Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On the Global Impact of Risk-Off Shocks and Policy-Put Frameworks

Global risk-off shocks can be highly destabilizing for financial markets and, absent an adequate policy response, may trigger severe recessions. Policy responses were more complex for developed economies with very low interest rates after the Global Financial Crisis (GFC). We document, however, that the unconventional policies adopted by the main central banks were effective in containing asset price declines. These policies impacted long rates and inspired confidence in a policy-put framework that reduced the persistence of risk-off shocks. We also show that domestic macroeconomic and financial conditions play a key role in benefiting from the spillovers of these policies during risk-off episodes. Countries like Japan, which already had very low long rates, benefited less. However, Japan still benefitted from the reduced persistence of risk-off shocks. In contrast, since one of the main channels through which emerging markets are historically affected by global risk-off shocks is through a sharp rise in long rates, the unconventional monetary policy phase has been relatively benign to emerging markets during these episodes, especially for those economies with solid macroeconomic fundamentals and deep domestic financial markets. We also show that unconventional monetary policy in the US had strong effects on long interest rates in most economies in the Asia-Pacific region (which helps during risk-off events but may be destabilizing otherwise—we do not take a stand on this tradeoff).
Efficient map based location service for VANETs

One of the key aspects of any communication system is routing of packets. VANET is no exception and poses special challenges in routing techniques. Position based routing protocols are considered to be apt for vehicular networks [1] and to realize that a location service is being used. For a packet to be routed to a destination across the network, the destination's position is to be known in advance. In this paper a new location service paradigm is being proposed to get the destination car's position. An adaptive location update policy is being proposed to maintain up-to-date location information at the location server. The location service uses a density aware server selection policy which selects servers at high density regions of a city. A localized query answering strategy is used for replying to location queries where a server with latest location information replies for a query. The proposed solution is found to be an efficient model for providing location service and ensures a query success ratio of 90.10% at its peak and decreased localization error, at an average of 8m.
Low prevalence of the metabolic syndrome but high occurrence of various metabolic disorders in Chinese women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE Variations in the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) among women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in different races were reported. We sought to report this prevalence and its components in Chinese women with PCOS and compared these characteristics with healthy controls. DESIGN Anthropometric measurements and biochemical parameters were evaluated in 578 PCOS patients diagnosed by the Rotterdam criteria and 281 age- and body mass index (BMI)-matched controls. International Diabetes Federation criteria for MetS were used. RESULTS The prevalence of MetS was 16.8% in this study, and 60.7% of patients displayed at least one component of MetS. Among the patients, the rates of dyslipidemia, impaired fasting glucose, and elevated blood pressure were 41.6, 19.8, and 16.1% respectively; the rates of these corresponding components in age- and BMI-matched controls were 14.6, 5.3, and 5.7% respectively. In PCOS patients, the prevalence of MetS was 0.0, 3.9, 20.2, and 51.1% for four different BMI groups respectively; the prevalence of MetS was 7.3, 14.9, 24.2, and 42.4% in the four age groups respectively. Nearly 90% of patients diagnosed with MetS belonged to overweight and obese groups. BMI and age rather than free testosterone, free androgen index, fasting insulin, or sex hormone-binding globulin were included in formulation for predicting MetS according to multivariable logistic regression. CONCLUSIONS Low prevalence of MetS but high occurrence of various metabolic disorders was found in women with PCOS compared with age- and BMI-matched controls in this study. BMI and age appeared to contribute more to developing MetS than other parameters associated with insulin resistance or hyperandrogenism.
Effects of buffer or DL-methionine with different amounts of supplemental corn on feed intake and nutrient digestion by Holstein steers consuming bermudagrass hay.

Two latin squares were conducted to determine the effects on feed intake and nutrient digestion of adding a ruminal buffer or DL-methionine to supplemental ground corn for Holstein steers (avg BW of 286 and 222 kg in Exp. 1 and 2, respectively) with ad libitum access to bermudagrass hay. In Exp. 1, steers were not supplemented (control) or were given . 5 (LC) or 1.0% BW/d (HC) of ground corn without or with . 021% BW of sodium bicarbonate (B). Total DMI was 2.39, 2.71, 2.79, 2.81 and 2.98% BW (effects of supplementation [P less than .05], level of corn [P less than .05] and buffer [P less than .06]), and OM digested was 3.56, 4.65, 4.65, 4.96 and 5.34 kg/d for control, LC, LCB, HC and HCB, respectively (effects of supplementation and corn level, P less than .05). In Exp. 2, corn levels were . 24 and . 74% BW/d and . 0022% BW of DL-methionine (M) replaced B. Total DMI was 2.85, 3.00, 2.99, 3.22 and 3.34% BW (effects of supplementation and corn level, P less than .05), and digestible OM intake was 3.78, 4.24, 4.30, 4.84 and 5.12 kg/d for control, LC, LCM, HC and HCM, respectively (effects of supplementation and corn level, P less than .05). Overall, changes in feed intake and digestion with additions of a ruminal buffer and DL-methionine to corn supplements were not marked; however, buffer addition increased DMI intake to the greatest degree with 1.0% BW/d of corn.
Low doses of diagnostic energy X-rays protect against neoplastic transformation in vitro

Purpose : To investigate the effect of low doses of 60 kVp X-rays on in vitro transformation frequency. Materials and methods : HeLa ×skin fibroblast human hybrid cells were used to assay transformation from the non-tumorigenic to the tumorigenic phenotype. Subconfluent cultures of cells were exposed to a range of doses of 60 kVp X-rays and seeded for assay of transformation after 24 h post-irradiation holding. Experiments were repeated at least three times and the data pooled for analysis. Transformation frequencies were compared with those of sham-irradiated controls. Results : At doses < 1 cGy, the observed transformation frequencies were significantly less than those seen in unirradiated cells. Conclusion : Low doses (< 1 cGy) of 60 kVp X-rays protect HeLa ×skin fibroblast human hybrid cells against neoplastic transformation in vitro.
Non‐total body irradiation myeloablative conditioning with intravenous busulfan and cyclophosphamide in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for malignant infantile osteopetrosis

HSCT is the only curative treatment for MIOP. We prospectively investigated the outcome of HSCT using intravenous busulfan‐based conditioning regimen from 2008 to 2013. Nineteen patients (median age = 17 months) underwent transplantation from HLA‐matched related donors (n = 14), HLA‐haploidentical related donors (n = 2), partially matched cord blood donors (n = 2), and HLA‐matched unrelated donor (n = 1). Bone marrow (n = 9), peripheral blood (n = 8), and cord blood (n = 2) were used as stem cell sources. All but one patient demonstrated primary engraftment. Two patients experienced secondary graft failure. During the follow‐up period, three patients showed mixed chimerism (45%, 45%, and 70% of donor cells were engrafted in each one of these patients) but are disease free. Two‐yr OS and DFS were 84.2% and 73.7%, respectively. Improvement of visual acuity and partial reversal of mild conductive hearing loss occurred in two and four patients, respectively. The causes of death among three patients were infection, GvHD, and disease progression. In conclusion, due to major side effects of MIOP such as visual and hearing loss, early treatment using myeloablative conditioning without irradiation HSCT is suggested. The use of an HLA‐matched related donor seems to be highly successful in this regard. Also, according to results of our study, mixed chimerism may be sufficient to resolve symptoms of disease.
Trauma-induced coagulopathy: standard coagulation tests, biomarkers of coagulopathy, and endothelial damage in patients with traumatic brain injury.

It remains to be debated whether traumatic brain injury (TBI) induces a different coagulopathy than does non-TBI. This study investigated traditional coagulation tests, biomarkers of coagulopathy, and endothelial damage in trauma patients with and without TBI. Blood from 80 adult trauma patients was sampled (median of 68 min [IQR 48-88] post-injury) upon admission to our trauma center. Plasma/serum were retrospectively analyzed for biomarkers reflecting sympathoadrenal activation (adrenaline, noradrenaline), coagulation activation/inhibition and fibrinolysis (protein C, activated protein C, tissue factor pathway inhibitor, antithrombin, prothrombin fragment 1+2, thrombin/antithrombin complex, von Willebrand factor, factor XIII, d-dimer, tissue-type plasminogen activator, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1), immunology (interleukin [IL]6), endothelial cell/glycocalyx damage (soluble thrombomodulin, syndecan-1), and vasculogenesis (angiopoietin-1, -2). Patients were stratified according to: (1) isolated severe head/neck injuries (Abbreviated injury score [AIS]-head/neck ≥ 3, AIS-other<3) (isoTBI); (2) severe head/neck and extracranial injuries (AIS-head/neck ≥ 3, AIS-other>3) (sTBI+other); and (3) injuries without significant head/neck injuries (AIS-head/neck<3, including all AIS-other scores) (non-TBI). Twenty-three patients presented with isoTBI, 15 with sTBI+other and 42 with non-TBI. Acute coagulopathy of trauma shock, defined as activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and/or international normalized ratio (INR)>35 sec and>1.2, was found in 13%, 47%, and 5%, respectively (p=0.000). sTBI+other had significantly higher plasma levels of adrenaline, noradrenaline, annexin V, d-dimer, IL-6, syndecan-1, soluble thrombomodulin, and reduced protein C and factor XIII levels (all p<0.05). No significant biomarker differences were found between isoTBI and non-TBI patients. Injury severity scale (ISS) rather than the presence or absence of head/neck injuries determined the hemostatic and biomarker response to the injury. The coagulopathy identified thus reflected the severity of injury rather than its localization.
Single versus sequential saphenous vein grafting of the circumflex system: A flowmetric study

Objective. We sought to evaluate if patients with proximal critical circumflex (CX) lesions did better with single SV-CABG on the best obtuse marginal (OM), or with sequential SV-CABG on two OM branches. Design. Ninety patients were prospectively randomised to single SV-CABG on the best OM (sSV-CABG-45 patients; Group A) or to sequential SV-CABG on 2 OM (seqSV-CABG 45 patients; Group B). Transit-time flowmetry (TTF), and graft flow reserve were evaluated. Recurrent angina, acute myocardial infarction, readmission for coronary reintervention were defined “treatment failure” during follow-up. Results. SeqSV-CABG showed better intraoperative maximum (119.1±57.5 ml/min vs. sSV-CABG 62.4±29.6; p=0.001), mean (56.3±31.5 ml/min vs. 30.8±12.8; p=0.0001), minimum flow (22.8±9.2 ml/min vs. 11.8±8.9; p=0.001) and P.I. (0.71±0.4 vs.1.46±0.9; p=0.006). Graft flow reserve also proved to be higher (95.4±29.7 ml/min mean flow vs. sSV-CABG 42.3±15.2 ml/min mean flow; p=0.0001; flow reserve 1.72±0.99 vs 1.32±1.09; p=0.001) as well as freedom from treatment failure (97.5±0.5% vs 88.7±0.4%; p=0.05). Conclusions. SeqSV-CABG showed higher TTF flows, with no incremental risk for perioperative morbidity. Higher flows and graft flow reserve may allow lower treatment failure at mid-term follow-up.
The SF-36 Offers a Strong Measure of Mental Health Symptoms in Survivors of Acute Respiratory Failure. A Tri-National Analysis.

RATIONALE Survivors of acute respiratory failure commonly experience long-term psychological sequelae and impaired quality of life. For researchers interested in general mental health, using multiple condition-specific instruments may be unnecessary and inefficient when using the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form (SF)-36, a recommended outcome measure, may suffice. However, relationships between the SF-36 scores and commonly used measures of psychological symptoms in acute survivors of respiratory failure are unknown. OBJECTIVES Our objective is to examine the relationship of the SF-36 mental health domain (MH) and mental health component summary (MCS) scores with symptoms of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) evaluated using validated psychological instruments. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 1,229 participants at 6- and 12-month follow-up assessment using data from five studies from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Symptoms were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Depression Anxiety Stress Scales, the Davidson Trauma Scale, Impact of Event Scale (IES), and IES-Revised (IES-R). At 6-month assessment there were moderate to strong correlations of the SF-36 MH scores with HADS depression and anxiety symptoms (r = -0.74 and -0.79) and with IES-R PTSD symptoms (r = -0.60) in the pooled analyses. Using the normalized population mean of 50 on the SF-36 MH domain score as a cut-off, positive predictive values were 16 and 55% for substantial depression; 20 and 68% for substantial anxiety (Depression Anxiety Stress Scales and HADS, respectively); and 40, 44, and 67% for substantial PTSD symptoms (IES-R, IES, and Davidson Trauma Scale, respectively). Negative predictive values were high. The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve of the SF-36 MH score was high for depression, anxiety, and PTSD symptoms (0.88, 0.91, and 0.84, respectively). All results were consistent for the MCS, across the individual studies, and for the 12-month assessment. CONCLUSIONS For researchers interested in general mental health status, the SF-36 MH or MCS offers a strong measure of psychological symptoms prevalent among survivors of acute respiratory failure. For researchers interested in specific conditions, validated psychological instruments should be considered.
Targeting immune checkpoints in breast cancer: an update of early results

The immune tumour microenvironment has been shown to play a crucial role in the development and progression of cancer. Expression of gene signatures, reflecting immune activation, and the presence of tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes were associated with favourable outcomes in HER2-positive and triple-negative breast cancer. Recently, immunotherapy with immune checkpoint blockade induced long-lasting responses and improved survival in hard-to-treat malignancies (ie, melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer) and are changing treatment paradigms in a variety of neoplastic diseases. Immune checkpoint blockade has been evaluated in breast cancer, particularly in the triple-negative subtype, with promising results observed in monotherapy or in combination with chemotherapy in the metastatic and neoadjuvant settings. However, identification of patients who are most likely to benefit from immune checkpoint blockade remains challenging, with many patients not responding to treatments and a significant financial cost. The combination of immune checkpoint blockade with conventional cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapies or with other immunotherapies is a promising strategy to potentiate its efficacy in breast cancer although further research is required to effectively identify who will respond to these immunotherapies. In this review we report the most recent results that emerged from trials testing immune checkpoint blockade and potential predictive biomarkers and emphasise the new strategies that are under clinical development in breast cancer.
Detection of the 5‐HT1A receptor and 5‐HT1A receptor mRNA in the rat bowel and pancreas: Comparison with 5‐HT1Preceptors

We tested the hypothesis that the rat bowel and pancreas contain 5‐HT1A receptors. 3H‐8‐hydroxy‐2‐(di‐n‐propylamino) tetralin (3H‐8‐OH‐DPAT) was used as a radioligand. Binding of 3H‐8‐OH‐DPAT to membranes derived from the myenteric plexus and the pancreas was investigated by rapid filtration. Alternatively, radioautography was employed to locate 3H‐8‐OH‐DPAT binding sites in frozen sections of unfixed bowel or pancreas. An excess of 5‐HT (10 μM) was used to define nonspecific binding. Saturable, high affinity binding of 3H‐8‐OH‐DPAT to enteric (Kd= 2.8 ± 1.1 nM; Bmax =83.8 ± 4.3 fmol/mgproteim) and pancreatic (Kd = 6.6 ± 1.3 nM; Bmax = 44 ± 2.2 fmol/mg protein) membranes was found. The binding of 3H‐8‐OH‐DPAT to enteric and pancreatic membranes was inhibited by 8‐OH‐DPAT, NAN‐190, and spiperone. In contrast, the binding of 3H‐8‐OH‐DPAT to enteric and pancreatic membranes was not inhibited by 5‐carboxyamidotryptamine, or by avariety of compounds known to bind to other subtypes of 5‐HT receptor. Digoxigenin‐labeled oligonucleotides were found to detect mRNA encoding the 5‐HT1A receptor in a subset of neurons in myenteric and submucosal ganglia. In contrast, 5‐HT1A mRNA was not found in the pancreas. Radioautography revealed that the highest density of 3H‐8‐OH‐DPAT binding sites was found in the stomach. These sites were especially numerous in the lamina propria adjacent to gastric glands, and in myenteric ganglia. Pancreatic 5‐HT1Areceptors were located on nerves, lymphoid tissue (especially the capsule of nodes), and on cells scattered in the pancreatic parenchyma. The concentration of 3H‐8‐OH‐DPAT binding sites in the rat bowel and pancreas was less than that of 3H‐5‐HT binding sites; however, the distribution of 3H‐8‐OH‐DPAT binding sites was similar to that of sites that bind 3H‐5‐HT. It is concluded that the rat gut and its extension in the pancreas contains 5‐HT1A receptors. Many, if not all, of the nerve cells and processes that express 5‐HT1A receptors express 5‐HT1p receptors as well. The function of these receptors in the physiology of the entero‐pancreatic innervation remains to be determined. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Attracting future civil servants with public values? An experimental study on employer branding

Abstract A frequently cited recommendation of public service motivation (PSM) research is to use PSM in the context of HR marketing. However, empirical evidence demonstrating the usefulness of addressing PSM in the recruitment process is limited. Moreover, we know little about the relative importance of PSM for public employers’ attractiveness. We address this gap using an experimental research design to investigate whether public service motivated individuals differ from extrinsically motivated individuals in terms of their attraction to organizations that emphasize either “traditional” public or private values in their employer branding. Our findings indicate that public service motivated individuals are attracted neither to public nor to private values in employer branding. Furthermore, individuals with very high levels of extrinsic motivation are more attracted to private values employer branding than to public values employer branding and to the control group.
Violaxanthin Cycle Pigment Contents in Potato and Tobacco Plants with Genetically Reduced Photosynthetic Capacity

The influence of photosynthetic activity on the light-dependent adaptation of the pool size of the violaxanthin cycle pigments (violaxanthin + antheraxanthin + zeaxanthin) was studied in leaves of wild-type and transgenic potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) and tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) plants. The genetically manipulated plants expressed an antisense mRNA coding for the chloroplastic fructose-bisphosphatase. Chl fluorescence quenching analysis revealed that the transformed plants exhibited a greatly impaired electron transport capacity. Light-limited and light-saturated non-photochemical quenching was strongly enhanced in the mRNA antisense potato plants. After 7 d of adaptation at various high photosynthetic photon flux densities (PPFDs), the violaxanthin cycle pool size increased, with a progressive elevation in PPFD. The pool size was higher for transgenic potatoes than for wild-type plants at all PPFDs. This difference vanished when pool size was correlated with the PPFD in excess of photosynthesis, as indicated by the epoxidation state of the violaxanthin cycle. Contrasting results were obtained for tobacco; in this species, photosynthetic activity did not affect the pool size. We conclude that regulatory mechanisms exist in potato, by which photosynthetic activity can influence the violaxanthin cycle pool size. Furthermore, evidence is provided that this adaptation of the pool size may contribute to an improved photoprotection of the photosynthetic apparatus under high-light conditions. However, tobacco plants seem to regulate their pool size independently of photosynthetic activity.
IS FIRM INNOVATION ASSOCIATED WITH CORPORATE GOVERNANCE?

U.S. Corporations spend millions of dollars on innovating new technologies. This despite the fact that such capital expenditure outlay runs the risk of possible failure and loss of investments. This paper investigates what factors drive a corporation to innovate. In addition to firm-specific factors, we examine board governance and industry concentration. This study examines the association of firm, governance and industry characteristics that may influence a firm to innovate. Results from logit regression seem to suggest that firm size, capital expenditure growth, and industry concentration are more likely to influence firm’s innovation efforts. Estimates also indicate that younger CEOs are more prone to innovation than older CEOs. These findings stand up to greater scrutiny when we perform a battery of robustness checks.
Forecasting Egyptian GDP using ARIMA models

The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is that the value of all product and services made at intervals the borders of a nation in an exceedingly year. In this paper, the Box-Jenkins approach has been used to build the appropriate Autoregressive-Integrated Moving-Average (ARIMA) model for the Egyptian GDP data. Egypt’s annual GDP data obtained from the World-Bank for the years 1965 to 2016. We find that the appropriate statistical model for Egyptian GDP is ARIMA (1, 2, 1). Finally, we used the fitted ARIMA model to forecast the GDP of Egypt for the next ten years.