Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Equilibrium Analysis of Expected Shortfall

This article studies optimal, dynamic portfolio and wealth/consumption policies of expected utility maximizing investors who must also manage market-risk exposure which is measured by Expected Shortfall (ES). We find that ES managers can incur larger losses when losses occur, compared to both VaR and benchmark managers. A general-equilibrium analysis reveals that the presence of ES managers increases the market volatility during periods of significant financial market stress, in both pure-exchange and production economies.
Thrombocytopenia in liver transplant recipients: predictors, impact on fungal infections, and role of endogenous thrombopoietin.

BACKGROUND Thrombocytopenia is a frequent and potentially serious complication in liver transplant recipients. The role of endogenous thrombopoietin level in posttransplant thrombocytopenia, has not been fully defined in liver transplant recipients. Additionally, there is accumulating evidence to suggest that platelets play a important role in antimicrobial host defense. METHODS There were 50 consecutive liver transplant recipients studied. Variables predictive of thrombocytopenia, its impact on infectious morbidity and outcome, and serial thrombopoietin (TPO) serum concentration were assessed. RESULTS The median pretransplant platelet count was 67 x 10(3)/cmm. After the liver transplantation, the median nadir platelet count was 33 x 10(3)/cmm and was reached a mean of 6 days after the transplant. A lower pretransplant platelet count (r= +.068, P=.0001), lower serum albumin before the transplants (r=+0.39, P=.014), longer operation time (r=0.27, P=.05), higher intraoperative packed red cells (r=0.28, P=.049) and fresh frozen plasma transfusions (r=0.42, P=.004), higher bilirubin at Day 7 (r=-.386, P=.005), and higher serum creatinine at Day 7 after the transplants (r=-.031, P=.025) correlated significantly with a lower nadir in platelets after the transplant. Nadir in platelet count was significantly lower in nonsurvivors compared with survivors (16 vs. 36 x 10(3)/cmm, P=. 0001). Forty-three percent (9 of 21) of the patients with nadir platelet counts of < or =30 x 10(3)/cmm had a major infection within 30 days of the transplant compared with 17% (5 of 29) with nadir platelet counts > 30 x 10(3)/cmm (P=.04). Fungal infections occurred in 14% of the patients with nadir platelet counts of < or =30 x 10(3)/cmm versus 0% in those with nadir platelet counts of > 30 x 10(3)/cmm (P=.06); all patients with fungal infections had nadir platelet counts of < or =30 x 10(3)/cmm before fungal infection. Nadir in platelet count preceded the first major infection by a median of 7 days. Pretransplant TPO level did not differ between survivors (mean 103 pg/ml) or nonsurvivors (mean 144 pg/ml). After the transplantation, TPO levels increased in both groups. TPO level peaked at Day 7 and subsequently declined in survivors. Nonsurvivors had persistent thrombocytopenia despite a progressive rise in TPO level; TPO level was significantly higher at Day 7 (P=.02), Day 9 (P=.0019), and Day 14 (P=.04) in nonsurvivors compared with survivors. CONCLUSION Persistent thrombocytopenia portended a poor outcome in liver transplant recipients and was not related to low TPO levels. Thrombocytopenia preceded infections and identified a subgroup of liver transplant patients susceptible to early major infections; its precise role in fungal infections warrants validation in larger studies.
The effectiveness of a standardised preoperative preparation in reducing child and parent anxiety: a single-blind randomised controlled trial.

AIMS To evaluate the effect of a structured preoperative preparation on child and parent state anxiety, child behavioural change and parent satisfaction. BACKGROUND It is estimated that around 50-70% of hospitalised children experience severe anxiety and distress prior to surgery. Children who are highly anxious and distressed preoperatively are likely to be distressed on awakening and have negative postoperative behaviour. Although education before surgery has been found to be useful mostly in North America, the effectiveness of preoperative preparation programme adapted to the Australian context remains to be tested. DESIGN This single-blind randomised controlled study was conducted at a tertiary referral hospital for children in Western Australia. METHODS Following ethics approval and parental consent, 73 children and one of their carers (usually a parent) were randomly assigned into two groups. The control group had standard practice with no specific preoperative education and the experimental group received a preoperative preparation, including a photo file, demonstration of equipment using a role-modelling approach and a tour. RESULTS The preoperative preparation reduced parent state anxiety significantly (-2·32, CI -4·06 to -0·56, p = 0·009), but not child anxiety (-0·59, CI -1·23 to 0·06, p = 0·07). There was no significant difference in child postoperative behaviour or parent satisfaction between the groups. There was a significant two-point pain score reduction in the preoperative preparation group, when compared with the control group median 2 (IQR 5) and 4 (IQR 4), respectively (p = 0·001). CONCLUSIONS Preoperative preparation was more efficient on parent than child. Although the preoperative preparation had limited effect on child anxiety, it permitted to decrease pain experience in the postoperative period. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE Parents should be actively involved in their child preoperative preparation.
The Endogeneity of Trading Volume in Stock and Bond Returns: An Instrumental Variable Approach

This paper investigates the joint determination of two dimensions of a security: trading volume and return. In much of the existing literature, volume is modeled as being exogenously related to security returns. Our analysis evaluates the extent to which trading activity also depends on security returns, thus resulting in a reverse causality from returns to trading activity. Using instruments for security trading activity, we compare approaches using ordinary least squares (OLS), two-stage least squares (2SLS), and generalized method of moment (GMM) estimators. Using both stock and bond data, our results indicate that returns and trading volume are determined simultaneously. We show that estimates of the magnitude, direction, and significance of causality between volume and returns can be substantially changed once one corrects for the endogeneity of volume.
Effects of Oil Revenue and Institutional Quality on Economic Growth with an ARDL Approach

ABSTRACT This article examines the effects of oil revenue and institutional quality on economic growth in Nigeria using annual data from 1984 to 2014. The ARDL model employed shows the existence of long-run equilibrium among oil revenue, institutional quality, and economic growth. The short-run analysis indicates that institutional quality measured by corruption index promotes economic growth, while institutional quality retards economic growth in the long run. Also, oil revenue promotes economic growth in the short run and reduces it in the long run, thereby confirming the existence of the resource curse hypothesis in Nigeria. The impulse response analyses further support the ARDL results. The article, therefore, concludes that institutional quality is important in explaining the relationship between oil revenue and economic growth in Nigeria. We recommend that the government should institute anti-corruption policies to mitigate corruption and to improve institutional quality in the country in order to ensure sustainable growth per capita, to protect existing investment, and to attract new investment in the country at large.
Reversible suppression of bone marrow response to erythropoietin in Plasmodium falciparum malaria

To study the importance of bone marrow inhibition in the pathogenesis of malarial anaemia, haematological and parasitological parameters were followed in patients with acute malaria. Three patient categories were studied, severe malarial anaemia (SA), cerebral malaria (CM) and uncomplicated malaria (UM). Red cell distribution width (RDW) was used as a surrogate marker of release of young erythrocytes and reticulocytes. Initially RDW was low in all patients in spite of markedly increased concentrations of erythropoietin (EPO). 3 d after institution of treatment and coinciding with parasite clearance RDW increased dramatically, reaching the highest levels 1–2 weeks later. Although severe anaemia was corrected by blood transfusion during the first 3 d of treatment, the peak RDW correlated significantly with the initial EPO levels. This suggests that Plasmodium falciparum infection causes a rapidly reversible suppression of the bone marrow response to EPO. Furthermore, the inhibition of bone marrow response was a general finding irrespective of initial haemoglobin levels suggesting that the severity of anaemia depends upon the degree of peripheral erythrocyte destruction in patients with suppressed bone marrow response to EPO.
The Importance of the Management of Infectious Complications for Patients with Left Ventricular Assist Device

A left ventricular assist device (LVAD) therapy is the viable option for patients with advanced heart failure as a bridge to transplantation, bridge to recovery, or destination therapy. Although application of LVAD support has become a standard option, serious complications or adverse events related with LVAD remain a concern. LVAD-related infection including driveline infection (DLI) and bloodstream infection (BSI) is one of the serious clinical matters for LVAD patients, and especially BSI leads to the high incidence of mortality. The LVAD-related infections negatively impact patient’s quality of life. Therefore, control of infection is one of the primary goals of management in LVAD patients. Several efforts including early and appropriate intervention including antibiotics and wound care may contribute to avert the progress into BSI from localized DLI. Particularly, there are clinical secrets in how to use antibiotics and how to treat wound care in LVAD patients. The rational way of thinking for wound care will be introduced in this review.
Examining the Roles and Experiences of Fathers of Children With Chronic Kidney Disease

This study examined roles and experiences of fathers of children with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Based on interpretive description, semistructured interviews were conducted with 22 fathers of children receiving a range of treatments (transplant, peritoneal dialysis, hemodialysis, and CKD not requiring renal replacement therapy). Fathers described various experiences and means of adjusting to shifts associated with pediatric CKD. These included loss of personal control, a sense of personal isolation, and a stance of remaining strong amidst personal suffering. Nuanced differences according to modality of CKD care were identified. Fathers engaged in strategies that fostered coping, such as remaining positive and taking charge. They conveyed deep love for their child, and demonstrated ingenuity and persistence in care. Few resources of support were accessed by fathers. Study recommendations invite holistic approaches to health care, with improved resources for families—including fathers—in addressing the needs of this population.
A 5‐year study of the prevalence and genetic diversity of human caliciviruses associated with sporadic cases of acute gastroenteritis in young children admitted to hospital in Melbourne, Australia (1998–2002)

The prevalence and genetic diversity of human caliciviruses causing sporadic cases of acute gastroenteritis in young children hospitalized in a large pediatric hospital in Melbourne, Australia over 5 years (incorporating January 1998–December 2002) was studied by reverse transcription and sequence analysis of part of the polymerase gene. The overall prevalence of calicivirus infection in children aged <5 years during the 5 year study was 9.2% (113/1,233), with 95% of the strains belonging to the Norovirus genera. Strains of the norovirus G11‐4 cluster were the most common type identified in 4 of the 5 years studied (1998, 1999, 2001, and 2002), with strains of norovirus cluster G11‐5 the most common type during 2000. Additional norovirus genetic clusters GI‐3, GII‐1, GII‐2, GII‐3, GII‐6, and GII‐7, were also identified, but comprised only 17/94 of norovirus genogroup II strains. Five sapovirus strains were also identified. These results highlight the divergence of norovirus strains identified in a pediatric population. J. Med. Virol. 77:96–101, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Photodynamic therapy of port-wine stains

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to observe the improvements of port-wine stains (PWSs) under photodynamic therapy (PDT) and to further evaluate the safety and efficacy of PDT in the dermatology clinic for the treatment of PWSs. Methods: Total of 75 PWS patients were treated with PDT. The PWS lesions were exposed to the copper vapor laser after intravenous injection of photosensitizer (Photocarcinorin, PsD-007). The lesions were photographed before each session and the therapeutic effects were evaluated by physicians based on the improvements in color, thickness and area of the photographed lesions. A follow-up visit was carried out after 2 months. The improvement rates were classified into 5 grades for quantitation of the therapeutic effects. A decision of termination or continuation of the treatment was then made according to lesion changes. Results: Patients with PWSs responded remarkably to PDT. The complete clinical remission rate was 57.33% and the effective rate was up to 94.67% in no more than four courses of treatment. Among the completely responded patients, 20.93% were treated with no more than two courses. Conclusion: PDT is safe and highly effective for the treatment of PWSs in the dermatology clinic.
Growth hormone replacement therapy in children with medulloblastoma: use and effect on tumor control.

PURPOSE Progress has been made in the treatment of medulloblastoma, the most common childhood malignant brain tumor: However, many long-term survivors will have posttherapy growth hormone insufficiency with resultant linear growth retardation. Growth hormone replacement therapy (GHRT) may significantly improve growth, but there is often reluctance to initiate GHRT because of concerns of an increased likelihood of tumor relapse. PATIENTS AND METHODS This study retrospectively reviewed the use of GHRT for survivors of medulloblastoma in 11 neuro-oncology centers in North America who received initial treatment for disease between 1980 and 1993 to determine its impact on disease control. A Landmark analysis was used to evaluate the relative risk of relapse in surviving patients. RESULTS Five hundred forty-five consecutive patients less than 15 years of age at diagnosis were identified. Six-year progression-free survival (mean +/- SD) was 40% +/- 5% in children less than 3 years of age at diagnosis compared with 59% +/- 3% for older patients. Older patients with total or near-total resections (P = .003) and localized disease at diagnosis (P < .0001) had the highest likelihood of survival. One hundred seventy patients (33% +/- 3% of the cohort) received GHRT. GHRT use varied widely among institutions, ranging from 5% to 73%. GHRT was begun a mean of 3.9 years after diagnosis, later in children younger than 3 years at diagnosis (5.4 years). By Landmark analyses, for those surviving 2, 3, and 5 years after diagnosis, there was no evidence that GHRT increased the rate of disease relapse. CONCLUSION This large retrospective review demonstrates that GHRT is underutilized in survivors of medulloblastoma and is used relatively late in the course of the illness. GHRT is not associated with an increased likelihood of disease relapse.
Human colonic fibroblasts regulate stemness and chemotherapy resistance of colon cancer stem cells

abstract There is increasing evidence that cancers are heterogeneous and contain a hierarchical organization consisting of cancer stem cells and their differentiated cell progeny. These cancer stem cells are at the core of the tumor as they represent the clonogenic cells within a tumor. Moreover, these cells are considered to contain selective therapy resistance, which suggests a pivotal role in therapy resistance and tumor relapse. Here we show that differentiated cells can re-acquire stemness through factors secreted from fibroblasts. This induced CSC state also coincides with re-acquisition of resistance to chemotherapy. Resistance induced in newly formed CSCs is mediated by the anti-apoptotic molecule BCLXL and inhibition of BCLXL with the BH3 mimetic ABT-737 sensitizes these cancer cells toward chemotherapy. These data point to an important interplay between tumor cells and their microenvironment in the regulation of stemness and therapy resistance.
Influence of Anti-Tax Avoidance Rules on Profit Shifting and Real FDI - Examining CFC Rules

This paper examines the different CFC rule settings in the OECD and additional countries for the years 2004 to 2014, compares them and shows the influence on real foreign direct investments (FDI) and profit shifting of multinationals. Using a unique CFC rule panel data set for 56 parent countries and micro level firm data, I show that CFC rules lead in most of the cases to more real FDI and less passive income in the foreign subsidiaries. Due to these facts CFC rules seem to constitute a proper anti-tax avoidance law to counteract profit shifting behaviour of multinationals. The paper points out that CFC rules in the considered countries are very different concerning their specifications and shows results for the effect of some important characteristics.
Inactivation of essential division genes, ftsA, ftsZ, suppresses mutations at sfiB, a locus mediating division inhibition during the SOS response in E. coli.

A dominant sfiB allele has been cloned which renders partial diploids of an sfiB + Escherichia coli host resistant to division inhibition mediated by the SOS response. Transpositional mutagenesis was used to map the position of this sfiB114 allele, carried by a plasmid pLG552, to an approximately 0.6‐kb region overlapping the coding regions for ftsA and ftsZ, two genes essential for normal division. Most Tn 1000 insertions which inactivated sfiB114 also inactivated the ftsA function and caused the disappearance of both a 47‐K polypeptide and reduced levels of a 42‐K polypeptide in maxi‐cells carrying pLG552 . An additional insertion inactivating sfiB114 was mapped to the right of ftsA and resulted in loss of the 42‐K but not the 47‐K polypeptide in maxi‐cells. Moreover, a 2.1‐kb BamHI‐EcoRI DNA fragment was subcloned which carried ftsA and coded for a 47‐K polypeptide but did not carry sfiB114 and did not complement ftsZ . We conclude that sfiB114 is located within ftsZ coding for a 42‐K polypeptide. Nevertheless, insertions into ftsZ coding the 47‐K polypeptide suppress the sfiB114 allele by substantially reducing the synthesis of the FtsZ (SfiB114) polypeptide. The level of residual FtsZ synthesis was minimal when Tn 1000 was inserted closest to the distal end of ftsA, indicating the presence of a regulatory region essential for maximal expression of ftsZ .
Plasma gelsolin levels are decreased and correlate with fibrosis in IgA nephropathy

IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is an immune complex glomerulonephritis that is characterized by recurrent hematuria as the main clinical manifestation. In this study, we used the IgAN mouse model which was previously established to investigate the possible mechanism by which IgAN fibrosis correlates with decreased plasma gelsolin (pGSN) levels. We investigated the levels of pGSN, transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1), and oxidative stress markers including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the serum and renal tissues of different groups. The between-group differences and correlations in the results for the IgAN group were analyzed with statistical methods. The pathological and urinalysis results obtained from the IgAN mouse model showed that this model conforms to the basic lesion characteristics observed in human IgAN. The serum pGSN levels and SOD, CAT, GSH levels in renal tissues were decreased in the IgAN group (P < 0.01), and pGSN, TGFβ1, MDA levels in renal tissues of the IgAN group were increased which compared with those in the other groups (P < 0.01). The correlation analysis for serum pGSN levels in the IgAN group showed a significant correlation with different test results (P < 0.01). The possible mechanism by which IgAN fibrosis correlates with decreased pGSN levels involves the regulation of TGFβ1 and oxidative stress.
Levosimendan improves calcium sensitivity of diaphragm muscle fibres from a rat model of heart failure

Diaphragm muscle weakness occurs in patients with heart failure (HF) and is associated with exercise intolerance and increased mortality. Reduced sensitivity of diaphragm fibres to calcium contributes to diaphragm weakness in HF. Here we have investigated the ability of the calcium sensitizer levosimendan to restore the reduced calcium sensitivity of diaphragm fibres from rats with HF.
Triggerwalking: a biomechanically-inspired locomotion user interface for efficient realistic virtual walking

Most current virtual reality (VR) applications use some form of teleportation to cover large distances, or real walking in room-scale setups for moving in virtual environments. Though real walking is the most natural for medium distances, it gets physically demanding and inefficient after prolonged use, while the sudden viewpoint changes experienced with teleportation often lead to disorientation. To close the gap between travel over long and short distances, we introduce TriggerWalking, a biomechanically-inspired locomotion user interface for efficient realistic virtual walking. The idea is to map the human's embodied ability for walking to a finger-based locomotion technique. Using the triggers of common VR controllers, the user can generate near-realistic virtual bipedal steps. We analyzed head oscillations of VR users while they walked with a head-mounted display, and used the data to simulate realistic walking motions with respect to the trigger pulls. We evaluated how the simulation of walking biomechanics affects task performance and spatial cognition. We also compared the usability of TriggerWalking with joystick, teleportation, and walking in place. The results show that users can efficiently use TriggerWalking, while still benefiting from the inherent advantages of real walking.