Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Financial crisis and Central Bank independence and governance (CBIG) in the Asia-Pacific

This paper examines the impact of financial crisis on central bank independence and governance in 36 Asia Pacific countries. It constructs a unique CBIG index for fifteen years (1991-2005); which has an overall index and six sub-indices covering all the necessary aspects of central banking operations. These indices are ranked first to measure the relative positions of the central banks and then statistically tested their relationship with inflation, economic growth and financial crisis of 1997. It applies a panel data pooled regression model and finds a robust negative relation of CBIG with inflation; moderate positive relation with economic growth; and CBIG in post crisis period is significantly different from the pre crisis period.
The impact of external disturbances on the performance of a cellular manufacturing system

In manufacturing systems, different types of disturbances influence system's performance, cellular manufacturing has been proposed as an approach to cope with the uncertainty characteristic of customer driven markets. However, even cellular manufacturing systems are prone to the effects of varying demand patterns. In this study, the effects of some aspects related to demand variation such as the arrival of material, the variety of products and the variation in product mix are investigated to identify those system characteristics that - within the context of cellular manufacturing systems - represent an advantage in the presence of such disturbances. To do so, discrete event simulation is used to conduct the experimentation by modelling a cellular manufacturing system. Additionally, statistical design of experiment is employed to identify the factors contributing to higher system performance. The results show that, in spite of the demand related disturbance, machines with low set-up duration and highly skilled operators constitute the most important characteristics of an efficient manufacturing cell.
Culture and risk : perception and acceptability of risk of Riba in banking among teachers in Bahrain

The purpose of this thesis was to provide insights into the consumer's perception of the risk of Riba (the Islamic prohibition of baking interest) and its influence on consumer's bank patronage In Bahrain, the Conventional and the Interest-free banks operate side by side representing different philosophies of business and operation Selecting a conventional bank requires Muslim customers to negotiate the nsk of jeopardizing religious convictions, and selecting an Interestfree bank requires customers to adjust to possibilities of loosing some of their convenience, time, services quality, and perhaps their money Specifically, this study explored the mteraction of risk perception (ethical and performance) with the banking patronage and a host of attitudinal and behavioral correlates in banlung among the Bahraim customers The study surveyed a random sample of customers from the population of Muslim teachers by means of Questionnaires Risks of ethical, ideological and religious nature were identified These were new risks that extended the perceived nsk research Findings were reported about the public reaction to Riba as a threat and customers' concerns about it The analysis also used attitudes, beliefs and world views, worrying, sin perception, religious orientation, Riba charactenstics, banking knowledge, social relations and contexts, as well as the risk handling activities to explore their influences on the perceived risks and banking patronage
Alpha‐methylacyl‐CoA racemase (AMACR) expression in normal prostatic glands and high‐grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN): Association with diagnosis of prostate cancer

Alpha‐methylacyl‐CoA racemase (AMACR) is strongly expressed in prostate cancer with variable expression in high‐grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN) and low expression in normal prostate. We examined whether AMACR expression in HGPIN and normal tissue was associated with subsequent diagnosis of cancer or proximity to a cancer focus.
Mimicking Portfolios

Mimicking portfolios have many applications in the practice of finance. A new method for constructing them is presented in this article. The authors illustrate its application by creating portfolios that mimic individual NYSE stocks. On the construction date, a mimicking portfolio exactly matches its target stock’s exposures (betas) to a set of exchange-traded funds, which serve as proxies for global factors. The portfolio has much lower idiosyncratic volatility than its target, and mimicking portfolios require only modest subsequent rebalancing in response to instabilities in target assets and assets used for portfolio construction. Although here composed exclusively of equities, mimicking portfolios show potential for mimicking non-equity assets as well.
Viral Hepatitis in Pakistan: Past, Present, and Future

ABSTRACT Viral hepatitis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and a rising cause for concern in Asian countries. Weather it is blood borne or water/food borne hepatotropic virus, increasing burden is alarming for Asian countries. In this review we have evaluated the existing data to estimate the burden of viral hepatitis in populations of all age groups nationwide, along with an assessment of the risk factors and preventive and management strategies currently employed in Pakistan. The aim of our work is to consolidate and supplement the present knowledge regarding viral hepatitis in light of past and present trends and to provide future direction to the existing health policies. How to cite this article Butt AS, Sharif F. Viral Hepatitis in Pakistan: Past, Present, and Future. Euroasian J Hepato-Gastroenterol 2016;6(1):70-81.
Analysis of Novel Class of Surface Plasmon Phenomena Having a Metamaterial Layer Between Two Different Metals for Sensor Application

This paper includes a brief introduction on surface plasmon resonance's (SPRs) theory, principle, and application, followed by describing the utility of metamaterials for this sensing paradigm. The bimetallic layers of gold and silver are crucial for SPR sensing, which is detailed. Finally, the matrix method for the calculation of reflectance for multiple layers is explained. The structures along with the corresponding graphs are discussed, including what happens when a metamaterial is used between two metal layers is derived.
Clinical activity and immune modulation in cancer patients treated with CP-870,893, a novel CD40 agonist monoclonal antibody.

2507 Background: The cell-surface molecule CD40 plays a critical role in activating antigen presenting cells (APC) and mediates upregulation of costimulatory and MHC molecules, cytokine release, and enhancement of tumor immunity. CD40 is also expressed by 30%-70% of solid tumors, and engagement of CD40 on tumor cells results in apoptosis. CP-870,893 - a fully human and selective CD40 agonist monoclonal antibody - activates human APC in vitro and inhibits growth of human tumors in immune-deficient and immune-reconstituted SCID-beige mice. METHODS A phase 1, dose-escalation study of CP-870,893 was designed to characterize the safety and maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of single doses of CP-870,893 in patients (pts) with advanced solid tumors. CP-870,893 was administered i.v. on day 1 and pts were followed for 43 days. RESULTS Twenty-nine pts received CP-870,893 in doses ranging from 0.01 to 0.3 mg/kg. Dose limiting toxicity was observed in 2 of 7 pts at the 0.3 mg/kg dose level (venous thromboembolism and grade 3 headache). The MTD was defined as 0.2 mg/kg. The most common adverse event was dose-related cytokine release syndrome (grade 1 to 2). Abnormal lab findings included dose-related and transient elevations in liver transaminases (grade 1 to 2; one pt with grade 3). Modest elevations in serum D-dimer were observed in pts treated at the highest dose levels. Four pts with melanoma (14% of all pts and 27% of pts with melanoma) had objective partial responses (PR) at day 43 evaluation (one PR sustained at 7+ months and 3 unsustained on follow-up scans). Each pt with a PR received 0.2 or 0.3 mg/kg of antibody. To assess pharmacodynamic actions of CP-870,893, flow cytometry was performed on peripheral blood B cells, which uniformly express CD40. CP-870,893 infusion resulted in depletion of peripheral CD19+ B cells (>80% depletion at the highest dose levels). Among B cells remaining in blood, we found a marked, dose-related upregulation of costimulatory and MHC molecules after treatment. CONCLUSIONS Clinical and laboratory findings demonstrate biological activity of CP-870,893. Antitumor activity was observed in 4 pts with melanoma. Further studies of repeated doses of CP-870,893, and CP-870,893 in combination with other antineoplastic agents, are warranted. [Table: see text].
Possible involvement of 1,2‐diacetylbenzene in diethylbenzene‐induced neuropathy in rats

The role of 1,2‐diacetylbenzene (1,2‐DAB) in the peripheral nerve toxicity of 1,2‐diethylbenzene (1,2‐DEB) was investigated in rats. Gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry identified 1,2‐DAB in the urine samples of rats given 165 mg kg−1 1,2‐DEB orally on four consecutive days. 1,2‐DAB shared not only the ability of 1,2‐DEB to cause bluish discoloration of skin, internal organs and urine, but unlike 1,2‐DEB it turned hair blue at the site of intraperitoneal injection.
Temporal specific patterns of semaphorin gene expression in rat brain after kainic acid‐induced status epilepticus

Mossy fiber sprouting and other forms of synaptic reorganization may form the basis for a recurrent excitatory network in epileptic foci. Four major classes of axon guidance molecules—the ephrins, netrins, slits, and semaphorins—provide targeting information to outgrowing axons along predetermined pathways during development. These molecules may also play a role in synaptic reorganization in the adult brain and thereby promote epileptogenesis. We studied semaphorin gene expression, as assessed by in situ hybridization, using riboprobes generated from rat cDNA in an adult model of synaptic reorganization, kainic acid (KA)‐induced status epilepticus (SE). Within the first week after KA‐induced SE, semaphorin 3C, a class III semaphorin, mRNA content is decreased in the CA1 area of the hippocampus and is increased in the upper layers of cerebral cortex. Another class III semaphorin, semaphorin 3F, is also decreased in CA1 and CA3 of hippocampus within the first week after KA‐SE. These changes in gene expression are principally confined to neurons. By contrast, there was little change in the semaphorin 4C mRNA content of CA1 neurons at this time. No changes in expression of semaphorin 3A and 4C genes were detected 28 days after KA‐induced SE. Regulation of semaphorin gene expression after KA‐induced SE suggests that neurons may regulate the expression of axonal guidance molecules and thereby contribute to synaptic reorganization after injury of the mature brain. The anatomic locale of the altered semaphorin gene expression may serve as a marker for specific networks undergoing synaptic reorganization in the epileptic brain. Hippocampus 2003;13:1–20. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Atypical antipsychotic metabolism and excretion.

BACKGROUND The metabolic/biotransformation pathways of atypical antipsychotics (aripiprazole, clozapine, iloperidone, olanzapine, paliperidone, quetiapine, risperidone, and ziprasidone) have been characterized and reviewed. However, comparisons of excretory pathways remain unexplored. OBJECTIVE To analyze the excretion profile of atypical antipsychotic agents and compare the overall magnitude of metabolism (changed vs. unchanged drug) and route of excretion (feces vs. urine). Secondary objectives include providing: 1) dosing information in hepatic and renal impairment, and 2) context of the specific enzymes and pathways involved in each agents' biotransformation. METHODS Published literature and each manufacturer's radiolabeled drug absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion data and U.S. prescribing information were reviewed. RESULTS With the exception of paliperidone, atypical antipsychotics undergo extensive metabolism (i.e., <or=50% of dose recovered unchanged). Quetiapine undergoes the greatest overall metabolism (<1% of the dose recovered unchanged) and paliperidone the least (59% recovered unchanged in the urine). Between-agent differences exist in the extent of cytochrome P450 (CYP450) metabolism and the specific isozymes involved. After administration of a radioactive dose, fecal elimination of unchanged drug plus metabolites ranged from 11% (paliperidone) to 71% (ziprasidone) and renal elimination ranged from 21% (ziprasidone) to 80% (paliperidone). CONCLUSIONS Understanding the differences in the elimination profiles of atypical antipsychotics agents may permit better-informed drug and dose selection in special populations such as those with comorbid conditions (e.g. hepatitis, diabetes, end-stage renal disease) or pharmacogenetic variability; or at risk for drug-drug interactions. The use of patient tailored drug and dose-selection may result in greater treatment efficacy and a reduction in adverse events.
IS THE WHOLE GREATER THAN THE SUM OF ITS PARTS? A COMPARISON OF SMALL GROUP AND WHOLE CLASS DISCUSSION BOARD ACTIVITY IN ONLINE COURSES

Methods for characterizing asynchronous text-based discussions have received significant attention in the literature. In this study, we examine student and instructor posts made in seventeen undergraduate mathematics courses over the duration of a fifteen-week semester (n=6964 posts). We apply our previously developed multifactor discussion board metric to compare differences in student participation, quantities of student posts, quality of posts, extent of threading, and instructor presence in small group and whole class discussion board activities. Results from this study indicate that small group discussions contained greater levels of student participation, greater quantities of posts per student and greater numbers of educationally valuable (content-related) posts per student as compared to whole class discussions within these courses. Interestingly, small group discussions contained a greater proportion of less educationally valuable posts as compared to whole class discussions.
A Study of the Variation and Change in the Vowels of the Achterhoeks Dialect

The Achterhoeks dialect, spoken in the eastern Dutch province of Gelderland near the German border, is a Low Saxon dialect that differs noticeably from Standard Dutch in all linguistic areas. Previous research has comprehensively covered the differences in lexicon (see, for example, Schaars, 1984; Van Prooije, 2011), but less has been done on the phonology in this area (the most notable exception being Kloeke, 1927). There has been research conducted on the changes observed in other Dutch dialects, such as Brabants (Hagen, 1987; Swanenberg, 2009) and Limburgs (Hinskens, 1992), but not so much in Achterhoeks, and whether the trends observed in other dialects are also occurring in the Achterhoek area. It is claimed that the regional Dutch dialects are slowly converging towards the standard variety (Wieling, Nerbonne & Baayen, 2011), and this study aims to not only fill some of the gaps in Achterhoeks dialectology, but also to test to what extent the vowels are converging on the standard. This research examines changes in six lexical sets from 1979 to 2015 in speakers’ conscious representation of dialect. This conscious representation was an important aspect of the study, as what it means to speak in dialect may differ from person to person, and so the salience of vowels can be measured based on the number of their occurrences in self-described dialectal speech. Through a perception task, this research also presents a view of the typical Achterhoeks speaker as seen by other Dutch speakers, in order to provide a sociolinguistic explanation for the initial descriptive account of any vowel change observed in dialectal speech. Subtle changes in the Achterhoeks vowels were observed, suggesting a lack of stability, but not yet at the stage of functional dialect loss. The most noticeable difference within the Achterhoek area occurs with the pronunciation of what we term the HUIS vowel when it appears after /r/, realised as either [u] or [y]. The lexical sets of PRAAT, KAART, and KAAS were presented in three groups: as front, Standard and back vowels, with pronunciation patterns attributed to post-Westphalian breaking processes, grammatical rules, and trajectories associated with the original West Germanic vowels. The accompanying perception study provided a partner to the main research, suggesting subconscious social information behind what it means to speak in dialect.
The biological pump in a high CO 2 world

The vertical separation of organic matter formation from respiration can lead to net carbon sequestration within the ocean's interior, making the biological pump an important com- ponent of the global carbon cycle. Understanding the response of the biological pump to the changing environment is a prerequisite to predicting future atmospheric carbon dioxide concen- trations. Will the biological pump weaken or strengthen? Currently the ocean science community is unable to confidently answer this question. Carbon flux at approximately 1000 m depth, the sequestration flux, determines the removal of carbon from the atmosphere on time scales ≥100 yr. The sequestration flux depends upon: (1) input rates of nutrients allochthonous to the ocean, (2) the export flux at the base of the euphotic zone, (3) the deviation of carbon fixation and remine - ralization from Redfield stoichiometry, and (4) the flux attenuation in the upper 1000 m. The bio- logical response to increasing temperature, ocean stratification, nutrient availability and ocean acidification is frequently taxa- and ecosystem-specific and the results of synergistic effects are challenging to predict. Consequently, the use of global averages and steady state assumptions (e.g. Redfield stoichiometry, mesopelagic nutrient inventory) for predictive models is often insuf- ficient. Our ability to predict sequestration flux additionally suffers from a lack of understanding of mesopelagic food web functioning and flux attenuation. However, regional specific investiga- tions show great promise, suggesting that in the near future predictions of changes to the biolog- ical pump will have to be regionally and ecosystem specific, with the ultimate goal of integrating to global scales.
Measuring cognitive change with ImPACT: the aggregate baseline approach

Abstract Objective: The Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Test (ImPACT) is commonly used to assess baseline and post-injury cognition among athletes in North America. Despite this, several studies have questioned the reliability of ImPACT when given at intervals employed in clinical practice. Poor test–retest reliability reduces test sensitivity to cognitive decline, increasing the likelihood that concussed athletes will be returned to play prematurely. We recently showed that the reliability of ImPACT can be increased when using a new composite structure and the aggregate of two baselines to predict subsequent performance. The purpose of the present study was to confirm our previous findings and determine whether the addition of a third baseline would further increase the test–retest reliability of ImPACT. Methods: Data from 97 English speaking professional hockey players who had received at least 4 ImPACT baseline evaluations were extracted from a National Hockey League Concussion Program database. Linear regression was used to determine whether each of the first three testing sessions accounted for unique variance in the fourth testing session. Results: Results confirmed that the aggregate baseline approach improves the psychometric properties of ImPACT, with most indices demonstrating adequate or better test–retest reliability for clinical use. Conclusions: The aggregate baseline approach provides a modest clinical benefit when recent baselines are available – and a more substantial benefit when compared to approaches that obtain baseline measures only once during the course of a multi-year playing career. Pending confirmation in diverse samples, neuropsychologists are encouraged to use the aggregate baseline approach to best quantify cognitive change following sports concussion.
Disclosure of Accounting Information and Stock Return Volatility in Brazil

Recent studies have shown the existence of a relationship between the disclosure of accounting information and economic effects. The disclosure of value-relevant accounting information reduces the information asymmetry on the market and, consequently, the risk of investors making mistakes in their decisions, which fosters the attraction of foreign capital. This paper has the purpose of investigating if there is a cross-firm relationship between the disclosure of accounting information and the volatility of stock returns of Brazilian firms. The hypothesis tested is that firms with higher levels of disclosure present lower volatility of stock returns. The research design involves a sample including 40 stocks belonging to 30 firms listed on the Brazilian stock exchange (Bovespa) and an econometric model consisting of a cross-firm linear regression, as well as robustness tests. The empirical tests performed are robust and confirm the hypothesis raised a priori.
Liposome-Mediated Delivery of Iminosugars Enhances Efficacy against Dengue Virus In Vivo

ABSTRACT A key challenge faced by promising antiviral drugs, such as iminosugars, is in vivo delivery to achieve effective levels of drug without toxicity. Four iminosugars, all deoxynojirimycin (DNJ) derivatives—N-butyl DNJ (NB-DNJ), N-nonyl DNJ, N-(9-methoxynonyl) DNJ, and N-(6′-[4″-azido-2″-nitrophenylamino]hexyl)-1-DNJ (NAP-DNJ)—potently inhibited both the percentage of cells infected with dengue virus and release of infectious virus from primary human monocyte-derived macrophages, demonstrating their efficacy in primary cells. In a lethal antibody-dependent enhancement mouse model of dengue pathogenesis, free NB-DNJ significantly enhanced survival and lowered viral load in organs and serum. Liposome-mediated delivery of NB-DNJ, in comparison with free NB-DNJ, resulted in a 3-log10 reduction in the dose of drug sufficient to enhance animal survival. The optimizing of the effective dose in this way could liberate the therapeutic potential of many cytotoxic antivirals against both dengue virus and a wide array of other viruses.