Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Protection against hemorrhagic shock in mice genetically deficient in poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase.

Hemorrhagic shock (HS) and resuscitation leads to widespread production of oxidant species. Activation of the enzyme poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) has been shown to contribute to cell necrosis and organ failure in various disease conditions associated with oxidative stress. We tested the hypothesis whether PARP activation plays a role in the multiple organ dysfunction complicating HS and resuscitation in a murine model of HS and resuscitation by using mice genetically deficient in PARP (PARP(-/-)) and their wild-type littermates (PARP(+/+)). Animals were bled to a mean blood pressure of 45 mmHg (1 mmHg = 133 Pa) and resuscitated after 45 min with isotonic saline (2x volume of shed blood). There was a massive activation of PARP, detected by poly(ADP-ribose) immunohistochemistry, which localized to the areas of the most severe intestinal injury, i.e., the necrotic epithelial cells at the tip of the intestinal villi, and colocalized with tyrosine nitration, an index of peroxynitrite generation. Intestinal PARP activation resulted in gut hyperpermeability, which developed in PARP(+/+) but not PARP(-/-) mice. PARP(-/-) mice were also protected from the rapid decrease in blood pressure after resuscitation and showed an increased survival time, as well as reduced lung neutrophil sequestration. The beneficial effects of PARP suppression were not related to a modulation of the NO pathway nor to a modulation of signaling through IL-6, which similarly increased in both PARP(+/+) and PARP(-/-) mice exposed to HS. We propose that PARP activation and associated cell injury (necrosis) plays a crucial role in the intestinal injury, cardiovascular failure, and multiple organ damage associated with resuscitated HS.
CPAs' employment with former audit clients and auditor independence in the post‐Enron era

Purpose - Auditors' employment with their former audit clients has been an issue of concern to regulators and accounting bodies because of its perceived effect on auditor independence. Little prior research examines this issue and the results are mixed. This paper is motivated by the lack of research on the impact of certified public accountings (CPAs) employment with former audit clients on auditor independence, particularly in the Asia Pacific region in the post-Enron climate. Design/methodology/approach - This research is the first study of its type in the literature using both qualitative and quantitative analysis. The framework of the study is formed by the identification of gaps in the literature and semi-structured interviews. Two within-subjects independent variables – “auditors of different ranks” (rank factor) and “former auditor's direct prior professional relationship with the client” – and one between-subject independent variable – “Big 4” CPAs vs non-Big 4 CPAs – are examined. Mixed analysis of variance (ANOVA) are employed to analyze survey responses from 205 “Big 4” and 196 “non-Big 4” auditors. Findings - The rank factor has a significant influence on the perceptions of auditor independence. Perceived independence is impaired when a senior level professional such as partner or manager joins a former audit client, and revokes an US study conducted in the pre-Enron. Perceived independence is also impaired when the former auditor has a direct prior professional relationship with the former audit client. Results further indicate that when the former manager who has direct prior professional relationship with the client and then joins the audit client, independence is severely impaired. Originality/value - The results of this paper could help to establish an effective standard that deals with the employment/independence situations in the local auditing environment.
In Vivo Pharmacodynamic Target Investigation for Micafungin against Candida albicans and C. glabrata in a Neutropenic Murine Candidiasis Model

ABSTRACT Previous studies using in vivo candidiasis models have demonstrated that the concentration-associated pharmacodynamic indices, the maximum concentration of a drug in serum/MIC and 24-h area under the curve (AUC)/MIC, are associated with echinocandin treatment efficacy. The current investigations used a neutropenic murine model of disseminated Candida albicans and C. glabrata infection to identify the 24-h AUC/MIC index target associated with a stasis and killing endpoint for the echinocandin, micafungin. The kinetics after intraperitoneal micafungin dosing were determined in neutropenic infected mice. Peak levels and AUC values were linear over the 16-fold dose range studied. The serum drug elimination half-life ranged from 7.5 to 16 h. Treatment studies were conducted with 4 C. albicans and 10 C. glabrata isolates with micafungin MICs varying from 0.008 to 0.25 μg/ml to determine whether similar 24-h AUC/MIC ratios were associated with efficacy. The free drug AUC/MICs associated with stasis and killing (1-log) endpoints were near 10 and 20, respectively. The micafungin exposures associated with efficacy were similar for the two Candida species. Furthermore, the free drug micafungin exposures required to produce stasis and killing endpoints were similar to those recently reported for another echinocandin, anidulafungin, against the identical Candida isolates in this model.
Using large exposure data to gauge the systemic importance of SSM significant institutions

This article presents stylised facts from the euro area network of large exposures and derives model-based interconnectedness measures of SSM significant institutions. The article has three main findings. First, the interbank network is relatively sparse and suggests a core-periphery network structure. Second, the more complex network measures on average correlate highly with the more simple size-based interconnectedness indicators, constructed following the EBA guidelines on the calibration of O-SII buffers. Third, there is nevertheless value for policymakers to take into account network-based measures in addition to the size-based interconnectedness indicators, as for some individual banks those measures can deviate considerably. JEL Classification: C63, G01, G21, G28
A randomized clinical trial of chlorhexidine in the maintenance of oral candidiasis-free period in HIV infection.

OBJECTIVE To determine if chlorhexidine can be used as an intervention to prolong the time to relapse of oral candidiasis. SUBJECTS AND METHODS A double-blinded randomized clinical trial was performed in 75 HIV/AIDS subjects with oral candidiasis. Clotrimazole troche was prescribed, and the subjects were re-examined every 2 weeks until the lesions were completely eradicated. The subjects were then randomly divided into two groups; 0.12% chlorhexidine (n = 37, aged 22-52 years, mean 34 years) and 0.9% normal saline (n = 38, aged 22-55 years, mean 38 years). They were re-examined every 2 weeks until the next episode was observed. RESULTS The time to recurrence of oral candidiasis between the chlorhexidine and the saline group was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The following variables were significantly associated with the time of recurrence; frequency of antifungal therapy (P = 0.011), total lymphocyte (P = 0.017), alcohol consumption (P = 0.043), and candidiasis on gingiva (P = 0.048). The subjects with lower lymphocyte showed shorter oral candidiasis-free periods (P = 0.034). CONCLUSIONS Chlorhexidine showed a small but not statistically significant effect in maintenance of oral candidiasis-free period. This lack of significance may be due to the small sample size. Further study should be performed to better assess the size of the effect, or to confirm our findings.
Income Inequality Tolerance and Preferences for Redistribution in Turkey

In this paper, the extent to which redistribution is desired by the Turkish and its determinants are estimated. For this purpose, the 2009 Social Inequality Module of the International Social Survey Programme is used. Finding the attitudinal differences between urban and rural region residents, and understanding whether these can be attributed to educational differences is additionally aimed. The estimations indicate that pro-redistribution preferences are shaped by distributive justice considerations captured by the question on just payment at work. Having no or low educational qualification, living in urban regions and small cities also play an important role. Being in the lowest income categories is also associated with higher demand for redistribution. The attitudinal difference between rural and urban residents cannot be attributed to differences in the educational levels, differences in cultural values and/or income levels seem to play an important role. This studyâ€™s finding that women are more tolerant of income inequality than men is the opposite of the previous finding based on the 2011 WVS data, and of the more usual finding in other studies. Hard work has a non- significant effect in the present study although it was one of the determinants of pro-redistribution preferences previously. The impact of income is similar to previous analysisâ€™ finding. However, mixed results were found in the previous analysis relative to the effect of living in a specific region. The effects are more homogeneous with ISSPA data, as all of the regions with significant coefficients have relatively reduced support for redistribution than Istanbul.
How do oil price changes affect inflation in Central and Eastern European countries? A wavelet-based Markov switching approach

ABSTRACT This paper investigates how oil price changes affect consumer price inflation in eleven Central and Eastern European countries. We use a wavelet-based Markov switching approach in order to distinguish between the effects at different time horizons. We find that the transmission of oil price changes to inflation is relatively low in the Central and Eastern European countries as an increase in the oil price of 100% is followed by a rise in inflation of 1–6 percentage points. The strongest impact from rising oil price on inflation is found for the longer time-horizons for most of the countries, which means that the indirect spillover effect is more intensive than the direct one. Also, the results indicate that exchange rate is not a significant factor when oil shocks are transmitted towards inflation, except in the occasions when high depreciation occurs. Slovakia and Bulgaria are the countries which experience the highest and most consistent pass-through effect throughout the observed sample, and this may be due to these countries having some of the highest oil import/GDP ratios.
Integrating service quality as a second-order factor in a customer satisfaction and loyalty model

Purpose The study conceptualizes service quality as a second-order factor and analyzes its influence on customer satisfaction, perceived value, image, consumption emotions and customer loyalty by testing a structural equation model. Design/methodology/approach The model is tested using data collected from 672 guests staying in accommodation establishments located in South Africa. The study follows a hierarchical approach using confirmatory factor analysis to test the second-order factor model and structural equation modeling to test the overall model. Findings The results indicate that the second-order factor model is acceptable both empirically as well as conceptually and performs better than other competing models of service quality. The findings provide support for all hypotheses and evidence of a structural model with a high explanatory power. Research limitations/implications The second-order factor model is less useful when fine-grained analyses are needed, such as when a detailed assessment of the level of quality of service offered by a hospitality organization is required. Practical implications The second-order factor model allows for an analysis of service quality at different levels of abstraction. Accommodation managers interested in customers’ evaluation of service on a cumulative basis can make use of the global measure to determine service quality evaluations. Practitioners can also use the findings to manage the different dimensions of service quality. Originality/value The study demonstrates that service quality is best represented as a second-order factor, and in doing so, it provides an improved measurement of the construct. More so, by integrating the variable in a nomological network, the research develops a more parsimonious model than the existing ones.
Stressors Associated with Coronary Bypass Surgery

The purpose of this study was to: (a) design and test an instrument to evaluate the incidence and severity of stressors associated with coronary bypass surgery and (b) assess the concordance between patient and nurse perceptions of such stressors. The patient sample consisted of 30 patients recovering without complications from coronary bypass surgery. Patients were white, primarily male and employed, one-third with graduate education, with a mean age of 54. The nurse sample consisted of 18 registered nurses with cardiosurgical nursing care experience. A 30-item stressor scale was developed: 27 items were derived from literature review and 3 from comments of cardiovascular clinical specialists. Stressfulness of each item was rated on a 5-point scale. A pilot study with seven patients provided information for initial scale refinement. Content validity of the scale has both theoretical and empirical support because of the varied sources used to obtain and validate relevant items for the tool. Homogeneity reliability of the scale was supported by high coefficient alphas. Based on severity of stress ratings, two-way analysis of variance indicated that the cardiothoracic nurses generally rated all items as significantly more stressful for coronary bypass patients than did the patients themselves. Comparisons used by the nurses and the patients in assigning stressfulness ratings are discussed.
Possible Genetic Defects in Regulation of Glycosaminoglycans in Patients With Diabetic Nephropathy

The hypothesis of genetic defects in glycosaminoglycan (GAG) regulation among patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and nephropathy was assessed by studies in tissue cultures of fibroblasts obtained from 7 patients with normal urinary albumin excretion, 11 patients with diabetic nephropathy, and 6 nondiabetic control subjects. The incorporation of [3H] glucosamine and [35S] sulfate into hyaluronic acid (HA), chondroitin sulfate and dermatan sulfate (CS + DS), and heparan sulfate (HS) was measured in cells, matrix, and medium and related to micrograms of tissue protein. Large interindividual variations were seen in all three groups, and the incorporation of [3H] glucosamine into HA, CS + DS, and HS and [35S] sulfate into CS + DS and HS were not significantly different between the three groups. However, the fractional incorporation of [3H]glucosamine into HS was significantly reduced in diabetic patients with nephropathy compared with control subjects. This was the case not only when related to the total amount of GAGs (P = 0.014) but also when related to HA (P = 0.014). No significant difference was seen between control subjects and normoalbuminuric diabetic patients. The degree of N-sulfation of HS was not significantly different between the experimental groups. The results suggest that patients with diabetic nephropathy may suffer from deficiencies of coordinate regulation in the biosynthesis of GAG in fibroblasts, which may lead to a reduced density of HS in the extracellular matrix. If these changes reflect alterations in the biosynthesis of GAG from endothelial, myomedial, and mesangial cells, this observation may be relevant for the pathogenesis of severe diabetic complications.
Blockade of Virus Infection by Human CD4+ T Cells via a Cytokine Relay Network1

CD4+ T cells directly participate in bacterial clearance through secretion of proinflammatory cytokines. Although viral clearance relies heavily on CD8+ T cell functions, we sought to determine whether human CD4+ T cells could also directly influence viral clearance through cytokine secretion. We found that IFN-γ and TNF-α, secreted by IL-12-polarized Th1 cells, displayed potent antiviral effects against a variety of viruses. IFN-γ and TNF-α acted directly to inhibit hepatitis C virus replication in an in vitro replicon system, and neutralization of both cytokines was required to block the antiviral activity that was secreted by Th1 cells. IFN-γ and TNF-α also exerted antiviral effects against vesicular stomatitis virus infection, but in this case, functional type I IFN receptor activity was required. Thus, in cases of vesicular stomatitis virus infection, the combination of IFN-γ and TNF-α secreted by human Th1 cells acted indirectly through the IFN-α/β receptor. These results highlight the importance of CD4+ T cells in directly regulating antiviral responses through proinflammatory cytokines acting in both a direct and indirect manner.
Essays in development and political economy

This thesis comprises four essays in development economics and political economy, with a hint of behavioral economics. The first two chapters explore the effects of integration in two different settings: caste in India, and politics in Iceland. In the first chapter, I explore whether the effects of caste integration depend on whether such integration is collaborative or adversarial. To do so, I recruited 1,261 young Indian men from different castes and randomly assigned them either to participate in month-long cricket leagues or to serve as a control group. Players faced variation in collaborative contact, through random assignment to homogeneous-caste or mixed-caste teams, and adversarial contact, through random assignment of opponents. Collaborative contact reduces discrimination, leading to more cross-caste friendships and 33% less own-caste favoritism when voting to allocate cricket rewards. These effects have efficiency consequences, increasing both the quality of teammates chosen for a future match, and cross-caste trade and payouts in a real-stakes trading exercise. In contrast, adversarial contact generally has no, or even harmful, effects. Together this chapter shows that the economic effects of integration depend on the type of contact. The second chapter (co-authored with Donghee Jo) explores whether physical integration of politicians can affect political polarization in Iceland. We tackle this question by exploiting random seating in Iceland’s national Parliament. Since almost all voting is along party lines, we use a text-based measure of language similarity to proxy for the similarity of beliefs between any two politicians. Using this measure, we find an in-coalition effect: language similarity is greater for two politicians that share the same political coalition (government coalition or opposition) than for two politicians that do not, suggesting that the measure captures meaningful partisan differences in language. Next, we find that when two MPs randomly sit next to each other, their language similarity in the next parliamentary session (when no longer sitting together) is significantly higher, an effect that is roughly 16 to 25 percent of the size of the in-coalition effect. The persistence of effects suggests that politicians are learning from their neighbors, not just facing transient social pressure. However, this learning does not reflect the exchange of ideas “across the aisle”. The effects are large for neighbors in the same coalition group, at 29 to 53 percent of the in-coalition effect, with no evidence of learning from neighbors in the other group. Based on this evidence, integration of legislative chambers would likely slow down, but not prevent, the
Effect of Kt/V on survival and clinical outcome in CAPD patients in a randomized prospective study.

BACKGROUND There has been a lack of randomized control study on the effect of Kt/V on patient outcome. This interventional study was designed to examine the effect of Kt/V on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients' clinical outcome and nutritional status in a randomized prospective manner. METHOD A total of 320 new CAPD patients with baseline renal Kt/V <1.0 were recruited from six centers in Hong Kong and were randomized into three Kt/V targets: group A, 1.5 to 1.7; group B, 1.7 to 2.0; and group C,>2.0. Kt/V and nutritional status were assessed every 6 months and dialysis prescription adjusted accordingly. Nutritional assessment included serum albumin and composite nutritional index (CNI). Patients were allowed to withdraw at the discretion of their physicians or themselves. RESULTS Total Kt/V were significantly different between groups (P = 0.000) and the difference was contributed by peritoneal Kt/V only. The overall 2-year patient survival was 84.9%. There was no statistical difference in patient survival among the three groups (2-year survival in group A, 87.3%; group B, 86.1%; and group C, 81.5%). However, there were more patients withdrawn by physicians in group A (group A, 16; group B, 7; and group C, 6; P = 0.023). Total Kt/V or Kt did not significantly affect survival after adjustment to age and diabetes. There was no difference in serum albumin, CNI scores, and hospitalization rate, but there were more patients in group A requiring erythropoietin (EPO) treatment after 1 year. CONCLUSION Patients with total Kt/V maintained below 1.7 had significantly more clinical problems and severe anemia but there was no difference in outcome demonstrated for patients with Kt/V maintained above 2.0 and between 1.7 and 2.0. We recommended that the minimal target of total Kt/V should be above 1.7.
Apolipoprotein A-I helical structure and stability in discoidal high-density lipoprotein (HDL) particles by hydrogen exchange and mass spectrometry

To understand high-density lipoprotein (HDL) structure at the molecular level, the location and stability of α-helical segments in human apolipoprotein (apo) A-I in large (9.6 nm) and small (7.8 nm) discoidal HDL particles were determined by hydrogen-deuterium exchange (HX) and mass spectrometry methods. The measured HX kinetics of some 100 apoA-I peptides specify, at close to amino acid resolution, the structural condition of segments throughout the protein sequence and changes in structure and stability that occur on incorporation into lipoprotein particles. When incorporated into the large HDL particle, the nonhelical regions in lipid-free apoA-I (residues 45–53, 66–69, 116–146, and 179–236) change conformation from random coil to α-helix so that nearly the entire apoA-I molecule adopts helical structure (except for the terminal residues 1–6 and 237–243). The amphipathic α-helices have relatively low stability, in the range 3–5 kcal/mol, indicating high flexibility and dynamic unfolding and refolding in seconds or less. A segment encompassed by residues 125–158 exhibits bimodal HX labeling indicating co-existing helical and disordered loop conformations that interchange on a time scale of minutes. When incorporated around the edge of the smaller HDL particle, the increase in packing density of the two apoA-I molecules forces about 20% more residues out of direct contact with the phospholipid molecules to form disordered loops, and these are the same segments that form loops in the lipid-free state. The region of disc-associated apoA-I that binds the lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase enzyme is well structured and not a protruding unstructured loop as reported by others.