Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Spleen cell cytokine secretion in Mycobacterium bovis BCG-infected mice

Three susceptible mouse strains, i.e., BALB/c (H-2d), C57BL/6 (H-2b), and major histocompatibility complex-congenic BALB.B10 (H-2b), were infected intravenously with 4 x 10(6) CFU of live Mycobacterium bovis BCG and analyzed 4 weeks later for in vitro spleen cell cytokine secretion in response to purified protein derivative (PPD), BCG culture filtrate (CF), BCG cellular extract, total BCG, the purified extracellular 30-32-kDa antigen (the fibronectin-binding antigen 85), or the intracellular 65-kDa heat shock protein. C57BL/6 and BALB.B10 mice produced 5- to 10-fold more gamma interferon and interleukin-2 (IL-2) when stimulated with CF, PPD, and antigen 85 than BALB/c mice did. When stimulated with BCG extract and whole BCG, gamma interferon and IL-2 levels were generally lower and comparable in the three strains. IL-4 was detected in spleen cell culture supernatants from infected BALB/c mice but not from C57BL/6 or BALB.B10 mice. IL-5 could not be detected. C57BL/6 and BALB.B10 spleen cells also produced more tumor necrosis factor alpha and IL-6 after stimulation with PPD and CF than BALB/c cells did. Finally, BCG vaccination generated efficient protective immunity in C57BL/6 and BALB.B10 mice but not in BALB/c mice. These data suggest that secreted mycobacterial CF antigens selectively induce a strong TH1 response in BCG-infected C57BL/6 and BALB.B10 mice, whereas in BALB/c mice this response is partly counterbalanced by TH2 cells.
¿Existe un efecto Fisher en el largo plazo? Evidencia para la economía española, 1962-1996

In this paper we provide an empirical test of the long-run Fisher effect for the Spanish case, using quarterly data for the period 1962-1996. To this end, we make use of some new techniques on unit roots and cointegration, where the presence of possible structural changes in the trend of the series is explicitly considered. The results indicate the existence of a partial Fisher effect in the long-run, with a transmission to the nominal interest rate of roughly one third for each point increase in the inflation rate.
Capital mobility and inflation persistence: theory and evidence from Greece

This paper examines the relationship between the openness of the capital account and inflation persistence. In the theoretical part we find that in a fixed (floating) exchange rate regime inflation persistence is negatively (positively) associated with the intensity of capital controls. In the empirical part of the paper we analyse the dynamics of the inflation rate in Greece by associating inflation persistence with the capital account openness and we find evidence in favour of a positive relationship. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Population Assessment of the Pacific Green Spiny Lobster Panulirus gracilis in Pacific Panama

Abstract Populations of the green spiny lobster Panulirus gracilis (Streets 1871) have sustained increasing harvesting pressure in Pacific Panama for decades, but basic information about their biology and ecology in the region is scarce. This study provides baseline data for the densities and biometrics of P. gracilis in Las Perlas and Coiba Archipelagos. The number of surveyed lobsters in both archipelagos was surprisingly low (85 in Las Perlas and 67 in Coiba), and average densities were dismal (4.1 ± 8.8 ind. ha−1 and 5.3 ± 7.6 ind. ha−1, respectively). Saboga and San Jose Islands had the highest relative densities of P. gracilis in Las Perlas, whereas intermediate relative densities were found only on Coiba Island in the Coiba Archipelago. Lobster density was not associated with either substrate or depth. In Las Perlas, female carapace length (CL) was 40–95 mm and that of males was 25–100 mm; in Coiba, female CL was 45–124 mm and male CL was 45–121 mm. In Las Perlas, the smallest lobster with eggs had a CL = 65 mm and a tail length (TL) = 120 mm, whereas the smallest in Coiba had a CL = 60 mm and a TL = 81–115 mm. We recommend implementing: (1) the minimum capture CL as the average carapace length at which half of the lobster population from Coiba is adult (CL = 84 mm; TL = 112–155 mm); (2) a fishing season no longer than 6 mo; (3) management decisions involving local fishermen and native peoples; (4) marine reserves or no-take areas (NTA); and (5) long-term monitoring plans, as the best current options to insure the survival of P. gracilis in the region.
A multi-country analysis of the temporary and permanent components of stock prices

The paper investigates the mean-reverting components in real stock prices for 16 countries. The temporary and permanent components of real stock prices are identified through appropriate restrictions on a vector autoregression of real stock returns and inflation. The multivariate time series technique identifies the size and significance of the mean-reverting component. The evidence supports the mean-reversion hypothesis that stock prices are not random walks. A significant temporary component in real stock prices of magnitude between 7 and 64% of the variation of quarterly real stock price movements is found. For a number of countries there is evidence of persistence in the temporary component.
Short-term Perturbations and Tourism Effects: The Case of SARS in China

The 2003 SARS epidemic created a significant negative impact on tourism development in China. This paper reviews the effects on tourism of different short-term crises, analyses the effects of SARS and explores the possibility of tourism businesses being buffered from such short-term crisis and the possible new motivations derived from the crisis. Tourism’s lack of resistance but high resilience to short term crises provides tourism and regional planning challenges. These characteristics suggest diversification and partnerships can minimise community vulnerability to crises and rapid economic recovery is possible based on tourism’s resilient nature.
Role of confirmatory PCRs in determining performance of Chlamydia Amplicor PCR with endocervical specimens from women with a low prevalence of infection

The role of confirmatory PCR assays for determining the performance of Chlamydia Amplicor PCR for endocervical specimens from women with a low prevalence of infection was evaluated. An endocervical swab was collected from 770 women and tested by culture or direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) staining. A second swab was tested by Chlamydia Amplicor PCR (Roche Molecular Systems, Branchburg, N.J.). Discordant results were resolved by three confirmatory PCRs: one targeting the plasmid by using different primers and two directed to the major outer membrane protein (MOMP) gene. Of the 30 swabs that were positive by culture or DFA (3.9%), 27 were positive by Amplicor PCR. An additional five swabs were positive by Amplicor PCR but negative by culture or DFA. Both plasmid and MOMP confirmatory PCRs identified the five culture-DFA negatives and the three Amplicor negatives as true positives. The three specimens originally classified as negative by Amplicor PCR were positive on repeat Amplicor testing. After resolution of the discordant results by confirmatory PCR testing, the sensitivity of the initial Amplicor PCR was 91.4% (32 of 35 specimens), changing to 100% after storage and repeat testing. The specificity of Amplicor PCR was 100% (735 of 735 specimens). Our results demonstrated that plasmid and MOMP confirmatory PCRs worked equally well in resolving false-positive and false-negative Amplicor PCR results. Some specimens may contain inhibitors of Amplicor PCR which may disappear with time.
Impact of Accession to Emu on International Trade - Case of the Czech Republic

The goal of this paper is to determine one of the consequences of accession of the Czech Republic to the European Monetary Union. The gravity equation is used to estimate the impact of exchange rate volatility and currency unions on international trade. Model's variables include GDPs per capita and populations of each partners, distance between them, exchange rate volatility and several dummy variables, including those, that are signifying membership of given country in the euro area. This model is estimated by general least squares method using panel data for members of the European Union.
The Personal is Political - and Economic: Rethinking Domestic Violence

This Article seeks to expand the scope of the domestic violence discourse within the context of the theory and practice of legal strategies. The intent is to shift the analytical parameters beyond the criminal justice system to include the political economy of everyday experiences of households. Such a paradigm shift examines the conditions of the private sphere as a function of the circumstances of public realms. It considers domestic violence by linking it to the structural transformations of the U.S. economy during recent years. It assesses domestic violence from the perspective of the daily life of men and women who have experienced an erosion of a subjective sense of economic well-being in an environment of diminishing prospects. The Article identifies the gains to be had from a paradigm shift that examines the structural causes of domestic violence within a larger context of economic instabilities. It sets forth expanded analytical tools with which to understand the challenges facing battered women as well as new legal and programmatic strategies to ameliorate domestic violence. It suggests criminal justice policies must incorporate an understanding of the political economic determinants of crime and seek to mitigate the conditions that contribute to domestic violence in the first place. It concludes by noting the possibilities for developing new alliances as the shared agendas and common concerns between labor organizations, critical globalization activists and feminists are set in relief by this paradigm shift. The article suggests that patriarchy, as one system of power by which battered women are harmed, is often both mediated by and a function of economic forces. It also suggests that without a deeper understanding of the determinants of domestic violence, a criminal justice response can do little to end the cycle of violence.
Computation of an industrial equilibrium

In this paper we develop and use the concept of a semi-public good. A semi-public good is defined as an ordered pair of commodities, the first one being a private commodity and the second one a public good, which are related to each other by an inequality constraint for each individual agent. This approach allows us to design economic institutions which carry out price discrimination among users of a semi-public good. People who are seriously hampered by too small a provision of a public good, because it constrains their use of the private commodity, are willing to pay a mark-up on the price for the latter one if this mark-up is spent for expanding the provision of the public good. In the model the availability of a public good is planned and organized by a central planner. The consumer's willingness to pay an individual mark-up on the price of a private commodity reflects his preferences for the availability of the public good. These mark-ups are collected by the private goods industry and transferred to the central planner in order to cover the costs of the public good infrastucture. This framework of a private industry and a central planner providing semi-public goods is called an industrial economy. The model will be illustrated by some numerical examples.
A cross‐sectional study of bleeding phenotype in haemophilia A carriers

Haemophilia A carriers have historically been thought to exhibit normal haemostasis. However, recent data demonstrates that, despite normal factor VIII (FVIII), haemophilia A carriers demonstrate an increased bleeding tendency. We tested the hypothesis that obligate haemophilia carriers exhibit an increase in clinically relevant bleeding. A cross‐sectional study was performed comparing haemophilia A carriers to normal women. Questionnaire assessment included a general bleeding questionnaire, condensed MCMDM‐1VWD bleeding assessment tool and Pictorial Bleeding Assessment Chart (PBAC). Laboratory assessment included complete blood count, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, fibrinogen activity, FVIII activity (FVIII:C), von Willebrand factor antigen level, ristocetin cofactor, platelet function analyser‐100TM and ABO blood type. Forty‐four haemophilia A carriers and 43 controls were included. Demographic features were similar. Laboratory results demonstrated a statistically significant difference only in FVIII:C (82·5 vs. 134%, P < 0·001). Carriers reported a higher number of bleeding events, and both condensed MCMDM‐1 VWD bleeding scores (5 vs. 1, P < 0·001) and PBAC scores (423 vs. 182·5, P = 0·018) were significantly higher in carriers. Haemophilia A carriers exhibit increased bleeding symptoms when compared to normal women. Further studies are necessary to fully understand the bleeding phenotype in this population and optimize clinical management.
A High–Level Model–Checking Tool for Verifying Electronic Contracts

An electronic contracting system intended for monitoring and/or enforcement of business-to-business interactions to ensure that they comply with the rights, obligations and prohibitions stipulated in contract clauses requires a machine interpretable specification of the relevant parts of the legal contract in force. Within this context, Event Condition Action (ECA) rules are widely used for representing contracts. Naturally, it is important to verify the correctness properties of such a contract before its deployment. To this end, the paper adopts the use of modelchecking techniques. A high-level model--checking tool has been developed that enables a designer to encode a contract for model checking directly as ECA rules in terms of contract entities: business operations, role players with their rights, obligations and prohibitions. This not only simplifies the task of model building but also, the designer can specify the correctness requirements, in linear temporal logic, directly in terms of the contract entities. The tool has been implemented by extending the PROMELA language of the SPIN model checker. © 2011 Newcastle University. Printed and published by Newcastle University, Computing Science, Claremont Tower, Claremont Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, England. Bibliographical details AABDELSADIQ,A. , MOLINA–JIMENEZ, C. , SHRIVASTAVA, S. A High–Level Model–Checking Tool for Verifying Electronic Contracts [By] A. Abdelsadiq, C. Molina–Jimenez, S. Shrivastava Newcastle upon Tyne: Newcastle University: Computing Science, 2011. (Newcastle University, Computing Science, Technical Report Series, No. CS-TR-1279)
Development of a Scalable, High-Throughput-Compatible Assay to Detect Tau Aggregates Using iPSC-Derived Cortical Neurons Maintained in a Three-Dimensional Culture Format

Tau aggregation is the pathological hallmark that best correlates with the progression of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The presence of neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), formed of hyperphosphorylated tau, leads to neuronal dysfunction and loss, and is directly associated with the cognitive decline observed in AD patients. The limited success in targeting β-amyloid pathologies has reinforced the hypothesis of blocking tau phosphorylation, aggregation, and/or spreading as alternative therapeutic entry points to treat AD. Identification of novel therapies requires disease-relevant and scalable assays capable of reproducing key features of the pathology in an in vitro setting. Here we use induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) as a virtually unlimited source of human cortical neurons to develop a robust and scalable tau aggregation model compatible with high-throughput screening (HTS). We downscaled cell culture conditions to 384-well plate format and used Matrigel to introduce an extra physical protection against cell detachment that reduces shearing stress and better recapitulates pathological conditions. We complemented the assay with AlphaLISA technology for the detection of tau aggregates in a high-throughput-compatible format. The assay is reproducible across users and works with different commercially available iPSC lines, representing a highly translational tool for the identification of novel treatments against tauopathies, including AD.
Political Processes and Foreign Exchange Markets

The efficient markets hypothesis implies that the forward exchange rate--the price of the currency deliverable 30 days in the future--should be an unbiased predictor of the future spot exchange rate. Empirical studies, however, conclude that the forward rate is biased. We argue that democratic political processes affect the forward rate bias. In particular, elections, cabinet negotiations, and cabinet dissolutions may generate uncertainty about the future composition of the government and its commitment to the exchange rate. Since economic agents will be less able to predict future exchange rate movements during periods of political uncertainty, the forward bias will increase during these periods. We test the effect of political events on the forward bias using data from eight industrial democracies between 1974 and 1995. Using both ordinary least squares and seemingly unrelated regression, we find that political uncertainty helps explain forward rate bias.
Immigration, Low Income and Income Inequality in Canada: What?s New in the 2000s?

During the 1980s and 1990s, immigration was associated with the rise in low-income rates and family-income inequality in Canada. Over the 2000s, there were significant changes in the labour market and in immigrant selection. This paper focuses on the direct effect of immigration on the change in low income and family-income inequality over the 1995-to-2010 period. The paper outlines recent trends in low-income rates and income inequality for both the Canadian-born and immigrants. The low-income rate in Canada fell during the 2000s. Was this driven in part by changes in economic outcomes among immigrants? Inequality increased considerably in the late 1990s. Did immigration contribute to this increase?
Composite Learning Based Fuzzy Control for Nonlinear Systems with Unknown Dead Zone

This paper investigates the disturbance observer based composite fuzzy control for a class of uncertain nonlinear systems. With fuzzy logic system (FLS) approximating the unknown nonlinearities, composite learning is constructed on the basis of a serial-parallel identifier. By introducing the intermediate signal, the disturbance observer is developed to provide efficient learning of the compounded disturbance which includes the effect of time-varying disturbance, fuzzy approximation error and unknown dead zone. Based on the disturbance estimation and fuzzy approximation, the adaptive fuzzy controller is synthesized with novel updating law. The stability analysis of the closed-loop system is rigorously established via Lyapunov approach. The performance of the proposed controller is verified via simulation that faster convergence and higher precision are obtained.
Managing performance at the top: a balanced scorecard for boards of directors

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to draw on the perspectives and experiences of New Zealand board members to propose a balanced scorecard (BSC) for use in measuring and managing the performance of boards.Design/methodology/approach – The views of 35 board members were elicited via semi‐structured interviews. The interview evidence was analysed using a multi‐step coding process to arrive at key themes on the functions, characteristics and outcomes of effective and ineffective boards. These themes were then used as a basis for proposing an appropriate structure and content for a BSC that reflects board members' perceptions of key factors driving board performance.Findings – New Zealand board members see behavioural measures of board performance as generally more useful than operational and financial measures. Further, strong relationships and strategic clarity are seen as both drivers of good performance and key outcomes of effective boards. Consequently, the proposed BSC incorporates multi‐dimensiona.
Healthcare maintenance in elderly patients with inflammatory bowel disease

The increasing number of older patients (age ≥60 years) with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) highlights the importance of healthcare maintenance in this vulnerable population. Older IBD patients are more susceptible and have higher rates of many disease- and treatment-related adverse effects. Compared to younger IBD patients, older patients are at increased risk for infection, malignancy, bone disease, eye disease, malnutrition and thrombotic complications. Preventive strategies in the elderly differ from those in younger adults and are imperative. Changes to the immune system with aging can decrease the efficacy of vaccinations. Cancer screening guidelines in older IBD patients have to account for unique considerations, such as life expectancy, functional performance status, multimorbidity, financial status, and patient desires. Additionally, providers need to be vigilant in screening for osteoporosis, ocular disease, depression, and adverse events arising from polypharmacy.
The Returns to the Quantity and Quality of Education: Evidence for Men in England and Wales

Until the late 1960s, state schooling in England and Wales was determined by an ability test of pupils at age 11 which had an effect on both the quantity and quality of education. By estimating the relationship between earnings and earlier schooling during a period when school areas changed from selective to non-selective education, we consider how the returns to the quantity of education are confounded by differences in the quality of schooling and whether the effects of quality are confounded by its correlation with quantity. Our results confirm recent evidence that returns to education quantity are large and quality effects are small. Copyright 2000 by The London School of Economics and Political Science
A new solution to the problem of range identification in perspective vision systems

A new solution to the problem of range identification for perspective vision systems is proposed. These systems arise in machine vision problems, where the position of an object moving in the three-dimensional space has to be identified through two-dimensional images obtained from a single camera. The proposed identifier yields asymptotic estimates of the object coordinates and is significantly simpler than existing designs. Moreover, it can be easily tuned to achieve the desired convergence rate. Simulations are provided demonstrating the enhanced performance of the proposed scheme and its robustness to measurement noise.
University of Birmingham The role of gender composition and size of the group in a minimum effort game

We report an experiment designed to test for gender differences and group size effects in a repeated minimum effort game. We consider all-male, all-female and mixed gender treatments. We also vary the size of the groups, which can consist either of 3 or 6 members. Our findings indicate significant group size effects but no significant gender differences across treatments.