Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Never too Late: Gender Quotas in the Final Round of a Multistage Tournament

Affirmative action policies have been shown to induce talented women to compete in laboratory contexts. However, evidence from actual policy changes is more ambiguous. While existing laboratory experiments have exclusively analyzed gender quotas in one-shot tournaments, we focus on a setting that models real life examples, such as quotas in corporate boards, more closely: quotas implemented at the final round of a multistage elimination contest. We find that later-stage quotas increase female participation already in the first round of the tournament, showing that women are responsive to changes in the option value of continued competition. Quotas also increase high-ability women’s representation among the final-stage competitors without significantly reducing entry among men, thereby promoting diversity without harming efficiency. We provide evidence for the importance of relative performance beliefs in determining the response to quotas among both genders.
Vaccinia Virus Interleukin-18-Binding Protein Promotes Virulence by Reducing Gamma Interferon Production and Natural Killer and T-Cell Activity

ABSTRACT Interleukin-18 (IL-18) is a proinflammatory cytokine that promotes natural killer (NK) and T-cell activation. Several poxviruses, including vaccinia virus (VV), encode a soluble IL-18-binding protein (IL-18bp). The role of the VV IL-18bp (gene C12L) in vivo was studied with wild-type (vC12L), deletion mutant (vΔC12L), and revertant (vC12L-rev) viruses in a murine intranasal model of infection. The data show that vΔC12L was markedly attenuated, characterized by a mild weight loss and reduced virus titers in lungs, brain, and spleen. Three days after infection, NK cytotoxic activity was augmented in the lung, spleen, and mediastinal lymph nodes (MLNs) of vΔC12L-infected mice compared to controls. Seven days after infection, vΔC12L-infected mice displayed heightened VV-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) responses in the lungs, spleen, and MLNs. Gamma interferon (IFN-γ) levels were also dramatically elevated in lavage fluids and cells from lungs of mice infected with vΔC12L. Finally, we demonstrate that IL-18 is produced in vitro and in vivo after VV infection. Taken together, these data demonstrate a role for the vIL-18bp in counteracting IL-18 in both the innate and the specific immune response to VV infection and indicate that the ability of IL-18 to promote vigorous T-cell responses (cytotoxic activity and IFN-γ production) is a critical factor in the accelerated clearance of the vΔC12L mutant.
Prospective Assessment of Short‐ and Long‐Term Quality of Life After Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation

Quality of Life After Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation. Background : This study prospectively assesses different aspects of short‐ and long‐term quality of life (QoL) after catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF). An analysis of 7 validated generic and tailored questionnaires was performed with regard to the relation of QoL to ablation success.
In the name of the people: left populists versus right populists

ABSTRACT Using the 8th Round of the European Social Survey, we analyse the electoral competition between left-wing (LWPPs) and right-wing populist parties (RWPPs) in the six European countries where this type of competition has occurred (France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Lithuania and The Netherlands). By focusing on the competition between populist parties in the same sample of countries we can resolve what tells apart a LWPP voter from a RWPP voter. Thus, we study the factors that explain their different voting behaviour and confine our attention to the four main factors that affect populist competition: anti-elite attitudes, material deprivation, euro-scepticism and anti-immigration attitudes. Our results show that LWPPs and RWPPs voters are similar in their attitudes towards immigration and the European Union (EU) but differ in their attitudes towards elites and material deprivation.
Family involvement in music impacts participation of children with cochlear implants in music education and music activities

Abstract Objective Children with cochlear implants (CIs) participate in musical activities in school and daily lives. Considerable variability exists regarding the amount of music involvement and enjoyment. Using the Music Engagement Questionnaire-Preschool/Elementary (MEQ-P/E), we wanted to determine patterns of musical participation and the impact of familial factors on engagement. Methods Parents of 32 children with CIs (16 preschool and 16 elementary) completed a questionnaire regarding the musical involvement of their child with an implant and a normal-hearing (NH) sibling (if one existed). We compared CI children's involvement to that of their NH siblings as well as across groups of children with and without CIs. Correlations between parent ratings of music importance, demographic factors, and involvement of CI and NH children were conducted within and across groups. Results No significant differences were found between children with CIs and NH siblings, meaning children from the same family showed similar levels of musical involvement. When compared at the same developmental stage, no significant differences were found between preschool children with and without CIs. Parents who rated the importance of music as ‘low’ or ‘middle’ had children (NH and CI) who were less involved in music activities. Children whose parents rated music importance as ‘high’ were involved in monthly to weekly music activities with 81.25% reporting daily music listening. Conclusion Despite a less-than-ideal auditory signal for music, preschool and school-aged CI children enjoy and are involved in musical experiences. Families who enjoy and spend a greater amount of time involved in music tend to have children who also engage more actively in music.
Intraspecific Relationships of Populations of the Brown Frog Rana sauteri (Ranidae) on Taiwan, Inferred from Mitochondrial Cytochrome b Sequences

We studied the phylogenetic relationships among populations of Rana sauteri using partial sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene from 244 samples from 29 localities in Taiwan. We detected 77 haplotypes among these sequences. The phylogenetic trees contained five distinct lineages: the northern (NL), eastern (EL), southern hill (SHL), northern mountain (NML), and southern mountain (SML) lineages, defined by geographical distribution. The lineage phylogeny did not support the two-species hypothesis inferred from larval morphology. To describe the possible colonization history of R. sauteri in Taiwan, we propose hypotheses of within-island differentiation and a multiple-invasion model. Using a molecular clock, we estimated the order of divergence times between lineages in order to test the migration hypothesis. The multiple-invasion model was well supported by the phylogeny and a nested clade network.
Identification of the cyclin D1 gene as a target of activating transcription factor 2 in chondrocytes.

Endochondral bone growth is regulated by the rates of chondrocyte proliferation and differentiation. However, the intracellular mechanisms regulating these processes are poorly understood. Recently, interruption of the gene encoding the transcription factor activating transcription factor 2 (ATF-2) was shown to inhibit proliferation of chondrocytes in mice [Reimold, A. M. , et al. (1996) Nature (London) 379, 262-265]. The target genes of ATF-2 that are responsible for this phenotype remain unknown. Here we report that the cyclin D1 gene is a direct target of ATF-2 in chondrocytes. ATF-2 is present in nuclear extracts from chondrogenic cell lines and binds, as a complex with a CRE-binding protein (CREB)/CRE modulator protein, to the cAMP response element (CRE) in the cyclin D1 promoter. Mutation of the cyclin D1 CRE caused a 78% reduction in the activity of the promoter in chondrocytes. Overexpression of ATF-2 in chondrocytes enhanced activity of the cyclin D1 promoter 3. 5-fold. In contrast, inhibition of endogenous ATF-2 or CREB by expression of dominant-negative inhibitors of CREB and ATF-2 significantly reduced the activity of the promoter in chondrocytes through the CRE. In addition, levels of cyclin D1 protein are greatly reduced in the chondrocytes of ATF-2-deficient mice. These data identify the cyclin D1 gene as a direct target of ATF-2 in chondrocytes and suggest that reduced expression of cyclin D1 contributes to the defective cartilage development of these mice.
Expression of galectins-1 and -3 correlates with defective mononuclear cell apoptosis in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

OBJECTIVE Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is characterized by hyperplasia of synovial cells and accumulation of mononuclear inflammatory infiltrates, which are locally maintained through a balance between cell proliferation and apoptosis. Although defective clearance of activated T cells in RA joints has been explained by alterations of the Fas-Fas ligand system, this has not been confirmed in synovial tissue of patients with JIA. We evaluated the relation between expression of galectin-1 (Gal-1) and galectin-3 (Gal-3) (beta-galactoside-binding proteins with pro- and anti-apoptotic properties, respectively) and the apoptosis and proliferation rates of infiltrative lymphocytes in synovial tissue of patients with JIA. METHODS Using slide cytometry and in situ end labeling we observed dysregulated apoptosis of infiltrating mononuclear cells within the synovial tissue of patients with JIA. RESULTS Patients with pauciarticular JIA showed minimal apoptosis, high Bcl-2 expression, and high or normal proliferation rates, while patients with polyarticular disease showed the lowest apoptotic indexes, accompanied by low Bcl-2 expression and low proliferation rates. We found that Gal-1 expression is downregulated and Gal-3 expression is upregulated in synovial tissue from patients with JIA. CONCLUSION In patients with polyarticular JIA, accumulation of inflammatory cells is mainly due to downregulated apoptosis, whereas in patients with pauciarticular disease the process results from increased proliferation. Defective mononuclear apoptosis in synovial inflammatory infiltrates from patients with JIA could be explained in part by decreased Gal-1 and increased Gal-3 expression.
Parental awareness of emergency management of avulsion of permanent teeth of children in Lagos, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES Traumatic injuries in children and adolescents affecting both the primary and permanent dentitions and their supporting structures are a common problem seen in children. Avulsion of permanent teeth in children resulting from trauma is an emergency in children. The prognosis of avulsed teeth depends on prompt and appropriate treatment, which often relies on lay people such as the children's parents and their schoolteachers who are present at the site of the accident, prior to the initial professional dental contact. Knowledge of parents on the emergency management is thus surveyed. METHOD A 13- stemmed questionnaire comprising questions on demographic data, attitude and knowledge was distributed to parents who have accompanied their children (patients) to the Orthodontic/Paedodontic Clinics of Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) for treatment over a 12-week period from October- December 2002. RESULT A total of ninety parents were studied. Over 90% of the parents felt they should seek professional help urgently following an avulsion injury, but their knowledge of transport medium for the tooth was poor. Only 1.1 per cent and 3.3 per cent knew that milk was the medium of choice for washing and transporting an avulsed tooth respectively. 91.1% of parents surveyed had never received advice on what to do in the event of an accident where a permanent tooth was avulsed. CONCLUSION There is a need for educational campaigns aimed at parents to increase their knowledge of the emergency procedures required when the tooth is avulsed.
The Moderating Effect of Female Managers on Job Stress and Emotional Labor for Public Employees in Gendered Organizations: Evidence From Korea

Given its focus on customer satisfaction and quality service, emotional labor (EL) is a prominent topic in public administration. As public employees are engaged more often in EL, it is critical to explore determinants of job stress and management strategies to reduce it. By examining the Korean Working Conditions Survey, this study focused on EL’s effects on employees’ well-being—job stress and job satisfaction—as well as the potential moderating effects of workplace characteristics, such as working with a female manager, work–life balance programs or resources, and participatory management processes. We examined the potential moderating role of female managers engaged in EL in gendered institutions, and found evidence that female managers buffer EL’s negative effects on their employees, even in organizational contexts gendered deeply. This finding implies that EL needs to be considered in the context of organizational culture and environment, particularly when related to gendered, hierarchical, or masculine organizations.
Development of multiple-locus variable-number tandem-repeat analysis for rapid genotyping of Ehrlichia ruminantium and its application to infected Amblyomma variegatum collected in heartwater endemic areas in Uganda

SUMMARY The rickettsial bacterium Ehrlichia ruminantium is the causative agent of heartwater, a serious tick-borne disease in ruminants. The genetic diversity of organisms in the field will have implications for cross-protective capacities of any vaccine developed, and for an effective vaccine design strategy proper genotyping and understanding of existing genetic diversity in the field is necessary. We searched for variable-number tandem-repeat (VNTR) loci for use in a multi-locus VNTR analysis (MLVA). Sequencing analysis of 30 potential VNTRs using a panel of 17 reference strains from geographically diverse origins identified 12 VNTRs with allelic profiles differing between strains. Application of MLVA to 38 E. ruminantium-infected Amblyomma variegatum collected from indigenous cattle in 6 different districts of Uganda identified 21 MLVA types. The discriminatory power of MLVA was greater than that of map1 PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis, with which only 6 genotypes were obtained. The high discriminatory power as well as cost- effective performance of MLVA provide the potential for this technique to be applied in the future with respect to optimizing vaccine trials by identifying local strain diversity, and also raise the possibility of exploring the association between E. ruminantium genotypes and phenotypes such as pathological outcome in the ruminant host.
Evaluating the Long-Term Valuation Effect of Efficient Asset Utilization and Profit Margin on Stock Returns: Additional Evidence from the DuPont Identity

This study aims to investigate the relations between long-window stock returns and prior years’ increases in DuPont identity components: profit margin and asset turnover. In particular, the authors examine the relative effectiveness of profit margin and asset turnover to predict years ahead stock returns. ,To test the assertions, the authors regress raw, Capital Asset Pricing Model and Fama-French returns on controls and variables of interest, profit margin and asset turnover, lagged years t − 1, t − 2 and t − 3. To control for factors that could affect returns over the long windows, they also include returns lagged over years t − 1, t − 2 and t − 3 to coincide with the lagged profit margin and asset turnover variables of interest. ,Results show a negative (positive) relation between returns and increases in lagged profit margin (asset turnover). However, the negative returns-profit margin relation is mitigated when increases in profit margin and asset turnover occur in the same lagged year. ,This study adds to the existing body of research on the DuPont identity by temporally evaluating the relative long-run contributions of profit margin and asset turnover to firm value.
Soluble CD163, a macrophage activation marker, is independently associated with fibrosis in patients with chronic viral hepatitis B and C

Macrophages are involved in inflammation and liver fibrosis and soluble (s)CD163 is a specific marker of activated macrophages. We investigated associations between sCD163 and biochemical and histological parameters of inflammatory activity and fibrosis in 551 patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) and 203 patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) before antiviral treatment. Scheuer histological scores of activity and fibrosis were obtained. Clinical, biochemical, and metabolic parameters were recorded. We measured sCD163 by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Soluble CD163 was higher in patients with HCV compared to HBV (3.6 [interquartile range (IQR) 2.5‐5.4] versus 2.4 [IQR 1.8‐3.6] mg/L, P < 0.001). sCD163 was associated with fibrosis stages for both HCV (odds ratio [OR] 1.49, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.38‐1.61) and HBV (OR 1.32, 95% CI: 1.17‐1.49) patients, with highest levels in patients with advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis. sCD163 was a marker of fibrosis independent of other biochemical parameters and known risk factors. We created two novel sCD163‐based fibrosis scores, CD163‐HCV‐FS and CD163‐HBV‐FS, which showed areas under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUROC) of 0.79 (95% CI: 0.74‐0.83) and 0.71 (95% CI: 0.62‐0.79), respectively, for significant fibrosis. Compared to existing fibrosis scores, CD163‐HCV‐FS was significantly superior to the aspartate aminotransferase (AST) to platelet ratio index (APRI) for all fibrosis stages and to FIB‐4 for significant fibrosis, but CD163‐HBV‐FS was not. Conclusion: sCD163 levels are increased in patients with chronic viral hepatitis, reflecting macrophage activation. Increased sCD163 is associated with the severity of disease and predicts fibrosis. A sCD163‐based fibrosis score, CD163‐HCV‐FS, is superior to APRI and FIB‐4 for the diagnosis of significant fibrosis in patients with HCV infection. (Hepatology 2014;60:521–530)
Validation of the diagnosis 'prosthetic joint infection' in the Danish Hip Arthroplasty Register.

AIMS The purpose of this study was to validate the diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) in the Danish Hip Arthroplasty Register (DHR). PATIENTS AND METHODS We identified a cohort of patients from the DHR who had undergone primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) since 1 January 2005 and followed them until first-time revision, death, emigration or until 31 December 2012. Revision for PJI, as registered in the DHR, was validated against a benchmark which included information from microbiology databases, prescription registers, clinical biochemistry registers and clinical records. We estimated the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) for PJI in the DHR alone and in the DHR when combined with microbiology databases. RESULTS In total, 1382 of the 37 826 primary THAs in the DHR were registered as having been revised for any cause once 26 patients with errors in registration had been excluded: 232 of these were for PJI. For this group, the sensitivity was 67%, specificity 95%, PPV 77%, and NPV 92%. Combining the data from the DHR with those from microbiology databases increased the sensitivity to 90% and also improved specificity (100%), PPV (98%) and NPV (98%). CONCLUSION Only two thirds of revisions for PJI were captured in the DHR and only 77% of the PJI reported to the DHR could be confirmed to be infected. TAKE HOME MESSAGE combining the data from the DHR with those from microbiology databases substantially improved the validity of the diagnosis of PJI and should enable future register-based studies.
What is the best diagnostic index of conduction block and temporal dispersion?

In order to find the best diagnostic index of conduction block and abnormal temporal dispersion, the amplitude, duration, and area of the compound muscle action potentials (CMAP) were studied in 40 normal controls and 28 patients with acquired demyelinating neuropathies. In the normal subjects, there was a substantial difference among the various nerves in the degree of CMAP amplitude reduction and CMAP duration prolongation with proximal stimulation, and thus different criteria should be used for conduction block or abnormal temporal dispersion for a given nerve. In 28 patients with demyelinating neuropathy, 58 of 207 (28%) tested nerve segments showed nerve conduction velocity (NCV) evidence of demyelination. To identify “demyelination” in these segments, conduction block was best detected by the total area method in 71% of cases, and abnormal temporal dispersion was bast by the negative‐peak duration method. This study showed that the best diagnostic index for conduction block is the total area method and for abnormal temporal dispersion, the negative‐peak duration method. © 1994 John & Sons, Inc.
Dissecting the Immune Response to MF59-adjuvanted and Nonadjuvanted Seasonal Influenza Vaccines in Children Less Than Three Years of Age

Introduction: Annual seasonal influenza epidemics are particularly dangerous for the very young, the elderly and chronically ill individuals, in whom infection can cause severe morbidity, hospitalization and death. Existing, nonadjuvanted influenza vaccines exhibit a suboptimal immunogenicity and efficacy in immunologically naive subjects such as young children. Methods: This phase II, randomized clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the antibody and cell-mediated responses to a trivalent influenza vaccine administered without adjuvant (TIV) or adjuvanted with MF59 (ATIV) in previously nonvaccinated children less than 3 years of age. Results: The MF59-adjuvanted vaccine was well tolerated, and induced higher titers of hemagglutination inhibition antibodies able to recognize strains different from the one used in the vaccine (heterovariant) than TIV. The presence of the adjuvant MF59 induced a larger expansion of vaccine-specific CD4+ T cells. Interestingly, the adjuvant MF59 did not modify the cytokine profile of the elicited T cells, characterized by the production of IL-2 and TNF-&agr;, and did not bias the response toward either Th1 or Th2. The advantage of ATIV over TIV was more pronounced for the virus strains that had not circulated in the years that preceded this study and for the heterovariant strains. Conclusion: These data highlight the relevant role played by the oil-in-water adjuvant MF59 in enhancing the immunogenicity of inactivated influenza vaccines in immunologically naive individuals.
Risk Factors for Deterioration of Bone Conduction Hearing in Cases of Labyrinthine Fistula Caused by Middle Ear Cholesteatoma

Objectives: We evaluated the risk factors and outcomes of bone conduction (BC) hearing in cases of labyrinthine fistulas treated under the basic principle of complete removal of the cholesteatoma matrix. Methods: A total of 47 patients with labyrinthine fistulas were analyzed. The fistulas were classified into smaller (no more than 3 mm) and larger fistulas (more than 3 mm). The fistulas were classified by depth into 3 stages. Preoperative symptoms and postoperative results with special reference to BC hearing were analyzed. Results: Total preoperative loss of BC hearing was found in 3 of 36 ears (9%) in the smaller-fistula group and 4 of 11 ears (36%) in the larger-fistula group; this was a statistically significant difference. The BC hearing was preserved after operation in 30 of 31 ears (97%) in the smaller-fistula group and 5 of 7 ears (71%) in the larger-fistula group; this difference was also significant. The stage (depth) of the fistula did not correlate with the postoperative BC hearing. Conclusions: In smaller labyrinthine fistulas, complete removal of the cholesteatoma matrix can be relatively safely performed. However, in patients with larger fistulas, there is a potential for a complete loss of BC hearing.