Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mixed Frequency Models with Ma Components

Temporal aggregation in general introduces a moving average (MA) component in the aggregated model. A similar feature emerges when not all but only a few variables are aggregated, which generates a mixed frequency model. The MA component is generally neglected, likely to preserve the possibility of OLS estimation, but the consequences have never been properly studied in the mixed frequency context. In this paper, we show, analytically, in Monte Carlo simulations and in a forecasting application on U.S. macroeconomic variables, the relevance of considering the MA component in mixed-frequency MIDAS and Unrestricted-MIDAS models (MIDASARMA and UMIDAS-ARMA). Specifically, the simulation results indicate that the short-term forecasting performance of MIDAS-ARMA and UMIDAS-ARMA is better than that of, respectively, MIDAS and UMIDAS. The empirical applications on nowcasting U.S. GDP growth, investment growth and GDP deflator inflation confirm this ranking. Moreover, in both simulation and empirical results, MIDAS-ARMA is better than UMIDAS-ARMA.
Through the looking glass : The emergence, evolution and embedding of sustainability accounting in a family business

This study extends and deepens our understanding of why and how organisational sustainability activities and accounting unfold and embed over time. It presents a longitudinal case study examining the emergence and evolution of an environmental management system, environmental management accounting, sustainability reporting, and a sustainability programme in a large, family-owned group of companies. The case analysis is theoretically framed using the concepts of organisational identity and internal legitimation. The study reveals an enduring interplay between the organisation’s sustainability programme and its organisational identity and internal legitimation processes. It demonstrates how key participants in the sustainability programme used a variety of strategies to seek legitimacy for the programme from internal audiences and powerful stakeholders while also engaging in their own legitimacy (re)evaluations. While prior research has identified a set of strategies for establishing external legitimacy, this study finds that legitimating ‘identity talk’ is an important additional mechanism in the process of establishing internal legitimacy for new organisational activities. In contrast with prior research, the study uncovers how external sustainability reporting can be a by-product of other sustainability-related activities rather than an organisation’s primary medium (or output) of the process of engaging with sustainability. The study shows how despite a highly supportive organisational environment, external sustainability reporting may be weakly and temporally legitimated within an organisation rather than institutionalised.
Characterization of human recombinant neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit combinations alpha2beta4, alpha3beta4 and alpha4beta4 stably expressed in HEK293 cells.

Human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells were transfected with cDNA encoding the human beta4 neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine (ACh) receptor subunit in pairwise combination with human alpha2, alpha3 or alpha4 subunits. Cell lines A2B4, A3B4.2 and A4B4 were identified that stably express mRNA and protein corresponding to alpha2 and beta4, to alpha3 and beta4 and to alpha4 and beta4 subunits, respectively. Specific binding of [3H]epibatidine was detected in A2B4, A3B4.2 and A4B4 cells with Kd (mean +/- S.D. in pM) values of 42 +/- 10, 230 +/- 12 and 187 +/- 29 and with Bmax (fmol/mg protein) values of 1104 +/- 338, 2010 +/- 184 and 3683 +/- 1450, respectively. Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings in each cell line demonstrated that (-)nicotine (Nic), ACh, cytisine (Cyt) and 1, 1-dimethyl-4-phenylpiperazinium iodide (DMPP) elicit transient inward currents. The current-voltage (I-V) relation of these currents showed strong inward rectification. Pharmacological characterization of agonist-induced elevations of intracellular free Ca++ concentration revealed a distinct rank order of agonist potency for each subunit combination as follows: alpha2beta4, (+)epibatidine (Epi) > Cyt > suberyldicholine (Sub) = Nic = DMPP; alpha3beta4, Epi > DMPP = Cyt = Nic = Sub; alpha4beta4, Epi > Cyt = Sub > Nic > DMPP. The noncompetitive antagonists mecamylamine and d-tubocurarine did not display subtype selectivity. In contrast, the Kb value for the competitive antagonist dihydro-beta-erythroidine (DHbetaE) was highest at alpha3beta4 compared with alpha2beta4 or alpha4beta4 receptors. These data illustrate that the A2B4, A3B4.2 and A4B4 stable cell lines are powerful tools for examining the functional and pharmacological properties of human alpha2beta4, alpha3beta4 and alpha4beta4 neuronal nicotinic receptors.
The spatial dynamics of violence and alcohol outlets.

OBJECTIVE This study examines whether the association between violence and population density is moderated by the presence of alcohol outlets, both within a target geographical area and in adjacent geographical areas. The effect of sociodemographic variables on violence is also examined controlling for spatial confounding. METHOD Zip code areas (N = 766) in California from four distinct areas (three urban and one rural) were examined for rates of violence, taking into consideration population characteristics of persons living in those areas and the potential interaction effects of alcohol outlets on violence rates. Population characteristics were assessed using Census data: outlet densities were obtained from the California Department of Alcohol Beverage Control; and violence rates were abstracted from hospital discharge data. A spatial population model of the production of violence was used to examine the relationships of population characteristics of target and surrounding areas to violence rates. RESULTS The density of bars was found to be strongly associated with greater rates of assault, while density of restaurants was associated with less violence. Both appeared to have greatest effect in densely populated areas. Local and nearby population characteristics were also found to be related to greater rates of violence. CONCLUSIONS While limited to cross-sectional data, the current study suggests that alcohol outlets, in the presence of socioeconomic measures, moderate the occurrence of violence in urban areas.
Interleukin‐6 involvement in brain arteriovenous malformations

We recently reported that the GG genotype of the interleukin‐6 (IL‐6)–174G>C promoter polymorphism is associated with clinical presentation of intracranial hemorrhage in brain arteriovenous malformation (AVM) patients. In this study, we investigated whether tissue IL‐6 expression was associated with IL‐6–174G>C genotype, and whether IL‐6 was linked to downstream targets involved in angiogenesis and vascular instability. Our results showed that the highest IL‐6 protein levels in brain AVM tissue were associated with IL‐6–174GG genotype (GG: 57.7 ± 20.2; GC: 35.6 ± 26.6; CC: 13.9 ± 10.2pg/mg; p = 0.001). IL‐6 protein levels were increased in AVM tissue from patients with hemorrhagic presentation compared with patients without hemorrhage (55 ± 22 vs 40 ± 27pg/mg; p = 0.038). IL‐6 messenger RNA expression strongly correlated with messenger RNA levels of IL‐1β, tumor necrosis factor‐α, IL‐8, matrix metalloproteinase‐3 (MMP‐3), MMP‐9, and MMP‐12. We further investigated the plausibility of IL‐6 being an upstream cytokine responsible for initiating the angiogenic cascade by cell culture and animal experiments. IL‐6 induced MMP‐3 and MMP‐9 expression and activity in mouse brain and increased proliferation and migration of cerebral endothelial cells. Together, our results suggest that the IL‐6 genotype associated with intracranial hemorrhage modulates IL‐6 expression in brain AVM tissue, which is consistent with the hypothesis that inflammatory processes induce angiogenic activity possibly contributory to brain AVM intracranial hemorrhage. Ann Neurol 2005
cAMP‐dependent protein kinase A and the dynamics of epithelial cell surface domains: Moving membranes to keep in shape

Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cAMP‐dependent protein kinase A (PKA) are evolutionary conserved molecules with a well‐established position in the complex network of signal transduction pathways. cAMP/PKA‐mediated signaling pathways are implicated in many biological processes that cooperate in organ development including the motility, survival, proliferation and differentiation of epithelial cells. Cell surface polarity, here defined as the anisotropic organisation of cellular membranes, is a critical parameter for most of these processes. Changes in the activity of cAMP/PKA elicit a variety of effects on intracellular membrane dynamics, including membrane sorting and trafficking. One of the most intriguing aspects of cAMP/PKA signaling is its evolutionary conserved abundance on the one hand and its precise spatial–temporal actions on the other. Here, we review recent developments with regard to the role of cAMP/PKA in the regulation of intracellular membrane trafficking in relation to the dynamics of epithelial surface domains. BioEssays 30:146–155, 2008. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Impact of the Flynn Effect on LD Diagnoses in Special Education

Because of the Flynn effect, IQ scores rise as a test norm ages but drop on the introduction of a newly revised test norm. The purpose of the current study was to determine the impact of the Flynn effect on learning disability (LD) diagnoses, the most prevalent special education diagnosis in the United States. Using a longitudinal sample of 875 school children who were initially diagnosed with LD on the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children–Revised (WISC-R), children experienced a significant decline in IQ when retested on the third edition of the WISC (WISC-III) compared to peers who were tested on the WISC-R twice. Furthermore, results from logistic regression analyses revealed that the probability of a rediagnosis of LD on reevaluation significantly decreased, in part, because of this decline on the WISC-III. These results are discussed in terms of their implications for both basic research and educational policy.
Fresh frozen plasma transfusion in critically ill patients*

Objectives:Although guidelines for fresh frozen plasma (FFP) use have been published, many transfusions are considered inappropriate. Current guidelines suggest few circumstances in which FFP transfusion to critically ill patients is warranted. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the consistency of Canadian guidelines for FFP administration to critically ill patients and to examine factors associated with inappropriate FFP transfusions. Design:Retrospective cohort study. Setting:15-bed medical surgical intensive care unit in a teaching hospital. Patients:254 consecutive adults admitted during 1 yr expected to stay in intensive care for more than 72 hrs. Intervention:None. Measurements and Main Results:Patient demographics, illness severity, life support, intensive care and hospital length of stay, and survival were prospectively collected. All FFP orders were identified from the hospital laboratory information system. For each order, coagulation parameters, planned invasive interventions, recent or current bleeding, and bleeding severity were retrospectively collected. Three observers independently adjudicated whether transfusions were consistent with guidelines, inconsistent but appropriate for the intensive care context, or inappropriate. Of 254 patients, 76 (29.9%) received FFP, accounting for 225 orders to transfuse 547 units. Of 225 orders, 73 (32.4%) were consistent with guidelines, 45 (20.0%) were inconsistent but appropriate, and 107 (47.6%) were inappropriate. Considering transfusions clustered within patients, chance-independent agreement on whether transfusions were inappropriate or not was high (phi 0.73, 0.64–0.81). Independent determinants of inappropriate FFP were the presence of less severe coagulopathy as indicated by lower international normalized ratios (p < .0001) and the absence of bleeding (p < .0001) of planned invasive procedure (p = .0001). Conclusions:Critically ill patients frequently receive inappropriate FFP transfusions. Many transfusions may be appropriate for the intensive care setting, although they are inconsistent with expert recommendations, highlighting that further studies are needed to assess the effectiveness and safety of FFP transfusion in critical illness.
Changing trends in antiepileptic drug prescribing in girls of child-bearing potential

Objective: To characterize trends in prescribing carbamazepine (CBZ), sodium valproate (VPA) and lamotrigine (LTG) in adolescent females in the UK and to examine possible reasons for changing trends. Design: Population-based observational study. Setting: UK General Practice Research Database between 1 January 1993 and 31 December 2006. Patients: 12–18-year-old subjects who were issued ⩾1 CBZ, VPA or LTG prescription. Main outcome measures: Prescribing prevalences stratified by age, gender and antiepileptic drug. Results: 5417 patients (47.6% females) were prescribed 147 111 prescriptions for CBZ (34.5%), VPA (38.6%) or LTG (26.9%). The prevalence of LTG prescribing in females increased from 0.08 (95% CI 0.04 to 0.12) to 0.80 (95% CI 0.70 to 0.89) per 1000 female population. Conversely, the prevalence in females of CBZ and VPA prescribing significantly decreased from 1.00 (95% CI 0.85 to 1.15) to 0.51 (95% CI 0.44 to 0.58) and from 0.94 (95% CI 0.80 to 1.09) to 0.63 (95% CI 0.55 to 0.72), respectively. This 10-fold rise in LTG prescribing in females is much higher than the fivefold rise in males from 0.09 (95% CI 0.05 to 0.14) to 0.47 (95% CI 0.40 to 0.54) per 1000 male population. Conclusion: The practice of prescribing antiepileptic drugs in adolescents has changed gradually over the last decade. More females aged 12–18 years are prescribed LTG than CBZ or VPA and the increase is much greater than for males. The increase in LTG prescribing mirrors a corresponding decrease in both VPA and CBZ. Concerns about potential problems to offspring appear to be affecting prescription trends in adolescent females of child-bearing potential.
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha and -gamma mRNA levels are reduced in chronic hepatitis C with steatosis and genotype 3 infection.

BACKGROUND Steatosis in chronic hepatitis C is associated with inflammation and accelerated fibrogenesis. AIM To assess the contribution of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha and -gamma to the pathogenesis of hepatitis C virus associated steatosis is unknown. METHODS We measured peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-alpha and -gamma mRNA by quantitative polymerase chain reaction in liver biopsies of 35 genotype 1 and 22 genotype 3 infected patients and in Huh7 cells expressing hepatitis C virus 1b or 3a core protein. RESULTS PPAR-alpha mRNA was significantly reduced in livers of patients with genotype 3 compared with genotype 1. Steatosis was associated to a decreased expression of PPAR-alpha in genotype 1, but not in genotype 3. PPAR-gamma expression was significantly lower in genotype 3 compared with genotype 1 and steatosis was associated to decreased levels of PPAR-gamma, but only in genotype 1. There was no significant relationship between PPARs mRNA levels and liver activity or fibrosis. Expression of the hepatitis C virus 3a core protein was associated with an increase in triglyceride accumulation and with a significant reduction of PPAR-gamma mRNA compared with hepatitis C virus 1b. CONCLUSIONS The presence of steatosis and hepatitis C virus genotype 3 are both associated with a significant down-regulation of PPARs. These receptors, and also additional factors, seem to play a role in the pathogenesis of hepatitis C virus-associated steatosis.
Experiences of autism diagnosis: A survey of over 1000 parents in the United Kingdom

A sample of 1047 parents completed an online survey about their experiences and opinions regarding the process of attaining a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder for their children. The results revealed that parents usually waited a year from when they first had concerns about their child’s development before they sought professional help. On average, there was a delay of around 3.5 years from the point at which parents first approached a health professional with their concerns to the confirmation of an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis. Just over half of the parents surveyed were dissatisfied with the diagnostic process as a whole. Several factors predicted parents’ overall levels of satisfaction with the diagnostic process, including the time taken to receive a diagnosis, satisfaction with the information provided at diagnosis, the manner of the diagnosing professional, the stress associated with the diagnostic process and satisfaction with post-diagnostic support. Post-diagnosis, the support (if any) that was provided to parents was deemed unsatisfactory, and this was highlighted as an area of particular concern among parents.
Salt sensitivity in young normotensive subjects is associated with a hyperinsulinemic response to oral glucose.

Insulin resistance associated with a hyperinsulinemic response to oral glucose intake has been found in patients with essential hypertension and is believed to play a role in inducing hypertension by causing renal sodium and water retention. We therefore examined whether salt-sensitive, young normotensives, assumed to be predisposed to essential hypertension, exhibit impaired glucose tolerance in a similar way. The plasma insulin and glucose response to oral glucose intake (75 g) was assessed in 23 healthy, lean, male volunteers ingesting either 20 mmol or 260 mmol NaCl/day for 6 days each in a single-blind randomized crossover study. Salt sensitivity was defined as a significant drop in mean arterial blood pressure greater than 3 mmHg (means of 30 readings in the supine subject; P less than 0.05) under the low-salt diet. Following the glucose load, plasma levels of both glucose and insulin were significantly higher (P less than 0.01) in the salt-sensitive (n = 10) compared with the salt-resistant subjects (n = 13) during the high-salt diet but not during the low-salt diet. Whereas in the salt-sensitive group glucose tolerance improved with dietary salt restriction (P less than 0.01), it deteriorated in the salt-resistant group (P less than 0.05). Following the glucose load under the high-salt diet, there was a significant drop in blood pressure in the salt-sensitive (P less than 0.005) but not the salt-resistant subjects. The hyperglycemic and hyperinsulinemic response in salt-sensitive subjects suggests that insulin resistance is present in these subjects prior to the development of hypertension and that it can be ameliorated by salt restriction. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Time-Varying Fiscal Spending Multipliers in the UK

We study government spending multipliers of the UK economy using a time-varying parameter factor augmented vector autoregressive model (TVP-FAVAR) over the period 1966:Q1-2015:Q4. We show that government spending multipliers vary over time and that most of the variation is cyclical: multipliers for GDP are typically above one in recessions and below one in expansions. Regarding the drivers of the cyclical variation, our results are consistent with theories emphasizing the role of financial frictions and economic slack. We find no evidence that multipliers are larger at the zero lower bound. Structural factors seem to play a lesser role and multipliers do not exhibit a clear trend. We conclude that fiscal policy recommendations should take into account the position of the economy in the cycle in assessing their effectiveness and that the impact of government spending shocks is limited in the UK in non-recessionary periods.
Earnings Surprise, Portfolio Inertia and Stock Price Volatility

Abstract From the perspective of the mediation effect, this paper investigates whether institutional investors adjust their portfolios according to the listed companies earnings surprise. We find that the portfolio adjustments by institutional investors exert the mediation effect on the relationship between earnings surprise and stock price volatility. Institutional investors actively manage their portfolios in the rising market, which induces the stock price volatility; while they less adjust their portfolio in the falling market, the volatility declines. This paper helps understand the role of institutional investors in the fluctuation of stock prices, and provides a new basis for decision making of regulatory administration.
Radiographic detection of approximal caries: a comparison between senior dental students and senior dental hygiene students.

PURPOSE Dental hygienists do not legally (or definitively) diagnose caries, but they often are responsible for preliminary interpretation of bitewing (BW) radiographs taken during prophylaxis appointments. Given this custom of practice, it is important to understand whether there is a difference between the capabilities of dental hygienists and dentists in interpreting BWs based on education and clinical experience. This study compared proximal carious lesion classification from BWs by senior dental students and senior dental hygiene students. METHODS AND MATERIALS Volunteers (40 dental [D] and 54 dental hygiene [DH] students) classified proximal carious lesions from BWs of 96 extracted teeth, which were mounted in wax to simulate quadrants of the mouth. A soft tissue equivalent was placed in front of the mounted teeth before x-ray exposure. Films were developed automatically and mounted into six sets point scale. The teeth were sectioned vertically and evaluated clinically at 5x magnification with an explorer. The "gold standard" of carious lesion classification was then compared to the students' classifications. RESULTS All students detected 54% of the carious lesions and correctly identified lack of caries 80.5% of the time. There were no differences between the two groups of students in terms of sensitivity, but dental students showed higher specificity (p = 0.0006). CONCLUSION Permitting dental hygienists to make preliminary interpretations of caries from BWs in the dental office appears to be an acceptable practice.
RUNX regulates stem cell proliferation and differentiation: Insights from studies of C. elegans

The RUNX genes encode conserved transcription factors that play vital roles in the development of various animals and human diseases. Recent studies by a few groups including ours have demonstrated that this gene family, as represented by a single ortholog designeated rnt‐1, also occurs and plays intriguing roles in the simple model organism, Caenorhabditis elegans. Our genetic and molecular analyses revealed that rnt‐1 is allelic to mab‐2, which had previously been known to cause an abnormal development of the male tail. rnt‐1 was further shown to be predominantly expressed in the stem cell‐like lateral seam hypodermal cells. These cells are characterized by their abilities to undergo stem cell‐like asymmetric divisions giving rise to self‐renewing seam cells and various differentiated descendants of hypodermal and neuronal fates. We found that rnt‐1 mutants exhibit an impaired asymmetry in the division of T cells, the posterior‐most member of the seam cells. Mutant analysis indicated that rnt‐1 is involved in regulating T blast cell polarity in cooperation with the Wnt signaling pathway. On the other hand, Nimmo et al. independently discovered that rnt‐1 acts as a rate limiting regulator of cell proliferation in the seam cells, V1‐6. In this review, we will outline these new findings and discuss their general implications in the mechanism of coordination between proliferation and differentiation of stem cells. J. Cell. Biochem. 100: 1119–1130, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.