Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Urinary Incontinence and Urinary Tract Infection: Temporal Relationships in Postmenopausal Women

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the temporal relationship between self-reported urine loss and incident, symptomatic, microbiologically confirmed urinary tract infection (UTI). METHODS: We used daily diaries to collect information on incontinent episodes during a 2-year prospective study of incident UTI among 913 healthy postmenopausal health maintenance organization enrollees. We calculated the monthly rate of urine loss to assess for association with incident UTI. We also estimated the basal rate of urinary incontinence among women who experienced a UTI (excluding the 14-day time period pre- and post-UTI) and compared this to urine loss during the 3-day time period after UTI, to evaluate changes after infection. RESULTS: Sixty percent of women reported urinary incontinence, at a mean rate of 4.7 times per month. The monthly mean rate of urine loss was 2.64 times per month among women who did not experience a UTI compared with 4.60 times per among women who developed a UTI (P=.04). Among women who developed a UTI (n=78), the rate of urine loss during the 3 days after UTI onset was 1.5 times higher than the basal rate (0.23 compared with 0.15 reports per day, P=.26). CONCLUSION: After eliminating episodes of incontinence surrounding a UTI, the basal rate of urine loss was higher among women who experienced UTIs compared with those who did not. Additionally, among women who experienced a UTI, an increase in urine loss occurred in the immediate 3-day time period post-UTI, compared with infection-free periods. Urinary incontinence characterizes women who experience UTIs, both intercurrently and during an acute episode. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III
An FMRI study of the effects of psychostimulants on default-mode processing during Stroop task performance in youths with ADHD.

OBJECTIVE The authors examined the effect of psychostimulants on brain activity in children and adolescents with ADHD performing the Stroop Color and Word Test. METHOD The authors acquired 52 functional MRI scans in 16 youths with ADHD who were known responders to stimulant medication and 20 healthy comparison youths. Participants with ADHD were scanned on and off medication in a counterbalanced design, and comparison subjects were scanned once without medication. RESULTS Stimulant medication significantly improved suppression of default-mode activity in the ventral anterior cingulate cortex in the ADHD group. When off medication, youths with ADHD were unable to suppress default-mode activity to the same degree as comparison subjects, whereas when on medication, they suppressed this activity to comparison group levels. Greater activation of the lateral prefrontal cortex when off medication predicted a greater reduction in ADHD symptoms when on medication. Granger causality analyses demonstrated that activity in the lateral prefrontal and ventral anterior cingulate cortices mutually influenced one another but that the influence of the ventral anterior cingulate cortex on the lateral prefrontal cortex was significantly reduced in youths with ADHD off medication relative to comparison subjects and increased significantly to normal levels when ADHD youths were on medication. CONCLUSIONS Psychostimulants in youths with ADHD improved suppression of default-mode activity in the ventral anterior cingulate and posterior cingulate cortices, components of a circuit in which activity has been shown to correlate with the degree of mind-wandering during attentional tasks. Stimulants seem to improve symptoms in youths with ADHD by normalizing activity within this circuit and improving its functional interactions with the lateral prefrontal cortex.
Asia's Rebalancing and Growth

The paper investigates the impact of Asia’s demand rebalancing and supply-side productivity changes on long-term economic growth in Asia and worldwide. Results from a panel vector autoregression model show that a productivity-neutral demand rebalancing shock has no permanent effect on Asian output, whereas labor productivity shocks have significant, positive, and permanent effects. Simulations using a global intertemporal multi-sector general equilibrium model suggest that labor productivity shocks increase the foreign GDP over time, but rebalancing shocks have a negative international spillover effect. In addition, labor productivity shocks helps rebalancing. Structural reforms promoting labor productivity growth along with rebalancing policies across Asia can achieve higher economic growth worldwide.
Value of a risk questionnaire in screening for colorectal neoplasm

The value of a postal questionnaire and of Hemoccult II (Smith Klein Diagnostic Inc., Sunnyvale, California, USA) testing in screening for colorectal neoplasms was compared. In the questionnaire, the subjects were asked about previous treatment for colorectal neoplasm and rectal bleeding during the previous 6 months, specified as to type. All participants were asked to perform Hemoccult II blood testing over 3 days. Of 13 759 randomly selected subjects 9040 (66 per cent) performed the test and returned the questionnaire. Three hundred and fifty‐four subjects with a positive Hemoccult II test and/or a proven previous colorectal neoplasm had a full assessment including double‐contrast enema and rectosigmoidoscopy to 60 cm. Eighteen carcinomas and 61 adenomas were thus diagnosed. The population was followed for from 20 to 29 months, during which time rescreening was undertaken. An additional 34 subjects with carcinomas and 90 with adenomas were identified during this period. A significant correlation between the presence of a colorectal neoplasm and a previous history of colorectal neoplasm, a positive Hemoccult II and a previous history of bright red bleeding but not dark bleeding was found. The possibility of diagnosing a neoplasm was two, four and 19 times higher in a subject with a previous history of bleeding, a history of colorectal neoplasm, or a positive Hemoccult II respectively. Screening by faecal occult blood testing, therefore, at the moment seems to bethe best and only practicable method.
Direct Inhibitory Effect of Glucocorticoids on Corticotrophin‐Releasing Hormone Gene Expression in Neurones of the Paraventricular Nucleus in Rat Hypothalamic Organotypic Cultures

Corticotrophin‐releasing hormone (CRH) in the parvocellular neurosecretory neurones of hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus governs neuroendocrine stress cascade and is the major target of the negative feedback effect of corticosteroids. To assess whether glucocorticoids exert their inhibitory effect on CRH expression directly on parvocellular neurones or indirectly through a complex neuronal circuit, we examined the effect of corticosterone (CORT) and dexamethasone (DEX) on CRH mRNA levels in slice explant cultures of the rat hypothalamus. Organotypic slice cultures were prepared from 6 days old rat pups and maintained in vitro for 14 days. CRH mRNA expression was measured by in situ hybridisation histochemistry. Under basal conditions, CRH mRNA expressing cells were exclusively revealed in the paraventricular region along the third ventricle. Inhibition of action potential spike activity by tetrodotoxin (TTX, 1 μm) reduced CRH mRNA signal in the organotypic cultures. CORT (500 nm) or DEX (50 nm) treatment for 24 h significantly inhibited CRH expression in the parvocellular neurones and this effect of corticosteroids was not affected following blockade of voltage dependent sodium channels by TTX. Forskolin‐stimulated CRH mRNA levels in the paraventricular nucleus were also inhibited by CORT or DEX in the presence and in the absence of TTX. These studies identify paraventricular CRH neurones as direct target of corticosteroid feedback. Type II corticosteroid receptor agonists act directly on paraventricular neurones to inhibit basal and forskolin‐induced CRH mRNA expression in explant cultures of the rat hypothalamus.
Substrate Specificities and Intracellular Distributions of Three N-glycan Processing Enzymes Functioning at a Key Branch Point in the Insect N-Glycosylation Pathway*

Background: Insect cells have a branched protein N-glycosylation pathway. Results: Substrate specificities and intracellular distributions of three insect N-glycan processing enzymes were determined. Conclusion: Sf-GNT-I, Sf-GNT-II, and Sf-FDL function around the branch point and determine the net outcome of the insect protein N-glycosylation pathway. Significance: Deeper understanding of the insect protein N-glycosylation pathway. Man(α1–6)[GlcNAc(β1–2)Man(α1–3)]ManGlcNAc2 is a key branch point intermediate in the insect N-glycosylation pathway because it can be either trimmed by a processing β-N-acetylglucosaminidase (FDL) to produce paucimannosidic N-glycans or elongated by N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase II (GNT-II) to produce complex N-glycans. N-Acetylglucosaminyltransferase I (GNT-I) contributes to branch point intermediate production and can potentially reverse the FDL trimming reaction. However, there has been no concerted effort to evaluate the relationships among these three enzymes in any single insect system. Hence, we extended our previous studies on Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf) FDL to include GNT-I and -II. Sf-GNT-I and -II cDNAs were isolated, the predicted protein sequences were analyzed, and both gene products were expressed and their acceptor substrate specificities and intracellular localizations were determined. Sf-GNT-I transferred N-acetylglucosamine to Man5GlcNAc2, Man3GlcNAc2, and GlcNAc(β1–2)Man(α1–6)[Man(α1–3)]ManGlcNAc2, demonstrating its role in branch point intermediate production and its ability to reverse FDL trimming. Sf-GNT-II only transferred N-acetylglucosamine to Man(α1–6)[GlcNAc(β1–2)Man(α1–3)]ManGlcNAc2, demonstrating that it initiates complex N-glycan production, but cannot use Man3GlcNAc2 to produce hybrid or complex structures. Fluorescently tagged Sf-GNT-I and -II co-localized with an endogenous Sf Golgi marker and Sf-FDL co-localized with Sf-GNT-I and -II, indicating that all three enzymes are Golgi resident proteins. Unexpectedly, fluorescently tagged Drosophila melanogaster FDL also co-localized with Sf-GNT-I and an endogenous Drosophila Golgi marker, indicating that it is a Golgi resident enzyme in insect cells. Thus, the substrate specificities and physical juxtapositioning of GNT-I, GNT-II, and FDL support the idea that these enzymes function at the N-glycan processing branch point and are major factors determining the net outcome of the insect cell N-glycosylation pathway.
In Vitro Diagnosis of Bovine Tuberculosis by γ-Interferon Assay

Summary The purpose of this study was to determine the sensitivity and specificity of the γ-IFN assay and to compare the γ-IFN assay and intradermal tuberculin test results for detection of bovine tuberculosis. Defibrined blood samples were collected from 126 cattle in 6 herds suspected with tuberculosis and tested by in vitro γ-IFN assay. Intradermal tuberculin test was also performed on the same animals. While 62 cattle (49.2%) were found positive by γ-IFN assay, 67 cattle (53.2%) were detected positive by intradermal tuberculin test. The sensitivity and specificity of γ-IFN assay was estimated to be 90% and 97%, respectively. In conclusion, it is thought that γ-IFN assay is easier to perform and it shortens the time for diagnosis of bovine tuberculosis and it can be an alternative test to intradermal tuberculin test in bovine tuberculosis eradication programs.
INDIAN REGIONAL INCOME INEQUALITY: ESTIMATES OF PROVINCIAL GDP, 1875–1911

ABSTRACT After constructing a dataset on Indian provincial GDP per capita between 1875 and 1911, I examine it for levels and trends of provincial income inequality. Cross-sectional dispersion of income was initially high, but declined over time. In terms of levels, internal Indian inequality compared well with a number of European states. Testing for unconditional beta-convergence, I found a tendency for provinces to converge to their steady-state at a rate of 0.6 per cent; 6.7 per cent when controlling for province and year fixed-effects. These results indicate that the likely forces of convergence (mainly driven by transport and communication infrastructure advances) trumped forces of divergence (heterogeneity in social and geographical characteristics). I made no formal attempts to uncover the true drivers of provincial dynamics. Future research would do well to test the dynamic effects of observable provincial geographical and political characteristics on growth.
Auditor disaffiliation program in China and auditor independence

SUMMARY: This study examines whether the disaffiliation program introduced by the Chinese government improved auditor independence and whether auditor quality affects this relationship. Auditor independence is measured in terms of the likelihood of receiving a qualified report and the level of earnings management (measured by noncore operating income). The results show that the likelihood of receiving qualified audit opinions for listed companies significantly increased, and noncore operating earnings significantly decreased, after auditors were disaffiliated. However, companies audited by auditors without any affiliation also showed an increase in the likelihood of receiving qualified opinions and a decrease in noncore operating earnings, possibly because of the increased surveillance by the regulatory bodies that accompanied the act of disaffiliation. The results also show that the association between the disaffiliation program and the likelihood of receiving qualified audit opinions is stronger for sma.
Does Firm Size Matter Anymore? The New Economy and Firm Size Wage Effects

Researchers have long known that large firms pay higher wages than small firms for workers with similar measured characteristics; however, an agreed-upon explanation for this firm size wage effect (FSWE) has not been reached. Recent changes in the economy provide new leverage for testing competing theories for the effect, while questions about the existence and nature of the “New Economy” provide new motivation for exploring this topic. This study uses the 1988-2003 Current Population Survey and finds that the FSWE has declined by about one third over the study period. Examining the competing explanations for the FSWE, this study finds that while the sorting of workers by traits, unions, and industry factors all contribute to some portion of the effect in cross-section, they fail to explain why it has declined over time. Market power explanations also fail to find support. Shifts in organizational structures, particularly a decline of internal labor markets, appear to best fit the results. These findings provide supporting evidence for the “New Economy” and the idea that recent decades have brought about significant changes within organizations and in employment opportunities.
Just How Low are China's Labour Costs?

This paper provides a new perspective on Chinese international competitiveness in manufacturing using relative unit labour costs. We find that Chinese unit labour costs are about 25-40 per cent of US labour costs. They are also low relative to costs in the EU, Japan, Mexico, Korea and most other newly industrialising countries. However, China's relative unit labour costs indicate a substantially smaller cost advantage than that implied by a comparison of wages alone. China's cost advantage derives from large currency devaluations that preceded the establishment of a de facto peg around 1995, and rapid productivity growth in the period since 1995. Copyright 2007 The Authors Journal compilation 2007 Blackwell Publishing Ltd .
Building Cooperation between the BRICS and Leading Industrialized States

This article examines relations between the BRICS and leading industrialized states. It starts by analyzing the former's mutual relations, focusing on how the ideational construct presented by Jim O'Neill in his “BRIC hypothesis” became formalized as a leader-level diplomatic group at a summit in Yekaterinburg, Russia, in 2009. I evaluate how the BRICS have influenced international issues and whether “cooperation” or “conflict” characterizes their relations with key industrialized states, concluding that there has been greater multilateral cooperation since 2008, especially through international forums such as the G20. The BRICS partnership is one of unequals, significant for international economic relations primarily due to China. This has had important consequences as the Chinese government has prioritized economic cooperation with leading industrialized states. Influential countries can continue to benefit by enhancing multilateral ties in what are often nonzero–sum situations. Este articulo examina las relaciones entre los BRICS y los principales estados industrializados. Empieza por analizar las relaciones de los primeros, enfocandose en como la construccion ideacional presentado por Jim O'Neill en su “hipotesis de los BRIC” se formalizo como un grupo diplomatico con nivel de liderazgo en una cumbre en Ekaterimburgo, Rusia, en 2009. Evaluo como los BRICS han influido en asuntos internacionales y si su relacion con los principales estados industrializados es caracterizado por la “cooperacion” o el “conflicto”, para concluir que ha habido mas cooperacion multilateral desde 2008, sobre todo mediante foros internacionales como el G20. La relacion de los BRICS es de desiguales, lo que es significante para las relaciones economicas internacionales, debido en gran parte a China. Esto ha tenido consecuencias importantes ya que el gobierno chino ha dado prioridad a la cooperacion economica con los principales estados industrializados. Los paises influyentes pueden seguir beneficiandose al fortalecer sus lazos multilaterales en lo que muchas veces son situaciones de suma non-cero.
Four ‘domains’ of career success: how managers in Nigeria evaluate career outcomes

Using an exploratory qualitative approach based on in-depth interviews with 38 junior and middle managers, and informed by institutional theory, this article explores how Nigerian managers conceptualise career success. Results indicate that in contrast to some Western-based research, managers prioritise ‘objective’ (e.g. achieving financial stability) over ‘subjective’ (e.g. achieving work–life balance) career outcomes. Results also indicate that the well-applied dichotomy between objective and subjective measures is insufficient to capture the complexities and nuances observed in the Nigeria context. We thus propose four ‘domains’ of career success to include personal and relational dimensions in addition to the subjective/objective criteria. This we argue is a more comprehensive, integrative and contextually sensitive ‘frame’ for the analysis of career outcomes. Our findings suggest that scholars and multinational companies interested in expanding their operations to emerging economies need to incorporate these factors into their conceptualisations and management practices.
The Roles of the Physical Environment, Price Perception, and Customer Satisfaction in Determining Customer Loyalty in the Restaurant Industry

This research aims to examine the relationships among three components of the physical environment (i.e., décor and artifacts, spatial layout, and ambient conditions), price perception, customer satisfaction, and customer loyalty in the restaurant industry. A total of 279 cases from a survey were used to assess overall fit of the proposed model and test hypotheses using structural equation modeling. The three factors of the physical environment strongly influenced how customers perceived price, and this price perception, in turn, enhanced customer satisfaction level and directly/indirectly influenced customer loyalty. Décor and artifacts were the most significant predictors of price perception among the three components of the physical environment. Furthermore, both price perception and customer satisfaction played significant partial/complete mediating roles in the proposed model. The paper provides potential ways for restaurateurs to increase customer loyalty by improving their understanding of the roles of physical environment, price perception, and customer satisfaction.
ABO blood groups and Rhesus factor: an exploring link to periodontal diseases.

BACKGROUND The presence or absence of blood group antigens has been associated with various diseases, with antigens also acting as receptors for infectious agents. Scanty literature is available in assessing the relative liability of blood group phenotypes to periodontal diseases. This research was conducted to determine the association of the ABO blood group and Rhesus (Rh) factor to periodontal diseases to assess whether they could be the predictors of periodontal diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 1,220 subjects aged between 20 and 55 years were selected on a random basis. The study populations were segregated into three groups according to Ramfjord's periodontal disease index: Healthy, Gingivitis and Periodontitis. Blood samples were collected to identify the ABO blood groups and the Rh factor by the slide method. RESULTS Blood group A showed a significantly higher percentage in the gingivitis group and blood group O showed a higher percentage in the periodontitis group. The blood group AB showed the least percentage of periodontal diseases. The distribution of Rh factor in all groups showed a significantly higher distribution of Rh-positive. CONCLUSION The genetic factors may alter the oral ecology and the process of periodontal disease. These data are suggestive of a broad correlation between periodontal diseases and blood groups, which may act as risk predictors for periodontal diseases. This will make it possible to better-understand the risk factors of diseases of the periodontal tissues and to predict the effective methods of prevention and treatment of periodontal diseases.
Money, output, and the trade balance: theory and evidence

This paper develops a two-country equilibrium model of the world economy under floating exchange rates, and draws out its implications for co-movements of money, output, and the trade balance. The predictions of this model are then compared with those of a fixed-price Keynesian version of the Mundell-Fleming model. The predictions of the two models for co-movements of money, output, and the trade balance are shown to differ on almost all counts. Empirical evidence on the effects of anticipated and unanticipated changes in money growth rates on output and the trade balance from the recent Canadian experience with floating rates is presented and discussed. This evidence, generally speaking, is consistent with the implications of the equilibrium model.
Benefits to the poor from gorilla tourism in Rwanda

Tourism is currently the leading export sector in Rwanda and is growing. The country is famous for the rare mountain gorillas of the Parc National des Volcans. This paper uses information from value chain analysis studies, complementary research and stakeholder testimonies to reveal the benefits that accrue to people living around the Park. It quantifies pro-poor income and non-financial benefits from gorilla tourism, and describes the opportunities for the poor to become economically involved in the value chains relating to accommodation, food and beverages, excursions and shopping, and the barriers to their involvement. To increase local benefits from gorilla tourism and other tourism activities around the Park, the authors recommend stimulating the activities of the private sector, increasing the number of joint venture agreements, enhancing opportunities for local employment and career progression, and improving business linkages with entrepreneurs and entertainers.