Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Virus‐induced airway hyperresponsiveness in the guinea‐pig: possible involvement of histamine and inflammatory cells

1 Guinea‐pig tracheal contractions by histamine and by the cholinoceptor agonist, arecoline, are significantly enhanced (30% and 20%, respectively), 96 h after intra‐tracheal inoculation with Parainfluenza‐3 (PI‐3) virus. 2 The airway hyperresponsiveness in animals inoculated with virus coincides with a significant increase in the number of broncho‐alveolar cells (82%), and in the albumin concentration (121%) in lung lavage fluid, relative to values obtained in guinea‐pigs challenged with control solution. 3 The chemiluminescence production by isolated broncho‐alveolar cells, obtained from virus‐infected guinea‐pigs 96 h after inoculation stimulated with PI‐3 virus in vitro, is significantly reduced by 42% relative to broncho‐alveolar cells obtained from animals inoculated with control solution. This diminution was not specific for stimulation by PI‐3 virus since the chemiluminescence production was also significantly reduced by 30% in response to zymosan. 4 Pretreatment of the guinea‐pigs with the anti‐allergic drugs, oxatomide (2.5 mg kg−1) or nedocromil (2.5 mg kg−1), or the specific H1‐histamine receptor antagonist, levocabastine (0.25 mg kg−1), administered intra‐peritoneally twice a day for five successive days, inhibits the virus‐induced airway hyperresponsiveness, suppresses the influx of broncho‐alveolar cells and increase in albumin content, and corrects the reduced chemiluminescence production by broncho‐alveolar cells in response to zymosan. 5 In contrast, the cyclo‐oxygenase inhibitor, suprofen (5.0 mg kg−1), the 5‐HT2 receptor antagonist, ketanserin (0.63 mg kg−1), or the Ca2+ overload blocker, flunarizine (2.5 mg kg−1) do not modify the above mentioned processes. 6 The platelet‐activating factor receptor antagonist, WEB 2170 (10 mg kg−1), reduces virus‐induced airway hyperresponsiveness and influx of broncho‐alveolar cells into the lungs but does not attenuate the increase of albumin in the bronchial lavage fluid. 7 Guinea‐pigs nebulized with histamine, twice a day (30 min) during 4 successive days, do not demonstrate an increased airway responsiveness, but instead show tachyphylaxis in response to histamine in vitro. In addition, no influx of inflammatory cells is found in these animals. 8 These results suggest that histamine does not directly increase the responsiveness of the guinea‐pig trachea; however, histamine may be involved in a cascade of events leading to airway hyperresponsiveness after a viral infection, a process that could be related to an influx and/or an activation of broncho‐alveolar cells after PI‐3 virus stimulation.
Resting energy expenditure, macronutrient utilization, and body composition in term infants after corrective surgery of major congenital anomalies: A case-study.

INTRODUCTION Knowledge on the metabolic changes and nutritional needs during the postsurgical anabolic phase in infants is scarce. This analysis explores the associations of resting energy expenditure (REE) and macronutrient utilization with body composition of full-term infants, during catch-up growth after corrective surgery of major congenital anomalies. METHODS A cohort of full-term appropriate for-gestational-age neonates subjected to corrective surgery of major congenital anomalies were recruited after gaining weight for at least one week. REE and macronutrient utilization, measured by respiratory quotient (RQ), were assessed by indirect calorimetry using the Deltatrac II Metabolic Monitor ®. Body composition, expressed as fat-free mass (FFM), fat mass (FM) and adiposity defined as percentage of FM (% FM), was measured by air displacement plethysmography using the Pea Pod ®. RESULTS Four infants were included at 3 to 5 postnatal weeks. Recommended energy and macronutrient intakes for healthy term infants were provided. Through the study, the median (min-max) REE (Kcal/Kg FFM/d) was 70.8 (60.6-96.1) and RQ was 0.99 (0.72-1.20). Steady increases in both body weight and FFM were associated with initial decrease in FM and adiposity followed by their increase. Low RQ preceded decrease in adiposity. CONCLUSION The marked adiposity depletion, not expected during steady weight gain in the postsurgical period, prompts us to report this finding. The subsequent adiposity catch-up was associated with relatively high REE and RQ, suggesting preferential oxidation of carbohydrates and preservation of lipids for fat storage.
Biofilms Inducing Ultra-low Friction on Titanium

Biofilm formation is widely reported in the literature as a problem in the healthcare, environmental, and industrial sectors. However, the role of biofilms in sliding contacts remains unclear. Friction during sliding was analyzed for titanium covered with mixed biofilms consisting of Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans. The morphology of biofilms on titanium surfaces was evaluated before, during, and after sliding tests. Very low friction was recorded on titanium immersed in artificial saliva and sliding against alumina in the presence of biofilms. The complex structure of biofilms, which consist of microbial cells and their hydrated exopolymeric matrix, acts like a lubricant. A low friction in sliding contacts may have major significance in the medical field. The composition and structure of biofilms are shown to be key factors for an understanding of friction behavior of dental implant connections and prosthetic joints. For instance, a loss of mechanical integrity of dental implant internal connections may occur as a consequence of the decrease in friction caused by biofilm formation. Consequently, the study of the exopolymeric matrix can be important for the development of high-performance novel joint-based systems for medical and other engineering applications.
Industrial relations in South-Eastern Europe: disaggregating the contexts

This study critically evaluates industrial relations (IR) in South-Eastern Europe and points towards future practical and research-oriented opportunities in the region. A survey of organizational policies and practices has been used to explore the state of IR in both private and public organizations in this region. Specifically, the data, collected in 2009–2010 (including the latest changes due to the economic crisis), cover 840 different organizations located in Slovenia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Greece and Cyprus. We discuss the development of ‘regional-specific’ IR policies, the ‘importing’ of varieties of capitalism models, the diffusion of the European Union social model and the role of foreign MNCs in changing IR in the region.
Creating Equitable Practice in Diverse Classrooms: Developing a Tool to Evaluate Pedagogy

With Australia performing so poorly in terms of equity in mathematical achievement on the PISA scores, there is an increasing recognition for practices that may stem the inequities in education in this country. This paper explores an approach that has been found to be highly successful in the United States and links it to current issues in Australian education. Practical considerations are made regarding the application and implementation of such reform pedagogy when particular nuances of Australian issues are considered. In particular, the development of a tool to evaluate reform pedagogy is the focus of this paper. Increasingly classrooms are becoming more diverse and with such change, new forms of pedagogy are needed to enable the greatest likelihood for success for all students but most particularly for those students who traditionally have been most at risk of not succeeding in school mathematics. Alarmingly, Australia performed well on international comparisons in terms of overall performance but was one of the poorest performing countries in terms of equity (Lokan, Greenwood, & Cresswell, 2001). These authors contend that the outstanding performance of some students overcompensated for the poorer performing students to allow for a good overall outcome. The concern for us is the large gap between those who perform well and those who do not. Such poor performance is not random but strongly aligned with the social, cultural and geographical location of students. In this paper we discuss these highly differentiated performances and propose an alternate pedagogy that has been found to be highly successful in some contexts outside Australia, but with modifications that appear to be more amenable to the unique situations of Australian education. Further, we discuss the difficulties with the implementation of such a model and the challenges to the implementation of such a successful model.
Deficit Financing and Economic Growth in Nigeria: A Preliminary Investigation

The fact that Nigerian economy has experienced some setbacks over the last four decades despite the growth of public expenditure cannot be overempha sized. This study thus investigates the incessant rises in government expenditure and the implications of deficit financing on Nigerian economic growth. It traces various governmental efforts in revamping theeconomy between 1970 and 2010, a period of 41 y ears.
Corporate Compliance with Non-Mandatory Statements of Best Practice: The Case of the ASB Statement on Interim Reports

ABSTRACT This paper contributes to our understanding of compliance with non-mandatory statements of best practice. Specifically, we examine the efficacy of agency-related mechanisms on the degree of disclosure compliance with the ASB Statement on interim reports. Using data drawn from a sample of 259 UK companies listed on the London Stock Exchange, we show that although overall disclosure compliance is high (74.5% of the items of information being disclosed), companies do not fully comply with the ASB Statement on interim reports. We employ an ordinary least square (OLS) regression model to establish whether selected company-specific and corporate governance characteristics (proxying for agency-related mechanisms) are related to the degree of disclosure compliance. Our results indicate that multiple listing, company size, interim dividend and new share issuance are positively associated with the degree of compliance. We also find that the degree of disclosure compliance is positively associated with auditor involvement, audit committee independence and audit committee financial expertise. These results have important implications for policy because they suggest that whilst agency-related mechanisms may motivate compliance with best practice non-mandatory statements, full compliance may be unattainable without regulations.
Fighting against viral hepatitis: Lessons from Taiwan

Viral hepatitis and its sequelae are important health problems worldwide, including Taiwan. For the last 40 years, Taiwan's scientists and health care providers have worked hard to control these sequelae, and the results have been excellent. The author, Ding‐Shinn Chen, had a key role in planning and establishing the control program in Taiwan, and participated in the endeavors from the very beginning. In this perspective, he describes how he became interested in research as a medical student, his encounters with hepatitis B and C, how he and his colleagues started early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), how he helped Taiwan's government create and implement the Viral Hepatitis Control Program, and how the effectiveness of the program in the decrease of hepatitis B carriage and HCC was monitored. He also discusses how he pioneered the use of interferon‐α plus ribavirin to treat chronic hepatitis C. Hepatitis B viral load as a risk factor for HCC and cirrhosis in hepatitis B surface antigen carriers is reviewed briefly, as is the prevention of sequelae by antiviral therapies. Finally, Dr. Chen discusses unresolved issues that must be addressed and predicts the changes of the patterns of liver disease in Taiwan beyond the mid‐21st century, which is in part affected by the fight against viral hepatitis that was initiated in the early 1980s. Conclusion: Dr. Chen's perspective illustrates Taiwan's fight against viral hepatitis over the last 40 years. This experience can be shared by other countries in which the disease is equally prevalent. (HEPATOLOGY 2011;)
Weight change before and after the introduction of solids: results from a longitudinal birth cohort

We studied the association, and its direction, between the introduction of solids and weight-for-height (WFH) change between birth and 45 months. Pregnant women were asked to participate in a birth cohort during their first antenatal visit. Data from 3184 children were used. The timing of the introduction of solids was reported by the mother from a questionnaire at 12 months postpartum, and categorised into very early (0–3 months), early (3–6 months) and timely (after 6 months) introduction of solids. Anthropometric data were collected during standardised child health centre visits. WFH was converted into a z-score. Repeated-measurements analyses with splines positioned according to the moments of solid introduction were used to obtain estimates for WFH change before and after the introduction of solids. Analyses were adjusted for educational level, ethnicity, smoking during pregnancy, mother's BMI, breast-feeding, history of food allergy and infant's hospital admission. Before solids were introduced, weight gain was higher in children introduced to solids early (z= 0·65, 95 % CI 0·34, 0·95) than in children introduced to solids very early (z= 0·02, 95 % CI − 0·03, 0·08) and timely (z= − 0·04, 95 % CI − 0·05, − 0·03). Shortly after the introduction of solids, children introduced to solids very early and early showed a relative decrease in WFH. WFH change did not differ between the solid introduction groups after 12 months, and at that time, weight change was as expected (i.e. z= 0). We therefore conclude that differences in WFH in childhood are not the result of early introduction to solids.
Treatment of Cerebrovascular Diseases: State of the Art and Perspectives

Summary: Ischaemic penumbra is defined as the area of brain tissue that maintains some blood flow following ischaemic accident. This zone may be rescued by both neuroprotection and arterial revascularization. Early thrombolysis has been used with encouraging results since 1995 in several trials testing both streptokinase and recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (r‐TPA): the r‐TPA results are definitely more positive than those of streptokinase, despite an increased incidence of symptomatic haemorrhagic transformation, r‐TPA significantly reducing death or dependency at the end of follow‐up. Despite the fact that some experimental periods of application of these therapeutic strategies demonstrated real cost‐effective benefits, only 1% of patients reaching hospital in time for thrombolysis are currently treated. This is because the profile of patients at risk of haemorrhagic transformation, which is definitely the most feared side‐effect of thrombolysis in stroke, is yet to be clearly defined. Extended computerized tomography (CT) signs of the index stroke have been repeatedly indicated as reliable predictors of haemorrhagic transformation even if currently there are significant discrepancies in the criteria adopted by different researchers to define early CT signs. Based on experimental ischaemia, strategies for protecting the basal lamina during thrombolysis are suggested: neuroprotection is the second approach to stroke therapy; pharmacological reperfusion and brain protection are probably mutually dependent.
The Promise of Urban Democracy

Black mayoral fortunes across America’s big cities improved dramatically in the 1990s. There is speculation on how to explain this shift—whether the factors known to affect black mayoral success have seen wholesale changes or whether this shift derived from marginal changes occurring within these known factors. The author examines pooled cross-sectional data. Black mayoral service was positively associated with black composition in the electorate, city size, and white education; black service was negatively associated with southern location. Marginal changes in factors known to affect black mayoral service accounted for big-city black mayoral success in the early 1990s.
Does Cross Listing in the U.S. Really Enhance the Value of Emerging Market Firms?

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to study the valuation effects of cross listing in the USA for a panel of emerging market firms over the period from 1990 to 2003. Design/methodology/approach - Using firm-level data from Worldscope, the paper examines the valuation effects of listing in the USA for a panel of emerging market firms. Specifically, the following techniques are employed in order to control for self-selection bias: calculate the average effect of the treatment on the treated using propensity score matching, pooled ordinary least squares with Mundlak corrections, firm-fixed effects, and panel treatment effects models. Findings - In line with previous researches, only those firms from high-disclosure regimes gain from Level 2/3 listing in the USA. The gains are not immediate, but materialize once the firm has listed in the USA for at least five years. Also documented were long-term, but not immediate valuation gains for Level 1 over-the-counterissues. In contrast to Level 2/3 issues, the gains are concentrated amongst firms from low-disclosure regimes. No positive valuation effects were found for Rule 144a private placements. The results suggest that the decision on the part of the majority of firms from low-disclosure regimes not to list as exchange traded depositary receipts is warranted. Research limitations/implications - It may have been interesting to further examine the causes of the results. For example, it would have been interesting to see how firm visibility (media and analyst coverage), liquidity, and capital issuance changed around the time of listing. However, data availability prevented such an analysis. Originality/value - As opposed to standard event studies, this paper examines the effect of listing on firm value using valuation metrics, i.e. Tobin's q. Second, and unlike event studies, the techniques employed are substantially more robust to self-selection bias.
A critical assessment of the financialisation process and its impact on the US labour force during the great recession

This paper analyses two main features of the financialisation period, namely: 1) the replacement of the 'originate and hold' banking model with the 'originate and distribute' banking model; 2) the securitisation process of structured finance products. These features have produced remarkable changes in the nature and role of banks and financial markets in modern economies. The paper shows that these remarkable changes together with inadequate governance arrangements and relaxed supervision by regulatory authorities have led to an increasing role of financial intermediaries and managers in the economy, which in turn, has had substantial stratification effects on employment and income opportunities of different occupations, gender and ethnic groups of the US labour force during the great recession.
THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN EXECUTIVE SUCCESSION AND DISCRETIONARY ACCOUNTING CHANGES: EARNINGS MANAGEMENT OR DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES?

This paper investigates the association of executive changes with both income increasing and decreasing accounting changes. Two potential explanations for the hypothesis that firms with changes in CEOs are more likely to make accounting changes are examined. The earnings management explanation holds that new management intervenes in the financial reporting process in order to alter perceptions of effectiveness. The different perspectives explanation holds that managements have different tastes, perspectives, or views of the world than the predecessor. Evidence supports the different perspectives explanation.
Intervention and Exchange Rate Stabilization Policy in Developing Countries

Recent evidence based on event studies demonstrates the short-run effectiveness of sterilized (non-monetary) intervention to stabilize exchange rates. This role is especially important for developing economies where currency volatility is frequently tied to unstable market expectations, herding behaviour and contagion, rather than "fundamental" macroeconomic imbalances. Intervention coordinated with several governments is more likely to succeed in moving exchange rates in the desired direction. The Chiang Mai Initiative (CMI) is a step towards greater cooperation on exchange rate management in Asia, but its main component is a limited US dollar swap agreement between Japan and developing economies and is conditional on an IMF financial package. A much stronger political, as well as economic, commitment to intervene in exchange markets than currently embodied in the CMI would be needed to reduce exchange rate volatility in the region and to ward off future speculative attacks. Greater currency stability, in turn, would give developing economies more flexibility to use monetary and fiscal policy to pursue domestic stabilization policy objectives. Copyright 2003 by Blackwell Publishers Ltd.
Adherence Patterns to National Comprehensive Cancer Network Guidelines for Referral of Women With Breast Cancer to Genetics Professionals

Objective:Genetic predisposition is responsible for 5% to 10% of breast cancer. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) established guidelines delineating appropriate candidates for genetic counseling. This study aims to determine referral patterns for genetic counseling in women who met such guidelines. Materials and Methods:Utilizing an institutional tumor registry, patients from an academic oncology program who met a subset of NCCN guidelines for genetic referrals between 2004 and 2010 were identified (breast cancer diagnosis ⩽50 y without a known BRCA mutation). A retrospective chart review was conducted. Statistics were analyzed using SAS version 9.2. Results:A total of 314 patients were identified and 107 (34.1%) were referred for genetic counseling. Median age at diagnosis was younger for those referred versus not referred (43 and 46 y; P<0.0001). Women were more likely referred with a family history suspicious for an inherited cancer syndrome (67.3% vs. 36.2%; P<0.0001). There was no difference in stage at diagnosis, insurance, or race among women referred. Those patients who choose prophylactic contralateral mastectomy were likely to have been referred for genetic counseling (63.6% vs. 36.4%, P<0.0001). Among patients referred, 77.6% consulted with a genetics counselor, 95.2% underwent genetic testing, and 16.5% had a BRCA mutation. Conclusions:Genetic counseling and testing is being underutilized in women who meet NCCN referral guidelines. Age and family history were noted to be predictive of referral for genetic evaluation. Further research is needed to determine additional factors that may impact not only referral rates but subsequent care for women with possible genetic predispositions to cancer.
Forecasting temporally aggregated vector ARMA processes

If interest centres on forecasting a temporally aggregated multiple time series and the generation process of the disaggregate series is a known vector ARMA (autoregressive moving average) process then forecasting the disaggregate series and temporally aggregating the forecasts is at least as efficient, under a mean squared error measure, as forecasting the aggregated series directly. Necessary and sufficient conditions for equality of the two forecasts are given. In practice the data generation process is usually unknown and has to be determined from the available data. Using asymptotic theory it is shown that also in this case aggregated forecasts from the disaggregate process will usually be superior to forecasts obtained from the aggregated process.