Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Characteristics of etoposide-induced apoptotic cell death in the U-937 human lymphoma cell line

Cell death induced by etoposide in the human lymphoma cell line U-937 GTB was characterized. Activity of caspases -3, -8 and -9 was measured by spectrophotometric detection of specific cleavage products, DNA fragmentation by TdT-mediated dUTP nick end-labelling (TUNEL), and apoptotic morphology by conventional staining and microscopy, as well as by a novel method—the microculture kinetics (MiCK) assay. Synthesis of protein and DNA during exposure was monitored by incorporation of radioactive leucine and thymidine, respectively. The effects of caspase inhibitors on total viability, as well as early and late morphological changes were studied. Etoposide rapidly induced apoptosis, dependent on caspase-3 and -8, but inhibition of these caspases did not prevent major cell death, but promoted a switch in late morphology. The novel MiCK assay added valuable information on early morphological events during cell death. Hence, this study provides support for caspase-8-mediated apoptosis in U-937 GTB when exposed to etoposide. General caspase inhibition switches cell death to one with a different morphology.
Small Business Taxation

This chapter considers the taxation of small, owner-managed businesses. It focuses on the difficulties created by treating employees, unincorporated and incorporated businesses differently for tax and social security purposes. The authors reject blanket tax incentives for small firms and differentiation between legal forms and concentrate on issues arising from opportunities created on incorporation for the conversion of income from labour into income from capital (taxed at a lower rate). Experience in the UK and elsewhere suggests that an approach that relies on defining a sub-category of small businesses will not produce a satisfactory solution. The chapter therefore examines methods of aligning the effective tax treatment of different legal forms: in particular it considers the advantages of combining a Rate of Return Allowance with an Allowance for Corporate Equity, so as to tax income above the normal return to capital at the same rate whether it is described as dividend, capital gain or salary.
Excessive Arbitrage Trading by Overconfidence

We investigate the effects of arbitrageurs’ behavioral biases on cross-sectional equity returns. We find evidence that profits of equity market neutral hedge portfolios are positively affected by overconfidence, the effects of which are not subsequently reversed. Further we discover that signals which have signs inconsistent with arbitrageurs’ confidence are treated as of low quality and thus ambiguous. When equity market neutral hedge portfolios are sorted according to arbitrageurs’ overconfidence levels on these hedge portfolios, anomalous return difference between high and low overconfidence-sorted hedge portfolios is on average 9.6% a year in the 2000s, and has increased over the past four decades. Arbitrage trading in the 2000s is excessive in the sense that it has not eroded away the profit opportunities of the hedge portfolios, but instead, create economically and statically significant anomalous temporal profits.
Knowledge creation in a supply chain

Purpose – This paper aims to analyze how organizational conditions, technology adoption, supplier relationship management and customer relationship management affect knowledge creation through socialization‐externalization combination, internalization (SECI) modes, and various ba, as proposed by Nonaka and Konno, in a supply chain.Design/methodology/approach – A qualitative inquiry with thematic analysis, which focuses on a thin film transistor‐liquid crystal display (TFT‐LCD) panel manufacturer and an integrated circuits (IC) packaging and testing manufacturer, is presented in order to identify how these key factors affect knowledge creation in a supply chain environment through the SECI modes and ba.Findings – The results show that these critical factors facilitate different types of knowledge conversion process in order to achieve successful knowledge creation in a supply chain. Knowledge of the significant factors that were found in this study may be applicable to countries or areas such as Hong Kong,.
Association of pediatric heart transplant coronary vasculopathy with abnormal hemodynamic measures.

OBJECTIVE Transplant coronary artery disease (TCAD) is the limiting factor to long-term cardiac allograft survival; however, presymptomatic diagnosis remains challenging. To that concern, we evaluated the association of abnormal catheter-derived filling pressures with TCAD in pediatric heart transplant (HTx) recipients. DESIGN, PATIENTS, OUTCOME MEASURES: Data from 52 presymptomatic pediatric HTx patients were analyzed. Catheter-derived right ventricular end-diastolic pressure (RVEDP) and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) were recorded. Biopsies were collected to verify the absence of rejection. RESULTS TCAD was diagnosed an average of 8.3 years post-HTx in 20 (38%) patients, six of whom died and four of whom underwent retransplantation. Catheter-derived pressure measurements showed that RVEDP was elevated in TCAD compared with non-TCAD patients (9.5 ± 6.0 vs. 5.4 ± 4.7; P= .005), as was the PCWP (12.9 ± 5.7 vs. 9.1 ± 5.7; P= .012). Results from logistic regression analysis showed RVEDP > 10 mm Hg or PCWP > 12 mm Hg was associated with TCAD (OR = 5.2; P= .010). CONCLUSIONS In this series, elevated ventricular filling pressures measured during routine surveillance catheterizations were associated with angiographic TCAD. Recognizing the association between elevated RVEDP/PCWP and TCAD may prompt earlier diagnosis and treatment of this potentially lethal process.
The effect of User's Informational‐Based Readiness on innovation acceptance

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to attempt to introduce a new approach to User's Informational‐Based Readiness (UIBR) for investigating the acceptance of marketing innovations such as Internet Banking (IB) services.Design/methodology/approach – The UIBR construct involves four dimensions that it is proposed influence the potential adopters' intention to adopt IB. The study employed the quantitative method where convenience sampling and self‐administrated survey questionnaires were sent to 1,000 bank account holders in Yemen.Findings – The findings reveal that both intention and attitude are positively related to all variables of interest and are significantly related to all investigated variables. Furthermore, the multiple regression findings moderately supported that all alternative hypotheses of interest and their sub‐hypotheses are accepted, regarding both the individual's intention and attitude towards the adoption of IB.Research limitations/implications – This study does not examine the formal.
An exploratory analysis of stakeholders’ expectations and perceptions of corporate social and environmental reporting in South Africa

This paper presents the results of a study that surveyed South African stakeholders of corporate social and environmental reporting to assess their perceptions of what businesses should be reporting, and how effectively they perceive it is being reported. Evidence was gathered from questionnaires completed by respondents of samples from key stakeholder groups, and from interviews of representatives of other stakeholders groups. The study found that areas traditionally associated with CSR reporting such as impacts on the environment, employees, consumers and the broader public, were considered to be inadequately reported. The study also found that many areas of traditional financial and corporate governance were also perceived to be less than adequately reported. The paper concluded that this represents evidence for a need for improved corporate reporting. Stakeholders believed that there is insufficient pressure on companies to present CSR disclosure. The study also showed that stakeholders believed that CSR should be included with the annual report, should be prepared to the same standards as financial reported, and should be externally verified or audited.
Long‐Term Results of Cervical Epidural Steroid Injections

Fifty-eight patients undergoing cervical epidural injections of corticosteroids were followed for a 6-month period. Patients with 90% pain relief lasting 6 month were considered to have excellent results, those with >50% pain relief lasting at least 6 weeks were considered to have poor results. Six months after the injection, 41.4% of patients had excellent pain relief by our criteria. Twenty-nine percent of patients reported good results and 29.3% had poor results. Those patients with the diagnosis of cervical spondylosis and those with subacute cervical strain had statistically significantly (p <0.001, difference of proportions test) better results than patients with other diagnosis. The procedure of cervical epidural steroid injection may be most effective in patients with cervical degenerative joint diseases as the etiology of their cervical pain.
Local NSAID infusion does not affect protein synthesis and gene expression in human muscle after eccentric exercise

Unaccustomed exercise leads to satellite cell proliferation and increased skeletal muscle protein turnover. Several growth factors and cytokines may be involved in the adaptive responses. Non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) negatively affect muscle regeneration and adaptation in animal models, and inhibit the exercise‐induced satellite cell proliferation and protein synthesis in humans. However, the cellular mechanisms eliciting these responses remain unknown. Eight healthy male volunteers performed 200 maximal eccentric contractions with each leg. To block prostaglandin synthesis locally in the skeletal muscle, indomethacin (NSAID) was infused for 7.5 h via microdialysis catheters into m. vastus lateralis of one leg. Protein synthesis was determined by the incorporation of 1,2‐13C2 leucine into muscle protein from 24 to 28 h post‐exercise. Furthermore, mRNA expression of selected genes was measured in muscle biopsies (5 h and 8 days post‐exercise) by real‐time reverse transcriptase PCR. Myofibrillar and collagen protein synthesis were unaffected by the local NSAID infusion. Five hours post‐exercise, the mRNA expression of cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX2) was sixfold higher in the NSAID leg (P=0.016) compared with the unblocked leg. The expression of growth factors and matrix‐related genes were unaffected by NSAID. Although NSAIDs inhibit the exercise‐induced satellite cell proliferation, we observed only limited effects on gene expression, and on post‐exercise protein synthesis.
Deficiencies of Natural Anticoagulants, Protein C, Protein S, and Antithrombin

You or a family member may have developed a blood clot in one of the deep veins in the body (ie, a deep vein thrombosis, or DVT) or had a blood clot that traveled to the lungs (ie, a pulmonary embolism, or PE). As part of your medical care, your doctor may have evaluated you for conditions that may have contributed to developing a blood clot. Thrombophilia is a condition in which there is an increased tendency to form blood clots. It may be hereditary and conferred by genes inherited from one or more parents, or it may be acquired through situations such as surgery, cancer, pregnancy, or certain medications (eg, some contraceptive and menopausal hormone replacement products). The two most common hereditary thrombophilia conditions are the factor V Leiden and prothrombin 20210 gene mutations, both of which have been the subject of previous Cardiology Patient Pages.1,2 This Cardiology Patient Page will describe deficiencies in the natural anticoagulants, protein C, protein S, and antithrombin that may result in either hereditary or acquired thrombophilia. Blood flows through blood vessels to deliver oxygen and nutrients to all the body's tissues. When a blood vessel is injured, a process called coagulation causes blood to form clots that stop the bleeding from the damaged blood vessel. Once coagulation begins, other substances in the blood, the natural anticoagulants, act as brakes to limit coagulation to the specific area of damage, thus avoiding formation of clots large enough to obstruct normal blood flow. There is a delicate balance at work to ensure that there is enough—but not too much—clotting ability in the blood. Too little clotting ability leads to bleeding problems, whereas too much clotting ability (thrombophilia) can lead to blood clot formation. The state of this balance between bleeding and clotting differs …
Behavioral Differences between White Matter Lacunar Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease: A Comparison on the Neuropsychiatric Inventory

Background and Purpose: Behavioral abnormalities account for much of the morbidity of vascular dementia (VaD) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The goals of the study were to compare the behavioral changes in patients with VaD associated with ischemic white matter subcortical changes and lacunar infarctions (VaD-WSI) to those in patients with AD. Methods: Thirty outpatients with VaD and multiple lacunar infarctions in the periventricular white matter and 30 AD patients, matched for age and severity of dementia, were enrolled in this prospective study. The behavioral abnormalities of these patients were assessed by interviewing their caregivers with the Neuropsychiatric Inventory. Results: A similar spectrum of noncognitive behavioral changes was found in AD and WSI patients. In VaD-WSI, the severity of delusions, hallucinations, aggression, irritability, aberrant motor behavior, nighttime behavior and appetite changes was correlated with cognitive decline, whereas depression, apathy, anxiety and euphoria were unrelated to the severity of dementia. In AD, none of the behavioral changes correlated with the severity of dementia. Conclusion: Behavioral changes are frequent in VaD-WSI and are present regardless of the severity of the cognitive decline. It is therefore important to assess behavioral as well as cognitive changes at early stages of the illness, to ensure appropriate treatment.
Endotoxin in patients with terminal renal failure undergoing dialysis with re-processing dialyser.

AIM to determine the level of endotoxin in the blood of patients with renal failure prior to and following hemodialysis using re-processing dialyser to know possibility of pyrogenic reactions in hemodialysis patients. METHODS this study subjects consisted of 10 patients with terminal renal failure undergoing regular hemodialysis. The collected samples were then sent in frozen condition for endotoxin examination in Japan. The normal level of endotoxin in the blood was < 9.8 pg/ml based on standard E.Coli E.0111 endotoxin quantitatively measured using Limulus Amoebocyte lysate test (the endospecy test). Statistical analysis was performed using paired student test. RESULTS Ten patients with terminal renal failure who were undergoing hemodialysis were obtained, consisting of 1 female and 9 males. The mean age was 55.5 years (SD 6.74), the mean hemoglobin level 7.26 g/dl (SD 2.19), mean white blood cell (WBC) count 8660/mm(3) (SD 3064.2), and mean albumin level 3.59 g/l (SD 247). The etiologies of renal failure were as follows: glomerulonephritis (GN) 30%, Diabetic nephropathy (DN) 20%, hypertension (HT) 10%, interstitial nephritis (IN) 10%, obstruction/infection (01) 10%, unknown (U) 10%. The mean duration of hemodialysis was 97.9 month (SD 54.86). The mean endotoxin level prior to hemodialysis (ET pre-hemodialysis) was 5.4 pg/dl (SD 8). CONCLUSION we conclude that terminal renal patients who undergoing re-processing hemodialysis did not have endotoxemia both prior to and following hemodialysis unless if they associated with infection, or other complications.
Institutional influences on economic policy in Turkey : a three industry comparison

Why is it that seeminly similar instruments of industrial promotion produces vastly dissimilar economic outcomes across countries? Why do such instruments result in rent seeking in some countries, and promote productivity in others? This paper attempts to provide an answer by examining whether institutional variables, namely the nature of policy networks, the characteristics of incentive and accountability mechanisms, and the degree of bureaucratic insulation have an impact on the effectiveness of state intervention, where effectiveness is associated with the degree to which incentives are used for their stated purposes. More specifically, the paper addresses two questions: 1) what are the institutional properties of the Turkish industrial incentive (subsidy) regime and how these properties condition the attainment of stated policy goals, and, 2) do these properties exhibit significant differences between the ready-wear clothing, automotive and glass industries? The overall finding of the paper is that certain institutional features of the Turkish incentive system exacerbate tendencies towards rent seeking. In Turkey, the bureaucracy is not well insulated from political pressures; incentive policies are hence discretionary and erratic. Morevover, state officials are generally unable or unwilling to monitor recipient performance for compliance; hence; enforcement is quite lax. Such tendancies were exacerbated by a restructuring of the public administration in the late 1980s, which while it proved helpful to overcome a statist bureaucratic culture, also unduly politicized the economic bureaucracy. Nevertheless, the organizational structure of industry and the nature of the relation between business and the state can still have an independent effect on the effectiveness of policy. This was evident in the ready-wear industry, where the delegation of the monitoring function to an industry association has worked effectively. The mediation of the industry association between subsidy recipients and the state generated mechanisms of self-regulation whereby discipline was imposed by the association as a collective enforcement mechanism of the members. These findings have important implications for policy making. First, the findings question the notion, prevalent in some instiutionalist literature, that it is easier to monitor the behavior of incentive beneficiaries in concentrated industries. Project findings would suggest that this argument is premised on the prior existence of an inslated and competent bureaucratic corps. When this institutional precondition is lacking, the decentralization of these tasks to self-regulating bodies is a possible solution. This solution is more likely to work in competitive rather than concentrated industries.
A moment method analysis of linearly tapered slot antennas

A moment method analysis is used to calculate the current distribution on a linearly tapered slot antenna. The surface current distribution is computed for several test cases. The results for an antenna with L/ lambda =5.2, W/ lambda =2.5, and 2 gamma =14 degrees are shown. Radiation pattern results are in good agreement with experimental data. <<ETX>>
Factors influencing global supply chain efficiency: implications for information systems

Gaining a competitive advantage in international supply chains requires matching the value‐adding activities of a chain with the unique comparative advantages offered by diverse nations that make up the chain. To do this, a supply chain manager must identify and control the factors that influence the performance of the chain in each of the three areas, namely, procurement, processing and distribution. Controlling these factors requires, among other things, setting up suitable information systems. This article provides a checklist of factors and offers suggestions for international supply chain managers to gain competitive advantage.
Financial Development, Fixed Costs, and International Trade

Exports require significant up-front costs in product design, marketing, and distribution. These are intangible, firm-specific investments that are likely difficult to finance externally. We argue that a developed financial system can therefore facilitate exports. We test this prediction and find support for it. First, financial development is associated with more exports in industries in which fixed costs are high as well as to importers that require high costs. Second, trade dynamics are affected by financial development. In countries with better finance, exports are more sensitive to exchange rates. Finally, we predict and document that countries with more developed finance experience more volatile exports.
The Market Reaction to Stock Split Announcements: Earnings Information After All

We re-examine whether the abnormal returns around stock split announcements can be explained by an information hypothesis. Our evidence establishes a link between the abnormal returns and future earnings growth. Analysts revise earnings forecasts by 2.2-2.5% around split announcements, and this revision is significantly larger than that for matched firms. We further show that the earnings information in a split likely arises from the fact that splitting firms experience less mean reversion in their earnings growth relative to matched firms. Consistent with an earnings information hypothesis, the analyst revision and the abnormal returns are stronger for firms with more opaque information environments, and the cross-sectional variation in analyst revisions is related to the variation in abnormal returns.
AAFP-AAHA: Feline life stage guidelines.

1Although most owners consider their cats to be family members, cats are substantially underserved, compared with dogs. In 2006, owners took their dogs to veterinarians more than twice as often as cats, averaging 2.3 times/year, compared with 1.1 times/year for cats, and significantly more dogs (58%) than cats (28%) were seen by a veterinarian one or more times/year. 2 Cat owners often express a belief that cats ‘do not need medical care’. Two reasons for this misconception are that signs of illness are often difficult to detect, and cats are perceived to be self-sufficient. 2 One role of the veterinarian is to develop a partnership with cat owners that will pave the way for a lifelong health care plan. These guidelines aim to outline an evidence-based life stage wellness program to aid the veterinary medical team in delivering the best comprehensive care for cats. Specific goals are to provide: ✜ Recommendations for optimal health care for cats throughout the different life stages. ✜ Practical suggestions and tools to facilitate improved veterinary visits and to enhance the client–veterinarian clinical encounter. ✜ A foundation from which to access sources of additional information. Life stage classification Distinct life stages (age groups) in cats are not well defined, in part because individual animals and body systems age at different rates, a process that is influenced by many factors. These guidelines follow one convenient classification (see box below). These age designations help to focus attention on the physical and behavioral changes that occur at different stages (eg, congenital defects in kittens, obesity prevention in the junior cat). It must be recognized, however, that any age groupings are inevitably arbitrary demarcations along a spectrum, and not absolutes. Evidence-based health care Supporting references for specific recommendations are supplied where possible, and any previously published guidelines on particular topics are referred to where relevant. Readers should note, however, that the guidelines panel was hampered in its efforts by the relative paucity of disease incidence data by age group that is available, and there is an urgent need for research to guide the future of evidence-based feline health care. 3