Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Dollar Trap:How the US Dollar Tightened Its Grip on Global Finance

Which are the factors due to which the dollar's role as a unit of account and medium of trade might erode over time? What will be the impact of the present global financial crisis and technological developments on the dollar? What roles do foreign investors play in the consumption pattern of U.S. government and households? How does the conflict and/or cooperation amongst the different economies affect the global configuration of reserve currencies?
Gastric pathology in patients with common variable immunodeficiency

BACKGROUND/AIMS Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is an immunological disorder characterised by defective antibody production. Patients with CVID have a high risk of gastric cancer. It has been suggested that gastric cancer results from an interaction between environmental factors and a genetic predisposition. The role of Helicobacter pylori as an environmental factor in gastric carcinogenesis is of current interest. Moreover, p53 gene mutations have been reported in gastric cancer. This study focuses on the gastric pathology of patients with CVID and correlation with H pyloriinfection. METHODS Thirty four consecutive dyspeptic patients with CVID (mean age 49.6 years, range 14–72; 17 men) were included in the study. An upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was performed and biopsy specimens were taken from the antrum, incisura angularis, and gastric body. Biopsies were used for histological assessment, to identify the presence of H pylori, and to evaluate p53 overexpression. RESULTS H pylori infection was detected in 14/34 (41%) patients. Chronic active gastritis involving both antrum and body was observed more frequently in H pylori positive (79%) thanH pylori negative (20%) patients (p = 0.001). Similarly, a histological feature of multifocal atrophic gastritis was found more frequently in infected (50%) than uninfected patients (10%) (p = 0.012). In addition, one case of gastric adenocarcinoma and another of notable dysplasia were observed in theH pylori positive group. Overexpression of p53 was found in six (18%) patients, including one with normal gastric mucosa. CONCLUSIONS It can be hypothesised that both H pylori and p53 alterations play a role in the gastric carcinogenesis of patients with CVID.
Efficient Worst-Case Execution Time Analysis of Dynamic Branch Prediction

Dynamic branch prediction is commonly found in modern processors, but notoriously difficult to model for worst-case execution time analysis. This is particularly true for global dynamic branch predictors, where predictions are influenced by the global branch history. Prior research in this area has concluded that modeling of global branch prediction is too costly for practical use. This paper presents an approach to model global branch prediction while keeping the analysis effort reasonably low. The approach separates the branch history analysis from the integer linear programming formulation of the worst-case execution time problem. Consequently, the proposed approach scales to longer branch history lengths than previous approaches.
Immuno‐electronmicroscopic identification and localization of the antigenic proteins of tree pollen grains

The localization of antigenic proteins on ultrathin sections of pollen grains represents an interesting approach to understanding the release mechanisms of these antigens when the pollen grains come in contact with various physiological fluids. Using different rabbit antibodies we have demonstrated the locations of these antigens in the various structures of pollen grains. We further demonstrated the cross‐reactivities between alder (Alnus incana), birch (Betula verrucosa) and hazel (Corylus avellana) pollen allergens. Ultrathin sections of the pollen grains were prepared and allowed to react with two individually raised rabbit antibodies, (Ab‐BV and Ab‐ALK), against birch pollen. The sites of the Ag/Ab complex on the sections were labelled by protein A/gold, and identified in a transmission electron microscope. The two birch antibodies showed either quantitative or qualitative differences regarding their binding to various structures on the pollen sections. Using Ab‐BV, the antigen‐binding sites were located in the apertural region of the pollen grain and in the cytoplasm, while almost no gold labelling could be seen on the pollen surface. With the other antibodies (Ab‐ALK), we could visualize the antigen‐binding locations on the surface material of the pollen grains, particularly in the exine part of the wall and in the cytoplasm. A few gold particles could also be seen in the apertural region of the pollen. In hazel and alder pollen the exine part of the wall was the most densely labelled, whereas the cytoplasm and the aperture bound smaller numbers of gold particles. Cross‐incubations: birch pollen incubated with antibodies against hazel (Ab‐GA), or alder (Ab‐AI), showed various intensities of gold labelling for each of the three species. Statistically, the differences in the number of gold particles bound per μm2 grain section between birch, hazel and alder, were highly significant. The cross‐reactivities between these antigens from the three pollen species were further tested using house‐produced rabbit antisera against antigens of the three species by means of electrophoretic and autoradiographic techniques (GIE and GRIE). The three antibodies could precipitate the major IgE‐binding antigen from all three pollen species.
A Balanced Assignment Mechanism for Online Taxi Recommendation

Majority of taxi recommender systems mainly focused on satisfaction of passengers without considering fairness in assignment of taxi drivers. In this paper we propose a balanced assignment mechanism for online taxi recommendation (BAMOTR). BAMOTR provides a mechanism for fair assignment of drivers at some locations with specific routes to pick up passengers and ensures a short waiting time for passengers. Fair assignment is intended to minimize the differences in income among the taxi drivers. Analysis shows out that fair assignment of drivers and shortening the time the passenger wait before pick up is a trade-off problem. In this paper, we set a regulatory factor that can adjust the trade-off between fair assignment of drivers and shortening of waiting time of passengers. We also propose an efficient range refinement algorithm to solve online taxi recommendation problem in BAMOTR. It is theoretically and experimentally proved that range refinement algorithm ensures the same recommendation result as brute-force algorithm, however it greatly reduces the time overhead. We validate the performances of BAMOTR with extensive evaluations. Experimental results show that BAMOTR achieve better recommendation fairness than compared approaches and guarantee a short waiting time for passengers to be picked up.
Field and laboratory transmission studies of haemic neoplasia in the soft-shell clam, Mya arenaria, from Atlantic Canada.

A two-year laboratory and field study was initiated in 2001 in response to mass mortalities associated with haemic neoplasia (HN) in 1999 in Prince Edward Island (PEI) soft-shell clams, Mya arenaria. A laboratory proximity experiment (cohabitation) and an inoculation challenge were conducted with clams and mussels (Mytilus edulis). Three field exposure experiments were also conducted, in which naive clams were held in sediment (in trays) or out of sediment (in mesh bags) at three high HN prevalence sites on PEI. There was a conversion to HN positive in clams in the proximity experiment and in clams injected with whole blood and cell-free homogenate, but not at statistically significant levels. No mussels or control clams became HN positive. There was a significant conversion to HN positive in as little as 24 and 58 days after transfer with clams held out of sediment and in sediment, respectively. The laboratory and field experiments' results suggest that HN-infected clams are spreading the disease through water from infected clams to naïve individuals and via transplantation from affected to unaffected sites. Some environmental conditions (e.g. abnormally high water temperature and hypoxia-induced sea lettuce [Ulva lacteus] invasion) may make clams susceptible to infections or exacerbate the proliferation of HN.
Midazolam and ketamine as premedication in colonoscopies: a pharmacodynamic study.

As colonoscopy is often painful, a premedication appears to be indispensable. Commonly, benzodiazepines, i.e. midazolam, alone or in combination with analgesic drugs are used. Besides all advantages, midazolam especially is known to have the risk of oversedation and respiratory depression. Therefore it should be used at minimal dose. In a double-blind, randomized study, three premedication-schedules of midazolam (mid) plus ketamine (ket) were compared in 33 patients, aged between 8 and 60 years, with regard to safety and acceptance by patients and endoscopist. I: ket 1 mg/kg+mid 0.1 mg/kg, max. 5 mg II: ket 1 mg/kg+mid 0.05 mg/kg, max. 2.5 mg III: ket 0.75 mg/kg+mid 0.1 mg/kg, max. 5 mg Oxygen-saturation, heart rate and blood pressure were recorded as well as the evaluations of sedation, cooperation and complaint of pain. To assess the recovery-time of the patients, the reaction time and the attention were evaluated by "Wiener's determination apparatus" and "test d2", respectively, before and at 1, 2, 3 and 4 hours after premedication. Medication I resulted in heavy sedation, good cooperation and amnesia but had the strongest tendency towards hypoxemia. Under schedule III, reduced cooperation and acceptance were seen due to a strong experience of pain. The best conditions during the examination with regard to cooperation, experience of pain and acceptance were found after premedication II without relevant depression of vital parameters. It can be concluded that midazolam can be used at minimal recommended doses as premedication for colonoscopy if combined with ketamine in a sufficient analgesic dosage.
The development of a measurement instrument to measure the quality of internet investor relations

The purpose of this study was to develop a measurement instrument to measure the quality of Internet investor relations (IIR). This study will aid future research to examine IIR and provide guidance to companies in the development of an IIR strategy. The development of the instrument was based on best practice guidelines issued by the Investor Relations Society, an extensive literature review and a pilot study. The result was a measurement instrument that consists of 346 attributes. Quality is assessed by measuring content as widely as possible, by including attributes to measure the accessibility, navigation and timeliness of information, and by allowing for the measurement of attributes as being partially available based on breadth, usability and timeliness considerations. The reliability and validity of the measurement instrument was confirmed on the basis of the measurement results of a sample of 85 JSE-listed companies.
Estrogen receptors in normal salivary gland and salivary gland carcinoma.

To access for possible hormone dependence, 19 samples of normal salivary gland tissue and 14 samples of salivary gland carcinoma were quantitatively analyzed for estrogen receptor (ER) content. A receptor protein content of greater than or equal to 1 fmol/mg of cytosol protein was considered positive. Ten (77%) of 13 histologically normal samples, and four (80%) of five tumor samples obtained from male patients contained ER by this criterion, as did five (83%) of six normal samples and eight (88%) of nine tumor samples obtained from female patients. Mean ER concentrations plus or minus SE in male-derived samples were 2.02 +/- . 42 fmol/mg of cytosol protein for normal tissue and 4.35 +/- 1.5 fmol/mg of cytosol protein for tumor tissue; mean ER concentrations in female-derived samples were 3.48 +/- 1.1 fmol/mg of cytosol protein for normal tissue and 12.64 +/- 6.4 fmol/mg of cytosol protein for tumor tissue. Four of eight tumors in women had levels considered to be "hormonally dependent" in breast carcinoma. These findings indicate that salivary gland carcinomas may be hormone-dependent.
The Role of Taxes and the Interdependence Among Corporate Financial Policies: Evidence from a Natural Experiment

In this paper, we investigate whether and how firms respond to an exogenous tax variation at the investor level by examining their financial decisions following a tax reform for pension funds in Brazil. Consistent with the tax-preference theory of dividends, we find that after implementation of the new law, firms tend to distribute more tax-deductible dividends — called Interest on Equity (IOE) — when the largest or second largest shareholder is a pension fund rather than other types of agents. Surprisingly, control firms also increased (but less than treated firms) their tax-deductible dividend payments, probably to attract more institutional investors and to reduce their cost of capital. We also find that treated firms reduced their leverage relative to control firms after the new law, suggesting that equity tax shields and debt tax shields act as substitute financial instruments. These results are robust to falsification tests and an alternative control group of firms based on a Propensity Score Matching procedure. Overall, our evidence suggests that tax is a first-order determinant of corporate financial decisions and firms adjust their policies in consideration of the interdependence among alternative financial instruments.
The Economic Cost of Including the Indirect Land Use Factor in Low Carbon Fuel Policy: Efficiency and Distributional Implications

Concerns about the indirect land use change (ILUC) caused by biofuels has led to the inclusion of an ILUC factor as a part of the greenhouse gas (GHG) intensity of biofuels in low carbon fuel policies. Here, we develop an integrated modeling framework to simulate the effects of including an ILUC factor in a national Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) and to assess the variability of these effects depending on the ILUC factor used. We found that additional GHG abatement achieved over the 2017-2027 period ranged from 0.6 to 1.2% while the additional economic costs to the US ranged from $35 to $211 billion depending on the biofuel-specific ILUC factors utilized; more than half of these costs were borne by domestic fuel consumers. The implied per metric ton cost of the additional abatement ranged from $64 to $197 and was substantially larger than the $50 per metric ton social cost of carbon estimated by the US government.
Characterizations of Adenovirus Type 41 Isolates from Children with Acute Gastroenteritis in Japan, Vietnam, and Korea

ABSTRACT Genetic and antigenic characterizations of 70 strains of adenovirus type 41 (Ad41), isolated between 1998 and 2001 from children in Japan, Vietnam, and Korea, were done by DNA restriction enzyme (RE) analysis, sequencing analysis, and monoclonal antibody (MAb)-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Eight genome types were observed in the present study, among which D25, D26, D27, and D28 were novel genome types. These eight genome types were divided into two genome-type clusters (GTCs) based on phylogenetic analysis of the hypervariable regions (HVRs) of the hexon. GTC1 includes D1, D25, D26, D27, and D28, and the GTC2 contains D4, D12, and D22. The amino acid homologies among the members within a GTC were 97 to 100%, whereas between the members of different GTCs the homologies were 92 to 94%. The specificity of the GTC classification was confirmed by ELISA with MAb 1F, which was selected by the Ad41 prototype Tak strain. It was found that only the isolates of GTC1 but not of GTC2 reacted with MAb 1F. These results suggest that Ad41 isolates from the three countries should be classified into two subtypes. The accumulation of amino acid mutations located in HVRs of hexon are indicative for the classification of Ad41 subtype.
Short-Term Functional Outcomes of First Metatarsophalangeal Total Joint Replacement for Hallux Rigidus

Background: Although metatarsophalangeal (MTP) arthrodesis has been advocated by many authors, implant arthroplasty appears to be successful option in advanced hallux rigidus (HR). The aim of our study was to evaluate the early results of the ToeFit-Plus prosthesis for the treatment of HR. Methods: Between December 2007 and January 2011, a total of 26 toes of 24 patients with MTP arthritis of the great toe were treated with ToeFit-Plus implant. The average follow-up time was 29.9 (range: 25 to 62) months. All patients were evaluated clinically and radiographically. Postoperative satisfaction and function were scored according to the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score. Pain was assessed with the use of a visual analogue scale. Results: Mean preoperative AOFAS score improved from 42.7 (range: 36 to 59) to 88.5 (range: 59 to 98) at the final follow-up (P < .01). Preoperative average visual analogue scale pain scores improved from 7.4 preoperatively to 1.9 at the final follow-up (P < .01). The average MTP joint range of motion improved from 25.9 degrees preoperatively to 53.8 degrees at the final follow-up. No radiologic loosening was found, but radiolucency was observed in 2 patients with this implant. No revision was required for any of the patients during the follow-up period. Conclusions: This total first MTP joint prosthesis yielded good functional outcome and high patient satisfaction level with low early complication rate. Preservation of joint movement and good pain relief with early mobilization were the advantages of this procedure. Salvage arthrodesis remains an option if future revisions are indicated. Level of Evidence: Level IV, retrospective case series.
Biochemistry and biomechanics of healing tendon: Part I. Effects of rigid plaster casts and functional casts.

PURPOSE Traditional treatment of surgically repaired Achilles tendons includes complete immobilization of the joint in rigid casts for 6 to 8 wk. We tested the use of functional polyurethane casts as an alternative to rigid plaster casts after experimental tenotomy and repair of the rabbit Achilles tendon. METHODS After repair the limbs of 15 experimental rabbits were immobilized in a functional polyurethane cast for 15 d, while those of 14 controls were immobilized in traditional rigid plaster casts for the same period. RESULTS Functional casting resulted in a 60% increase in total collagen in the neotendon compared with that in rigid casting (P < 0.05). Mature collagen cross-links declined 8% in the tendons with functional casts. The biomechanical parameters of the tendons changed with functional casting, showing a 20% increase in maximum load and 21% increase in maximum stress. CONCLUSIONS These changes were noted without any cases of tendon re-rupture in either type of cast. Thus, functional casting following surgery of Achilles tendons appears to improve healing without significant risks of re-rupture.
Acute blood glucose level and outcome from ischemic stroke

Objective: To study the relation between acute blood glucose level and outcome from ischemic stroke. Background: Hyperglycemia may augment acute ischemic brain injury and increase the risk of hemorrhagic transformation of the infarct. Methods: The authors analyzed the relation between admission blood glucose level (within 24 hours from ischemic stroke onset) and clinical outcome in 1,259 patients enrolled in the Trial of ORG 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST)—a placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind trial to test the efficacy of a low-molecular weight heparinoid in acute ischemic stroke. Very favorable outcome was defined as a Glasgow Outcome Scale score of 1 and a modified Barthel index of 19 or 20. Neurologic improvement at 3 months was defined as a decrease by ≥4 points on the NIH Stroke Scale compared with baseline or a final score of 0. Hemorrhagic transformation of infarct was assessed within 10 days after onset of stroke with repeat cerebral CT. Stroke subtype as lacunar or nonlacunar (atherothromboembolic, cardioembolic, and other or undetermined etiology) was classified by one investigator after completion of stroke evaluation according to study protocol. Results: In all strokes combined (p = 0.03) and in nonlacunar strokes (p = 0.02), higher admission blood glucose levels were associated with worse outcome at 3 months according to multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusted for stroke severity, diabetes mellitus, and other vascular risks. In lacunar strokes, the relationship between acute blood glucose level and outcome was related to treatment. In the placebo group, higher admission blood glucose levels were associated with better outcome at 3 months. However, in the active drug group, as the glucose level increased from 50 to 150 mg/dL, the probability of a very favorable outcome decreased sharply and remained relatively unchanged as the glucose level increased further (p = 0.002, for overall effect of glucose on outcome). Acute blood glucose level was not associated with symptomatic hemorrhagic transformation of infarcts or with neurologic improvement at 3 months. Conclusions: During acute ischemic stroke hyperglycemia may worsen the clinical outcome in nonlacunar stroke, but not in lacunar stroke, and is not associated with an increased risk of hemorrhagic transformation of the infarct.
Effect of timing of pharmaconutrition (immunonutrition) administration on outcomes of elective surgery for gastrointestinal malignancies: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND Pharmaconutrition has previously been reported in elective surgery to reduce postoperative infective complications and duration of hospital length of stay. OBJECTIVE To update previously published meta-analyses and elucidate potential benefits of providing arginine-dominant pharmaconutrition in surgical patients specifically with regard to the timing of administration of pharmaconutrition. DESIGN Randomized controlled trials comparing the use of pharmaconutrition with standard nutrition in elective adult surgical patients between 1980 and 2011 were identified. The meta-analysis was prepared in accordance with Preferred Reporting of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) recommendations. RESULTS Twenty studies yielding 21 sets of data met inclusion criteria. A total of 2005 patients were represented (pharmaconutrition, n = 1010; control, n = 995), in whom pharmaconutrition was provided preoperatively (k = 5), perioperatively (k = 2), or postoperatively (k = 14). No differences were seen in postoperative mortality with the provision of pharmaconutrition irrespective of timing of administration. Statistically significant reductions in infectious complications and length of stay were found with perioperative and postoperative administration. Perioperative administration was also associated with a statistically significant reduction in anastomotic dehiscence, whereas a reduction in noninfective complications was demonstrated with postoperative administration. Preoperative pharmaconutrition demonstrated no notable advantage over standard nutrition provision in any of the clinical outcomes assessed. CONCLUSIONS This meta-analysis highlights the importance of timing as a clinical consideration in the provision of pharmaconutrition in elective gastrointestinal surgical patients and identifies areas where further research is required.