Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Increase of human papillomavirus‐16 E7‐specific T helper type 1 response in peripheral blood of cervical cancer patients after radiotherapy

It has been suggested that tumour cell lysis by gamma‐radiation induces a tumoral antigen release eliciting an immune response. It is not clear how a specific immune response in cervical cancer patients is developed after radiotherapy. This study is an attempt to investigate the role of the human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV‐16) E7‐specific T helper response before and after radiotherapy. Lymphocytes were isolated from 32 cervical cancer patients before and after radiotherapy and from 16 healthy women. They were stimulated for 12 hr with autologous HPV‐16 E7‐pulsed monocyte‐derived dendritic cells or directly with HPV‐16 E7 synthetic peptides: E751–70, E765–84 and E779–98. The cells were stained for CD4, CD69, intracellular interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) and interleukin‐4 (IL‐4) cytokines and analysed by flow cytometry. A specific CD4+ CD69+ IFN‐γ+ immune response against HPV‐16 E779–98 peptide was observed in 10 of 14 patients (71·4%) after treatment, compared with 4 of 14 (28·5%) before radiotherapy (P = 0·039); however, this response was not associated with a successful clinical response. Before treatment, 5 of 31 patients showed a HPV‐16 E779–98‐specific T helper type 2 (Th2) response. Interestingly, this response was significantly associated with a decrease in disease‐free survival (P = 0·027). These results suggest that a Th2‐type cellular response could be useful as a predictor of recurrence and poor prognosis. An increase of the HPV‐specific immune response was observed after radiotherapy; however, it is not enough to control completely the disease after treatment. Our results support that the E7‐specific T‐cell IFN‐γ response in cervical cancer patients, rather than reflecting the host’s capability of controlling tumour growth, might be an indicator for disease severity.
The Financial and Operating Performance of Newly Privatized Firms: an International Empirical Analysis

This study compares the pre- and postprivatization financial and operating performance of 61 companies from 18 countries and 32 industries that experience full or partial privatization through public share offerings during the period 1961 to 1990. Our results document strong performance improvements, achieved surprisingly without sacrificing employment security. Specifically, after being privatized, firms increase real sales, become more profitable, increase their capital investment spending, improve their operating efficiency, and increase their work forces. Furthermore, these companies significantly lower their debt levels and increase dividend payout. Finally, we document significant changes in the size and composition of corporate boards of directors after privatization.
REITs, the stock market and economic activity

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to investigate the linkages among real estate investment trusts (REITs), the stock market, and real economic activity for the USA for the 1971-2007 period. In view of the fact that when the economy performs well the equity and REIT markets also do well, it is easy to see why one needs to examine the dynamic interactions among these magnitudes and understand the implications of market movements or policy changes on the returns of REIT. Design/methodology/approach - The empirical investigation is conducted via the vector autoregressive (VAR) methodology coupled with Granger causality and cointegration analyses. VAR analysis permits inferences to be drawn about how a particular variable, say, the stock market, helps to explain a REIT's return and to see how a shock from the same variable affects that return. In other words, the magnitudes which are more relevant in explaining the REIT return can be deduced so as to determine the driving forces behind the return. Finally, some robustness tests are performed and some other relative magnitudes are experimented with so as to have a more comprehensive picture of the dynamic interactions among the three variables. Findings - First, the equity and the mortgage REIT categories display essentially similar patterns with their interactions with the general stock market and/or industrial production movements. Specifically, in the case of the equity REIT, it is revealed that a reciprocal linkage between the two exists, whereas for the mortgage REIT a uni-directional one run from the REIT to the stock market. Second, when substituting the general stock market returns with two sub index returns (the small- and the mid-cap excess returns) it is found that the two REIT categories are more closely related to a sub index than the general stock market index. Overall, significant short-run interactions are seen among the three magnitudes since the 1970s. Originality/value - The results are important for investors and policymakers. For investors, the finding of the close relationship between the equity and mortgage REIT categories and the general stock market is that there may not be a profitable reallocation of portfolios within these two asset classes. For policymakers, it can be suggested that they take notice of how changes in monetary policy (via changes in interest rates or money supply) influence REIT investments and what the impact of that would be on the reallocation of such investments by professional investors and managers.
Sources of competitive advantage of Turkish construction companies in international markets

Michael Porter's diamond framework, a relatively recent attempt to improve our existing knowledge on the sources of competitive advantage, is applied to the Turkish construction industry. The results of this undertaking challenge a common approach that attributes Turkish contractors' success in international markets to labour cost advantages and geographic and cultural proximity to several promising markets. In the light of the diamond framework, Turkish contractors' advantages are found not to be limited to these ‘factor conditions’ and ‘chance’ events. There are other important advantages behind their success, such as the existence of a dynamic home market, favourable entrepreneurial variables, and pressures to upgrade stemming from intense domestic rivalry. The analysis also points to the areas in which they face troubles, including problems induced by the government, financing difficulties and the weak international position of the Turkish design engineering and consultancy services industry.
Contractual Signaling in a Market Environment

Abstract We consider a game of signaling where the informed sender proposes a contract, which can only be accepted or rejected by the receiver. While most of the literature considers a bilaterally monopolistic setting, we embed the game in a market environment where a sender may switch to another receiver in case of rejection. We analyze how this structural extension can be employed to restrict the set of (stationary) equilibrium allocations. Journal of Economic Literature Classification Number: C78, D82.
The effect of disability on the needs of caregivers

Purpose - The perception among carers and health professionals is that the health care system remains limited in its effectiveness and accessibility to non-institutionalized people with a mental illness. The purpose of this paper is to determine the effect of the care recipient's main disabling condition (either physical or mental) on the carer's perceived need for assistance in their role as carer. Design/methodology/approach - Based on the data collected from the Australian Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers, the investigation involves the non-institutionalized recipients of care with profound and severe disabilities, aged 15 years and over, residing in private dwellings and their primary informal carers. Findings - Regression analysis reveals that carers of those with a mental disability are 2.7 times more likely to report care needs unmet compared to carers of those with a physical disability. Further analysis using interactions shows that carers who are the adult children of mentally disabled parents report a comparatively very large amount of perceived unmet need. Originality/value - If equity is measured in terms of perceived need rather than finite resources a case is made that primary carers of people with a mental disability experience greater burdens in care.
Entity search by leveraging attributive terms in sentential queries over RDF data

This paper proposes methods of finding a ranked list of entities using RDF data for a given sentential query (e.g. "Cars 3", "Toy Story 4", or "The Incredibles 2" for the query "upcoming animated films pixar") by leveraging different types of modifiers in the query through identifying corresponding properties (e.g. released and movie type for the modifiers "upcoming" and "animated", respectively). While major search engines provide the entity search functionality that returns a list of entities based on users' queries, entities are neither presented for a wide variety of search queries, nor in the order that users expect. To enhance the efficiency of entity search, we propose two entity ranking methods. Our first proposed method is a Web-based entity ranking that directly finds highly relevant entities from Web search results returned in response to the query as a whole, and propagates the estimated relevance to the other entities. The second proposed method is a property-based entity ranking that ranks entities based on properties corresponding to modifier terms in the query. To this end, we propose a novel method that identifies a set of relevant properties based on the combination of the frequency of property values containing the modifier, co-occurrence of the modifier and property names, and difference in property value distributions of entities in the search results for a query. The experimental results showed that our proposed property identification method could predict more relevant properties than using each criterion separately. Moreover, we achieved the best performance for returning a ranked list of relevant entities when using both of the Web-based and property-based entity ranking methods.
Passing on blackness: Latinos, race, and earnings in the USA

One strategy to address the charge that previous statistical measures overestimate the degree of antiblack discrimination in the US labour market because cultural factors have been omitted, has been to control for culture and vary colour. The procedure is to examine labour market outcomes for all persons self-reporting their ancestry as Hispanic (or Latino) while comparing outcomes among them based upon their self-reported race. The results demonstrate that black Latinos, especially males, suffer substantial discriminatory losses in wages. However, there are two problems: (1) a very small proportion of Latinos self-report themselves as black and (2) controlling for culture by combining all persons with Latino ancestry, regardless of specific national origin, into the gross category of Hispanic is potentially unsatisfactory. In this paper, the Hispanic population is disaggregated by nationality using the 5% Public Use Micro Sample from the 1980 and 1990 censuses to compare outcomes by self-reported race. It is still found that male Latino blacks, regardless of their specific national subgroups, were subjected to significant wage discrimination. The paper also reports on studies that have used the Latino National Political Survey that demonstrates that Hispanics tend to self-identify as black at rates inconsistent with the ascriptive profile of the Latino population. It is explained why this suggests that Latinos who choose to self-report their race as black in the US censuses genuinely are likely to ‘look black’ by American norms.
The Decomposition of Economic Relationships by Time Scale Using Wavelets: Expenditure and Income

Economists have long known that time scale matters, in that the structure of decisions as to the relevant time horizon, degree of time aggregation, strength of relationship, and even the relevant variables differ by time scale. Unfortunately, until recently it was difficult to decompose economic time series into orthogonal time-scale components except for the short and long run, in which the former is dominated by noise. This paper uses wavelets to produce an orthogonal decomposition of some economic variables by time scale over six different time scales. The relationship of interest is the permanent income hypothesis. We confirm that time-scale decomposition is very important for analyzing economic relationships and that a number of anomalies previously noted in the literature are explained by these means. The analysis indicates the importance of recognizing variations in phase between variables when investigating the economic relationships.
Antecedents of Online Shopping Behavior in India: An Examination

The current research was undertaken to understand Indian students' intention to purchase through online shopping Web sites. A survey of 325 students studying in Indian universities was conducted. The results indicate that Indian students' intention to purchase online is influenced by utilitarian value, attitude toward online shopping, availability of information, and hedonic values. Male students have a more positive attitude toward online shopping compared to female students.
The demographic profile of socially responsible investors

Purpose - Given the size and growing importance of socially responsible (SR)-related funds and investments, the purpose of this paper is to see if those who invest in socially responsible investments (SRIs) conform to a particular profile and if that profile is significantly different than that of a typical investor. Design/methodology/approach - This study surveyed a large group of US-based, well-informed, individual investors, members of the American Association of Individual Investors. The survey respondents included both those who invest according to SRI principles, and those with no interest in SRI, to determine if demographic differences exist. Findings - The paper finds that the typical SR investor is female and more likely to be single, younger, less wealthy, and better educated than their non-SR counterparts. Research limitations/implications - Further research is needed to determine if the higher risk aversion of women and their greater concern for the environment found in previous studies is responsible for the results. Practical implications - Given the statistically significant differences, additional efforts must be made to convince wealthier and male investors of the merits of socially responsible investing. Originality/value - This is the first paper to use individuals who have committed resources to SR to compare their demographic characteristics to investors who have not invested in SRI products as distinct groups. Second, this is the first study to compare these groups using US investor data and to measure the statistical significance of the demographic factors.
Public participation shortcomings in tourism planning: the case of the Langkawi Islands, Malaysia

Public participation in decision-making processes is regarded as important for successful tourism planning. This paper presents the findings of a study examining the public participation approach to tourism planning in the Langkawi Islands, Malaysia. The study was conducted between 2004 and 2008 to assess public participation during the preparation of the Langkawi Structure Plan 1990–2005 and the Langkawi Local Plan 2001–2015. Interviews were conducted with local stakeholders in the tourism industry and analysed using a “framework technique”. The results indicate that there were limitations in public participation in the tourism planning process due to (1) inadequate information, (2) an ineffective approach, (3) residents’ attitudes and (4) exclusion from participation processes. Public participation also occurred only at an early stage due to structural and operational limitations in the planning process. This included weaknesses in the Town Planning Act (Act 172), as under the Malaysian Planning System, all participation processes for Structure Plans and Local Plans in the country need to follow the participation approach suggested by the Act. The paper suggests that improvements can be made in tourism public participation processes in the Langkawi Islands and in their relationships with the Malaysian Planning System.
Tryptase Levels Are Not Increased during Vancomycin-induced Anaphylactoid Reactions

Background Anaphylaxis, mediated by immunoglobulin E, may be clinically indistinguishable but is mechanistically different than chemically mediated anaphylactoid reactions induced by drugs such as morphine, curare, and vancomycin. A test to distinguish anaphylactic from anaphylactoid reactions would clarify therapeutic and medicolegal issues. Tryptase levels identify anaphylactic reactions but have not been evaluated in vivo during anaphylactoid reactions. A prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial of antihistamine chemoprophylaxis for rapid vancomycin infusion was performed, and plasma tryptase was measured using a new immunoassay. Histamine release was established by measurement of plasma histamine and the ability of prophylactic H1 and H2 antagonists to prevent common histamine-associated side effects. Tryptase levels were compared with histamine levels and clinical symptoms. Methods Before elective arthroplasty, 40 patients received vancomycin infusion (1 g over 10 min) and pretreatment with either antihistamines (1 mg/kg diphenhydramine and 4 mg/kg cimetidine) or placebo. Changes in tryptase (at peak histamine and 10 min after vancomycin infusion), histamine levels, and histamine-mediated symptoms were assessed using Fisher's exact test, the Student's t test, or the paired t test, as appropriate. Logistic regression models were used to quantify the association of clinical symptoms with antihistamine treatment and serum levels. Results Plasma tryptase levels were unchanged (99% CI, -0.5 to 1.6) independent of increased histamine levels, antihistamine pretreatment, clinical symptoms, or all of these. Histamine levels >1 ng/ml were significantly associated with hypotension, moderate-to-severe rash, and stopped infusion. Antihistamine pretreatment significantly decreased the incidence and severity of the reactions. Conclusion Plasma tryptase levels were not significantly elevated in confirmed anaphylactoid reactions, so they can be used to distinguish chemical from immunologic reactions.
Involvement of Nitroxidergic and Noradrenergic Nerves in the Relaxation of Dog and Monkey Temporal Veins

We determined involvement of nitric oxide (NO) derived from perivascular nerve in venous relaxation. In helical strips of dog superficial temporal veins contracted with prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) nicotine produced a contraction, which was reversed to a relaxation by prazosin. The relaxation was partially attenuated by timolol or metoprolol. The residual relaxation was not influenced by treatment with atropine or indomethacin and by endothelium denudation but was abolished by NG-nitro-L-arginine (L-NA), a NO synthase inhibitor, and hexamethonium. L- but not D-arginine reversed the inhibition induced by L-NA. Relaxations induced by NO were not influenced by L-NA. Similar results were also obtained in relaxations induced by transmural electrical stimulation that were sensitive to tetrodotoxin (TTX). In the monkey venous strips, relaxations induced by nicotine under treatment with prazosin were reduced by timolol. The relaxation observed with combined treatment with α- and β-antagonists was abolished by L-NA, and L-arginine restored the response. The presence of nerve fibers containing NO synthase immunoreactivity or NADPH diaphorase in the adventitia of dog and monkey veins was determined histologically. The findings so far obtained strongly suggest the presence of perivascular nerves that mediate venodilation via a release of NO. Contractions of the temporal vein appear to be mediated by norepinephrine (NE) released from adrenergic nerves that stimulates α1-adrenoceptors, whereas relaxations are mediated by neurogenic NE, acting possibly on the β1-adrenoceptor subtype, in addition to NO derived from nerves.
All anti-vascular endothelial growth factor drugs can induce 'pre-eclampsia-like syndrome': a RARe study.

BACKGROUND Specific therapies that target vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors have improved the survival of patients with metastatic cancers, but can induce side effects. Renal side effects (proteinuria, hypertension and renal failure) are underestimated. METHODS The French RARe (Reins sous traitement Anti-VEGF Registre) study collects data on patients with cancer who had a renal biopsy because of major renal side effects during treatment with anti-VEGF drugs. RESULTS We collected 22 renal biopsies performed 16.2±10.6 months after the beginning of treatment; of which 21 had hypertension, mean proteinuria was 2.97±2.00 g/day and mean serum creatinine, 134±117 µmol/L. Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) was observed in 21 biopsy specimens, sometimes associated with acute tubular necrosis (ATN; n=4). TMA histological lesions were more important than the biological signs of TMA could suggest. Patients with ATN of >20% had higher serum creatinine levels than those with only TMA (231 versus 95 µmol/L). Nephrin, podocin and synaptopodin were variably down-regulated in all renal biopsies. VEGF was down-regulated in all glomeruli. CONCLUSION This study underlines the importance of regular clinical and biological cardiovascular and renal checking during all anti-VEGF therapies for cancer for early detection of renal dysfunction. Collaboration between oncologists and nephrologists is essential. In such cases, renal biopsy might help in appreciating the severity of the renal lesions and after multidisciplinary discussion whether or not it is safe to continue the treatment.
Forest conservation and its effects on Peninsular Malaysian log supply

Excessive logging and wastage in timber resources characterized Peninsular Malaysian forestry in the past. The inefficient system of forest taxation, procedures for allotting logging concessions and non-deterrent penalties were the main factors leading to these results. With the government-revived interest on forest conservation to ensure sustainable development, the annual logging hectarages are expected to be curtailed. There is a need to identify sup ply responses to encourage further extraction of currently underutilized species from the forest. For this purpose, a Peninsular Malaysian log market model was empirically esti mated. This model can be used to explain the potential effects of government management and conservation programmes on future domestic and imported supplies of logs to the peninsula.
Have Foreign Banks Contributed to the Spreadof the Global Financial Crisis to Saudi Arabia?

The authors analyzed the role of domestic and foreign banks in Saudi Arabia during the financial crisis that has ravaged the world since 2007. The study is based on the growth rate in market share of the credit extended by each bank and investors’ perceptions about the risk exposure of this financial institution, distinguishing between purely domestic banks and institutions with joint ownership (local and foreign shareholders). Although there is a suspicion that partly owned foreign banks are more risk exposed than their purely domestic counterparts, these findings suggest otherwise. Specifically, the authors do not find evidence that foreign shareholders of Saudi banks, who suffered losses and liquidity problems in their home countries, cut credit in Saudi Arabia or acted in a manner inconsistent with their domestic counterparts. As such, the evidence does not support recommendations for a double standard in banking regulation.