Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Presence of Air Trapping and Mosaic Attenuation on Chest Computed Tomography Predicts Survival in Chronic Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis

Rationale: Significant heterogeneity of computed tomography (CT) presentation exists within chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP). There are limited data aimed at delineating the prognostic value of specific CT features, distribution, and patterns in chronic HP. Objectives: To examine whether the presence of CT mosaic attenuation (MA) and air trapping (AT), and the distribution or patterns of fibrosis impact survival in subjects with chronic HP. Methods: We retrospectively identified 110 consecutively enrolled, well‐characterized, biopsy‐proven adult subjects with chronic HP between 1982 and 2015 from the National Jewish Health interstitial lung disease research database. The first available CT scan of diagnostic quality from each subject was formally evaluated for specific CT findings associated with chronic HP and for overall CT pattern. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to identify independent predictors in time‐to‐death analysis, and bootstrap analysis was performed for internal model validation. Results: Fibrotic HP (65%; 72/110) was most often peripheral in the axial plane and lower lung preponderant. The distribution of lung disease in those without fibrosis was most often axially and zonally diffuse. There was no association between survival and CT distribution or CT pattern in the whole cohort or within the fibrotic subset of subjects. After multivariate adjustment, AT/MA was independently associated with survival in the whole cohort (HR = 0.26; 95% confidence interval = 0.07—0.97). Results were similar after restricting the analyses to fibrotic HP cases. Conclusions: Among subjects with chronic HP, the presence of CT AT/MA may identify subjects with better prognosis.
Route of Antigen Uptake Differentially Impacts Presentation by Dendritic Cells and Activated Monocytes

Dendritic cells (DCs), which maintain tolerance and orchestrate T cell immune responses, comprise a heterogeneous group of cells. For example, in the steady state, murine spleen contains pre-DC–derived CD8+ and CD8− conventional DCs. During inflammation, monocytes become activated and acquire some DC-like features, such as expression of CD11c and MHC class II. Although each of these cell types can present Ag, the relative efficiency of processing and presentation after Ag capture by different routes has not yet been systematically compared. To this end, we administered OVA to various conventional DCs and activated monocytes by receptor-mediated endocytosis, pinocytosis, or phagocytosis and measured internalization and presentation to MHC class I- and MHC class II-restricted T cells. We find that CD8− DCs are more efficient than any other type of APC tested in terms of presenting Ag to MHC class II-restricted T cells, irrespective of the route of Ag capture. In contrast, both subsets of splenic DCs are highly effective in cross-presenting Ags to CD8+ T cells. DCs and activated monocytes cross-presented Ags delivered by DEC205-mediated endocytosis and pinocytosis. However, DCs differ from activated monocytes in that the latter are several orders of magnitude less efficient in presenting Ags captured by phagocytosis to CD8+ or CD4+ T cells. We conclude that DCs derived from pre-DCs differ from monocyte-derived cells in that DCs process and present Ags efficiently irrespective of the route of Ag capture. Our observations have significant implications for understanding initiation of immune responses and vaccination strategies targeting DCs and activated monocytes.
Do Cell Phone Bans Change Driver Behavior?

In response to concerns that distracted driving due to cell phone use has become a threat to roadway safety, many states have passed laws that prohibit drivers from texting and talking on handheld cell phones. In light of recent evidence that these bans do not reduce traffic accidents, this article asks whether this is because the laws are ineffective in reducing usage. Using data on observed driver cell phone usage combined with a difference-in-differences approach that exploits the within-state variation in the adoption of bans, I find that prohibiting drivers from texting and talking on handheld cell phones reduces each by 60% and 50%, respectively. This suggests the policy is effective at reducing the targeted behavior, which leads me to discuss other factors and behavioral responses that may counteract the reduction in observed usage ( JEL K32, D04, R41).
The effect of drinking and smoking on the labour market outcomes of low-income young adults

Among adults the causal ‘drinking bonus’ and ‘smoking penalty’ have been estimated to be as large as 12% and 24%, respectively. The magnitudes of these effects compare in size with many active labour market programs targeted at low-income young adults. This article extends the literature by examining these relationships in such a group. Somewhat surprisingly the data indicate that just as in the greater population young drinkers have more favourable labour market outcomes than nondrinkers. However, when a fixed-effects approach is used to identify causal impacts there is no evidence that drinking has a positive impact on labour market outcomes and some evidence for negative returns to drinking. The smoking penalty is estimated to be much smaller among this group and not statistically significant. Finally, estimates suggest that the observed correlations between consumption and labour market outcomes are biased by unobserved characteristics of the individual as well as unobservables that change over time that are likely causing the treatment decision.
Tourism Crises and Disasters: Enhancing Understanding of System Effects

SUMMARY This paper examines the definitions and conceptual foundations of crises and distinguishes between crises and disasters. It takes a systems view of these concepts and uses the perspective of systems as organizational networks to examine implications for tourism managers. A tourism destination is perceived as consisting of a network of interacting organizations. This perspective questions the boundaries that should be used to study crisis and disasters. The paper also discusses the possibility of a crisis having a positive outcome for a destination.
Los ciudadanos ante las haciendas regionales : quién es y quién debería ser responsable de servicios e impuestos

Using the database provided by the ‘Institute for Fiscal Studies’ survey of “Tax Opinions and Attitudes of the Spanish,” for the years 2005, 2007 and 2010, and estimating logit and probit models, this paper shows the factors that explain, first, the correct or incorrect identification of the tier of government responsible for the delivery of education and health ser- vices and for collecting VAT and Personal Income Tax and, second, the preference of citizens for the centralized provision and collection of those services and taxes. The results obtained suggest that those who best identify the regional services and taxes are the most educated citi- zens, more concerned with public affairs, residents of larger municipali- ties and in regions to which significant powers were devolved first and, therefore, where decentralization has been stronger. Acting on these fac- tors can improve the knowledge of the tier of government responsible for services and taxes and, consequently, can make citizens aware that the ultimate responsibility for certain services and taxes should be regional
Glucocorticoids modulate neurotransmitter‐induced glycogen metabolism in cultured cortical astrocytes

Glucocorticoids (GC) are considered as key modulators of glycogen homeostasis in peripheral tissues, but their role in the central nervous system has only partially been characterized. Exposure of primary cultures of cortical astrocytes to dexamethasone (DEX), a synthetic glucocorticoid, results in the reduction of noradrenaline (NA)‐induced glycogen synthesis in a concentration‐dependent manner with a IC50 of 4.88 nm and a maximum inhibition of 51%. Such an effect is mediated via glucocorticoid receptors (GRs), since it is mimicked by the glucocorticoid analogue RU28362 (100 nm) and prevented by the GR antagonist RU38486 (1 µm). DEX does not act through alteration of signal transduction mechanisms, as cAMP formation induced by noradrenergic stimulation was unchanged. Moreover, glycogen synthesis was inhibited to the same extent when DEX was applied either together or only after a brief NA application. Neither [3H]2‐deoxyglucose uptake nor lactate release was altered by DEX in the presence of NA, demonstrating that inhibition of glycogen synthesis is not a consequence of reduced glucose utilization or availability. Interestingly, enhancement of glycogen synthase activity induced by NA was reduced in the presence of DEX (−27%). These results suggest that GC could have a significant influence on neuroenergetics as they could modulate activity‐related changes in brain glycogen metabolism.
Prevalence of vacuolar lesions consistent with scrapie in the brains of healthy cull sheep of the Shetland Islands

To determine the levels of background scrapie-like pathology in the brains of clinically normal adult sheep, the brains of 1106 sheep from 28 known scrapie-infected flocks and nine apparently uninfected flocks were examined during 1998 and 1999. One per cent of the brains had vacuolar pathology and disease-specific accumulations of prion protein consistent with a diagnosis of scrapie. All the positive animals had at least one allele of the prion protein gene encoding valine at codon 136, and originated from flocks in which cases of clinical scrapie had been confirmed within the last four years. The parasympathetic nucleus of the vagal nerve was the most consistently and severely affected nucleus in the medulla oblongata, suggesting that the infection enters the brain via ascending fibres of the vagus nerve.
The Hot House and the Politics of Production: Piecework Bargaining in Retrospect

Brown's studies of piecework bargaining are reviewed in light of later research and changing conditions. Some extensions are needed, for example, in relation to the definition of custom and practice. And some neglected themes, notably the role of gender in workplace bargaining, need attention. But the analytical framework is essentially robust. Its theoretical pay‐off is elaborated, and arguments that industrial relations lacks an adequate theory of pay are disputed. Its current relevance is illustrated in relation to the explosion of pay at the top of the earnings distribution.
A stochastic frontier approach to measuring regional technical efficiency in China

This paper applied a stochastic translog production function to examine the underlying causes of technical inefficiency for 28 provinces in the mainland China over the period 1970-2004. We found that inefficiency was present in production and several relevant explanatory variables contributed to it. Specifically we found that the provinces with higher level of human capital, higher engagement in international trade, and further relaxation of the household registration system (hukou system) and a smaller government size tended to lie closer to the national frontier. In addition, we found that public infrastructure was not productive and we found no evidence to support the general view that state-owned enterprises (SOEs) were operating relatively inefficiently as compared to the non-SOEs.
Disparities and Disproportionality in Child Welfare: Analysis of the Research

When discussing the problem of racial disproportionality in child welfare services it is easy to set up a spurious argument suggesting either staff racism or differential rates of maltreatment lead to disparate services and outcomes (Bartholet, p. 874). Yet the complexity of the problem as evidenced by its longstanding and pervasive nature (Fluke, Harden, Jenkins and Ruehrdanz, 2010), would suggest this is a fallacy of bifurcation, constructing an either/or question when the truth is actually a different and more complex alternative altogether (Woods, Irvine and Walton, 2004). To promote such a discussion is an overly simplistic and logically flawed treatment of one of the most troublesome and pervasive psychological, social and economic problems of our time (disproportionality in services and outcomes across all health and social domains) (Waters & Eschbach, 1995). It diverts thinking and resources from identifying the various causes of disproportionality and disparity in all of their observed expressions, describing how they interact and determining what actions might aid in their reduction. Race, Poverty and Disproportionality Fluke, Harden, Jenkins and Ruehrdanz (2010) join Barth (2005), Courtney (1996), Hill (2006) and many others in seeking to illuminate the problem. In response to the supplementary analyses of data from the Fourth National Incidence Study of Child Abuse and Neglect (NIS-4, Sedlak, McPherson & Das, 2010), which indicates some racial differences in maltreatment rates at income levels, Fluke et al. identify race as a proxy for poverty. They postulate abject poverty and associated social disorganization experienced disproportionately by African Americans and American Indians/Aboriginal peoples are risk factors for maltreatment and subsequent child welfare services involvement. Interestingly, whites who are in similar circumstances may be more likely to be endangered by physical abuse (Sedlak, McPherson & Das, 2010) and to be 1 Simply put, representation that is disproportionate to that population’s representation in the population (Casey Family Programs, n.d.). 2 Disparity refers to unequal treatment when all other characteristics are held constant (Casey Family Programs, n.d.).
Ascorbate up-regulates MLH1 (Mut L homologue-1) and p73: implications for the cellular response to DNA damage.

We have found previously that ascorbic acid (vitamin C), as well as acting as a radical scavenger, may modulate the expression of several genes [i.e. fra-1, glutathione S-transferase Pi (GSTpi) and Mut L homologue-1 (MLH1)] in human keratinocytes. In the present paper, we demonstrate that MLH1, as well as its downstream target p73, can be positively modulated by this antioxidant vitamin, indeed, up-regulation of the two mRNAs was observed after just 2 h, and increased further up to 16 h of treatment. Modulation of MLH1 and p73 gene expression improves cellular susceptibility to apoptosis triggered by the DNA-damaging agent cisplatin. Indeed, in ascorbate-supplemented cells, increased cisplatin-induced apoptosis was seen, involving activation of the MLH1/c-Abl/p73 signalling cascade. Our results were further confirmed by studies performed on genetically defined mutants, i.e. mouse embryo fibroblasts derived from knock-out animals for c-Abl or p53, as well as human colon carcinoma cell lines deficient in MLH1. The increased sensitivity to cisplatin observed in ascorbate-loaded cells appeared to be dependent exclusively on MLH1 and c-Abl expression, and independent of p53. These data suggest a potential mechanism accounting for the anti-carcinogenic and anti-cancer activities of vitamin C.
A Field Experiment in Moral Suasion and Tax Compliance Focusing on Underdeclaration and Overdeduction

One of very few field experiments in tax compliance, this study generates a unique data set on Swiss taxpayers' underdeclaration of income and wealth and overdeduction of tax credits by obtaining exclusive access to tax-return corrections made by the tax administration. Using this commune-level data from Switzerland, it explores the influence on tax compliance of moral suasion, introduced through a treatment in which taxpayers receive a letter containing normative appeals signed by the commune's fiscal commissioner. This letter also serves to operationalize elements of social identity and (mutual) trust. Interestingly, the results not only echo the earlier finding that moral suasion has barely any effect on taxpayer compliance, but show clear differences between underdeclaration and overdeduction.
Impact of Usage of Personal Music Systems on Oto-Acoustic Emissions Among Medical Students

Background: Intact hearing is essential for medical students and physicians for communicating with patients and appreciating internal sounds with a stethoscope. With the increased use of (PMSs), they are exposed to high sound levels and are at a risk of developing hearing loss. The effect of long term personal music system (PMS) usage on auditory sensitivity has been well established. Our study has reported the immediate and short term effect of PMS usage on hearing especially among medical professionals. Objective: To assess the effect of short term PMS usage on distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) among medical professionals. Materials and Method: 34 medical students within the age range of 17–22 years who were regular users of PMS participated in the study. All participants had hearing thresholds <15 dBHL at audiometric octave frequencies. Baseline DPOAEs were measured in all participants after 18 h of non-usage of PMS. One week later DPOAEs were again measured after two hours of continuous listening to PMS. DPOAEs were measured within the frequency range of 2 to 12 kHz with a resolution of 12 points per octave. Output sound pressure level of the PMS of each participant was measured in HA-1 coupler and it was converted to free field SPL using the transformations of RECD and REUG. Results: Paired sample t test was used to investigate the main effect of short term music listening on DPOAE amplitudes. Analysis revealed no significant main effect of music listening on DPOAE amplitudes at the octave frequencies between 2 to 4 KHz (t67 = −1.02, P = 0.31) and 4 to 8 KHz (t67 = 0.24, P = 0.81). However, there was a small but statistically significant reduction in DPOAE amplitude (t67 = 2.10, P = 0.04) in the frequency range of 9 to 12 kHz following short term usage of PMS. The mean output sound pressure level of the PMS was 98.29. Conclusion: Short term exposure to music affects the DPOAE amplitude at high frequencies and this serves as an early indicator for noise induced hearing loss (NIHL). Analysis of output sound pressure level suggests that the PMSs of the participants have the capability to induce hearing loss if the individual listened to it at the maximum volume setting. Hence, the medical professionals need to be cautious while using PMS.
The Convergence of Market Designs for Adequate Generating Capacity

This paper compares market designs intended to solve the resource adequacy (RA) problem, and finds that, in spite of rivalrous claims, the most advanced designs have nearly converged. The original dichotomy between approaches based on long-term energy contracts and those based on short-term capacity markets spawned two design tracks. Long-term contracts led to call-option obligations which provide market-power control and the ability to strengthen performance incentives, but this approach fails to replace the missing money at the root of the adequacy problem. Hogan’s energy-only market fills this gap. On the other track, the short-term capacity markets (ICAP) spawned long-term capacity market designs. In 2004, ISO New England proposed a short-term market with hedged performance incentives essentially based on high spot prices. In 2005 we developed for New England a forward capacity market with load obligated to purchase a target level of capacity covered by an energy call option. The two tracks have now converged on two conclusions: (1) High real-time energy prices should provide performance incentives. (2) High energy prices should be hedged with call options. We argue that two more conclusions are needed: (3) Capacity targets rather than high and volatile spot prices should guide investment, and (4) long-term physically based options should be purchased in a forward market for capacity. The result will be that adequacy is maintained, performance incentives are restored, market power and risks are reduced from present levels, and prices are hedged down to a level below the present price cap.
Optimal Hedging and Carryover Storage Value

Properties of optimal hedging for water supply releases from reservoirs are developed and discussed. The fundamental decision of how much water to release for beneficial use and retain for potential future use is examined analytically. Explicit correspondence is established between optimal hedging and the value of carryover storage. This more analytical view of hedging rules is useful for better understanding optimal hedging and simplifying numerical optimization of hedging operating rules. The derivations suggest the frequent optimality or near-optimality of two-point hedging policies for water supply operations.
Effect of green labelling on residential property price: a case study in Hong Kong

Purpose – It is known that people's expectation towards their living “green” is increasing. Green features are now regarded as one of the important considerations of buyers in purchasing a property. This research paper aims to investigate the significance of the green features of residential buildings to property buyers.Design/methodology/approach – HK‐BEAM certification and HK‐GBC Award are used as the measurement of green residential buildings. The study used a hedonic price model to determine whether there is a relationship between green features and residential property price and the influence of green features on the residential property price if there is such relationship.Findings – The empirical results show that green features have a significant and positive relationship with residential property price. People are willing to pay more for green buildings recognized by HK‐BEAM and HK‐GBC. They are willing to pay a sale price premium ranging from 3.4 percent to 6.4 percent. Furthermore, a relatively .
Evaluating the added predictive ability of a new marker: From area under the ROC curve to reclassification and beyond

Identification of key factors associated with the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and quantification of this risk using multivariable prediction algorithms are among the major advances made in preventive cardiology and cardiovascular epidemiology in the 20th century. The ongoing discovery of new risk markers by scientists presents opportunities and challenges for statisticians and clinicians to evaluate these biomarkers and to develop new risk formulations that incorporate them. One of the key questions is how best to assess and quantify the improvement in risk prediction offered by these new models. Demonstration of a statistically significant association of a new biomarker with cardiovascular risk is not enough. Some researchers have advanced that the improvement in the area under the receiver‐operating‐characteristic curve (AUC) should be the main criterion, whereas others argue that better measures of performance of prediction models are needed. In this paper, we address this question by introducing two new measures, one based on integrated sensitivity and specificity and the other on reclassification tables. These new measures offer incremental information over the AUC. We discuss the properties of these new measures and contrast them with the AUC. We also develop simple asymptotic tests of significance. We illustrate the use of these measures with an example from the Framingham Heart Study. We propose that scientists consider these types of measures in addition to the AUC when assessing the performance of newer biomarkers. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.