Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hev b 8, the Hevea brasiliensis Latex Profilin, Is a Cross-Reactive Allergen of Latex, Plant Foods and Pollen

Background: Plant profilins are important pan-allergens. They are responsible for a significant percentage of pollen-related allergies. Limited information is available about their involvement in the latex-fruit syndrome and the cross-reactivities between latex and pollen. We aimed to clone and express the Hevea brasiliensis latex profilin to investigate its allergological significance and serological cross-reactivities to profilins from plant foods and pollens. Methods: A DNA complementary to messenger RNA (cDNA) coding for the Hevea latex profilin, Hev b 8, was amplified by polymerase chain reaction from latex RNA. Recombinant (r)Hev b 8 was produced in Escherichia coli and used to screen sera from 50 latex- allergic health care workers (HCWs) with well-documented histories of food and pollen allergy and 34 latex-allergic spina bifida (SB) patients. The cross-reactivity of natural Hev b 8 and rHev b 8 with other plant profilins was determined by ELISA inhibition assays. A three-dimensional homology model of Hev b 8 was constructed based on known profilin structures. Results: The cDNA of Hev b 8 encoded a protein of 131 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of 14 kD. Twelve of the 50 HCWs and 2 of the 34 SB patients were sensitized to Hev b 8. All Hev b 8-sensitized patients showed allergic symptoms to pollen or plant foods. Cross-reactivities between profilins of latex, pollen and plant food were illustrated by their ability to inhibit IgE binding to rHev b 8. Homology modeling of Hev b 8 yielded a structure highly similar to Bet v 2, the birch pollen profilin, with the most distinct differences located at the N-terminus. Conclusions: We conclude that primary sensitization to latex profilin in the majority of cases takes place via pollen or food profilins. Additionally, pollinosis and food-allergic patients with profilin-specific IgE can be at risk of developing latex allergy.
Non-urgent care in the hospital medical emergency department in France: how much and which health needs does it reflect?

OBJECTIVES: The goal was to describe the use of the medical emergency department as a source of non-urgent medical care in order to assess unmet health care needs among its users. The specific objectives were thus to assess the proportion of emergency department visits for non-urgent medical care and to describe those who used the department for this reason. DESIGN: A cross sectional study was performed at the emergency department in two hospitals (around 12,000 visits per year each). Subjects were interviewed before and after the visit using a standardised questionnaire. SETTING: The medical emergency department of two university hospitals, one in Paris and one in Besançon (France). SUBJECTS: Each patient aged 15 and more attending the emergency department for a visit during 40 randomly selected periods of 12 hours was included. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: A definition of urgent care was adopted before the beginning of the study. Four expert judgments were then used for each case to determine whether the reason for the visit was urgent or not. RESULTS: Altogether 594 patients in the Paris emergency department and 614 in the Besançon one were included. In Besançon, the patients were older, a general practitioner was more often cited as the regular source of care, and the percentage of subsequent hospital admission was higher than in Paris (71% versus 34%). The non-urgent visits were estimated to account for 35% and 29% of the visits in Paris and Besançon respectively. Patients using the emergency department for a non-urgent visit were younger than other patients. More of them were unemployed, homeless, born outside of France, and without health insurance. CONCLUSIONS: Non-urgent use of the emergency department was observed in about one third of the visits. Groups using the department for primary care and/or non-urgent care were mostly young and socially fragile, with no regular source of health care. Their poor health condition suggests that there is a need for a structure providing primary care both inside and outside 'normal' working hours.
What if line managers don’t realize they’re responsible for HR?

Explores the implications arising from the complete devolvement of human resource responsibilities within an organization to line managers. Reviews the changing role for line managers through the literature related to the adoption of HRM. Uses theories by Guest and by Storey as a framework to examine the success of completely devolving the human resources function to line managers within a medium‐sized private sector company. Uses data collected through a questionnaire, a card sort and in‐depth interviews from a sample of 51 employees to evaluate this framework. Data indicate that the promotion of a soft HRM approach was being displaced by a harder, piecemeal, resource‐based approach. Analyses the need for human resource specialists based on the case study data. Argues that the absence of an identified top management role which includes personnel had a negative impact on the organization’s ability to achieve strategic integration in the management of human resources. Relates this to further negative consequences in relation to commitment to the organization, flexibility and quality.
The S&P 500 Index as a Sato Process Travelling at the Speed of the VIX

Abstract The logarithm of the S&P 500 Index is modelled as a Sato process running at a speed proportional to the current level of the VIX. When the VIX is itself modelled as the exponential of a compound Poisson process with drift, we show that exact expressions are available for the prices of equity options, taken at an independent exponential maturity. The parameters for the compound Poisson process are calibrated from VIX options whereas the parameters for the Sato process driving the stock may be inferred from market option prices. Results confirm that both the S&P 500 index option surface and the parameters of the VIX time-changed Sato process have volatilities, skews and term volatility spreads that are responsive to the VIX level and the VIX option surface.
Influence of ambroxol on the bronchopulmonary level of antibiotics.

Antibiotic levels in bronchopulmonary tissue following oral administration of ampicillin, erythromycin and amoxycillin dosed 50 mg/dg were compared with those obtained by the same treatments n0 mg/dg p.o of trans-4-[(2-amino-3,5-dibromo-benzyl)amino]cyclohexanol (ambroxol, Mucosolvan) in several groups of rats. The addition of ambroxol was correlated with an increase of 234% in the pulmonary average concentration of ampicillin, 27% in that of erythromycin 27% in that of amoxycillin; the statistical evaluation of these differences resulted in less than 0.05 in each case. It may be concluded that ambroxol, through a mechanism still unclear, can increase the antibiotic levels in the lungs of the rat.
The Sensitivity of Inventory Decisions to the Shape of Lead Time-Demand Distribution

Abstract This paper studies the effects of the shape of the lead-time-demand (ltd) distribution on some basic inventory decisions. We found that the shape of the ltd distribution significantly affects the reorder point, stock-out risk, and expected lost sales of an inventory item. In the continuous-review(Q, R) model, the shape of the ltd distribution significantly affects the shortage cost component of the cost function; however, in most inventory systems, the shortage cost component accounts for a very small proportion of the system's total cost. Therefore the shape of the ltd distribution has little effect on the optimum (Q, R) solutions. We then discuss the implications of these findings.
A multilevel examination of high‐performance work systems and unit‐level organisational ambidexterity

This paper examines the process linking high-performance work systems (HPWS) and organisational ambidexterity both at the unit and firm level of analyses by integrating strategic HRM, human capital and social capital perspectives. Multisource and multilevel data from 2,887 employees and 536 managers of 58 banks was collected. Results revealed that firm-level HPWS were positively related to unit-level employee human capital. Unit-level employee human capital partially mediated the relationship between firm-level HPWS and unit organisational ambidexterity. Furthermore, firm-level social climate moderated the effect of firm-level HPWS on unit organisational ambidexterity through unit-level employee human capital. This paper contributes to HPWS and ambidexterity research by revealing the impacts of firm-level HPWS and mediating mechanisms, as well as identifying boundary conditions for pursuing unit-level organisational ambidexterity.
Characterization of Bacteroides forsythus Strains from Cat and Dog Bite Wounds in Humans and Comparison with Monkey and Human Oral Strains

ABSTRACT Bacteroides forsythus strains recovered from cat and dog bite wound infections in humans (n = 3), monkey oral strains (n = 3), and the human oral ATCC 43037 type strain were characterized by using phenotypic characteristics, enzymatic tests, whole cell fatty acid analysis, sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) analysis, PCR fingerprinting, and 16S rDNA (genes coding for rRNA) sequencing. All three bite wound isolates grew on brucella agar supplemented with 5% sheep blood, vitamin K1, and hemin. These strains, unlike the ATCC strain and previously described monkey oral and human clinical strains, did not require N-acetylmuramic acid supplementation for growth as pure cultures. However, their phenotypic characteristics, except for catalase production, were similar to those of previously identified strains. PCR fingerprinting analysis showed differences in band patterns from the ATCC strain. Also, SDS-PAGE and whole cell fatty acid analysis indicated that the dog and cat bite wound strains were similar but not identical to the human B. forsythus ATCC 43037 type strain and the monkey oral strains. The rDNA sequence analysis indicated that the three bite wound isolates had 99.93% homology with each other and 98.9 and 99.22% homology with the human ATCC 43037 and monkey oral strains, respectively. These results suggest that there are host-specific variations within each group.
Fungal Contaminants in Drinking Water Regulation? A Tale of Ecology, Exposure, Purification and Clinical Relevance

Microbiological drinking water safety is traditionally monitored mainly by bacterial parameters that indicate faecal contamination. These parameters correlate with gastro-intestinal illness, despite the fact that viral agents, resulting from faecal contamination, are usually the cause. This leaves behind microbes that can cause illness other than gastro-intestinal and several emerging pathogens, disregarding non-endemic microbial contaminants and those with recent pathogenic activity reported. This white paper focuses on one group of contaminants known to cause allergies, opportunistic infections and intoxications: Fungi. It presents a review on their occurrence, ecology and physiology. Additionally, factors contributing to their presence in water distribution systems, as well as their effect on water quality are discussed. Presence of opportunistic and pathogenic fungi in drinking water can pose a health risk to consumers due to daily contact with water, via several exposure points, such as drinking and showering. The clinical relevance and influence on human health of the most common fungal contaminants in drinking water is discussed. Our goal with this paper is to place fungal contaminants on the roadmap of evidence based and emerging threats for drinking water quality safety regulations.
Why Do IPO Auctions Fail?

We document a somewhat surprising regularity: of the many countries that have used IPO auctions, virtually all have abandoned them. The common explanations given for the lack of popularity of the auction method in the US, viz., issuer reluctance to try a new experimental method, and underwriter pressure towards methods that lead to higher fees, do not fit the evidence. We examine why auctions have failed and verify, to the extent possible, that they are consistent with what academic theory predicts. Both uniform price and discriminatory auctions are plagued by unexpectedly large fluctuations in the number of participants. The free rider problem and the winner's curse hamper price discovery and discourage investors from participating in auctions. Calculating the optimal bids in large multi-unit common value auctions with endogenous entry imposes a huge computational burden. With IPOs taking place sporadically, and each firm being different, auctions are likely to end up being unstable.
Selective Coactivator Interactions in Gene Activation by SREBP-1a and -1c

ABSTRACT Requisite levels of intracellular cholesterol and fatty acids are maintained in part by the sterol regulatory element binding proteins (SREBPs). Three major SREBP isoforms exist; SREBP-1a and SREBP-1c are expressed from overlapping mRNAs, whereas SREBP-2 is encoded by a separate gene. The active forms of SREBP-1a and SREBP-1c differ only at their extreme N termini; SREBP-1c lacks 28 aa present in SREBP-1a and instead contains 4 unique aa of its own. While the SREBP-1a and -1c isoforms differentially activate transcription, the molecular basis of this difference is unknown. Here we define the differences between these proteins that confer the enhanced activity of SREBP-1a and demonstrate that this enhancement is a direct result of its avid binding to the coactivator CREB binding protein (CBP) and the mammalian mediator complex. While previous work determined that the C/H1 zinc finger and KIX domains of CBP bind to SREBP-1a, we provide evidence that the interaction with C/H1 is important for gene activation. We further show that the association between the activation domain of SREBP-1 and mediator is through aa 500 to 824 of DRIP150. Finally, we demonstrate the recruitment of mediator to an SREBP-responsive promoter in a sterol-dependent manner.
Financing low income housing in Nigeria

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify and analyse the methods of housing finance adopted by the low income and informal groups in Nigeria.Design/methodology/approach – A survey of 300 households in selected areas (low‐income/informal) of Jos Metropolis, Nigeria, was carried out, concerning the methods of housing finance used for building and home improvement.Findings – The survey showed that 75 per cent of the households utilized traditional methods of financing and 25 per cent using modern methods.Research limitations/implications – Based on data collected from the survey, the research serves as a basis for further research into traditional methods of housing finance in developing countries.Practical implications – The analysis of traditional financing methods highlights the range and structure of the traditional methods of financing in operation in informal and low income areas of Jos Metropolis, Nigeria. For example, informal and customary/traditional methods (Esusu/Asusu, Age grade associ.
L-Performance with an Application to Hedge Funds

This paper introduces a new parametric fund performance measure, called the L-performance. The L-performance is an alternative to the Sharpe performance, which is commonly used in practice despite its inability to account for skewness and heavy tails of unconditional return distributions. The L-performance improves upon the Sharpe measure in this respect. Technically, it resembles the Sharpe measure in that it is defined as a ratio of the first- and second-order moments, which are the trimmed L-moments instead of the conventional (power) moments. The trimming parameters allow for focusing the L-performance on specific risk levels of interest, according to financial risk criteria. For illustration, a set of L-performances is computed for a variety of hedge funds. The empirical study shows the use of L-performance for fund ranking and return smoothing (manipulation) control.
Plasma total homocysteine and cysteine in relation to glomerular filtration rate in diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND The plasma concentrations of total homocysteine (tHcy) and total cysteine (tCys) are determined by intracellular metabolism and by renal plasma clearance, and we hypothesized that glomerular filtration is a major determinant of plasma tHcy and tCys. We studied the relationships between the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and plasma tHcy and tCys in populations of diabetic patients with particularly wide ranges of GFR. METHODS We measured GFR, urine albumin excretion rate (UAER), plasma tHcy, tCys, methionine, vitamin B12, folate, C-peptide, and routine parameters in 50 insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and 30 non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) patients. All patients underwent intensive insulin treatment and had a serum creatinine concentration below 115 micromol/liter. RESULTS Mean plasma tHcy in diabetic patients (0.1 micromol/liter) was lower than in normal persons (11.1 micromol/liter, P = 0.0014). Mean plasma tCys in diabetic patients (266.1 micromol/liter) was also lower than in normal persons (281.9 micromol/liter, P = 0.0005). Seventy-three percent of the diabetic patients had relative hyperfiltration. Plasma tHcy and tCys were closely and independently associated with GFR, serum folate, and serum B12. However, plasma tHcy was not independently associated with any of the 22 other variables tested, including age, serum creatinine concentration, UAER, total daily insulin dose, and glycemic control. CONCLUSIONS Glomerular filtration rate is an independent determinant of plasma tHcy and tCys concentrations, and GFR is rate limiting for renal clearance of both homocysteine and cysteine in diabetic patients without overt nephropathy. Declining GFR explains the age-related increase in plasma tHcy, and hyperfiltration explains the lower than normal mean plasma tHcy and tCys concentrations in populations of diabetic patients.
Ownership Structure, Firm Performance and Top Executive Change: An Analysis of UK Firms

The results of this paper reveal a significantly negative relationship between the equity stake owned by a senior executive and the likelihood that this executive will be removed from office. We also establish the existence of a strong positive relationship between poor company performance and the likelihood that the top managers responsible will be forced out of their firms; this forced departure only tends to occur when the managers' stake in the firm is less than 1%; as the level of ownership rises, managers become increasingly entrenched in their posts. The stock market reaction to management change is greatest (a) when the departure is unexpected and (b) when the dismissed executive owns more than 5% of the equity of his company. This study also examines the influence of other aspects of ownership structure and board composition upon the likelihood of a top executive dismissal. Copyright Blackwell Publishers Ltd 1998.
A Survey on Scheduling in IEEE 802.16 Mesh Mode

IEEE 802.16 standard (also known as WiMAX) defines the wireless broadband network technology which aims to solve the so called last mile problem via providing high bandwidth Internet even to the rural areas for which the cable deployment is very costly. The standard mainly focuses on the MAC and PHY layer issues, supporting two transmission modes: PMP (Point-to-Multipoint) and mesh modes. Mesh mode is an optional mode developed as an extension to PMP mode and it has the advantage of having an improving performance as more subscribers are added to the system using multi-hop routes. In 802.16 MAC protocol, mesh mode slot allocation and reservation mechanisms are left open which makes this topic a hot research area. Hence, the focus of this survey will mostly be on the mesh mode, and the proposed scheduling algorithms and performance evaluation methods.
Conditional Jump Dynamics in Stock Market Returns

This article develops a new conditional jump model to study jump dynamics in stock market returns. We propose a simple filter to infer ex post the distribution of jumps. This permits construction of the shock affecting the time t conditional jump intensity and is the main input into an autoregressive conditional jump intensity model. The model allows the conditional jump intensity to be time-varying and follows an approximate autoregressive moving average (ARMA) form. The time series characteristics of 72 years of daily stock returns are analyzed using the jump model coupled with a generalized autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity (GARCH) specification of volatility. We find significant time variation in the conditional jump intensity and evidence of time variation in the jump size distribution. The conditional jump dynamics contribute to good in-sample and out-of-sample fits to stock market volatility and capture the rally often observed in equity markets following a significant downturn.
Determinants of social and environmental responsibility disclosures

This study investigates the relationship between social disclosures and environmental disclosures to six corporate characteristics, namely, return on sales, return on equity, leverage, board meetings of directors, board size and corporate size. For the purpose of the study, a sample of 100 companies from the Fortune 500 list is selected for the year 2011 using a social and environmental disclosure score as provided by Bloomberg database. The results based on the multiple linear regressions indicate that the return on sales and the return on equity are positively associated at both social and environmental disclosures while leverage is associated negatively. In addition, the number of board meetings has a positive relationship with the social responsibility disclosure whilst the companies' size is associated positively with that of environmental responsibility disclosure. This study presents initial empirical data investigating different types of disclosures and corporate characteristics which extend the scope of previous studies.