Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The lymphocyte surface. II. Separation of Fc receptor, C'3 receptor and surface immunoglobulin-bearing lymphocytes

A one-step separation procedure is described for both depleting and obtaining in pure form Fc receptor (FcRL), C'3 receptor (CRL) and surface immunoglobulin bearing (IgL) lymphocytes from rat lymphoid populations. The method is a modification of the Bӧyum (1968) technique for separating lymphocytes from whole blood by sedimentation on Ficoll/Isopaque, and is based on the fact that when a lymphocyte forms a rosette with sensitized erythrocytes it will sediment with the red cells rather than float with the non-rosetting lymphocytes. The technique is > 99.5% efficient at depleting thoracic duct lymphocytes (TDL) of FcRL, CRL and IgL and these subpopulations can be recovered 93-98% pure. The total recovery of lymphocytes applied is usually > 90% and the separated lymphocytes are > 95% viable. This technique allowed the cellular distribution of Fc receptors, C'3 receptors and surface Ig to be determined. It was found that (a) Almost all CRL carry surface Ig, although a very small sub-population of CRL (0.2-0.8%) which lacks surface Ig could regularly be detected. (b) A substantial proportion of IgL (12-25%) lacks C'3 receptors. (c) IgL and CRL which lack Fc receptors are more frequent in spleen and lymph nodes than in TDL. The proportion of this subpopulation increases in TDL after prolonged thoracic duct drainage. (d) Some FcRL exist which lack both C'3 receptors and surface Ig. These cells are more evident in TDL after prolonged thoracic duct drainage and in lymph nodes (20-30% of FcRL) than in early TDL or spleen (5-10% of FcRL). (e) The thymus contains very few FcRL, CRL or IgL. (f) A large population of lymphocytes exists in B rats (32-42% of TDL) which is killed by an anti-B serum but which lacks surface Ig. These cells are much less frequent in normal TDL ( < 5%) and probably also lack Fc and C'3 receptors. (g) Large lymphocytes probably shed their Fc and C'3 receptors, but retain their surface Ig, during S-phase. (h) Studies on a secondary anti-DNP response showed that a substantial proportion of direct and indirect plaque forming cells (PFC) in the spleen express Fc receptors, whereas only indirect PFC carry C'3 receptors. Virtually all PFC ( > 98%) possess surface Ig.
Heuristics for Product-Line Design Using Conjoint Analysis

Recently proposed methods for product-line selection use the total utilities of candidate items to construct product lines maximizing seller's return or buyers' welfare. For conjoint hybrid conjoint data, enumerating the utilities of candidate items can be computationally infeasible if the number of attributes and attribute levels is large and most multi-attribute alternatives are feasible. For such problems, constructing product lines directly from part-worths data is preferable. We propose such methods, extending Kohli and Krishnamurti's 1987 dynamic-programming heuristic for selecting a single item maximizing share to structure product lines maximizing share, seller's return, or buyers' utilitarian welfare. The computational performance of the heuristics and their approximation of product-line solutions is evaluated using simulated data. Across problem instances, the dynamic-programming heuristics identify solutions that are no worse, in terms of approximating optimal solutions, to the solutions of heuristics for the current two-step approaches to product-line design. An application using hybrid-conjoint data for a consumer-durable product is described.
Cardiovascular risk factors in the Bedouin population: management and compliance.

BACKGROUND Until three decades ago coronary heart disease and stroke were considered rare in the Israeli Bedouin population. Today, this population shows increasing high prevalence compared to the Jewish population. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the prevalence of diagnosed cardiovascular risk factors among Bedouins (hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia), and to assess compliance with follow-up tests and drug treatment. METHODS The study included all listed patients aged 20 years and older in eight clinics in major Bedouin towns, and in two large teaching clinics in Beer Sheva (Jewish population). Risk factor data were extracted from the clinics' computerized databases. For those diagnosed with hypertension, diabetes or dyslipidemia, drug purchasing data were collected from the pharmacy database to determine compliance with treatment, and from the central laboratory mainframe (HbAlc and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol) to evaluate follow-up and control. RESULTS A significantly higher prevalence of diabetes in all age groups was found in the Bedouin population compared to the Jewish population; age-adjusted results show a prevalence of 12% vs. 8% respectively (P < 0.001). The prevalence of dyslipidemia and age-adjusted hypertension was lower among Bedouins (5.8% vs. 18.2%, P < 0.01 and 17% vs. 21%, P < 0.001 respectively). Two-thirds of hypertensive Bedouin patients and 72.9% of diabetic Bedouin patients were not compliant with treatment. For dyslipidemia only 10.4% of the Bedouins were compliant compared with 28.2% in the Jewish population (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Compliance with drug therapy and follow-up tests was found to be a major problem in the Bedouin population.
The effect of educational mismatch on wages for 25 countries

By making use of the Duncan&Hoffman model, the paper estimates returns to educational mismatch using comparable microdata for 25 European countries. Our aim is to investigate the extent to which the main empirical regularities produced by other papers on the subject are confirmed by our data base. On the basis of tests proposed by Hartog&Oosterbeek, we also consider whether the observed empirical patterns are in line with the Mincerian basic human capital model and Thurow’s job competition model. Using Heckman’s sample-selection estimator, we find that results are rather consistent with those found in the literature, and that the job-competition model could be accepted, whereas the Mincerian human capital model could be rejected for most of the countries.
The UK Whiteware Industry: Fordism, Flexibility or Somewhere in Between?

MILNE S. (1991) The UK whiteware industry: Fordism, flexibility or somewhere in between? , Reg. Studies 25, 239–253. There is currently a great deal of debate over the impact of new forms of manufacturing on the operational and locational characteristics of industrial capital. To date much of the theoretical literature has rested on a rather limited empirical data base. This paper adds to the limited body of evidence through reference to a recent survey of the diffusion of new approaches to manufacturing within the UK whiteware industry. The sector is characterized by intensifying competition and rapidly changing consumer demand. The paper reveals a wide range of responses to these pressures. While some leading manufacturers have radically altered the production process–implementing a range of new manufacturing techniques designed to improve both the efficiency and flexibility of production–many others are lagging behind in the drive toward competitiveness. These changes in production organization are stud.
Does Infrastructure Investment Stimulate Building Supply? The Case of the English Regions

Ball M. and Nanda A. Does infrastructure investment stimulate building supply? The case of the English regions, Regional Studies. Policies to improve infrastructure to stimulate regional growth remain common. This paper investigates whether increases in infrastructure investment in the English regions lead to subsequent rises in new commercial and residential property, using time-series modelling. Both physical (roads and harbours) and social infrastructure (education and health) impacts are investigated. Hardly any infrastructure effects with respect to commercial property investment were found, which raises doubts about whether extra infrastructure creates employment, though some impact was related to residential building. Overall, these results raise doubts about the supposed direct effects of infrastructure policies on regional jobs and growth.
Resident Perceptions of Sustainable Tourism in Chongdugou, China

This article examines resident perceptions of sustainable agritourism among four subvillages in Chongdugou, China. The prism of sustainability, with institutional, economic, ecological, and sociocultural dimensions, served as the theoretical lens. We hypothesized both main effects (distance of subvillage from village entrance and employment in the tourism industry) and interaction effects for the four dimensions of sustainability and overall satisfaction with tourism. Resident surveys (n = 383) were distributed among the four subvillages. The main effect for village location was statistically significant in all five two-way analyses of variance (ANOVAs), while the main effect for tourism employment was only significant for the economic model. The interaction term was significant for the sociocultural dimension, approached significance for the institutional and the economic, and was not statistically significant for the ecological dimension or tourism satisfaction. The theoretical and applied implications of these findings for understanding tourism sustainability are discussed.
Effects of tracer arrival time on flow estimates in MR perfusion‐weighted imaging

A common technique for calculating cerebral blood flow (CBF) and mean transit time (MTT) is to track a bolus of contrast agent using perfusion‐weighted MRI (PWI) and to deconvolve the change in concentration with an arterial input function (AIF) using singular value decomposition (SVD). This method has been shown to often overestimate the volume of tissue that infarcts and in cases of severe vasculopathy to produce CBF maps that are inconsistent with clinical presentation. This study examines the effects of tracer arrival time differences between tissue and a user‐selected global AIF on flow estimates. CBF and MTT were calculated in both numerically simulated and clinically acquired PWI data where the AIF and tissue signals were shifted backward and forward in time with respect to one another. Results show that when the AIF leads the tissue, CBF is underestimated independent of extent of delay, but dependent on MTT. When the AIF lags the tissue, flow may be over‐ or underestimated depending on MTT and extent of timing differences. These conditions may occur in practice due to the application of a user‐selected AIF that is not the “true AIF” and therefore caution must be taken in interpreting CBF and MTT estimates. Magn Reson Med 50:856–864, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Political Economy of Corruption and the Role of Economic Opportunities

In many developing and transition countries, we observe rather high levels of corruption. We argue that the missing political support for anti-corruption policies is due to a lack of economic and financial reforms. Our model is based on the fact that corrupt officials have to pay entry fees to get lucrative positions. In a probabilistic voting model, we show that this, together with the lack of economic opportunities, makes anti-corruption policies less likely. Compared to a reformed economy, more voters are part of the corrupt system and, more importantly, rents from corruption are distributed differently. Economic liberalization increases the support for anti-corruption measures. The additional effect of financial liberalization is ambiguous.
Evolution of mutation rates in bacteria

Evolutionary success of bacteria relies on the constant fine‐tuning of their mutation rates, which optimizes their adaptability to constantly changing environmental conditions. When adaptation is limited by the mutation supply rate, under some conditions, natural selection favours increased mutation rates by acting on allelic variation of the genetic systems that control fidelity of DNA replication and repair. Mutator alleles are carried to high frequency through hitchhiking with the adaptive mutations they generate. However, when fitness gain no longer counterbalances the fitness loss due to continuous generation of deleterious mutations, natural selection favours reduction of mutation rates. Selection and counter‐selection of high mutation rates depends on many factors: the number of mutations required for adaptation, the strength of mutator alleles, bacterial population size, competition with other strains, migration, and spatial and temporal environmental heterogeneity. Such modulations of mutation rates may also play a role in the evolution of antibiotic resistance.
International Adoption and the Case of China: Implications of Policy, Theory, and Research for Psychoeducation and Counseling

This article addresses issues related to international adoption, with China as an illustrative case. It describes the context of international adoption and how China has come to be a leading source of transnational adoption especially for the West. Policy, theory, and research related to transnational and transracial adoption are examined in relation to Chinese adoptees and their adoptive families. Based on the theoretical and research literature as well as clinical experience, a framework for psychoeducation is presented together with resources that can serve adoptive families and professionals who work with mental health, child development, and family issues related to adoption. Further implications for counseling training and practice as well as systemic issues of policy, social justice, and cultural pluralism are discussed.
Degenerative Arthritis of the Knee Secondary to Fracture Malunion

Degenerative arthritis of the knee is a complication of femoral or tibial fractures potentially avoidable by the correction of various degrees of malalignment. To better clarify the malalignment problem, the records of 14 patients (15 limbs), with degenerative arthritis of the knee and a history of tibial or femoral fracture were retrospectively reviewed. The average follow-up was 31.7 years. Static biomechanical frontal plane analyses were evaluated. The calculated increased force on either the medial or lateral tibial plateau, due to the malunion, was strongly associated with presence of a varus or valgus deformity at the knee (p < 0.0005). A normal tibial plateau force for the malaligned condition multiplied by the time since fracture correlated directly with the amount of subsequent varus or valgus deformity at the knee (p < 0.01). Lower limb fracture alignment should be restored to as near normal as possible to reduce the likelihood of gonarthrosis.
IMF Conditionality, Threat Perception, and Political Repression

This article investigates the impact of International Monetary Fund (IMF) conditionality on political repression. Conditionality refers to the conditions that borrowing countries must implement before they can receive loans from the IMF. An original contribution is made by analyzing this impact using quantitative techniques for samples of developing countries covering 1980 through 1982. A more comprehensive model of political repression, focusing on political leaders' hypothetical reactions to and perceptions of challenges from society and on the constraints on their ability to react to the challenges, is also developed and tested. This comprehensive model receives the strongest support. The results show that political repression tends to be used as a response to threats from society, especially for leaders who have few resources at their disposal, who are constrained by certain IMF conditions, and who assumed power unconstitutionally. However, the overall evidence regarding the impact of IMF conditionality is mixed.
Characterization of avian paramyxovirus type 1 from migratory wild birds in chickens

Newcastle disease virus (NDV) is one of the most important infectious agents in the poultry industry, and vaccines against it have been widely used for prevention and control. Live vaccines, which can replicate in the respiratory and digestive systems, have been especially needed in areas with outbreaks of viscerotropic velogenic Newcastle disease. Towards the goal of searching for a new live vaccine candidate, avian paramyxovirus type 1 (APMV-1) was isolated from the faeces of wild birds. Three APMV-1 strains thus isolated were characterized in terms of phylogeny, pathogenicity, immunogenicity and tissue tropism, and on the basis of these analyses were classified as lentogenic genotype I NDV. CBU2179, one of the three APMV-1 strains, was selected and was evaluated in terms of its efficacy and safety in specific pathogen-free chickens and commercial broilers. The manufactured trial vaccine from this strain, also called CBU2179, induced similar immune responses to those of VG/GA and B1 commercial vaccines, and provided 100% protection against challenge from viscerotropic velogenic NDV, KJW/49 strain (the official challenge strain in Korea). Also, the CBU2179 virus was re-isolated and persisted as long as or longer than other vaccine strains in both the respiratory and alimentary tracts. Therefore, the CBU2179 strain may represent a good candidate for a live Newcastle disease vaccine to protect chickens against viscerotropic velogenic NDV.
Imputation of missing expenditure information in standard household income surveys

The aim of this paper is to present a new methodology for dealing with missing expenditure information in standard income surveys. Under given conditions, typical imputation procedures, such as statistical matching or regression-based models, can replicate well in the income survey both the unconditional density of household expenditure and its joint density with a set of socio-demographic variables that the two surveys have in common. However, standard imputation procedures may fail in capturing the overall relation between income and expenditure, especially if the common control variables used for the imputation have a weak correlation with the missing information. The paper suggests a two-step imputation procedure that allows reproducing the joint relation between income and expenditure observed from external sources, while maintaining the advantages of traditional imputation methods. The proposed methodology suits well for any empirical analysis that needs to relate income and consumption, such as the estimation of Engel curves or the evaluation of consumption taxes through micro-simulation models. An empirical application shows the makings of such a technique for the evaluation of the distributive effects of consumption taxes and proves that common imputation methods may produce significantly biased results in terms of policy recommendations when the control variables used for the imputation procedure are weakly correlated with the missing variable.
Alcohol Prevalence, Alcohol Policies, and Child Fatal Injury Rates from Motor Vehicle Crashes

"In this study, we consider the effects of state alcohol policies on motor vehicle fatalities for children. While numerous studies have considered the effects of such policies on motor vehicle fatalities for the overall population, for teens, and for the elderly, their effects on fatalities among children in particular have not previously been studied. We use state-level cross-sectional time series data for 1982-2002. The dependent variable of interest is fatalities among child motor vehicle occupants (CMVO). Separate models are estimated for 0- to 4-yr-olds, 5- to 9-yr-olds, and 10- to 15-yr-olds, as well as for fatalities occurring during the day versus the night. We find that number of fatalities among CMVO is strongly correlated to alcohol use measured at the state level and that administrative license revocation policies and higher beer tax rates appear to consistently reduce such fatalities. For two of the three age groups, beer tax rates appear to reduce fatalities during the night rather than the day. However, zero tolerance and blood alcohol concentration limit laws do not seem to have any statistically significant effects on fatalities. " ("JEL" I18, J13) Copyright (c) 2009 Western Economic Association International.
Increase in Leydig cell responsiveness in the unilaterally cryptorchid rat testis and its relationship to the intratesticular levels of testosterone.

Adult rats were made unilaterally cryptorchid (UCD) and 6-7 weeks later Leydig cells were isolated from the scrotal and abdominal testes and their capacity to secrete testosterone in vitro was compared. Basal testosterone production by Leydig cells from the abdominal testes of UCD rats was lowered, compared with cells from the contralateral scrotal testes, whilst their responsiveness to both human chorionic gonadotrophin and an LH releasing hormone agonist was enhanced two- to threefold (P less than 0.001) compared both with cells from the contralateral scrotal testes and with cells isolated from untreated rats of the same age. In the UCD rats, concentrations of testosterone in testicular interstitial fluid (IF) were reduced (P less than 0.001) by 70-90% in abdominal, compared with scrotal, testes. A similar reduction was evident in the levels of testosterone in spermatic venous blood, and both this decrease and that in IF levels of testosterone varied according to the degree of testicular involution. The ontogeny of the above changes was investigated. After induction of unilateral cryptorchidism, the weight of the abdominal compared with the scrotal testis declined slowly, such that by day 5 there was only a 25% reduction in weight compared with a 70% reduction by day 40. In contrast, the levels of testosterone in IF from abdominal testes declined rapidly, such that by day 5 an 80% reduction was attained, compared with scrotal testes, with little further change by day 40. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
How Does Childbirth Alter Intrahousehold Resource Allocation? Evidence from Japan

Exploiting unique panel data that include direct measurements of resource allocation within households, we investigated the impact of childbirth on intrahousehold allocation for married Japanese couples. Based on a collective model of the household, we developed reduced-form and structural-form estimation equations that allow us to focus on private goods to track the changes in intrahousehold resource allocation. We found one additional child is associated with a reduction in the wife's private expenditure share by at least two percentage points. This may be because she substitutes more say in decisions on the children for her own private expenditure share.
The impact of a diagnosis-related group-based prospective payment experiment: the experience of Shanghai

The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of the 2004 and 2005 Diagnosis-Related Group (DRG)-based Prospective Payment Experiments (whereby a ceiling was set on per case payments for 15 DRGs) of the health insurance system in Shanghai using Differences-In-Differences (DID) and Differences-in-Differences-in-Differences (DDD) empirical strategies. The results show that the Length Of Stay (LOS) of all inpatients suffering from the target diseases during the two test periods responded quickly to the experiment (even though only insured inpatients living in Shanghai were eligible for the DRG-based experiments), thus implying that the DRG-based prospective payment system does not induce physicians to significantly reduce inpatient expenditures but does induce them to reduce the LOS of those suffering from the target diseases. Moreover, costs were shifted to uninsured inpatients suffering from the target diseases: their overall inpatient expenditures increased by 33.6 percentage points more than that of uninsured inpatients during the nontest period in 2005. Thus, the experiments were of limited effectiveness, and cost-shifting to uninsured inpatients was observed during at least the latter test period.