Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Financial Liberalisation and Capital Regulation in Open Economies

We model the interaction between two economies where banks exhibit both adverse selection and moral hazard and bank regulators try to resolve these problems. We find that liberalising bank capital flows between economies reduces total welfare by reducing the average size and efficiency of the banking sector. This effect can be countered by forcing international harmonisation of capital requirements across economies, a policy reminiscent of the “level playing field” adopted in the 1988 Basle Accord. Such a policy is good for weaker regulators whereas a laissez faire policy under which each country chooses its own capital requirement is better for the higher quality regulator. We find that imposing a level playing field among countries is globally optimal provided regulators’ abilities are not too different. We also show how shocks will be transmitted differently across the two policy regimes.
Web 2.0 features in university library web sites

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore recent trends in the application of Web 2.0 and Library 2.0 features as exemplified through university library web sites around the world.Design/methodology/approach – The top 100 universities from the ranked list of 200 provided on the Times Higher Education web site were considered for collection of data and from this list a selection was made of 57 of these universities. This selection was based on whether the site was in English and whether it had at least one Web 2.0 feature. For each of these universities their web sites were visited and data on their Web 2.0 features (such as Blogs, RSS, Instant Messaging, Wikis and the like) were collected and analyzed.Findings – Results reveal that 37 university libraries use RSS feeds for dissemination of library news, events and announcements and 15 university libraries provide blog space for users. Whereas wiki is the least applied Web 2.0 technology, with only one university using it, Instant Messaging is anot.
Prediction of Splenic Volume by a Simple CT Measurement: A Statistical Study

The width, thickness, and areas of the spleen were obtained by abdominal computed tomography on 50 patients. Several simple linear equations were used to predict the splenic volume and were correlated with a previously published method for volume estimation based on summing areas of multiple contiguous scans. This was used as a standard and demonstrated an excellent linear correlation (r = 0.95) with an estimate based on a product of length and maximal width. Correlation was even better (r = 0.991) with an estimate based on length, maximal width, and thickness.
Tumour necrosis factor superfamily member 15 (Tnfsf15) facilitates lymphangiogenesis via up‐regulation of Vegfr3 gene expression in lymphatic endothelial cells

Lymphangiogenesis is essential in embryonic development but is rare in adults. It occurs, however, in many disease conditions including cancers. Vascular endothelial growth factor‐C/D (VEGF‐C/D) and VEGF receptor‐3 (Vegfr3) play a critical role in the regulation of lymphangiogenesis. We investigated how the VEGF‐C/Vegfr3 signalling system is regulated by tumour necrosis factor superfamily member 15 (Tnfsf15), an endothelium‐derived cytokine. We report here that Tnfsf15, which is known to induce apoptosis in vascular endothelial cells, can promote lymphatic endothelial cell (LEC) growth and migration, stimulate lymphangiogenesis, and facilitate lymphatic circulation. Treatment of mouse LECs with Tnfsf15 results in up‐regulation of Vegfr3 expression; this can be inhibited by gene silencing of death domain‐containing receptor‐3 (DR3; Tnfrsf25), a cell surface receptor for Tnfsf15, with siRNA, or by blocking Tnfsf15–DR3 interaction with a Tnfsf15 neutralizing antibody, 4‐3H. Additionally, Tnfsf15/DR3 signalling pathways in LECs include activation of NF‐κB. Tnfsf15‐overexpressing transgenic mice exhibit a marked enhancement of lymph drainage; this is confirmed by treatment of wild‐type mice with intraperitoneal injection of recombinant Tnfsf15. Moreover, systemic treatment of pregnant Tnfsf15 transgenic mice with 4‐3H leads to inhibition of embryonic lymphangiogenesis. Our data indicate that Tnfsf15, a cytokine produced largely by endothelial cells, facilitates lymphangiogenesis by up‐regulating Vegfr3 gene expression in LECs, contributing to the maintenance of the homeostasis of the circulatory system. This finding also suggests that Tnfsf15 may be of potential value as a therapeutic tool for the treatment of lymphoedema. Copyright © 2015 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Decentralized control design using piecewise constant hold functions

In this paper, a method is proposed for the design of discrete-time decentralized controllers which accounts for intersample ripple. The proposed controller consists of piecewise constant hold functions, which are easy to implement. The discontinuity instants and the corresponding values of the hold functions at each time-interval are obtained such that the overall energy of error (including the intersample error) is minimized. Numerical results are included to show the effectiveness of the proposed method
Defense Technical Information Center Compilation Part Notice ADP 017715

Six strains of bacteria capable of degrading nitroglycerin (NG) were isolated from soil previously exposed to NG. Nitroglycerin degradation by each of the strains was characterized, with representative degradation patterns reported for two strains, Pseudomonas putida I-B and P. putida II-C. It was found that P. putida I-B denitrated NG into isomers of MNG with a preference for the denitration of nitroglycerin at the C2 position. P. putida II-C denitrated NG in a random fashion, producing a mixture of DNG isomers and a mixture of MNG isomers. Both strains liberated nitrite as a product of NG denitration. All six isolates were tested for their abilities to tolerate up to 3.96 mM NG. Nitroglycerin concentrations up to 1.32 mM did not inhibit growth of the six NG-degrading isolates, whereas the growth of P. syringae pathovar syringae, an organism not previously exposed to NG, was inhibited at 0.44 mM NG. The growth of one NG-degrading isolate was uninhibited at 3.52 mM NG and only partially inhibited at 3.96 mM NG.
A study of men aged 33–42 in Habo, Sweden with special reference to cardiovascular risk factors

An intervention study of men living in the Community of Habo in southwestern Sweden has been carried out. All men aged 33–42 and living in the community were invited. Altogether 652 men participated. The study included a questionnaire, an interview made by a nurse, anthropometric measurements, blood pressure measurements, measurements of respiratory function and work performance capacity, and blood sampling for chemical analyses. The participation rate was high, 86.1%, after one mail invitation even considering the fact that two reminders were sent. Most of the non-participants had recently been in contact with the health care organisation, either because they were high-consumers of health care, or because they had attended a health examination at work. A health profile was worked out comprising 11 different potential risk factors for coronary heart disease. This health profile turned out to be a useful educational tool when discussing the results of the examination with the participants. Risk points were given according to certain predetermined criteria. The distribution of risk factors was similar in the different ages studied. Most of the participants had at least one risk factor as defined, but many of them had two or more risk factors.
How strong is the evidence for the use of perioperative β blockers in non-cardiac surgery? Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

Abstract Objective To determine the effect of perioperative β blocker treatment in patients having non-cardiac surgery. Design Systematic review and meta-analysis. Data sources Seven search strategies, including searching two bibliographic databases and hand searching seven medical journals. Study selection and outcomes We included randomised controlled trials that evaluated β blocker treatment in patients having non-cardiac surgery. Perioperative outcomes within 30 days of surgery included total mortality, cardiovascular mortality, non-fatal myocardial infarction, non-fatal cardiac arrest, non-fatal stroke, congestive heart failure, hypotension needing treatment, bradycardia needing treatment, and bronchospasm. Results Twenty two trials that randomised a total of 2437 patients met the eligibility criteria. Perioperative β blockers did not show any statistically significant beneficial effects on any of the individual outcomes and the only nominally statistically significant beneficial relative risk was 0.44 (95% confidence interval 0.20 to 0.97, 99% confidence interval 0.16 to 1.24) for the composite outcome of cardiovascular mortality, non-fatal myocardial infarction, and non-fatal cardiac arrest. Methods adapted from formal interim monitoring boundaries applied to cumulative meta-analysis showed that the evidence failed, by a considerable degree, to meet standards for forgoing additional studies. The individual safety outcomes in patients treated with perioperative β blockers showed a relative risk for bradycardia needing treatment of 2.27 (95% CI 1.53 to 3.36, 99% CI 1.36 to 3.80) and a nominally statistically significant relative risk for hypotension needing treatment of 1.27 (95% CI 1.04 to 1.56, 99% CI 0.97 to 1.66). Conclusion The evidence that perioperative β blockers reduce major cardiovascular events is encouraging but too unreliable to allow definitive conclusions to be drawn.
The distribution of neurotransmitters and neurotransmitter‐related enzymes in the dorsomedial telencephalon of the pigeon (Columba livia)

Immunoreactivity to four neurotransmitters/transmitter‐related enzymes was found in the dorsomedial telencephalon (hippocampal region) of the pigeon. Putative afferent fibers containing choline acetyltransferase‐like, serotonin‐like, and tyrosine hydroxylase‐like immunoreactivity were seen in a fiber tract passing through the septo‐hippocampal junction and along the medial wall of the hippocampal region. The most intensive labeling of neuropil and terminals of all four substances was found in the dorsomedial area of the hippocampal region. Glutamic acid decarboxylase‐like immunoreactivity was seen in sparsely scattered cells throughout the region. These results are discussed in relation to hypotheses about the boundaries and subdivisions of the hippocampal region of the pigeon.
Relationship Between Gravimetric Wear and Particle Generation in Hip Simulators: Conventional Compared with Cross-Linked Polyethylene

Summary Hip-simulator studies have shown reduced gravimetric wear rates for inert-gas gamma-irradiated ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene when compared with conventional ethylene-oxide-sterilized ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene. Analysis shows a greater number of particles generated from inert-gas gamma-irradiated ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene. This study was undertaken to examine particle-generation rates of polyethylene with different levels of cross-linking and to correlate them with gravimetric wear data. Particle-generation rates did not correlate with gravimetric wear rates. Particle analysis should be performed to predict the in vivo behavior of bearing surface materials. Cross-linked ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene subjected to 10 Mrad (100,000 Gy) of gamma irradiation generated significantly fewer particles than ethylene-oxide-sterilized ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene; it also demonstrated a 96% reduction in the volume of particles.
Iterative Receivers for Pre-transformed MIMO-OFDM Systems

In this paper, we present a pre-transformed (PT) multiple input multiple output (MIMO) orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) system, in short PT-MIMO-OFDM system. We propose two receiver structures that combine the iterative subcarrier reconstruction and iterative interference cancellation to fully exploit both the spatial and the frequency diversity of MIMO-OFDM systems. Significant performance gain can be achieved. Based on the performance and receiver complexity tradeoff, we also present a set of guidelines for choosing either one of the two receivers in practical systems
Records of Hospitalizations from Echinococcosis in Brazil, 1998-2016

Human echinococcosis, also referred to as hydatid disease, is a neglected disease in Brazil and many other countries. Its distribution and hospitalization characteristics are poorly known and so can be little used in the development of public health policy. From January 2000 to December 2015, we recorded national patterns of hospitalization and symptoms using the International Classification of Diseases and estimated the costs of treatment. The number of hospitalizations may have been underestimated due to lack of awareness of health workers of this disease and a resulting inability to identify the disease symptoms and record them accurately in the National Hospitalization Information System.
Expanding the Science of Resilience: Conserving Resources in the Aid of Adaptation

In considering resilience to stress there are several key organizing principles that will aid both research and understanding. Understanding resilience is critical to illumination of the stress process, be it for purposes of research, policy, or intervention. Bonanno, Romero, and Klein (this issue) provide an excellent review of thinking on resilience and delineate several key foci that require future attention. In particular, Bonanno et al. (this issue) aid the study and understanding of resilience by outlining the temporal elements of resilience. They also insightfully push the focus of resilience beyond just the individual level, to the level of the family and community. In their paper, they state that their “elemental approach provides a ready framework for integrating the various meanings of psychological resilience into a single unfolding process. ” What we think can further guide this field is the introduction of several key constructs that help describe key organizing principles about resilience that map out the critical constructs and processes that characterize resilience. To be clear, many of these concepts have been discussed in some form by Bonanno in his seminal work on resilience (Bonanno, 2004; 2005; Bonanno, Galea, Bucciarelli, & Vlahov, 2006; Bonanno, Brewin, Kaniasty & La Greca, 2010), or have been spurred on our part by considering his thoughts and studies of resilience carefully (Hobfoll, 2011). However, we think we have mined, refined, and polished some of the ideas in a way that may further contribute to the field. Together with the contributions of Bonanno et al. (this issue), these might aid the advancement of knowledge on withstanding major and traumatic stressors and recovery in the face of major and traumatic stressors.
Bionomics and Formation of “Bonsai” Colonies With Long-Term Rearing of Coptotermes formosanus (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

Abstract This laboratory study reports the ability of Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, colonies to survive for at least 9 yr while restricted to a sweater box. Colonies survived by limiting queen size and worker numbers, allowing these bonsai colonies to thrive. Queen physogastry appeared to plateau with 9-yr-old queens not larger than 6-yr-old queens, but nearly triple the size of 2-yr-old queens. Nine-year-old colony worker numbers were not greater than 6-yr-old colonies, but worker numbers were greater than in 2-yr-old colonies. Such colony survival under conditions of restricted resources provides a mechanism for re-infestation of areas following extensive area-wide control efforts. “Bonsai” colonies are relevant to the ability of marginalized colonies to avoid detection and then expand and invade into areas once the large, mature colonies are eliminated, and their potential to produce alates to start new C. formosanus colonies in areas which have been subjected to colony elimination programs impacts termite management strategies.
Oxidative Gelation Measurement and Influence on Soft Wheat Batter Viscosity and End‐Use Quality

ABSTRACTViscosity is an important end-use attribute for some soft wheat flour formulations. Specifically, in formulations with minimal gluten development, such as batters (as in cake, pancake, and doughnut) and coatings (as in tempura), viscosity is important to leavening gas retention and flow characteristics. Current tests for predictors of viscosity leave considerable unexplained variation. The potential for water-extractable arabinoxylans to form oxidative gels through ferulic acid dimerization may represent an important component of viscosity variation. A method was developed to identify variation in viscosity due to oxidative gelation. This method, comparing viscosity of flour slurries made with water, a peroxide-peroxidase system, and a system with xylanase, indicated that two, and likely three, types of oxidative gelation were contributing to viscosity. Predicted viscosity due to inter-arabinoxylan gelation through ferulic acid dimerization, dityrosine formation among proteins, and ferulic acid-ty.
PKG in honey bees: Spatial expression, Amfor gene expression, sucrose responsiveness, and division of labor

Division of labor is a hallmark of social insects. In honey bees, division of labor involves transition of female workers from one task to the next. The most distinct tasks are nursing (providing food for the brood) and foraging (collecting pollen and nectar). The brain mechanisms regulating this form of behavioral plasticity have largely remained elusive. Recently, it was suggested that division of labor is based on nutrition‐associated signaling pathways. One highly conserved gene associated with food‐related behavior across species is the foraging gene, which encodes a cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)‐dependent protein kinase (PKG). Our analysis of this gene reveals the presence of alternative splicing in the honey bee. One isoform is expressed in the brain. Expression of this isoform is most pronounced in the mushroom bodies, the subesophageal ganglion, and the corpora allata. Division of labor and sucrose responsiveness in honey bees correlate significantly with foraging gene expression in distinct brain regions. Activating PKG selectively increases sucrose responsiveness in nurse bees to the level of foragers, whereas the same treatment does not affect responsiveness to light. These findings demonstrate a direct link between PKG signaling in distinct brain areas and division of labor. Furthermore, they demonstrate that the difference in sensory responsiveness between nurse bees and foragers can be compensated for by activating PKG. Our findings on the function of PKG in regulating specific sensory responsiveness and social organization offer valuable indications for the function of the cGMP/PKG pathway in many other insects and vertebrates. J. Comp. Neurol. 522:1786–1799, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Recurrent and multiple suture closures after craniectomy for craniosynostosis.

✓ Six cases of craniosynostosis are reported in which recurrent and multiple closure of cranial sutures occurred after craniectomy and insertion of polyethylene film. In all patients there was closure of a second and sometimes a third suture as well as reclosure of the treated suture. In four children the second operations were done before the age of 18 months; none had increased intracranial pressure preoperatively and three who are living have normal intelligence. In two children, the second operations were not done until after the age of 3 years; both had increased intracranial pressure preoperatively, and both are now mentally retarded.
Down Regulation of the Munc18b-syntaxin-11 Complex and β1-tubulin Impairs Secretion and Spreading in Neonatal Platelets

Abstract Neonatal platelets are hyporeactive and show impaired agonist-induced secretion despite no obvious abnormalities in their granules. Here, we examined, for the first time, the ultrastructure of neonatal and adult platelets following agonist activation. Under resting conditions, neonatal and adult platelets appeared ultrastructurally identical. Following agonist stimulation, however, noticeable degranulation occurred in adult platelets, while granules in neonatal platelets remained clearly visible and apparently unable to centralize or fuse. To investigate the underlying mechanisms, we first examined the expression levels of the main SNARE proteins, which mediate the membrane fusion events required for exocytosis. Neonatal platelets showed significantly reduced levels of syntaxin-11 and its regulator, Munc18b. Since granule centralization depends on contraction of the microtubule ring, we also examined the expression of its main component, β1-tubulin. Noteworthy, we found decreased TUBB1 mRNA and protein levels in neonatal platelets, while TUBB2A and TUBB isoforms were overexpressed, partially compensating for that deficiency. Finally, supporting the functional consequences of defective exocytosis, adhesion kinetic assays, performed in plasma-free medium, demonstrated delayed adhesion and spreading of neonatal platelets. This is the first report showing marked reductions of syntaxin-11–Munc18b complex and β1-tubulin in neonatal platelets, indicating that these proteins, required for platelet degranulation, are developmentally regulated.
Osteoplastic Lateral Suboccipital Approach for Acoustic Neuroma Surgery: Technical Note

OBJECTIVE Persistent headache remains a significant problem in a small group of patients after acoustic neuroma surgery via the lateral suboccipital approach. We describe a modified technique of osteoplastic lateral suboccipital craniotomy for surgery of the cerebellopontine angle. This simple and elegant technique provides a superior cosmetic result and a significant reduction in patients’ symptoms. METHODS We report on our series of 75 patients who underwent surgery for acoustic neuroma. The maximal follow-up period was 4 years. RESULTS No patients reported headache postoperatively. Cerebrospinal fluid fistulae were not observed. CONCLUSION This modified approach minimizes cerebellar retraction, and the neural and vascular structures can be preserved under direct visualization of the tumor. This lateral suboccipital approach is a useful modification of previous approaches in acoustic neuroma surgery. It provides successful tumor resection and excellent functional results.
The Reliability of a Cytological Prediction of Cervical Adenocarcinoma In Situ

EDITORIAL COMMENT: The entity of cervical adenocarcinoma in situ will be new to many readers. This careful large study established that cytological prediction of adenocarcinoma in situ of the cervix is a very meaningful finding, with a false positive rate of only 2% i.e. 1 of 47 patients having adequate investigation; the other 46 patients having in situ (28) or invasive (18) carcinomas. The authors have justified their conclusion that a cytological report of adenocarcinoma in situ of the cervix merits further investigation by cone biopsy. The appropriate management of very early or minimal microinvasive adenocarcinoma discovered at conization performed following a cytological prediction of adenocarcinoma in situ remains controversial, until such time as long term follow‐up of a series of such patients is reported.