Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: a systematic literature review

Objective To determine risk factors for progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, and understand how underlying disease or treatment for SLE may be associated with PML in this population. Methods Studies published in English between January 1, 1984 and October 31, 2014 that reported PML in adult SLE patients were included. Immunosuppression was defined as exposure to ≥1 immunosuppressant drug of interest at PML diagnosis: belimumab, rituximab, mycophenolate mofetil, azathioprine, cyclophosphamide, methotrexate and high-dose corticosteroids (>15 mg/day). Minimal immunosuppression was defined as low-dose corticosteroids (≤15 mg/day) and/or anti-malarials. Results Thirty-five publications met our inclusion criteria: four observational studies, two large case series, and 29 case reports that described 35 cases. Reported PML incidence rates among SLE patients based on observational studies ranged from 1.0 to 2.4 cases/100,000 person-years. Of the 35 case reports, three cases were exposed to no immunosuppressant drugs at PML diagnosis, five cases had minimal immunosuppression, 23 cases had immunosuppression, and four cases were indeterminate. Conclusions The evidence from this literature review suggests that, while PML is a very rare disease in SLE patients, there does appear to be an increased risk of PML associated with SLE compared to the general population, potentially due to immunosuppression, other contributing factors in their underlying disease, treatments prescribed to manage disease, or some combination of these factors. Additional large observational studies, designed to assess exposure to drugs of interest and complicated treatment histories, are needed to provide further evidence about potential mechanisms contributing to the onset of PML in SLE patients.
Technology Driven Banking in Bangladesh: Present Status, Future Prospects and Challenges

The paper tries to identify the common technology driven banking services provided by the banks in Bangladesh; their present condition, future prospects and challenges. Out of 47 schedule banks, 38 banks are selected for this study. It is found that the Foreign Commercial Banks and a few Private Commercial Banks are playing a significant role in providing technology driven banking services. Though technology driven banking is at present facing some challenges, it shows promise for the future. Without this type of banking it will not be possible for the Bangladeshi banks' to survive in a competitive global business environment.
Antigen-driven effector CD8 T cell function regulated by T-bet

Type 1 immunity relies on the differentiation of two major subsets of T lymphocytes, the CD4+ T helper (Th) cell and the CD8+ cytotoxic T cell, that direct inflammatory and cytotoxic responses essential for the destruction of intracellular and extracellular pathogens. In contrast to CD4 cells, little is known about transcription factors that control the transition from the CD8 naïve to effector cell stage. Here, we report that the transcription factor T-bet, known to regulate Th cell differentiation, also controls the generation of the CD8+ cytotoxic effector cell. Antigen-driven generation of effector CD8+ cells was impaired in OT-I T cell receptor transgenic mice lacking T-bet, resulting in diminished cytotoxicity and a marked shift in cytokine secretion profiles. Furthermore, mice lacking T-bet responded poorly to infection with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus. T-bet is a key player in the generation of type 1 immunity, in both Th and T cytotoxic cells.
Why is Persistent Mutual Fund Performance so Difficult to Achieve? The Impact of Management Turnover and Fund Flows

The objective of this research is to investigate the impact that fund flows and management turnover have on the investment performance of actively managed equity mutual funds over time. Both fund flows and manager turnover have been identified in the literature as relevant factors that can significantly affect performance persistence. We analyze which of these factors has a stronger impact and how they interact. Using a sample of 3,948 U.S. equity mutual funds for the period from 1992 to 2007, our results support the notion that both mechanisms impact performance predictability over both the cross-section and time. The future performance of top past performing funds strongly suffers from both the departure of skilled fund managers and even more from excessive inflows. The future performance of past loser funds benefits from a replacement of their unskilled or unlucky managers but does not benefit from cash outflows to the same degree. Furthermore, we provide empirical evidence that both factors have a marginal and mutually independent impact on performance and document a strong interaction between both variables. For loser funds the combined effect on performance is equal to management fees. For winner funds it amounts to 60 percent of total fees. Including information about changes in fund management and fund flows into the mutual fund investment decision process would have yielded highly significant four-factor alphas of 3.12 to 4.44 percent per year before fees.
Age and Gender Differences in Facial Attractiveness, but Not Emotion Resemblance, Contribute to Age and Gender Stereotypes

Considerable research has shown effects of facial appearance on trait impressions and group stereotypes. We extended those findings in two studies that investigated the contribution of resemblance to emotion expressions and attractiveness to younger adults (YA) and older adults (OA) age and gender stereotypes on the dimensions of warmth and competence. Using connectionist modeling of facial metrics of 240 neutral younger and older faces, Study 1 found that, neutral expression older faces or female faces showed greater structural resemblance to happy expressions and less resemblance to angry expressions than did younger or male faces, respectively. In addition, neutral female faces showed greater resemblance to surprise expressions. In Study 2, YA and OA rated the faces of Study 1 for attractiveness and for 4 traits that we aggregated on the dimensions of competence (competent, healthy) and warmth (trustworthy, not shrewd). We found that YA, but not OA, age stereotypes replicated previous research showing higher perceived warmth and lower perceived competence in older adults. In addition, previously documented gender stereotypes were moderated by face age for both YA and OA. The greater attractiveness of younger than older faces and female than male faces influenced age and gender stereotypes, including these deviations from prior research findings using category labels rather than faces. On the other hand, face age and face sex differences in emotion resemblance did not influence age or gender stereotypes, contrary to prediction. Our results provide a caveat to conclusions about age and gender stereotypes derived from responses to category labels, and they reveal the importance of assessing stereotypes with a methodology that is sensitive to influences of group differences in appearance that can exacerbate or mitigate stereotypes in more ecologically valid contexts. Although the gender differences in attractiveness in the present study may not have generalizability, the age differences likely do, and the fact that they can weaken the attribution of greater warmth and strengthen the attribution of lower competence to older than younger individuals has important practical implications.
Financial Literacy in Nepal: A Survey Analysis from College Students

This study surveys 436 college students to examine their financial literacy; the impact of demographic, educational and personality characteristics on financial literacy. Mean, ANOVA and logistic regression were used in carrying out analysis. Results show that most of the students have basic level of financial knowledge but they lack in understanding of credit, taxes, share market, financial statement and insurance. Students are highly influenced by their parents at home and they have positive attitude towards savings. The study further identified income, age, stream of education, types of college, and attitude of students as determinants of financial knowledge; and financial knowledge is unaffected by gender, university affiliation, financial behavior and influence. It is concluded that college students have basic level of financial knowledge. However, overall financial knowledge of the students is affected by some of their demographic, educational and personality characteristics.
Functional nerve recovery after bridging a 15 mm gap in rat sciatic nerve with a biodegradable nerve guide

Recovery of nerve function was evaluated after bridging a 15 mm sciatic nerve gap in 51 rats with a biodegradable poly(DL-lactide-ε-caprolactone) nerve guide. Recovery of function was investigated by analysing the footprints, by analysing video recordings of gait, by electrically eliciting the withdrawal reflex, by nerve conduction velocity and by electromyography (EMG). Sensory nerve function recovered as measured by electrostimulation. Motor nerve function partly recovered but electromyograms remained abnormal throughout the study. We conclude that functional reinnervation by regenerating axons occurs after bridging a 15 mm nerve gap with a biodegradable poly(DL-lactide-ε-caprolactone) nerve guide, but the walking patterns remain abnormal. Video analysis is a useful tool to record and analyse the walking patterns of rats. Further studies are necessary to investigate the possibility of obtaining selective reinnervation of specific muscles.
HLA-B*1502 in Iranian Children with Anticonvulsant Drugs-Induced Skin Reactions

Objective Anticonvulsant drugs can cause various forms of skin drug reactions, ranging from exanthema to severe blistering reactions. An association between HLA-B*1502 allele and severe skin reactions have been reported. Materials & Methods Fifteen patients with severe skin reactions following treatment with anticonvulsant drugs (Carbamazepine, lamotrigine, phenobarbital, primidone) and 15 controls (age-matched epileptic patients taking similar anticonvulsants without drug eruption) were included. They were referred to Mofid Children’s Hospital in Tehran, Iran, between Jan 2012 to Jan 2014. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood of all patients and HLA- B*1502 genotype was detected by real-time PCR. Results None of the patients was positive for HLA- B*1502, but two patients in control group had positive HLA- B*1502. Conclusion The HLA- B*1502 is not correlated with severe anticonvulsant drugs -induced skin reactions in Iranian children.
Comparison of anxiety between smokers and nonsmokers with acute myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND Increased anxiety correlates with increased complications after acute myocardial infarction. Anxiety levels and use of anxiolytic agents have not been compared between smokers and nonsmokers hospitalized because of acute myocardial infarction. OBJECTIVES To compare anxiety level, sociodemographic factors, and clinical variables between smokers and nonsmokers hospitalized with acute myocardial infarction and to examine predictors of use of beta-blockers and anxiolytic agents among smokers and nonsmokers. METHODS Secondary data analysis of a prospective multisite study on anxiety in 181 smokers and 351 nonsmokers with acute myocardial infarction. Anxiety was measured by using the State Trait Anxiety Inventory and the anxiety subscale of the Basic Symptom Inventory within 72 hours of admission. RESULTS Smokers reported higher anxiety levels than nonsmokers reported on both anxiety scales. Female smokers reported the highest anxiety and peak pain levels of all, yet women were the least likely to receive anxiolytic agents. Smoking status was not a predictor for anxiety level when sex, peak pain, use of beta-blockers in the hospital, and age were controlled for. However, smokers were twice as likely as nonsmokers to receive an anxiolytic agent and 60% more likely to receive a beta-blocker in the emergency department, and smokers were 80% more likely than nonsmokers to receive an anxiolytic agent during hospitalization when these variables were controlled. CONCLUSIONS Older female smokers are at risk for complications because they are older than their male counterparts and less likely to receive beta-blockers and antianxiety medications in the emergency department.
Factors Associated With Electronic Cigarette Users' Device Preferences and Transition From First Generation to Advanced Generation Devices.

INTRODUCTION Electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) are becoming increasingly popular but little is known about how e-cig users' transition between the different device types and what device characteristics and preferences may influence the transition. METHODS Four thousand four hundred twenty-one experienced e-cig users completed an online survey about their e-cig use, devices, and preferences. Participants included in analysis were ever cigarette smokers who used an e-cig at least 30 days in their lifetime and who reported the type of their first and current e-cig device and the nicotine concentration of their liquid. Analyses focused on transitions between "first generation" devices (same size as a cigarette with no button) and "advanced generation" devices (larger than a cigarette with a manual button) and differences between current users of each device type. RESULTS Most e-cig users (n = 2603, 58.9%) began use with a first generation device, and of these users, 63.7% subsequently transitioned to current use of an advanced generation device. Among users who began use with an advanced generation device (n = 1818, 41.1%), only 5.7% transitioned to a first generation device. Seventy-seven percent of current advanced generation e-cig users switched to their current device in order to obtain a "more satisfying hit. " Battery capabilities and liquid flavor choices also influenced device choice. CONCLUSION E-cig users commonly begin use with a device shaped like a cigarette and transition to a larger device with a more powerful battery, a button for manual activation and a wider choice of liquid flavors.
The P16/cyclin D1/Rb pathway in neuroendocrine tumors of the lung.

Rb protein in its hypophosphorylated form acts as a cell cycle regulator for G1 arrest. Both cyclin D1 overexpression and P16(INK4) loss of protein produce persistent hyperphosphorylation of Rb with resultant evasion of cell cycle arrest. To better establish the mechanisms of loss of Rb function in neuroendocrine lung tumors, we performed an immunohistochemical analysis of the P16(INK4)/cyclin D1/Rb pathway in the spectrum of neuroendocrine tumors, including 34 typical carcinoids (TCs), 25 atypical carcinoids (ACs), 42 large cell neuroendocrine carcinomas (LCNECs), and 79 small cell lung carcinomas (SCLCs). Absence of Rb expression was not observed in TCs but was seen in 21% of ACs, 68% of LCNECs, and 87% of SCLCs. P16 was expressed in 91% of TCs, 77% of ACs, 78% of LCNECs, and 93% of SCLCs. Cyclin D1 was overexpressed in 6% of TCs, 20% of ACs, 9.5% of LCNECs, and 1.3% of SCLCs. There was an inverse relationship between Rb and P16 in high-grade tumors (P < 0.001) and a direct relationship between cyclin D1 and Rb (P < 0.001) in all tumors, demonstrating that P16 and cyclin D1 act exclusively on the Rb pathway for cell cycle regulation. Overall, the Rb pathway (Rb/P16(INK4)/cyclin D1) was altered more frequently in ACs than in TCs (P = 0.001) and more frequently in LCNECs than in ACs (P = 0.001). Although Rb-negative tumors had shorter survival in the overall group (P < 0.001) as a result of lack of Rb in most SCLCs, cyclin D1 overexpression and P16 loss did not influence survival in any individual category. We conclude that Rb pathway of G1 arrest is consistently compromised in high-grade neuroendocrine lung tumors (92%), primarily through loss of Rb protein, and is intact in low-grade TCs. In ACs an intermediate level of alterations (59%) is seen, consistent with their less-aggressive behavior compared with high-grade tumors. The specific profile of the Rb pathway parameters might provide specific therapeutic targets in neuroendocrine lung tumors.
Clinical Outcomes After Endovascular Coiling in High-Grade Aneurysmal Hemorrhage

Abstract: Object: Our experience in Calgary was reviewed to determine the safety and clinical effectiveness of coiling in patients with high-grade aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Methods: Patients with Hunt-Hess grades IV and V aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage who underwent endovascular coiling between January 1999 and April 2009 at Foothills Medical Centre, Calgary, Alberta, Canada were reviewed. The primary outcome measure was the Modified Rankin Score after at least six months. Secondary outcome measures included extent of aneurysm occlusion and peri-procedural complications. In patients with favourable functional outcomes, Barthel's Index (BI), Re-integration to normal living index (RINL), and Zung depression scale (ZDS) were determined. Results: Thirty-three patients were identified (median age of 57 years; 73% female) and 69% were Hunt-Hess grade IV subarachnoid hemorrhage and 22 % were grade V Endovascular coiling resulted in absence of residual flow into the aneurysm fundus in 91%. Only seven procedure-related complications occurred with no deaths attributed to the procedure. Vasospasm, hydrocephalus, and pneumonia were the most common non-procedural complications. Average follow-up was 27 +/- 17 months. Overall mortality was 32%, but 53% of patients had good functional outcome (mRS<3). Nine patients completed the BI, RINL, and ZDS with average BI 99 +/- 2, RINL 89 +/- 14, ZDS 33 +/-11, suggesting minimal deficits in function and mood. Conclusions: Endovascular coiling in patients with high-grade subarachnoid hemorrhage is safe. While the morbidity and mortality from high-grade aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage remains significant, favourable radiologic and functional outcomes can be achieved in a significant proportion of these critically ill patients.
Commercialization of accounting profession: the case of non-audit services

Over the last decade, the accounting profession has witnessed the commercialisation of audit firms through offering of non-audit services (i.e. business consultancy services) to their audit client. Regulators and stakeholders have placed a great concern on the potential threat of commercialization of audit services on perceived auditor independence. This study reports the effects of the joint provision of audit and non-audit services (NAS) and the type of NAS on perceived auditor independence. The main findings suggest that auditor independence is perceived to be compromised when audit and NAS were jointly offered by audit firms. However, when there exist proper segregation of duties in audit firms that offer both services, the perception changed.
Drivers of hospitality industry employees' job satisfaction, organizational commitment and job performance

This study aims to combine empowerment, internal marketing, leadership and job stress to propose an integrated model of hospitality industry employees’ job satisfaction, organizational commitment and job performance. The subjects of this study were hospitality industry employees from Taipei City, and the structural equation modeling was adopted to validate path relationships in integrated model. The findings showed that employees’ job satisfaction directly and positively influences organizational commitment, but does not directly influence job performance. Employees’ job satisfaction enhances job performance only through organizational commitment. Internal marketing, empowerment and leadership also positively influence job satisfaction. Empowerment and leadership enhance employees’ organizational commitment. Internal job stress negatively influences employees’ job satisfaction and external job stress enhances employees’ job performance. According to the findings, this paper realized the main factors which influence hospitality industry employees’ job satisfaction, organizational commitment and job performance, which can function as criteria for human resource management in the hospitality industry. Key words: Hospitality industry, job satisfaction, organizational commitment, job performance.
Influence of Fire on Native and Nonnative Salmonid Populations and Habitat in a Western Montana Basin

Abstract Anticipated increases in the frequency and severity of wildfire may threaten the persistence of native salmonid populations in headwater streams in western North America. This study used extensive pre- and postfire data to assess whether wildfire leads to hypothesized declines in native westslope cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarkii lewisi and bull trout Salvelinus confluentus populations along with increases in the prevalence and abundance of nonnative brook trout S. fontinalis. Postfire cutthroat trout density was negatively correlated with the proportion of basin area that burned at moderate to high severity, but the declines in density after fires were less pronounced for bull trout and brook trout. Recovery of cutthroat trout was generally rapid in severely affected reaches. Contrary to expectation, there was no evidence of a marked increase in abundance or invasion by brook trout after wildfire. Brook trout exhibited the most severe declines in debris flow–affected reaches among all species.
Evaluating Market Orientation of an Executive MBA Program

This paper evaluates the market orientation of the Executive MBA program offered at Saint Joseph's University (Philadelphia) using input from a study of current and past students. The EMBA program was evaluated in terms of twelve skills and knowledge areas measuring effective managerial performance and the student-executives' perceptions of the strengths and weaknesses of the program in delivering these skills. Both the positive and the negative feedback received from student-executives' evaluation since have been used by the program to identify consumer needs, make curriculum adjustments, and enhance market efforts on an on-going basis. It is believed that the results, which benefited Saint Joseph's, could also be beneficial to other universities with an existing EMBA program or who are considering starting an EMBA program.
Machine translation evaluation made fuzzier: a study on post-editing productivity and evaluation metrics in commercial settings

In this paper, we report on an experiment carried out in the context of a translation company. Ten translators, with diverse degrees of experience in translation and machine translation post-editing (MTPE), were assigned the same task, involving translation from scratch, fuzzy-match post-editing, and MTPE. We evaluate the MT output using traditional evaluation metrics such as BLEU and TER, correlate these measures with productivity values and study whether a fuzzy score stands up against them. Our main goal was to evaluate whether fuzzy scores can be used for evaluating MTPE, thus incorporating its familiarity and TM matching analogies to an MTPE workﬂow. The results of our experiment seem to support this hypothesis.