Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Value of Time and Recent U.S. Money Demand Instability

Much controversy has surrounded the U.S. money demand relationship, or more precisely, its stability. This is rather disappointing in light of the central importance of money demand estimates for the formulation and implementation of effective monetary policy and for almost all theories of aggregate economic activity. To date, the vast majority of alternative money demand specifications have generally failed to produce a stable money demand function throughout the 1970s and 1980s.
Effect of Drug Therapy on Net Cholesterol Efflux Capacity of High‐Density Lipoprotein–Enriched Serum in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have an increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). Some RA therapies may modify this risk, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. The cholesterol efflux capacity of high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) is associated with a reduced CHD risk in non‐RA populations; however, inflammation may impair the function of HDL. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether reduced inflammation resulting from treatment with methotrexate (MTX), adalimumab (ADA), or tocilizumab (TCZ) would increase the net cholesterol efflux capacity of HDL in patients with RA.
Life on newstart allowance: a new reality for low-income single mothers

ABSTRACT In recent years, significant policy changes have been made to Australian welfare benefits for single parent families. These changes include the addition of work requirements and changes to the eligibility requirements for family payments. This paper explores the most recent welfare payment change for low-income single parents in 2013, whereby a change in eligibility requirements has seen many move from the Parenting Payment Single (PPS) to Newstart Allowance, a decreased fortnightly payment with a stricter income test. Twenty-three in-depth interviews were conducted with women who had recently experienced this payment change. All of the women were already struggling financially on the PPS, with the shift to Newstart Allowance further exacerbating their precarious financial position. This paper focuses on the financial impacts, the need to prioritise expenses and women’s capacity to make up the financial shortfall since moving off the PPS. This paper adds to the existing literature exploring the impacts of welfare policy change on single parent families.
Application of Eshelby’s Solution to Elastography for Diagnosis of Breast Cancer

Eshelby’s solution is the analytical method that can derive the elastic field within and around an ellipsoidal inclusion embedded in a matrix. Since breast tumor can be regarded as an elastic inclusion with different elastic properties from those of surrounding matrix when the deformation is small, we applied Eshelby’s solution to predict the stress and strain fields in the breast containing a suspicious lesion. The results were used to investigate the effectiveness of strain ratio (SR) from elastography in representing modulus ratio (MR) that may be the meaningful indicator of the malignancy of the lesion. This study showed that SR significantly underestimates MR and is varied with the shape and the modulus of the lesion. Based on the results from Eshelby’s solution and finite element analysis (FEA), we proposed a surface regression model as a polynomial function that can predict the MR of the lesion to the matrix. The model has been applied to gelatin-based phantoms and clinical ultrasound images of human breasts containing different types of lesions. The results suggest the potential of the proposed method to improve the diagnostic performance of breast cancer using elastography.
Circular CCR5 peptide conjugates and uses thereof (WO2008074895)

Background: Several new strategies targeting HIV infection aim to inhibit virus entry by blocking the chemokine receptor CCR5 used by macrophage tropic strains associated with early infection. The current application uses virus-like particles as a support to present CCR5 peptide antigens. Objectives: The virus-like particle (VLP)–CCR5 composition aims to function as either a preventative and/or therapeutic vaccine inducing durable autoantibodies that can block CCR5 and prevent HIV entry or attenuate disease progression. Methods: The novelty of the current application lies in the chemical conjugation of circularised peptide antigens to VLPs, primarily the CCR5 N-terminal domain alone but also including the first extracellular loop (ECL-1). Immunised mice and rabbits generated antibodies that recognised native CCR5 and inhibited entry of pseudotype viruses bearing envelope glycoproteins from diverse primary strains in vitro. Results/conclusions: Further work is required to assess the in vivo therapeutic potential of these CCR5 compositions. As therapeutic vaccines and/or preventative vaccines, the potential for selecting CXCR4 tropic virus populations associated with disease progression will need to be considered in addition to the broader consequences of targeting a cellular antigen involved in innate immunity.
Synthesis, in vitro antiproliferative activity, and DNA-binding properties of hybrid molecules containing pyrrolo[2,1-c][1, 4]benzodiazepine and minor-groove-binding oligopyrrole carriers.

The synthesis, biological activity, and DNA-binding properties of a series of four hybrids prepared by combining polypyrrole minor groove binders and pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepine (PBD) 13, related to the naturally occurring anthramycin (3) and DC-81 (4), have been described, and structure-activity relationships have been discussed. These hybrids 22-25 contain from one to four pyrrole units, respectively. To investigate sequence selectivity and stability of drug/DNA complexes, DNase I footprinting and arrested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were performed on human c-myc oncogene, estrogen receptor gene, and human immunodeficiency virus type 1 long terminal repeat (HIV-1 LTR) gene sequences. The antiproliferative activity of the hybrids has been tested in vitro on human myeloid leukemia K562 and T-lymphoid Jurkat cell lines and compared to antiproliferative effects of the natural product distamycin A 1, its tetrapyrrole homologue 17, DC 81 (4), and the PBD methyl ester 12. The results obtained demonstrate that the hybrids 22-25 exhibit different DNA-binding activity with respect to both distamycin A 1 and PBD 12. In addition, a direct relationship was found between number of pyrrole rings present in the hybrids 22-25 and stability of drug/DNA complexes. With respect to antiproliferative effects, it was found that the increase in the length of the polypyrrole backbone leads to an increase of in vitro antiproliferative effects, i.e., the hybrid 25 containing the four pyrroles is more active than 22, 23, and 24 both against K562 and Jurkat cell lines.
Therapeutic efficacy of a polymyxin B-dextran 70 conjugate in experimental model of endotoxemia

Numerous studies have suggested that lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a major component of the cell wall of gram-negative bacteria, is responsible for the initiation of gram-negative septic shock. Previously, others have designed therapeutic regimens to target the biologically active lipid A region of LPS by either neutralization of the biological properties of LPS or enhancement of clearance of this molecule. One such compound capable of neutralizing lipid A is the antibiotic polymyxin B. However, the clinical utility of polymyxin B is limited by its toxicity. We therefore covalently conjugated this antibiotic to the high-molecular-weight polysaccharide dextran 70, resulting in reduced toxicity of polymyxin B but retention of its endotoxin-neutralizing ability. The studies described in this report were designed to test the in vivo efficacy of this compound in an experimental animal model of gram-negative septic shock. Mice were administered graded doses of Escherichia coli or Pseudomonas aeruginosa along with D-galactosamine and the antibiotic imipenem. We had previously determined that antibiotic chemotherapy provides significant protection against E. coli-mediated lethality with smaller doses of bacteria; however, the antibiotic does not provide protection against larger doses of bacteria, but it is effective at killing the bacterial inoculum in vivo. Administration of the polymyxin B-dextran 70 conjugate provided significant protection when given with an antibiotic but was not effective by itself. A requirement for a pretreatment period prior to E. coli challenge was shown to depend upon the bacterial challenge dose. In other studies using this D-galactosamine sensitization model, we demonstrated that the lipid A-specific conjugate had no effect on lethality caused by staphylococcus aureus or tumor necrosis factor alpha. The results of these studies indicate that this compound is effective in preventing lethal gram-negative septic shock in mice and may be useful as a potential therapeutic agent in humans as well.
Pandemic Influenza A/H1N1 Virus Infection in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients: A Multicenter Study

Background. The 2009 novel influenza A/H1N1 virus pandemic did not spare solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients. We aimed to describe the behavior of pandemic influenza infection in a group of SOT recipients in Argentina. Methods. Data from 10 transplant (Tx) centers were retrospectively collected for SOT that presented with a respiratory illness compatible with pandemic influenza A infection, between May and September 2009. Cases were defined as suspected, probable, or confirmed according to diagnostic method. Results. Seventy-seven cases were included. No significant differences in presenting symptoms, pulmonary infiltrates, and graft involvement were found among 35 suspected, 19 probable, and 23 confirmed cases. The 33 ambulatory cases had significantly more sore throat and headache when compared with 34 cases admitted to medical ward (MW) and 10 admitted to intensive care unit (ICU), 9 of whom required ventilatory support. MW and ICU cases had significantly more dyspnea, hypoxemia, pulmonary infiltrates, and graft dysfunction. Time from onset of symptoms to first visit and to treatment was significantly longer in MW and ICU cases (P=0.008). Coinfections were found in six cases. Most cases received oseltamivir for 5 to 10 days. Six patients (7.8%) died from viral infection at a median of 15 days from admission. No differences in outcome were seen related to the transplanted organ, the immunosuppressive regimen, time from Tx, or confirmation of diagnosis. Conclusions. Mortality is higher in Tx recipients than in the general population. Poor outcome seems to be related to a delay in the beginning of treatment.
Extracellular matrix contraction by choroidal fibroblasts: inhibition by staurosporine.

PURPOSE To examine the potential of a broad-spectrum kinase inhibitor as a means of neutralizing the effects of contraction promoters on ocular cells. METHODS The inhibitory effects of a broad-spectrum kinase inhibitor were examined and characterized using an in vitro assay of extracellular matrix contraction by choroidal fibroblasts. RESULTS Staurosporine effectively inhibited collagen matrix contraction by choroidal fibroblasts. The inhibitory effects of staurosporine were rapid in onset and reversible upon removal of the inhibitor. Inhibition was observed when fibroblasts were stimulated with serum, transforming growth factor beta 1, transforming growth factor beta 2, platelet-derived growth factor, and endothelin-1. We also observed that platelet-derived growth factor and endothelin-1 stimulated only modest amounts of matrix contraction compared to transforming growth factor beta. CONCLUSIONS Matrix contraction by cells, as observed in the development of tractional forces, can be modulated by a broad-spectrum kinase inhibitor. The marginal contractile responses of choroidal fibroblasts to platelet-derived growth factor and endothelin-1, both potent promoters of dermal fibroblast contraction, suggest that there are substantive difference in the responses of these two cell types to growth factors.
Interdependent SMAD and JNK Signaling in Transforming Growth Factor-β-mediated Transcription*

SMAD and JNK cascades are essential components of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling machinery and are implicated in common transcriptional responses. However, the relationship of these pathways to one another downstream of the TGF-β receptor complex is unknown. We show that JNK is rapidly activated by TGF-β in a SMAD-independent manner and phosphorylates Smad3 outside its -SSXS motif. Smad3 phosphorylation by JNK facilitates both its activation by the TGF-β receptor complex and its nuclear accumulation. JNK regulates SMAD- and TGF-β-mediated transcriptional responses, yet JNK activators only partially stimulate transcriptional responses characteristic of TGF-β without coincident SMAD pathway activation. These results suggest an interdependent relationship between the JNK and SMAD pathways in TGF-β-mediated transcription.
Apoptotic chondrocytes from osteoarthrotic human articular cartilage and abnormal calcification of subchondral bone.

OBJECTIVE Osteoarthrosis (OA) is accompanied by altered subchondral bone remodeling. We investigated the role of chondrocytes in the mechanism of abnormal cartilage calcification. METHODS Knee articular cartilage samples from OA and normal tissue were studied. Macroscopic and microscopic observations, alkaline phosphatase staining for light and electron microscopy (bright and dark fields). TUNEL technique, electron diffraction, and x-ray microanalyses were performed. RESULTS Chondrocytes from patients displayed a morphology of apoptosis and showed abundant alkaline phosphatase (ALP)-rich matrix vesicles (MV) budding from the plasma membrane with hydroxyapatite microcrystals on their surface. Farther from the cells, hydroxyapatite crystals were detected on the MV surface and increased as they approached the subchondral bone. The concentration of Ca and P and their ratio increased inside the ALP-rich MV in relation to the proximity to subchondral bone. In the OA subchondral bone the ratio Ca/P varied from 3.936 to 0.974. In normal tissue the ratio was very homogeneous (maximum 1.973, minimum 1.781). CONCLUSION In situ, apoptotic chondrocytes correlate with factors known to be involved in the calcification of the extracellular matrix. This suggests that apoptosis is involved in the abnormal calcification of OA cartilage, and consequently in the altered remodeling of the subchondral bone.
Rate of Acquired Immunity in Dental Students after Hepatitis B Vaccination

Background: Triple-course vaccination against hepatitis B might sometimes fail to increase antibody titers or maintain it at sufficient levels. The aim of this study was to evaluate the rate of seroprotection in dental students after receiving recombinant hepatitis B vaccine. Methods: Anti-HBs levels of 124 dental students who had received triple-course hepatitis B vaccines (scheduled at months 0, 1, and 6) were examined. Titers ≥ 100 mIU/ml were considered as protective. Associations between age, gender and duration of being vaccinated with the titer of anti-HBs were assessed. Results: The participants’ mean age was 24 ± 1.3 years and 93% of them were female. The time passed from receiving the final dose was 3.5 ± 1.4 years. Fifty four percent of the students had protective immune response (95% CI 45.2% to 62.8%), 24.2% had positive but weak immune response (anti-HBs titer was between 10 and 100 mIU/ml), and the rest of the subjects (21.8%) were seronegative after receiving routine HBV vaccination. Conclusion: There was a considerable rate of failure in achieving or maintaining acceptable titer levels following routine vaccination against HBV. Hence, determining serum anti-HBs titer after vaccination is recommended.
Antiphospholipid antibodies in immune thrombocytopenic purpura tend to emerge in exacerbation and decline in remission

Although the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (APLA) in immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) has been reported, their clinical significance is not clear. The present study investigated APLA profiles in relation to the clinical stages of ITP. We studied APLA in 40 patients in three stages of ITP: exacerbation/relapse (n = 7), stable (n = 14) and remission (n = 19). Both IgG and IgM APLA to six target antigens were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay: β2‐glycoprotein 1 (β2GP1), cardiolipin, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylethanolamine and factor VII/VIIa. The central finding was that APLA were common in ITP but differed significantly in disease stages, being highest in exacerbation (86% positive), intermediate in stable disease (57%) and lowest in remission (42%). In exacerbations, APLA were predominantly of IgG class, while in stable disease, IgM predominated. During remission, APLA often became undetectable. Both the frequency and titres of APLA were significantly higher during exacerbation than remission. An inverse correlation was found between platelet count and nearly all APLA (except β2GP1). Sequential study of six patients revealed that APLA tended to emerge and rise with exacerbation, concurrently with new episodes of bleeding and became undetectable during remission. These findings raise the possibility that APLA may play a role in the exacerbation and remission of ITP or they may be a consequence of platelet destruction.
The International Monetary Fund, Party System Institutionalization, and Protest in Latin America

Abstract Extant studies have documented a positive correlation between country participation in International Monetary Fund–sponsored programs and collective protests in Latin America. However, anecdotal evidence indicates that there is a great deal of variation in the number of protests in recipient countries across the region. This article provides a theoretical argument that explains how the fund interacts with the level of party system institutionalization to affect the level of protest. The main prediction is that the level of protest decreases in recipient countries when the level of party system institutionalization is high. Empirical results from a sample of 16 Latin American democracies observed from 1982 to 2007 provide strong statistical and substantive support for the main hypothesis.
Strategies adopted by Kenya airways limited to cope with challenges of international strategic alliances

In mam organisations, many promising ideas fail due to lack of knowledge about the local environment including social, cultural, political, and human resource related issues. Good preparation is necessary before setting up business ventures in any region. It is further required that proper networks of relationships are established and competence in dealing with the local people, authorities and markets are further developed. Collaborations are seen as a clear step to reduce the risk o f investment by foreign firms and to gradually get accepted by the foreign governments and the people. This research project regards strategic alliances or strategic networks as purposeful and binding cooperative agreements between autonomous firms, for the objective of improving competitive advantage and long-term profitable value creation for all cooperating parties (Borch. 1994). The basic strategic choices of airlines are limited to three: growth strategy, focus strategy and lowest cost strategy. According to Kleymann and Seristo (2004) growth can be sought either internally or externally. As internal growth is often slow, it is attractive for many airlines to seek growth externally through mergers, acquisitions or alliances. As there are regulatory limitations on airline mergers and acquisitions, alliances often provide a less complicated route for growth. Alliances provide more flexibility, require less capital, and may carry fewer risks than mergers and acquisitions. If an airline chooses focus as its basic strategy, there are still pressures in the competitive environment that supports the use of alliances. Whether the airline bases its strategy on different customer groups or a certain geographic area, it is nevertheless likely to benefit from some form of partnership with suitable airlines.
Low emission zones reduce PM10 mass concentrations and diesel soot in German cities

In many European cities mass concentrations of PM10 (particles less than 10 μm in size) are still exceeding air quality standards as set by the European Commission in 1999. As a consequence, many cities introduced low emission zones (LEZs) to improve air quality and to meet the limit values. In Germany currently 48 LEZs are in operation. By means of dispersion modeling, PM10 concentrations were estimated to decrease up to 10%. Analysis of PM10 levels conducted for Cologne, Berlin, and Munich some time after the LEZs were introduced showed reduction of PM10 mass concentration in the estimated range. The PM10 particle fraction is, however, composed of particles with varying toxicity, of which diesel soot is highly health relevant. An evaluation of air quality data conducted in Berlin showed that in 2010 traffic-related soot concentrations measured along major roads decreased by 52% compared to 2007. Diesel particle emissions in Berlin were reduced in 2012 by 63% compared to a business-as-usual scenario (reference year 2007). A strong reduction of the traffic-related particle fraction of PM2.5 was also reported for Munich. Therefore, it is likely that the effects of LEZs are considerably more significant to human health than was anticipated when only considering the reduction of PM10 mass concentrations. Implications: The implementation of low emission zones in German cities might result in a reduction of PM10 levels concentrations by up to 10%. However, it is difficult to show a reduction of PM10 annual averages in this order of magnitude as meteorology has a large impact on the year-to-year variation of PM mass concentrations. Monitoring of other PM metrics such as black smoke (BS) or elemental carbon (EC) might be a better strategy for evaluating LEZs effects. The benefit of low emission zones on human health is far greater than is presently visible from routine measurements of PM10.
Intravascular lymphomatosis: a clinicopathologic study of 10 cases and assessment of response to chemotherapy.

PURPOSE We report a clinicopathologic study of 10 cases of intravascular lymphomatosis (IVL) seen at a single institution, and assess the response to chemotherapy in these patients, as well as those collected from a literature review. PATIENTS AND METHODS The clinical, pathologic, and immunophenotypic features of 10 cases of IVL diagnosed at the Johns Hopkins Hospital since 1977 were studied. Follow-up information was obtained in each case by consultation with the treating physician. In addition, cases of IVL reported previously in which patients were treated with chemotherapy and for which follow-up data were available at the time of publication were reviewed. RESULTS In the present series of 10 cases, the most common clinical features were fever of unknown origin (FUO), mental status changes, and rash. Diagnostic specimens were obtained from a variety of sources, including brain, skin, prostate, liver, kidney, and gallbladder. All of the four patients treated with combination chemotherapy are alive and two have achieved long-term survival (48 and 45 months, respectively); the remaining two are alive and in complete remission (CR) after short follow-up duration of 6 months. Among 35 patients reported in the literature who received chemotherapy (including four from this series), 43% attained a CR and were free of disease at the time of publication. None of the three patients in our series who received localized therapy (surgery with or without radiation therapy) is alive (mean survival duration, 9 months). For the three patients diagnosed at postmortem examination, the mean interval between onset of symptoms and death was 3 months, and disease was widespread. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that IVL represents a high-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) with a propensity for systemic dissemination, and that CR and long-term survival may result in patients treated with aggressive combination chemotherapy.