Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reacting to the Lucas Critique

In 1976, Robert Lucas explicitly criticized Keynesian macroeconometric models for their inability to correctly predict the effects of alternative economic policies. Today, most contemporary macroeconomists and some historians of economics consider that Lucas’s critique led forcefully to an immediate disqualification of the Keynesian macroeconometric approach. This narrative is based on the interpretation of the Lucas critique as a fundamental principle for economic reasoning that was (and still is) logically unquestionable. We consider that this narrative is problematic both in terms of historiography and the effects that it can have in the field as a way of assigning importance and credit to particular macroeconomists. Indeed, the point of view of the Keynesian economists is missing despite the fact that they were the target of Lucas’s paper and that throughout the 1970s and 1980s they produced a fierce reaction against it. In this article we analyze the reactions by a broad set of authors (which we label “Keynesians”) that disputed the relevance of the critique. In spite of their diversity in methodological, theoretical, and policy issues, these reactions were characterized by their common questioning of the empirical and practical relevance of the Lucas critique.
Employment protection, employment and unemployment rates in European Union countries during the Great Recession

ABSTRACT This paper analyses the impact of employment protection legislation on the evolution of employment and unemployment in European Union economies during the Great Recession. The results show that employment protection did not have a significant impact on employment growth. Regarding unemployment rates, we obtain contrasting results: high employment protection for temporary workers was associated with larger increases in unemployment rates, whereas high protection for permanent workers against individual dismissal was associated with lower increases in unemployment rates. Nonetheless, employment protection for permanent in conjunction with that for temporary workers had a positive impact on unemployment rates.
Diagnostic Utility of Cardiac Troponin-I Levels in Patients with Suspected Pulmonary Embolism

Although positive troponin-I (TnI) assays have been reported in patients with pulmonary embolism (PE), Tnl levels in patients with suspected PE have not been evaluated systemati cally. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic utility of Tnl measurements in patients with suspected PE. Consecutive patients with suspected PE were identified in whom nuclear ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) scans were performed and Tnl levels were measured. Tnl levels in patients with and without positive V/Q scans were compared by use of t tests. After categorizing Tnl levels as positive (Tnl-pos, ≥ 0.40 ng/mL) or negative, chi-square tests were used to relate these values to V/Q scan results. Separate comparisons were made for subjects with high-probability V/Q scans (V/Q-high, ≥90% likelihood of PE) and intermediate- or high- probability V/Q scans (V/Q-pos, ≥50% likelihood of PE). The mean Tnl level in the 10 subjects with V/Q-high scans was 0.39 ±0.79 ng/mL. The mean Tnl level in the 81 subjects without V/Q- high scans was 0.36 ±0.66 ng/mL (p = 0.89). Tnl levels did not differ between the 22 V/Q-pos subjects and the 69 subjects with negative V/Q scans (p = 0.86). A positive Tnl in the setting of V/Q-pos had a sensitivity of 32%, specificity of 71 %, positive predictive value of 26%, and a negative predictive value = 77% (chi-square = 0.06, p = 0.80). Elevated Tnl levels are not associated with positive V/Q scans. The Tnl assay is not a useful test in patients suspected of having PE, unless used to exclude myocardial ischemia or infarction.
Vasopressin increases [Ca2+]i in differentiated astrocytes by activation of V1b/V3 receptors but has no effect in mature cortical neurons

Vasopressin (AVP) plays an important role in regulation of astrocytic, but not neuronal, water content and cell volume during hydro‐osmotic challenge. To investigate the intracellular mechanism(s) signaling this response, [Ca2+]i was measured fluorometrically in cultured cerebrocortical astrocytes and neurons, obtained from neonatal and fetal mouse brains, and matured during the culturing period. In astrocytes, [Ca2+]i increased with an EC50 of between 10−10 and 10−9 M AVP, the maximum increase was ≈100 nM, and the response was independent of extracellular Ca2+, identifying the receptor as being of the V1b/V3 subtype. In contrast, AVP had no effect on [Ca2+]i in cortical neurons. This cellular difference is consistent with the ability of AVP to increase water permeability in astrocytes but not in neurons. J. Neurosci. Res. 60:761–766, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The immediate retrieval of verbal sequences in late-life span: a developmental approach

ABSTRACT The present study aims to explore the mechanisms underpinning forward and backward immediate serial recall in young (i.e., 20–30 years), old (i.e., 65–74 years), and very old (i.e., 75–84 years) adults. Participants had to retrieve verbal lists from forward and backward perspectives where position-item and item-item pairings were reiterated from the start or the end of the sequence across four consecutive lists. The results showed that the age and type of the repeated cues across the lists influenced memory performance. That is, old participants outperformed the very old group in both recall modalities; furthermore, the repetition of positional and inter-item cues from the list start facilitates memory performance in forward and backward conditions. Overall, these findings suggest that the list start is the most significant marker for encoding serial information and support the idea of a common mechanism underpinning the immediate recall of serial information in forward and backward order.
Monoclonal antibody fluorescence for routine lymphocyte subpopulation analysis with the Abbott CELL‐DYN Sapphire haematology analyser

Using previously described procedures, this study quantified T‐cell, T‐cell subset, B‐cell and NK‐cell populations with the CD‐Sapphire haematology analyser in a series of patients with mild to moderate lymphocytosis. Lymphocyte counts ranged from 6.0 to 14.9 × 109/l, with 86/97 being <10.0 × 109/l. Immunophenotyping (CD3/CD19/HLA‐DR, CD4/CD8 and CD16/CD56 combinations) was performed using EDTA‐anticoagulated blood, automated CD‐Sapphire analysis and subsequent software processing. Of 35 samples from younger (<12 years) patients, 22 (63%) had nonspecific lymphocyte changes, 4 (11%) showed specific increases in nonreactive T‐Helper or T‐Suppressor cells, and five showed a reactive T‐cell lymphocytosis. The remaining four were classified as ‘Transient/Persistent NK‐associated (NKa) Expansion’ (n = 3) and specific B‐cell lymphocytosis (n = 1). For older patients (n = 59), 15 (25%) had an increase (>1.5 × 109/l) in B‐cells, and seven investigated for surface immunoglobulin expression were all found to be clonal. The remaining samples were categorized as ‘Transient/Persistent NK‐associated (NKa) Expansion’ (13/59), Reactive Lymphocytosis (5/59), ‘Reactive Lymphocytosis or Transient/Persistent NKa Expansion’ (8/59), specific T‐Helper cell (n = 8) or T‐Suppressor cell (n = 3) lymphocytosis, and ‘Lymphocytosis of Undetermined Significance’ (n = 7). This study has demonstrated the feasibility of applying limited immunophenotyping protocols to the investigation of patients with abnormal lymphocyte counts in routine haematology. By using commercially purchased liquid monoclonal reagents to determine lymphocyte subpopulation profiles, haematology laboratories can provide more definitive information of potential clinical importance.
Juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus: onset patterns and short-term outcome in Egyptian children, a single-center experience

Objective The objective of this article is to define disease onset pattern and understand the response to therapy in children with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in Egypt. Methods A prospective cohort of 41 Egyptian children diagnosed with SLE was analyzed. SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) score was used to record disease activity at onset, and renal biopsy was performed to define the stage of lupus nephritis. Response to therapy over a follow-up period ranging from 10 to 50 months was evaluated. Results The mean age at diagnosis was 12.12 ± 3.45 years. Thirty-six (87.8%) patients were females. Most patients had multiple manifestations at onset. The most common presenting symptoms were pallor and fever (51.2% and 43.9%, respectively). Lupus nephritis was found in 27 (65.9%) children. International Society of Nephrology (ISN) classes I and III were the most common findings on renal biopsy. Neuropsychiatric manifestations were present at disease onset in 19 patients (46.3%) with a bad prognostic course. At diagnosis, high SLEDAI scores were recorded (mean: 29.95 ± 2.06). The mean renal SLEDAI score was 10.2 ± 4. At follow-up 16 (39.02%) patients were in complete remission, 10 (24.39%) were in partial remission, two (4.87%) had active disease, five (12.9%) had relapsed, four (9.75%) had died and four (9.75%) patients were lost to follow-up. Conclusions Egyptian children with SLE appear to have severe disease on presentation with high SLEDAI scores and high prevalence of lupus nephritis, but respond well to therapy with a favorable short-term prognosis.
Enzyme immunoassay for identification of heat-killed mycobacteria belonging to the Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium avium complexes and derived from early cultures

A simple enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was developed for the identification of cultured mycobacteria belonging to the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, the Mycobacterium avium complex, and Mycobacterium kansasii. Six monoclonal antibodies were used: two (F23-49 and F24-2) were specific for the M. tuberculosis complex, two (F85-2 and F85-10) were specific for the identification of the M. avium complex, one (F126-22) was specific for M. kansasii, and one (F141-3) was broadly reactive and distinguished mycobacteria from other bacteria. In the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay only 10(6) to 10(7) bacteria derived from early cultures (2 to 3 weeks) were needed for each monoclonal antibody. For the M. tuberculosis complex the sensitivity and specificity were both 100%. For the M. avium complex the specificity was 100% and the sensitivity was 70%. The three M. kansasii strains tested could all be identified as M. kansasii.
Black cohosh and suspected hepatotoxicity: inconsistencies, confounding variables, and prospective use of a diagnostic causality algorithm. A critical review

Objective: The data of 69 cases of initially suspected black cohosh (BC)-induced liver disease were reviewed and analyzed to clarify whether BC hepatotoxicity really exists as a disease entity in these cases comparable to toxic liver disease being caused by various drugs and dietary supplements. Methods: The cases comprised 11 published case reports and 58 spontaneous reports to national regulatory agencies. The analysis includes assessment of causality for BC, data quality of the presented cases, and their inconsistencies and confounding variables. Results: The assessed data raise serious doubts on the initial claims of causality for BC in these cases and provide clear evidence of their poor quality, especially when spontaneous reports are considered. There are major inconsistencies for the same patient regarding reported data. Moreover, the analysis of all cases disclosed confounding variables. These include poor case data quality, uncertainty of BC product, quality, and identification, undisclosed indication, insufficient adverse event definition, lack of temporal association and dechallenge, missing or inadequate evaluation of alcohol use, comedication, comorbidity, reexposure test, and alternative diagnoses. Conclusions: The presented data do not support the concept of hepatotoxicity in a primarily suspected causal relationship to the use of BC and failure to provide a signal of safety concern, but further efforts have to be undertaken to dismiss or to substantiate the existence of BC hepatotoxicity as a special disease entity. The future strategy should be focused on prospective causality evaluations in patients diagnosed with suspected BC hepatotoxicity, using a structured, quantitative, and hepatotoxicity-specific causality assessment method.
Subchronic phencyclidine treatment impairs performance of C57BL/6 mice in the attentional set-shifting task

Schizophrenic patients show deficits in their ability to shift attention to new stimuli during attentional set-shifting tasks. An equivalent task has been developed in rodents. This task was used to assess effects of phencyclidine (PCP), a drug widely used to model schizophrenia, in mice. Mice were administered PCP (0.63 or 1.3 mg/kg) daily, beginning 5 days prior to training and continuing throughout the test period. Mice were trained to discriminate stimuli to find a food reward in a series of discriminations. PCP increased the number of trials required to reach the criterion during simple and reversal discriminations, but not when the discriminations were repeated with a new set of stimuli (i.e. during the intradimensional shift and its reversal), suggesting an interaction between PCP effects and novelty. The 1.3 mg/kg of PCP also impaired performance of mice during the extradimensional shift. Similar results have been reported in schizophrenic patients. Although, in control mice, performance of the extradimensional shift was not impaired relative to the intradimensional shift, suggesting that the mouse may not be a suitable species for assessment in this model, specific discriminations within this task were sensitive to impairment by PCP, implying, therefore, that it may have some utility in modelling discrete aspects of schizophrenia in humans.
Enterprise Cloud Computing Project for Connecting Higher Education Institutions: A Case Study of the UAE

The new cloud computing technology is very much in the business and economic horizon, extending its horizons to non-business sectors like education. This study is a study of the need and applicability of the fast spreading business enterprises’ external cloud computing technology, to the higher educational institution in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the educational hub of the MENA region, in terms of three premier higher educational institutions—Zayed University (ZU), Higher College of Technology (HCT), and the UAE University (UAEU) for their collaboration services for better educational services. Employing the interview method to a sample of administrators, it was found that the institutions were lacking in cloud computing (CC) resulting in delays in student services, such as inter-university transfers of students. The administrators, however, were convinced of CC technology for inter-institutional collaboration. For this, it is suggested to establish a platform of cloud computing services, with required staff training and motivation for efficient and collaboration functioning of the HEIs in the UAE, which is evolving into a global educational center. As this is not the end of the problem, there is a need for further research in the problem, such as staff exchange, and research cooperation as it is a modest but worthwhile contribution to the educational dimension of cloud computing for educational efficiency.
Cultural differences in musculoskeletal symptoms and disability.

OBJECTIVES To test the hypothesis that cultural factors such as health beliefs and expectations have an important influence on common musculoskeletal symptoms and associated disability, we compared prevalence rates in groups of workers carrying out similar physical activities in different cultural settings. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional survey at factories and offices in Mumbai, India and in the UK. A questionnaire about symptoms, disability and risk factors was administered at interview to six occupational groups: three groups of office workers who regularly used computer keyboards (165 Indian, 67 UK of Indian subcontinental origin and 172 UK white), and three groups of workers carrying out repetitive manual tasks with the hands or arms (178 Indian, 73 UK of Indian subcontinental origin and 159 UK white). Modified Cox regression was used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) for the prevalence of symptoms and disability by occupational group, adjusted for differences in sex, age, mental health and job satisfaction. RESULTS Reported occupational activities were similar in the three groups of office workers (frequent use of keyboards) and in the three groups of manual workers (frequent movements of the wrist or fingers, bending of the elbow, work with the hands above shoulder height and work with the neck twisted). In comparison with the Indian manual workers, the prevalence of back, neck and arm pain was substantially higher in all of the other five occupational groups. The difference was greatest for arm pain lasting >30 days in the past year in UK white manual workers (HR 17.8, 95% CI 5.4-59.1) and UK manual workers of Indian subcontinental origin (HR 20.5, 95% CI 5.7-73.1). Office workers in India had lower rates of pain in the wrist and hand than office workers in the UK. Only 1% of the Indian manual workers and 16% of the Indian office workers had ever heard of 'RSI' or similar terms, as compared with 80% of the UK workers. CONCLUSIONS Our findings support the hypothesized impact of cultural factors on common musculoskeletal complaints. Current controls on hazardous physical activities in the workplace may not have the benefits that would be predicted from observational epidemiology.
Effects of 7-weeks competitive training period on physiological and mental condition of top level judoists.

AIM We examined hormonal and haematological parameters and the profile of mood states (POMS) in top level judoists undertaking a 7-week competitive training period in a real contest. METHODS Participants were 10 top level judoists belonging to the Spanish National Team. Training load was calculated by multiplying the training session intensity by the duration of the training session. The judoists competed in two official events on weeks 3 and 6 of the study. RESULTS Urinary catecholamines increased at the end of the competitive period. Serum cortisol increased during the weeks in which judoists competed, confirming the existence of and anticipatory cortisol response to exercise; although we failed to find serum testosterone increases. Because of leukocyte values did not change, except monocytes, we speculate that the intensity of training was not sufficiently high to evoke injury to muscle tissue. Anger, tension, and fatigue increased according with training load, suggesting that the training exercise led participants into a negative psychological state. CONCLUSION Findings indicate that during competitive periods, judoists suffer hormonal and mood changes according to training load and competitive events. Results support the usefulness of monitoring biological and psychological markers during season in order to adjust training loads and periods of recovery.
Shared and distinct cue utilization for metacognitive judgements during reasoning and memorisation

ABSTRACT Metacognitive research is dominated by meta-memory studies; meta-reasoning research is nascent. Accessibility – the number of associations for a stimulus – is a reliable heuristic cue for Feeling of Knowing when answering knowledge questions. We used a similar cue, subjective accessibility, for exposing commonalities and differences between meta-reasoning and meta-memory. In Experiment 1, participants faced solvable Compound Remote Associate problems mixed with unsolvable random word triads. We collected initial Judgement of Solvability (iJOS), final JOS (fJOS) and confidence. Experiment 2 focused on confidence, controlling for potential interactions among judgements. In Experiment 3, the participants memorised the same triads and rated Ease of Learning and Judgement of Learning. sAccessibility was associated with all judgements. Notably, it reliably predicted memory judgements and confidence in the provided solutions. However, it was unreliable for judging solvability (iJOS and fJOS). The findings highlight the importance of studying meta-reasoning for exposing the biasing factors in reasoning processes and for getting a broad perspective on metacognitive processes.
Functioning and disability in the vegetative state: Results from a pilot study in Italy

Purpose. To describe functioning and disability of patients in vegetative state (VS) according to the biopsychosocial model of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). Method. Patients in VS admitted to long-stay hospitals were consecutively enrolled, and the ICF checklist was completed by trained professionals. ICF categories utilisation is described. Results. Twenty-one patients (15 males) were enrolled, mean age was 51.9 and mean duration of VS was 22 months. The majority of body functions and structures categories are reported as problems in less than 20% of patients. In the activity and participation domain, majority of ICF categories were not applicable and, among opened categories, performance was usually better than capacity. Among environmental factors, categories are mostly described as facilitators. Conclusions. This is the first pilot study in which the applicability of the ICF checklist to patients in VS was tested, showing the applicability of ICF categories within A&P domain, and the presence of few but very strong facilitating environmental factors. This study also sets the premises for a study on people in VS and in minimal conscious state both at a national and international level.
Meta‐omic analyses of Baltic Sea cyanobacteria: diversity, community structure and salt acclimation

Cyanobacteria are important phytoplankton in the Baltic Sea, an estuarine-like environment with pronounced north to south gradients in salinity and nutrient concentrations. Here, we present a metagenomic and -transcriptomic survey, with subsequent analyses targeting the genetic identity, phylogenetic diversity, and spatial distribution of Baltic Sea cyanobacteria. The cyanobacterial community constituted close to 12% of the microbial population sampled during a pre-bloom period (June-July 2009). The community was dominated by unicellular picocyanobacteria, specifically a few highly abundant taxa (Synechococcus and Cyanobium) with a long tail of low abundance representatives, and local peaks of bloom-forming heterocystous taxa. Cyanobacteria in the Baltic Sea differed genetically from those in adjacent limnic and marine waters as well as from cultivated and sequenced picocyanobacterial strains. Diversity peaked at brackish salinities 3.5-16 psu, with low N:P ratios. A shift in community composition from brackish to marine strains was accompanied by a change in the repertoire and expression of genes involved in salt acclimation. Overall, the pre-bloom cyanobacterial population was more genetically diverse, widespread and abundant than previously documented, with unicellular picocyanobacteria being the most abundant clade along the entire Baltic Sea salinity gradient.