mid-log phase, the ratio of free to DNA-bound Lrp was about 0.67. This ratio decreased about threefold when the cells were grown in minimal medium supplemented with leucine. Our results also confirmed the previous finding that growth rate regulates lrp expression by as much as three to fourfold. Growth rate-regulated lrp expression, along with changes in the extent of non-specific binding, influences the level of free Lrp in vivo over a 16-fold range. We propose that the net effect of these processes is to regulate the relative concentrations of free Lrp hexadecamer and leucine-bound octamer, leading to promoter selection in response to environmental conditions.
Physiological and hormonal responses of lambs repeatedly implanted with zeranol and provided two levels of feed intake.

Forty crossbred wethers (average weight 30 kg) were implanted with zeranol (12 mg) at 30-d intervals and fed at two levels of intake in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments to determine performance, carcass and bone characteristics, blood metabolites, and hormones. Restricted lambs were fed to gain one-half the BW gained by lambs with ad libitum feed access. Lambs with ad libitum and restricted access to feed were slaughtered after 98 and 154 d, respectively. Zeranol increased ADG (P = .047; 20%), gain to feed (P = .023; 17%), metacarpal length (P = .004; 6%) and weight (P = .013; 13%), and tended to increase carcass crude protein gain (P = .106; 63%) while reducing kidney pelvic fat (P = .001; 33%) and dressing percentage (P = .038; 3%). Restricted feed intake increased the percentage of carcass ash and metacarpal length and weight by 27% (P = .048), 5% (P = .006), and 10% (P = .045), respectively, while reducing quality grade scores (P = .022; 5%), gain to feed (P = .001; 49%), longissimus muscle area (P = .001; 28%), the percentage of kidney pelvic fat (P = .033; 13%), and daily fat gain (P = .001; 54%). Zeranol increased pituitary weight (P = .001; 166%), plasma glucose (P = .036; 13%), mean serum growth hormone (GH; P = .011; 52%), baseline GH (P = .048; 34%), GH pulse amplitude (P = .003; 59%), and IGF-I (P = .001; 53%) concentrations. The results indicate that continuous administration of zeranol from 60 d of age to slaughter increases GH release, which directs nutrient utilization such that a carcass with more desirable lean and fat deposition patterns is obtained when nutrient availability is adequate.