Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A SURVEY OF CROSS-INFECTION CONTROL PROCEDURES: KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDES OF TURKISH DENTISTS

Objectives: The objective of this study was to investigate the knowledge, attitudes and behavior of Turkish dentists in Samsun City regarding cross-infection control. Material and methods: A questionnaire was designed to obtain information about procedures used for the prevention of cross-infection in dental practices and determine the attitudes and perceptions of respondent dental practitioners to their procedures. The study population included all dentists in the city of Samsun, Turkey, in April 2005 (n=184). The questionnaire collected data on sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge and practice of infection control procedures, sterilization, wearing of gloves, mask, use of rubber dam, method of storing instruments and disposal methods of contaminated material, etc. Questionnaire data was entered into a computer and analyzed by SPSS statistical software. Results: From the 184 dentists to whom the questionnaires were submitted, 135 participated in the study (overall response rate of 73.36%). As much as 74.10% dentists expressed concern about the risk of cross-infection from patients to themselves and their dental assistants. Forty-three percent of the participants were able to define "cross-infection" correctly. The greatest majority of the respondents (95.60%) stated that all patients have to be considered as infectious and universal precautions must apply to all of them. The overall responses to the questionnaire showed that the dentists had moderate knowledge of infection control procedures. Conclusions: Improved compliance with recommended infection control procedures is required for all dentists evaluated in the present survey. Continuing education programs and short-time courses about cross-infection and infection control procedures are suitable to improve the knowledge of dentists.
A Meta-Analysis of the Relationship between FGFR3 and TP53 Mutations in Bladder Cancer

TP53 and FGFR3 mutations are the most common mutations in bladder cancers. FGFR3 mutations are most frequent in low-grade low-stage tumours, whereas TP53 mutations are most frequent in high-grade high-stage tumours. Several studies have reported FGFR3 and TP53 mutations to be mutually exclusive events, whereas others have reported them to be independent. We carried out a meta-analysis of published findings for FGFR3 and TP53 mutations in bladder cancer (535 tumours, 6 publications) and additional unpublished data for 382 tumours. TP53 and FGFR3 mutations were not independent events for all tumours considered together (OR = 0.25 [0.18–0.37], p = 0.0001) or for pT1 tumours alone (OR = 0.47 [0.28–0.79], p = 0.0009). However, if the analysis was restricted to pTa tumours or to muscle-invasive tumours alone, FGFR3 and TP53 mutations were independent events (OR = 0.56 [0.23–1.36] (p = 0.12) and OR = 0.99 [0.37–2.7] (p = 0.35), respectively). After stratification of the tumours by stage and grade, no dependence was detected in the five tumour groups considered (pTaG1 and pTaG2 together, pTaG3, pT1G2, pT1G3, pT2-4). These differences in findings can be attributed to the putative existence of two different pathways of tumour progression in bladder cancer: the CIS pathway, in which FGFR3 mutations are rare, and the Ta pathway, in which FGFR3 mutations are frequent. TP53 mutations occur at the earliest stage of the CIS pathway, whereas they occur would much later in the Ta pathway, at the T1G3 or muscle-invasive stage.
Vertical Integration in the Long Run: The Provision of Physical Assets to the London and New York Stock Exchanges

In this paper the transaction cost approach of Oliver E. Williamson is applied to the long-run evolution of the provision of physical assets to the organized securities markets of London and New York. Although this evolution is shown to be in general compliance with the predictions of the transaction cost approach, questions are raised by substantial differences between the observed institutional paths. The paper argues that, if inefficient governance structures are persistent, the assumption of the transaction cost approach that attributes of transactions are exogenous and observable is misleading.
NKB1: a natural killer cell receptor involved in the recognition of polymorphic HLA-B molecules

Natural killer (NK) cells kill normal and transformed hematopoietic cells that lack expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I antigens. Lysis of HLA-negative Epstein Barr virus-transformed B lymphoblastoid cell lines (B-LCL) by human NK cell clones can be inhibited by transfection of the target cells with certain HLA-A, -B, or -C alleles. NK cell clones established from an individual demonstrate clonal heterogeneity in HLA recognition and a single NK clone can recognize multiple alleles. We describe a potential human NK cell receptor (NKB1) for certain HLA-B alleles (e.g., HLA-B*5101 and- B*5801) identified by the mAb DX9. NKB1 is a 70-kD glycoprotein that is expressed on a subset of NK cells and NK cell clones. DX9 monoclonal antibody (mAb) specifically inhibits the interaction between NK cell clones and B-LCL targets transfected with certain HLA-B alleles, but does not affect recognition of HLA-A or HLA-C antigens. An individual NK cell clone can independently recognize B-LCL targets transfected with HLA-B or HLA-C antigens; however, DX9 mAb only affects interaction with transfectants expressing certain HLA-B alleles. These findings demonstrate the existence of NK cell receptors involved in the recognition of HLA-B and imply the presence of multiple receptors for MHC on an individual NK clone.
Factors Influencing Risk Management Decision of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises in Ghana

This research seeks to study the factors that enhance or preclude owners of SMEs in Ghana in making risk management decisions. The study was conducted with managers of SMEs in four regions in Ghana. The researchers adopted a quantitative approach and employed STATA 10 and SPSS version 20 in the analysis. Stratified and simple random sampling techniques were used to select the sample units. The probit model was used in the analysis of data. A total of 447 SMEs were sampled for the study, with at least 111 from each of the selected regions. The probit results show that the demographic factors indicate a positive influence on the likelihood that managers will take risk management decisions. All of the business related demographic factors are significant at various levels and positive, except for risk-loving. The economically related factors, such as the estimated amount at risk, the estimated cost of risk management and the estimated total monthly income after tax all have a positive influence on risk management decision making. However, government and tax policies are perceived to negatively influence risk management decisions by managers. We recommend that institutions working closely with SMEs acquire the expertise to train the managers of SMEs on risk management practices.
Context-Specific Effects o f TGF-b / SMAD 3 in Cancer Are Modulated by the Epigenome Graphical

Graphical Abstract Highlights d TGF-b has opposing effects in different breast-tumor-initiating cell (BTIC) types d Genomic SMAD3 binding patterns are similar in BTICs with opposing responses to TGF-b d BTIC type-specific epigenomes prime genes for regulation by TGF-b/SMAD3 d LBH, a type-specific TGF-b target, is essential for BTIC-promoting effects of TGF-b In Brief The TGF-b pathway uses transcriptional regulation through SMAD transcription factors to modulate cell-context-specific phenotypes. Tufegdzic Vidakovic et al. show that in breast-tumor-initiating cells (BTICs), type-specific DNA and histone modifications help determine whether the response to TGF-b is pro-oncogenic or tumor suppressive. These landscapes act both in synergy and independently of cell-type-specific SMAD3 binding to TGF-b target genes to modulate context-specific transcriptional regulation by TGF-b/ SMAD3. SUMMARY The transforming growth factor beta (TGF-b) signaling pathway exerts opposing effects on cancer cells, acting as either a tumor promoter or a tumor suppressor. Here, we show that these opposing effects are a result of the synergy between SMAD3, a downstream effector of TGF-b signaling, and the distinct epigenomes of breast-tumor-initiating cells (BTICs). These effects of TGF-b are associated with distinct gene expression programs, but genomic SMAD3 binding patterns are highly similar in the BTIC-promoting and BTIC-suppressing contexts. Our data show cell-type-specific patterns of DNA and histone modifications provide a modulatory layer by determining accessibility of genes to regulation by TGF-b/SMAD3. LBH, one such context-specific target gene, is regulated according to its DNA methylation status and is crucial for TGF-b-dependent promotion of BTICs. Overall, these results reveal that the epigenome plays a central and previously overlooked role in shaping the context-specific effects of TGF-b in cancer.
Insulin therapy for the treatment of type 1 diabetes during pregnancy

Abstract Pregnancies affected by type 1 diabetes (T1D) carry a major risk for poor fetal, neonatal and maternal outcomes. Achieving normoglycemia while minimizing the risk of hypoglycemia is a major goal in the management of T1D as this can greatly reduce the risk of complications. However, maintaining optimal glucose levels is challenging because insulin requirements are not uniform throughout the course of the pregnancy. Over the past decade, there has been significant improvement in the methods for glucose monitoring and insulin administration, accompanied by an increase in the number of treatment options available to pregnant patients with T1D. Through study of the scientific literature and accumulated evidence, we review advances in the management of T1D in pregnancy and offer advice on how to achieve optimal care for the patient.
Distribution and Phylogeny of EFL and EF-1α in Euglenozoa Suggest Ancestral Co-Occurrence Followed by Differential Loss

Background The eukaryotic elongation factor EF-1α (also known as EF1A) catalyzes aminoacyl-tRNA binding by the ribosome during translation. Homologs of this essential protein occur in all domains of life, and it was previously thought to be ubiquitous in eukaryotes. Recently, however, a number of eukaryotes were found to lack EF-1α and instead encode a related protein called EFL (for EF-Like). EFL-encoding organisms are scattered widely across the tree of eukaryotes, and all have close relatives that encode EF-1α. This intriguingly complex distribution has been attributed to multiple lateral transfers because EFL's near mutual exclusivity with EF-1α makes an extended period of co-occurrence seem unlikely. However, differential loss may play a role in EFL evolution, and this possibility has been less widely discussed. Methodology/Principal Findings We have undertaken an EST- and PCR-based survey to determine the distribution of these two proteins in a previously under-sampled group, the Euglenozoa. EF-1α was found to be widespread and monophyletic, suggesting it is ancestral in this group. EFL was found in some species belonging to each of the three euglenozoan lineages, diplonemids, kinetoplastids, and euglenids. Conclusions/Significance Interestingly, the kinetoplastid EFL sequences are specifically related despite the fact that the lineages in which they are found are not sisters to one another, suggesting that EFL and EF-1α co-occurred in an early ancestor of kinetoplastids. This represents the strongest phylogenetic evidence to date that differential loss has contributed to the complex distribution of EFL and EF-1α.
Taxes and the Canadian Underground Economy

In this volume we report the results of an extensive empirical study into the size of the Canadian underground economy, its development from the mid-1970's to the mid-1990's, and some of the linkages between taxation policy and underground activity in this country. First, we estimate that the Canadian Underground Economy grew from about 3.5% of measured GDP in 1976, to almost 16% in 1995. The latter figure accords well with recent evidence for Canada obtained by Schneider by totally different means - he estimates that it averaged 14.8% in 1994/95 and 16.2% in 1997/98. Second, when the implications of an underground economy of this size are explored in terms of the amount of tax revenue that is lost, we find that the size of this "tax-gap" varied from approximately $2 billion in 1976 to almost $44 billion in 1995, in current-dollar terms. Third, we establish a clear and positive empirical relationship between the aggregate effective tax rate and the (relative) size of the underground economy. We have shown that there is significant statistical evidence of two-way Granger causality, both from the effective tax rate, to the underground economy; and also from the underground economy to the effective tax rate.
The end of certainty : the story of the 1980s

"The End of Certainty" is about power, personality and national destiny. It is the inside story of how Australia was governed by Bob Hawke and Paul Keating during the 1980s. The decade was dominated by Hawke's victories, Keating's economics and the spectacular transition of these men from allies to enemies. The book covers the disarray within the Liberal and National Parties, the contest between Andrew Peacock and John Howard, the "Joh-for-Canberra" push and John Elliott's dalliance with power. It explains how Australia fell into recession and who is to blame for the 1980s financial furnace. Kelly argues that the 1980s are more than a gripping story of intrigue, excess and recession. It is perhaps the most important decade since the early Federation years - because it is a time of creative destruction. The main theme of this book, beyond Labour's political success and Liberal political failure, is Australia's transformation as a nation.
Effects of rapid application of caffeine on intracellular calcium concentration in ferret papillary muscles

In this paper we investigate the effects of caffeine (5-20 mM) on ferret papillary muscle. The intracellular Ca2+ concentration ( [Ca2+]i) was measured from the light emitted by the photoprotein aequorin, which had previously been microinjected into superficial cells. Isometric tension was measured simultaneously. The rapid application of caffeine produced a transient increase of [Ca2+]i, which decayed spontaneously within 2-3 s and was accompanied by a transient contracture. The removal of extracellular Na+ or an increase in the concentration of intracellular Na+ (produced by strophanthidin) increased the magnitude of the caffeine response. Cessation of stimulation for several minutes or stimulation at low rates decreased the magnitude of the stimulated twitch and Ca2+ transient. These maneuvers also decreased the size of the caffeine response. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that the caffeine-releasable pool of Ca2+ (sarcoplasmic reticulum) is modulated by maneuvers that affect contraction. Ryanodine (10 microM) decreased the magnitude of the caffeine response as well as that of the stimulated twitch. In contrast, the rapid removal of external Ca2+ abolished the systolic Ca2+ transient within 5 s, but had no effect on the caffeine response. From this we conclude that the abolition of twitch by Ca2+-free solutions is not due to depletion of the sarcoplasmic reticulum of Ca2+, but may be due to a requirement of Ca2+ entry into the cell to trigger Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum.
Performance of Alternative Mutual Funds: The Average Investor's Hedge Fund

Alternative Mutual Funds (AMFs) provide the individual investor with the opportunity to invest in funds that follow strategies similar to those of hedge funds and seek returns uncorrelated with the market. Financial planners, advisors, and investors need to be aware of how well AMFs deliver absolute or positive returns regardless of market conditions and their relatively high expense ratios. In this article we analyze the performance of AMFs for the period January 1998 through December 2011 using the Carhart four-factor model and the Fung-Hsieh seven-factor model. Our results indicate that most AMFs have not been able to create any value for their investors over the period of our study. Furthermore, the performance of these funds was even worse during the recent financial crisis. © 2014 Academy of Financial Services. All rights reserved.
Heterogeneity in Risky Choice Behaviour in a Broad Population

We analyse risk preferences using an experiment with real incentives in a representative sample of 1,422 Dutch respondents. Our econometric model incorporates four structural parameters that vary with observed and unobserved characteristics: Utility curvature, loss aversion, preferences towards the timing of uncertainty resolution, and the propensity to choose randomly rather than on the basis of preferences. We find that all four parameters contribute to explaining choice behaviour. The structural parameters are significantly associated with socio-economic variables, but it is essential to incorporate unobserved heterogeneity in each of them to match the rich variety of choice patterns in the data.
The Ins and Outs of Top Income Mobility

This paper is concerned with the question of whether top income earners are permanently there or only temporarily receive the highest incomes. How much mobility is there at the top of the income distribution, and how has mobility changed over time? The paper makes both a methodological and an empirical contribution to answering these questions. The first part of the paper introduces a family of top income mobility measures based on differences in average annual incomes of top income earners in short-term and long-term distributions of income. Norwegian income tax records are then employed to study top income mobility in Norway since 1967. The results reveal low levels of top income mobility, but a relatively large increase in mobility starting at the same time as the income shares of the top income receivers started to increase around 1990.
Evidenced Based Policy and Practice: The Roles of Critical Thinking and Literacy in Empirical Methodology for Social Work Practice

Summary: This study is a preliminary definitional study that examines the idea of literacy and critical thinking in social work practice, especially as it applies to evidenced-based practice. It is not a definitive study as such, but more an exploration of what would constitute literacy and critical thinking in social work practice especially in a changing policy framework that requires greater accountability for practice through an evidence-based approach. The paper accepts the proposition that the essence of literacy is the communication of an idea or concept in a way others who are not familiar with that idea are able to understand it. The study examined five related areas, which would be considered important for the basis the background understanding required to participate in the evidenced-based discourse. These are critical thinking, statistical literacy, data visualisation, data literacy and information literacy. Findings: Whilst there are differences in what is understood as literacy of the various areas, there are also commonalities between each area. The emphasis that evidenced-based practice will require in the mode and method of argument to be used will be based on the principles of argument that arise will be influenced by critical thinking, statistical literacy, data visualisation, data literacy or information literacy. Application: The application of this preliminary study to social work practice is how one views and communicates information and observations to a wider audience. It provides a basis for argument for social work practice to be able to participate in a discourse dealing with evidence-based practice whilst within the ethical and values framework of social work philosophy.
Choosing Environmental Policy Tools: Theoretical Cautions and Practical Considerations

This working paper contains a review and analysis of environmental policy tools in Latin America. It contains a review of the instruments themselves and their properties are discussed in both static and dynamic contexts. The report brings together the institutional and more narrowly economic material and attempts to offer general guidance on types of instruments that seem most promising in various combinations of circumstances. These recommendations are also contrasted with those from some other authors, to the extent that is possible. The penultimate section of the report contains summary material on efforts at environmental management in a few Latin American countries, especially on efforts to institute economic incentive systems. The concluding section contains both a summary of the major arguments and conclusions from earlier sections and some speculation about the possibilities for using environmental policy design as a way of influencing institutional evolution within developing countries.
Impacts of cold climate on human heat balance, performance and health in circumpolar areas

Abstract In circumpolar areas the climate remains cool or thermoneutral during the majority of the days of the year spite of global warming. Therefore, health consequences related to cold exposure represent also in the future the majority of climate-related adverse health effects. Hot summers may be an exception. At ambient temperatures below +10 - +12°C, humans experience cold stress of varying degree. Man can compensate a 10°C change in ambient temperature by changing metabolic heat production by 30–40 W m-2 or by wearing an additional/taking off ca. 0.4 clo units (corresponding to one thick clothing layer). Cold ambient temperature may be a risk for human health and cause varying levels of performance limitations. The impacts of cold exposure on health and wellbeing cause a burden to many societies in terms of lowered productivity and higher costs related to health care systems as well as public health planning and management. In order to provide preventive and protective public health actions for cold-induced adverse health effects, it is important to recognize cold related injuries, illnesses and symptoms and their turn-up temperatures, and to identify the most at-risk population subgroups and factors that increase or decrease the health risks posed by cold ambient temperatures. The majority of cold-related harmful health impacts can be prevented or managed by correct preventive and protective actions. Rapid unpredictable changes are more difficult to compensate because of lack of experience (affecting attitude and skills), preparedness (vehicles, garments, supplies, logistics etc.) and/or acclimatization. (Int J Circumpolar Health 2005; 64(5):459-467)
Lock-In Effects in Relationship Lending: Evidence from Dip Loans

Do prior lending relationships result in pass-through savings (lower interest rates) for borrowers, or do they lock in higher costs for borrowers? Theoretical models suggest that when borrowers experience greater information asymmetry, higher switching costs, and limited access to capital markets, they become locked into higher costs from their existing lenders. Firms in Chapter 11 seeking debtor-inpossession (DIP) financing often fit this profile. We investigate the presence of lock-in effects using a sample of DIP loans. We first account for selectivity bias by using the inverse mills ratio form a first stage. Then, in a second stage, we jointly estimate the relationship between loan price and non-price terms accounting for selectivity bias. We find that the existence and intensity of prior lending relationships are associated with higher interest costs, longer maturities, and smaller DIP loans. Taken together, our study provides direct evidence that prior lending relationships do create a lock-in effect under certain circumstances, such as DIP financing.