Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Characterization of IgG monoclonal anti‐cardiolipin/anti‐β2GP1 antibodies from two patients with antiphospholipid syndrome reveals three species of antibodies

Antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL), including antibodies detected in anti‐cardiolipin (aCL) enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays and in lupus anticoagulant (LA) tests, are strongly associated with recurrent thrombosis and recurrent fetal loss, i.e. the antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). Although recent studies suggest that most APS‐associated aCL are directed against the phospholipid (PL)‐binding plasma protein β2‐glycoprotein 1 (β2GP1), the precise nature of aCL binding specificities remains controversial. To address the issue of aCL specificity we generated five new monoclonal IgG aCL from two patients with APS. Characterization of these five aCL, as well as two previously published IgG aCL, revealed three patterns of reactivity: (1) four antibodies reacted strongly with human β2GP1‐cardiolipin (CL) complexes and weakly with human β2GP1 alone; (2) two antibodies recognized bovine β2GP1, but not human β2GP1; (3) one antibody reacted with complexes of human β2GP1 and CL, but not with human β2GP1 alone. Only one monoclonal displayed weak LA activity. These patient‐derived IgG monoclonal antibodies, and additional ones to be generated, may help define varying species of antibodies detected in aCL assays and identify the specific antibodies that may be pathogenic.
Efficacy of a Reduced Electroencephalography Electrode Array for Detection of Seizures

Background: The expertise required for proper electroencephalography (EEG) setup can make the 10-20 array unwieldy in the hospital setting. There may be a role for an EEG array with reduced leads to improve the efficiency of inpatient practice. Methods: Clips from 100 EEG records, 50 ictal and 50 non-ictal, in adult inpatients from January 1, 2007, to January 1, 2012, were retrospectively reviewed and selected for digital lead reduction and blind review. Two epileptologists reviewed these tracings and documented the presence of seizures and severe disturbance of background. The reduced array included 7 leads spanning the scalp. Three different montages were available. Sensitivity and specificity of the reduced array were calculated using the formal EEG report as the comparison standard. Results: For the detection of any seizure, the reduced array EEG had a sensitivity of 70% and specificity of 96%. Sensitivity for identifying encephalopathic patterns was 62% and specificity was 86%. Focal seizures were more readily identified by the reduced array (20 of 25) than were generalized ictal patterns (13 of 25). Conclusion: The reduced electrode array was insufficiently sensitive to seizure detection. Reducing EEG leads might not be a preferred means of optimizing hospital EEG efficiency.
The Representation of Older People in Advertisements: Ageism in Advertising

This paper discusses the criticism that has been targeted at the advertising industry about its hesitancy to use older models in advertising. It reports research on this issue in the context of current advertising in print media, using content analysis of British advertisements in inappropriate journals. The paper includes general discussion about ageism in advertising and its social implications.
Rapid Credit Growth in Central and Eastern Europe: Endless Boom or Early Warning?

PART I: Assessing and Managing Rapid Credit Growth in Central and Eastern Europe C.Enoch The Causes and Nature of Rapid Growth of Bank Credit in the Central, Eastern, and South Eastern European Countries C.Arcalean, O.Calvo-Gonzalez, C.More, A.van Rixtel, A.Winkler & T.Zumer Using Fundamentals to Identify Episodes of 'Excessive' Credit Growth in Central and Eastern Europe F.Boissay, O.Calvo-Gonzalez & T.Kozluk Fast Credit Expansion in Central and Eastern Europe: Catching Up, Sustainable Financial Deepening, or Bubble? P.Backe, B.Egert & T.Zumer Analysis of and Policy Responses to Rapid Credit Growth P.Hilbers, I.Otker-Robe & C.Pazarbasioglu Rapid Credit Growth - The Role of Supervisors M.Josefsson PART II: Assessing and Managing Rapid Credit Growth - Country Experiences Credit Growth Slow Down: The Experience of Bulgaria V.Petkova & S.Manolov Croatian Experience with Rapid Credit Growth M.Lang Estonia's Experience with Rapid Credit Growth R.Lattemae Latvia's Experience with Rapid Credit Growth U.Rutkaste Assessment of Credit Growth in Lithuania T.Ramanauskas Poland's Experiences with Rapid Credit Growth - The 1996-1997 Episode P.Szpunar Growth of Non-Government Credit and Macroeconomic Developments: The Case of Romania C.Popa Slovakia: Credit Growth in the Household Sector and Response to the Related Risks M.Licak Too Much of a Good Thing? Credit Booms in Transition Economies: The Cases of Bulgaria, Romania, and Ukraine C.Duenwald, N.Gueorguiev & A.Schaechter PART III: Regional Dimensions of Rapid Credit Growth and Perspectives from Euro Convergence Countries The Role of Housing Markets and Foreign Owned Banks in the Credit Expansion in Central and Eastern Europe D.Mihaljek Regional Dimensions of Dealing with Rapid Credit Growth: Perspectives from Greece, 1998-2005 N.Kamberoglou & N.Stavrianou Debt Growth: Factors, Institutional Issues and Implications - The Portuguese Case N.Ribeiro The Growth of Private Sector Debt in Spain: Causes and Consequences C.Martinez-Carrascal PART IV: Cross-Border Dimension: Supervisory Coordination Between Bank Supervisors Cross-Border Supervisory Cooperation K.Zartl Home Country Perspective: The Role of Cross Border Supervisory Coordination when Dealing with Rapid Credit Growth in Emerging Countries - The Case for Cooperating Supervisors L.van Goor Home and Host Supervisors' Relations - A Host Supervisor's Perspective P.Bednarski & D.Starnowski PART V: Concluding Remarks Lessons from Country Experiences with Rapid Credit Growth in Europe and Policy Implications C.Enoch & I.Otker-Robe
No 18 Quality Distortions in Vertical Relations

This paper examines how delivery tari¤s and private quality standards are determined in vertical relations that are subject to asymmetric information. We consider an in nitely repeated game where an upstream rm sells a product to a downstream rm. In each period, the rms negotiate a delivery contract comprising the quality of the good as well as a nonlinear tari¤. Assuming asymmetric information about the actual quality of the product and focusing on incentive compatible contracts, we show that from the rmsperspective delivery contracts lead to more e¢ cient contracts and thus higher overall pro ts the lower the rmsoutside options, i.e. the higher their mutual dependency. Buyer power driven by a reduced outside option of the upstream rm enhances the e¢ ciency of vertical relations, while buyer power due to an improved outside option of the downstream rm implies less e¢ cient outcomes. JEL-Classi cation: D82, L14, L15
Hepatic and splanchnic oxygen consumption during acute hypoxemic hypoxia in anesthetized pigs

Objective: To compare the hepatosplanchnic oxygen consumption (&OV0312;O2) with the hepatic and splanchnic &OV0312;O2 and to calculate the critical oxygen delivery (&U1E0A;O2crit) below which &OV0312;O2 decreases in the hepatic, splanchnic, and hepatosplanchnic regions in a model of hypoxemic hypoxia. Design: Prospective animal study. Setting: University research laboratory. Subjects: Anesthetized and ventilated pigs (n = 7). Interventions: The right carotid artery was cannulated to measure mean arterial pressure. A pulmonary artery catheter was inserted to measure mean pulmonary arterial pressure and cardiac output. After a midline abdominal incision, two flow probes were positioned around the portal vein and the hepatic artery to measure portal vein blood flow and hepatic artery blood flow. Oxygen and lactate contents in the carotid artery, the portal vein, and the hepatic vein were measured in blood samples obtained from the appropriate catheters. Measurements and Main Results: After a 2‐hr stabilization period, hemodynamic and biological variables were recorded during acute hypoxemic hypoxia (FIO2 = 0.5, 0.4, 0.3, 0.21, 0.15, 0.10, and 0.07). &OV0312;O2, &U1E0A;O2, and &U1E0A;O2crit were determined in the hepatic, splanchnic, and hepatosplanchnic regions. The hepatosplanchnic &OV0312;O2 was 48 ± 5 mL/min at high FIO2 (40% for the liver and 60% for the splanchnic organs) and decreased below FIO2 of 0.15. Lactate uptake in the whole hepatosplanchnic region remained steady at FIO2 values of 0.5 to 0.15 and then switched to a lactate release at low FIO2. However, the splanchnic region released lactate, whereas lactate was taken up by the liver. &U1E0A;O2crit in the hepatic, splanchnic, and hepatosplanchnic regions was 24 ± 3, 38 ± 2, and 49 ± 4 mL/min, but the systemic &U1E0A;O2crit, below which regional &OV0312;O2 became oxygen supply dependent, did not differ in the liver, splanchnic, and hepatosplanchnic regions. Conclusions: The variables of oxygenation and lactate flux measured in the hepatosplanchnic region summarize the metabolic changes of various organs that may vary in different ways during hypoxemic hypoxia.
Information Assimilation from Coded and Uncoded Individual and Group Displays

This report describes two related studies designed to evaluate the effects of conspicuity coding of updated alpha-numeric information and to compare the relative effects of Individual and Group displays. Amount of information presented and amount of information updated were varied. Principal findings lend support to the incorporation and use of coding capabilities in current and proposed command systems. While findings regarding Individual vs Group displays are not conclusive, they do suggest that if uncoded updated information is presented, there may be a whole series of information assimilation tasks which can be more efficiently accomplished with Individual than with Group displays.
Effects of Anti-Endothelial Cell Antibodies in Leprosy and Malaria

ABSTRACT As a result of damaging endothelial cells (ECs), Mycobacterium leprae triggers the production of antibodies (Abs). These anti-EC Abs (AECAs) can be divided into two types. The first type nonspecifically reacts with components of the cytosol (CY) and can be detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The second specifically reacts with the EC membrane (MB) and requires fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS) analysis to be detected. The presence of both types of AECAs was determined in 68 leprosy patients. The ELISA was positive for 35 of them but also for 30 of 34 malaria patients and 17 of 50 healthy African controls. However, whereas FACS analysis showed MB reactivity in only three malaria patients and four controls, this reactivity was found in 27 leprosy patients, more of those having the lepromatous than the tuberculoid form. Specificity for MB, which we failed to absorb by incubation with CY lysates, predominated over that for CY in leprosy, unlike malaria, where the EC reactivity was restricted to the CY. Western blot analysis and two-dimensional electrophoresis revealed that calreticulin, vimentin, tubulin, and heat shock protein 70 were targeted by AECAs from leprosy patients, but other proteins remained unidentified. These auto-Abs, but not those from malaria patients, did activate ECs, as indicated by the E-selectin and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 upregulation, and/or induced them into apoptosis, as documented by four different methods. Our findings suggest that, in some but not all leprosy patients, AECAs may play a role in pathogenesis.
Adaptive Fault-Tolerant Stochastic Shape Control With Application to Particle Distribution Control

This paper investigates the fault-tolerant shape control (FTSC) problem for stochastic distribution systems. For this problem, in addition to measurable input signals, it is assumed that the distribution function of the system output can be evaluated so that it is available. It is also assumed that the system is subject to actuator faults. In this case, the main control objective is for the output of the stochastic distribution system to track a given target distribution even in the presence of actuator faults. By estimating these actuator faults, an effective FTSC strategy is proposed, which consists of a normal control law and an adaptive compensation control law. The former can track the given output distribution with an optimized performance index in the fault-free case, while the latter can automatically reduce (or even eliminate) the adverse effects caused by the actuator faults. The proposed method can be applied to tracking control of output probability density functions. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme, simulation is performed on one numerical example with satisfactory results obtained. In addition, a practical example of soil particle gradation control in geotechnical applications is given in this paper, and the results show that the proposed fault-tolerant scheme is applicable to practical particle size distribution control.
The Impact of the Likelihood of Turnover on Executive Compensation

This study analyzes the role of three incentive devices in managerial compensation: pay for performance, termination, and career concerns. A model is derived which shows that the three incentives are substitutes; where the termination (or career concerns) incentive is low, the optimal contract contains stronger pay-for-performance incentives. The empirical implication, then, is that the pay-for-performance sensitivity of managers should be decreasing (increasing) in the probability of termination (retirement). To test the model s predictions, I first use a sample of CEOs to estimate the probabilities of forced and voluntary turnover. Then, these estimated probabilities are compared to the CEOs estimated pay-for-performance sensitivity. The evidence is consistent with the hypothesis that boards consider the likelihood of termination when setting the compensation contract; the relationship between changes in CEO compensation and firm performance is decreasing in the estimated probability of forced turnover. While CEOs nearing retirement do not appear to have compensation that is increasingly sensitive to performance, their wealth does have increased sensitivity. Consistent with the model s intuition, the sensitivity of total CEO firm-related wealth to performance is positively related to the probability of voluntary turnover.
Zinc Nutrition and Starch Metabolism in Phaseolus vulgaris L.

The effect of Zn nutrition on leaf starch metabolism was studied in two navy bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) varieties, Sanilac and Saginaw. Sanilac is much more susceptible to Zn deficiency than is Saginaw. The variables examined in these two strains were starch content, the activity of soluble starch synthetase (ADP-glucose: starch alpha-4-glucosyltransferase, EC 2.4.1.b), and the size and number of starch grains. All of these variables decreased during Zn deficiency. The reductions were much greater in Sanilac than in Saginaw. Thus, positive correlations exist between the relative changes in these variables in Sanilac and Saginaw under low Zn and their genotypic difference in growth response to low Zn. These results are taken to purport that the above observations most likely represent characteristic responses to Zn deficiency. We therefore suggest that, as a possible role in plant metabolism, Zn is involved in starch formation.
Restless legs syndrome in hemodialysis patients: health-related quality of life and laboratory data analysis.

AIMS To compare clinical data, sleep quality and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) with and without RLS in HD patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS The international RLS study group diagnosis questionnaire was completed by 228 HD patients. The Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) for the evaluation of sleep quality and the Kidney Disease Quality of Life (KDQOL-SF) for the analysis of HRQOL were also used. RESULTS 53 (23%) patients were diagnosed as RLS. Age and age at the initiation of HD were significantly younger in the RLS group. Serum calcium concentration (Ca) was significantly higher in the RLS group. Sleep quality evaluated by PSQI was significantly lower in the RLS group. In SF-36 domains of KDQOL-SF, bodily pain, general health perceptions, vitality, role functioning emotional, mental health and mental component score were significantly lower in the RLS group. In kidney targeted scales of KDQOL-SF, symptoms/problems, burden of kidney disease, cognitive function, quality of social interaction, sleep and patient satisfaction were significantly lower in the RLS group. CONCLUSION High Ca was possibly connected to the pathophysiology of RLS which impaired sleep quality as well as HRQOL including mental health and many kidney disease related scales.
Comparison of ophthalmic gatifloxacin 0.3% and ciprofloxacin 0.3% in healing of corneal ulcers associated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa-induced ulcerative keratitis in rabbits.

OBJECTIVE Evaluation of gatifloxacin 0.3% ophthalmic solution efficacy in a corneal ulcer model of Pseudomonas keratitis. METHODS Heptanol-induced corneal ulcers in New Zealand White rabbits (n = 41; 8 females/group) were inoculated with 10(6) CFU of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Gatifloxacin 0.3% dosing varied among 4 groups with frequencies of 16-48 doses/day (days 1-2), 3-16 doses/day (days 3-7), and maintenance dosing of 3-4 doses/day (days 8-22). Ciprofloxacin 0.3% was administered as labeled for corneal ulcers, with 44 doses on day 1, 16 doses on day 2, and 4 doses/day on days 3-21. RESULTS All eyes showed evidence of infection by 48 hours postinoculation with 36 of 41 eyes (87.8%) exhibiting moderate-to-severe keratitis. All eyes exhibited corneal healing by day 15, with no significant differences among groups. Three of 4 groups receiving gatifloxacin tended to have smaller fluorescein retention area scores than did the ciprofloxacin group. No eyes tested positive for Pseudomonas at the end of the study. No corneal precipitates were found following as many as 48 doses/day of gatifloxacin. CONCLUSION Ophthalmic gatifloxacin 0.3% is at least as effective as ciprofloxacin at healing corneal ulcers infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa when gatifloxacin is administered less frequently than ciprofloxacin. Trends favored gatifloxacin in fluorescein retention scores.
ANALISIS PENGARUH PENGUNGKAPAN CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY TERHADAP AGRESIVITAS PAJAK(Studi Empiris pada Perusahaan Non-Keuangan yang Terdaftar di Bursa Efek Indonesia Tahun 2011-2013)

The aim of this study is to examine the effect of disclosure of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to corporate tax aggressiveness. The independent variable is used in this study is corporate social responsibility disclosure.While the dependent variable in this study is tax aggressiveness that measured using proxy Effective Tax Rates (ETR). This study is a replication of the study by Lanis and Richardson (2012) and use 375 non-financial companies that listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange in the period 2011-2013 as the sample. Samples were selected by probability sampling method and finally obtained 125 non-financial companies that fulfill the criterias. Data were analyzed using ordinary least square regression analysis model. The result shows that the higher the level of CSR disclosure of a corporation, the lower is the level of tax aggressiveness. This result support the theory of legitimacy.
Acute Nondisplaced Fractures of the Scaphoid

Background The optimal management for undisplaced scaphoid fractures has been the focus of much debate. Investigators have advocated internal fixation of these fractures; however, whether surgery improves clinically relevant patient outcomes compared with casting remains unknown. Objective To determine the effect of internal fixation versus casting for undisplaced scaphoid fractures on the rates of union, return to work, grip strength, and range of motion.
l‐Aspartate as an amino acid neurotransmitter: mechanisms of the depolarization‐induced release from cerebrocortical synaptosomes

The role of l‐aspartate as a classical neurotransmitter of the CNS has been a matter of great debate. In this study, we have characterized the main mechanisms of its depolarization‐induced release from rat purified cerebrocortical synaptosomes in superfusion and compared them with those of the well‐known excitatory neurotransmitter l‐glutamate. High KCl and 4‐aminopyridine were used as depolarizing agents. At 15 mM KCl, the overflows of both transmitters were almost completely dependent on external Ca2+. At 35 and 50 mM KCl, the overflows of l‐aspartate, but not those of l‐glutamate, became sensitive to dl‐threo‐β‐benzyloxyaspartic acid (dl‐TBOA), an excitatory amino acid transporter inhibitor. In the presence of dl‐TBOA, the 50 mM KCl‐evoked release of l‐aspartate was still largely external Ca2+‐dependent. The dl‐TBOA insensitive, external Ca2+‐independent component of the 50 mM KCl‐evoked overflows of l‐aspartate and l‐glutamate was significantly decreased by the mitochondrial Na+/Ca2+ exchanger blocker CGP 37157. The Ca2+‐dependent, KCl‐evoked overflows of l‐aspartate and l‐glutamate were diminished by botulinum neurotoxin C, although to a significantly different extent. The 4‐aminopyridine‐induced l‐aspartate and l‐glutamate release was completely external Ca2+‐dependent and never affected by dl‐TBOA. Superimposable results have been obtained by pre‐labeling synaptosomes with [3H]d‐aspartate and [3H]l‐glutamate. Therefore, our data showing that l‐aspartate is released from nerve terminals by calcium‐dependent, exocytotic mechanisms support the neurotransmitter role of this amino acid.
Impact of Demographic Diversities on the Job Satisfaction and its Consequences: Case of Academicians in Higher Learning Institutions of Pakistan

Research on job satisfaction is replete with the studies exploring the impacts of personal and demographic attributes of the employees on their organizational attitudes. Demographics are tested as the predictor of job satisfaction or dissatisfaction and its consequences like involvement, commitment, absenteeism and turnover. Mixed results have been reported by the researchers showing that different demographic factors play different roles in diverse settings, for example, in advanced and developing countries. Thus, researchers have proved that demographic analysis is indispensable to understand the employee attitudes. This paper is a part of PhD research project on ‘job satisfaction of academicians in the HEIs of KPK, Pakistan. ’