Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Piperacillin‐tazobactam vs. imipenem‐cilastatin as empirical therapy in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation recipients with febrile neutropenia

This randomized, dual‐center study compared the efficacy and safety of piperacillin‐tazobactam (PTZ) and imipenem‐cilastatin (IMP) in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) recipients with febrile neutropenia. HSCT recipients with febrile neutropenia were randomized into two groups receiving either PTZ or IMP as initial empiric antibiotic. Endpoints were defervescence rate after empiric antibiotic for 48 h, success at end of therapy, and side effects. Defervescence within 48 h after empiric antibiotic was observed in 46 patients with PTZ (75.4%) and 59 patients with IMP (95.2%) (p = 0.002). Ten patients (10/46) in the PTZ group and two patients (2/59) in the IMP group switched empiric antibiotics due to recurrent fever (p = 0.005). Success of initial antibiotic with modification was achieved in 34 patients with PTZ (55.7%) and 53 patients with IMP (85.5%) at the end of therapy (p = 0.001). To treat the bacteremia, seven of 10 patients in the PTZ group and one of eight patients in the IMP group needed to switch the empiric antibiotic (p = 0.025). Compared with PTZ, IMP had more gastrointestinal adverse events (p = 0.045). This study demonstrates that IMP had better efficacy than PTZ as an empiric antibiotic for febrile neutropenia in the HSCT setting, but with more gastrointestinal side reactions.
Rapid specific detection and quantification of bacteria and archaea involved in mineral sulfide bioleaching using real‐time PCR

A SybrGreen real‐time PCR assay was developed to detect and quantify both total and selected 16S rDNA species of bacteria and archaea involved in the bioleaching of metals from sulfide ores. A set of specific and universal primers based on 16S rDNA sequences was designed and validated for specific detection and quantification of DNA isolated from representative strains of Acidianus brierleyi, Sulfolobus sp. , Sulfobacillus thermosulfidooxidans, Sulfobacillus acidophilus, Acidithiobacillus caldus, and Leptospirillum ferrooxidans. An artificial sequence based on 16S rDNA was constructed to quantify total 16S rDNA in mixed DNA samples. The real‐time PCR assay was further validated using a mixture of 16S rDNA amplicons derived from the six different species, each added at a known amount. Finally, the real‐time PCR assay was used to monitor the change of 16S rDNA copies of four bioleaching strains inoculated into chalcopyrite airlift column reactors operated at different temperatures. The growth dynamics of these strains correlated well with the expected effects of temperature in the chalcopyrite‐leaching environment. The suitability of this method for monitoring microbial populations in industrial bioleaching environments is discussed. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Impact of Asset Repurchases and Issues in an Experimental Market

We create an experimental asset market in which the value of the shares is independent of the quantity outstanding, and find that (i) repurchases increase, whereas share issues decrease, the price of the asset. These effects are consistent with downward-sloping demand for the asset. (ii) This behavior is consistent with three trader types—fundamental, speculator, and momentum—interacting in the market. (iii) Share issues drive prices down toward, but not beyond, fundamental values. This downward resistance at the fundamental value is predicted by the impact of an intervention on the proportion of units and cash held by each trader type.
The evaluation of serum levels of testosterone in type 2 diabetic men and its relation with lipid profile.

INTRODUCTION AND AIM Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is the predominant form of diabetes worldwide and much is known about its patho-physiology. Yet, newer aspects related to it are being constantly explored. For ages, testosterone has been known to men as the male sex hormone but now it has been shown by certain studies that it might have a role in the development of metabolic disorders like type 2 diabetes. This study was carried out to determine the relation of testosterone levels with type 2 diabetes mellitus and lipid profile in North East Indian men aged 31 to 73 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS This case control study comprised of 40 type 2 diabetic men and 40 age matched non diabetic healthy men. Testosterone, SHBG levels and lipid profile were evaluated in both the groups along with anthropometric measurements and were statistically analysed. RESULTS Serum total and free testosterone and Sex Hormone Binding Globulin were significantly lower in the test group than in the control group. Prevalence of type 2diabetes was five times higher in men having a total testosterone less than 8nmol/L and 5.57 times higher in those having a free testosterone of less than 0.225nmol/L. Fasting blood glucose showed a strong negative correlation with total and free testosterone. Glycated haemoglobin correlated negatively with SHBG but no such correlation was seen with total or free testosterone. Serum total and LDL cholesterol showed significant negative correlation with total testosterone and SHBG but no significant correlation was found with free testosterone. Serum VLDL, HDL and triglycerides did not show any significant correlation with total or free testosterone and SHBG levels. CONCLUSION Low testosterone might have a role in the development of type 2 DM and to the associated altered lipid profile. This study, though a small one is among the few of its kind in India and it thrives to assist other studies related to the matter.
Managerial opportunism and proportional corporate payout policies

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relative preference for dividends vs share repurchases based on managers’ personal wealth and control benefits. Design/methodology/approach - The paper presents an analytical model of managerial preferences and information advantages, and analyses how the choice between dividends and repurchases relates to the manager's personal objectives in this setting. The approach specifies preferences consistent with the agency theory of economics. Findings - It is found that, when managers can influence share price prior to a repurchase, due to their superior information, repurchases present an opportunity to increase managerial wealth relative to dividends. In addition, if managers can influence the post-repurchase share price, due to an upward sloping supply curve for the company's stock, repurchases present an opportunity to protect the managers’ personal benefits of control. The ability to protect control depends on the toehold purchased by potential acquirers, and on the source of the upward-sloping supply. Repurchases are less protective when toeholds are small and the supply curve reflects tax lock-in effects. Practical implications - The results indicate that managerial concerns over their personal wealth or ability to maintain control of the firm can influence the method of corporate distributions. As such, market valuations and the market reaction to distribution announcements may reflect these managerial concerns. This could be an important determinant of investor stock choices. Originality/value - The factors determining firms’ payout methods remains a topic of significant importance and debate. The method of analysis here is new, and the insights into managerial preferences, toeholds and payout decisions help to inform this debate.
Linear quadratic optimal sliding mode congestion control in multi-source connection-oriented data transmission networks

In this paper a new sliding mode flow controller for multi-source connection-oriented communication networks is proposed. The networks are modeled as discrete time, n-th order systems. On the basis of the system state space description, a novel sliding mode controller with linear quadratic (LQ) optimal switching plane is designed. The control law derivation concentrates on the minimization of LQ cost functional and solving the resultant matrix Riccati equation. Closed loop system stability is demonstrated, and conditions for no data loss and full bottleneck link bandwidth utilization in the network are presented, and strictly proved.
Do national soccer results really impact on the stock market?

This study is a response to Klein et al. (2008), which was highly critical of earlier work by Ashton et al. (2003). This work considering the link between international soccer results and stock market returns was challenged by Klein et al. (2008), who reject the presence and importance of this link. In response, this work provides a reassessment of the link between international soccer results and stock market returns within Ashton et al. (2003). This new analysis extends the original work by using a larger dataset, employing an extended range of tests and allowing for outliers. It is reported that, contrary to the findings of Klein et al. (2008), the link between international soccer results and stock market prices does indeed exist particularly within the sample period 1984–2002 used by Ashton et al. (2003). After extending the dataset to include observations from 2002 until 2009, it is reported that the effect on stock market returns has declined in importance over this period, particularly the impact of wins.
Leverage Choice and Credit Spreads when Managers Risk Shift

We model the debt and asset risk choice of a manager with performance-insensitive pay (cash) and performance-sensitive pay (stock) to theoretically link compensation structure, leverage, and credit spreads. The model predicts that optimal leverage trades off the tax benefit of debt against the utility cost of ex-post asset substitution and that credit spreads are increasing in the ratio of cash-to-stock. Using a large cross-section of U.S.-based corporate credit default swaps (CDS) covering 2001 to 2006, we find a positive association between cash-to-stock and CDS rates, and between cash-to-stock and leverage ratios.
Reappraisal of immunohistochemical profiling of special histological types of breast carcinomas: a study of 121 cases of eight different subtypes

Histological special types (HST) account for about 25% of breast cancers, and correspond to at least 17 pathological entities. However, their molecular characteristics remain to be determined. The purpose of the present study is to apply the recently used immunohistochemical profiling of HST breast carcinomas (BC), as a surrogate for the molecular subtyping, what could be relevant for therapeutic purposes. One hundred and twenty-one cases were included. Immunohistochemical study was performed on paraffin sections, including markers for oestrogen, progesterone and androgen receptors, keratin 5, HER2/neu, epithelial growth factor receptor, p63 protein, P-cadherin, and Ki-67. Tubular (16 cases), mucinous (27) and papillary (9) types were all categorised as luminal-like A and B. The medullary (21) and metaplastic (10) types corresponded largely to the basal-like tumours (85.7% and 90%, respectively). Cases of the micropapillary type (8) were luminal A (3/8), luminal B (4/8) and HER2 overexpressing (1/8), whereas the apocrine carcinomas (24) presented a heterogeneous profile. The proliferation rate (Ki-67) varied among the types, being the medullary carcinoma subtype with higher proliferation. Comparing the current data with those based on molecular studies, there was good agreement in the classification of the tubular, mucinous and papillary types. Only a partial concordance was achieved for the other types, which may be due to sampling, and to the relatively low frequency of such cases. The present work supports the clinical usage of immunohistochemistry as a surrogate to molecular classification of special types of BC.
The effect of trust, channel technology, and transaction type on the adoption of self-service bank channels

Few studies have examined customers' beliefs and intentions across different self-service technology channels and different intended uses of these channels. The present work integrates (a) technology acceptance variables (b) trusting beliefs and trusting intention as two distinct constructs, (c) level of customers' information about the channel, in order to test their effect on use intention for two channels, Internet and phone banking, and three banking transactions. Findings from a sample of 762 bank customers reveal that patterns of adoption are quite similar for the two channels but differ across transactions. Furthermore, the trusting intention has a strong mediating role between trusting beliefs and technology-acceptance variables on one hand, and intention to use these channels on the other hand. Several implications for developing intention to use technology-based channels are discussed.
Paradoxes of New Labour Social Policy: Toward Universal Child Care in Europe's "Most Liberal" Welfare Regime?

This article interrogates recent developments in early childhood education and care policy in Britain, taking care to include the experiences in Wales and Scotland alongside those in England. It focuses on the apparently paradoxical aspiration to "universal childcare" in the state usually identified as the most liberal (residualist) in Europe. It finds evidence of greater policy innovation in Wales than in Scotland, despite the weaker formal powers and flimsier child care policy legacy in the former. England displays a second paradox: policy expansion (from a very low base) against an apparently unfavorable background despite a lack of strategic policy coherence. On the basis of this record, the article goes on to a reappraisal of welfare regime theory. It argues that we should expect a degree of incoherence and inconsistency in social policies. As a result, regimes are better understood as abstract concepts than as precise descriptions of particular welfare states, which are better understood as welfare settlements.
EFFECT OF OXIDISED RAPESEED OIL WITH GARLIC ON THE CONCENTRATION OF 7-KETOCHOLESTEROL, MALONDIALDEHYDE, AND FREE FATTY ACIDS IN HYPERCHOLESTEROLAEMIC RABBITS

The influence of a balanced diet (21 g% protein, 34 g% fat, 45 g% carbohydrate) with an isocaloric addition of non-oxidised or oxidised rapeseed oil, with and without garlic, on the development of hypercholesterolaemia was examined in 18 adult male rabbits divided into 3 equal groups. The rabbits from group I were fed fresh rapeseed oil, group II – received oxidised rapeseed oil, and group III – was given oxidised rapeseed oil and garlic. The concentration of 7-ketocholesterol and malondialdehyde (MDA) in plasma and free fatty acids (FAME) in blood serum was determined. The experiment lasted 24 weeks. At the beginning, and every six weeks, the rabbits were weighed and blood was taken. After the experiment was completed, the aorta was dissected for histological examinations. It was found that oxidised rapeseed oil caused an increase in the concentration of 7-ketocholesterol and FAME at the end of the experiment. MDA concentration increased in the 6 th week of the experiment but did not appreciably change at the end of it. The obtained results suggested that the diet caused the development of hypercholesterolaemic alterations in the aorta wall and increased temporarily the level of 7-ketocholesterol, FAME, and MDA. Diet rich in oxidised oil modified significantly homeostasis of lipids in plasma and blood serum. The administration of garlic in such a diet inhibited atherosclerotic changes in the aorta wall and this seemed to be related to the decreasing concentration of 7-ketocholesterol and MDA in plasma and FAME in blood serum.
Business models along supply chain position and servitisation: An empirical investigation of European manufacturers*

Competitive pressures of the world economy are continuously reshaping the global supply chains of manufacturing firms. At the same time, global competition is altering the nature of output offered by manufacturers, shifting it towards a higher share of service elements. The goal of this paper is to investigate how these two factors are combined, using a sample of manufacturing companies from 13 European countries belonging to the assembly industries of fabricated metal products, machinery and equipment. The results indicate that different business models became dominant in the less developed Eastern European and the developed Western European region. Involving measures of business performance and reasons for plant location, this study also argues that in terms of service offerings and supply chain position, other types of business models can coexist and successfully prevail in the two regions.
Estimation and forecasting in models with multiple breaks

This paper develops a new approach to change-point modelling that allows the number of change-points in the observed sample to be unknown. The model we develop assumes that regime durations have a Poisson distribution. It approximately nests the two most common approaches: the time-varying parameter (TVP) model with a change-point every period and the change-point model with a small number of regimes. We focus considerable attention on the construction of reasonable hierarchical priors both for regime durations and for the parameters that characterize each regime. A Markov chain Monte Carlo posterior sampler is constructed to estimate a version of our model, which allows for change in conditional means and variances. We show how real-time forecasting can be done in an efficient manner using sequential importance sampling. Our techniques are found to work well in an empirical exercise involving U.S. GDP growth and inflation. Empirical results suggest that the number of change-points is larger than previously estimated in these series and the implied model is similar to a TVP (with stochastic volatility) model. Copyright 2007, Wiley-Blackwell.
Varicella Vaccination of Children With Leukemia Without Interruption of Maintenance Therapy: A Danish Experience

Background: Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) can be fatal or cause severe complications in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). This analysis set out to investigate the morbidity and mortality of VZV vaccination without interruption of maintenance therapy in children with ALL. Methods: Files of 73 seronegative children with ALL were examined for data regarding VZV vaccination and infection, and long-term seroconversion was measured. Criteria before VZV vaccination were (1) seronegative, (2) in complete remission, (3) age ≥ 1.0 year, (4) lymphocyte count ≥ 0.6 × 109/L at time of vaccination and (5) receiving maintenance therapy. Results: Forty-five children were vaccinated. No child died or experienced serious adverse events due to VZV vaccination. Nine children developed late chickenpox despite vaccination. Long-term protection was found in 86% of children not receiving acyclovir and 78% of the entire population. Long-term seroconversion was found in 52% of the children. There were no severe cases of varicella infection. Acyclovir prophylaxis postvaccination was associated with an increased risk of late chickenpox [hazard ratio = 5.40 (1.43, 20.41), P = 0.01]. In contrast, a vaccine-induced rash reduced the risk of late chickenpox [hazard ratio = 0.08 (0.01, 0.66), P = 0.02]. No child had interruption of maintenance therapy at the time of vaccination, but 33% experienced discontinuation of therapy due to vaccine-induced rash. Dexamethasone was associated with an increased risk of vaccine-induced rash [hazard ratio = 2.9 (1.21, 6.90), P = 0.02]. Conclusions: This analysis indicates that VZV vaccination is feasible and justified in seronegative children with ALL, in countries where VZV vaccination is not part of the national vaccination program.
Development in Islamic banking: a financial risk‐allocation approach

Purpose - The core objective of this paper is to direct worldwide attention towards the unparalleled development in Islamic banking, its infrastructures and supporting institutions in recent years. This paper articulates the case for Islamic banking in a very comprehensive and effective manner. It depicts Islamic banking as a growing discipline adding more ethical, competitive and diversified tools and systems into global finance. It highlights the paradigm, theory and practice, achievements, pitfalls and future prospects of Islamic banking. Design/methodology/approach - The paper deals with the Islamic paradigm of borrowing, lending and investment. It presents the conceptual model and practice of Islamic banking. It covers other related issues over the recent development of Islamic banking across the globe. Findings - The paper observes that Islamic banking has made unprecedented progress over recent years. The Middle East, South Asia and the Indian Subcontinent have emerged as hubs of Islamic banking. Western conventional regulators and investors and other agents have also shown a greater interest in and a receptive attitude towards Islamic banking. Despite all this, Islamic banking has been facing some core problems and challenges that will have deep impacts on its future growth and development. Research limitations/implications - The paper deals with concepts, information and other facts on Islamic banking that are not supported by any statistical analysis and empirical evidence. Thus this paper may be regarded as being subjective in its real essence. Originality/value - The paper educates Western market players about Islamic banking tools and systems in their own language so as to bridge the gap between conventional and Islamic banking disciplines. It suggests that Islamic banking is an equity-based system with conventional features. It makes an important point – that the main players from both the Islamic and conventional streams have a good opportunity to pool their expertise and resources to come up with better solutions in business, investment and finance.
Alkyl Hydroperoxide Reductase Is Required for Helicobacter cinaedi Intestinal Colonization and Survival under Oxidative Stress in BALB/c and BALB/c Interleukin-10−/− Mice

Helicobacter cinaedi, a common human intestinal bacterium, has been implicated in various enteric and systemic diseases in normal and immunocompromised patients. Protection against oxidative stress is a crucial component of bacterium-host interactions. Alkyl hydroperoxide reductase C (AhpC) is an enzyme responsible for detoxification of peroxides and is important in protection from peroxide-induced stress. H. cinaedi possesses a single ahpC, which was investigated with respect to its role in bacterial survival during oxidative stress. The H. cinaedi ahpC mutant had diminished resistance to organic hydroperoxide toxicity but increased hydrogen peroxide resistance compared with the wild-type (WT) strain. The mutant also exhibited an oxygen-sensitive phenotype and was more susceptible to killing by macrophages than the WT strain. In vivo experiments in BALB/c and BALB/c interleukin-10 (IL-10)−/− mice revealed that the cecal colonizing ability of the ahpC mutant was significantly reduced. The mutant also had diminished ability to induce bacterium-specific immune responses in vivo, as shown by immunoglobulin (IgG2a and IgG1) serum levels. Collectively, these data suggest that H. cinaedi ahpC not only contributes to protecting the organism against oxidative stress but also alters its pathogenic properties in vivo.