Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Double-Blind, Randomized Trial of an Anti-CD18 Antibody in Conjunction With Recombinant Tissue Plasminogen Activator for Acute Myocardial Infarction: Limitation of Myocardial Infarction Following Thrombolysis in Acute Myocardial Infarction (LIMIT AMI) Study

Background—Inhibition of leukocyte adhesion can reduce myocardial infarct size in animals. This study was designed to define the safety and efficacy of a recombinant, humanized, monoclonal antibody to the CD18 subunit of the &bgr;2 integrin adhesion receptors (rhuMAb CD18), in reducing infarct size in patients treated with a thrombolytic agent. Methods and Results—The Limitation of Myocardial Infarction following Thrombolysis in Acute Myocardial Infarction Study (LIMIT AMI) was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study conducted in 60 centers in the United States and Canada. A total of 394 subjects who presented within 12 hours of symptom onset with ECG findings (ST-segment elevation) consistent with AMI were treated with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator and were also given an intravenous bolus of 0.5 or 2.0 mg/kg rhuMAb CD18 or placebo. Coronary angiography was performed at 90 minutes, 12-lead ECGs were obtained at baseline, 90, and 180 minutes, and resting sestamibi scans were performed at ≥120 hours. Adjunctive angioplasty and use of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa antiplatelet agents at the time of angiography were discretionary. There were no treatment effects on coronary blood flow, infarct size, or the rate of ECG ST-segment elevation resolution, despite the expected induction of peripheral leukocytosis. A slight trend toward an increase in bacterial infections was observed with rhuMAb CD18 (P =0.33). Conclusions—RhuMAb CD18 was well tolerated but not effective in modifying cardiac end points.
Dynamics in the Determinants of Capital Structure in the UK

In this paper we analyse the dynamics in the capital structure for UK companies from 1991 to 1997. We observe significant changes in the relative importance of the various debt elements over time, as well as changes in the relationship between gearing and the level of growth opportunities, company size, profitability and tangibility. Our results suggest that the nature of the credit market in the UK has changed significantly during the 1990s, with large companies using less bank finance, and banks increasingly lending to smaller firms. At the same time, bank debt appears to have become more closely related to corporate profitability and collateral values.
Knowledge in Regional Economic Growth—The Role of Knowledge Accessibility

This paper analyzes the role of knowledge in regional economic growth by focusing on knowledge accessibility. The research question is the following: can the variation in knowledge accessibility between regions in a given period explain the variation in growth performance of regions in subsequent periods? A main assumption in the paper is that knowledge accessibility transforms into potential knowledge flows. Our results show that differences in growth of value‐added per employee across regions can be explained by differences in knowledge accessibility. Intra‐municipal and intra‐regional knowledge accessibilities are significant and capable of explaining a significant share of the variation in growth of value‐added per employee between Swedish municipalities. However, inter‐regional knowledge accessibility turned out to be insignificant. This is interpreted as a clear indication of spatial dependence in the sense that the knowledge resources in a given municipality tend to have a positive effect on the growth of other municipalities, conditional on that the municipalities belong to the same functional region. Thus, the results of the analysis indicate that knowledge flows transcend municipal borders, but that they tend to be bound within functional regions.
Student evaluation of e‐service quality criteria in Uganda: the case of automatic teller machines

Purpose – This study aims to identify the most important e‐service quality evaluation dimensions in an emerging market context, focusing specifically on automatic teller machines (ATMs). Design/methodology/approach – The study employs a triangulation approach, using both qualitative and quantitative methods based on a convenience sample composed mainly of students at Uganda Christian University. Instrument development was based on the results of a qualitative study. The psychometric properties of this instrument were assessed using exploratory factor analysis followed by cross‐validation using confirmatory factor analysis. This was followed by hierarchical linear regression to identify the most important dimensions of e‐service quality.Findings – The study establishes that tangibles, card issues, reliability and location are the most important student service quality evaluation dimensions of ATMs in Uganda.Research limitations/implications – The study utilized a convenience sample of mainly college age stu.
Middle Powers And The Demand For Military Expenditures

This paper identifies and classifies middle power nations through the use of broad political science definitions, the demand for military expenditures models and gross domestic product (GDP) per capita. The latter is used as a simple quantifiable measure of relative and potential military power. The paper also develops and utilizes a threat variable that is applicable to middle power nations. The panel data analysis shows that the middle power nations react to threat variables that proxy global instability utilize foreign aid as a complementary policy tool along with military expenditures, and face significant trade-offs between military and non-military government spending.
Market incentives to encourage household waste recycling: Paying for what you throw away

This article investigates the use of market incentives to encourage household waste recycling by pricing waste-disposal services according to the quantity of waste generated. We use a natural experiment from an upstate New York county to examine how quantity-based pricing of waste disposal affects reported household recycling behavior, when used by itself or in conjunction with curbside pickup of recyclables or mandatory recycling laws. Curbside pickup was found to have the greatest effect on reported recycling behavior, although higher waste-disposal prices might alter these conclusions. Other concerns about quantity-based pricing of solid waste-distributional effects, public acceptance, and adverse incentives-are also examined.
Asia Pacific Consensus Statements on Crohn's disease. Part 1: Definition, diagnosis, and epidemiology

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) was previously thought to be rare in Asia, but emerging data indicate rising incidence and prevalence of IBD in the region. The Asia Pacific Working Group on Inflammatory Bowel Disease was established in Cebu, Philippines, at the Asia Pacific Digestive Week conference in 2006 under the auspices of the Asian Pacific Association of Gastroenterology with the goal of developing best management practices, coordinating research, and raising awareness of IBD in the region. The consensus group previously published recommendations for the diagnosis and management of ulcerative colitis with specific relevance to the Asia‐Pacific region. The present consensus statements were developed following a similar process to address the epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of Crohn's disease. The goals of these statements are to pool the pertinent literature specifically highlighting relevant data and conditions in the Asia‐Pacific region relating to the economy, health systems, background infectious diseases, differential diagnoses, and treatment availability. It does not intend to be all comprehensive and future revisions are likely to be required in this ever‐changing field.
Quantifying publication bias in meta‐analysis

Publication bias is a serious problem in systematic reviews and meta‐analyses, which can affect the validity and generalization of conclusions. Currently, approaches to dealing with publication bias can be distinguished into two classes: selection models and funnel‐plot‐based methods. Selection models use weight functions to adjust the overall effect size estimate and are usually employed as sensitivity analyses to assess the potential impact of publication bias. Funnel‐plot‐based methods include visual examination of a funnel plot, regression and rank tests, and the nonparametric trim and fill method. Although these approaches have been widely used in applications, measures for quantifying publication bias are seldom studied in the literature. Such measures can be used as a characteristic of a meta‐analysis; also, they permit comparisons of publication biases between different meta‐analyses. Egger's regression intercept may be considered as a candidate measure, but it lacks an intuitive interpretation. This article introduces a new measure, the skewness of the standardized deviates, to quantify publication bias. This measure describes the asymmetry of the collected studies’ distribution. In addition, a new test for publication bias is derived based on the skewness. Large sample properties of the new measure are studied, and its performance is illustrated using simulations and three case studies.
The M2 Proton Channels of Influenza A and B Viruses*

SummaryofStructure-FunctionRelationshipoftheA/M2IonChannel TheavailablebiochemicalandsolidstateNMRdataindicatethatthetrans-membrane domain of the A/M2 protein is comprised of a four-helix bundlewithatiltofabout25degrees.TheseexperimentsarealsoconsistentwiththefunctionalstudiesthatshowedthatthatresiduesVal 27 ,Ala 30 ,Gly 34 ,His 37 ,andTrp 41 line the aqueous pore. Furthermore, these results indicate that His 37 formsabarriertolargemoleculesandthatTrp 41 functionsasagatethatcloseswithhighpH out . Functionalstudiesindicatethattheportionofthecytoplasmicdomain nearest the membrane is important for normal ion channel function,andsolidstateNMRstudiesindicatethatthestructureofthisdomainbringsitinto close proximity to the inner membrane leaflet. The most remarkableaspect of this channel is the observation that much of its functionality is pro-vided for by the His 37 and Trp 41 residues found in one turn of the transmem-brane helical bundle. InhibitionoftheA/M2IonChannel ThistopicisimportantbecauseantiviraldrugsthatinhibittheM2ionchan-nel also inhibit replication of the influenza A virus, and understanding themechanismofinhibitionwouldbehelpfulindevelopingbetterinhibitors.TheantiviraldrugamantadineanditsderivativerimantadineinhibitthereplicationoftheinfluenzaAvirusbutnotinfluenzaBvirus(39). AmantadineinhibitstheA/M2ionchannel(12,17,40)butnottheBM2channel(16),whichisconsist-ent with amantadine inhibiting influenza A virus but not influenza B virusreplication.Severallinesofevidenceindicatethatinhibitionofviralreplicationby amantadine results from the inhibition of A/M2 proton channel activity.Thefirstevidencecomesfromamantadine-resistantescapemutantvirusesinwhich the site of the mutation was mapped and found to lie in the A/M2transmembrane domain (41). When these escape mutation proteins wereexpressed in oocytes (17, 42) or mammalian cells (12, 18) their currents werefoundtobeinsensitivetoamantadine.Thesecondlineofevidencecomesfromconsideration of the virus life cycle. Viral uncoating requires acidification ofthe virus prior to fusion with the endosomal membrane (43–45), and the M2protein is capable of providing the needed acidification when the virion iscontained in the endosome. The viral genome encodes three integral mem-brane proteins (46), and only A/M2 is capable of proton transport. Thus,inhibition of the essential proton transport function of the A/M2 ion channelresults in inhibition of replication of the virus.Five observations, taken together, suggest a mechanism for inhibition byamantadine. 1) Two of the mutations that result in resistance to amantadineoccur on residues that have been found by cysteine scanning mutagenesis toline the aqueous pore. Both of these mutations are to residues that are lesshydrophobic(A30TandG34E)thanthenativeresidue(41). 2)Inhibitionofthechannel occurs more readily when pH of the bathing medium is high (40). 3)AmantadineonlyinhibitswhenitisappliedtothemediumbathingtheN-ter-minal ectodomain and not when applied to the C-terminal cytoplasmic tail;injection of as much as 1 m
The productivity effect of government capital in developing and industrialized countries

This paper uses an aggregate production function to examine the effect of government capital formation on growth of labour productivity in an annual panel of 12 developing and 12 OECD economies covering the period 1976–1989. The results from a pooled model of all 24 countries indicate that contribution of government capital to labour productivity is positive and statistically significant. This result also holds in separate samples of the industrialized and developing economies where we find that, while there are productivity differentials between the two types of economies with respect to private capital, there are no differences with regards to public capital.
The Effect of Social Networks on Labour Market Outcome among Migrants in Vietnam

This paper examines the labour market outcome of migrants in a developing country of Vietnam with respect to the role of social networks and other human capital on the job search duration and earnings using the 2004 Vietnam Internal Migration Survey. The findings contribute to the growing literature of the labour market outcome of migrants in the developing world. The main findings are: those migrants who have spouse and family members spend longer time on initial unemployment, enjoy higher wage, and are more likely to work in the informal sector. In regards to having friends or countrymen at the destination, we find that this type of social network has positive and significant effect for all migrant groups. This indicates that friends/countrymen are source of information of the work opportunity in at the destination for the potential migrants. Furthermore, having friends and countrymen shorten the job search for formal jobs for rural to urban migrants, while this channel has no effect among urban to urban migrants. This paper extends the current literature by distinguishing the formal versus informal jobs and among the first to study labour market outcome of migrants in a developing country.
Liminal identities: Caribbean men who have sex with men in London, UK

Accounts by 10 Caribbean men who have sex with men living in the UK reveal them to be liminal beings with unstable and unresolved identities. They are between social states: aware they are not heterosexual and not publicly recognised, or in some cases self‐accepted, as homosexual. Caribbean‐born respondents especially suffer from homophobia, expressing regret and disappointment at their sexuality. They may also experience cognitive dissonance – as they are aware of their conflict with the heteronormative order – they cannot resolve. Religion contributes to homophobia and cognitive dissonance particularly for Caribbean‐born men, some of whom may believe a fundamental conflict exists between Christianity and homosexuality. Heterosexism and homophobia contribute to and reinforce their liminal state, by preventing transition to publicly recognised homosexual status. Respondents may engage in private and public, internal and external, overt and covert policing of their and other gay men's behaviour: through strategic pretence at heterosexuality and/or condemnation of men engaging in behaviour identifiable as stereotypically homosexual, for example. Narratives point to the need to complexify the conventional understanding of Jamaican heterosexism to explain reported variations in the degree of anti‐homosexual hostility in the country.
Bank-Firm Relationships and International Banking Markets

This paper reviews how long-term relationships between firms and banks shape the structure and integration of banking markets worldwide. Bank relationships arise to span informational asymmetries that are endemic in financial markets. Firm-bank relationships not only entail specific benefits and costs for both the engaged firms and banks, but also directly affect the structure of banking markets. In particular, the sunk cost of screening and monitoring activities and the 'informational capital' collected by the incumbent banks may act as a barrier to entry. The intensity of the existing firm-bank relationships will determine the height of this barrier and shape the structure of international banking markets. For example, in Scandinavia where firms maintain few and strong relationships, foreign banks may only be able to enter successfully through mergers and acquisitions. On the other hand, Southern European firms maintain many bank relationships. Therefore, banks may consider entering Southern European banking markets through direct investment.
What Drives Personal Consumption? The Role of Housing and Financial Wealth

I investigate the effect of wealth on consumption in a new dataset with financial and housing wealth from 16 countries. The baseline estimation method based on the sluggishness of consumption growth implies that the eventual (long-run) marginal propensity to consume out of total wealth is 5 cents (averaged across countries). While the wealth effects are quite strong--between 4 and 6 cents--in countries with more developed mortgage markets and in market-based, Anglo-Saxon and non euro area economies, consumption only barely reacts to wealth elsewhere. The effect of housing wealth is somewhat smaller than that of financial wealth for most countries, but not for the U.S. and the UK. The housing wealth effect has risen substantially after 1988 as it has become easier to borrow against housing wealth.
Samaras and seedlings of Acer pseudoplatanus are potential sources of hypoglycin A intoxication in atypical myopathy without necessarily inducing clinical signs.

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY Ingestion of sycamore seeds (Acer pseudoplatanus) is the likely source of hypoglycin A in atypical myopathy (AM) but ingestion of seedlings in spring might also contribute to intoxication. OBJECTIVES To test for hypoglycin A in seeds and seedlings collected on pastures where AM cases were reported and compare its concentration in serum of affected and healthy horses. STUDY DESIGN Field investigation of clinical cases. METHODS Whenever present, samaras (the winged nuts that each contain one seed) and/or seedlings were collected from pastures of 8 AM cases and 5 unaffected horses from different premises. Two AM cases were each co-grazing with an apparently healthy horse. Acylcarnitines and hypoglycin A were quantified in blood samples of all horses involved in the study. RESULTS Hypoglycin A was detected in serum of AM (5.47 ± 1.60 μmol/l) but not in healthy controls pasturing where A. pseudoplatanus trees were not present. However, hypoglycin A was detected at high concentrations (7.98 μmol/l) in serum of a clinically healthy horse grazing a pasture with seedlings and samaras and also in the 2 healthy horses co-grazing with AM cases (0.43 ± 0.59 μmol/l). Hypoglycin A was detected in all samples of seeds and spring seedlings of A. pseudoplatanus. CONCLUSIONS Atypical myopathy can be associated with the ingestion of sycamore samaras and also ingestion of seedlings. Hypoglycin A can be detected in the blood of horses with no detectable clinical signs at pasture in which there is A. pseudoplatanus. Determination of hypoglycin A concentration in blood is useful for screening for exposure in suspected cases of AM.
Organizational Innovation in the Apparel Industry

The traditional mass production process in apparel manufacturing is contrasted with innovative techniques based on teamwork and greater employee participation. Although economic forces have encouraged the spread of innovative work organization, so far, these techniques have been implemented only within traditional human resource strategies that maintain sharp distinctions between production workers, on the one hand, and managers, supervisors, and engineers, on the other.
Hemolysis of Sheep Erythrocytes Sensitized with Leptospiral Extracts

Summary Leptospiral extracts are capable of sensitizing sheep erythrocytes to the HL action of homologous and heterologous leptospiral antiserum and complement, and description of the HL procedure is presented. The HL procedure was shown to be broadly specific, in sharp contrast to the high degree of type specificity seen in the AL procedure. In comparison with HL titrations, the HA reaction was also found to have broad specificity but to be considerably less sensitive than the HL reaction. All 3 procedures were compared in a study involving 580 randomly selected human sera, from which data it would seem that the HL procedure warrants further study as a possible screening tool for the rapid detection and titration of leptospiral antibodies in human sera.
Signaling Cascades Activated upon Antibody Cross-linking of Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein

Antibody-induced demyelination is an important component of pathology in multiple sclerosis. In particular, antibodies to myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) are elevated in multiple sclerosis patients, and they have been implicated as mediators of demyelination. We have shown previously that antibody cross-linking of MOG in oligodendrocytes results in the repartitioning of MOG into glycosphingolipid-cholesterol membrane microdomains (“lipid rafts”), followed by changes in the phosphorylation of specific proteins, including dephosphorylation of β-tubulin and the β subunit of the trimeric G protein and culminating in rapid and dramatic morphological alterations. In order to further elucidate the mechanism of anti-MOG-mediated demyelination, we have carried out a proteomic analysis to identify the set of proteins for which the phosphorylation states or expression levels are altered upon anti-MOG treatment. We demonstrate that treatment of oligodendrocytes with anti-MOG alone leads to an increase in calcium influx and activation of the MAPK/Akt pathways that is independent of MOG repartitioning. However, further cross-linking of anti-MOG·MOG complexes with a secondary anti-IgG results in the lipid raft-dependent phosphorylation of specific proteins related to cellular stress response and cytoskeletal stability. Oligodendrocyte survival is not compromised by these treatments. We discuss the possible significance of the anti-MOG-induced signaling cascade in relation to the initial steps of MOG-mediated demyelination.
Nonparametric Analysis of Cost Complementarities in the Telecommunications Industry

Using data on local exchange carriers (LECs), I estimate the total cost function of LECs operating between 1988 and 1995. First, I show that cost complementarities can be nonparametrically identified in many situations where economies of scope and subadditivity—the focus of previous empirical research—cannot be identified. Next, I implement a feasible nonparametric estimation model restricting the cost function to satisfy properties required by economic theory. The results support the assumption of cost complementarities in the production of local and toll calls. The degree of complementarity is computed and shown to be larger for small companies.