Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Real estate investing

Purpose - Aims to explain the rationale for producing an issue on the topic of real estate investing and how these articles fit together. Design/methodology/approach - Essay format. Findings - Real estate is probably the largest category of assets for investors and the works in this issue will assist in the decision making processes of real estate investors. Research limitations/implications - Each of these papers covers only a limited topic and more research in the area is needed. Practical implications - These papers could change how asset allocation studies are conducted; allow investors to make superior returns around the turn of the month on real estate investment trusts (REITs); alter the capital structure of REITs; seek out real estate mutual funds with higher management fees (because they were associated with higher returns); invest directly in real estate properties. Originality/value - All five of these papers either examine areas that have not been reviewed by researchers previously, or find results that may result in different investment decisions.
Finding an Adequate Job: Employment and Income of Recent Immigrants to Israel

Summary The study examines the early market experience of recent immigrants to Israel from the former Soviet Union (FSU) and their mobility patterns a few years after migration. The Labour Utilization Framework, proposed by Clogg and Sullivan (1983), was analysed to identify the employment difficulties immigrants experienced upon arrival, their short-term mobility in the labour market, and the income consequences of their disadvantaged position in the market. Using a panel study of immigrants who arrived in Israel during 1990, we found that although most of them found employment, only a minority did not experience employment hardships. Four years after their arrival, most immigrants were still employed in occupations for which they were over-qualified, and only a small portion of the group managed to find adequate employment. Women had more severe employment hardships and a lower rate of mobility into the better positions. For men and women alike, almost any deviation from a stable adequate employment entailed wage penalties.
Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Shows Increased Brain Glutamine in Ornithine Carbamoyl Transferase Deficiency

ABSTRACT: We have performed localized in vivo proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy on two females with ornithine carbamoyl transferase deficiency during episodes of acute hyperammonemic encephalopathy with focal neurologic abnormalities. Spectra obtained from 2 × 2 × 2 cm cubic volumes at relatively long (135-ms) echo times con- tain additional signals that are characteristic of glutamine and indicate that glutamine is present in very high concen- trations in the brain. The findings are consistent with the hypothesis that intracerebral accumulation of glutamine contributes to the encephalopathy associated with hyper-ammonemia. In one of the children, spectra obtained after treatment showed a marked decrease in the glutamine signals.
In vitro evaluation of a lateral expandable cage and its comparison with a static device for lumbar interbody fusion: a biomechanical investigation.

OBJECT Through in vitro biomechanical testing, the authors compared the performance of a vertically expandable lateral lumbar interbody cage (EC) under two different torque-controlled expansions (1.5 and 3.0 Nm) and with respect to an equivalent lateral lumbar static cage (SC) with and without pedicle screw fixation. METHODS Eleven cadaveric human L2-3 segments were evaluated under the following conditions: 1) intact; 2) discectomy; 3) EC under 1.50 Nm of torque expansion (EC-1.5Nm); 4) EC under 3.00 Nm of torque expansion (EC-3.0Nm); 5) SC; and 6) SC with a bilateral pedicle screw system (SC+BPSS). Load-displacement behavior was evaluated for each condition using a combination of 100 N of axial preload and 7.5 Nm of torque in flexion and extension (FE), lateral bending (LB), and axial rotation (AR). Range of motion (ROM), neutral zone stiffness (NZS), and elastic zone stiffness (EZS) were statistically compared among conditions using post hoc Wilcoxon signed-rank comparisons after Friedman tests, with a significance level of 0.05. Additionally, any cage height difference between interbody devices was evaluated. When radiographic subsidence was observed, the specimen's data were not considered for the analysis. RESULTS The final cage height in the EC-1.5Nm condition (12.1 ± 0.9 mm) was smaller (p < 0.001) than that in the EC-3.0Nm (13.9 ± 1.1 mm) and SC (13.4 ± 0.8 mm) conditions. All instrumentation reduced (p < 0.01) ROM with respect to the injury and increased (p ≤ 0.01) NZS in flexion, extension, and LB as well as EZS in flexion, LB, and AR. When comparing the torque expansions, the EC-3.0Nm condition had smaller (p < 0.01) FE and AR ROM and greater (p ≤ 0.04) flexion NZS, extension EZS, and AR EZS. The SC condition performed equivalently (p ≥ 0.10) to both EC conditions in terms of ROM, NZS, and EZS, except for EZS in AR, in which a marginal (p = 0.05) difference was observed with respect to the EC-3.0Nm condition. The SC+BPSS was the most rigid construct in terms of ROM and stiffness, except for 1) LB ROM, in which it was comparable (p = 0.08) with that of the EC-1.5Nm condition; 2) AR NZS, in which it was comparable (p > 0.66, Friedman test) with that of all other constructs; and 3) AR EZS, in which it was comparable with that of the EC-1.5Nm (p = 0.56) and SC (p = 0.08) conditions. CONCLUSIONS A 3.0-Nm torque expansion of a lateral interbody cage provides greater immediate stability in FE and AR than a 1.5-Nm torque expansion. Moreover, the expandable device provides stability comparable with that of an equivalent (in size, shape, and bone-interface material) SC. Specifically, the SC+BPSS construct was the most stable in FE motion. Even though an EC may seem a better option given the minimal tissue disruption during its implantation, there may be a greater chance of endplate collapse by over-distracting the disc space because of the minimal haptic feedback from the expansion.
Expression of Nef Downregulates CXCR4, the Major Coreceptor of Human Immunodeficiency Virus, from the Surfaces of Target Cells and Thereby Enhances Resistance to Superinfection

ABSTRACT Lentiviral Nef proteins are key factors for pathogenesis and are known to downregulate functionally important molecules, including CD4 and major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I), from the surfaces of infected cells. Recently, we demonstrated that Nef reduces cell surface levels of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) entry coreceptor CCR5 (N. Michel, I. Allespach, S. Venzke, O. T. Fackler, and O. T. Keppler, Curr. Biol. 15:714-723, 2005). Here, we report that Nef downregulates the second major HIV-1 coreceptor, CXCR4, from the surfaces of HIV-infected primary CD4 T lymphocytes with efficiencies comparable to those of the natural CXCR4 ligand, stromal cell-derived factor-1 alpha. Analysis of a panel of mutants of HIV-1SF2 Nef revealed that the viral protein utilized the same signature motifs for downmodulation of CXCR4 and MHC-I, including the proline-rich motif P73P76P79P82 and the acidic cluster motif E66E67E68E69. Expression of wild-type Nef, but not of specific Nef mutants, resulted in a perinuclear accumulation of the coreceptor. Remarkably, the carboxy terminus of CXCR4, which harbors the classical motifs critical for basal and ligand-induced receptor endocytosis, was dispensable for the Nef-mediated reduction of surface exposure. Functionally, the ability of Nef to simultaneously downmodulate CXCR4 and CD4 correlated with maximum-level protection of Nef-expressing target cells from fusion with cells exposing X4 HIV-1 envelopes. Furthermore, the Nef-mediated downregulation of CXCR4 alone on target T lymphocytes was sufficient to diminish cells' susceptibility to X4 HIV-1 virions at the entry step. The downregulation of chemokine coreceptors is a conserved activity of Nef to modulate infected cells, an important functional consequence of which is an enhanced resistance to HIV superinfection.
POVERTY ALLEVIATION PROGRAMME: A POSITIVE STEP TOWARDS DEVELOPMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES

This paper discusses the different policies adopted by the federal government of Nigeria (FGN) and the different states to alleviate poverty in the country, all of which are aimed at developing human resources for higher productivity and self sufficiency. It notes the factors that constitute stumbling blocks to advancement of society and gender injustice; and insensitive governance system; educational injustice, incompetence and corrupt governance and globalization. The paper recommends demystifying top$down development and providing professionals (i.e. entrepreneurs, project managers, media, etc) with gender analysis tools for poverty eradication among other steps.
Improving Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy With Triggered Real-time Text Message Reminders: The China Adherence Through Technology Study

Background:Real-time adherence monitoring is now possible through medication storage devices equipped with cellular technology. We assessed the effect of triggered cell phone reminders and counseling using objective adherence data on antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence among Chinese HIV-infected patients. Methods:We provided ART patients in Nanning, China, with a medication device (Wisepill) to monitor their ART adherence electronically. After 3 months, we randomized subjects within optimal (≥95%) and suboptimal (<95%) adherence strata to intervention vs. control arms. In months 4–9, intervention subjects received individualized reminders triggered by late dose taking (no device opening by 30 minutes past dose time) and counseling using device-generated data. Controls received no reminders or data-informed counseling. We compared postintervention proportions achieving optimal adherence, mean adherence, and clinical outcomes. Results:Of 120 subjects enrolled, 116 (96.7%) completed the trial. Preintervention optimal adherence was similar in intervention vs. control arms (63.5% vs. 58.9%, respectively; P = 0.60). In the last intervention month, 87.3% vs. 51.8% achieved optimal adherence [risk ratio (RR): 1.7, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.3 to 2.2] and mean adherence was 96.2% vs. 89.1% (P = 0.003). Among preintervention suboptimal adherers, 78.3% vs. 33.3% (RR: 2.4, CI: 1.2 to 4.5) achieved optimal adherence and mean adherence was 93.3% vs. 84.7% (P = 0.039). Proportions were 92.5% and 62.9% among optimal adherers, respectively (RR: 1.5, CI: 1.1 to 1.9) and mean adherence was 97.8% vs. 91.7% (P = 0.028). Postintervention clinical outcomes were not significant. Conclusions:Real-time reminders significantly improved ART adherence in this population. This approach seems promising for managing HIV and other chronic diseases and warrants further investigation and adaptation in other settings.
Trends in Prescriptions for Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy in Four New York City HIV Clinics

Objective: To describe trends in prescriptions for antiretroviral therapies and factors associated with prescriptions for highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Methods: Medical records of patients at four HIV clinics in New York City were reviewed every 6 months. For the four 6‐month periods 1997 to 1998, we identified patients with a CD4+ nadir <500 cells/&mgr;l; sample sizes were 434, 432, 503, and 643, respectively. Trends in HAART prescriptions were tested by logistic regression using robust variance estimates because some patients contributed more than one time period. Associations between HAART prescriptions and patient characteristics were tested by χ2 and multiple logistic regression analysis. Results: Patients were predominantly black or Hispanic (89%‐90%) and male (66%‐68%), and injection drug use was the most prevalent HIV risk (38%‐49%). From 1997 to 1998, HAART prescriptions increased from 54% to 89% of antiretroviral prescriptions, and the proportion that included an nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTI) increased from 3% to 10%. HAART prescriptions were inversely associated with CD4+ nadir group during all time periods, and in the second half of 1998, patients with CD4+ nadir between 50 and 199 cells/&mgr;l were as likely to be prescribed HAART as the most immunosuppressed patients (CD4+ nadir <50 cells/&mgr;l; 91% versus 92%). HAART prescriptions were associated with clinic, HIV risk, and other patient characteristics in some time periods but not consistently. Conclusions: In these four HIV clinics, prescriptions for HAART increased significantly from 1997 to 1998, leveling off at 89% in the second half of 1998. Increasingly, HAART was prescribed for healthier patients and included an NNRTI.
Limited efficacy of universal leucodepletion in reducing the incidence of febrile nonhaemolytic reactions in red cell transfusions

Summary This article demonstrates a 62% reduction in the number of febrile nonhaemolytic transfusion reactions (FNHTRs) and 50% reduction in febrile reaction rate associated with red cell transfusions following graded introduction of universal leucodepletion. Though this is a statistically significant reduction (P = 0·009), it shows limited efficacy in abrogating this complication. We also found a reduction in the proportion of cases of FNHTRs with lymphocytotoxic antibodies over the period studied from 54% in 1998, 28% in 1999 to 23% in 2000. This corresponds to a relative increase in the number of febrile reactions without human leucocyte antigen (HLA) antibodies following full implementation of universal leucodepletion, as the total number of reported reactions actually fell considerably during the period. The increase in the number of cases without HLA antibodies was directly proportional to the increase in the number of leucodepleted units used.
Thin-section CT findings in rheumatoid arthritis-associated lung disease: CT patterns and their courses.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to describe the long-term follow-up CT evaluation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA)-associated lung disease. METHOD Thin-section CT scans from 29 patients with RA and suspected associated lung disease were reviewed. Twenty-two patients underwent sequential CT evaluation during 3 to 108 months of follow-up (mean 28 months). Histologic comfirmation of pulmonary involvement was available in 19 patients. RESULTS Three major patterns were identified: reticulation with or without honey-combing (n = 19), centrilobular branching lines with or without bronchial dilatation (n = 5), and consolidation (n = 5). Reticulation and centrilobular branching lines corresponded to usual interstitial pneumonia (n = 14) and bronchiolitis obliterans (n = 1), respectively. Consolidation corresponded to bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP; n = 3) and coexistent chronic eosinophilic pneumonia (CEP) and BOOP (n = 1). Patients with reticulation had rapid deterioration when there was new appearance of multifocal areas of ground-glass attenuation. Centrilobular branching lines progressed to bronchiectasis in one case. There was mild progression of existing bronchiectasis associated with centrilobular branching lines in one case. Area of consolidation in two patients with BOOP and one with coexistent CEP and BOOP evolved into honeycombing at serial CT. CONCLUSION Thin-section CT is a noninvasive technique for monitoring disease morphology in RA-associated lung disease. Initial CT findings and their evolution on sequential examinations may be useful in evaluating prognosis.
On the Computation of Continuous Time Option Prices Using Discrete Approximations

Abstract We develop a class of discrete, path-independent models to compute prices of American options within the Black-Scholes (1973) framework, including models in which state variables have time-varying volatility functions and models with multiple state variables. Time-varying volatility functions are illustrated with applications to term structure models developed by Vasicek (1977) and Heath, Jarrow, and Morton (1988), (1990). Distinct from previous work in the literature, the multivariate models suggested in this paper are consistent with arbitrarily large, though constant, covariance functions. Finally, we compare and contrast the numerical accuracy of a large number of models with simulation results.
Parallels Between the Cross-Sectional Predictability of Stock and Country Returns

Book-to-market ratio (BE/ME), market equity (ME), and one- year past return (momentum) (MOM) help explain the cross- section of expected individual stock returns within the U.S. and within other countries. Examining equity markets as a whole, in contrast to individual stocks, we uncover strong parallels between the explanatory power of these variables for individual stocks and for countries. First, country versions of BE/ME, ME, and MOM help explain the cross-section of expected country returns. Second, the January seasonal in ME's explanatory power for stocks also appears for countries. Third, portfolios formed by sorting stocks and countries on these variables produce similar patterns in profitability before and after the portfolio formation date.
Futures Contract Rates as Monetary Policy Forecasts

The prices of futures contracts on short-term interest rates are commonly used by central banks to gauge market expectations concerning monetary policy decisions. Excess returns - the difference between futures rates and the realized rates - are positive, on average, and statistically significant, both in the euro area and in the United States. We find that these biases are significantly related to the business cycle only in the United States. Moreover, the sign and the significance of the estimated relationships with business cycle indicators are unstable over time. Breaking the excess returns down into risk premium and forecast error components, we find that risk premia are counter-cyclical in both areas. On the contrary, ex-post prediction errors, which represent the greater part of excess returns at longer horizons in both areas, are negatively correlated with the business cycle only in the United States. JEL Classification: E43, E44, E52
Actions of Midazolam on Excitatory Transmission in Dorsal Horn Neurons of Adult Rat Spinal Cord

Background:Although intrathecal administration of midazolam, a water-soluble imidazobenzodiazepine derivative, has been found to produce analgesia, how it exerts this effect at the neuronal level in the spinal cord is not fully understood. Methods:The effects of midazolam on electrically evoked and spontaneous excitatory transmission were examined in lamina II neurons of adult rat spinal cord slices using the whole cell patch clamp technique. Results:Bath-applied midazolam (1 &mgr;m) diminished A&dgr;- and C-fiber evoked polysynaptic excitatory postsynaptic currents in both amplitude and integrated area. However, it affected neither A&dgr;- and C-fiber evoked monosynaptic excitatory postsynaptic currents in amplitude nor miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents in amplitude, frequency, and decay time constant. In the presence of a benzodiazepine receptor antagonist, flumazenil (5 &mgr;m), midazolam (1 &mgr;m) did not diminish A&dgr;-fiber evoked polysynaptic excitatory postsynaptic currents, suggesting that midazolam modulate the &ggr;-aminobutyric acid interneurons in the dorsal horn. Conclusions:Midazolam reduced excitatory synaptic transmission by acting on the &ggr;-aminobutyric acid type A/benzodiazepine receptor in interneurons, leading to a decrease in the excitability of spinal dorsal horn neurons. This may be a possible mechanism for the antinociception by midazolam in the spinal cord.
Children's rights, responsibilities and understandings of school discipline

This paper reports on research carried out with pupils in five English schools to establish their understandings of effective school discipline. It formed part of a broader research project to identify strategies which schools and local education authorities have adopted to minimize the use of exclusion from school as a disciplinary measure. Pupils were asked about relationships in school; systems of rewards and sanctions; specific problems which they faced and ways in which these might be effectively resolved. They were also invited to comment on the mechanisms within their school for raising concerns and for participating in decision-making. The perceptions of the pupils and those of their teachers are used as a basis for a broader discussion about pupil behaviour and school discipline, setting these issues within a framework of children's rights and responsibilities as outlined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. From this discussion the paper seeks to identify practices and principles which schools might adopt to promote good discipline and guarantee the rights and responsibilities of pupils.
The Analysis and Use of Financial Ratios: A Review Article

Financial ratios are used for all kinds of purposes. These include the assessment of the ability of a firm to pay its debts, the evaluation of business and managerial success and even the statutory regulation ofa firm's performance. Not surprisingly they become norms and actually affect performance. ' The traditional textbooks of financial analysis also emphasise the need for a firm to use industry-wide averages as targets (Fouike, 1968), and there is evidence that firms do adjust their financial ratios to such targets. ^ Whittington (1980) identified two principal uses of financial ratios. The traditional, normative use ofthe measurement ofa firm's ratio compared with a standard, and the positive use in estimating empirical relationships, usually for predictive purposes. The former dates back to the late nineteenth century and the increase in US bank credit given as a result of the Civil War when current and non-current items were segregated and the ratio of current assets to current liabilities was developed (Horrigan, 1968; and Dev, 1974), From then the use of ratios both for credit purposes and managerial analysis, focusing on profitability measures soon began. Around 1919 the du Pont Company began to use its famous ratio 'triangle' system to evaluate its operating results, underpinning the modern interfirm comparison scheme introduced in the UK by the British Institute of Management and the British Productivity Council in 1959,
Investigation of diversity in Aegilops biuncialis and Aegilops umbellulata by A-PAGE

Aegilops species, wild relatives of wheat, are one of the important genetic resources in wheat breeding. In this study 13 populations of Aegilops biuncialis along with 2 populations of progenitor species Aegilops umbellulata were analysed in six replications using of acid polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The results showed that TN-01-293 population had a high gluten and grind quality because of high percentage of γ-45.31 and γ-43.5 (high gluten quality index) in the observed band. Also, Ahar population from A. biuncialis was introduced to light gluten because of low percentage of γ-45.31 and γ-43.5 bands of quality. All studied populations can be used in breeding programmes for improving quality of bread wheat because of lack of γ-42 and γ-40 bands (low quality indices) and including high frequency of band in ω region. Through using PopGen 1.32 software, diversity is estimated . The maximum value of genetic diversity among populations resulted 49%.