Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analysis of Bilateral Trade Between Bangladesh and China

Bilateral trades between Bangladesh and China have stretched significantly in the recent years. Trade relationship in between these two countries is increasing with time again connection of Silk Road will give more boost to the economy of both the countries. In this paper our objective is to examine and compare the international trade between the two countries, especially, the changes in the bilateral trade and identifying major trends of trade. To elaborate the trade pattern, we use trade intensity, intra-industry trade (IIT) and revealed comparative advantages (RCA). Our findings have been use to locate the strong sectors of future cooperation between these two countries to make the economy stronger and also policy implications for future trade and economical progress. Keywords : Bangladesh and China; Trade intensity; Intra-industry trade (IIT); Revealed comparative advantages (RCA)
Biomarkers of heart failure in pleural fluid.

BACKGROUND The objective of this study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of pleural fluid brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), N-terminal pro-BNP (NT-pro-BNP) and ST2, which are biomarkers of myocyte stress, for diagnosing pleural effusions due to heart failure (HF). BNP and ST2 have not been previously evaluated in pleural fluid. METHODS The three biomarkers were measured in the pleural fluid of 90 cardiac effusions and 91 noncardiac effusions by commercially available methodologies. The area under the curve (AUC) quantified the overall diagnostic accuracy of the tests. RESULTS Pleural fluid NT-pro-BNP, BNP, and ST2 demonstrated AUCs of 0.96, 0.90 and 0.59, respectively, for diagnosing effusions due to HF. The cutoff values of 1,300 and 115 pg/mL, respectively, for NT-pro-BNP and BNP had the best discriminating properties. The reference level for BNP was particularly accurate in men > 75 years of age (AUC, 0.98), but age, gender, and serum creatinine level did not influence the NT-pro-BNP levels. Of the 20 patients whose cardiac effusions were misclassified as exudates by the criteria of Light et al, 18 patients (90%) and 14 patients (70%), respectively, would have been correctly categorized by NT-pro-BNP and BNP, whereas only 10 patients (50%) would have been appropriately classified by the serum-pleural protein gradient. CONCLUSIONS The pleural fluid NT-pro-BNP level is very useful in establishing the diagnosis of HF-associated effusions, and it confirms this diagnosis better than pleural BNP levels. The measurement of NT-pro-BNP rather than the serum-to-pleural protein gradient is recommended for identifying mislabeled cardiac transudates. The pleural fluid ST2 level is not helpful in diagnosing HF.
Expression of 5-HT3 receptors in PC12 cells treated with NGF and 8-Br-cAMP.

1. To determine the functional development of neurons, we applied nerve growth factor (NGF) or 8-bromo-cyclic-adenosine monophosphate (8-Br-cAMP) to PC12 cells and recorded the 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)-induced response by the use of a patch-clamp technique. 2. Cultured PC12 cells expressed 5-HT-sensitive receptors, which are almost absent in untreated cells, in the continuous presence of NGF or 8-Br-cAMP for a period of 10 days. 3. Activation of the receptors by 5-HT produced a transient inward current. In a K(+)-free solution, the reversal potential (E5-HT) of I5-HT was +10.3 mV, and the current-voltage (I-V) relation showed inward rectification at positive potentials. 4. The permeability ratio for monovalent cations was Na+:Li+:K+:Rb+:Cs+ = 1:1.19:0.89:0.94:0.91, indicating that a 5-HT-induced current is passing through the ligand-gated large cation channel. 5. 2-Methyl-5-HT, a specific 5-HT3 agonist, induced a similar inward current, even though the current amplitude was smaller and the activation and inactivation kinetics were slower than those of 5-HT. 6. ICS-205-930, a specific 5-HT3 antagonist, inhibited the 5-HT-induced current in a concentration-dependent manner with a noncompetitive inhibition profile. Spiperone, a 5-HT1 and 5-HT2 families antagonist, and ketanserine, 5-HT2 family antagonist, did not affect the 5-HT-induced response. 7. The time to peak (tp) as well as fast and slow time constants (tau if and tau is) decreased with increasing 5-HT concentration. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Chlamydia trachomatis inhibits the production of pro‐inflammatory cytokines in human PBMCs through induction of IL‐10

Purpose. Previous research demonstrated that IL‐10 was up‐regulated in Chlamydia trachomatis‐infected cells and that exogenous IL‐10 was able to inhibit the secretion of pro‐inflammatory cytokines by infected cells. However, the mechanisms are not well understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanisms for up‐regulation of IL‐10 and inhibition of pro‐inflammatory cytokine secretion in C. trachomatis‐stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Methodology. Human PBMCs were isolated from the blood of healthy human donors by standard Ficoll‐Hypaque density gradient centrifugation. Cells were exposed to C. trachomatis in the presence or absence of MEK inhibitor U0126, the p38 inhibitor SB203580, the STAT3 inhibitor Ruxolitinib or anti‐human IL‐10 antibody. Cytokines were measured from culture supernatants using ELISA kits. Cells were harvested for real‐time quantitative PCR to determine IL‐10 mRNA levels and for Western blot assay to detect the expression of ERK1/2, p‐ERK1/2, p38, p‐p38, STAT3 and p‐STAT3. Results. Both mRNA and protein levels of IL‐10 were up‐regulated in stimulated cells, and the production of IL‐10 was reduced when cells were treated with U0126 or SB203580. The expression of cytokines IL‐6, IL‐8 and TNF‐&agr; was enhanced in stimulated cells treated with anti‐human IL‐10 antibody. Moreover, neutralization of IL‐10 resulted in a significant decrease of phosphorylated STAT3 in stimulated cells. Ruxolitinib caused a significant increase in the production of IL‐6, IL‐8 and TNF‐&agr; in stimulated cells. Conclusion. IL‐10 is up‐regulated in an ERK‐ and p38‐dependent fashion in stimulated human PBMCs. IL‐10 inhibits the production of pro‐inflammatory cytokines by activating the JAK/STAT signalling pathway.
An Empirical Study on Multiple Corporate Directorships in New Zealand: A New Interpretation of Selected Governance Theories

This thesis contributes to the literature on Multiple Directorships (MDS) by providing new evidence that prestigious MDS are value enhancing relative to non-prestigious MDS for New Zealand listed companies. The recent debate surrounding the reasons for including multiple (busy) directors on the board as well as the diverse conclusions of prior studies on MDS draw attention to the fact that theoretically-informed possibilities of MDS are yet to be explored, especially in a setting where the higher incidence of MDS has been driven by a unique institutional environment. New Zealand is one example of such a setting. To explore one aspect of these issues, this research first asks whether there are firm ‘performance’ differences between prestigious MDS and non-prestigious MDS. The results of initial tests show that prestigious MDS have a positive influence on performance outcomes for their organizations, while there is a negative or no significant relationship between non-prestigious MDS and firm performance. These results also suggest a one-way causal effect of prestigious MDS on firm performance. Having determined the better value of prestigious MDS, the subsequent and primary question of this thesis is to explore ‘why’ differences may exist between the two categories of MDS. Three corporate governance theories, namely, Resource Dependence, Agency and Managerial Hegemony are employed to differentiate, and thus to help explain, the sources of prestigious MDS success. The results of the second set of tests reveal that the differences between prestigious and non-prestigious MDS can primarily be explained by firms’ needs for easier acquisition of critical resources, which are often associated with the level of agency conflicts and the presence of powerful CEOs. Empirical evidence then suggests that prestigious MDS potentially create value for New Zealand companies in terms of facilitating access to critical resources and minimizing agency conflicts as well as CEO influence on board oversight. The findings have potential policy implications, especially in an export-oriented economy with geographic isolation and small scale of population, such as New Zealand. Regulators, for instance, the Financial Markets Authority and Institute of Directors should be mindful of the need to retain expert (prestigious) directors and cautiously evaluate before initiating any new regulation regarding MDS.
Sex differences in the development of angiotensin II-induced hypertension in conscious mice.

Sex has an important influence on blood pressure (BP) regulation. There is increasing evidence that sex hormones interfere with the renin-angiotensin system. Thus the purpose of this study was to determine whether there are sex differences in the development of ANG II-induced hypertension in conscious male and female mice. We used telemetry implants to measure aortic BP and heart rate (HR) in conscious, freely moving animals. ANG II (800 ng.kg(-1). min(-1)) was delivered via an osmotic pump implanted subcutaneously. Our results showed baseline BP in male and female mice to be similar. Chronic systemic infusion of ANG II induced a greater increase in BP in male (35.1 +/- 5.7 mmHg) than in female mice (7.2 +/- 2.0 mmHg). Gonadectomy attenuated ANG II-induced hypertension in male mice (15.2 +/- 2.4 mmHg) and augmented it in female mice (23.1 +/- 1.0 mmHg). Baseline HR was significantly higher in females relative to males (630.1 +/- 7.9 vs. 544.8 +/- 16.2 beats/min). In females, ANG II infusion significantly decreased HR. However, the increase in BP with ANG II did not result in the expected decrease in HR in either intact male or gonadectomized mice. Moreover, the slope of the baroreflex bradycardia to phenylephrine was blunted in males (-5.6 +/- 0.3 to -2.9 +/- 0.5) but not in females (-6.5 +/- 0.5 to -5.6 +/- 0.3) during infusion of ANG II, suggesting that, in male mice, infusion of ANG II results in a resetting of the baroreflex control of HR. Ganglionic blockade resulted in greater reduction in BP on day 7 after ANG II infusion in males compared with females (-61.0 +/- 8.9 vs. -36.6 +/- 6.6 mmHg), suggesting an increased contribution of sympathetic nerve activity in arterial BP maintenance in male mice. Together, these data indicate that there are sex differences in the development of chronic ANG II-induced hypertension in conscious mice and that females may be protected from the increases in BP induced by ANG II.
Social capital across the life course and functional somatic symptoms in mid-adulthood

Aim: To examine social capital across life and functional somatic symptoms in middle-age, according to life-course models of cumulative risk and sensitive periods. Methods: Data from the 26-year prospective study the Northern Swedish Cohort enabled complete case analyses on 940 individuals (451 women and 489 men) participating in questionnaire surveys at ages 16, 21, 30 and 42. Social capital was operationalized at the individual level, comprising items on social participation, social influence and social support. Functional somatic symptoms were a summary measure of self-reported physical symptoms, palpitation and sleeping difficulties occuring during the 12 months prior to the data collection. Linear regression was used as the main statistical method, examining the relationship between functional somatic symptoms at age 42 and social capital across life. Results: Lower levels of social capital accumulated over the life course were associated with higher levels of functional somatic symptoms at age 42, for both women and men. Social capital was, especially among adolescent men, related to functional somatic symptoms at age 42, independently of social capital later in life and baseline material circumstances. Conclusions: The health impact of poor social capital may be due to accumulation across the life course and to adolescence being a particularly sensitive period. It is relevant for preventive work to acknowledge effects of social capital throughout life.
Language as a stressor in aphasia

Background: Persons with aphasia often report feeling anxious when using language while communicating. While many patients, caregivers, clinicians, and researchers would agree that language might be a stressor for persons with aphasia, systematic empirical studies of stress and/or anxiety in aphasia remain scarce. Aim: The aim of this paper is to review the existing literature discussing language as a stressor in aphasia, identify key issues, highlight important gaps, and propose a programme for future study. In doing so we hope to underscore the importance of understanding aspects of the emotional aftermath of aphasia, which plays a critical role in the process of recovery and rehabilitation. Main Contribution: Post stroke emotional changes in persons with chronic aphasia clearly has adverse effects for language performance and prospects of recovery. However, the specific role anxiety might play in aphasia has yet to be determined. As a starting point, we propose to view language in aphasia as a stressor, linked to an emotional state we term “linguistic anxiety”. Specifically, a person with linguistic anxiety is one in whom the deliberate, effortful production of language involves anticipation of an error, with the imminence of linguistic failure serving as the threat. Since anticipation is psychologically linked to anxiety and also plays an important role in the allostatic system, we suggest that examining physiologic stress responses in persons with aphasia when they are asked to perform a linguistic task would be a productive tool for assessing the potential relation of stress to “linguistic anxiety”. Conclusions: Exploring the putative relationship between anxiety and language in aphasia, through the study of physiologic stress responses, could establish a platform for investigating language changes in the brain in other clinical populations, such as in individuals with Alzheimer's disease or persons with post-traumatic stress disorder, or even with healthy ageing persons, in whom “linguistic anxiety” might be at work when they have trouble finding words.
Leverage and Currency Mismatches: Non‐Financial Companies in the Emerging Markets

Growing currency mismatches in the emerging market economies (EMEs) since 2010 have been driven by non‐financial companies. Their financing conditions were greatly eased by lower policy rates and a huge expansion in central bank balance sheets in major advanced economies. This has allowed these companies to increase their gearing, notably by greater foreign currency borrowing, thereby greatly increased the risk of currency mismatches. Microeconomic data show that it was not only companies providing tradable goods and services but also those producing non‐tradable goods which have increased their foreign currency borrowing. The across‐the‐board decline in EME companies’ profitability from mid‐2010 to mid‐2015 brought to light significant vulnerabilities and appeared to have constrained business fixed investment, and therefore growth, in the near term. But the strong external asset positions of the official sector in most EMEs will help the authorities cope with these challenges.
The effect of loan portfolio diversification on banks’ risks and return: Evidence from an emerging market

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to test whether diversification of credit portfolios across economic sectors leads to improved profitability and reduced credit risks for Ghanaian banks that have been characterized by high non-performing loans in recent times (IMF, 2011). Design/methodology/approach - Static and dynamic estimations, namely Prais-Winsten, fixed and random effect estimators, feasible generalized least squares as well as the system generalized methods of moments are employed on the annual data of 30 Ghanaian banks that operated between 2007 and 2014 to determine the effect of loan portfolio diversification on bank performance. Findings - The study shows that loan portfolio diversification does not improve banks’ profitability nor does it reduce banks’ credit risks. Research limitations/implications - The study focuses on a single banking system in Africa largely as a result of data limitation. Practical implications - The study emphasizes the need for banks to perform a careful assessment of the effects of their lending policies geared toward increased sectoral diversification on their monitoring efficiency and effectiveness. A further investment in loan screening and monitoring is necessary to minimize credit risks. Originality/value - This study is the first to present empirical evidence on the effects of loan portfolio diversification on bank performance in an emerging banking market in Africa.
Risk factors and management of ascites after liver resection to treat hepatocellular carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES To identify risk factors for a massive amount of ascites after liver resection to treat hepatocellular carcinoma and to evaluate our postoperative management strategy. DESIGN Case-control study. SETTING University hospital. PATIENTS Two hundred three patients who underwent liver resection to treat hepatocellular carcinoma between January 1, 2003, and December 31, 2004. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Presence or absence of a large number of ascites (LA), defined as postoperative daily ascitic fluid drainage exceeding 10 mL per kilogram of body weight, and operative morbidity, mortality, and treatment costs. RESULTS A large number of ascites developed in 31 patients (15%). Multivariate analysis revealed that blood loss greater than 1000 mL (relative risk, 6.38; 95% confidence interval, 2.19-20.7; P = .001) and preoperative platelet count less than 100 x 10(3)/microL (4.75; 1.75-13.1; P = .002) independently increased the risk of LA. In patients with LA, urinary output on postoperative days 1 to 3 was significantly lower than in patients without LA, and daily ascitic fluid volume tended to peak on postoperative day 7. No operative mortality was related to liver failure; however, patients with LA required a larger volume of fresh frozen plasma than those without LA (median [range], 1600 [0-16 800] mL vs 480 [0-5760] mL; P < .001), resulting in higher hospital costs. CONCLUSIONS Large blood loss and low platelet count were independent risk factors for LA. Although it was possible to safely manage postoperative ascites using routine administration of diuretic agents and fresh frozen plasma, step-by-step trials are required to reduce the need for transfusion of fresh frozen plasma.
Embedding Social Innovation: Shaping Societal Norms and Behaviors Throughout the Innovation Process

New products and services that tackle grand societal challenges often require changes in societal norms, values, and expectations. This research investigates the question of how innovating actors shape these informal institutions throughout the innovation process by drawing on the literature on social innovation and institutional theory. In a comparison of four case studies, we observe that all innovating actors under study engage in a diverse set of practices to challenge and shape societal norms and expectations as well as user habits and routines throughout the innovation process. These activities can be clustered into unilateral, bilateral, and multilateral change processes, depending on the number of actors involved. Our findings highlight how different types of direct and indirect interactions between innovating actors and users along the innovation process shape the understanding of social innovation, and stress the central role of physical experiences and positive emotions among (future) users. Thereby, we provide for a more nuanced view of how companies that aim to bring technologies with different characteristics of innovativeness to the market shape the informal institutional environment throughout the different phases of the innovation process.
Adaptive Splenic Radiotherapy for Symptomatic Splenomegaly Management in Myeloproliferative Disorders

Aims and Background Symptomatic, massive splenomegaly is a debilitating complication of myeloproliferative disorders. In the study, we evaluated the use of a contemporary, individualized radiotherapeutic approach for splenic irradiation, including 3-dimensional computed tomography-based treatment planning, individualized treatment margins based on splenic motion assessment, online setup verification with volumetric image guidance at each fraction, and adaptive radiation treatment planning to account for changes in splenic size during the fractionated radiotherapy course. Methods and Study design Between December 2008 and January 2014, 18 patients (13 males, 5 females) with myeloproliferative disorders referred to Gulhane Military Medical Academy Radiation Oncology Department underwent 22 courses of splenic irradiation using 3-dimensional computed tomography-based treatment planning and volumetric image guidance for palliation of symptomatic splenomegaly. Results Median age was 64 years (range 28-79). Significant pain relief was achieved in 20 of the 22 splenic irradiation courses (90.9%). Improvement in hematological parameters was achieved in 8 of the 11 splenic irradiation courses applied for cytopenia (72.7%). At least a 50% reduction in splenic size was achieved in 18 of the 22 splenic irradiation courses (81.8%). Toxicity was manageable with supportive treatment including antiemetics and platelet or red blood cell transfusions. Conclusions Splenic irradiation with a contemporary radiotherapeutic approach offers safe and effective palliation of symptomatic splenomegaly in myeloproliferative disorders.
Caring Situation, Health, Self-efficacy, and Stress in Young Informal Carers of Family and Friends with Mental Illness in Sweden

This study compared the caring situation, health, self-efficacy, and stress of young (16–25) informal carers (YICs) supporting a family member with mental illness with that of YICs supporting a friend. A sample of 225 carers, assigned to a family group (n = 97) or a friend group (n = 128) completed the questionnaire. It was found that the family group experiences a lower level of support and friends experienced a lower positive value of caring. No other differences in health, general self-efficacy and stress were found. YICs endure different social situations, which is why further study of the needs of YICs, especially those supporting friends, is urgently needed.
Structural investigation of C6/36 and Vero cell cultures infected with a Brazilian Zika virus

Zika virus (ZIKV) is a member of the flavivirus genus, and its genome is approximately 10.8 kilobases of positive-strand RNA enclosed in a capsid and surrounded by a membrane. Studies on the replication dynamics of ZIKV are scarce, which limits the development of antiviral agents and vaccines directed against ZIKV. In this study, Aedes albopictus mosquito lineage cells (C6/36 cells) and African green monkey kidney epithelial cells (Vero cells) were inoculated with a ZIKV sample isolated from a Brazilian patient, and the infection was characterized by immunofluorescence staining, phase contrast light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and real-time RT-PCR. The infection was observed in both cell lineages, and ZIKV particles were observed inside lysosomes, the rough endoplasmic reticulum and viroplasm-like structures. The susceptibility of C6/36 and Vero cells to ZIKV infection was demonstrated. Moreover, this study showed that part of the replicative cycle may occur within viroplasm-like structures, which has not been previously demonstrated in other flaviviruses.