Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Exploring the Trade Openness, Energy Consumption and Economic Growth Relationship in Iran by Bayer and Hanck Combined Cointegration and Causality Analysis

This paper aims to investigate the direction of causality between economic growth, energy consumption and trade openness in case of Iran for the period 1967–2012. We apply the newly developed combined cointegration test proposed by Bayer and Hanck (2013). Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) is applied to determine the direction of causality between these three variables. The result of Bayer-Hanck cointegration test reveals the existence of cointegration between variables. The causality analysis indicates just a unidirectional causality from energy consumption to trade openness in short run. The long run causality test explores the bidirectional causality between economic growth and energy consumption, and between openness and energy consumption as well as unidirectional Granger causality from openness to economic growth. In addition, we used variance decomposition method and impulse response functions to show the dynamics of these relationships that confirmed low energy efficiency. This paper provides policy makers with insights to design policies for economic growth with a view to energy consumption and trade.
Investigating the Adequacy of Intervention Descriptions in Recent Speech-Language Pathology Literature: Is Evidence From Randomized Trials Useable?

Purpose To evaluate the completeness of intervention descriptions in recent randomized controlled trials of speech-language pathology treatments. Method A consecutive sample of entries on the speechBITE database yielded 129 articles and 162 interventions. Interventions were rated using the Template for Intervention Description and Replication (TIDieR) checklist. Rating occurred at 3 stages: interventions as published in the primary article, secondary locations referred to by the article (e.g., protocol papers, websites), and contact with corresponding authors. Results No interventions were completely described in primary publications or after analyzing information from secondary locations. After information was added from correspondence with authors, a total of 28% of interventions was rated as complete. The intervention elements with the most information missing in the primary publications were tailoring and modification of interventions (in 25% and 13% of articles, respectively) and intervention materials and where they could be accessed (18%). Elements that were adequately described in most articles were intervention names (in 100% of articles); rationale (96%); and details of the frequency, session duration, and length of interventions (69%). Conclusions Clinicians and researchers are restricted in the usability of evidence from speech-language pathology randomized trials because of poor reporting of elements essential to the replication of interventions.
Reactive oxygen species, dietary restriction and neurotrophic factors in age‐related loss of myenteric neurons

We have studied the mechanisms underlying nonpathological age‐related neuronal cell death. Fifty per cent of neurons in the rat enteric nervous system are lost between 12 and 18 months of age in ad libitum (AL) fed rats. Caloric restriction (CR) protects almost entirely against this neuron loss. Using the ROS‐sensitive dyes, dihydrorhodamine (DHR) and 2‐[6‐(4′‐hydroxy)phenoxy‐3H‐xanthen‐3‐on‐9‐yl]benzoic acid (HPF) in vitro, we show that the onset of cell death is linked with elevated intraneuronal levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Treatment with the neurotrophic factors NT3 and GDNF enhances neuronal antioxidant defence in CR rats at 12–15 months and 24 months but not in adult or aged AL‐fed animals. To examine the link between elevated ROS and neuronal cell death, we assessed apoptotic cell death following in vitro treatment with the redox‐cycling drug, menadione. Menadione fails to increase apoptosis in 6‐month neurons. However, in 12–15mAL fed rats, when age‐related cell death begins, menadione induces a 7‐ to 15‐fold increase in the proportion of apoptotic neurons. CR protects age‐matched neurons against ROS‐induced apoptosis. Treatment with neurotrophic factors, in particular GDNF, rescues neurons from menadione‐induced cell death, but only in 12–15mCR animals. We hypothesize that CR enhances antioxidant defence through neurotrophic factor signalling, thereby reducing age‐related increases in neuronal ROS levels and in ROS‐induced cell death.
Effects of export product diversification on quality upgrading: an empirical study

ABSTRACT This paper empirically examines the effects of export product diversification on overall export quality in a panel data set of 115 countries from 1970 to 2010. It uses the data sets of the overall export quality and three export diversification measures of the International Monetary Fund: the extensive margin (variation in the number of new products exported), the intensive margin (variation in export values among existing exports), and the overall (Theil) index. It finds that export quality has only been increasing with a higher variation in export values among existing exports in low- and lower-middle-income countries. It also observes that export quality has been increasing with both a higher variation in export values among existing exports and new products exported in upper-middle- and high-income countries. The results are robust to the changing measures of controls in the benchmark model, the inclusion of many other controls; i.e. various measures of globalization, country size, factor endowments, macroeconomic stance, etc., and the exclusion of outliers.
Ultrasound-guided radial artery cannulation in adult and paediatric populations: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND Ultrasound is a well-validated adjunct to central venous cannulation; however, previous reviews of ultrasound-guided radial artery cannulation have been inconclusive. The aim of this study was to assess the use of ultrasound in radial artery cannulation in adult and paediatric populations. METHODS A systematic search of five major databases for all relevant articles published until November 2015 was conducted. Randomized controlled trials of radial artery cannulation with and without ultrasound guidance were included. All studies were assessed for level of evidence and risk of bias. Studies were grouped in adult and paediatric populations for each outcome. A meta-analysis was performed to analyse the data. RESULTS Eleven randomized controlled trials (six adult and five paediatric) were found. In both the adult and paediatric populations, there was high-level evidence for significantly improved first-attempt success rate and number of attempts with the use of ultrasound guidance. CONCLUSIONS This is the first level one systematic review to demonstrate strong evidence for the use of ultrasound guidance in radial artery cannulation in adult and paediatric populations. In the adult population, ultrasound use significantly increased first-attempt success rate, which subsequently resulted in a significant reduction in the number of attempts. The benefits of ultrasound were also shown in the paediatric population, with a significant increase in first-attempt success rate and reduction in the number of attempts. The use of ultrasound as an adjunct to radial arterial cannulation should now be considered best practice.
A randomized, controlled trial of a community-based support program for families of children with chronic illness: pediatric outcomes.

BACKGROUND Children with chronic illnesses have a heightened risk for mental health problems. OBJECTIVES To develop, implement, and evaluate child outcomes of a 15-month, community-based, family-support intervention designed to reduce risk for poor adjustment and mental health problems in children with 1 of 4 chronic illnesses (diabetes mellitus, sickle cell anemia, cystic fibrosis, or moderate to severe asthma) and their mothers. DESIGN Randomized, controlled clinical trial design with multiple measures of mental health based on both child and parent reports taken 1 year apart. SETTING Community-based intervention linked to subspecialty and general pediatric clinics and practices in Baltimore, Md. PARTICIPANTS One hundred thirty-six mothers and children aged 7 to 11 years with diabetes mellitus, sickle cell anemia, cystic fibrosis, or moderate to severe asthma. INTERVENTION The program, provided by "experienced mothers" and child life specialists, included telephone contacts, face-to-face visits, and special family events. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Outcomes were measured using the following instruments: the Personal Adjustment and Role Skills Scale III, the Children's Depression Inventory, the Revised Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale, and the Self-Perception Profile for Children. RESULTS The experimental group's mean adjustment score increased over the intervention period while the control group's mean adjustment score decreased. Analysis of variance demonstrated that the intervention had a significant main effect on postintervention adjustment controlling for baseline scores (P =.01). Using a cutoff score indicating maladjustment, the percentage of experimental group children in the maladjustment range fell from 19% at baseline to 10% after the intervention; the percentage of control group children in the maladjustment range rose from 15% at baseline to 21% after the intervention. The effect of the intervention was more pronounced for children who had low physical self-esteem than for those who had moderate to high physical self-esteem at the beginning of the program. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrate modest positive effects of a family support intervention in promoting the adjustment of children with selective chronic health conditions. Including child life specialists in a community-based intervention may be especially salient for children with chronic illnesses who have low physical self-esteem. The intervention had a similar outcome for all diagnostic groups, suggesting that it could be effective for children with any chronic illness and implemented in a variety of pediatric settings.
Compression stockings have a synergistic effect with walking in the late afternoon to reduce edema of the lower limbs.

AIM The aim of this study was to evaluate whether an association of elastic stockings and walking for a short period in the late afternoon reduces leg edema. METHODS Volume changes of the legs of sixteen patients (32 limbs), who walked on a treadmill for 30 minutes using elastic compression stockings, were analyzed in a quantitative, cross-over randomized (in order of arrival at the clinic) study. They were submitted to volumetry using the water displacement technique and subsequently required to put on 20/30 made-to-measure compression stockings (Sigvaris). The patients walked on a treadmill for 30 minutes and after removing the stockings volumetry of the legs was again performed. Legs were assessed using the CEAP classification and divided into groups. Analysis of variance was used for statistical analysis with an alpha error of 5% being considered acceptable. RESULTS When participants walked wearing compression stockings, there was a reduction in leg volume. When the CEAP classification was evaluated, it was noted that there was a statistically significant difference for the CEAP C0, C1 and C2 categories of legs using stockings compared to those that did not use. CONCLUSION Compression stockings have a synergistic effect with walking in the late afternoon thus reducing edema of the lower limbs.
Effect of Saturated Stearic Acid on MAP Kinase and ER Stress Signaling Pathways during Apoptosis Induction in Human Pancreatic β-Cells Is Inhibited by Unsaturated Oleic Acid

It has been shown that saturated fatty acids (FAs) have a detrimental effect on pancreatic β-cells function and survival, leading to apoptosis, whereas unsaturated FAs are well tolerated and are even capable of inhibiting the pro-apoptotic effect of saturated FAs. Molecular mechanisms of apoptosis induction and regulation by FAs in β-cells remain unclear; however, mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress signaling pathways may be involved. In this study, we tested how unsaturated oleic acid (OA) affects the effect of saturated stearic acid (SA) on the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathways as well as the ER stress signaling pathways during apoptosis induction in the human pancreatic β-cells NES2Y. We demonstrated that OA is able to inhibit all effects of SA. OA alone has only minimal or no effects on tested signaling in NES2Y cells. The point of OA inhibitory intervention in SA-induced apoptotic signaling thus seems to be located upstream of the discussed signaling pathways.
Single- vs. Double-Bundle Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A New Aspect of Knee Assessment During Activities Involving Dynamic Knee Rotation

Abstract Czamara, A, Królikowska, A, Szuba, L, Widuchowski, W, and Kentel, M. Single- vs. double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: A new aspect of knee assessment during activities involving dynamic knee rotation. J Strength Cond Res 29(2): 489–499, 2015—Few studies have compared single-bundle (SB) and double-bundle (DB) anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) in the knee joint during activities involving change-of-direction maneuvers and knee rotation. This study examined whether the type of ACLR contributes to postphysiotherapy outcomes, with an emphasis on knee function assessment during activities involving dynamic knee rotation. Fifteen male patients after SB ACLR and 15 male patients after DB ACLR took part in the same physiotherapy program. Twenty-four weeks after ACLR, both groups underwent anterior laxity measurement, pivot shift tests, range of movement and joint circumference measurements, subjective assessment of pain and stability levels in the knee joint, peak torque measurement of the muscles rotating the tibia toward the femur, and a run test with maximal speed and change-of-direction maneuvers. Comparative analysis did not show any differences between the results of anterior tibial translation, pivot shift test, range of movement and joint circumference, and subjective assessment of pain and knee joint stability levels. No differences were noted between the groups in peak torque values obtained from the muscles responsible for internal and external tibial rotation or results of the run test. The data obtained from this study can be used by research teams to monitor and compare the effectiveness of various study protocols involving surgical and physiotherapy treatment. The data are especially useful when combined with the clinical assessment of patients who would like to return to sport.
Elevation of serum riboflavin carrier protein in breast cancer.

Presently available tumor markers have had a limited clinical impact. Riboflavin carrier protein (RCP) is an estrogen inducible protein that occupies a key position in riboflavin metabolism. Because other vitamin carrier proteins (VCP) have been shown to be overexpressed in patients with malignant disease, we evaluated serum RCP levels in patients with adenocarcinoma of the breast. In this prospective blinded study, patients with breast cancer, benign breast disease, and healthy controls were analyzed for RCP levels. Using a highly sensitive RIA, we observed that serum RCP levels were significantly elevated in women with breast cancer (n = 52) as compared with control subjects [n = 50; 6.06 +/- 7.27 ng/ml versus 0.70 +/- 0.19 ng/ml (mean +/- SD), respectively; P < 0.0001]. A serum RCP level of > or = 1.0 ng/ml was highly predictive of the presence of breast cancer, detecting 88% of tumors in stages I-II and 100% of tumors in stages III-IV. Overall, this RCP assay has a sensitivity of 92.3%, a specificity of 88%, a positive predictive value of 88.9%, and a negative predictive value of 91.7%. These results show increased serum levels of RCP in breast adenocarcinoma patients and suggest that RCP levels may be useful as a new marker for breast cancer. The positive predictive value in early-stage breast cancer suggests that the RCP assay may be a useful adjunct to present screening technology.
Report of a multicenter phase II trial testing a combination of biweekly bevacizumab and daily erlotinib in patients with unresectable biliary cancer: a phase II Consortium study.

PURPOSE Biliary cancers overexpress epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and angiogenesis has been correlated with poor outcome. Erlotinib, an EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor, and bevacizumab, a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitor have each been shown to have activity in biliary cancer. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the response rate by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST). Secondary end points included overall survival (OS), time to progression (TTP), VEGF levels, and molecular studies of EGFR and k-ras. PATIENTS AND METHODS Eligible patients had advanced cholangiocarcinoma or gallbladder cancer. Patients were treated with bevacizumab 5 mg/kg intravenously on days 1 and 15 and erlotinib 150 mg by mouth daily on days 1 through 28. Responses were evaluated by RECIST. VEGF levels were collected, and samples were analyzed for EGFR mutation by polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS Fifty-three eligible patients were enrolled at eight sites. Of 49 evaluable patients, six (12%; 95% CI, 6% to 27%) had a confirmed partial response. Stable disease was documented in another 25 patients (51%). Rash was the most common grade 3 toxicity. Four patients had grade 4 toxicities. Median OS was 9.9 months, and TTP was 4.4 months. Low repeats (< 16) in EGFR intron 1 polymorphism and G>G k-ras Q38 genotype (wild type) were associated with improved outcomes. CONCLUSION Combination chemotherapy with bevacizumab and erlotinib showed clinical activity with infrequent grade 3 and 4 adverse effects in patients with advanced biliary cancers. On the basis of preliminary molecular analysis, presence of a k-ras mutation may alter erlotinib efficacy. The combination of bevacizumab and erlotinib may be a therapeutic alternative in patients with advanced biliary cancer.
Transparency among S&P 500 companies: an analysis of ESG disclosure scores

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the state of S&P 500 companies’ transparency by analyzing their Bloomberg ESG (Environmental-Social-Governance) disclosure scores. Additionally, the effects of industry sector, firm size, and governance practices on transparency are examined. Design/methodology/approach Data were retrieved from Bloomberg using the financial analysis environmental, social and governance function for companies comprising the S&P 500 index. Descriptive statistics are provided on each of the three components separately (ESG). Nonparametric procedures are used to test for significant differences in transparency within each of these three areas based on industry sector. Additionally, nonparametric tests are used to determine the impact of firm size (market capitalization) and governance factors (board size, board gender diversity, chief executive officer (CEO) duality, and linking executive compensation to ESG disclosure) on the composite ESG score. Findings Descriptive statistics reveal that S&P 500 companies differ in their level of disclosure across the three areas (ESG). The highest level of transparency is found on Governance and the lowest on Environmental. Moreover, there is much variability in the percentage of S&P 500 companies disclosing information about specific Social policies (e.g. child labor). Significant differences in transparency on both the Social and Governance dimensions are found between certain industry sectors. The results also reveal that large-cap companies have significantly higher ESG disclosure scores than mid-cap companies and that governance factors impact ESG disclosure. Significantly, higher ESG disclosure scores are observed for S&P 500 firms with larger boards of directors, with boards that are more gender diverse, that allow CEO duality, and that link executive compensation to ESG scores. Originality/value This study focuses on corporate transparency through a granular analysis of ESG disclosure scores when most other studies have been primarily conducted at the macro level. Stakeholders, analysts, and shareholders are increasingly scrutinizing firms’ sustainability disclosures in their assessment of management quality, as it reflects on the practices/policies that are employed to improve firms’ environmental and social footprints.
A North–South Model of Outsourcing and Growth

In this paper, I formulate a simple North–South RD (ii) increases the outsourced variety of intermediate goods in the North; and (iii) stimulates Northern R&D activity and economic growth in both countries. By conducting welfare analysis, I also show that a decline in the trade cost of intermediate goods in the North improves welfare in the South more than in the North.
Sodium channel β1 subunit localizes to axon initial segments of excitatory and inhibitory neurons and shows regional heterogeneity in mouse brain

The β1 subunit of voltage‐gated sodium channels, Navβ1, plays multiple roles in neurons spanning electrophysiological modulation of sodium channel α subunits to cell adhesion and neurite outgrowth. This study used immunohistochemistry to investigate Navβ1 subneuronal and regional expression. Navβ1 was enriched at axon initial segments (AIS) and nodes of Ranvier. Navβ1 expression at the AIS was detected throughout the brain, predominantly in the hippocampus, cortex, and cerebellum. Despite expression of Navβ1 in both excitatory and inhibitory AIS, it displayed a marked and fine‐grained heterogeneity of expression. Such heterogeneity could have important implications for the tuning of single neuronal and regional excitability, especially in view of the fact that Navβ1 coexpressed with Nav1.1, Nav1.2, and Nav1.6 subunits. The disruption of Navβ1 AIS expression by a human epilepsy‐causing C121W genetic mutation in Navβ1 was also investigated using a mouse model. AIS expression of Navβ1 was reduced by approximately 50% in mice heterozygous for the C121W mutation and was abolished in homozygotes, suggesting that loss of Navα subunit modulation by Navβ1 contributes to the mechanism of epileptogenesis in these animals as well as in patients. J. Comp. Neurol. 523:814–830, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.