Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lentivirus vector‐mediated gene transfer to the developing bronchiolar airway epithelium in the fetal lamb

Development of effective and durable gene therapy for treatment of the respiratory manifestations of cystic fibrosis remains a formidable challenge. Obstacles include difficulty in achieving efficient gene transfer to mature airway epithelium and the need to stably transduce self‐renewing epithelial progenitor cells in order to avoid loss of transgene expression through epithelial turnover. Targeting the developing airway epithelium during fetal life offers the prospect of circumventing these challenges.
Did Better Firms Enter the Indonesian Manufacturing Sector after the 1997–98 Crisis?

Motivated by a concern that Indonesia is on the path to deindustrialisation, this article uses data from 1991 to 2009 to examine whether there were differences in the characteristics of entrants to the Indonesian manufacturing sector before and after the 1997–98 Asian financial crisis. It finds that entrants after the crisis were larger or less dependent on credit than their predecessors, suggesting that they were more resilient to economic shocks. Yet entrants after the crisis exported relatively less than their predecessors. Meanwhile, productivity levels were the same before and after the crisis, indicating that entrants were able to match the productivity level of incumbents. Contrary to the concerns about deindustrialisation, these characteristics may simply reflect a dynamic that resulted in better or more resilient firms entering the industry after the crisis.
Inflation Stabilization and Bop Crises in Developing Countries

High and persistent inflation has been one of the distinguishing macroeconomic characteristics of many developing countries since the end of World War II. Countries afflicted by chronic inflation, however, have not taken their fate lightly and have engaged in repeated stabilization attempts. More often than not, stabilization plans have failed. The end of stabilizations -- particularly those which rely on a pegged exchange rate -- has often involved dramatic balance of payment crises. As stabilization plans come and go, a large literature has developed trying to document the main empirical regularities and understand the key issues involved. This paper undertakes a critical review and evaluation of the literature related to inflation stabilization policies and balance of payment crises in developing countries.
AUDITORY INFORMATION PROCESSING IS ALTERED IN NOVELTY STRESS CONDITIONS: FIRST SESSION EFFECTS IN AUDITORY-EVOKED POTENTIALS

Novelty conditions may elicit stress responses. First session effects are systematic changes in physiological parameters, resulting from the interference of physiological processes with novelty stress. Along with endocrinological changes, these stress responses may be accompanied by alterations of sensory and attentional processes. The present study examines the impact of novelty conditions on event-related potential indicators of auditory information processing and on cortisol. Twenty-two healthy subjects participated in a series of experimental sessions. Auditory-evoked potentials were recorded, and the plasma cortisol levels were determined. The first session causes an activation of the hypothalamo-hypopituitary-adrenal axis. The auditory-evoked potentials show an additional slow negative potential component in the novelty condition. This potential component is maximal at fronto-central electrode sites and reaches its peak at about 240 ms after stimulus onset. Similarities with the processing negativity suggest alterations in attention-related auditory information-processing in the novelty condition encountered in the first session
Flexibility in Norwegian Family-Owned Enterprises

This article discusses whether family ownership affects a firm's adoption of flexible manpower and organization practices. The results presented in the article show that the important divide is not between family-owned and nonfamily businesses: family businesses with a professional top manager differ from nonfamily firms only as regards one of seven flexibility measures. More important is whether the owners choose to be in charge of the day-to-day running of the firm themselves (owner-management) or leave it to a professional manager. In owner-managed family businesses, five out of seven practices for increased flexibility prevail less frequently than in both family businesses with a professional manager and nonfamily firms. Owner-managers are, then, more skeptical of adopting new management principles and personnel policies than are professional managers.
Matrix Metalloproteinases in Alzheimer's Disease and Concurrent Cerebral Microbleeds.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of enzymes able to degrade components of the extracellular matrix, which is important for normal blood-brain barrier function. Their function is regulated by tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMPs). We investigated whether MMPs and TIMPs in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma were altered in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and vascular dementia (VaD), and whether this effect was modified by presence of cerebral micro-bleeds in AD patients. In addition, we assessed associations of MMPs and TIMPs with CSF amyloid-β(1-42) (Aβ42), tau, and tau phosphorylated at threonine-181 (p-tau). We measured MMP2, MMP9, and MMP10, and TIMP1 and TIMP2 in CSF and plasma of 52 AD patients, 26 matched controls, and 24 VaD patients. AD patients showed higher plasma MMP2 levels compared to VaD patients (p < 0.05), and higher CSF MMP10 levels compared to controls (p < 0.05). Microbleeds in AD were associated with lower CSF TIMP1, TIMP2 and MMP9 in a dose-response relation. In addition, CSF MMP2 was associated with p-tau (St.B 0.23, p < 0.05), and CSF MMP10 with tau (St.B 0.38, p < 0.001) and p-tau (St.B 0.40, p < 0.001). Our findings suggest involvement of MMP2 and MMP10 in AD pathology. Lower levels of TIMPs in AD patients with microbleeds suggest less MMP inhibition in patients with concurrent cerebral microbleeds, which may hypothetically lead to a more vulnerable blood-brain barrier in these patients.
Temporary Components of Stock Prices: New Univariate Results

Abstract While there is growing evidence that stock prices do not follow pure random walks, the degree of existence of temporary components in stock prices is not well known. Modeling stock prices as the sum of a random walk and a general stationary (predictable) component, the paper proposes an estimable lower bound on the proportion of total stock return variance caused by the predictable component. Contrary to the absolute value of the first-order auto-correlation coefficient estimates of Fama and French (1988a), this lower bound reasonably estimates the true variance proportion in finite samples also when the temporary component does not follow a first-order autoregressive process. The estimated mean values of the lower bound reach a maximum of 10 percent for the equal-weighted market portfolio of NYSE stocks over the post-war period 1947–1986, while the maximum is 25 percent for the pre-war period 1926–1946. The value-weighted market portfolio exhibits generally smaller variance proportion estimates. The pure random walk hypothesis is also reexamined using a standard variance ratio statistic extended to multiple return horizons.
Production Functions for Climate Policy Modeling: An Empirical Analysis

Quantitative models for climate policy modeling differ in the production structure used and in the sizes of the elasticities of substitution. The empirical foundation for both is generally lacking. This paper estimates the parameters of two-level CES production functions with capital, labour and energy as inputs, and is the first to systematically compare all nesting structures. Using industry-level data from 12 OECD countries, we find that the nesting structure where capital and labour are combined first, fits the data best, but for most countries and industries we cannot reject that all three inputs can be put into one single nest. These two nesting structures are used by most climate models. However, while several climate policy models use a Cobb-Douglas function for (part of the) production function, we reject elasticities equal to one, in favour of considerably smaller values. Finally we find evidence for factor-specific technological change. With lower elasticities and with factor-specific technological change, some climate policy models may find a bigger effect of endogenous technological change on mitigating the costs of climate policy.
Left Ventricular Mechanical Support with Impella Provides More Ventricular Unloading in Heart Failure Than Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

The Impella microaxial-flow pump can directly unload left ventricle (LV) in cases of acute heart failure. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is widely used for circulatory support. Although the clinical effectiveness of ECMO has been demonstrated, insufficient LV loading reduction may not be advantageous for myocardial recovery. The objective was to compare ventricular loading reduction and reversibility of ventricular fibrillation (VF) with either Impella or ECMO. Six dogs were used. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was established by the femoral artery and right atrium. The Impella LD was inserted in LV by the ascending aorta. An acute failing heart was created by sequential coronary artery ligations. Pressure–volume (PV) relationships were acquired without a device and with ECMO or Impella. When VF occurred, direct cardioversion was performed while supported by either ECMO or Impella. The PV area, which is a measure of ventricular unloading and is correlated with myocardial oxygen consumption, decreased more with Impella than with ECMO. Successful defibrillation was achieved more effectively while under Impella support. Superior ventricular unloading with the Impella device may provide higher recovery potential to damaged hearts than ECMO and may have a significant impact not only on intensive care of patients with heart failure but also on resuscitation.
Why Do Firms with Diversification Discounts Have Higher Expected Returns?

Abstract A diversified firm can trade at a discount to a matched portfolio of single-segment firms if the diversified firm has either lower expected cash flows or higher expected returns than the single-segment firms. We study whether firms with diversification discounts have higher expected returns in order to compensate investors for offering less upside potential (or skewness exposure) than focused firms. Our empirical tests support this hypothesis. First, we find that focused firms offer greater skewness exposure than diversified firms. Second, we find that diversified firms have significantly larger discounts when the diversified firm offers less skewness than matched single-segment firms. Finally, we find that up to 53% of the excess returns received on diversification-discount firms relative to diversification-premium firms can be explained by differences in exposure to skewness.
Inference on Structural Breaks Using Information Criteria

This paper investigates the usefulness of information criteria for inference on the number of structural breaks in a standard linear regression model. In particular, we propose a modified penalty function for such criteria based on theoretical arguments, which implies each break is equivalent to estimation of three individual regression coefficients. A Monte Carlo analysis compares information criteria to sequential testing, with the modified BIC and HQIC criteria performing well overall, for DGPs both without and with breaks. The methods are also used to examine changes in Euro area monetary policy between 1971 and 2007.
Does the Location of Stock Exchange Matter? A Within-Country Analysis

The current study documents an interesting phenomenon that retail investors prefer to invest in stocks listed at the stock exchange that is geographically close to them in China. This pattern is robust when we control for the well-documented local bias within a country. Among companies with similar distances to both stock exchanges, investors still display a much stronger tendency to invest in locally-listed companies. Among stocks with similar distances to both stock exchanges, those listed in Shanghai (Shenzhen) co-move more in returns and volume, with the benchmark at the Shanghai (Shenzhen) stock exchange. Such a preference for local exchange seems not to be motivated by information advantage, because investors do not obtain abnormal returns from their trades on stocks listed nearby. Our findings provide additional evidence that non-information-based familiarity bias induces investment and that such investor biases and exchange-level sentiment influence asset price formation.
A National Study of the Supply and Demand for Teachers of Agricultural Education in 1996-1998.

AUTHOR Camp, William G. TITLE A National Study of the Supply and Demand for Teachers of Agricultural Education in 1996-1998. SPONS AGENCY Association for Career and Technical Education, Alexandria, VA. Agricultural Education Division. PUB DATE 2000-01-10 NOTE 56p. ; With contributions by Mendy Beckman. For the 1995 survey, see ED 424 405. AVAILABLE FROM For full text: http://www.aged. vt.edu/pubs/s-d-98.pdf. PUB TYPE Numerical/Quantitative Data (110) Reports Research (143)
How does β-adrenergic signalling affect the transitions from ventricular tachycardia to ventricular fibrillation?

AIMS Ventricular tachycardia (VT) and fibrillation (VF) are the most lethal cardiac arrhythmias. The degeneration of VT into VF is associated with the breakup of a spiral wave of the action potential in cardiac tissue. β-Adrenergic (βAR) signalling potentiates the L-type Ca current (ICaL) faster than the slow delayed rectifier potassium current (IKs), which transiently prolongs the action potential duration (APD) and promotes early after depolarizations. In this study, we aimed at investigating how βAR signalling affects the transition from VT to VF. METHODS AND RESULTS We used a physiologically detailed computer model of the rabbit ventricular myocyte in a two-dimensional tissue to determine how spiral waves respond to βAR activation following administration of isoproterenol. A simplified mathematical model was also used to investigate the underlying dynamics. We found that the spatiotemporal behaviour of spiral waves strongly depends on the kinetics of βAR activation. When βAR activation is rapid, a stable spiral wave turns into small fragments and its electrocardiogram reveals the transition from VT to VF. This is due to the transiently steepened APD restitution induced by the faster activation of ICaL vs. IKs upon sudden βAR activation. The spiral wave may also disappear if its transient wavelength is too large to be supported by the tissue size upon sudden strong βAR activation that prolongs APD transiently. When βAR activation is gradual, a stable spiral wave remains such, because of more limited increase in both APD and slope of APD restitution due to more contemporaneous ICaL and IKs activation. CONCLUSION Changes in APD restitution during βAR activation revealed a novel transient spiral wave dynamics; this spatiotemporal characteristic strongly depends on the protocol of isoproterenol application.
Crossover from Debye to non-Debye dynamical behavior of the alpha relaxation observed by quasielastic neutron scattering in a glass-forming polymer.

The dynamics of a very fragile glass-forming polymer is studied by time of flight neutron scattering in a time scale from 10 -13 to 10 -11 s. We observe a crossover from a Debye-like to a non-Debye behavior at a characteristic time which is effectively independent of temperature and momentum transfer Q. We also confirm the results previously obtained about the non-Debye a relaxation in a different time scale (10 -11 to 10 -8 s). The results here reported open a new outlook for understanding the fast dynamics of glass-forming systems
Predictors of Postoperative Quality of Life after Surgery for Lung Cancer

Introduction: The aim was to analyze the association between selected patient variables and health-related quality of life 6 months after surgery for lung cancer. Methods: In a prospective population-based cohort study, Short Form 36 (SF-36) was used to assess quality of life before and 6 months after surgery for lung cancer. The change in SF-36 summary and subscale scores were used to categorize quality of life in two groups (worse or stable/improved) at 6 months compared with baseline. Logistic regression models adjusting for potential confounding factors were used to analyze the association between patient variables and quality of life 6 months after surgery. Results: A baseline SF-36 questionnaire was completed by 249 patients. Nonresponders at 6 months (n = 36) were excluded, and 14 patients who died before 6 months follow-up remained in the study, leaving 213 patients available for analysis. Gender, comorbidity, occurrence of postoperative complications, and tumor stage were not associated with the physical aspect of quality of life 6 months after surgery. The extent of resection, age, and adjuvant therapy was significantly associated with a clinically relevant decline in the SF-36 physical component summary score 6 months postoperatively. No patient variables were predictive of a decline in the mental component summary score. Conclusions: The extent of resection, age, and adjuvant therapy was associated with a clinically relevant decline in the physical aspect of health-related quality of life 6 months after surgery. Further studies are needed to explore possible mechanisms.
Calbindin‐D28K mediates 25(OH)D3/VDR‐regulated bone formation through MMP13 and DMP1

Calcium binding protein calbindin‐D28K (CaBP28K) mediates the relationship between vitamin D and calcium, but its mechanism remains unclear during bone formation. The present study reports that maternal CaBP28K levels were positively correlated with paired umbilical cord CaBP28K levels. In addition, CaBP28K levels were positively correlated with the body length, and head and chest circumferences of neonates, but negatively correlated with maternal 25(OH)D3 levels. CaBP28K was also downregulated in MC3T3‐E1 osteoblasts when treated with 1,25(OH)2D or VDR overexpression, but was upregulated in the femur of 1α(OH)ase(−/−) mice. Furthermore, it was found CaBP28K may influence cell differentiation and matrix formation through the regulation of DMP1 and the interaction with MMP13 in osteoblasts. This suggests that CaBP28K could be a candidate for the negative role of 1,25(OH)2D/VDR in regulating bone mass.
An Analysis of Life Insurer Retention Limits

This study examines the relationship between ceding life insurers' retention limits on an insured life basis and certain operational and financial characteristics of the companies. Analysis is performed using 97 major U.S. insurers with 1987 assets ranging from $108 million to $32 billion. Retention limits for these insurers vary from $25,000 to $20,000,000 per insured life. Five factors are shown to have the greatest impact on life insurer retention limits. Not unexpectedly, firm size is found to be the most important factor. Four other explanatory factors, each statistically significant at the 0.01 level, provide important additional insight into this relationship. These factors are (1) form of insurer organization (i.e., mutual or stock), (2) the firm's emphasis on new business, (3) average policy size, and (4) the company's emphasis on term insurance. Collectively, the principal components regression model explains nearly 90 percent of the total variation in retention limits for the sample insurers. The life reinsurance decision centers on the establishment of retention limits. Retention is the amount of any insured loss to be borne by the primary (or ceding) company. Life retention limits normally are expressed as an amount per insured life. Claim amounts in excess of the insurer's retention are the responsibility of its reinsurers. This study examines the relationship between the size of ceding companies' retention limits and certain insurer characteristics. The setting of an appropriate retention limit is a non-trivial decision for an insurer. It ultimately affects both the risk exposure and the profitability of the ceding company. It establishes the maximum individual claim amount that the insurer believes it can tolerate, given its financial and operating characteristics. Further, the dollar retention limit is directly related to other elements in the total reinsurance process. For example, an automatic binding
Tracking Down Distress Risk

This paper shows that exposure to aggregate distress risk is the underlying source of the premiums for the Fama-French size (SMB) and value (HML) factors. Using a unique data set of aggregate business failures of both private and public firms from 1926 to 1997, I build portfolios that track news about future firm failures. These tracking portfolios optimally hedge aggregate distress risk and earn a Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) alpha of approximately -4% a year. Both HML and SMB predict changes in future failure rates. Small stocks have lower returns than large stocks and value stocks have lower returns than growth stocks when the market expects an increase in future failure rates. Finally, a two-factor model with the market and the tracking portfolio for aggregate distress as factors does as well as the Fama-French three-factor model in pricing the 25 size and book-to-market sorted portfolios.
Hypnosis, Placebos, and Systematic Research Bias in Biological Psychiatry

Abstract In an elaboration on the contribution by Raz (current issue), placebo response is further reviewed in relation to psychotropic drug research. Many therapists are unaware that placebo controlled research documents that antidepressant and anxiolytic drugs on average are only mildly more effective than a placebo. Systematic biases in research design are noted that could account for the small differences. These factors, and turf and financial motivations associated with the rise of “biological psychiatry,” are discussed because they impact the practice of clinical hypnosis and psychotherapy. Although placebo research is fascinating and expectancy is certainly an important factor in hypnotic response, thus far, there is little research to support the strong involvement of placebo response as part of hypnotic responsiveness.
Effectiveness of Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine Using a 2+1 Infant Schedule in Quebec, Canada

Background: In the province of Quebec, Canada, pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) is offered to all children aged less than 5 years, and a 2+1 schedule (2, 4, and 12 months) is recommended for low-risk infants, with other schedules including a lower number of doses for older children. Objective: To estimate PCV effectiveness against invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD). Methods: IPD cases in children aged 2–59 months and reported during the years 2005–2007 were eligible and uninfected controls were randomly identified in the provincial health insurance registry. Parents were interviewed by telephone and immunization records were reviewed. The PCV effectiveness was computed using unconditional logistic regression models adjusting for potential confounders. Results: 180 IPD cases (60.4% of total reported) and 897 controls were included. Predictors of IPD risk were age, season, high-risk medical conditions, day-care attendance, and low family income. Overall PCV protection (≥1 dose) against IPD caused by any serotype was 60% (95% CI: 38%–75%), and was 92% (83%–96%) against IPD caused by vaccine serotypes. Among low-risk children who received the recommended 2+1 schedule, 6 cases of vaccine failure occurred after the first dose, 1 case after the second dose, and no cases after the booster dose. Conclusion: These results confirm the effectiveness of PCV after 2 and 3 doses.