Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Antibodies to JC and BK viruses among persons with non‐Hodgkin lymphoma

Two related polyomaviruses, JC virus (JCV) and BK virus (BKV), commonly cause lifelong infections in humans, with periodic reactivation manifesting as viral shedding in urine. Because JCV can infect lymphocytes and cause chromosomal damage, it is a plausible candidate to cause non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). To test this hypothesis, we measured IgG antibodies to JCV and BKV capsids using a virus‐like particle enzyme immunoassay in 3 separate groups of subjects. First, in a U.S. population‐based case‐control study of NHL (724 cases, 622 controls), we found lower JCV antibody levels in cases than controls (median optical density = 0.12 vs. 0.21, p < 0.0001); likewise, JCV seroprevalence was lower in cases (49% vs. 59%, adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 0.70, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.56–0.87). In contrast, BKV antibody levels did not differ between groups. Second, we found that JCV and BKV antibody levels changed little over time among 24 NHL patients receiving chemotherapy. Third, we evaluated 126 homosexual men, of whom 46 were shedding JCV and 14 were shedding BKV in urine. Antibody levels were much higher in shedders than non‐shedders (JCV: median optical density = 0.67 vs. 0.07, p < 0.0001; BKV: 0.87 vs. 0.40, p = 0.003), indicating that these antibodies are a marker for viral replication. Because no deficit of BKV antibody was seen in NHL cases, and because antibody levels did not change materially with chemotherapy, we suggest that the lower levels of JCV antibody observed in NHL patients may not be due entirely to a disease or treatment effect. Additional research is needed to determine whether JCV replication is decreased in individuals with NHL and whether these findings are consistent with an etiologic role for JCV in NHL. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Wage Inflation and Structural Unemployment in Ireland

In this paper we represent structural unemployment by relating observed unemployment to wage inflation. An estimated series for the non-accelerating wage rate of unemployment (NAWRU) shows that the unemployment gap between observed unemployment and the structural rate provides an intuitive account of prevailing aggregate demand conditions within the Irish economy over the period 1980 to 2005. This indicates that the estimated NAWRU series is a good measure of Irish structural unemployment over the period. The estimated NAWRU was at a high level throughout the 1980s and declined over time such that any excess labour slack was dissipated by the mid-1990s. Between 1994 and 2001, the observed unemployment rate was below the estimated NAWRU indicating that the substantial inflationary pressure on wages was justified for the period. Since then, the gap between the estimate of the structural rate and observed rates of unemployment was not that substantial and reflects a healthier situation vis-a-vis wage inflationary pressure. The situation may have been helped by significant inward migration and productivity increases becoming embedded in the Irish economy.
Tanshinone IIA induces growth inhibition and apoptosis in gastric cancer in vitro and in vivo.

As a phytochemical derived from the roots of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, Tanshinone IIA has been reported to possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity. Studies in breast, colon, prostate and lung cancer indicate that Tanshinone IIA may exhibit a promising antitumor activity. However, systemic studies of the cytotoxic effects of Tanshinone IIA on gastric cancer have not been described. The present study offers a comprehensive evaluation of the antitumor effects of Tanshinone IIA in gastric cancer cells in vitro and in a mouse xenograft model. Cell viability and apoptosis in vitro were evaluated through the MTT assay and flow cytometry analysis. The results indicate that Tanshinone IIA can induce gastric cancer cell growth inhibition and apoptosis in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, we investigated the mechanism of the apoptotic effects induced by Tanshinone IIA. We found that Tanshinone IIA can not only cause cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase, but also trigger the intrinsic apoptotic signaling pathway. The results suggest that Tanshinone IIA may serve as an effective adjunctive reagent in the treatment of gastric cancer.
Propofol prevents or elevates the threshold for lidocaine-induced seizures in rats.

Hypothesizing that propofol's pro and anticonvulsant effects might be dose dependent, we determined the effect of 25, 50, and 100% of a previously determined anesthetic dose of propofol for rats on the amount of lidocaine required to induce seizures. Lidocaine was infused at 2.5 mg kg-1 min-1 into animals that were receiving either (a) 70% N2O balance O2 (n = 10), control group, (b) 2 mg kg-1 bolus followed by 12 mg kg-1 h-1 propofol infusion with 70% N2O (n = 10), group 2, (c) 4 mg kg-1 followed by 24 mg kg-1 h-1 propofol with 70% N2O (n = 20), group 3, (d) 8 mg kg-1 followed by 48 mg kg-1 h-1 propofol with 70% N2O (n = 10), group 4, or (e) 8 mg kg-1 followed by 48 mg kg-1 h-1 propofol without N2O (n = 10), group 5. Temperature PaCO2, and pH were maintained within normal limits until disturbed by seizure activity or lidocaine toxicity. The plasma concentration of lidocaine required to induce electroencephalographically (EEG) detected seizures was 8.7 +/- 0.7 micrograms ml-1 in control animals, 16 +/- 1.7 micrograms ml-1 in group 2, and 32 +/- 4 micrograms ml-1 in 13 animals from group 3 that experienced a seizure (p < 0.01). Seizures did not occur in seven of 20 group 3 rats. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The Market for CEOs: An Empirical Analysis

We investigate empirically a market-based explanation for the rise in recent years in external CEO hiring and compensation and find, consistent with the market-based theory, that firms in industries relying on general managerial skills are more likely to hire CEOs externally than firms in industries relying less on such skills. We show that firms relying on internal CEOs have on average higher profits than external-CEO firms and that the difference in profits decreases as general skills become more important in the industry. We relate managerial skills to compensation and show that CEO general skills induce better firm performance and higher compensation.
Comparison of FEV1 reference equations for evaluating a cystic fibrosis therapeutic intervention

The Global Lung Function Initiative (GLI, 2012) developed reference equations for forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1). Previous equations were developed by groups led by Knudson (1983), Wang (1993), Hankinson (1999), and Stanojevic (2008). 1,2,4,6 We assessed how different prediction equations affect the conclusions from a therapeutic intervention study that evaluated the rate of percent predicted FEV1 (ppFEV1) decline.
Beyond Participation: Boundary Organizations as a New Space for Farmers and Scientists to Interact

ABSTRACT For many years agricultural science assumed that research was done by scientists, repackaged by extension officers, and launched at farmers. Both their knowledge systems and cultural roles were seen as different. Nowadays their roles are converging and their boundaries are eroding. There are fewer differences in how each group produces and uses knowledge, given its cultural specificity and context dependence. We suggest that groups that use participatory natural resource management techniques to combine farmers, scientists, and others at the boundary between science and farming exemplify this convergence of knowledge and roles. Two examples of boundary organisations are provided: producer-initiated research and development groups, and integrated catchment management committees. These may constitute a powerful force for improving the management of natural resources on farms.
Nutrient uptake and utilization can be used to select viable day 7 bovine blastocysts after cryopreservation

The ability of individual bovine blastocysts to survive freezing and thawing procedures was assessed by measuring glucose and pyruvate uptake and lactate production immediately before and after cryopreservation. Using glucose and pyruvate uptake and lactate production it was not possible to determine, prior to freezing, which blastocysts would be viable after thawing. However, in the 5 hr immediately after thawing, those blastocysts which expanded their blastocoel had significantly greater glucose and pyruvate uptake and lactate production (P < 0.01) than those embryos which failed to develop after a 14 hr overnight incubation. Interestingly, after thawing, two distinct populations of blastocysts existed with respect to glucose uptake and lactate production, indicating that it is possible to identify those blastocysts immediately after thawing which will reexpand. In contrast, there was a considerable degree of overlap in pyruvate uptakes between the viable and nonviable groups of embryos, indicating that this parameter could not be used to select viable embryos after thawing. There was an increase in the calculated oxidation of carbohydrates after thawing, consistent with a partial uncoupling of the inner mitochondrial membrane. In conclusion, glucose uptake and lactate production can be used to select prospectively viable blastocysts immediately after thawing, indicating that glycolysis is a major energy‐generating pathway for the embryo at this time. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparison between locked intramedullary nailing and anatomical locking plating in the treatment of displaced clavicular midshaft fractures.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to compare the results of expandable flexible locked intramedullary nailing and anatomical locking plating in clavicular midshaft fractures. METHODS Thirty-three patients (21 male, 12 female) who had displaced fractures and at least 2-cm shortening fixed with expandable flexible locked intramedullary nailing and 38 patients (24 male, 14 female) who underwent anatomical locking plating were recruited. Duration of surgery, incision size, duration of hospital stay, union time, and early and late complications were compared between the groups. Functional results were compared with Constant scoring system. RESULTS Mean duration of surgery was 32.4±9.1 minutes (range: 20-42 minutes) in the nailing group and 54.1±11.9 minutes (range: 42-70 minutes) in the plating group. The incision was 4.1±0.9 cm (range: 3-5 cm) in the nailing group and 9.5±1.7 cm (range: 7-12 cm) in the plating group. Mean union time was 14.8 weeks (range: 10-24 weeks) in the nailing group and 21.3 weeks (range: 12-33 weeks) in the plating group. Mean duration of hospital stay was 3.6±1.1 days (range: 2-4 days) in the plating group, whereas it was 2.3±0.8 days (range: 1-3 days) in the nailing group. In the plating group, an average of 2.7-mm (range: 0-7 mm) shortening was determined in the clavicles that underwent surgery as compared to the intact clavicles, whereas shortening was 2.3 mm (range: 0-6 mm) in the nailing group. CONCLUSION Expandable flexible locked intramedullary nailing can provide more successful outcomes than plating in displaced clavicular midshaft fractures, due to advantages such as shorter union time, lower complication rate, and better cosmetic outcomes.
Specific plasma membrane aquaporins of the PIP1 subfamily are expressed in sieve elements and guard cells

Background information. Transmembrane water flow is aided by water‐specific channel proteins, aquaporins. Plant genomes code for approx. 35 expressed and functional aquaporin isoforms. Plant aquaporins fall into four different subfamilies of which the PIPs (plasma membrane intrinsic proteins) constitute the largest and evolutionarily most conserved subfamily with 13 members in Arabidopsis and maize. Furthermore, the PIPs can be divided into two phylogenetic groups, PIP1 and PIP2, of which the PIP1 isoforms are most tightly conserved, sharing >90% amino acid sequence identity. As the nomenclature implies, the majority of PIPs have been shown to be localized at the plasma membrane. Recently, two highly abundant plasma membrane aquaporins, SoPIP2;1 and SoPIP1;2, have been purified and structurally characterized.
Monetary policy in a currency union with heterogeneous countries

We build a two-country DSGE model for a currency union, with habit formation, product and labour differentiation and nominal rigidities. Monetary policy is defined by a rule that responds to the area’s macro-variables averages weighted by each country's size. We intend to study the impact of different sources of heterogeneity between the countries (home bias in consumer preferences, wage and price mark-ups and wage and price setting rigidity) on both countries and the union. The model is calibrated and the response to shocks is simulated. The main innovation is the incorporation of several sources of heterogeneity and the assessment of its impact on welfare. The main results of the model simulation are the following: (i) only heterogeneity regarding the home bias can lead to differentials in consumer price inflation; (ii) heterogeneity regarding wage or price mark-ups does not lead to significantly different responses to shocks of the countries; (iii) heterogeneity on nominal rigidities results in differences among the countries’ response, favouring the more flexible country and resulting in smoother and longer impacts when shocks occur in the more rigid country. We also examine the volatility of the variables and perform a formal utility-based welfare analysis. We find out that nominal rigidities are the most important source of heterogeneity. In a currency union where the central bank responds to the area wide and does not take into account national differences, it is preferable to increase flexibility in both countries and in both wages and prices, as there are significant welfare losses when countries attempt to make only wages or prices more flexible, or when only a single country is flexible. A comparison of different policy rules allows us to conclude that simpler rules (without interest rate smoothing) provide the best result in terms of welfare.
Familial Resemblance of Bone Mineral Density in Children With Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Background and Aim: Low bone mineral density (BMD) has recently been recognized as a potential health problem in children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Our aim was to investigate the familial resemblance of BMD in pediatric patients with IBD. Patients and Methods: In this population-based study from western Sweden, we assessed 144 children with IBD, 83 with ulcerative colitis, 45 with Crohn disease, 16 with indeterminate colitis, and their parents (136 mothers and 130 fathers) with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). After adjustment for sex, age, weight, height, and parental IBD, we correlated the BMD of the patients to the BMD of their mothers, fathers, and the midparent value ([mother's BMD + father's BMD]/2) at different skeletal sites and calculated the Pearson correlation coefficient (r) to evaluate the extent of familial resemblance. Results: The BMD of the children with IBD was clearly related to the BMD of their parents. The strongest correlation was found in the femoral neck with r = 0.55 (P < 0.001, 95% CI 0.41–0.66) between BMD of the children and the midparent value. The group of children with IBD had an odds ratio of 5.96 for decreased BMD (lumbar spine z score < −1 standard deviation) given that decreased BMD was diagnosed in both parents. Conclusions: We conclude that BMD in children and adolescents with IBD is significantly related to that of their parents. In a clinical setting, it may be helpful to assess the parents of children with IBD with DEXA to interpret the children's DEXA measurements.
Phosphorylation of serine 262 in the gap junction protein connexin-43 regulates DNA synthesis in cell-cell contact forming cardiomyocytes

Mitogenic stimulation of cardiomyocytes is associated with decreased gap junction coupling and protein kinase C (PKC)-mediated phosphorylation of the gap junction protein connexin43 (Cx43). Identification of and interference with the amino acid(s) that becomes phosphorylated in response to stimulation are important steps towards defining the relationship between Cx43 phosphorylation and cell cycle. Using immunoblotting and phosphospecific antibodies we were able to show that serine-262 (S262) on Cx43 becomes phosphorylated in response to growth factor or PKC stimulation of cardiomyocytes. To examine the effect of Cx43, S262 phosphorylation and cell-cell contact (and/or coupling) on DNA synthesis, we overexpressed wild-type (wt) or mutant Cx43, carrying a S262-to-alanine (S262A, simulating the unphosphorylated state) or a S262-to-aspartate (S262D, simulating constitutive phosphorylation) substitutions in cultures of cell-cell contact forming or isolated cardiomyocytes. Overexpression of wt-Cx43 caused a significant decrease in DNA synthesis irrespective of the presence of cell-cell contact. In cell-cell contact forming cultures, the S262D mutation reversed while the S262A mutation increased the inhibitory effect of Cx43. In the absence of cell-cell contact, the S262-Cx43 mutations had no significant effect on Cx43 inhibition of DNA synthesis. Dye-coupling, evaluated by scrape-loading, indicated increased gap junction permeability in S262A (compared to wt or S262D) overexpressing myocytes. We conclude that Cx43 inhibits cardiomyocyte DNA synthesis irrespectively of cell-cell contact or coupling. Cell-cell contact, and possibly gap junction-mediated communication is required, however, in order to reverse Cx43 inhibition of DNA synthesis by S262 phosphorylation.
Value proposition as a catalyst for a customer focused innovation

Purpose – This paper seeks to advance the theory on value proposition and innovation by offering a framework for identifying value proposition elements.Design/methodology/approach – A single embedded case study is conducted based on Amazon.com's innovations.Findings – By identifying and systematically analysing innovations by Amazon.com, the concept of value proposition was decomposed into five components: performance, ease of use, reliability, flexibility and affectivity (PERFA). Research limitations/implications – The research did not focus on the relationships between the value proposition elements and their relevance in different contexts such as product, industry or customer life cycle.Practical implications – Managers should support their decision to innovate the value proposition based on customers' perceived value. The findings provide guidance to managers on how to uncover innovative value propositions and potentially create new demand in an uncontested market space.Originality/value – The paper i.
A Strategic Use of the Communication Mix in the Destination Image-Formation Process

National tourist offices and tourism stakeholders are challenged to maintain and secure travel markets. Travelers are constantly bombarded with travel marketing messages. Compounding the challenge is a lack of research on effective, efficient, and optimal methods in convincing tourists to travel to a particular destination. To address this literature gap, a questionnaire survey on destination brand image research was conducted on outbound travelers from four major cities, examining their image perceptions of Macao and the degree of influence that various information sources had on destination selection. Results show that a communication mix strategy could be designed to more effectively manage tourist destination image perceptions. A cross-tabulation of the data revealed that the information sources affecting travel destination choice had varying levels of influence. A “Communication Effectiveness Grid” (CEG) was conceptualized from the research with quadrants indicating marketing resource effectiveness. The CEG has significant implications for destinations with limited budgets wishing to influence travelers.
The Relative Importance of Stock, Bond and Real Estate Factors in Explaining REIT Returns

This paper examines the link between REIT, financial asset and real estate returns, and tests whether it changed subsequent to the “REIT boom” of the early 1990s. The main focus is on answering the question do REIT returns now better reflect the performance of underlying direct (unsecuritized) real estate? We develop and implement a variance decomposition for REIT returns that separates REIT return variability into components directly related to major stock, bond, and real estate-related return indices, as well as idiosyncratic or sector-specific effects. This is applied to aggregate REIT sector (NAREIT) returns as well as returns to size and property-type based REIT portfolios. Our results show that the REIT market went from being driven largely by the same economic factors that drive large cap stocks through the 1970s and 1980s to being more strongly related to both small cap stock and real estate-related factors in the 1990s. There is also a steady increase over time in the proportion of volatility not accounted for by stock, bond or real estate related factors. We also find that small cap REITs are “more like real estate” compared to larger cap REITs, at least over the 1993–1998 period. We argue that this could be a result of the institutionalization of the ownership of larger cap REITs that took place in the 1990s.
The Impact of Entrepreneurship Education on Human Capital at Upper‐Secondary Level

In this study we evaluate the impact of entrepreneurship education on human capital at the upper‐secondary level using a quasi‐experimental design. Data were collected from 494 students attending entrepreneurship education programs and from 238 in a control group. Our results indicate that some personality traits such as need for autonomy and risk propensity, as well as beliefs, can have a significant positive influence on entrepreneurial intention. Entrepreneurship education has a positive, albeit limited impact on human‐capital assets. The programs we assessed had a statistically significant impact on beliefs, on the capacity to exploit an opportunity, and on entrepreneurial knowledge. However, we did not observe any significant impact on entrepreneurial intention.
Evaluation and Social Impact Measurement Amongst Small to Medium Social Enterprises: Process, Purpose and Value

In recent years, the imperative to communicate organisational impacts to a variety of stakeholders has gained increasing importance within all sectors. Despite growing external demands for evaluation and social impact measurement, there has been limited critically informed analysis about the presumed importance of these activities to organisational success and the practical challenges faced by organisations in undertaking such assessment. In this paper, we present the findings from an action research study of five Australian small to medium social enterprises’ practices and use of evaluation and social impact analysis. Our findings have implications for social enterprise operators, policy makers and social investors regarding when, why and at what level these activities contribute to organisational performance and the fulfilment of mission.
Predicting Nominal Exchange Rate Movements Using Skewness Information from Options Prices

This paper uses a measure of the relative price of out-of-the-money (OTM) European put and call currency options to forecast daily movements in the dollar|euro exchange rate over the period of January 2002-June 2004. As these OTM options are pure bets on future movements of the exchange rate, their relative price contains information about the market's estimate of the relative probabilities of appreciation or depreciation of the euro over the life of the options. Forecasts that include the relative price of the OTM options offer significantly better out-of-sample predictions of tomorrow's exchange rate than either the simple random walk or an interest rate parity model. These results offer new insight into the puzzle of the day-to-day volatility of currency prices that should be driven by slow-moving macro fundamentals. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.