Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Determinants of Interest Rate Spreads in South Africa: A Cointegration Approach

This study empirically identifies the determinants of interest rate spreads (IRS) in South Africa over the period 1990 to 2012. The study uses the Johansen Cointegration Approach and Vector ErrorCorrection techniques to identify the variables in explaining the interest rate spreads in South Africa. It considers the inflation rate, reserve requirements, Treasury bill, discount rate, money supply (M2) and gross domestic product per capita variables as they explain the movement of interest rate spreads. A significant short-run relationship between IRS and its explanatory variables was observed. These macroeconomic variables are significant in explaining the behavior of the South African IRS in the longrun. This paper has focused on illuminating on how the interest rate spreads are impacted by both exogenous and endogenous variables. If controlled, these variables are most likely to have the largest effects on reducing such spreads. In addition, it suggests that the reduction in the reserve requirements prescribed by the South African Reserve Bank would help to reduce the interest rate spreads. Based on the results of the study, policy implications and suggestion for future research are made.
Blood glucose monitoring in type 2 diabetes – Nepalese patients’ opinions and experiences

ABSTRACT Background: Blood glucose monitoring forms a vital component of diabetes care. Monitoring conducted at home using glucometers, and in laboratories by professionals, are two common methods of blood glucose monitoring in clinical practice. Objective: To investigate Nepalese patients’ perceptions and practices of blood glucose monitoring in diabetes. Methods: In-depth interviews were conducted with 48 Nepalese participants with type 2 diabetes in Sydney and Kathmandu. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed. Results: In Australia, most participants perceived home monitoring as useful; and both home and laboratory monitoring were conducted at fairly regular intervals. In Nepal, only a small number conducted home monitoring and the laboratory method formed the primary method of day-to-day monitoring. The laboratory method was preferred due to easy access to laboratories, lack of faith in glucometers and perceptions that home monitoring is costlier. However, overall monitoring was irregular in Nepal. In addition to the healthcare system which enabled cheaper self-monitoring in Australia, Nepalese in Australia also tended to have a better understanding about the purpose of home monitoring. Conclusions: This study has highlighted the disparity in perceptions and practices related to blood glucose monitoring. Understanding the importance of blood glucose monitoring and access to affordable resources are critical facilitators for conducting regular monitoring. Both patient and health-system factors play a key role in ensuring continued diabetes monitoring and management.
Gross National Happiness: lessons for sustainability leadership

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to look behind the veil of the concept of Gross National Happiness (GNH), which has been initiated by the fourth King of Bhutan as an alternative to the traditional development concept of gross national product, by analyzing it as an expression of a particular view of leadership originated in the philosophical tradition of Mahayana Buddhism and exploring its relevance for leadership of sustainable development and sustainable (business) organizations. Design/methodology/approach – Review of literature on GNH in a historical and current context, linking it to trends and concepts in sustainability and leadership. Complemented by author’s observations on regular visits to Bhutan since 2003. Findings – The GNH leadership view consists of a set of principles: first, interrelatedness of economy, society and eco-systems; second, the economy, society and eco-systems can flourish if their needs are served; third, governance is the agent for serving these needs by the creation .
Evaluation of the effect of paliperidone extended release and quetiapine on corrected QT intervals: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

The effect of two atypical antipsychotics on QTc intervals (heart rate-corrected QT interval) was evaluated. Patients (N=109) with schizophrenia (79%) or schizoaffective disorder (21%) were randomly assigned in 2 : 2 : 1 ratio to paliperidone extended release (ER), quetiapine, or placebo. Doses of 12 and 18 mg/day of paliperidone ER were compared with quetiapine 800 mg/day. Least-squares mean change from baseline in population-specific linear-derived correction method from baseline to days 6–7 at individual tmax was 5.1 ms less [90% confidence interval: −9.2 to −0.9] with paliperidone ER 12 mg/day than with quetiapine 800 mg/day. On the basis of a prespecified 10-ms noninferiority margin, paliperidone ER was thus declared noninferior to quetiapine (primary analysis). Mean change in population-specific linear-derived correction method from baseline to days 11–12 at individual tmax was 2.3 ms less (90% confidence interval: −6.8 to 2.3) with paliperidone ER 18 mg/day than with quetiapine 800 mg/day. Treatment-emergent adverse events occurred in 36 (82%) patients treated with paliperidone ER, 41 (95%) patients treated with quetiapine, and 14 (64%) patients treated with placebo. No adverse events of a proarrhythmic nature were noted. The effect on the QTc interval in patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder was comparable between paliperidone ER 12 mg/day (maximum recommended dose), paliperidone ER 18 mg/day (supratherapeutic dose), and quetiapine 800 mg/day.
Drug-induced retinal toxicity in albino rabbits: the effects of imipenem and aztreonam.

PURPOSE To test the toxic action of two antibiotics, imipenem and aztreonam, on the functional and morphologic integrity of the albino rabbit retina. METHODS Two commercial drugs were used--Tienam, which contains imipenem, and Azactam, which contains aztreonam. Different doses of these drugs were injected intravitreally. Retinal function was assessed from the electroretinogram (ERG) and the visual evoked potential (VEP). Retinal structure was examined at the light microscopic level. RESULTS Imipenem did not affect the ERG and the VEP responses or the morphology of the retina up to a total injected dose of 0.98 mg (2 mg Tienam). Aztreonam was not toxic to the albino rabbit retina up to a total injected dose of 2.8 mg (5 mg of Azactam). Severe functional and morphologic retinal damage was seen when 10 mg of Azactam was injected. A similar degree of damage was seen when a dose of 5 mg L-arginine, an ingredient of Azactam, was injected into the vitreous. CONCLUSIONS Imipenem and aztreonam are nontoxic to the albino rabbit retina at concentrations that are 500-fold higher than their effective dose against bacterial infection. Azactam is highly toxic at high levels (more than 10 mg injected into the vitreous). Most of the toxicity could be explained by the L-arginine content of the drug.
Muscle damage in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder

Objective: Increasing evidence has shown that skeletal muscle damage plays a role in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). The objective of this study was to compare the serum creatine kinase (sCK) levels in NMOSD patients with different clinical statuses. Methods: In the observational study, levels of sCK were measured during the acute and stable phases for patients with NMOSD and healthy controls (HCs). Results: We enrolled 168 patients with NMOSD (female:male ratio, 153:15; age: 43.9 ± 13.1 years) in the acute phase, and blood samples were collected from 85 of the patients with NMOSD during both acute and stable phases to determine the sCK levels. The mean log sCK levels of the patients with NMOSD in the acute phase were higher (4.51 ± 1.17, n = 85) than those of the patients with NMOSD in the stable phase (3.85 ± 0.81, n = 85, p = 0.000). Furthermore, the log sCK levels of the patients with NMOSD in the stable phase were lower than those of the HCs (4.31 ± 0.39, n = 200, p = 0.000). In patients with sCK levels within the normal limits, these differences were also observed (p < 0.05). In the multivariable linear regression model performed for the patients with NMOSD in the acute phase, it suggested that a higher estimated glomerular filtration rate (p = 0.026), patients with the core clinical characteristics of optic neuritis (p = 0.005), and serum anti-SSA positivity (p = 0.019) predicted lower log sCK levels. Conclusions: Muscle damage occurs in patients with NMOSD and is aggravated during the acute phase.
Thyroid hormone receptor α can control action potential duration in mouse ventricular myocytes through the KCNE1 ion channel subunit

Aims: The reduced heart rate and prolonged QTend duration in mice deficient in thyroid hormone receptor (TR) α1 may involve aberrant expression of the K+ channel α‐subunit KCNQ1 and its regulatory β‐subunit KCNE1. Here we focus on KCNE1 and study whether increased KCNE1 expression can explain changes in cardiac function observed in TRα1‐deficient mice.
Veterans Health Administration and Medicare outpatient health care utilization by older rural and urban New England veterans.

CONTEXT Older veterans often use both the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and Medicare to obtain health care services. PURPOSE The authors sought to compare outpatient medical service utilization of Medicare-enrolled rural veterans with their urban counterparts in New England. METHODS The authors combined VHA and Medicare databases and identified veterans who were age 65 and older and enrolled in Medicare fee-for-service plans, and they obtained records of all their VHA services in New England between 1997 and 1999. The authors used ZIP codes to designate rural or urban residence and categorized outpatient utilization into primary care, individual mental health care, non-mental health specialty care, or emergency room care. FINDINGS Compared with their urban counterparts, veterans living in rural settings used significantly fewer VHA and Medicare-funded primary care, specialist care, and mental health care visits in all 3 years examined (P<.001 for all). Compared with urban veterans, veterans living in rural settings used fewer VHA emergency department services in 1998 and 1999 but more Medicare-funded emergency department visits in 1997. The authors found some evidence of substitution of Medicare for VHA emergency visits in rural veterans, but no other evidence of like-service substitution. Rural veterans were more reliant on Medicare for primary care and on VHA services for specialty and mental health care. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that rural access to federally funded health care is restricted relative to urban access. Older veterans may choose different systems of care for different health care services. With poor access to primary care, rural veterans may substitute emergency room visits for routine care.
Activation of Immature Hepatic NK Cells As Immunotherapy for Liver Metastatic Disease

NK cells can identify and eliminate emerging tumors due to altered expression of activating and inhibitory ligands on aberrant cells, a process that is greatly enhanced following NK cell activation. As a principal site of both tumor metastases and immature NK cells, the liver represents a unique anatomic location in which activation of the innate immune system could provide substantial therapeutic benefit. We describe here the NK cell-dependent destruction of a primary hepatic tumor following infection with an attenuated intracellular bacterium derived from Listeria monocytogenes. NK cell-mediated immunity correlated with the ordered migration and maturation of NK cells within the liver. Cytolytic activity was partially dependent on NKG2D-mediated tumor cell recognition, but surprisingly was still effective in the absence of type I IFN. Significantly, NK cell-mediated destruction of a primary hepatic tumor in infected mice led to long-lived CD4- and CD8 T cell-dependent tumor-specific adaptive immunity. These findings establish that activation and differentiation of immature NK cells using complex microbial stimuli can elicit potent anti-tumor activity within the liver, promote cross-presentation of tumor-derived Ags leading to long-lived systemic anti-tumor immunity, and suggests a paradigm for clinical intervention of liver metastatic carcinoma.
A new genome type of adenovirus 3 associated with severe lower acute respiratory infection in children

Adenovirus 3 was found associated with ten cases of infantile lower acute respiratory infection in patients aged 2–18 months. Of these, five had a fatal outcome, with severe lung damage. Restriction enzyme analysis with Bam HI, Bcl I, BgI II, Bst E II, Hind III, Sal I, Sma I, Xba I, and Xho I revealed the presence of the same genome type in all ten specimens. The genomic variant was different from those previously reported for serotype 3 and therefore was tentatively denominated 3f.
Improvement of amoxicillin removal from aqueous environment by applying functionalized carbon nanotube

ABSTRACT Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were applied for amoxicillin removal from aqueous environment. To enhance the adsorption capacity of adsorbent, MWCNT with modified surface was applied. A functional group as 8-hydroxyquinoline (8-HQ) and carboxyl group were selected to modify the surface of MWCNT. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy confirmed the successful surface modiﬁcation of MWCNTs. Some important parameters associated with the adsorption capacity such as pH, initial concentration of amoxicillin and equilibrium time of adsorption were investigated for pristine and functionalized MWCNTs. Adsorption results suggested that the maximsum removal efficiency of pollutant was achieved at pH = 5 for pristine and 8-HQ functionalized carbon nanotube (CNT) and pH = 3 for the functionalized CNT with carboxylic groups. The equilibrium time of adsorption was 4 h for the pristine and 2 h for the functionalized CNTs. The maximum adsorption capacity of 8-HQ CNTs was nearly 50% higher than that of pristine MWCNT. The modeling of adsorption process suggested that adsorption of amoxicillin on pristine and functionalized MWCNTs was best fitted with Langmuir model. Moreover, pseudo-second-order kinetic model was found to be the best kinetic model for the adsorption process. In conclusion, functionalized MWCNT with 8-HQ functional groups offers a novel alternative for removing amoxicillin from water.
Improving expression of recombinant human IGF‐1 using IGF‐1R knockout CHO cell lines

Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells are widely used for the large‐scale production of recombinant biopharmaceuticals. However, attempts to express IGF‐1 (a mutated human Insulin‐like growth factor 1 Ea peptide (hIGF‐1Ea mut)) in CHO cells resulted in poor cell growth and low productivity (0.1–0.2 g/L). Human IGF‐1 variants negatively impacted CHO cell growth via the IGF‐1 receptor (IGF‐1R). Therefore knockout (KO) of the IGF‐1R gene in two different CHO cell lines as well as knockdown (KD) of IGF‐1R in one CHO cell line were performed. These cell line engineering approaches decreased significantly the hIGF‐1 mediated cell growth inhibition and increased productivity of both KO CHO cell lines as well as of the KD CHO cell line. A productivity increase of 10‐fold at pool level and sevenfold at clone level was achieved, resulting in a titer of 1.3 g/L. This data illustrate that cell line engineering approaches are powerful tools to improve the yields of recombinant proteins which are difficult to produce in CHO cells. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2016;113: 1094–1101. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Heterogeneity of the immune response to adenovirus‐mediated factor VIII gene therapy in different inbred hemophilic mouse strains

The development of anti‐factor VIII (FVIII) antibodies (inhibitors) is a critical concern when considering gene therapy as a potential treatment modality for hemophilia A. We used a hemophilia A mouse model bred on different genetic backgrounds to explore genetically controlled differences in the immune response to FVIII gene therapy.
Influence of a chronic ultramild stress procedure on decision-making in mice.

OBJECTIVE To test the influence of a chronic ultra mild stress (CUMS) procedure, based solely on socio-environmental stressors, on cognitive-behavioural function in mice. DESIGN Behavioural study. PARTICIPANTS B6D2F1 mice. INTERVENTIONS Mice were exposed to various stressors and then tested using a decision-making task. RESULTS We observed that stress facilitated "choice" behaviour, with an absence of "no choice" behaviour. Stress also facilitated a more rapid capacity to process information, a decrease in the level of evaluation of the choice situation and less hesitation. These stress-related consequences on decision making may be attributed to a higher level of distractability in the stressed mice. CONCLUSIONS The CUMS model may be useful for the study of stress-related disorders by proposing a new method for assessing gene-environment interactions in cognitive-affective behaviours.
Sulfidation of zinc titanate and zinc oxide solids

This paper describes the sulfidation of bulk mixed oxides of zinc and titanium of various compositions and Zn--Ti--O crystalline phases in H[sub 2]S--H[sub 2]--H[sub 2]O--N[sub 2] gas mixtures was investigated in a thermogravimetric apparatus over the temperature range of 400--800[degrees]C. Comparative sulfidation experiments with ZnO were also performed. In comparison to ZnO, the use of Zn--Ti--O solids allows raising the operating temperature for desulfurization of hot coal-derived fuel gas, e.g., by as much as 94[degrees]C for solids with (Zn/Ti)[sub atomic] = 2/3. The initial sulfidation rate of Zn--Ti--O solids with (Zn/Ti)[sub atomic] [le] 3 was approximately 1.5--2 times slower than for ZnO. Different zinc titanate phases (i.e., Zn[sub 2]TiO[sub 4], ZnTiO[sub 3], and Zn[sub 2]Ti[sub 3]O[sub 8]) had the same initial sulfidation rate. Similar activation energies (9--10 kcal/mol) were measured for ZnO and Zn--Ti--O sulfidation. No effect of H[sub 2] or H[sub 2]O was observed on the initial sulfidation rate. However, at high conversions, rates were lower with increasing H[sub 2] concentrations. Fine particles and cracks were observed in sulfided ZnO as a result of ZnO reduction and subsequent vapor-phase reaction between Zn and H[sub 2]S to form ZnS. These structural effects were largely absent in Zn--Ti--O solids.
The Behaviour of Earnings, Accruals and Impairment Loss of Failed New Zealand Finance Companies

type="main"> This study examines the behaviour of earnings, accruals and impairment losses of failed finance companies in New Zealand. It draws on conservatism in the development of research hypotheses about accounting variables that are likely to contain clues to future failures of finance companies. The hypotheses are tested by examining the trend of earnings after tax (EAT), accruals and impairment losses of 32 finance companies that failed from 2006 to 2011. Data were collected from the annual reports of the sampled companies and the first reports of receivers of failed companies. The study finds that EAT and accruals declined, and impairment losses increased significantly in the last two financial statements prior to failure, when compared with other years. This suggests that changes in EAT, accruals and impairment losses may provide indications of impending failure.
Identification of Detailed Time-Frequency Components in Somatosensory Evoked Potentials

Somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) usually contains a set of detailed temporal components measured and identified in time domain, providing meaningful information on physiological mechanisms of the nervous system. The purpose of this study is to reveal complex and fine time-frequency features of SEP in time-frequency domain using advanced time-frequency analysis (TFA) and pattern classification methods. A high-resolution TFA algorithm, matching pursuit (MP), was proposed to decompose a SEP signal into a string of elementary waves and to provide a time-frequency feature description of the waves. After a dimension reduction by principle component analysis (PCA), a density-guided K-means clustering was followed to identify typical waves existed in SEP. Experimental results on posterior tibial nerve SEP signals of 50 normal adults showed that a series of typical waves were discovered in SEP using the proposed MP decomposition and clustering methods. The statistical properties of these SEP waves were examined and their representative waveforms were synthesized. The identified SEP waves provided a comprehensive and detailed description of time-frequency features of SEP.
Does the level of amniotic fluid have an effect on the accuracy of sonographic estimated fetal weight at term?

Abstract Objective: Controversy exists concerning the impact of amniotic fluid index (AFI) on the accuracy of sonographic estimation of fetal weight (EFW). Thus, we aimed to evaluate whether differences in AFI has an influence on the accuracy of sonographic EFW. Methods: All term, singleton pregnancies which underwent a sonographic EFW and measurement of AFI within a week from delivery were included. Cases were stratified into three categories according to AFI: (1) Normal AFI (51–249 mm), (2) Oligohydramnios (AFI ≤ 50 mm) and (3) Polyhydramnios (AFI ≥ 250 mm). Inaccurate EFW was defined if there was more than 15% difference between sonographic EFW and actual birthweight. Results: Overall, 1746 pregnancies were identified (1096 with normal AFI, 455 with oligohydramnios and 195 with polyhydramnios). Mean AFI was 115.8 ± 60 mm, 28.1 ± 13 mm and 293 ± 35 mm, p < 0.001, and mean sonographic EFW was 3182.5 ± 573 g, 3118.8 ± 517 g and 3713.2 ± 461 g, p < 0.001, respectively. Demographic data and gestational age at delivery were similar. Mean birthweight was 3221.7 ± 535 g, 3132.5 ± 505 g and 3654.1 ± 480 g, p < 0.001, respectively. The rate of inaccurate EFW was similar between the groups (8.4%, 8.7% and 9.7%, p = 0.19, respectively). On multivariate analysis, AFI was not associated with EFW inaccuracy (OR 1.01, 95% C.I 0.67–1.54, p = 0.93). Conclusion: AFI has limited impact on the percentage of errors in sonographic fetal weight estimation a week prior delivery.
Novel Mps1 Kinase Inhibitors with Potent Antitumor Activity

Monopolar spindle 1 (Mps1) has been shown to function as the key kinase that activates the spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) to secure proper distribution of chromosomes to daughter cells. Here, we report the structure and functional characterization of two novel selective Mps1 inhibitors, BAY 1161909 and BAY 1217389, derived from structurally distinct chemical classes. BAY 1161909 and BAY 1217389 inhibited Mps1 kinase activity with IC50 values below 10 nmol/L while showing an excellent selectivity profile. In cellular mechanistic assays, both Mps1 inhibitors abrogated nocodazole-induced SAC activity and induced premature exit from mitosis (“mitotic breakthrough”), resulting in multinuclearity and tumor cell death. Both compounds efficiently inhibited tumor cell proliferation in vitro (IC50 nmol/L range). In vivo, BAY 1161909 and BAY 1217389 achieved moderate efficacy in monotherapy in tumor xenograft studies. However, in line with its unique mode of action, when combined with paclitaxel, low doses of Mps1 inhibitor reduced paclitaxel-induced mitotic arrest by the weakening of SAC activity. As a result, combination therapy strongly improved efficacy over paclitaxel or Mps1 inhibitor monotreatment at the respective MTDs in a broad range of xenograft models, including those showing acquired or intrinsic paclitaxel resistance. Both Mps1 inhibitors showed good tolerability without adding toxicity to paclitaxel monotherapy. These preclinical findings validate the innovative concept of SAC abrogation for cancer therapy and justify clinical proof-of-concept studies evaluating the Mps1 inhibitors BAY 1161909 and BAY 1217389 in combination with antimitotic cancer drugs to enhance their efficacy and potentially overcome resistance. Mol Cancer Ther; 15(4); 583–92. ©2016 AACR.