Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The politics of global value chains: import-dependent firms and EU–Asia trade agreements

ABSTRACT In 2006, the European Commission released its Global Europe Communication, in which it announced a shift from a multilateral to a bilateral trade strategy. One of the key pillars of this new strategy was to strengthen the bilateral trade relations with key Asian countries. In contrast to existing analyses that focus on European Union (EU) decision-makers’ agency, we propose an explanation for this notable shift in the EU's trade policy that stresses the political role of import-dependent firms. In light of the increasing integration of such firms into global value chains, the article argues that a plausible case can be made, both theoretically and empirically, that import-dependent firms had a clear stake in the signing of preferential trade agreements between the EU and Asian countries and that their lobbying efforts significantly affected the EU's decision to start negotiations on such agreements with South Korea, India and Vietnam.
Silane-free PECVD silicon carbon nitride (SiCxNy) passivation and anti-reflection coatings for high efficiency silicon solar cells

Industrialized silicon solar cells were fabricated using silane-free silicon carbon nitride (SiC<inf>x</inf>N<inf>y</inf>) film as an antireflection (AR) and surface passivation layer. Sixtron Advanced Materials has developed a gas generation system to deposit the dielectric film that uses a polymeric solid source. Sixtron eliminates the cost and hazards associated with storing and handling pyrophoric silane gas. The electrical and optical properties of the new AR coating layer are investigated and compared to the SiN<inf>x</inf> films coated with silane (SiH<inf>4</inf>) gas. We tuned the film properties using NH<inf>3</inf> flow rate from previous work<sup>1,2</sup>. In this work, we further optimized the film properties. As plasma power increases, interface trap density (D<inf>it</inf>) and flat band charge (Q<inf>fb</inf>) are reduced while refractive index and extinction coefficient remain similar<sup>3</sup>. Screen-printed 149cm<sup>2</sup> Czochralski (CZ) Si solar cells with SiC<inf>x</inf>N<inf>y</inf> AR coating layer provides an energy conversion efficiency of 17.2%, which is comparable to that of conventional SiN<inf>x</inf> coated solar cells.
Cataract in type 2 diabetes mellitus in Isfahan, Iran: Incidence and risk factors

background Evidence on the incidence of and risk factors for cataract in type 2 diabetes mellitus is scarce and mainly derived from studies in developed countries. Locally derived evidence is required for planning a well co-ordinated approach to this public health problem in developing countries. objective The objective of the present study was to estimate the incidence of and risk factors for the development of cataract in type 2 (insulin-treated and non-insulin-treated) diabetes using routinely collected data from a clinical information system at Isfahan Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Iran. method During the mean (standard deviation (SD)) follow-up period of 3.6 (2.7) (range 1-11) years, 3888 diabetic patients (1348 male and 2540 female) from Isfahan Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center outpatient clinics have been examined. The mean (SD) age of the participants was 52.0 (10.5) years with a mean (SD) duration of diabetes of 12.6 (7.5) years at initial registration. results Among the 3888 patients who were free of cataract at initial registration with at least one follow-up visit between 1992 and 2004, the incidence of cataract was 33.1 (95% confidence interval (CI): 30.2, 36.1) (64.8 (95% CI: 57.7, 72.0) in males and 17.9 (95% CI: 15.2, 20.5) in females per 1000 person-years based on 14012 person-years of follow-up. The age-adjusted incidence rate of cataract was 20% greater among insulin-treated than non-insulin-treated type 2 diabetes mellitus clinic attenders and it increased with age. Using a Cox's Proportional Hazards Model for insulin and non-insulin-treated type 2 diabetes separately, age, age at diagnosis of diabetes, duration of diabetes, and smoking were significant predictors of cataract for insulin and non-insulin-treated type 2 diabetes patients. When all variables were entered in the model, fasting blood glucose and insulin treatment were significant predictors of cataract. In the insulin-treated group, fasting blood glucose was a significant predictor of cataract. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure, gender, HbA1, proteinuria, body mass index, cholesterol, triglyceride and creatinine had no significant independent association with cataract when other covariates were considered. conclusion These data suggest that cataract in this population of Iranian type 2 diabetic patients is common. With an estimated incidence of 33.1 per 1000 person-years of observation after mean 3.6 years' follow-up, diabetic cataract clearly poses a formidable health threat to Iranian diabetic patients. The results of this study highlight the need for regular eye examination in people with diabetes.
Understanding dual enrollees' use of Medicare home health services: the effects of differences in Medicaid home care programs.

OBJECTIVES Both the Medicare and Medicaid programs have experienced considerable growth in spending on home care in recent years. As policymakers adopt measures (such as those legislated in the Balanced Budget Act of 1997) to curb the rate of spending growth on home care services, it is important to understand interactions between the Medicare and Medicaid home care programs in serving the dually enrolled population. This study examines the potential effects of the Medicaid home care program on Medicare home health utilization using multivariate models. METHODS The study relied on data from the Health Care Financing Administration's Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS), a longitudinal survey of Medicare enrollees. The primary MCBS file used was from Round 1 of the survey, which was fielded between September and December 1991. The unit of analysis was individuals. The authors used descriptive and multivariate methods to explore the relationship between Medicare coverage and state home care program characteristics. Included were variables that have been found to be significant determinants of Medicare home health utilization in other studies as well as variables to indicate the availability and generosity of Medicaid home care services in each state represented in the survey. RESULTS The findings were consistent with those of previous studies, in that dual enrollees were disproportionate users of Medicare home health services, accounting for only 16% of enrollees but receiving 40% of all visits. In addition, lower levels of Medicare home health use were observed in states with relatively higher Medicaid spending on home health and personal care services, but this relationship appeared to be heavily dominated by the inclusion of enrollees living in New York State. When individuals from New York were excluded from the analysis, we found a negative but statistically significant relationship between Medicaid outlays on home health and personal care services and Medicare home health utilization. CONCLUSIONS Because the Medicare and Medicaid programs are interconnected through the sizable dual enrollee population, changes in one program are likely to have ramifications for the other. This study presents another step in exploring how the two programs interact and emphasizes the fact that costs can be shifted between the two programs as policy changes are made to control the rate of home care spending growth.
Effect of haemostatic agent application on the shear bond strength of contemporary/multi-mode adhesive systems.

OBJECTIVES The aim was to determine the effect of blood contamination and haemostatic agent application on the shear bond strength (SBS) of different adhesives to dentin. MATERIALS AND METHODS Seventy-two extracted human molars were used in this study. Teeth were mounted acrylic in moulds. Mesial and distal surfaces were removed to obtain flat dentin surfaces (n=144) and grinded with a 600 grit sandpaper. The samples were randomly divided into three main groups (N=48) based on the adhesive system and application procedures. GROUP 1: No contamination (control), GROUP 2: Blood contamination, GROUP 3: Blood Contamination+Haemostatic agent application. Each group was further divided into four subgroups: SUBGROUP I: Single Bond 2 (etch-and-rinse) Subgroup II: Clearfil SE Bond (two-step self-etch) Subgroup III: Single Bond Universal (multimode, etch-and-rinse) subgroup IV: Single Bond Universal (multimode, all-in-one self-etch) (n=12). Resin cylinders (Filtek Z550) were bonded to the dentin surfaces according to the manufacturers' instructions. A shear load was applied to the specimens using universal testing machine at a cross-head speed of 0.5 mm/min until failure. Data were analyzed statistically (p<0.05). RESULTS Statistically significant differences were observed between no contamination (control) and blood + haemostatic agent contamination groups for both Single Bond 2 (etch-and-rinse) and Single Bond Universal (multimode, all-in-one self-etch) (p<0.05). When the adhesive systems were compared to each other, no statistically significant differences were found in all contamination groups and control group for the mean SBS values (p>0.05). CONCLUSION When blood contamination is inevitable two step self- etching adhesive systems may be the choice of adhesive system in terms of shear bond strength.
Modification of the association of alcohol drinking with blood pressure by cigarette smoking

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the association of alcohol drinking with blood pressure was modified by cigarette smoking. The subjects were healthy male workers aged 40–59 years and were divided into three different groups by average daily consumption of alcohol (non‐drinkers; light drinkers, less than 30 g ethanol per day; heavy drinkers, 30 g or more ethanol per day) and cigarettes (non‐smokers; light smokers, less than 20 cigarettes per day; heavy smokers, 20 cigarettes or more per day). The mean levels of both systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly lower in the light and heavy smoker groups than in the non‐smoker group. In the light and heavy smoker groups, systolic blood pressure was higher in the light drinker subgroup than in the non‐drinker subgroup, while there was no significant difference between systolic blood pressures in the non‐ and light drinker subgroups of non‐smokers. In the non‐, light and heavy smoker groups, systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly higher in the heavy drinker subgroup than in the non‐drinker subgroup, and these differences tended to be greater in light and heavy smokers than in non‐smokers. The above differences in the relationships of alcohol drinking with blood pressure in non‐, light and heavy smokers were also observed when age and body mass index were adjusted and when alcohol intake‐matched groups were used. These results suggest that the association of alcohol drinking with blood pressure is stronger in smokers than in non‐smokers, independently of age, body mass index and alcohol intake.
Differentiation of Suprasellar Nonneoplastic Cysts from Cystic Neoplasms by Gd‐DTPA MRI

Magnetic resonance imaging in 9 cases of surgically confirmed nonneoplastic intra- and/or suprasellar cysts was analyzed and compared with that from 17 cases of craniopharyngioma and 12 of cystic pituitary adenoma. Signal intensity did not help in distinguishing nonneoplastic cysts from cystic neoplasms. No postcontrast (Gd-DTPA) cyst wall enhancement was observed among the nonneoplastic cysts, although all 6 craniopharyngiomas and 12 cystic pituitary adenomas that underwent postcontrast study did enhance. Three nonneoplastic cysts were surrounded by the pituitary gland, thus mimicking wall enhancement in the postcontrast studies. Rapid enhancement in the early postcontrast-administration phase (dynamic studies) helped avoid confusion between the normal pituitary tissue and cyst wall enhancement. Magnetic resonance studies with contrast enhancement play an essential role in differentiating nonneoplastic cysts from cystic neoplasms in the sella region.
Rigor Force Responses Of Permeabilized Fibres From Fast And Slow Skeletal Muscles Of Aged Rats

1. Ageing is generally associated with a decline in skeletal muscle mass and strength and a slowing of muscle contraction, factors that impact upon the quality of life for the elderly. The mechanisms underlying this age‐related muscle weakness have not been fully resolved. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether the decrease in muscle force as a consequence of age could be attributed partly to a decrease in the number of cross‐bridges participating during contraction.
Usefulness of hemoglobin and albumin as prognostic markers for highly active antiretroviral therapy for HIV-1 infection.

BACKGROUND Usefulness of hemoglobin and albumin as prognostic markers for highly active anti-retroviral therapy for HIV-1 infection. INTRODUCTION Anemia and hypoalbuminemia are common complications in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. We aimed to investigate the changes in hemoglobin and albumin levels in response to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Further, we evaluated the appropriateness of using hemoglobin and albumin as HIV disease progression markers. MATERIALS AND METHODS A prospective longitudinal study of 122 subjects was carried out. Pre-treatment, one year, and two year post-treatment hemoglobin, and albumin levels were correlated with respective CD4+ T cell counts. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value of each marker against CD4+ T cell counts were calculated in order to establish the appropriateness of use of these parameters as surrogate disease progression and prognostic markers. RESULTS Mean hemoglobin and albumin levels pre-, one, and two year post HAART were 9.7 g/dL, 12.1 g/dL, and 13.1 g/dL, respectively, P = 0.001; albumin: 3.7 gm%, 4.4 gm%, and 4.7 gm%, respectively, P = 0.001. There was a positive correlation between hemoglobin, albumin, and CD4+ T cell count at pre-treatment, one year, and two year post-treatment visit. Both albumin and hemoglobin had high sensitivity when compared to CD4+ T cell counts. CONCLUSIONS Hemoglobin and albumin levels were found to increase after initiation of HAART. Hemoglobin and albumin were seen to be a strong prognostic marker of HIV disease progression at pre-, one, and two year post-treatment. Therefore, hemoglobin and albumin may be used together along with CD4 + T cell counts in HIV management, particularly in resource-poor settings.
Peripheral lymph node tuberculosis: A review of 80 cases

One hundred and ninety‐two patients with peripheral lymphadenopathy were screened and 80 patients with tubercular lymphadenitis were studied. Their ages ranged from 1 to 65 years; most were younger than 30 years and there was a slight female preponderance (1·2:1). Seventy per cent of patients were of low socioeconomic status. Of the 80 patients, 56 had affected cervical nodes, seven had inguinal nodes, five had axillary nodes and 12 had multiple sites of lymph node involvement. All had enlarged nodes which were matted in 44 cases and discrete in 18 cases, while the rest had either an abscess or a discharging sinus. Fifty‐nine cases (74 per cent) showed a positive Mantoux test and four cases (5 per cent) had associated pulmonary tuberculosis. Fine needle aspiration cytology gave a positive diagnosis in 66 cases (83 per cent). Fifty‐two cases showed a positive culture for Mycobacterium tuberculosis of human type in Lowenstein‐Jensen medium. Short‐term chemotherapy (9 months) consisting of rifampicin, isoniazid and ethambutol gave an excellent result. Surgery was not required in any of the cases.
Productivity in New Zealand: the role of resource allocation among firms

ABSTRACT This paper analyses the role of resource allocation in New Zealand's productivity performance by applying a three-factor revenue productivity measure of within-industry misallocation to firm-level data. It finds that if all market distortions were eliminated, total factor productivity could increase by more than a third. However, resource allocation has improved somewhat over the 2000s due to improvements in the manufacturing and service sectors, while allocation has worsened in the primary and utilities sectors. This paper is the first to use a three-factor decomposition method to examine which distortions have contributed to changes in allocative efficiency over time. These decompositions show that the worsening resource allocation in the primary and utilities sectors mainly reflects increased distortions in the allocation of capital. The results also suggest that many small firms are larger than their optimal size given their low productivity levels, which is consistent with previous research showing a comparatively poor ‘up-or-out’ dynamic among New Zealand firms.
Dilation of porcine retinal arterioles to cilostazol: roles of eNOS phosphorylation via cAMP/protein kinase A and AMP-activated protein kinase and potassium channels.

PURPOSE Cilostazol, a selective inhibitor of phosphodiesterase 3, has antiplatelet aggregation and peripheral vasodilation effects. We examined the effects of cilostazol on the retinal microvascular diameter to determine its dependence on the endothelium and/or smooth muscle to reveal the signaling mechanisms involved in this vasomotor activity. METHODS Porcine retinal arterioles were isolated, cannulated, and pressurized without flow in vitro. Video microscopic techniques recorded the diametric responses to cilostazol. RESULTS The retinal arterioles dilated in response to cilostazol in a dose-dependent (100 pM-10 μM) manner; the dilation decreased by 60% after endothelial removal. The nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor, NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), inhibited cilostazol-induced vasodilation comparable to denudation. Inhibition of soluble guanylyl cyclase and blockade of protein kinase A (PKA) were comparable to L-NAME. Compound C, an AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) inhibitor, partially inhibited cilostazol-induced vasodilation, which exhibited a weaker inhibitory effect on cilostazol-induced vasodilation than blockade of PKA. The large-conductance Ca²⁺-activated K channel (BK(Ca) channel) blocker, iberiotoxin, also inhibited cilostazol-induced vasodilation. The residual vasodilation decreased further with co-administration of L-NAME and iberiotoxin. CONCLUSIONS Cilostazol elicits endothelium-dependent and -independent dilation of the retinal arterioles mediated by NO release and BK(Ca) channel activation, respectively. Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) phosphorylation via the cAMP/PKA and AMPK pathways and consequent activation of the soluble guanylyl cyclase/cyclic guanosine monophosphate pathway might play an important role in cilostazol-induced vasodilation of the retinal arterioles.
Gastroprotective effect of Astragaloside IV: role of prostaglandins, sulfhydryls and nitric oxide

This investigation evaluated the gastroprotective activity of Astragaloside IV, a cycloartane‐type triterpene glycoside isolated from Astragalus zahlbruckneri. Gastric mucosal damage was induced in rats by intragastric ethanol (1 mL/rat). Rats treated orally with Astragaloside IV suspended in Tween 80 at 3, 10 and 30 mg kg−1, showed 15, 37 and 52% gastroprotection, respectively. The gastroprotection observed at 30 mg kg−1 for this compound was attenuated in rats pretreated with NG‐nitro‐l‐arginine methyl ester (70 mg kg−1, i.p), a nitric oxide (NO)‐synthase inhibitor, suggesting that the gastroprotective mechanism of this glycoside involves, at least in part, the participation of NO. The gastroprotective effect of Astragaloside IV was not affected by the inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis with indometacin (10 mg kg−1, s.c.) nor by the block of endogenous sulfhydryls with N‐ethylmaleimide (NEM, 10 mg kg−1, s.c.). Carbenoxolone was used as a gastroprotective model drug and showed a dose‐dependent gastroprotective effect (25, 43 and 88% of gastroprotection, at 3, 10 and 30 mg kg−1, respectively). The partial participation of prostaglandins, sulfhydryls and NO was observed in the gastroprotective mechanism of carbenoxolone.
Homocysteine, Vitamin B12, and Serum and Erythrocyte Folate in Peritoneal Dialysis and Hemodialysis Patients

Background Plasma homocysteine (Hcy) is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. High levels of plasma Hcy have been observed in end-stage renal disease patients. Few studies have compared peritoneal dialysis (PD) and hemodialysis (HD) patients and few data are available on erythrocyte folate (ery-F) levels in dialysis patients. Objectives To evaluate plasma Hcy concentrations, vitamin B12 (B12), and folate status in dialysis patients; to analyze the possible causes of high Hcy levels; to follow up changes in folate and B12 concentrations after 6 months. Design A cross-sectional observational study. Setting Nephrology division and laboratory of hematology in a university and clinical research hospital. Patients The study included 82 patients treated with PD for 37 ± 37 months and 70 patients treated with HD for 136 ± 95 months. Laboratory Methods Plasma Hcy was measured by the immunoenzymatic IMx Hcy FPIA method (Abbott Laboratories, Diagnostic Division, Abbott Park, IL, U.S.A.), serum folate (s-F) and ery-F by the Stratus folate fluorometric enzyme-linked assay, and B12 by the Stratus vitamin B12 fluorometric enzyme-linked assay (DADE-Behring, Newark, DE, U.S.A.). Results Ninety-six percent of PD and 97% of HD patients had Hcy levels above the cutoff (13.5 μmol/L). Homocysteine level was higher in HD than in PD patients, while the prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia was similar with the two techniques. Erythrocyte folate was significantly higher in PD (1333 ± 519 pmol/L) than in HD (1049 ± 511 pmol/L, p < 0.01). Statistically significant correlations were observed between Hcy and B12, s-F, ery-F, and dialysis duration. Multivariate analysis showed a strong correlation between s-F and Hcy. After 6 months there were no differences in Hcy, B12, s-F, and ery-F levels. Conclusions Plasma Hcy levels were high in more than 95% of our dialysis patients, with no relation to the type of dialysis. Vitamin B12 and folate were normal in the majority of our patients. However, serum folate was the major determinant of Hcy levels. Such a relation between Hcy and folate suggests that levels of folate within the reference interval are inadequate for dialysis patients.
The impact of religion on classification shifting in the presence of corporate governance and BIG 4 audit

ABSTRACT This study examines the extent to which religious socials norms of the firm's environment would affect classification shifting and whether such impact would be altered in the presence of firm specific corporate governance characteristics, such as board independence and BIG4 audit. Using a sample of 23,164 US firm-year observations between 2000 and 2015, we find that managers would be deterred to shift revenue items and core expenses from/into special items so as to inflate core earnings in a religious social norm's environment. The religion through the ethical channel would act as a deterrent to unethical managerial behaviour such as classification shifting. We also show that the religion would complement corporate governance and auditor characteristics to mitigate classification shifting. We report results with some variability as we examine the ethical role of religion in reducing classification shifting in rural vs urban areas, in low vs high religious areas, as well as in pre and post financial crisis periods. Finally, we show that regulation also plays a role as the SOX Act (2002) appears to curb opportunistic managerial behaviour, even more so in a religious social norm's environment.