Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Identifying glaucoma patients by applying multivariate analyses of cardiovascular signals

Glaucoma is a disease that damages the eye's optic nerve. However, the exact cause of this optic nerve damage is not yet fully understood. Besides the factors of age, genetics and others, such as obesity, medication and migraines, a vascular dysfunction is believed to be a significant factor leading to glaucoma. This study's objective was to investigate whether these vascular dysfunctions could be recognized by analyzing cardiovascular regulation in glaucoma patients. Linear and nonlinear methods were applied to the extracted heart rate (HR), and systolic/ diastolic blood pressure (DBP) time series to discriminate between 35 healthy controls and 20 glaucoma patients. The combination of indices from 30-min analysis of time domain (Renyi entropy of systolic blood pressure) and nonlinear dynamics (segmented Poincare plot analysis of DBP, high-resolution joint symbolic dynamics of DBP/ HR) were able to differentiate between controls and patients with a specificity and sensitivity of > 95%. Since changes in short-term blood pressure regulation patterns and heart-rate coupling are clear signs of a vascular dysfunction, this approach could be useful for providing an earlier diagnosis of glaucoma in clinical practice.
Kallikrein‐related peptidase 4 gene (KLK4) in prostate tumors: Quantitative expression analysis and evaluation of its clinical significance

Recently accumulating evidences underline the central role of the kallikrein‐related peptidases family (KLKs) in prostate cancer (PCa) development and progression. The KLK4 is a prostate highly expressed gene under the transcriptional control of androgens, encoding for the KLK4 extracellular serine protease. The aim of this study is to investigate the expression status of KLK4 in PCa patients in order to reveal its utility in PCa establishment and clinical management.
Economic Theories of sustainable consumption

The term ‘sustainable consumption’ denotes the search for consumption patterns that reduce human pressure on the environment and nature. This search involves three levels of research. First, the relationship between consumption, lifestyles and environmental sustainability has to be clarified. A general scheme of relationships will be presented here. Second, a theoretical framework for studying economic behaviour, consisting of five elements, is proposed. Moreover, various theoretical models are discussed in this context. Finally, the policy relevance of specific theories of behaviour for sustainable consumption is considered. This gives rise to both traditional and innovative prescriptions.
Varieties of Firm: Complementarity and Bounded Diversity

This is a study of the nature of internal diversity within liberal and collaborative market economies. Based on large scale comparative survey data, we assess the extent to which specific clusters of practices are associated with specific varieties of capitalism. Given that recent literature has pointed to internal diversity within specific national contexts, we explore the nature of internal diversity within both liberal and collaborative market economies, and what makes each variety of capitalism distinct. We find that more than one cluster of practices is indeed likely to be encountered in a particular national context, but that this diversity was bounded: only a limited number of alternative paradigms are likely to emerge and persist. The survey findings not only shed light on the nature of this internal diversity, but also reveal the fact that liberal and collaborative markets remain distinct, with the rights accruing to employees being more deeply embedded in a wide cross section of firms within the latter.
The Italian Banking Structure in the 1990s: Testing the Multimarket Contact Hypothesis

type="main" xml:lang="en"> The multimarket contact hypothesis holds that more contacts between firms competing in the same markets may induce more collusion. This paper tests the hypothesis for the Italian banking market, analysing the behaviour of the largest Italian banks from 1990 to 1996. Market rivalry is gauged by changes in loan market shares and interest rates in each Italian province. We estimate the effects of increasing multimarket contacts, concentration indicators, banks' costs and loan demand on variations in market shares and interest rates. No support is found for the multimarket contact hypothesis. Geographical overlap in banking is positively correlated with changes in market shares, confirming the thesis of an overall increase in competition within the Italian banking system. Greater multimarket links also seem to correspond to lower lending rates. (J.E.L.:G21, C33, L40.)
Defining Central venous Line Position in Children: Tips for the Tip

Purpose The purpose of this study is to analyse literature related to the position of centrally inserted central venous catheters and to review topics related to assessment of tip position of those catheters in children. Applications of specific techniques to PICCs (Periferally Inserted Central Catheters) and umbilical venous catheter will also be reviewed. Methods Analysis of 68 original manuscripts, 42 specifically related to the paediatric population, 26 related to the adult population. The papers analysed were published between 1949 and 2014; all articles were in English except one in Italian and one in German. Results From the analysed literature, most of the guidelines recommend tip positioning at a level between the superior vena cava and the right atrium. Several methods have been described to evaluate tip position in the paediatric population, but none of those is considered completely reliable. The standard methods used to identify catheter tip position are radiography and fluoroscopy, but no specific landmark can be recommended in the paediatric population. The ultrasonographic approach has been investigated mainly for PICCs positioning in the neonatal population. The electrocardiographic method has been evaluated in the general paediatric population. Conclusions No specific recommendation can be given due to the low level of evidence. Ultrasound and ECG (electrocardiogram) techniques are a potential alternative to chest X-ray and further studies should be implemented to establish them. A wider application of these techniques may reduce neonatal and paediatric exposure to radiations and additionally reduce costs.
Extending the Capital Asset Pricing Model: The Reward Beta Approach

This paper offers an alternative method for estimating expected returns. The proposed reward beta approach performs well empirically and is based on asset pricing theory. The empirical section compares this approach with the capital asset pricing model (CAPM) and the Fama-French three-factor model. In out-of-sample testing, both the CAPM and the three-factor model are rejected. In contrast, the reward beta approach easily passes the same test. In robustness checks, the reward beta approach consistently outperforms both the CAPM and the three-factor model.
Full SiC multilevel chopper for three-wire supply systems in DC electric railways

Currently, former DC supply systems reach their limits. In several European Railway networks, there are several sectors where it is not possible to operate locomotives at their nominal ratings or to increase traffic. Indeed, the line-voltage drops between substations leads to severe limitations. To improve the power capacity of the line, a three-wire supply system with voltage boosters based on Imbricated Cells Multilevel Chopper (ICMC) was proposed. At first, the principle of the three-wire supply system is recalled. Experimental results, performed on a test platform of the French railways, are then presented in the case of a double 1.5 kV supply system, with a three-level chopper based on 3.3 kV Si-IGBT modules. In order to increase system performance, the authors evaluate the interest of new SiC-MOSFET modules on this ICMC structure. An experimental test-bench is build with 1700 V/300 A SiC-MOSFET Half-Bridge Modules (SiC-MOSFET HBMs). The reactive components forming this converter, such as the flying-capacitors, are dimensioned and a design is selected in order to respond to constraints of high switching speed. A particular control is tested and is used to regulate all flying capacitors, while also operate at high switching frequencies (up to 50 kHz). The characteristics of this DC/DC converter are calculated, plotted, and compared to the same structure with 1700 V / 300 A Si-IGBT Modules.
The augmented subjective risk management process

Purpose – This paper aims to present an augmented subjective risk management process that can partially solve the problem of inconsistent results in qualitative risk management. Note that “subjective” in this context is to separate this risk management process from the purely statistical risk management processes often associated with finance.Design/methodology/approach – The approach has been developed by logically approaching the problem of inconsistency and, based on experience and literature review, conceptually designing a solution.Findings – The presented approach seems workable and indeed an improvement over standard qualitative approaches given reasonable skillful implementation.Research limitations/implications – The approach has not yet been tested in real life, which must be undertaken in the future.Practical implications – The presented approach will expand the subjective risk management process to include information management and to some extent knowledge management and thus add some more ac.
Detecting and managing elder abuse: challenges in primary care. The Research Subcommittee of the Elder Abuse and Self-Neglect Task Force of Hamilton-Wentworth.

OBJECTIVE To determine family physicians' perceptions of barriers and strategies in the effective detection and appropriate management of abused elderly people. DESIGN Questionnaire survey; the protocol included an advance notification letter and 3 follow-up mailings. SETTING Regional Municipality of Hamilton-Wentworth, Ont. PARTICIPANTS All active nonspecialist physicians who reported seeing elderly patients in their practices were eligible for inclusion. Fifty health service organization (HSO) physicians were randomly selected from among those listed with the HSO Mental Health Program, and 200 fee-for-service physicians were randomly selected from the Canadian Medical Directory. Of the 189 eligible physicians 122 returned completed questionnaires, a response rate of 65%. OUTCOME MEASURES Physicians' ratings of the importance of potential barriers in assisting older people experiencing abuse and of the usefulness of strategies for dealing with elder abuse. RESULTS Physicians identified the following barriers as fairly or very important: denial of abuse, resistance to intervention, not knowing where to call for help, lack of protocols to assess and respond to abuse, lack of guidelines about confidentiality, fear of reprisal, and lack of knowledge of the prevalence and definition of elder abuse. Strategies deemed to be helpful included a single agency to call, a directory of services, a list of resource people, an educational package, guidelines for detection and management, reimbursement for time spent on legal matters, continuing education, revision of fee structure and a central library of resources on elder abuse. CONCLUSION Although the physicians perceived numerous barriers to their detection and management of elder abuse, they identified many strategies that could be implemented at a local level. Preparation of an algorithm to help physicians is the next phase of this work.
STUDY OF LOCOMOTOR DISABILITY DUE TO VARIOUS TYPES OF TRAUMA

Background: Many people in the world live with different disabilities. Among various types of disability locomotor disability is one of the major types. Trauma is important cause of locomotor disability and in India it is second most common cause of locomotor disability. There is insufficient data available in India to determine contribution of trauma to loco motor disability. This study is required for the same so as to know the extent of problem of disability in Indian society. Materials and Methods:This observational study was conducted in a tertiary care physical medicine and rehabilitation center in western India. All the patients attending the out-patient department of institute were examined after taking verbal consent. Patients having locomotor disability were included in this study. Results: In our study persons having traumatic permanent locomotor disability were found to be 524 among total 3500 locomotor disabled persons attending our institute. Total numbers of new patients attending our institute were 11990 during study period. The prevalence of locomotor disability was 29.19% (3500) out of total 11990 patients attended this institute. The prevalence of traumatic permanent locomotor disability was 14.97% (524), among all (3500) locomotor disabled patients.The cause of disability in 41.8% was railway accidents, 41.6 % was due to road traffic accidents, 12.2% due to machine injuries, 4% due to fall, 0.2% due to bullet injuries, 0.2% due to sports injuries. It was observed that 85.1% (446) out of 524 are males and 14.9% (78) out of 524 are females having locomotor diaability due to trauma. Conclusion: Trauma contributes not only to significant number of disabilities, but also to severity of disability. Road traffic accidents and railway accidents are major causes of traumatic locomotor disability and young persons are the usual victims of such disasters.
An Extortionary Guerrilla Movement

This paper models an extortionary relationship between a pipeline operator and a guerrilla movement. Payment and attack decisions are modeled as an infinite-horizon Markov decision process, where each period the oil company chooses to pay or not pay an extortion demand and the movement decides to attack or not. Decisions depend on the level of single-period payoff and discounted expected future payoffs. We estimate the model with pipeline attack data and compare parameters when the discount factor is changed. We reject a zero discount factor hypothesis, demonstrating that the movement's observed attack pattern is compatible with extortionary behavior. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modeling Response to Advertising and Pricing Changes for “V-8” Cocktail Vegetable Juice

This paper is based on a series of studies undertaken for “V-8” Cocktail Vegetable Juice over a five-year period. The studies were a consequence of management questions regarding the effectiveness of a new advertising campaign, the best media mix for this campaign and the apparent “wear-out” of the advertising copy. The studies included controlled experimentation, estimation of advertising response functions, and exploration of price sensitivity following major price increases by “V-8. ” It was found that the short-term response to advertising was S-shaped, and that the new creative approach rather than expenditure levels alone accounted for by far the largest component of the impact of advertising on sales. It was also found that for a short period following the major price increases, “V-8” became extremely price sensitive. However, after about six months, the marginal impact of price returned to historical levels. The application of results at Campbell Soup Company, their relationship to the literature and their implications for both researchers and practitioners are discussed.
Associations between the peer support relationship, service satisfaction and recovery-oriented outcomes: a correlational study

Abstract Background: The working alliance between non-peer providers and mental health consumers is associated with positive outcomes. It is hypothesized that this factor, in addition to other active support elements, is also positively related to peer support service outcomes. Aims: This study evaluates correlates of the peer-to-peer relationship and its unique association with service satisfaction and recovery-oriented outcomes. Method: Participants were 46 adults with serious mental illnesses taking part in a peer-brokered self-directed care intervention. Pearson correlation analyses examined associations among peer relationship factors, services-related variables and recovery-oriented outcomes (i.e. empowerment, recovery and quality of life). Hierarchical multiple regression analyses evaluated associations between relationship factors and outcomes over time, controlling for other possible intervention effects. Results: The peer relationship was not related to number of contacts. There were robust associations between the peer relationship and service satisfaction and some recovery-oriented outcomes at 24-months, but not at 12-months. These associations were not explained by other possible intervention effects. Conclusion: This study contributes to a better understanding of the positive, unique association between the peer-to-peer relationship and outcomes, similar to what is found in non-peer-delivered interventions. Implications for program administrators and policymakers seeking to integrate peer specialists into mental health service systems are discussed.
Organizational learning and optimal fiscal and monetary policy

Abstract We study optimal fiscal and monetary policy in a Ramsey economy where firms learn from their production experience and incur a real cost in changing their prices. Two central results emerge from our study. First, optimal tax policy is counter-cyclical – tax rates fall during recession and rise during boom. This finding contrasts with pro-cyclical tax results obtained in standard sticky price Ramsey models. In presence of learning-by-doing (LBD) mechanism, the Ramsey planner finds it relatively more costly to raise taxes in response to a negative technology shock. Higher taxes would reduce hours, output, and hence future level of organizational capital which will magnify the shock further by lowering future productivity. Hence, in response to a negative productivity shock, the planner finds it optimal to lower taxes in order to raise the after tax return to work and minimize the welfare-reducing effects of the shock. Second, optimal inflation is very stable and persistent over the business cycle. We show that while a dynamic link between current production and future productivity generates the inflation persistence, the real cost of price adjustment is the key factor behind the very low volatility in optimal inflation. Both of these mechanisms work through the monopolistic firms’ optimal pricing condition – namely the New Keynesian Philips Curve.
The Point Prevalence of Malignancy in a Wound Clinic

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of malignant leg ulcers and to identify the most frequent characteristics of such wounds. This study was a retrospective investigation of patients with chronic leg ulcers in a North American tertiary wound clinic. Between January 2011 and September 2013, a total of 1189 patients with lower extremity wounds, including 726 patients with leg wounds, were identified. A total of 124 of the 726 had undergone a biopsy of their atypical wound, 16.1% (20/124) of which were malignant. Patients with malignant wounds were older than patients with nonmalignant leg wounds (P < .0001), and the common location of the malignant wound was the anterior shin (odds ratio = 3.5). The limitation of this analysis is the lack of distinction between malignant transformation of wounds and de novo presentation of malignancies as chronic nonhealing wounds. Three distinguishing morphological features in malignant wounds were irregular borders (P = .0002), presence of hypergranulation tissue (P < .0001), and friable/bleeding wound surface (P < .0001). The frequency of malignant wounds in patients with chronic leg ulcers highlights the need for a systematic approach, which would involve biopsy of wounds to identify malignancy in this patient population early on.
An Evaluation of the Hong Kong Employees Retraining Programme

The Employees Retraining Programme, launched by the Hong Kong government in 1993, was promoted as the solution to structural unemployment resulting fromrapid structural transformation of the economy. However, our study of the labourmarket performance of a group of trainees who received training in 1994/5 showsno evidence of any positive effect on the earnings or employment rate of trainees one year after the completion of training in relation to various comparison groups. The apparent lack of success can be traced to low target efficiency and distorted incentives that result in over-utilization of retraining resources.
Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor-Mediated [3H]Dopamine Release from Hippocampus

The mechanism of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR)-induced hippocampal dopamine (DA) release was investigated using rat hippocampal slices. nAChRs involved in hippocampal DA and norepinephrine (NE) release were investigated using prototypical agonists and antagonists and several relatively novel compounds: ABT-594 [(R)-5-(2-azetidinylmethoxy)-2-chloropyridine], (±)-UB-165 [(2-chloro-5-pyridyl)-9-azabicyclo [4.2. 1]non2-ene], and MG 624 [N,N,N-triethyl-2-[4-(2 phenylethenyl)phenoxy]-ethanaminium iodine]. (±)-Epibatidine, (±)-UB-165, anatoxin-a, ABT-594, (-)-nicotine, 1,1-dimethyl-4-phenyl-piperazinium iodide, and (-)-cytisine (in decreasing order of potency) evoked [3H]DA release in a mecamylamine-sensitive manner. Aside from (±)-UB-165, all the agonists displayed full efficacy relative to 100 μM (-)-nicotine in [3H]DA release. In contrast, (±)-UB-165 was a partial agonist, evoking 58% of 100 μM (-)-nicotine response. Mecamylamine, MG 624, hexamethonium, d-tubocurare, and dihydro-β-erythroidine (in decreasing order of potency), but not α-conotoxin-MII, methyllycaconitine, α-conotoxin-ImI, or α-bungarotoxin, attenuated 100 μM (-)-nicotine-evoked [3H]DA release in a concentration-dependent manner. (±)-UB-165, ABT-594, and MG 624 exhibited different pharmacologic profiles in the [3H]NE release assay when compared with their effect on [3H]DA release. ABT-594 was 4.5-fold more potent, and (±)-UB-165 was a full agonist in contrast to its partial agonism in [3H]DA release. MG 624 potently and completely blocked NE release evoked by 100 μM (-)-nicotine and 10 μM (±)-UB-165, whereas it only partially inhibited (-)-nicotine-evoked [3H]DA release. In conclusion, we provide evidence that [3H]DA can be evoked from the hippocampus and that the pharmacologic profile for nAChR-evoked hippocampal [3H]DA release suggests the involvement of α3β4* and at least one other nAChR subtype, thus distinguishing it from that of nAChR-evoked hippocampal [3H]NE release.
Stock Market Volatility and Investment: Do Only Fundamentals Matter?

The empirical evidence in the volatility literature suggests that movements in stock prices cannot be satisfactorily explained purely in terms of changes in fundamentals. This paper shows how to obtain proxies for the fundamental and fad components of changes in stock prices and asks the question: Do only fundamentals matter for investment decisions? We find that changes in investment are significantly associated with movements in both components of stock prices. The point estimates suggest that changes in fundamentals have a greater effect than changes in non-fundamentals. The statistical significance of the difference between their coefficients depends upon the financing regime. These conclusions are shown to be robust to modifications and extensions of the model.