Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Public monopoly, mixed oligopoly and productive efficiency: a generalization

The paper considers a cost-reducing investment by the public sector. We compare the investment in the public monopoly to that in the mixed oligopoly. Without specifications of the demand and cost functions, we show that the investment in the public monopoly is higher thanthat in the mixed oligopoly. Our result is a generalization of the result of Nishimori and Ogawa (2002), which investigate the effects of deregulation on the public sector's investment by assuming the linear demand and linear cost functions.
Reliability of Splenic Index to Assess Splenic Involvement in Pediatric Hodgkin's Disease

The purpose of this study was to determine the reliability of the splenic index (SI) in children with Hodgkin's disease (HD). Seventeen patients who underwent staging laparotomy for HD were included in this study. Pretreatment computed tomography scans of these patients were reviewed retrospectively to determine the SI. The specificity, sensitivity, positive and negative predictive values, and accuracy of the SI were calculated. The sensitivity and specificity of the SI were 50% and 66%, respectively. The SI alone accurately identified or ruled out involvement with HD in 10 of 17 patients. Positive and negative predictive values of the SI were 57% and 60%, respectively. Even with the use of the SI, computed tomography alone remains unreliable to determine splenic involvement in children with HD. Additional imaging studies, especially fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography, may improve the clinical staging of HD.
Long-Term Neuromotor Speech Deficits in Survivors of Childhood Posterior Fossa Tumors: Effects of Tumor Type, Radiation, Age at Diagnosis, and Survival Years

The cerebellum is important for the coordination of fluent speech. The authors studied how childhood cerebellar tumors affect long-term neuromotor speech outcomes, including the relation between outcome and tumor type, radiation, age at diagnosis, and survival years. Videotaped speech samples of child and adult long-term survivors of childhood cerebellar astrocytoma (nonradiated) and medulloblastoma (radiated) tumors and healthy controls were analyzed by 2 speech pathologists for ataxic dysarthria, dysfluency, and speech rate. Ataxia varied with tumor type/radiation. Medulloblastoma survivors had significantly more ataxic dysarthric features than either survivors of astrocytomas or controls, who did not differ from each other. Dysfluency varied with a history of a posterior fossa tumor. Medulloblastoma and astrocytoma survivors were each significantly more dysfluent than controls but did not differ from each other. Speech rate varied with age and tumor type. Adult controls were significantly faster than child controls, although adult tumor survivors were comparable to their child counterparts. Adult controls had significantly faster speech rates than adult survivors of medulloblastoma tumors. Ataxic dysarthric speech characteristics are more frequent in radiated survivors of medulloblastoma tumors than nonradiated survivors of astrocytoma tumors. Dysfluent and slow speech occur in cerebellar tumor survivors, regardless of tumor type and radiation history. Cerebellar tumors in childhood limit speech rate in adulthood.
Employees' non-malicious, counterproductive computer security behaviors (CCSB) in Nigeria and Canada: An empirical and comparative analysis

Employees indulgence in counterproductive computer security behaviors (CCSB) is a growing phenomenon worldwide. Essentially, CCSB are ill-prescribed computer use practices and general information security behaviors that go against the legitimate interests of an organization. While research on such issues is beginning to emerge in the developed West, information and perspectives from developing countries such as Nigeria is rare in the extant literature. This current study was designed to fill the gap in the literature by providing insights about employees' non-malicious, CCSB in Nigeria and Canada. Data for the study was collected from a field survey and secondary data sources. Relevant data analyses were performed. The results showed that employees' indulgence in CCSB differ by locations or contexts, and importantly socio-economic factors (i.e. national wealth (GDP), transparency, and literacy rates) and the cultural dimensions of individualism versus collectivism (EDV) and uncertainty avoidance (UAI) considered in this study were found to have significant bearings on participants' desire to indulge in CCSB at work. The implications of our findings to both research and practice were succinctly discussed.
Independent Processing of Form, Colour, and Texture in Object Perception

Most investigations of object recognition have focused on the form rather than the material properties of objects. Nevertheless, knowledge of the material properties of an object (via its surface cues) can provide important information about that object's identity. In this study, we used Garner's speeded-classification task to explore whether or not the processing of form and the processing of surface properties are independent. In experiment 1, participants made length and width classifications in an initial form task. Participants were unable to ignore length while making width classifications, and were unable to ignore width while making length classifications. This suggests that the perception of length and the perception of width share common processing resources. In a subsequent task, we examined possible interactions between the processing of form and the processing of surface properties. In contrast to the findings with the form task, participants were able to ignore form while making surface-property classifications, and to ignore surface properties while making form classifications. This suggests that the form of objects and their surface properties are processed independently. In experiment 2, we went on to show that the two prominent surface-property dimensions of colour and texture can also be processed independently. In other words, participants were able to ignore colour while making texture classifications, and vice versa. Finally, in experiment 3, we examined the possibility that the stimuli and required responses that we used in experiment 2 were too categorical and thus not optimal for assessing whether or not colour and texture share common processing resources. Using a different stimulus set, participants were again able to ignore colour while making texture classifications, and vice versa. Taken together, these results provided convincing evidence that the separate ventral-stream brain regions identified for form, texture, and colour in a recent neuroimaging study (Cant and Goodale, 2007 Cerebral Cortex 17 713–731) can indeed function independently.
Systemic Treatment with Tetra-O-Methyl Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid Suppresses the Growth of Human Xenograft Tumors

Purpose: We have previously shown that the transcriptional inhibitor tetra-O-methyl nordihydroguaiaretic acid (M4N) induces growth arrest in tumor cells and exhibits tumoricidal activity when injected intratumorally into tumor cell explants in mice. The experiments reported here were designed to determine whether M4N can be given systemically and inhibit the growth of five different human xenograft tumors. Experimental Design: Nude (nu/nu) mice bearing xenografts of each of five human tumor types (i.e., hepatocellular carcinoma, Hep 3B; prostate carcinoma, LNCaP; colorectal carcinoma, HT-29; breast carcinoma, MCF7; and erythroleukemia, K-562) were treated with M4N given i.v. or i.p. in a Cremophor EL–based solvent system or orally in a corn oil based diet. Tumors from the treated animals were measured weekly and analyzed for the expression of the Cdc2 and survivin genes, both previously shown to be down-regulated by M4N. Results: Systemic M4N treatment suppressed the in vivo growth of xenografts in each of the five human tumor types. Four of the five tumor models were particularly sensitive to M4N with tumor growth inhibitions (T/C values) of ≤42%, whereas the fifth, HT-29, responded to a lesser extent (48.3%). Growth arrest and apoptosis in both the xenograft tumors and in the tumor cells grown in culture were accompanied by reductions in both Cdc2 and tumor-specific survivin gene expression. Pharmacokinetic analysis following oral and i.v. administration to ICR mice indicated an absolute bioavailability for oral M4N of ∼88%. Minimal drug-related toxicity was observed. Conclusion: These preclinical studies establish that when given systemically, M4N can safely and effectively inhibit the growth of human tumors in nude mice.
Suppression of mitochondrial respiration with auraptene inhibits the progression of renal cell carcinoma: involvement of HIF-1α degradation

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) progression resulting from the uncontrolled migration and enhanced angiogenesis is an obstacle to effective therapeutic intervention. Tumor metabolism has distinctive feature called Warburg effect, which enhances the aerobic glycolysis rapidly supplying the energy for migration of tumor. To manipulate this metabolic change characteristic of aggressive tumors, we utilized the citrus extract, auraptene, known as a mitochondrial inhibitor, testing its anticancer effects against the RCC4 cell line. We found that auraptene impaired RCC4 cell motility through reduction of mitochondrial respiration and glycolytic pathway-related genes. It also strongly disrupted VEGF-induced angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo. Hypoxia-inducible factor 1a (HIF-1a), a key regulator of cancer metabolism, migration and angiogenesis that is stably expressed in RCCs by virtue of a genetic mutation in the von Hippel–Lindau (VHL) tumor-suppressor protein, was impeded by auraptene, which blocked HIF-1a translation initiation without causing cytotoxicity. We suggest that blockade HIF-1a and reforming energy metabolism with auraptene is an effective approach for suspension RCC progression.
Marginal Railway Renewal Costs: A Survival Data Approach

Renewal costs for railway tracks using survival analysis are investigated in this paper. The purpose is to derive the effect from increased traffic volumes on rail renewal cycle lengths and to calculate associated marginal costs. A flow sample of censored data containing almost 1 500 observations on the Swedish main railway network is used. The author specifies Weibull accelerated failure time regression models, and estimate deterioration elasticity’s for total tonnage as well as for passenger and freight tonnages separately. Marginal costs are calculated as a change in present values of renewal costs from premature renewal following increased traffic volumes. The marginal costs for freight and passenger trains are estimated to approximately SEK 0.002-3 per gross ton kilometer respectively.
Carbohydrate Intake Is Correlated with the Glycated Albumin to Glycated Hemoglobin Ratio in Drug-Naive Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Background: The glycated albumin (GA) to HbA1c ratio (GA/HbA1c ratio) has been reported to reflect postprandial hyperglycemia. Carbohydrate is the primary dietary macronutrient that causes postprandial hyperglycemia. Thus, we investigated whether carbohydrate intake was associated with the GA/HbA1c ratio in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: Daily energy intake and carbohydrate intake were estimated in twenty-two patients with type 2 diabetes who received no pharmacological therapy (18 men and 4 women, age 53 ± 11 years old). The energy index and the carbohydrate index were defined as the ratio of daily energy intake to body weight and daily carbohydrate intake to body weight, respectively. Results: The energy index was significantly correlated with the GA/HbA1c ratio (r = 0.451, p = 0.035), but not with fasting plasma glucose (FPG), HbA1c and GA. The carbohydrate index was significantly correlated with GA (r = 0.461, p = 0.031) and the GA/HbA1c ratio (r = 0.554, p = 0.007), but not with FPG and HbA1c. Multivariate analysis revealed that the carbohydrate index was independently associated with the GA/HbA1c ratio (β = 0.397, p = 0.046). Conclusions: The carbohydrate index was significantly correlated with GA and the GA/HbA1c ratio in the patients with type 2 diabetes. These results suggest that carbohydrate intake may be associated with the GA/HbA1c ratio through postprandial hyperglycemia.
Utility of Hepatitis B Vaccination in India Pediatrician ’ s Perspective

The study was conducted in 5-11 year-old rural children in five districts in [earstwhile] Andhra Pradesh. HBV-vaccinated (born in 2003/2004, given 3 doses) and unvaccinated (born in 2001/2002) children were compared for HBV serology parameters. Anti-HBs was found in 53% of vaccinated and 18% of unvaccinated children – suggesting vaccine-induced immunity prevalence in only 35% of children. Part of the problem is waning immunity; the youngest (5-year-olds) had the highest anti-HBs prevalence, but even that was only 64%. These are not satisfactory results since HBV vaccine is highly immunogenic if scheduled properly. The relatively low immune response is corroborated by closely similar frequency of Anti-HBc (marker of HBV infection): 1.79% in unvaccinated and 1.05% in the vaccinated. The frequency of chronic infection (carrier state with HBsAg) was also equal (0.17% in unvaccinated and 0.15% in vaccinated).
Back pain in the workplace.

L back pain in the workplace takes up a high percentage of the occupational physician’s time; it is widespread across many occupations, from heavy industrial through to light office work. There has been much research into the field of back pain looking at various aetiologies, the epidemiology, the effects of new and existing legislation, and the success of different treatments. Despite this, if an employee is absent from work for q6 months with back pain, there is only a 50% chance of him returning to work. This decreases to 25% if the absence is over a year [1]. In this paper, we review current literature, attempt to clarify some grey areas, and show how an occupational health service can tackle this significant problem. We also discuss the current management of low back pain as practised at the Rover Group.
Optical quality and depth-of-field of eyes implanted with spherical and aspheric intraocular lenses.

PURPOSE To compare experimental optical performance in eyes implanted with spherical and aspheric intraocular lenses (IOLs). METHODS Corneal, total, and internal aberrations were measured in 19 eyes implanted with spherical (n=9) and aspheric (n=10) IOLs. Corneal aberrations were estimated by virtual ray tracing on corneal elevation maps, and total aberrations were measured using a second-generation laser ray tracing system. Corneal and total wave aberrations were fit to a Zernike polynomial expansion. Internal aberrations were measured by subtracting corneal from total wave aberrations. Optical performance was evaluated in terms of root-mean-square (RMS) wavefront error and Strehl ratio (estimated from the modulation transfer function). Depth-of-field was obtained from through-focus Strehl estimates from each individual eye. RESULTS Corneal aberrations increased after IOL implantation, particularly astigmatism and trefoil terms. Third and higher order RMS (and the corresponding Strehl ratio) were significantly better in eyes with aspheric IOLs than with spherical IOLs; however, this tendency was reversed when astigmatism was included. Spherical aberration was not significantly different in eyes with aspheric IOLs, whereas it was significantly positive in eyes with spherical IOLs. Third order aberrations were not significantly different across groups. Depth-of-field was significantly larger in eyes with spherical IOLs. Spherical IOLs showed better absolute optical quality in the presence of negative defocus >1.00 D. CONCLUSIONS Our study shows a good degree of compensation of the corneal spherical aberration in eyes implanted with aspheric IOLs, as opposed to eyes implanted with spherical IOLs. Other sources of optical degradation, both with aspheric and spherical IOLs, are non-symmetric preoperative corneal aberrations, incision-induced aberrations, and third order internal aberrations. Although best corrected optical quality is significantly better with aspheric IOLs, tolerance to defocus tended to be lower.
Reactive Oxygen Species as Downstream Mediators of Angiogenic Signaling by Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2/KDR*

Recent evidence shows the involvement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the mitogenic cascade initiated by the tyrosine kinase receptors of several growth factor peptides. We have asked whether also the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) utilizes ROS as messenger intermediates downstream of the VEGF receptor-2 (VEGFR-2)/KDR receptor given that the proliferation of endothelial cells during neoangiogenesis is physiologically regulated by oxygen and likely by its derivative species. In porcine aortic endothelial cells stably expressing human KDR, receptor activation by VEGF is followed by a rapid increase in the intracellular generation of hydrogen peroxide as revealed by the peroxide-sensitive probe dichlorofluorescein diacetate. Genetic and pharmacological studies suggest that such oxidant burst requires as upstream events the activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and the small GTPase Rac-1 and is likely initiated by lipoxygenases. Interestingly, ROS generation in response to VEGF is not blocked but rather potentiated by endothelial nitric-oxide synthase inhibitors diphenyleneiodonium and N Gmethyl-l-arginine, ruling out the possibility of nitric oxide being the oxidant species here detected in VEGF-stimulated cells. Inhibition of KDR-dependent generation of ROS attenuates early signaling events including receptor autophosphorylation and binding to a phospholipase C-γ-glutathione S-transferase fusion protein. Moreover, catalase, the lipoxygenase inhibitor nordihydroguaiaretic acid, the synthetic ROS scavenger EUK-134, and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor wortmannin all reduce ERK phosphorylation in response to VEGF, and antioxidants prevent VEGF-dependent mitogenesis. Finally, cell culture and stimulation in a nearly anoxic environment mimic the effect of ROS scavenger on receptor and ERK phosphorylation, reinforcing the idea that ROS are necessary components of the mitogenic signaling cascade initiated by KDR. These data identify ROS as a new class of intracellular angiogenic mediators and may represent a potential premise for new antioxidant-based antiangiogenic therapies.
Evidence-based medicine training in a resource-poor country, the importance of leveraging personal and institutional relationships.

RATIONALE, AIMS AND OBJECTIVES Efforts to implement evidence-based medicine (EBM) training in developing countries are limited. We describe the results of an international effort to improve research capacity in a developing country; we conducted a course aimed at improving basic EBM attitudes and identified challenges. METHOD Between 2005 and 2009, we conducted an annual 3-day course in Perú consisting of interactive lectures and case-based workshops. We assessed self-reported competence and importance in EBM using a Likert scale (1 = low, 5 = high). RESULTS Totally 220 clinicians participated. For phase I (2005-2007), self-reported EBM competence increased from a median of 2 to 3 (P < 0.001) and the perceived importance of EBM did not change (median = 5). For phase II (2008-2009), before the course, 8-72% graded their competence very low (score of 1-2). After the course, 67-92% of subjects graded their increase in knowledge very high (score of 4-5). The challenges included limited availability of studies relevant to the local reality written in Spanish, participants' limited time and lack of long-term follow-up on practice change. Informal discussion and written evaluation from participants were universally in agreement that more training in EBM is needed. CONCLUSIONS In an EBM course in a resource-poor country, the baseline self-reported competence and experience on EBM were low, and the course had measurable improvements of self-reported competence, perceived utility and readiness to incorporate EBM into their practices. Similar to developed countries, translational research and building the research capacity in developing countries is critical for translating best available evidence into practice.
The role of differential activation of p38‐mitogen‐activated protein kinase in preconditioned ventricular myocytes

Activation of protein kinase C (PKC) and more recently mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPKs) have been associated with the cardioprotective effect of ischemic preconditioning. We examined the interplay between these kinases in a characterized model of ischemic preconditioning in cultured rat neonatal ventricular cardiocytes where ectopic expression of active PKC‐δ results in protection. Two members of the MAPK family, p38 and p42/44, were activated transiently during preconditioning by brief simulated ischemia/reoxygenation. Overexpression of active PKC‐δ, rather than augmenting, completely abolished this activation. We therefore determined whether a similar process occurred during lethal prolonged simulated ischemia. In contrast to ischemia, brief, lethal‐simulated ischemia activated only p38 (2.8±0.45 vs. basal, P<0.01), which was attenuated by expression of active PKC‐δ or by preconditioning (0.48 ±0.1 vs. ischemia, P<0.01). To determine whether reduced p38 activation was the cause or an effect of protection, we used SB203580, a p38 inhibitor. SB203580 reduced ischemic injury (CK release 38.0± 3.1%, LDH release 77.3±4.0%, and MTT bioreduction 127.1 ±4.8% of control, n=20, P<0.05). To determine whether p38 activation was isoform selective, myocytes were infected with adenoviruses encoding wild‐type p38a or p38β. Transfected p38a and β show differential activation (P<0.001) during sustained simulated ischemia, with p38a remaining activated (1.48±0.36 vs. basal) but p38β deactivated (0.36± 0.1 vs. basal, P<0.01). Prior preconditioning prevented the activation of p38a (0.65±0.11 vs. ischemia, P<0.05). Moreover, cells expressing a dominant negative p38α, which prevented ischemic p38 activation, were resistant to lethal simulated ischemia (CK release 82.9±3.9% and MTT bioreduction 130.2±6.5% of control, n=8, P<0.05). Thus, inhibition of p38α activation during ischemia reduces injury and may contribute to preconditioning‐induced cardioprotection in this model. —Saurin, A. T. , Martin, J. L. , Heads, R. J., Foley, C. , Mockridge, J. W. , Wright, M. J., Wang, Y. , Marber, M. S. The role of differential activation of p38‐mitogen‐activated protein kinase in preconditioned ventricular myocytes. FASEB J. 14, 2237–2246 (2000)