Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effect of chronic cytomegalovirus infection on pneumococcal vaccine responses.

BACKGROUND Immune function declines with age and has been associated with reduced vaccine responsiveness. Chronic infection with cytomegalovirus (CMV) has been proposed as a contributor to poorer responses in older adults. A pneumococcal vaccine has been recommended in the United Kingdom for those aged >65 years since 2003 to prevent pneumococcal disease. METHODS We evaluated the effect of age and CMV status on pneumococcal vaccine responses in 348 individuals aged 50-70 years. RESULTS We found participant age to be associated with serotype-specific and functional antibody titers after pneumococcal vaccination, with a mean 6.2% (95% confidence interval, 2.9%-9.5%) reduction in postvaccination functional antibody titers per year. CMV status was not associated with serotype-specific immunoglobulin G concentrations or functional antibody titers after pneumococcal vaccination. However, CMV seropositivity was associated with higher levels of prevaccination functional antibody for 4 of 7 pneumococcal serotypes assessed. CONCLUSIONS These data imply that CMV infection is not directly responsible for the decline in pneumococcal vaccine responses seen with age but suggest that CMV-seropositive individuals differ in their natural exposure to pneumococci or have altered mucosal immune responses after colonization with this organism.
Forecasting short-term freight rate cycles: do we have a more appropriate method than a normal distribution?

General economists, as well as Maritime economists, assume that the time series they forecast follow normal distribution, and data is independently and identically distributed around the mean. This paper contests this assumption with the aid of three sets of time series: (1) The Dry Cargo Freight Index, 1741–2005: in this series the data deviate from the mean by more than three standard deviations on no fewer than six occasions, and exhibited “fat tails”; (2) The time charter freight rates for a 10-year-old, 80 000 dwt vessel from 6 January 1989 to 26 December 2008: this series also exhibits skewness and kurtosis in a leptokurtic distribution; and (3) The Dry Cargo Time Charter Index from 1971 to 2004: this series diverged from the normal distribution four times. Next, we searched more recent data for short-term cycles using the V-statistic. One cycle was found to last 4 years (2005 to 2008), which is in accordance with theory. This cycle started on 29 July 2005 and ended when it reached the (lowest) level of $4000 on 1 December 2008. A new 4-year cycle started on 1 December 2008 and is forecast to last until the end of 2010. Short-term forecasting of the cycle using V-statistic is theoretically confirmed by the theory advanced by Hampton [1990, published in 1989, ‘Analysis and shipping cycles I and II’, Seatrade Journal, 19–23. Long and Short Shipping Cycles: The Rhythms and Psychology of Shipping Markets, Monograph, 2nd ed. (Cambridge: Cambridge Academy of Transport), March, p. 66].
Organizational Culture in China: An Analysis of Culture Dimensions and Culture Types

Abstradct The economic and market reforms in China have given rise to firms with three distinct types of ownership: state-owned enterprises, private domestic enterprises, and foreign-invested firms. The three studies reported in this paper addressed the questions of whether organizational culture varies among firms with different ownership structures and whether it relates to firm performance or employee attitudes as it has been observed in US firms. The first study employed an inductive approach to identify culture dimensions and found five common dimensions across these different types of firms. In the second study, we derived an empirical taxonomy of four organizational culture types involving different configurations of the five organizational culture dimensions, and found a systematic relationship between these culture types and a measure of perceived firm performance. The third study confirmed the relationship between organizational culture types and middle manager attitudes. Suggestions are offered for future research building on the organizational culture dimensions and culture types introduced in these studies.
Canadian Organic Food Consumers' Profile and Their Willingness to Pay Premium Prices

Organic food (OF) consumers are concerned with health, safety, and quality of food they eat. However, not all OF consumers are equally “organic. ” This article aims to offer more insights into the organic consumers’ profile by clustering Canadian OF consumers into market segments based on their usage rate and psychographic characteristics. Results show 3 distinct segments of OF consumers varying significantly in their motivations to buy OF in their lifestyles but not in their demographics. The article also investigates these consumer segments’ willingness to pay (WTP) premium prices for OF products. WTP is thus not only determined by food category but also by type of consumer. Results also point out significant linkages between psychographic characteristics and WTP for OF.
Induction of Lectin-like Transcript 1 (LLT1) Protein Cell Surface Expression by Pathogens and Interferon-γ Contributes to Modulate Immune Responses*

Background: CD161 expressed by NK cells and T cells interacts with LLT1. Results: LLT1 expression profile reveals LLT1 is induced by pathogens and IFN-γ and LLT1/CD161 interaction inhibits NK cell functions whereas it costimulates T cells. Conclusion: The link between LLT1 expression and pathogen stimulation points toward a role in modulating immune responses to pathogens Significance: LLT1/CD161 interaction is relevant in immunity to infection. CD161 is a C-type lectin-like receptor expressed on human natural killer (NK) cells and subsets of T cells. CD161 has been described as an inhibitory receptor that regulates NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity and IFN-γ production. Its role on T cells has remained unclear. Studies have shown that triggering of CD161 enhances NK T cell proliferation and T cell-IFN-γ production while inhibiting TNF-α production by CD8+ T cells. Lectin-like transcript 1 (LLT1), the ligand of CD161, was found to be expressed on Toll-like receptor (TLR)-activated plasmacytoid and monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DC) and on activated B cells. Using newly developed anti-LLT1 mAbs, we show that LLT1 is not expressed on the surface of circulating B and T lymphocytes, NK cells, monocytes, and dendritic cells but that LLT1 is up-regulated upon activation. Not only TLR-stimulated dendritic cells and B cells but also T cell receptor-activated T cells and activated NK cells up-regulate LLT1. Interestingly, IFN-γ increases LLT1 expression level on antigen-presenting cells. LLT1 is also induced on B cells upon viral infection such as Epstein-Barr virus or HIV infection and in inflamed tonsils. Finally, expression of LLT1 on B cells inhibits NK cell function but costimulates T cell proliferation or IFN-γ production, and coengagement of CD161 with CD3 increases IL-17 secretion. Altogether, our results point toward a role for LLT1/CD161 in modulating immune responses to pathogens.
Recent Developments and Current Issues in the Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer

Presently, many questions exist about what the optimal regimen comprises for all stages and treatment settings for pancreatic cancer. Since the CONKO-001 trial, adjuvant therapy following resection has become standard of care; however, outcomes are poor, with most patients experiencing disease recurrence, and new therapies have yet to be validated. Furthermore, the value of adjuvant radiotherapy has still not been clearly defined. Targeted treatment in combination with chemotherapy has been mostly disappointing so far in the adjuvant setting but immunotherapy holds potential for improving survival outcomes. Neoadjuvant treatment does not appear to provide much benefit in resectable patients but in the small subgroup of patients with borderline resectable/unresectable locally advanced disease it may increase the possibility of an R0 resection and, consequently, a substantial increase in survival duration. Use of capecitabine-based radiotherapy in patients with unresectable locally advanced disease appears to be more efficacious and better tolerated than gemcitabine-based chemoradiotherapy, with respect to survival outcomes. However, as with adjuvant treatment, the benefit of adding radiotherapy has not yet been definitively demonstrated. In patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer, targeting the stroma with nab-paclitaxel has shown promising results in a phase III trial setting when administered in combination with gemcitabine and, furthermore, this regimen is suitable for a broad range of patients due to its generally good tolerability profile. Because of its high toxicity, FOLFIRINOX is more suitable for younger patients with an excellent performance status who can withstand aggressive treatment and in patients with a worse performance status, gemcitabine monotherapy is considered to be a more appropriate treatment. Alternatively, gemcitabine in combination with erlotinib, the only targeted compound that has resulted in significant albeit small improvements in survival in patients with advanced disease, could be selected. However, the benefit-risk profile of this regimen is only favorable in a strictly defined, small patient subgroup who develop a treatment-related rash. Finally, with the elucidation of prognostic and predictive markers, treatment is expected to become ever more individualized, leading to improved efficacy outcomes and less unnecessary toxicity.
Mispricing of index futures contracts and short sales constraints

This article examines if changes in short sales constraints affect the extent to which index futures contracts are mispriced. In particular, the study analyzes the mispricing of the Hong Kong Hang Seng Index futures contracts. Tests are conducted over three distinct regulatory regimes relating to the short selling of stocks in Hong Kong. This permits a study of how changes in short selling regulations affect the mispricing of futures contracts. The study indicates that relaxing the constraints on short selling reduces the extent of futures mispricing. Multiple regression analysis is used to test the relationship between the magnitude of mispricing and various economic factors including cash market volatility, time‐to‐maturity of the contract, trading cost, and dividend payout rates. The study also finds that lifting of the short selling restrictions speeds up market adjustment, especially when a long‐hedge (long futures, short stock) signal is detected. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 19: 695–715, 1999
Governing the Interplay between Industrial Ecosystems and Environmental Regulation

Many scholars of industrial ecology have focused on the institutional and organizational challenges of building and maintaining regional industrial symbiosis through the synergistic integration of material and energy flows. Despite the promise that these intellectual developments hold for the future dematerialization of industrial production, they rarely address the actual regulatory obstacles of turning wastes into raw materials. In this article we introduce a potential future industrial symbiosis around the Gulf of Bothnia between Finland and Sweden, and assess the regulatory bottlenecks related to waste by‐product consideration.
Method for Determining Oxytocin Concentrations in Unextracted Sera; Characterization in Lactating Cattle

Summary A highly sensitive, specific and reproducible double antibody RIA for measuring oxytocin in unextracted serum of cattle was developed. Serum concentrations of oxytocin were significantly (P < 0.05) elevated from 8.0 ± . 11 μU/ml to 25 ± 7.6 μU/ml (mean ± SE) 2 min after commencement of milking. The range of peak oxytocin concentrations seen 2 min after milking in six animals was 11.2-65 μU/ml. The T1/2 for oxytocin, after milk ejection, was 3.6 min. Simultaneous determinations of oxytocin activity in blood sera and intramammary pressure were monitored in two cows before, during and after stimulation of the milk ejection reflex. Oxytocin activity in blood closely paralled changes in intramammary pressure.
Origins of Terrorism: Psychologies, Ideologies, Theologies, States of Mind

Contents: Foreword Walter Laqueur Preface Walter Reich Introduction Walter Reich Part I. Strategy or psychology? : Origins of terrorist behavior 1 The logic of terrorism: Terrorist behavior as a product of strategic choice Martha Crenshaw 2 Terrorist psycho-logic: Terrorist behavior as a product of psychological forces Jerrold M. Post Part II. Varieties of terrorism: Ideological and religious motivations 3 Ideology and rebellion: Terrorism in West Germany Konrad Kellen 4 Ideology and repentance: Terrorism in Italy Franco Ferracuti 5 The psychopolitical formation of extreme left terrorism in a democracy: The case of the Weathermen Ehud Sprinzak 6 Terrorism in democracies: Its social and political bases Ted Robert Gurr 7 Sacred terror: A contemporary example from Islam David C. Rapoport 8 The moral logic of Hizballah Martin Kramer Part III. States of mind: How do terrorists think? Which psychological mechanisms enable them to do what they do? 9 Mechanisms of moral disengagement Albert Bandura 10 The readiness to kill and die: Suicidal terrorism in the Middle East Ariel Merari Part IV. Responding to terrorism: Decision making and the pressures on leadership 11 Hostage taking, the presidency, and stress Margaret G. Hermann Charles F. Hermann 12 Taking vows: The domestication of policy-making in hostage incidents Gary Sick Part V. The psychology of terrorism: What can we know? What must we learn? 13 Questions to be answered, research to be done, knowledge to be applied Martha Crenshaw 14 Understanding terrorist behavior: The limits and opportunities of psychological inquiry Walter Reich About the editor and contributors Index
The efficacy of clove oil as an anaesthetic and in euthanasia procedure for small-sized tropical fishes.

Clove oil is used as a fish anesthetic because it is a natural and inexpensive product with low toxicity risks. The goal of the present study was to determine the appropriate concentration of clove oil for small-sized tropical fish to be used in mark-recapture studies or when individuals are to be sacrificed. We applied three different clove oil concentrations (D1=0.05 mL, D2=0.10 mL and D3=0.20 mL per 500 mL of water) on three small-sized fish species. We found a negative relationship between induction time and treatment for two species (Hyphessobrycon sp.1 and Hemigrammus sp.), while concentration was unrelated to recovery time. Fish body length was positively related to induction time in the D2 treatment for Hemigrammus sp. , and negatively for Hyphessobrycon sp.1 in the D1 treatment, but was unrelated to recovery time for three species and treatments. Mortality rates varied across treatments, but higher rates were observed with higher clove oil concentrations. We conclude that 0.05 mL of clove oil per 500 mL of water is the most efficient dose for studies where fish will be released back to their natural habitats, while 0.20 mL of clove oil is recommended for studies that require fish euthanization for further laboratory analyses.
Do business angel networks deliver value to business angels?

Business angel networks act as a financial intermediary between investors and start-ups and are a means of overcoming the problem of matching entrepreneurs and business angels. In reality, most business angel networks do not accomplish this goal. Using the results of an empirical survey and five exploratory case studies, we develop three propositions concerning the business model of angel networks. We find theoretical and empirical evidence that angel networks actually foster adverse selection during the investment process. Consequently, angels, especially serial business angels, do not receive sustainable benefits from network services and actually face new risks during the investment process.
Fairer Sex or Fairer System? Gender and Corruption Revisited

Two recent influential studies found that larger representations of women in government reduced corruption. Assuming that the observed gender differentials were caused by women's inclinations toward honesty and the common good, both studies advocated increased female participation in government to combat corruption. This study argues that the observed association between gender and corruption is spurious and mainly caused by its context, liberal democracy — a political system that promotes gender equality and better governance. Data favor this "fairer system" thesis.
Seasonal variation of mass transport across the tropopause

The annual cycle of the net mass transport across the extratropical tropopause is examined. Contributions from both the global-scale meridional circulation and the mass variation of the lowermost stratosphere are included. For the northern hemisphere the mass of the lowermost stratosphere has a distinct annual cycle, whereas for the southern hemisphere, the corresponding variation is weak. The net mass transport across the tropopause in the northern hemisphere has a maximum in late spring and a distinct minimum in autumn. This variation and its magnitude compare well with older estimates based on representative 90Sr mixing ratios. For the southern hemisphere the seasonal cycle of the net mass transport is weaker and follows roughly the annual variation of the net mass flux across a nearby isentropic surface.
Tourism business knowledge of World Heritage sites: a New Zealand case study

The article reports on a survey of tourism businesses at the Southwest New Zealand and Tongariro National Park World Heritage properties in New Zealand. Despite the international and domestic tourism significance of the properties the survey identified substantial gaps in business knowledge of World Heritage and associated values. Such a situation has implications not only for tourism business education and management in World Heritage areas but also further consideration of the role that World Heritage listing may actually play in attracting visitors as opposed to the intrinsic characteristics of the property. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The role of Government in the development of tourism in Kenya

This study uses the case study of Kenya to analyse the role of government in the development of tourism in the Third World. Usually, government involvement in the development of tourism reflects on the uniqueness and peculiarity of the tourism industry. By its nature, the development and provision of tourism product involves diverse stakeholders and activities. In the diverse socio-economic situation, it is usually the government that has the required social and political capacity and legitimacy to bring together and co-ordinate the activities of diverse and different interest groups which are involved in the development of tourism and, also, establish the required level playing field. In this regard, as probably is the case in most less developed countries where tourism is a major socio-economic activity, the Kenya Government has, over the years, played a crucial role in the development of the country's tourism industry. Particularly, during the exploratory stage of tourism development in Kenya, it was government involvement that helped lay the required groundwork and, as a consequence, jump-started the rapid development of the country's tourism industry. However, in recent years, particularly in the 1990s, Kenya's tourism industry is confronted with serious problems including declining international visitor arrivals and decreasing tourism revenues. Ironically, the same government that played a crucial role, especially in the initial development of the country's tourism industry, is currently being blamed as being responsible for the industry's current poor performance. Thus, this study will also examine the underlying factors responsible for the current downturns in Kenya's tourism industry and how they relate to the role of government in the development of tourism. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Are Asian real exchange rates mean reverting? Evidence from univariate and panel LM unit root tests with one and two structural breaks

There are a number of studies that examine the purchasing power parity (PPP) hypothesis. The empirical findings from the extant literature for the PPP hypothesis are mixed. This article applies univariate and panel Lagrange Multiplier (LM) unit root tests with one and two structural breaks to real exchange rates for 15 Asian countries. The univariate LM unit root tests find evidence of PPP for two-thirds of the sample. The results from the panel LM unit root test support long-run PPP for the Asian countries in the sample. The results from the LM panel unit root tests differ from those of existing panel unit root tests of PPP for Asian countries that have not allowed for the existence of structural breaks.
What is The Problem About Corruption?

The systematic investigation of corruption is overdue. There are three main types of literature in English on the subject: historical studies of corrupt practice in Britain; inquisitional studies, mainly of the U.S.A. and the English-speaking West African and Asian countries; and sociological studies which deal with corruption incidentally. So far as I know no general study in English has appeared.1 One reason for this seems to be a widespread feeling that the facts cannot be discovered, or that if they can, they cannot be proved, or that if they can be proved, the proof cannot be published. All these notions seem dubious. There are nearly always sources of information, some of them—such as court records—systematic in their way, and some of them very circumstantial (like privileged parliamentary debates). Many of the people involved are quite willing to talk. And commissions of enquiry have published large amounts of evidence, obtained by unusual powers of compulsion.
Financial Sector Ups and Downs and the Real Sector: Big Hindrance, Little Help

This paper examines how financial expansion and contraction cycles affect the broader economy through their impact on eight real economic sectors in a panel of 28 countries over 1960-2005, paying particular attention to large, or sharp, contractions and magnifying and mitigating factors. Overall, the construction sector is the most responsive to financial sector growth, with a number of others -- such as government, public utilities, and transportation -- also exhibiting significant sensitivity to lagged financial sector growth. Sharp fluctuations in the financial sector have asymmetric effects, with the majority of real sectors adversely affected by contractions but not helped by expansions. The adverse effects of financial contractions are transmitted almost exclusively by the financial openness channel with foreign reserves mitigating these effects with a sizeable (10 to 15 times greater) impact during sharp financial contractions. Both effects are magnified during particularly large financial contractions (with coefficients on interaction terms two to three times greater than when all contractions are considered). Consequent upon a financial contraction, the most severe real sector contractions occur in countries with high financial openness; relative predominance of construction, manufacturing, and wholesale and retail sectors; and low international reserves. Finally, the analysis finds that abrupt financial contractions are more likely to follow periods of accelerated growth, indicative of"up by the stairs, down by the elevator dynamics. "