Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Adverse Effects of Ribavirin and Outcome in Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome

Study objectives To assess the effect of ribavirin-induced anemia on the outcome of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). Design A retrospective observational study. Setting Two medical centers in Taiwan. Patients Forty-four patients with SARS who received ribavirin and 7 patients with SARS who did not receive ribavirin. Measurements and results The mean peak C-reactive protein and lactate dehydrogenase levels were higher in SARS patients who were receiving ribavirin therapy than in SARS patients who were not receiving ribavirin therapy. The mortality was also higher, but the difference was not statistically significant. On multivariate analysis, hemoglobin level was an independent prognostic correlate of hypoxemia or mortality (odds ratio, 2.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.1 to 3.8; p = 0.03). The hemoglobin began decreasing in two thirds of SARS patients (32 of 44 patients; 73%) who were receiving ribavirin 3 days after therapy with the antiviral drug was started. Patients with a drop in hemoglobin level of > 2 g/dL had a significantly higher mortality rate than the other patients. Hypoxemia developed in one third of SARS patients (17 of 44 patients; 39%) who were receiving ribavirin, all of whom were anemic. Of the 17 hypoxemic patients, 11 (65%) had a drop in hemoglobin of > 2 g/dL, and 4 patients (24%) required a blood transfusion. The mean slope of the hemoglobin decrease was significantly steeper (p = 0.001) in hypoxemic patients with SARS who were receiving ribavirin than in the nonhypoxemic patients with SARS who were receiving ribavirin. Only one of seven SARS patients (14%) who was not receiving ribavirin became anemic, but this individual was not hypoxemic. Eventually, 5 of 17 hypoxemic and anemic SARS patients (29%) who were receiving ribavirin died. The combination of hypoxia with anemia was thus significantly associated with a higher mortality (p < 0.001). Conclusions Hypoxia combined with anemia increased the risk for death in SARS patients. Unless ribavirin can be shown to be effective against SARS-coronavirus, the risk of anemia posed by this drug argues against its use in SARS patients.
Imprint Control Element-mediated Secondary Methylation Imprints at the Igf2/H19 Locus*

Understanding the molecular basis of monoallelic expression as observed at imprinted loci is helpful in understanding the mechanisms underlying epigenetic regulation. Genomic imprinting begins during gametogenesis with the establishment of epigenetic marks on the chromosomes such that paternal and maternal chromosomes are rendered distinct. During embryonic development, the primary imprint can lead to generation of secondary epigenetic modifications (secondary imprints) of the chromosomes. Eventually, either the primary imprints or the secondary imprints interfere with transcription, leading to parent-of-origin-dependent silencing of one of the two alleles. Here we investigated several aspects pertaining to the generation and functional necessity of secondary methylation imprints at the Igf2/H19locus. At the H19 locus, these secondary imprints are, in fact, the signals mediating paternal chromosome-specific silencing of that gene. We first demonstrated that the H19secondary methylation imprints are entirely stable through multiple cell divisions, even in the absence of the primary imprint. Second, we generated mouse mutations to determine which DNA sequences are important in mediating establishment and maintenance of the silent state of the paternal H19 allele. Finally, we analyzed the dependence of the methylation ofIgf2DMR1 region on the primary methylation imprint about 90 kilobases away.
Motivation under uncertainty and risks: Evaluation of the effects of China's employment and wage reforms.

This dissertation is set out to evaluate the effectiveness of China's wage and employment reforms against a major objective - the revival of motivation among individuals to adapt to new and changing environmental demands and challenges in their jobs in the face of intensifying global competition and increased resource constraints. It extends existing motivation research in several important ways. First, although the reforms began as early as the late 1970s and have had a profound impact on the nation's 100 million-strong industrial workforce, their dual impact on motivation was only empirically explored for the first time in this study due to extremely high research barriers. Second, since motivation research tends to focus on pay systems and especially rewards, this thesis also represents the first empirical attempt assessing the simultaneous motivational impact of wage and employment systems reform in the world. Third, with the advantage of an interdisciplinary approach, I developed a research model that accounts for uncertainty and risks, thus setting the model apart from existing frameworks. By testing a primary dataset of more than 1,000 units of analysis on the proposed framework of Environmental Perception and Adaptive Motivation against leading theories, I was able to establish that the proposed model is a superior and, indeed, more fitting framework for predicting individuals' motivation to adapt to new demands and challenges in their jobs in a fast-changing and turbulent workplace. These results in turn lend confidence to my concluding argument for the future role of risks in motivation research.
The effect of context and input conditions on oral and written development: A Study Abroad perspective

Abstract This article aims at describing and explaining the effects of a period of Study Abroad spent in the target language country (SA) on foreign language development. Such effects are analysed in the short- and mid-term and in contrast with the impact of a period of formal instruction (FI) previously spent in the home country (AH). It is hypothesised that because each of the two contexts has differential patterns of input exposure, both quantitatively and qualitatively, their effect on the participants' communicative and motivational development will also be different. The learners' abilities to avail themselves of opportunities for contactwith the target language that the SA context provides are also taken into account. For this purpose, a sample of Catalan/Spanish EFL undergraduates who spent a compulsory three-month sojourn in an English-speaking university was analysed longitudinally over a period of three years. Intensive testing of the learners' oral and written abilities was carried out, and both global and fine-grained measurements were applied to the data. Comparisons were also drawn between the sample of non-native English speaking learners (NNSs) and baseline data from a similar sample of native English-speaking (NSs) exchange students.
The Non-Procedural Determinants of Responsiveness

This article starts from the remarks by Peter Mair on the growing gap between responsiveness and responsibility – or middle-run responsiveness – and the declining capacity of parties to bridge that gap. It focuses on the empirical analysis of the association between economic and substantive democratic dimensions and responsiveness, which are highly relevant to the way in which parties compete and govern within contemporary democracies. Following an introduction of the topic, the second section puts forward key concepts and hypotheses; the third presents the operationalisation of the variables and the applied method; the fourth and primary empirical section of the article analyses the non-procedural determinants of political and economic responsiveness, including freedom and equality as well as several key economic structural factors. The concluding remarks recapitulate the main empirical findings and submit a number of aspects that party leaders ought to take into account when addressing the thorny issue of responsiveness.
The Antecedents and Consequences of Brand Prestige in Luxury Restaurants

The purpose of this study was to investigate the antecedents and consequences of brand prestige in luxury restaurants. Based on the existing theoretical background, it was proposed that four types of brand-related stimulus form brand experience in consumer memory and thus influence the formation of brand prestige. Through a review of the literature, it was also hypothesized that brand prestige can result in five managerial outcomes: patrons' well-being perception, information costs saved, perceived price fairness, satisfaction and behavioral intentions. Based on the theoretical relationships between the conceptual constructs, a model was proposed and then tested utilizing data collected from 527 luxury restaurant patrons. The results of data analysis indicate that two types of brand-related stimulus (sensory and intellectual) aid in the creation of brand prestige, and can thus help to: enhance patrons' well-being perception; reduce patrons' information searching efforts; and enhance perceived price fairness. As a result, patron satisfaction and positive behavioral intentions can be induced. The critical managerial implications of these findings are then discussed in the latter part of the article.
Determinants of Labour Force Participation by Married Women: The Case of Jakarta

This study seeks to identify the determinants of female labour force participation (FLFP), by assessing the influence of a set of socio-demographic, economic and cultural factors on educational class differentials in the LFP of married women in Jakarta A J-shaped pattern of association between education and FLFP is prevalent in many developing countries: less educated women often show LFP rates close to those of well educated women, whereas moderately educated women have lower rates. The study concludes that education is a strong determinant of women's participation in the Jakarta labour force. The J-shaped pattern of association between education and FLFP persisted after standdrdisatton by age, although it was less marked than the literature suggests Few variables were consistently significant for all educational classes, with a different mix of variables influencing FLFP in each group Children below five living at home, however, had a significant negative association with FLFP in all educational classes.
Macroscopic and microscopic analysis of the tongue of the common opossum (Didelphis marsupialis)

We performed a macroscopic and microscopic study of the tongues of common opossums, Didelphis marsupialis, from South America. We studied two males and two females. We collected morphometric data on the tongue with precision calipers. For the light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy analyses, we fixed tissue fragments in 10% formaldehyde and 2.5% glutaraldehyde, respectively. The opossum tongues averaged 5.87 ± 0.20 cm in length, 3.27 ± 0.15 cm in width at the lingual body, and 3.82 ± 0.15 cm in width at the root. The mean thickness of the lingual body was 1.8 ± 0.1 cm, and the thickness of the root was 3.82 ± 0.15 cm. Sharp filiform papillae were scattered across the entire tongue; conical filiform papillae occurred on the lingual body and tongue tip; fungiform papillae were scattered among the filiform papillae on the lingual body and tongue tip; and there were three vallate papillae at the root of the tongue. We found two strands of papillary projections in the tongue root. Despite the low variability observed in the lingual papillae, the morphological data obtained in this study may be related to the opossum's diverse food habits and the extensive geographic distribution of the species throughout America. Microsc. Res. Tech. 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Hypothermia, hypotension, hypersomnia, and obesity associated with hypothalamic lesions in a patient positive for the anti-aquaporin 4 antibody: a case report and literature review.

OBJECTIVE To describe a patient positive for the anti-aquaporin 4 antibody with hypothalamic lesions showing hypothermia, hypotension, hypersomnia, and obesity. DESIGN Case report. SETTING University hospital. PATIENT We describe a 21-year-old woman who was positive for anti-aquaporin 4 antibody and presented with hypothermia, hypotension, and hypersomnia owing to bilateral hypothalamic lesions as the only abnormal clinical finding. RESULTS Immediate steroid administration resulted in significant improvement of the patient's vital signs and imaging findings; however, her cognitive impairment and sleepiness persisted, and she subsequently developed obesity. Decreased cerebrospinal fluid orexin levels and sleep studies confirmed the diagnosis of narcolepsy due to medical condition. Physicians should be aware that neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders can initially involve the hypothalamus. CONCLUSIONS We emphasize that measurement of anti-aquaporin 4 antibody is of clinical importance in the differential diagnosis of hypothalamic lesions.
Subjective memory impairment and well‐being in community‐dwelling older adults

The relationship between subjective memory impairment (SMI), future cognitive decline, and negative health status provides an opportunity for interventions to reduce memory complaints in high‐risk groups. This study aimed to examine the relationship between SMI and indicators of well‐being in older adults enrolled in an exercise trial. Additionally, the study examined whether two different modes of exercise training, aerobic walking and non‐aerobic flexibility, toning, and balance, differentially influenced subjective memory across the trial.
From no work to work? : the role of job placement and skills training services in assisting unemployment Benefit II recipients find work under Germany's Hartz IV welfare reforms

This thesis presents the results of a qualitative investigation of Unemployment Benefit II (UBII) recipients' experiences of skill training and job placement services under Germany's Hartz IV welfare reforms—arguably a (neo-) liberal intervention in the context of what has traditionally been described as a conservative-corporatist welfare regime. This thesis explores the experience of skills training and job placement services in terms of the degree to which these support mechanisms engage with UBII recipients’ needs and perceptions and how these necessarily reflect the purposes of the support and activation mechanisms (to provide support to and assist the long-term unemployed find work) and the underlying policy assumptions (that the long-term unemployed need to be made to demonstrate responsibility in finding work). The evidence presented suggests such services have not necessarily provided a route into regular employment. Instead the ‘support’ mechanisms tend to ‘busy’ the recipients; to be irrelevant to the recipients’ employment history and/or future interests; and not to match what recipients wish to, or are interested in, doing. Secondly, the policy rhetoric and design of the Hartz IV reforms implied, ostensibly, a shift with some cultural significance—from social solidarity to individual responsibility; from old (conservative) to new (neo-liberal) paternalism. The thesis examines UBII recipients’ perception of their ‘right’ to and ‘responsibility’ in finding work. The evidence suggests that popular discourse and understandings of the right to and responsibility in finding work in Germany are not so distinct or dissimilar from the Anglophone world. Finally, this thesis identifies a potential contradiction within the German government’s political objective of providing support (Fordern) to recipients in return for UBII recipients demonstrating responsibility (Fordern) in finding work. The findings suggest there is little need to make unemployed Germans feel ‘responsible’ for finding work. The demands placed on recipients to demonstrate to case managers that they are taking responsibility for finding work may undermine the recipient’s ability responsibly to look for work. And UBII recipients may ‘trick’ the system to meet these demands, ostensibly wasting the time and resources of Jobcenter staff and UBII recipients. This thesis concludes by arguing that Fordern and Fordern are ultimately not compatible within a policy framework. Where Fordern (demand/require) exists in conjunction with the threat of sanctions for non-compliance, there is too much of a chance that Fordern (support), in the form of job placement and skill training services, will be used to regulate the conduct of and discipline UBII recipients rather than provide legitimate support. Thus, any support provided starts to break down as soon as Fordern is inserted into the policy framework.
Changes in value relevance of accounting information upon IFRS adoption: Evidence from Australia

We investigate whether the adoption of IFRS increases the value relevance of accounting information for firms listed on the Australian Securities Exchange. Using a longitudinal study that covers pre-IFRS and post-IFRS periods during 1990–2008, we find that earnings become more value-relevant whereas the book value of equity does not. This impact is concentrated in the subsamples of industrial firms, both large and small, and firms reporting an AGAAP-IFRS accounting reconciliation upon IFRS adoption. Consistent with an increase in the value relevance of earnings, earnings also become more persistent around IFRS adoption. Our study suggests that even for a country categorized by strong investor protection and high-quality financial reporting and enforcement, IFRS adoption affects the associations between accounting information and market value. JEL Classification: M40, M41
Learning a Deep Single Image Contrast Enhancer from Multi-Exposure Images

Due to the poor lighting condition and limited dynamic range of digital imaging devices, the recorded images are often under-/over-exposed and with low contrast. Most of previous single image contrast enhancement (SICE) methods adjust the tone curve to correct the contrast of an input image. Those methods, however, often fail in revealing image details because of the limited information in a single image. On the other hand, the SICE task can be better accomplished if we can learn extra information from appropriately collected training data. In this paper, we propose to use the convolutional neural network (CNN) to train a SICE enhancer. One key issue is how to construct a training data set of low-contrast and high-contrast image pairs for end-to-end CNN learning. To this end, we build a large-scale multi-exposure image data set, which contains 589 elaborately selected high-resolution multi-exposure sequences with 4,413 images. Thirteen representative multi-exposure image fusion and stack-based high dynamic range imaging algorithms are employed to generate the contrast enhanced images for each sequence, and subjective experiments are conducted to screen the best quality one as the reference image of each scene. With the constructed data set, a CNN can be easily trained as the SICE enhancer to improve the contrast of an under-/over-exposure image. Experimental results demonstrate the advantages of our method over existing SICE methods with a significant margin.
Portfolio Selection in Stochastic Environments

In this article, I explicitly solve dynamic portfolio choice problems, up to the solution of an ordinary differential equation (ODE), when the asset returns are quadratic and the agent has a constant relative risk aversion (CRRA) coefficient. My solution includes as special cases many existing explicit solutions of dynamic portfolio choice problems. I also present three applications that are not in the literature. Application 1 is the bond portfolio selection problem when bond returns are described by "quadratic term structure models. " Application 2 is the stock portfolio selection problem when stock return volatility is stochastic as in Heston model. Application 3 is a bond and stock portfolio selection problem when the interest rate is stochastic and stock returns display stochastic volatility. (JEL G11) Copyright 2007, Oxford University Press.
Rhs elements of Escherichia coli K-12: complex composites of shared and unique components that have different evolutionary histories

The complete sequences of the RhsB and RhsC elements of Escherichia coli K-12 have been determined. These sequence data reveal a new repeated sequence, called H-rpt (Hinc repeat), which is distinct from the Rhs core repetition that is found in all five Rhs elements. H-rpt is found in RhsB, RhsC, and RhsE. Characterization of H-rpt supports the view that the Rhs elements are composite structures assembled from components with very different evolutionary histories and that their incorporation into the E. coli genome is relatively recent. In each case, H-rpt is found downstream from the Rhs core and is separated from the core by a segment of DNA that is unique to the individual element. The H-rpt's of RhsB and RhsE are very similar, diverging by only 2.1%. They are 1,291 bp in length, and each contains an 1,134-bp open reading frame (ORF). RhsC has three tandem copies of H-rpt, all of which appear defective in that they are large deletions and/or have the reading frame interrupted. Features of H-rpt are analogous to features typical of insertion sequences; however, no associated transposition activity has been detected. A 291-bp fragment of H-rpt is found near min 5 of the E. coli K-12 map and is not associated with any Rhs core homology. The complete core sequences of RhsB and RhsC have been compared with that of RhsA. As anticipated, the three core sequences are closely related, all having identical lengths of 3,714 bp each. Like RhsA, the RhsB and RhsC cores constitute single ORFs that begin with the first core base. In each case, the core ORF extends beyond the core into the unique sequence. Of the three cores, RhsB and RhsA are the most similar, showing only 0.9% sequence divergence, while RhsB and RhsC are the least similar, diverging by 2.9%. All three cores conserve the 28 repetitions of a peptide motif noted originally for RhsA. A secondary structure is proposed for this motif, and the possibility of its having an extracellular binding function is discussed. RhsB contains one additional unique ORF, and RhsC contains two additional unique ORFs. One of these ORFs includes a signal peptide that is functional when fused to TnphoA.
Clinical and neuropathologic findings in a woman with the FMR1 premutation and multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND Multiple sclerosis (MS) and fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) have overlapping clinical signs and symptoms. OBJECTIVES To present a case with evidence of both MS and FXTAS and to discuss the relationship of both disorders. DESIGN Case report. SETTING Fragile X Research and Treatment Center at the University of California, Davis, Medical Center. Patient Woman with the FMR1 premutation who died of MS at the age of 52 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Magnetic resonance imaging, physical examination, and neuropathologic examination results. RESULTS Magnetic resonance imaging, physical examination, and autopsy neuropathologic examination revealed diagnostic features of MS and FXTAS. CONCLUSION The molecular mechanism of RNA toxicity, including the elevation of alphaB-crystallin levels observed in FXTAS, may lead to enhanced predisposition to autoimmune diseases.
Is There a &Apos;Hidden Cost of Control&Apos; in Naturally-Occurring Markets? Evidence from a Natural Field Experiment

Several recent laboratory experiments have shown that the use of explicit incentives--such as conditional rewards and punishment--entail considerable "hidden" costs. The costs are hidden in the sense that they escape our attention if our reasoning is based on the assumption that people are exclusively self-interested. This study represents a first attempt to explore whether, and to what extent, such considerations affect equilibrium outcomes in the field. Using data gathered from nearly 3000 households, we find little support for the negative consequences of control in naturally-occurring labor markets. In fact, even though we find evidence that workers are reciprocal, we find that worker effort is maximized when we use conditional--not unconditional--rewards to incent workers.