Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cellular ingestion, toxic effects, and lesions observed in human bronchial epithelial tissue and cells cultured with asbestos and glass fibers

Although exposure to asbestos has been shown in previous epidemiological studies to synergistically increase the risk of bronchogenic carcinoma for cigarette smokers, the pathobiological mechanism(s) responsible for the cocarcinogenic action of asbestos is not known. Therefore, the effects of asbestos fibers on normal human tracheobronchial epithelium are of interest. Asbestos fibers, i.e., amosite, crocidolite and chrysotile (UICC samples) and glass fibers were initially assayed for their cytotoxcity. Bronchial epithelial cells exposed to either asbestos or glass fibers displayed inhibition of cell growth as a function of fiber concentration. When compared to glass fibers, asbestos fibers caused a statistically significant (p<0.05) decrease in cell population doubling rate. Chrysotile was approximately 10 times more cytotoxic than either amosite or crocidolite and more than 100 times more cytotoxic than the glass fibers. Epithelial cells were 10 to 15 times more sensitive to the cytotoxic effects of asbestos fibers than bronchial fibroblasts from the same donor. Using electron microscopy, asbestos fibers were seen to be ingested by epithelial cells. After exposure for 2 h short fibers (<12μm) were found both in the cytoplasm and within phagosomes. High‐voltage electron microscopy combined with stereo‐microscopy revealed asbestos fibers in the cytoplasmic matrix. A single exposure to amosite asbestos (100–1000 μg/ml) was found to induce focal hyperplasia and epidermoid metaplasia with cellular atypia in human tracheobronchial explants. Surface fine structure observations revealed asbestos fibers protruding from these lesions. Intra‐cytoplasmic and intranuclear fibers of amosite were identified in these focal lesions using X‐ray microanalysis in combination with transmission electron microscopy. With increasing time, fibers were also seen deposited within the submucosa of the explants. The preferential cytotoxicity of asbestos for epithelial cells and the metaplastic response of bronchial epithelium may be important in the cocarcinogenic action of asbestos.
Networking as key factor in Artpreneurial success

Purpose – Networking is an important managerial skill and small businesses and businesses that are operated in informal settings, such as those of the festival entrepreneur, need to concentrate on building strong relationships with the role players in their networks in order to survive, thrive and to enhance their competitiveness. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the current level of networking skills and to determine the perceptions of entrepreneurs of their current networking relationships. The tourism industry, which is regarded as a people's industry, needs high levels of networking skills to meet customer needs and expectations. Networking can therefore be seen as a key success factor. The Grahamstown National Arts festival is South Africa's oldest arts festival and was chosen, first because of the economic impact it has and, second, tourism and entrepreneurship are considered as key developmental issues in South Africa.Design/methodology/approach – A quantitative study (structured questio.
Colonic masses: detection with MR colonography.

PURPOSE To assess magnetic resonance (MR) colonography as a method for detection of colorectal masses, with conventional colonoscopy as the reference standard. MATERIALS AND METHODS MR colonography was performed in 132 patients referred for colonoscopy because of the possible presence of a mass. After rectal filling with a gadopentetate dimeglumine and water enema, T1-weighted three-dimensional gradient-echo MR studies were acquired with the patient in the prone and supine positions. Water-sensitive single-shot fast spin-echo MR images were also obtained. Surface-rendered virtual endoscopic endoluminal views, orthogonal sections in three planes, and water-sensitive MR images were interactively assessed for presence of colorectal masses by two radiologists. RESULTS MR colonography was well tolerated without sedation or analgesia. MR image quality was sufficient for diagnosis in 127 (96%) patients. Most small (</=5-mm-diameter) masses were overlooked at MR colonography, but 19 of 31 6-10-mm lesions and 26 of 27 large (>10-mm) lesions were correctly identified. For these large masses, MR colonography had a sensitivity of 93%, specificity of 99%, positive predictive value of 92%, and negative predictive value of 98% for detection of masses. CONCLUSION MR colonography is a promising modality for help in detecting colorectal mass lesions larger than 10 mm in diameter.
Autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome: molecular basis of disease and clinical phenotype

Autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS) is a variable clinical condition manifest by lymphoproliferative disease, autoimmune cytopenias and susceptibility to malignancy. Central to the cellular pathogenesis is defective FAS‐induced apoptosis, which in turn leads to dysregulation of lymphocyte homeostasis. The majority of patients have heterozygous mutations in the FAS (TNFRSF6) gene, but the condition is genetically heterogeneous and mutations in FAS ligand and caspase‐8 and caspase‐10, all of which are involved in Fas mediated signalling, have also been identified. This review provides a detailed insight into the pathophysiology of lymphocyte apoptosis and how this relates to the variable and complex clinical manifestations of ALPS.
Debt financing among native- and immigrant-owned firms: empirical evidence from Swedish small business at start up stage

This paper provides evidence on ethnic differences in bank debt financing among small Swedish firms at the start-up stage. The empirical analysis is carried out on a sample of small firms consisting of 2,814 native- and immigrant-owned firms for year 2008. The method of binary logistic regression analysis was mainly performed to analyse the data. The empirical results suggest that immigrant-owned firms tend to use less bank debt than their native counterparts. Moreover, the variables related to human capital, previous experience of starting a business, university education and an additional job beside the business have a positive impact on the use of bank debt. There is also a positive influence of personal start capital and the size of firm in terms of number of employees on access to debt capital. However, firm characteristics, legal form and industry affiliation affect the debt funding negatively, indicating that firms with less formalised legal status operating in less developed market segments and with less physical capital are less likely to have access to debt capital.
Robust $H_{\infty}$ Synchronization of Coupled Partial Differential Systems With Spatial Coupling Delay

This brief discusses the asymptotical synchronization and robust H∞ synchronization for coupled semilinear partial differential systems (PDSs) with time-varying delay in spatial coupling. First, using the Lyapunov-Krasoviskii functional method, sufficient conditions are obtained for the asymptotical synchronization of coupled semi-linear time-delay PDSs and these conditions are presented by linear matrix inequalities (LMIs), which are easy to be solved. The effect of the spatial domain on the asymptotical synchronization of the coupled time-delay PDSs is also presented. Then the robust H∞ synchronization is considered in temporal-spatial domain for the coupled time-delay PDSs with external disturbances. In terms of the technique of completing squares, sufficient conditions are got for the robust H∞ synchronization of time-delay coupled PDSs. Finally, numerical examples of coupled semilinear time-delay PDSs are given to illustrate the correctness of the obtained results.
Lifetime alcohol use and cognitive performance in older adults

ABSTRACT Substance use is an important clinical issue in the older adult population. As older adults are susceptible to cognitive disorders, the intersection of the fields of substance use and cognitive neuroscience is an active area of research. Prior studies of alcohol use and cognitive performance are mixed, and inconsistencies may be due to under- or over-adjustment for confounders. This article adds to this literature by conducting a secondary analysis of self-reported lifetime history of alcohol use and cognitive performance in older adults (n = 133). It was hypothesized that current alcohol users would have poorer cognitive performance compared to never/minimal and former alcohol users. Older adult participants were classified into never/minimal alcohol users, former alcohol users, and current alcohol users. A neurocognitive battery included a global cognitive measure and individual measures of attention, memory, fluency, and executive function. A directed acyclic graph-based approach was used to select variables to be included in the multiple linear regression models. Though unadjusted analyses showed some significant associations between alcohol use and cognitive performance, all associations between alcohol use and cognitive performance were eliminated after adjusting for age, education, sex, race, and smoking pack years. Alcohol drink years were not significantly associated with cognitive performance among current and former alcohol users. These results suggest that lifetime alcohol use is not significantly associated with cognitive performance in older adults after adjustment for key confounders. Inconsistencies in prior studies may be due to uncontrolled confounding and/or unnecessary adjustment of mediators and/or colliders.
Analysing the Terms of Trade Effect for Pakistan

The study investigates the impact of changes in terms of trade in Pakistan on its income and consumption potentials, by employing two measures of terms of trade, namely, barter terms of trade and income terms of trade. The study examines Pakistans terms of trade behaviour using time series data from 1990- 2008, and works out the losses the country had to bear owing to deterioration in its terms of trade. Paper finds that worsening of terms of trade has a negative impact on economic growth of Pakistan, as it ultimately reduces gross domestic product.
Organizational Absorptive Capacity and Responsiveness: An Empirical Investigation of Growth–Oriented SMEs

This study examines the relationship between firm absorptive capacity and organizational responsiveness in the context of growth–oriented small and medium–sized enterprises (SMEs). By testing the different dimensions of absorptive capacity, external knowledge acquisition and intrafirm knowledge dissemination were found to be positively related to organizational responsiveness. In addition, the relationships between absorptive capacity and organizational responsiveness were moderated by environmental dynamism and the SMEs’ strategic orientation. Results demonstrate that the responsiveness of growth–oriented SMEs is expected to increase if (1) they have well–developed capabilities in external knowledge acquisition and intrafirm knowledge dissemination; (2) they have a well–developed external knowledge acquisition capability and adopt a more proactive strategy, such as being a prospector; (3) they face a turbulent environment and have a well developed internal knowledge dissemination capability. Implications and future research directions are provided.
Diabetic Ketoacidosis Among Obese African-American Adolescents With NIDDM

OBJECTIVE To determine whether ketosis at the time of presentation occurs among African-American adolescents with NIDDM. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We reviewed the charts of all islet cell antibody (ICA) negative patients diagnosed with NIDDM at Children's Hospital Medical Center (CHMC) between 1982 and 1995. RESULTS Between 1982 and 1985, 70 adolescents were diagnosed with NIDDM. Of these, ICA determinations were available and negative on 42 subjects (28 African-American, 12 white). Twelve of 28 (42%) African-American patients presented with ketonuria, and seven of 28 (25%) presented with DKA. In comparison, none of the 12 white adolescents with NIDDM had ketonuria at presentation or during their subsequent course. Mean follow-up time for patients with ketosis at presentation was 24 months. There was no difference between the age, BMI, or sex distribution of patients with and without ketosis. Previously diagnosed hypertension was present in 42% of patients presenting with ketosis, compared with 17% of the general NIDDM population at CHMC. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that ketosis may occur among African-American adolescents with NIDDM, as has been previously reported among African-American adults with NIDDM. Therefore, ketosis in obese young African-American patients with new-onset diabetes does not necessarily imply the presence of IDDM and insulin dependence.
Image similarity using Deep CNN and Curriculum Learning

Image similarity involves fetching similar looking images given a reference image. Our solution called SimNet, is a deep siamese network which is trained on pairs of positive and negative images using a novel online pair mining strategy inspired by Curriculum learning. We also created a multi-scale CNN, where the final image embedding is a joint representation of top as well as lower layer embedding's. We go on to show that this multi-scale siamese network is better at capturing fine grained image similarities than traditional CNN's.
The Beta Continuum

In the terminology of portfolio management, alpha versus beta has become a common expression even though many investors view alpha and beta as two disparate points on an economic compass. The reality is that there are a continuum of returns from pure beta on the one hand to pure alpha at the other end of the scale. Along the way there are multiple investment products in stages on the beta versus alpha scale. The beta continuum can represent the many ways that systematic risk premiums are packaged and delivered to investors. Examples demonstrate that beta is not a single data point but an ever-increasing effort to capture systematic risk premiums in new and innovative ways that, at the end of the continuum, begin to resemble active management.
Students leaving the STEM pipeline: an investigation of their attitudes and the influence of significant others on their study choice

The main aim of the present study was to investigate why some students do not continue in science-oriented studies in higher education despite that their previous career in secondary education proved that they were interested and suitably qualified to do so. We introduced a new approach to deal with these students’ attitudes towards science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) studies. That is, the study was based on the multi-attribute utility theory, using an approach related to the theory of reasoned action. The study included 477 Dutch students that pursued a study in higher education (mostly second- and third-year students). All students had taken advanced mathematics, chemistry and physics courses in secondary education, but did not choose a STEM study in higher education. In 2008, a questionnaire was sent to them to measure their attitudes. The attitudes of these students towards STEM studies were compared with their attitudes towards their current (non-STEM) study, while also taking the influence of significant others (e.g. parents, teachers and peers) on these students’ study choice into account. As expected, most non-STEM students had chosen the best ‘suitable’ option as regards their attitudes. Nevertheless, 1 out of 10 non-STEM students had a more favourable attitude towards STEM studies than towards their current non-STEM study. However, the hypothesis that these students had left the STEM pipeline because of the advice of significant others was not confirmed.
Beyond the Mincer equation: the internal rate of return to higher education in Colombia

In order to present an estimation of the internal rate of return (IRR) to higher education in Colombia, we take advantage of recent updates on the methodological approach towards earnings equations. In order to overcome the criticism that surrounds interpretations of the education coefficient of Mincer equations as being the rate of return to investments in education we develop a more structured approach of estimation, which includes more accurate measures of labor income and the role of education costs and income taxes. Our results imply a lower rate of return than the ones found in the Colombian literature, obtained through conventional estimation of Mincer equations, and show that the IRR for higher education in Colombia lies somewhere between 0.074 and 0.128. The results vary according to the year analyzed and the individual's gender.
Obstructive sleep apnea and fatigue in patients with multiple sclerosis.

STUDY OBJECTIVES The prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) remains unknown, and little information exists regarding the relative contributions of OSA to symptoms of MS-related fatigue in the presence of other clinical and sleep-related confounders. The objectives of this study were to investigate the prevalence of diagnosed OSA and OSA risk among MS patients, and to assess relationships between fatigue severity, OSA, OSA risk, and sleep quality among persons with MS. METHODS N = 195 MS patients completed a questionnaire comprised of items regarding OSA diagnosis, sleep quality and quantity, daytime symptoms, and 4 validated scales: the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Fatigue Severity Scale, Insomnia Severity Index, and STOP-Bang questionnaire. Medical records were also accessed to examine clinical characteristics that may predict fatigue or OSA risk. RESULTS N = 41 patients (21%) carried a formal diagnosis of OSA. N = 110 (56%) of all patients, and 38 (93%) of those with diagnosed OSA had STOP-Bang scores ≥ 3, indicating an elevated OSA risk. In regression models, the most significant predictors of higher FSS scores were higher STOP-Bang scores (p = 0.01), higher number of nocturnal symptoms (p < 0.0001), and higher disability level (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS Sleep disturbances, and OSA in particular, may be highly prevalent yet underrecognized contributors to fatigue in persons with MS.
The rise of inconspicuous consumption

Abstract Ever since Veblen and Simmel, luxury has been synonymous with conspicuous consumption. In this conceptual paper we demonstrate the rise of inconspicuous consumption via a wide-ranging synthesis of the literature. We attribute this rise to the signalling ability of traditional luxury goods being diluted, a preference for not standing out as ostentatious during times of economic hardship, and an increased desire for sophistication and subtlety in design in order to further distinguish oneself for a narrow group of peers. We decouple the constructs of luxury and conspicuousness, which allows us to reconceptualise the signalling quality of brands and the construct of luxury. This also has implications for understanding consumer behaviour practices such as counterfeiting and suggests that consumption trends in emerging markets may take a different path from the past.
Credit Risk, Interest Rate Risk, and the Business Cycle

This study is an empirical analysis of the link between credit risk and interest rate risk and investigates the presence of a business cycle component in the determination of credit spreads. The results of a simple regression indicate that credit spreads are much more sensitive to interest rates and stock returns during recessions, an effect even more pronounced for lower rated bonds. In a vector autoregression setting, when the variance of credit spreads is decomposed it is found that most of the credit risk stems from changes in long-term risk–free interest rates. During recessions, business cycles and monetary policy variables play an important role as well. Furthermore, systematic risk seems to matter much more for credit spreads than for stocks.
Developing Country Interests in Agricultural Reforms under the World Trade Organization

The gains to developing countries from agricultural reform in developed countries is found to benefit most, even the net food importers, although the gains vary depending on a country's trade pattern. This results because the agricultural policy of a small number of developed countries cause the major distortions in world markets, and developing countries whose major share of agricultural trade is with the E.U. are impacted quite differently than those trading with the U.S. Even though Japan and Korea maintain high trade barriers, these barriers are found to have small effects on developing countries. The long-run benefits of reform are found to greatly exceed the short-run gains.
Cancer incidence among Danish brewery workers

Since the foundation of the Danish Brewery Workers' Union (BWU) in 1898, an integrated issue in the labour contract between the BWU and the employers implied that the breweries provided 6 bottles of beer to each brewery worker per day. The objective of our study is to investigate if this presumably high daily consumption of beer is associated with increased risk of cancer, particularly cancer of colon and rectum. The cohort has previously been followed until 1972, but with our study we add further 27 years of follow‐up. The cohort comprises all male members of BWU employed for 6 months or longer in a brewery between 1939 and 1963. From the original cohort of 14,313 workers, it was possible to identify 13,051 brewery workers (91.2%). The identified brewery workers were linked to the Danish Cancer Registry for any cancer diagnoses during 1943–1999. The incidence rate of all Danish men was applied to calculate the expected number of cancers, standardised incidence ratios for age and time trend (O/E) were computed. A total of 3,928 cases of cancer were observed compared to 2,835.8 expected (O/E, 1.39; 95%‐CI, 1.34–1.43). Significantly elevated risk of cancers was seen for cancer sites such as the buccal cavity, the digestive organs, the respiratory system and the urinary system. Members of the cohort were at a slightly but highly significant increased risk of both colon cancer (O/E, 1.26; 1.11–1.42) and rectum cancer (O/E, 1.31; 1.14–1.49). Our study shows that a high beer consumption is related to increased risk of several specific cancers, which supports that the relationship is of a causal nature. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Managerial perceptions on volume flexible strategies and performance in health care services

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of volume flexible strategies on organizational performance in academic medical centers (AMCs). Volume flexible strategies represent a variety of methods where organizations use their portfolio of resources and capabilities to meet fluctuating customer demand while improving organizational performance.Design/methodology/approach – A path model is developed and tested based on a survey of AMCs in the USA as listed in the American hospital directory.Findings – The results indicate that desired levels of volume flexibility have a positive impact on organizational capabilities that in turn, positively influence how internal sources of volume flexibility are leveraged. In addition, volume flexible capability and the use of internal strategies were found to have a positive influence on customer‐related performance that in turn, positively impacts financial and market share performance.Research limitations/implications – This research was exploratory i.