Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Emergence of Co‐Existing Debt Cycle Regimes in an Economic Growth Model

This paper aims to provide a modeling framework that keeps track of the interdependency between firms&#8217; external financing structure and the state of the economy. Accordingly, it is based on the well&#8208;known Kaleckian model which is combined with a modeling strategy of a sentiment index that was proposed by Franke (2012, 2014). The sentiment influences firms&#8217; subjective sales expectations and thus their planned level of investment. As it turns out, the non&#8208;linear model set&#8208;up appears to be flexible in the sense that it is able to generate different interesting dynamic scenarios. It is shown that it may produce (a) sentiment&#8208;driven business cycle fluctuations, including endogenously determined Minsky&#8208;Koo&#8208;kind recessions, and, more interestingly, (b) two distinct economic environments that exist contemporaneously: a &#8216;low&#8208;&#8217; and &#8216;high&#8208;indebted&#8217; regime.
Your life in their pocket: students' behaviors regarding confidential patient information.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Physicians are sometimes poor at observing patient confidentiality. Medical students have access to patients and their medical records, but there is little known about how well students respect patients' confidentiality. Our objective was to study how medical students deal with confidential patient information. METHODS Qualitative research methods (focus groups, semi-structured interviews, and direct peer observation of student activity) were used to explore the approach of medical students to patient confidentiality in a British medical school. RESULTS We interviewed 32 students, held focus groups involving 24 students, and undertook direct observation of student activity. The main themes derived from the data included the context within which students practice, variation in students' attitude and behavior toward patient confidentiality, and the dissonance between confidentiality theory and practice. CONCLUSIONS While many students practiced in a professional manner, several reported markedly suboptimal performance in themselves or others. These behaviors appear to be driven by students' own professionalism and behavior learned from senior colleagues. While new technologies pose some particular threats to confidentiality, paper records seem just as vulnerable.
Herd Growth, Farm Organisation and Subsidies in the Dairy Sector of Russia and Kazakhstan

Initially taken as a template for farm restructuring after the demise of collective agriculture, the ‘Western family farm model’ has taken root in the former Soviet countries only belatedly and incompletely. We examine dairy structures in Russia and Kazakhstan and analyse the drivers of recent herd growth. We are specifically interested in the role of farm management and organisation, vertical integration, and the role of policy. Regression analysis based on a sample of 180 randomly selected commercial dairy farms, using an innovative simultaneous equation framework, shows that better herd management and access to milk marketing contracts were more effective in stimulating herd growth than current subsidy payments. We do not find evidence that milking plants belonging to corporate entities or even supra-regional agroholdings grow more substantially than medium-sized individual farms. Twenty-five years after the end of central planning, structural change among commercial dairy farms in Russia and Kazakhstan appears similar in many ways to the patterns observed in the West more recently: smaller farms catch up in terms of herd growth and classical family-run operations coexist with or even emulate vertically integrated agribusinesses based on hired labour. In moving toward this ‘new normal’ of farming structures, commercial dairy farms in Russia may even be a few steps ahead of their Western counterparts. At the same time, the still sizeable but stagnating group of subsistence producers in rural households finds no equivalent in the West.
Impaired CFTR-dependent amplification of FSH-stimulated estrogen production in cystic fibrosis and PCOS.

CONTEXT Estrogens play important roles in a wide range of physiological and pathological processes, and their biosynthesis is profoundly influenced by FSH that regulates the rate-limiting enzyme aromatase-converting estrogens from androgens. Abnormal estrogen levels are often seen in diseases such as ovarian disorders in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), an endocrine disorder affecting 5-10% of women of reproductive age, and cystic fibrosis (CF), a common genetic disease caused by mutations of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). OBJECTIVES We undertook the present study to investigate the mechanism underlying these ovarian disorders, which is not well understood. RESULTS FSH-stimulated cAMP-responsive element binding protein phosphorylation, aromatase expression, and estradiol production are found to be enhanced by HCO3- and a HCO3- sensor, the soluble adenylyl cyclase, which could be significantly reduced by CFTR inhibition or in ovaries or granulosa cells of cftr knockout/ΔF508 mutant mice. CFTR expression is found positively correlated with aromatase expression in human granulosa cells, supporting its role in regulating estrogen production in humans. Reduced CFTR and aromatase expression is also found in PCOS rodent models and human patients. CONCLUSIONS CFTR regulates ovarian estrogen biosynthesis by amplifying the FSH-stimulated signal via the nuclear soluble adenylyl cyclase. The present findings suggest that defective CFTR-dependent regulation of estrogen production may underlie the ovarian disorders seen in CF and PCOS.
Prognostic Significance of the Growth Rate of Breast Cancer: Preliminary Evaluation on the Follow-Up of 196 Breast Cancers

The doubling time (DT) of 196 consecutive breast cancers was studied by means of a double mammographic examination (average time between the 2 mammographies, 30 days) and calculated with the formula of exponential growth. On the basis of DT values the case series was divided into 3 groups of growth: fast (DT from 1 to 30 days), 31 cases (15.8 %), intermediate (DT from 31 to 90 days), 84 cases (42.9 %), slow (DT more than 90 days), 81 cases (41.3 %). No relationship was found between growth rate and size of tumor, or menopausal status of the patient. After mastectomy fast and slow cases were equally distributed in the N− and N+ groups, whereas for the intermediate cases the N−: N+ ratio was 1: 2. One hundred and thirty-four cases were followed for a period of 12 to 52 months. Evaluation was done on the basis of the subdivision into N− and N+, and the latter group into N+ (1–3) and N+ (> 3). For N− tumors the course of the disease was apparently not affected by the growth rate. However, the case of fast growing tumors showed a higher proportion of recurrences with respect to N+ slow growing tumors. This difference was even more noticeable the higher the number of involved lymph nodes, but not statistically significant. The course of slow growing tumors was identical in the N− and N+ groups, but all the N+ tumors were subjected to adjuvant chemotherapy.
What policymakers should know about drug resistance and adherence in the context of scaling-up treatment of HIV infection

With the imminent massive scale up of antiretroviral therapy in developing countries concerns have been raised regarding the spectre of widespread viral drug resistance. These concerns should not lead to a slowing of the pace at which these life-preserving medications are made available to the millions in need in those countries. With proper HAART regimens and proper adherence, development of drug resistance is not a common event. Increasing simplicity of antiretroviral drug regimens, as well as supportive services, promote adherence and have been shown to lead to extremely high therapeutic success rates in both developed and developing countries. Moreover, the possibility of drug resistance has not discouraged industrialized countries from offering universal access to antiretrovirals. If anything, the situation in developing countries, where few patients have been previously exposed to suboptimal drug regimens and where a public health approach may be taken to the treatment of HIV infection, is in many respects more favourable to the prevention of widespread viral drug resistance than that in the developed world. This conclusion is underscored by available evidence presented in this supplement. Experience in developing countries also suggests that greater treatment access will help alleviate HIV-related stigma and provide major new incentives for individuals to learn their serostatus, thus strengthening prevention efforts.
Executive coaching and national culture in the United Arab Emirates: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis

This study explores the interaction between national culture and coaching methods that executive coaches use in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The objective is to develop understanding regarding whether executive coaches varied methods or approaches depending upon a coaching recipient being an Expatriate or a UAE National citizen.The research took place in the UAE, using semi-structured interviews with four participants. The participants were executive coaches with experience and understanding of different approaches and methods used in coaching psychology practice.A qualitative method of data collection and analysis, Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), was used to examine the lived experience and making sense of rich individual narratives. The double-hermeneutic approach of IPA generated understanding via interpretation of the participant’s perceptions.Cultural Values, Business Environment and Approach and Methods were three themes that emerged from the study. National culture is a significant feature of life in the UAE, is omnipresent in the complex, multicultural business environment and manifests itself in differences of cultural values and dimensions. Whilst national culture is important, it is only one of many layers that shape an individual. Participants prioritise and customise their coaching approach based upon the coachee as an individual and their current contextual situation. Only small differences are identifiable in the utility of certain coaching methods due to national culture, however, the approach to coaching is adjusted to address higher expectations of direction, different motivational factors, different value systems and the higher emphasis on relationships and trust amongst Emiratis.
Vibrotactile thresholds at the fingertip, volar forearm, large toe, and heel

Thresholds for the perception of vibration vary with location on the body due to the organization of tactile channels in hairy and non-hairy skin, and variations in receptor density. This study determined vibration thresholds at four locations on the body with two different contactors so as to assist the identification of the tactile channel determining the threshold at each location. Vibrotactile thresholds at six frequencies from 8 to 250 Hz were measured on the distal phalanx of the index finger, the volar forearm, the large toe, and the heel with two contactors: (i) a 1-mm diameter circular probe with a 1-mm gap to a fixed circular surround (i.e., 7.1-mm2 excitation area), and (ii) a 6-mm diameter circular probe with a 2-mm gap to a fixed circular surround (i.e., 79-mm2 excitation area). At all frequencies and with both contactors, thresholds on the fingertip were lower than thresholds on the volar forearm, the large toe, and the heel, consistent with a greater density of mechanoreceptors at the fingertip. Thresholds with the larger contactor were lower than thresholds with the smaller contactor on the fingertip at high frequencies (63, 125, and 250 Hz), on the large toe (except at 250 Hz), on the heel (at all frequencies), and on the volar forearm at 250 Hz. It is concluded that at least two tactile channels (Pacinian from 63 to 250 Hz, and non-Pacinian from 8 to 31.5 Hz) determined vibrotactile thresholds at the fingertip, whereas non-Pacinian channels had a dominant influence on vibrotactile thresholds at the volar forearm. The role of Pacinian and non-Pacinian channels could not be confirmed at the large toe or the heel despite some evidence of spatial summation.
MyD 88 plays a key role in LPS-induced Stat 3 activation in the hypothalamus

Yamawaki Y, Kimura H, Hosoi T, Ozawa K. MyD88 plays a key role in LPS-induced Stat3 activation in the hypothalamus. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 298: R403–R410, 2010. First published December 2, 2009; doi:10.1152/ajpregu.00395. 2009. —Infection causes the production of proinflammatory cytokines, which act on the central nervous system (CNS) and can result in fever, sleep disorders, depression-like behavior, and even anorexia, although precisely how cytokines regulate the functions of the CNS remain unclear. In the present study, we investigated the regulatory-molecular mechanisms by which cytokines affect hypothalamic function in a state of infection. The intraperitoneal administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a ligand of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), time-dependently (2–24 h) increased signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) phosphorylation in the hypothalamus and liver, which corresponded with anorexia observed within 24 h. Interestingly, the pattern of phosphorylation in response to LPS differed between the hypothalamus and liver. In the hypothalamus, LPS increased STAT3 phosphorylation from 2 h, with a peak at 4 h and a decline thereafter, whereas, in the liver, the peak activation of STAT3 persisted from 2 to 8 h. The time course of the LPS-induced expression of suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3), a STAT3-induced negative regulator of the Janus kinase-STAT pathway, was similar to that of STAT3 phosphorylation. Using mice deficient in myeloid differentiation primary-response protein 88 (MyD88), an adapter protein of TLR4, we found that LPS-induced STAT3 phosphorylation and SOCS3 expression in the hypothalamus and liver were predominantly mediated through MyD88. Moreover, we observed that MyD88-deficient mice were resistant to LPS-induced anorexia. Taken together, our findings reveal a novel mechanism, i.e., MyD88 plays a key role in mediating STAT3 phosphorylation and anorexia in the CNS in a state of infection and inflammation.
Secular Stagnation, Unemployment Hysteresis and Monetary Policy in EMU: Scratches but Not Scars?

Abstract The strength of mutually reinforcing links between the demand and supply sides of the macroeconomy is an important issue for policymakers which has emerged from the financial crisis. The prevailing view that only cyclical policies influence the demand side, and structural policies affect the supply side has been challenged in two dimensions. Firstly, long periods of weak demand have the potential to lead to rising structural unemployment and a permanently lower capital stock – inducing hysteresis effects. Secondly, if one believes in the relevance of hysteresis in the form propagated by [Blanchard, Olivier J., and Lawrence H. Summers. 1986. “Hysteresis and the European Unemployment Problem. ” In NBER Macroeconomics Annual, edited by Fischer, S. , Vol. 1, 15–78. Cambridge: MIT Press], stronger demand fueled, for instance, by monetary policy may, as a corollary, be able to reverse such effects. This paper argues that the Blanchard and Summers type of hysteresis should, however, not be taken literally and not taken as the basis of one-to-one into recommendations for monetary policy and/or the monetary policy strategy. We show that bluntly pointing to the hard form of “reverse hysteresis” and implementing bold counter-cyclical monetary (and fiscal) policies to cope with hysteretic unemployment is neither necessary nor sufficient. Instead, we argue that it is necessary to refer to subtler forms of hysteresis, which are more compatible with the data. These subtler forms still leave some room for monetary policy to maneuver, but in a much more complex way. If long-term unemployment is stagnating even during an upturn, they may even serve as a basis to recommend a contractionary monetary policy stance. At the same time, however, inequality which is causing persistent or even permanent demand deficiencies becomes relevant as hurdle for lower unemployment in the hysteresis context. Seen on the whole, thus, a second wave of hysteresis-based research on monetary policy options following the first wave in the 1980s should clearly be on the agenda.
Normal anatomy of the aqueous humour outflow system in the domestic pig eye.

The normal functional anatomy of the aqueous humour outflow pathways in the domestic pig is poorly documented in the literature despite its being readily available and of a similar size to the human eye. Anterior segment tissue from 12 pig eyes was appropriately fixed and investigated by light microscopy, and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The configuration of the iridocorneal angle tissues is similar to other nonprimate mammals in several respects, i.e. it possesses a deep ciliary cleft crossed by stout pectinate ligaments and delicate uveal cords, poorly developed ciliary musculature, and an angular aqueous plexus. However, there were some noteworthy features which may make it a suitable model for specific types of glaucoma related research. These features include a shallow scleral sulcus which contains a wedge-shaped mass of corneoscleral tissue comparable in size to the human trabecular meshwork. This tissue was more trabecular than 'reticular' in arrangement, the latter being the more common in nonprimate mammalian species. The relevance of the present findings to the use and limitations of the porcine eye as a model of the human aqueous outflow pathways is discussed.
Barrett's Esophagus and Barrett's-Related Dysplasia

Barrett's esophagus is a complication of chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease and can be diagnosed when there is an endoscopic abnormality in which a biopsy shows evidence of specialized columnar epithelium, characterized by the presence of acid mucin-containing goblet cells. Much of the controversy in this body of literature relates to the complex anatomy of the esophagogastric junction and the difficulty in precisely identifying this landmark at endoscopy. By definition, in Barrett's esophagus, the squamocolumnar junction is proximal to the esophagogastric junction. Although fundic-type or cardiac-type (junctional) columnar epithelium may be present in Barrett's esophagus, it is only the presence of specialized columnar epithelium that is diagnostic of this condition. Patients with Barrett's esophagus are at risk of progressing to esophageal dysplasia and adenocarcinoma. There are several problems with using dysplasia as a marker for increased cancer risk in these patients, including problems with sampling error and intra- and interobserver variation in the recognition of dysplasia. It may be difficult to distinguish regenerative epithelial changes from dysplasia, low-grade from high-grade dysplasia, and high-grade dysplasia from intramucosal adenocarcinoma. Finally, there are relatively few prospective data evaluating the natural history of high-grade dysplasia. The management of patients with Barrett's-related dysplasia is controversial and varies from institution to institution. Future emphasis should be on cost-effective techniques for sampling as much of the esophageal mucosa as possible in patients who are at the highest risk of progressing to dysplasia and adenocarcinoma. Identification of biomarkers that identify such patients before the histologic recognition of dysplasia will be an area of intensive research.
Protective role of bentonite against aflatoxin B1- and ochratoxin A-induced immunotoxicity in broilers

Abstract The present study was designed to investigate any ameliorative effects of bentonite (BN) against immuno-pathological alterations induced by dietary aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) or ochratoxin A (OTA) in broiler chicks. In one experiment, AFB1 (0.1, 0.2 or 0.6 mg/kg feed) was fed alone and par alley with bentonite clay (3.7 or 7.5 g/kg feed) to the broilers. In the second experiment, the broilers were given feed contaminated with OTA (0.15, 0.3 or 1.0 mg/kg feed) alone and in combination with bentonite clay (3.7, 7.5, or 15 g/kg feed). Experimental feedings were continued for 42 days. At various time points along the feeding schedule, immune system organ histologic status, as well as host humoral and cellular immune responses, were evaluated in all groups. The dietary addition of AFB1 and OTA alone significantly reduced immune responses in the birds as assessed by histological changes in the bursa of Fabricius and thymus, antibody responses to SRBC, in-vivo lympho-proliferative responses to Phytohemagglutinin-P (PHA-P) and, phagocytic function in situ. The dietary addition of BN significantly ameliorated the immunotoxicity of 0.1 and 0.2 mg/kg dietary AFB1, however with a level of 0.6 mg AFB1/kg only partial amelioration was seen. The co-treatment of birds exposed to OTA with BN at all levels only partially alleviated deleterious effects on histology and immune responses. Taken together, the results here suggested to us that dietary addition of BN could help ameliorate AFB1-mediated immunotoxicities but could not afford such protection against OTA-induced immune damage.
Social network types and well-being among South Korean older adults

Objective: The social networks of older individuals reflect personal life history and cultural factors. Despite these two sources of variation, four similar network types have been identified in Europe, North America, Japan, and China: namely ‘restricted’, ‘family’, ‘friend’, and ‘diverse’. This study identified the social network types of Korean older adults and examined differential associations of the network types with well-being. Method: The analysis used data from the 2008 wave of the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (KLoSA: N = 4251, age range 65–108). We used a two-step cluster analytical approach to identify network types from seven indicators of network structure and function. Regression models determined associations between network types and well-being outcomes, including life satisfaction and depressive symptomatology. Results: Cluster analysis of indicators of network structure and function revealed four types, including the restricted, friend, and diverse types. Instead of a family type, we found a couple-focused type. The young–old (age 65–74) were more likely to be in the couple-focused type and more of the oldest old (age 85+) belonged to the restricted type. Compared with the restricted network, older adults in all other networks were more likely to report higher life satisfaction and lower depressive symptomatology. Discussion: Life course and cohort-related factors contribute to similarities across societies in network types and their associations with well-being. Korean-specific life course and socio-historical factors, however, may contribute to our unique findings about network types.