Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Financial Liberalization and Allocative Dfficiency of Capital

Financial liberalization may have a positive effect on growth not only through the increase in the quantity of the available funds, but also through a more efficient allocation of resources across firms and sectors. Despite this intuitive appeal, there is little empirical evidence on the positive effect of financial liberalization on capital allocation. The main difficulty of investigating the linkage between liberalization of financial markets and capital allocation efficiency lies in the fact that the efficiency of capital allocation is not directly observable. One way to address this issue is to evaluate the effect of financial liberalization within the Heckscher-Ohlin framework. Producing and exporting products inconsistent with a country's factor endowments constitutes a serious misallocation of the funds, which undermines competitiveness of the economy and inhibits its long run growth. This paper tests the allocative efficiency hypothesis by evaluating the effect of stock market liberalization on the survival of different product categories using export data for 91 countries over the period of 1975-2003. Preliminary results suggest that after liberalization of the domestic stock market, products employing intensively scarce factors exit at a relatively higher rate from a country's export portfolio. In other words, following liberalization episodes, a country tends to rebalance its export portfolio towards products consistent with its factor's endowments.
An overview of site-specific delivery of orally administered proteins/peptides and modelling considerations

Oral delivery of proteins and peptides poses one of the greatest challenges in controlled drug delivery due to degradation by proteolytic enzymes, poor membrane permeability and large molecular size. Therapeutic proteins/peptides are useful in correcting metabolic disorders (e.g., insulin in diabetes mellitus), as antineoplastic agents (e.g., cyclosporin A) and in hormone therapy (e.g., leutinizing hormone releasing hormone analogs in endometriosis and uterine fibroids). Thus, the importance of determining absorption efficiency of peptide and protein drugs is an important consideration. In oral peptide administration, the ideal delivery system is one that releases its contents only at the target region of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) independent of patient variables while retaining the protein/peptide drug and their absorption promoters at the site of optimal absorption long enough to ultimately achieve maximum therapeutic benefit and safety. Various systems for achieving site-specific delivery of orally administered protein/peptide drugs have been developed in recent years including those based on pH changes, enzymatic activity of intestinal microflora, etc. This article discusses some of these systems including their relative merits and drawbacks. Some relevant mathematical models to resolve release patterns are also considered. Journal of Medicine and Biomedical Research Vol. 3 (1) 2004: pp. 7-20
LOCATING THE ACCRETION FOOTPRINT ON A HERBIG Ae STAR: MWC 480

Accretion is a fundamental process which establishes the dynamics of the protoplanetary disk and the final properties of the forming star. In solar-type stars, the star–disk coupling is determined by the magnetic field structure, which is responsible for funneling material from the disk midplane to higher latitudes on the star. Here, we use pan-chromatic data for the Herbig Ae star MWC 480 to address whether similar processes occur in intermediate-mass stars. MWC 480 has X-ray emission typical of actively accreting Herbig Ae stars, but with ∼10× more photoelectric absorption than expected from optical and FUV data. We consider three sources for the absorption: the disk, absorption in a wind or jet, and accretion. While we detect the disk in scattered light in a re-analysis of archival Hubble Space Telescope data, the data are consistent with grazing illumination of the dust disk. We find that MWC 480's disk is stratified, geometrically thin, and is not responsible for the observed photoelectric absorption. MWC 480 drives a bipolar jet, but with a mass-loss rate that is low compared to other Herbig Ae stars, where the outflow is more favorably oriented and enhanced photoelectric absorption is not seen. This excludes a jet or wind origin for the enhanced photoelectric absorption. We compare MWC 480's O vi emission with other Herbig Ae stars. The distribution of the emission in inclination, and lack of a correlation of profile shape and system inclination excludes equatorially confined accretion for the FUSE Herbig Ae stars. The photoelectric absorption data further suggest that the accretion footprint on MWC 480 and other Herbig Ae stars is located at high-temperate, rather than polar, latitudes. These findings support the presence of funneled accretion in MWC 480 and Herbig Ae stars, strengthening the parallel to T Tauri stars.
The scaling limit of random simple triangulations and random simple quadrangulations

Let $M_n$ be a simple triangulation of the sphere $S^2$, drawn uniformly at random from all such triangulations with n vertices. Endow $M_n$ with the uniform probability measure on its vertices. After rescaling graph distance on $V(M_n)$ by $(3/(4n))^{1/4}$, the resulting random measured metric space converges in distribution, in the Gromov-Hausdorff-Prokhorov sense, to the Brownian map. In proving the preceding fact, we introduce a labelling function for the vertices of $M_n$. Under this labelling, distances to a distinguished point are essentially given by vertex labels, with an error given by the winding number of an associated closed loop in the map. We establish similar results for simple quadrangulations.
Gastric feeding with erythromycin is equivalent to transpyloric feeding in the critically ill

ObjectiveTo determine whether adding erythromycin to a gastric feeding regimen could render it as effective in meeting nutritional needs as transpyloric feeding. DesignRandomized, controlled study. SettingUniversity hospital medical, surgical, and neurologic care intensive care units. PatientsCritically ill patients, requiring a projected 96 hrs of enteral feeding, who had no specific indication for tube location (gastric or transpyloric). Eighty patients were randomized. InterventionsPatients were randomized to gastric feeding with erythromycin (200 mg iv) given every 8 hrs or feeding through a transpylorically placed feeding tube. Goal rate and feeding advancement were determined by protocol. Measurements and Main Results During the 96-hr period, the gastric group received 74% of their goal calories and the transpyloric group received 67%. The only day on which gastric feedings were superior was the first study day, where the gastric group attained 55% of their goal, compared with 44% in the transpyloric group. This 1-day difference was the result of an initial failure of tube placement in some subjects. Exclusion of these patients did not change overall results. Nutritional indexes, length of stay in the intensive care unit, ventilator dependence, and survival were not different between the two groups. ConclusionsGastric feeding with erythromycin as a prokinetic is equivalent to transpyloric feeding in meeting the nutritional goals of the critically ill.
Diallel Analysis for Lycopene Content in the Hybrids Derived from Different Colored Parents in Tomato

Lycopene is a red pigment in tomato with purported antioxidant properties. As the amount of lycopene has been reported to differ in different colored tomatoes or even absent in non-red tomatoes, the objective of this study was to investigate the inheritance of lycopene content and the color parameters of hybrids using a 10 parent diallel excluding reciprocals. Parents differed in general combining ability (GCA) for lycopene and color parameters. “Chocolate Stripe” (purple and brown striped) had the highest lycopene content followed by NC 1CS (red colored with the crimson gene) with the best general combining ability among parental lines. Hybrids differed in lycopene content and color parameters across two summer and greenhouse experiments, with no interaction between experiments indicating that the lycopene content was consistent. Narrow-sense heritability for lycopene was only 9% whereas broad-sense heritability was estimated to be 25%. The order of dominance for lycopene content was found as purple-brown > red > blue > yellow > green. Heritability estimates for color parameters were close to those for lycopene. This information may be useful in developing specialty type tomatoes or increasing lycopene content in tomatoes.
PREVALENCE AND MUTATIONAL PATTERNS OF LAMIVUDINE-RESISTANT HBV STRAINS IN CHRONICALLY INFECTED SERBIAN PATIENTS

This study aimed to determine the prevalence and mutational patterns of lamivudine-resistant hepatitis B virus (HBV) strains in chronically infected Serbian patients. The study included 154 patients on long-term lamivudine mono- therapy. Resistance-associated mutations were identified by direct sequencing of the S/P gene. The genotypic resistance to lamivudine was confirmed in 54.5% of patients. Three primary resistance-associated mutations were found: rtM204V (55.9%), rtM204I (40.5%), rtA181T (3.6%) and two compensatory mutations rtV173L (17.8%) and rtL180M (67.8%). Seven mutational patterns were discovered with rtL180M+rtM204V being dominant (41.6%). The presence of resistance- associated mutations was correlated to the older age of patients, the presence of clinically relevant HBsAg mutations and higher values of viral load. No correlation with HBV genotypes, subgenotypes or HBsAg subtypes was observed. High prevalence of resistance supports the use of genotypic testing in monitoring patients on lamivudine therapy and selecting those who would benefit from therapy with newly developed nucleos(t)ide analogs.
Multidimensional Electro-Opto-Thermal Modeling of Broad-Band Optical Devices

This paper investigates the self-consistent modeling of broad-band optical devices such as super-luminescent light-emitting diodes (SLEDs) and semiconductor optical amplifiers. A multidimensional electro-opto-thermal approach using many-body gain theory, and temperature-dependent microscopic transport equations is presented. In addition, a Green's function based model for amplified spontaneous emission is derived from Maxwell's equations in a consistent way. To illustrate the model's validity it is implemented into an existing simulation tool and benchmarked with two InP-based edge-emitting SLEDs operating around 1310 nm, featuring nonidentical quantum wells as active region. A comparison between simulated and measured characteristics (both electro-thermal and spectral) proves the applicability of the novel model.
ANALYTICAL MODELING OF THERMAL RESISTANCE IN BOLTED JOINTS

An analytical approximate solution is developed for predicting the thermal resistance of bolted joints between two square plates . of the same material but different thicknesses. The plates are assumed to have perfectly flat and smooth surfaces, and they are joined by a bolted connection at the center of the square, forming a concentric annular contact region at the interface. The entire surface area of the plates are insulated, except for the surfaces where the heat source/sink is applied and where the interracial contact is formed. The heat flows from one edge of a plate to the opposite edge of the other plate through the contact area. The results are presented over a wide range of variables commonly found in most electronic packaging applications. Comparisons with published numerical results show excellent agreement, and satisfactory to good agreement is obtained between the analytical predictions and” experimental data. N O M E N CL AT U R E a bolt-hole radius, m b plate radius, m c contact radius, m d washer or pressure radius, m j. factor given by Eq. (7) J,, x Bessel functions of the first and second kinds of order i k thermal conductivity, W/mK L plate dimension, m qo. q2 heat-flux specified surfaces R thermal resistance, OC/W r radial coordinate, m 115 To, T1, T2 temperature specified surfaces t plate thickness, m
Knowledge, Options, and Institutions

1. Introduction: Knowledge, Options, and Institutions PART I: KNOWLEDGE, COORDINATION, CATEGORIES, IDENTITY 2. Knowledge of the Firm, Combinative Capabilities, and the Replication of Knowledge 3. Knowledge and the Speed of the Transfer and Imitation of Organizational Capabilities: An Empirical Test 4. What Firms Do: Coordination, Identity, and Learning PART II: PRACTICES, INSTITUTIONS, AND DIFFUSION 5. Country Capabilities and the Permeability of Borders 6. National Systems, Organizational Practices, and Institutions 7. Prototypes and Fuzzy Work Practices: Assigning Causal Credit for Performance PART III: MARKETS , VALUE, AND OPTIONS 8. Joint Ventures: Theoretical and Empirical Perspectives 9. Joint Ventures and the Option to Expand and Acquire 10. Operating Flexibility, Global Manufacturing, and the Option Values of a Multinational Network 11. Strategy, Heuristics, and Real Options PART IV: INSTITUTIONS AND GEOGRAPHY 12. Localization of Knowledge and the Mobility of Engineers in Regional Networks 13. Open-Source Software Development and Distributed Intelligence PART V: LOOKING FORWARD 14. Network as Knowledge: Generative Rules and the Emergence of Structure
NKG2C/E Marks the Unique Cytotoxic CD4 T Cell Subset, ThCTL, Generated by Influenza Infection

CD4 T cells can differentiate into multiple effector subsets, including ThCTL that mediate MHC class II–restricted cytotoxicity. Although CD4 T cell–mediated cytotoxicity has been reported in multiple viral infections, their characteristics and the factors regulating their generation are unclear, in part due to a lack of a signature marker. We show in this article that, in mice, NKG2C/E identifies the ThCTL that develop in the lung during influenza A virus infection. ThCTL express the NKG2X/CD94 complex, in particular the NKG2C/E isoforms. NKG2C/E+ ThCTL are part of the lung CD4 effector population, and they mediate influenza A virus–specific cytotoxic activity. The phenotype of NKG2C/E+ ThCTL indicates they are highly activated effectors expressing high levels of binding to P-selectin, T-bet, and Blimp-1, and that more of them secrete IFN-γ and readily degranulate than non-ThCTL. ThCTL also express more cytotoxicity-associated genes including perforin and granzymes, and fewer genes associated with recirculation and memory. They are found only at the site of infection and not in other peripheral sites. These data suggest ThCTL are marked by the expression of NKG2C/E and represent a unique CD4 effector population specialized for cytotoxicity.
A Monoarthritis Model in Rabbits Induced by Repeated Intra‐Articular Injections of Lipopolysaccharide

We attempted to develop a monoarthritis model using repeated intra-articular injections of high-dose Lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Furthermore, the effect of dexamethasone on this arthritis model by intra-articular administration was studied to examine whether the model can be used to screen anti-rheumatic drugs in a short time. Arthritis was induced by one, two or three intra-articular injections of LPS (5-50 micrograms/joint) at 4-day intervals into the knee joint. The rabbits were sacrificed at 7 days following the last injection of LPS. Three intra-articular injections of LPS at 50 micrograms/joint resulted in persistent joint swelling. Hyperplasia of synovium with some discolouration was macroscopically observed. Infiltration of mononuclear cells and lymphoid follicles were histologically observed as the synovial lesions. Concerning the articular bone/cartilage, trabecular destruction of gastrocnemius sesamoid bone and severe loss of safranin-O staining of articular cartilage were observed. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that inflammatory cells and lymphoid follicles in the synovial lesions consisted predominantly of CD4+ T cells, with few CD8+ T cells. Treatment with dexamethasone markedly reduced the joint swelling and the articular destruction. The results suggest that this arthritis model in rabbits can be utilized to screen anti-rheumatic drugs as a model of rheumatoid arthritis.
HIV-1 Fitness Cost Associated with Escape from the VRC01 Class of CD4 Binding Site Neutralizing Antibodies

ABSTRACT Broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) have been isolated from selected HIV-1-infected individuals and shown to bind to conserved sites on the envelope glycoprotein (Env). However, circulating plasma virus in these donors is usually resistant to autologous isolated bNAbs, indicating that during chronic infection, HIV-1 can escape from even broadly cross-reactive antibodies. Here, we evaluate if such viral escape is associated with an impairment of viral replication. Antibodies of the VRC01 class target the functionally conserved CD4 binding site and share a structural mode of gp120 recognition that includes mimicry of the CD4 receptor. We examined naturally occurring VRC01-sensitive and -resistant viral strains, as well as their mutated sensitive or resistant variants, and tested point mutations in the backbone of the VRC01-sensitive isolate YU2. In several cases, VRC01 resistance was associated with a reduced efficiency of CD4-mediated viral entry and diminished viral replication. Several mutations, alone or in combination, in the loop D or β23-V5 region of Env conferred a high level of resistance to VRC01 class antibodies, suggesting a preferred escape pathway. We further mapped the VRC01-induced escape pathway in vivo using Envs from donor 45, from whom antibody VRC01 was isolated. Initial escape mutations, including the addition of a key glycan, occurred in loop D and were associated with impaired viral replication; however, compensatory mutations restored full replicative fitness. These data demonstrate that escape from VRC01 class antibodies can diminish viral replicative fitness, but compensatory changes may explain the limited impact of neutralizing antibodies during the course of natural HIV-1 infection. IMPORTANCE Some antibodies that arise during natural HIV-1 infection bind to conserved regions on the virus envelope glycoprotein and potently neutralize the majority of diverse HIV-1 strains. The VRC01 class of antibodies blocks the conserved CD4 receptor binding site interaction that is necessary for viral entry, raising the possibility that viral escape from antibody neutralization might exert detrimental effects on viral function. Here, we show that escape from VRC01 class antibodies can be associated with impaired viral entry and replication; however, during the course of natural infection, compensatory mutations restore the ability of the virus to replicate normally.
Elevated Levels of Urinary PGE-M Are Found in Tobacco Users and Indicate a Poor Prognosis for Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)–derived prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) plays a role in the development and progression of epithelial malignancies. Measurements of urinary PGE-M, a stable metabolite of PGE2, reflect systemic PGE2 levels. Here, we investigated whether urinary PGE-M levels were elevated in healthy tobacco users and in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Median urinary PGE-M levels were increased in healthy tobacco quid chewers [21.3 ng/mg creatinine (Cr); n = 33; P = 0.03] and smokers (32.1 ng/mg Cr; n = 31; P < 0.001) compared with never tobacco quid chewers-never smokers (18.8 ng/mg Cr; n = 30). Urinary PGE-M levels were also compared in OSCC patients versus healthy tobacco users. An approximately 1-fold increase in median urinary PGE-M level was found in OSCC patients (48.7 ng/mg Cr, n = 78) versus healthy controls (24.5 ng/mg Cr, n = 64; P < 0.001). We further determined whether baseline urinary PGE-M levels were prognostic in OSCC patients who underwent treatment with curative intent. A nearly 1-fold increase in baseline urinary PGE-M levels (64.7 vs. 33.8 ng/mg Cr, P < 0.001) was found in the group of OSCC patients who progressed (n = 37) compared with the group that remained progression free (n = 41). Patients with high baseline levels of urinary PGE-M had both worse disease-specific survival [HR, 1.01 per unit increase; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.01–1.02; P < 0.001] and overall survival (HR, 1.01 per unit increase; 95% CI, 1.00–1.02; P = 0.03). Taken together, our findings raise the possibility that NSAIDs, prototypic inhibitors of PGE2 synthesis, may be beneficial for reducing the risk of tobacco-related aerodigestive malignancies or treating OSCC patients with high urinary PGE-M levels. Cancer Prev Res; 9(6); 428–36. ©2016 AACR.
The F1 Motif of Dengue Virus Polymerase NS5 Is Involved in Promoter-Dependent RNA Synthesis

ABSTRACT The mechanism by which viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerases (RdRp) specifically amplify viral genomes is still unclear. In the case of flaviviruses, a model has been proposed that involves the recognition of an RNA element present at the viral 5′ untranslated region, stem-loop A (SLA), that serves as a promoter for NS5 polymerase binding and activity. Here, we investigated requirements for specific promoter-dependent RNA synthesis of the dengue virus NS5 protein. Using mutated purified NS5 recombinant proteins and infectious viral RNAs, we analyzed the requirement of specific amino acids of the RdRp domain on polymerase activity and viral replication. A battery of 19 mutants was designed and analyzed. By measuring polymerase activity using nonspecific poly(rC) templates or specific viral RNA molecules, we identified four mutants with impaired polymerase activity. Viral full-length RNAs carrying these mutations were found to be unable to replicate in cell culture. Interestingly, one recombinant NS5 protein carrying the mutations K456A and K457A located in the F1 motif lacked RNA synthesis dependent on the SLA promoter but displayed high activity using a poly(rC) template. Promoter RNA binding of this NS5 mutant was unaffected while de novo RNA synthesis was abolished. Furthermore, the mutant maintained RNA elongation activity, indicating a role of the F1 region in promoter-dependent initiation. In addition, four NS5 mutants were selected to have polymerase activity in the recombinant protein but delayed or impaired virus replication when introduced into an infectious clone, suggesting a role of these amino acids in other functions of NS5. This work provides new molecular insights on the specific RNA synthesis activity of the dengue virus NS5 polymerase.
Social roles, sex roles and psychological distress: additive and interactive models of sex differences.

Determinants of sex differences in psychological distress are explored through estimating additive and interactive regression models, The absence of employment or marriage is associated with depression for both men and women. Also, for this measure of distress, an additive model of social-role effects accounts for the observed sex difference, suggesting a structural interpretation of the genderldepression relationship. For the measure of psychophysiologic complaints, the pattern of influences differs. Here, gender and being a parent jointly influence level of symptomatology. Further analysis reveals this effect to be due primarily to sex differences among parents having young children. The pattern offindings for this variable is understood to support formulations pertaining to the stress of family roles for women.
Antitrust Perspectives for Durable-Goods Markets

Markets for durable goods constitute an important part of the economy. In this paper I first briefly review the microeconomic theory literature on durable-goods markets, focusing mostly on the last ten years. I then discuss a number of my own recent analyses concerning optimal antitrust policy in durable-goods markets that mostly build on ideas in the larger literature. Specific topics covered include: (i) optimal antitrust policy for durable-goods mergers; (ii) practices that eliminate secondhand markets; (iii) tying in markets characterized by upgrades and switching costs; and (iv) antitrust policy for aftermarket monopolization in durable-goods markets.