Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
POLITICS, SOCIETY AND FINANCIAL SECTOR REFORM IN BANGLADESH

Examines the financial sector reform experience of Bangladesh. Finds that, while there have been some improvements in competition and efficiency, loan defaults still remain a significant problem. Also finds urban bias in loan allocation and shift of resources away from the rural sector. The main obstruction in the area of loan recovery is political interference. Provides a principal‐agent explanation of politicians’ behavior. Concludes that effective implementation of an optimal policy mix depends on complex political and institutional factors. Agues that without moral norms donor agency‐engineered formal institutional reforms become meaningless. Emphasizes the role of civil society organizations in creating and maintaining ethical social behavior, when state agents themselves are involved in fraudulent activities. In the absence of generalized morality and in a society where transactions are still guided predominantly by relationships, perhaps market‐oriented policy reform may increase transactions cost.
Monolithic Integration of Surface Plasmon Detector and Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistors

The monolithic integration of a silicon-based plasmonic detector with metal- oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) was demonstrated. The plasmonic detector consisted of a gold film with a nanoslit grating on a silicon substrate and was operated at a free-space wavelength of 1550 nm. The structure of the nanoslit grating was optimized by using the finite-difference time-domain method. The output current from the plasmonic detector was amplified by ~14 000 times using the monolithically integrated MOSFETs. In addition, dynamic operation of the integrated circuit was demonstrated by modulation of the intensity of a beam that was incident to the plasmonic detector.
A membrane-permeant peptide that inhibits MLC kinase restores barrier function in in vitro models of intestinal disease.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Maintenance of the mucosal barrier is a critical function of intestinal epithelia. Myosin regulatory light chain (MLC) phosphorylation is a common intermediate in the pathophysiologic regulation of this barrier. The aim of this study was to determine whether a membrane permeant inhibitor of MLC kinase (PIK) could inhibit intracellular MLC kinase and regulate paracellular permeability. METHODS Recombinant MLC and Caco-2 MLC kinase were used for kinase assays. T84 and Caco-2 monolayers were treated with enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) or tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interferon (IFN)-gamma to induce barrier dysfunction. RESULTS PIK inhibited MLC kinase in vitro and was able to cross cell membranes and concentrate at the perijunctional actomyosin ring. Consistent with these properties, apical addition of PIK reduced intracellular MLC phosphorylation by 22% +/- 2%, increased transepithelial resistance (TER) by 50% +/- 1%, and decreased paracellular mannitol flux rates by 5.2 +/- 0.2-fold. EPEC infection induced TER decreases of 37% +/- 6% that were limited to 16% +/- 5% by PIK. TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma induced TER decreases of 22% +/- 3% that were associated with a 172% +/- 1% increase in MLC phosphorylation. Subsequent PIK addition caused MLC phosphorylation to decrease by 25% +/- 4% while TER increased to 97% +/- 6% of control. CONCLUSIONS PIK can prevent TER defects induced by EPEC and reverse MLC phosphorylation increases and TER decreases induced by TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma. The data also suggest that TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma regulate TER, at least in part, via the perijunctional cytoskeleton. Thus, PIK may be the prototype for a new class of targeted therapeutic agents that can restore barrier function in intestinal disease states.
Effect of large doses of parenteral vitamin D on glycaemic control and calcium/phosphate metabolism in patients with stable type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomised, placebo-controlled, prospective pilot study.

OBJECTIVE Vitamin D (D₃) status is reported to correlate negatively with insulin production and insulin sensitivity in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, few placebo-controlled intervention data are available. We aimed to assess the effect of large doses of parenteral D3 on glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA(₁c)) and estimates of insulin action (homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance: HOMA-IR) in patients with stable T2DM. MATERIALS AND METHODS We performed a prospective, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study at a single university care setting in Switzerland. Fifty-five patients of both genders with T2DM of more than 10 years were enrolled and randomised to either 300,000 IU D₃ or placebo, intramuscularly. The primary endpoint was the intergroup difference in HbA(₁c) levels. Secondary endpoints were: changes in insulin sensitivity, albuminuria, calcium/phosphate metabolism, activity of the renin-aldosterone axis and changes in 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure values. RESULTS After 6 months of D₃ supply, there was a significant intergroup difference in the change in HbA(₁c) levels (relative change [mean ± standard deviation] +2.9% ± 1.5% in the D₃ group vs +6.9% ± 2.1% the in placebo group, p = 0.041) as HOMA-IR decreased by 12.8% ± 5.6% in the D₃ group and increased by 10% ± 5.4% in the placebo group (intergroup difference, p = 0.032). Twenty-four-hour urinary albumin excretion decreased in the D₃ group from 200 ± 41 to 126 ± 39, p = 0.021). There was no significant intergroup difference for the other secondary endpoints. CONCLUSIONS D₃ improved insulin sensitivity (based on HOMA-IR) and affected the course of HbA(₁c) positively compared with placebo in patients with T2DM.
On the Value Premium in Malaysia

Davis, Fama and French (2000) report that the value premium in United States’ stocks is robust. Herein, we present out-of-sample evidence for Malaysia, finding that value stocks outperform growth stocks and document an arbitrage opportunity. We observe that the mean monthly returns are substantially higher for the two mimic portfolios (SMB and HML) when compared with the market portfolio. For the period 1991 through 1999, an investor generated 1.92% (annually) holding the market portfolio in Malaysia, compared with the two mimic portfolios, SMB and HML with returns of 17.70% and 17.69% respectively. We also observe that the standard deviations for the two mimic portfolios are significantly lower than the standard deviation of the market portfolio. Moreover, the findings presented in this study reject the notion of survivorship bias advanced by Kothari, Shanken and Sloan (1995) and the data-snooping hypothesis attributed to Black (1993) and Mackinlay (1995) as an explanation for the value premium.
Efficient Water Pricing Policies as an Appropriate Municipal Revenue Source

Marginal-cost pricing of municipal water in water-scarce regions is both an efficient way to achieve conservation goals and an efficient revenue source for municipalities. Nevertheless, marginal-cost water pricing is quite unusual and often prohibited, probably because water revenues are perceived to have an unfairly regressive incidence. To examine the validity of this perception, Census data from San Antonio, Texas, is used to estimate the income elasticity of demand for water there. This result and similar estimates elsewhere suggest that the regressivity of water revenues compares favorably with published regressivity estimates for traditional municipal revenue sources. Moreover, a form of two-part water pricing is shown capable of increasing progressivity without inefficiency. Revenue under this pricing regime is flexible, which allows authorities to meet a range of preset revenue targets, trading off neither efficiency nor fairness.
Employee Rights and Acquisitions

This paper examines the outcomes and characteristics of corporate acquisitions from the perspective of stakeholder-shareholder agency conflicts. Using state variation in labor protections, we find that acquirers with strong labor rights experience lower announcement returns. Combined acquirer and target announcement returns are also lower in the presence of strong labor rights. Our findings remain statistically and economically significant after we control for a range of deal, firm, industry and state characteristics and explore various channels for the labor rights effect. Overall, the evidence indicates that employee-shareholder conflicts of interest reduce shareholder gains from acquisitions.
The effectiveness of intradermal pre-exposure rabies vaccination in an Australian travel medicine clinic.

BACKGROUND The objective of the study was to assess the effectiveness of intradermal (ID) rabies vaccination and to determine whether any difference in response with age or gender exists. No published Australian data on the subject is available and controversy continues to surround the use of ID rabies vaccination for pre-exposure prophylaxis. Vaccinated travelers requiring postexposure treatment are sometimes considered unvaccinated. By confirming their immunity prior to travel, this problem may be avoided. METHODS The data was collected by retrospective analysis over 2 years at a specialized travel medicine clinic in Perth, Western Australia. The standard protocol is three ID injections of 0.1 mL, given on days 0, 7, and 28 with a booster after 12 months. The vaccine used was the Pasteur Merieux human diploid cell vaccine. Serology was performed 3 weeks after completion of the primary course or after a booster. Antibody levels were measured using the rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test, and levels of >0.5 IU/mL were considered protective. RESULTS A total of 164 travelers were included in the study, of which 144 had completed the three primary ID doses, and 20 had received an ID booster after a previous primary ID course. The mean age was 34.75 years, and gender distribution was equal. The median time between vaccination and serology was 23 days. The antibody levels ranged from 0 to 50 IU/mL with a mean of 8.42 IU/mL. Three travelers had no detectable antibodies giving a seroconversion rate of 98.2%. No statistically significant correlation between age or gender and antibody levels was present. CONCLUSION We have found that ID rabies vaccination is effective in a travel clinic with nurses experienced in the technique. The lower cost of ID rabies vaccination makes it accessible to a larger number of travelers. Further studies will be required to determine the duration of protection after ID vaccination and antibody response after postexposure boosters. We will continue to recommend ID rabies vaccination if there is sufficient time for serology to be performed and for results to be available prior to departure.
Is ‘making work pay’ effective for the ‘unemployable’? The impact of benefit sanctions on social assistance recipients in Denmark

In spring 2006, the Danish government introduced a policy that required married long-term social assistance recipients to work 300 hours in non-subsidised employment during a 2-year period in order to remain eligible for benefits. The intention was to ‘make work pay’ for unemployed immigrant women. This study evaluates how this policy influenced their transitions to employment and other benefit schemes by applying a competing risk duration model on Danish administrative data. The results show that the new rules not only had the anticipated impact on the women concerned, but the policy also had an unforeseen effect on the work effort of social welfare workers. Many moved their clients to other benefit schemes instead of applying the sanctions. This was particularly the case for the weakest among the unemployed and in municipalities, which were headed by left-wing mayors or that received extra funds from the central government. Although the new policy did increase transitions to employment, this effect was stronger in municipalities that provided extra support.
Modernisation or casualisation? Numerical flexibility in public services

‘Flexibility’ is a key feature of the government's modernisation agenda. The government does not define the kind of flexibility it aims to promote in its modernisation agenda; but data indicates that numerical flexibility, in the form of temporary work, is already a characteristic of public-sector employment, particularly in local government. This paper reports on research data that highlights the way numerical flexibility undermines other key aspects of public-service delivery and the modernisation agenda, such as equal opportunities and recruitment and retention. It argues that the poorer terms and conditions of temporary workers provide additional support for trade union claims of the existence of a ‘two-tier workforce’ in local government.
Flavonoids, Dairy Foods, and Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health: A Review of Emerging Biologic Pathways

A growing body of nutritional science highlights the complex mechanisms and pleiotropic pathways of cardiometabolic effects of different foods. Among these, some of the most exciting advances are occurring in the area of flavonoids, bioactive phytochemicals found in plant foods; and in the area of dairy, including milk, yogurt, and cheese. Many of the relevant ingredients and mechanistic pathways are now being clarified, shedding new light on both the ingredients and the pathways for how diet influences health and well-being. Flavonoids, for example, have effects on skeletal muscle, adipocytes, liver, and pancreas, and myocardial, renal, and immune cells, for instance, related to 5′-monophosphate-activated protein kinase phosphorylation, endothelial NO synthase activation, and suppression of NF-&kgr;B (nuclear factor-&kgr;B) and TLR4 (toll-like receptor 4). Effects of dairy are similarly complex and may be mediated by specific amino acids, medium-chain and odd-chain saturated fats, unsaturated fats, branched-chain fats, natural trans fats, probiotics, vitamin K1/K2, and calcium, as well as by processing such as fermentation and homogenization. These characteristics of dairy foods influence diverse pathways including related to mammalian target of rapamycin, silent information regulator transcript-1, angiotensin-converting enzyme, peroxisome proliferator–activated receptors, osteocalcin, matrix glutamate protein, hepatic de novo lipogenesis, hepatic and adipose fatty acid oxidation and inflammation, and gut microbiome interactions such as intestinal integrity and endotoxemia. The complexity of these emerging pathways and corresponding biological responses highlights the rapid advances in nutritional science and the continued need to generate robust empirical evidence on the mechanistic and clinical effects of specific foods.
Management of colorectal liver metastases

Sir We were interested to read Professor Taylor's review of the management of colorectal liver metastases (Ur J Surg 72: 51 1-16), and were interested to note in particular his comments on the place of resection for colorectai liver metastases. The world experience of resection for metastatic liver disease is now substantial, and this approach is becoming widely accepted as the treatment of choice for those patients with tumour localized to a resectable area of liver who are fit to undergo such a procedure. The several series quoted are almost entirely restricted to reports from the USA, and we felt it might be of interest to add to these results a voice of agreement from the UK, since published reports from this country are rare. Our early results quoted by Professor Taylor (Blumgart et al. 1979) contained only nine patients (from a group of 37 liver resections) in whom the operation was performed for secondary malignancies. We have not since that time published our results for resection in such patients, since we felt that our period of follow-up was not yet sufficiently long to make a meaningful comment. However, we have now reviewed our results in cases treated in the Hepatobiliary Surgery Unit at Hammersmith Hospital over a five year period since 1979. Of 55 patients undergoing elective hepatic resection for malignant disease during this period, 20 were performed for secondaries from carcinoma of the colon. This is approximately one half of a group of 39 patients referred during that time for consideration of resection of such tumours, although this clearly represents a high degree of selection in our referral practice. There was no operative mortality. During a followup period of 3 4 2 months, actuarial survivals at 12,24, and 36 months were 88,65 and 65 per cent respectively, with an overall median survival of 38 months. These results are comparable with those recorded in the rest of the world literature. We would add one caveat in relation to assessment of resectability. While it is true that the majority of patients with liver secondaries will be irresectable, it is important that this judgement be based not simply on an assessment of tumour size by means of scanning techniques, but by careful examination of hepatic anatomy, with use of vascular imaging when appropriate, since some large tumours extending beyond the confines of the right or left liver may still be resectable. Of the resections referred to above, four required extended right hepatic lobectomy with tumour clearance in all cases. While we would not suggest that this approach is applicable to a majority of patients, in view of the excellent results now obtainable, it is important to consider this possibility, particularly in young patients with large solitary liver metastases.
Late reuse of liver allografts from brain‐dead graft recipients: The Munich experience and a review of the literature

The increasing donor organ shortage requires the consideration of any possible organ donor in order to meet the current demand. However, the growing number of long‐term survivors of liver transplantation may create a situation in which former organ recipients may experience brain death with a functioning graft and therefore become organ donors themselves. Previous reports concerning this rare situation predominantly refer to the reuse of donor organs within the first 8 days after primary liver transplantation. So far, only a single case of late reuse of a donor liver has been published, with 2 additional cases mentioned in a summary of the United Network for Organ Sharing database. Here we report the case of a 43‐year‐old female donor who had received a liver graft for complications of Budd‐Chiari syndrome 5 years before becoming an organ donor herself after cerebral infarction with consecutive brain death. Liver Transpl 16:701‐704, 2010. © 2010 AASLD.
Heterogeneous Investment Opportunities in Multiple-Segment Firms and the Incremental Value Relevance of Segment Accounting Data

Applying a real‐options‐based valuation approach, we develop and test a model that addresses the incremental value relevance of segment data beyond firmlevel accounting data. Prior studies (e.g., Zhang 2000; Biddle et al. 2001) show that equity valuation requires accounting data (in part) because accounting provides signals that guide capital investments underlying value creation. In this study, we establish that the usefulness of segment data beyond aggregate data relates to heterogeneity of investment opportunities across segments, caused by divergences of segment profitability and growth potential. Empirical results are consistent with the model's predictions. We also assess the magnitude of the valuation impact of segment information relative to that of firm‐level information.
Co-occurrence of FLT3-TKD and NPM1 mutations defines a highly favorable prognostic AML group.

Although FLT3 internal tandem duplication (ITD) mutations in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) confer an adverse prognosis, co-occurrence with a nucleophosphomin (NPM1) mutation partially improves response and survival outcomes. In contrast, simultaneous NPM1 and FLT3 tyrosine kinase domain (TKD) mutations were reported to improve response over that of an isolated NPM1 mutation in one as yet unverified report. To validate this, we explored the impact of the co-occurrence of FLT3-TKD and NPM1 mutations on clinical outcomes. Study populations included 21 patients (8%) with FLT3-TKD+NPM1+ mutated, 18 patients (7%) with FLT3-TKD-only-mutated, 117 patients (44%) with NPM1-only-mutated, and 107 patients (41%) with FLT3-ITD+NPM1-mutated AML. Compared with NPM1+ -only-mutated AML, FLT3-TKD/NPM1 double mutation status was associated with a significantly superior relapse-free survival (median, not reached vs 18.3 months; P = .03) and a trend toward improved overall survival (OS). The presence of FLT3-TKD/NPM1 double mutation status was an independent positive predictor in multivariable analysis. Allogeneic stem cell transplant did not improve outcomes in the FLT3-TKD/NPM1 cohort. Consistent with historical data, the co-mutation status defined a highly favorable prognostic group characterized by high response rates and prolonged disease-free and OS. These study findings substantiate previous data describing this intriguing paradoxical cooperative effect. Our results emphasize the need for elucidating the mechanistic links between FLT3-TKD and NPM1 in future molecular and murine model studies.
Work Motivation and Job Satisfaction of Estonian Higher Officials

Abstract Professional and efficient public administration means competent, motivated, and neutral public officers, working in system and dedicated to service of public interests. Various schools of public administration have so far differed in their approach to civil servants’ work motivation (e.g. Weber's and NMP approach). The goal of this study is to ascertain the work motivation and job satisfaction levels of Estonian higher officials, the factors influencing them (social-demographic as well as personal), and the ways of channeling them. The higher the work satisfaction, the less officials are motivated by material factors and good relations with their superiors. Stronger motivation comes from recognition and a sense of responsibility. All the average indicators of our Job Diagnostic Survey exceed the corresponding average results obtained in the USA, Finland, and Estonia. One notices a predominance of analyzer-type people among higher officials. The other predominant types are controller/analyzer and analyzer/controller. In the author's view, man is an open, self-organized system, the whose is to stay alive and protect his life. The principle of a motivational system on the individual level is to understand the subordinates and help them to cope with the environment. The principle of a motivational system on the organizational level is to create high-performance government organizations and to develop the organizational culture.
Synthesis of natural sounding pitch contours in isolated utterances using hidden Markov models

A novel technique is introduced for characterizing prosodic structure and is used for speech synthesis. The mechanism consists of modeling a set of observations as a probabilistic function of a hidden Markov chain. It uses mixtures of Gaussian continuous probability density functions to represent the essential, perceptually relevant structure of intonation by observing movements of fundamental frequency in monosyllabic words of varying phonetic structure. High-quality speech synthesis, using multipulse excitation, is used to demonstrate the power of the HMM in preserving the naturalness of the intonational meaning, conveyed by the variation of fundamental frequency and duration. The fundamental frequency contours are synthesized using a random number generator from the models, and are imposed on a synthesized prototype word which had the intonation of a low fall. The resulting monosyllabic words with imposed synthesized fundamental frequency contours show a high level of naturalness and are found to be perceptually indistinguishable from the original recordings with the same intonation. The results clearly show the high potential of hidden Markov models as a mechanism for the representation of prosodic structure by naturally capturing its essentials.