Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Where is Credit Due? Legal Institutions, Connections, and the Efficiency of Bank Lending in Vietnam

Rapid development of the domestic private sector in communist China and Vietnam has been offered as evidence against a large literature that claims a solid legal infrastructure is required for the financial sector to contribute to economic development. One component of the counterargument holds that relationship-based lending has served as an effective substitute for legal institutions. In this article, we challenge this assertion with empirical findings that show bank credit allocation that relies heavily on "connections" undermines the impact of finance on investment growth. Our data come from Vietnam, where--like China--the private sector and financial sector are expanding dramatically but rule of law has not kept pace. Although Vietnam's banking sector is in transition toward a healthier system, it still allocates a disproportionate share of credit to "connected" enterprises in less competitive regions. We find that political connections, in particular, are an ineffective tool for channeling bank credit to the most profitable investors. Using a two-stage empirical approach, we find evidence that banks place greater value on connections than performance and that the firms with greater access to bank loans are no more profitable than firms without them. By some measures, connected firms are even significantly less profitable. We conclude by demonstrating that the most profitable investors in Vietnam have forgone the formal banking system, preferring to finance their activities out of reinvested earnings or informal loans (JEL G21, G28, G30, O12, K11). The Author 2008. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Yale University. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oxfordjournals.org, Oxford University Press.
Mental Symptoms and Drug Use in Maintenance Treatment with Slow-Release Oral Morphine Compared to Methadone: Results of a Randomized Crossover Study

Background: Opioid maintenance treatment is the option of choice to stabilize opioid-dependent patients. Whilst efficacy of methadone and buprenorphine has been studied extensively, fewer data on slow-release oral morphine are available. Aims: This study analyzes the effects of slow-release oral morphine compared to methadone with regard to self-reported mental symptoms, drug use and satisfaction with treatment. Methods: The study was carried out as an open-label randomized crossover trial in 14 treatment sites in Switzerland and Germany. It comprised 2 crossover periods of 11 weeks each. For measuring mental symptoms, the Symptom Checklist-27 (SCL-27) was used. Drug and alcohol use was assessed by the number of consumption days, and treatment satisfaction by a visual analogue scale. Results: A total of 157 patients were included for the analyses (per-protocol sample). Statistically significantly better outcomes for morphine as compared to methadone treatment were found for overall severity of mental symptoms (SCL-27 Global Severity Index), as well as 5 of the 6 syndrome groups of the SCL-27, and for treatment satisfaction. There were no statistically significant differences with regard to drug or alcohol use between groups. Conclusions: This study supports positive effects of slow-release oral morphine compared to methadone on patient-reported outcomes such as mental symptoms and treatment satisfaction with comparable effects on concomitant drug use. Slow-release oral morphine represents a meaningful alternative to methadone for treatment of opioid dependence.
Polymorphism of IL‐10 receptor β affects the prognosis of multiple myeloma patients treated with thalidomide and/or bortezomib

Interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) and IL‐10 receptor (IL‐10R) single nucleotide polymorphisms have been implicated in the pathogenesis of many cancers. We investigated the influence of IL‐10 −592C/A, IL‐10RA I224V, and IL‐10RB K47E on the risk of developing multiple myeloma (MM) and the clinical features of MM. We extracted the genomic DNA from 128 MM patients and 202 healthy controls and used polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism method to detect IL‐10 promoter −592C/A (rs1800872), IL‐10RA (rs2228055), and IL‐10RB K47E (rs2834167) genotypes. Overall survival (OS) was defined as the interval from the date of diagnosis to the date of death or last clinical appointment. No statistically significant difference was observed in the genotype and allele frequencies of IL‐10 −592C/A, IL‐10RA I224V, and IL‐10RB K47E between MM patients and healthy controls. IL‐10RA II genotype was significantly associated with a hemoglobin level lower than that of IV and VV genotypes (mean ± standard deviation, 9.21 ± 2.46 vs 10.3 ± 2.33 g/dL; P = .021). IL‐10 −592 AA genotype was significantly associated with OS better than that of CA and CC genotypes (median OS, 74.5 vs 46.3 months; P = .047). We observed significant differences in survival between patients treated with thalidomide and/or bortezomib and those treated with conventional treatments (median OS, 74.5 vs 38.2 months; P = .021). Therefore, we also examined the effect of IL‐10 and IL‐10R polymorphisms on the clinical variables and OS of patients treated with thalidomide and/or bortezomib. In addition, IL‐10RB EE genotype was significantly associated with poorer survival than KK and KE genotypes (median OS, 46.3 vs 78.8 months; P = .015). Our findings indicate that IL‐10 and IL‐10R gene polymorphisms may not contribute to the susceptibility to MM but may be associated with the severity and prognosis of MM. In particular, IL‐10RB K47E polymorphism may contribute to the poor prognosis of MM patients treated with thalidomide and/or bortezomib.
Normative Data for Determining Significance of Test–Retest Differences on Eight Common Neuropsychological Instruments

Clinicians and researchers who use neuropsychological tests to track functioning over time are in need of a method to correct for the effects of practice. Drawing from a large database of healthy, male subjects, we present data that can be used to calculate predicted retest scores for eight widely used neuropsychological instruments either via simple regression or reliable change index (RCI) methods. These methods are useful for individuals assessed across a wide time interval, 4–24 months. Limitations are discussed regarding the applicability of the data. Those with a need to factor out the effects of practice, test–retest reliability and other statistical confounds will find the information within this article useful.
Three‐dimensional model of the extracellular domain of the type 4a metabotropic glutamate receptor: New insights into the activation process

Metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) belong to the family 3 of G‐protein‐coupled receptors. On these proteins, agonist binding on the extracellular domain leads to conformational changes in the 7‐transmembrane domains required for G‐protein activation. To elucidate the structural features that might be responsible for such an activation mechanism, we have generated models of the amino terminal domain (ATD) of type 4 mGluR (mGlu4R). The fold recognition search allowed the identification of three hits with a low sequence identity, but with high secondary structure conservation: leucine isoleucine valine‐binding protein (LIVBP) and leucine‐binding protein (LBP) as already known, and acetamide‐binding protein (AmiC). These proteins are characterized by a bilobate structure in an open state for LIVBP/LBP and a closed state for AmiC, with ligand binding in the cleft. Models for both open and closed forms of mGlu4R ATD have been generated. ACPT‐I (1‐aminocyclopentane 1,3,4‐tricarboxylic acid), a selective agonist, has been docked in the two models. In the open form, ACPT‐I is only bound to lobe I through interactions with Lys74, Arg78, Ser159, and Thr182. In the closed form, ACPT‐I is trapped between both lobes with additional binding to Tyr230, Asp312, Ser313, and Lys317 from lobe II. These results support the hypothesis that mGluR agonists bind a closed form of the ATDs, suggesting that such a conformation of the binding domain corresponds to the active conformation.
IQGAP2 inactivation through aberrant promoter methylation and promotion of invasion in gastric cancer cells

Invasion and metastases of cancer cells are the main causes of treatment failure in cancer. IQ motif‐containing GTPase activating protein 1 (IQGAP1), plays pivotal roles in intercellular adhesion, migration, invasion and metastases in various cancer cells. However, the role of another family member, IQGAP2, in carcinogenesis remains unknown. Here, we investigated IQGAP2 functions in gastric cancers. We found that IQGAP2 protein expression was lost in 5 of the 9 gastric cancer cell lines. Through analysis by the methylation‐specific PCR, aberrant IQGAP2 methylation was detected in 3 gastric cancer cell lines. IQGAP2 mRNA was found to be activated after 5‐aza‐2′‐deoxycytidine treatment of the methylation‐positive cells. Moreover, IQGAP2 methylation was detected in 28 of the 59 (47%) primary gastric cancer tissues, but not in 12 normal gastric mucosa samples. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that 7 of the 8 (88%) gastric cancer tissues without methylation signals displayed IQGAP2 expression, whereas among 10 with methylation signals none expressed IQGAP2 (p = 0.0002), indicating that IQGAP2 methylation is highly associated with loss of the IQGAP2 expression in the primary gastric cancer tissues as well as gastric cancer cell lines. Furthermore, IQGAP2 methylation was also associated with tumor invasion and a poor prognosis. IQGAP2 knockdown with small interfering RNA increased the invasive capacity of a gastric cancer cell line. These results suggest that silencing of IQGAP2 by promoter methylation may contribute to gastric cancer development. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Effect of Aerobic Exercise During the Interset Rest Periods on Kinematics, Kinetics, and Lactate Clearance of Two Resistance Loading Schemes

Mohamad, NI, Cronin, JB, and Nosaka, KK. The effect of aerobic exercise during the interset rest periods on kinematics, kinetics and lactate clearance of two resistance loading schemes. J Strength Cond Res 26(1): 73–79, 2012—It may be possible to enhance set and session kinematics and kinetics by engaging in low-intensity aerobic exercise during the interset rest period. The purpose of this study therefore was to quantify the change in session kinematics and kinetics of 35% 1RM and 70% 1RM loading schemes equated by volume, when aerobic exercise or passive rest was undertaken between sets. Twelve male student athletes were recruited for this study. Squat average force, peak force, average power, peak power, total work, and total impulse were quantified using a force plate and linear transducer. Blood lactate samples were taken before set 1, after set 1, after set 2, and after the last set performed. No significant (p < 0.05) differences (0.37–9.24%) were found in any of the kinematic and kinetic variables of interset after active or passive interset rest periods. Significant increases (64–76%) in blood lactate occurred from the inception of exercise to completion, for both the heavy and light loading schemes. However, no significant differences in lactate accumulation were noted, whether active or passive recovery was undertaken in the interest rest period. It was concluded that active recovery in the form of low-intensity cycling offered no additional benefits in terms of lactate clearance and enhancement of set and session kinematics and kinetics.
DETECTION OF CYCLOBUTANE THYMINE DIMERS IN DNA OF HUMAN CELLS WITH MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES RAISED AGAINST A THYMINE DIMER‐ CONTAINING TETRANUCLEOTIDE

Abstract— A hybrid cell line (hybridoma) has been isolated after fusion between mouse‐plasmacytoma cells and spleen cells from mice immunized with a thymine dimer‐containing tetranucleotide coupled to a carrier protein. Monoclonal antibodies produced by this hybridoma were characterized by testing the effect of various inhibitors in a competitive enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The antibodies have a high specificity for thymine dimers in single‐stranded DNA or poly(dT), but do not bind UV‐irradiated d(TpC)5. Less binding is observed with short thymine dimer‐containing sequences. In vitro treatment of UV‐irradiated DNA with photoreactivating enzyme in the presence of light, or with Micrococcus luteus UV‐endonuclease results in disappearance of antigenicity. Antibody‐binding to DNA isolated from UV‐irradiated human fibroblasts (at 254 nm) is linear with dose. Removal of thymine dimers in these cells during a post‐irradiation incubation, as detected with the antibodies, is fast initially but the rate rapidly decreases (about 50% residual dimers at 20 h after 10 J/m2). The induction of thymine dimers in human skin irradiated with low doses of UV‐B, too, was demonstrated immunochemically, by ELISA as well as by quantitative immunofluorescence microscopy.
Experience of Using Cultured Epithelial Autografts for the Extensive Burn Wounds in Eight Patients

&NA;In Japan, the cultured epithelial autografts “JACE” was accepted as a health insurance adaptation from January 1, 2009. We examined the extensive burn wounds in 8 patients by using a combination of autograft and JACE. After debridement, we managed the wound bed preparation by using artificial dermis. The wound bed was covered with fine tissue 2 weeks after we implanted artificial dermis and trafermin was used every day. Meshed 6:1 split-thickness autografts were placed onto the recipient wound bed under the JACE. The epidermalization was nearly complete within 3 to 4 weeks. ResultsA total of 39 patients underwent medical treatment of burns. All patients burned more than 30% total body surface area (TBSA). We divided them into 2 groups. The control group consisted of 31 patient, 23 men and 8 women. They underwent operation not using JACE but only autograft. The average age of the patients was 59.61 (3.85) years. The TBSA burned in this control group was 58.94% (3.89%). Operation times were 2.16 (0.24) hours. The overall survival rate was 35.5%. The study group consisted of 8 patients, 5 men and 3 women. The average age of the patients was 56.38 (7.04) years. The TBSA burned in this study group was 51.63% (4.17%). Operation times were 4.25 (0.59) hours, and the overall survival rate in this study group was 87.5%. The average take rate of JACE was 80.0% (3.09%) 4 weeks postoperatively. ConclusionsJACE is one of the cultured epithelial autografts. Although we managed the wound bed preparation by using artificial dermis instead of cryopreserved cadaver allograft, we were able to recognize a good result from grafting JACE on meshed 6:1 split-thickness autografts. The study group observed a significant difference in operation times compared with the control group. However, this treatment contributed to reducing the area of the donor site.
Range-based localisation and tracking in non-line-of sight wireless channels with gaussian scatterer distribution model

Range-based localisation and tracking methods use the time-of-arrival (TOA) between the mobile station and several base stations, but the multipath propagation of non-line-of-sight channels complicates the estimation and processing. For channel modelling, the Gaussian scatterer distribution model has been reported to have a reasonable match between its TOA probability density distribution (PDF) and measured TOA data. In this study, this TOA PDF is adapted, along with selection from multiple motion models of the mobile station, for a new location and tracking algorithm. Since the TOA PDF is non-Gaussian and is a non-linear function of the position of the mobile, particle filtering is used which increases the complexity of the algorithm. The focus is on the tracking performance, and this is evaluated by simulation using idealised statistical channels, allowing direct comparison between different location algorithms. In this context, the presented algorithm is more accurate than the benchmarks of extended Kalman filter tracking, and positioning using least squares.
The social construction of an organisational field: the case of biotechnology

The emergence of a new industry is not due solely to the resource endowments and competences of new firms, but is also tied to the creation of an organisational field that provides a supportive infrastructure for industry development. Biotechnology is a rapidly-growing new field, particularly in the USA, where the fast transfer of knowledge from universities to science-based firms has led to the creation of a common technological community, which further diffuses both scientific news and organising skills. Drawing on a case study of tPA, the clot-busting drug for heart attacks developed by Genentech, I show how the "open architecture" of biotech firms facilitates product development. However, the lack of a well-developed governance structure, with common rules and understandings, with respect to regulatory oversight and patent protection poses considerable risks and dampens further industry development.
Time-optimal path planning for flat systems with application to a wheeled mobile robot

The time-optimal path planning problem aims at bringing a system from an initial to terminal state in minimal time while obeying both geometric and dynamic constraints. Path planning problems are often decoupled into a high-level path planning stage where a feasible geometric path is determined and a low level stage where system dynamics are taken into account. The paper combines the geometric and dynamic approach into a single optimization problem for so-called differentially flat systems. The geometric path is represented as a convex combination of two or more feasible paths. Relying on differential flatness, the dynamics of the system are projected onto the path which leads to a single input system. The resulting optimization problem is transformed into a fixed end-time optimal control problem that can be initialized easily. An application to a wheeled mobile robot, a challenging non-linear system, will illustrate the proposed approach throughout the paper.
Differential Effects of Predosing on Tumor and Tissue Uptake of an 111In-Labeled Anti-TENB2 Antibody–Drug Conjugate

TENB2, also known as tomoregulin or transmembrane protein with epidermal growth factor–like and 2 follistatin-like domains, is a transmembrane proteoglycan overexpressed in human prostate tumors. This protein is a promising target for antimitotic monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE)–based antibody–drug conjugate (ADC) therapy. Nonlinear pharmacokinetics in normal mice suggested that antigen expression in normal tissues may contribute to targeted mediated disposition. We evaluated a predosing strategy with unconjugated antibody to block ADC uptake in target-expressing tissues in a mouse model while striving to preserve tumor uptake and efficacy. Methods: Unconjugated, unlabeled antibody was preadministered to mice bearing the TENB2-expressing human prostate explant model, LuCaP 77, followed by a single administration of 111In-labeled anti-TENB2-MMAE for biodistribution and SPECT/CT studies. A tumor-growth-inhibition study was conducted to determine the pharmacodynamic consequences of predosing. Results: Preadministration of anti-TENB2 at 1 mg/kg significantly increased blood exposure of the radiolabeled ADC and reduced intestinal, hepatic, and splenic uptake while not affecting tumor accretion. Similar tumor-to-heart ratios were measured by SPECT/CT at 24 h with and without the predose. Consistent with this, the preadministration of 0.75 mg/kg did not interfere with efficacy in a tumor-growth study dosed at 0.75 mg or 2.5 mg of ADC per kilogram. Conclusion: Overall, the potential to mask peripheral, nontumor antigen uptake while preserving tumor uptake and efficacy could ameliorate toxicity and may significantly affect future dosing strategies for ADCs.
A Proposed Score for Predicting Severe Infection Complications in Children With Chemotherapy-induced Febrile Neutropenia

Background Febrile neutropenia (FN) is one of most common complications in patients with cancer during chemotherapy. Identifying factors associated with severe infectious complications (SICs) at time of admission for fever and neutropenia is necessary for better treatment. Procedure We revised all medical charts of patients under 18 years old who developed a first episode of FN present from January 2000 to December 2003. Criteria for a SIC were defined. These included the presence of bacteremia or fungemia, sepsis, septic shock, and/or death from infection. To identify risk factors SIC was associated with the first FN episode. Results Factors identified in univariate analysis were female sex, age less than 5 years old, acute myeloid leukemia, baseline disease activity, use of central venous catheter, hemoglobin level <7 g/dL, leukocytes count <500 cells/mm3, granulocytes count <500 cells/mm3, monocytes count <100 cells/mm3, platelets <20,000, and body temperature >38.5°C, a chemotherapy interval <7 days, presence of mucositis, pneumonia, absence of upper respiratory tract infection, or the presence of any clinical focus on first physical examination. In multivariate analysis the variables that remained as independent predictive risk factors for SIC were age less than 5 years, use of central venous catheter, body temperature >38.5°C, hemoglobin level <7 g/dL, any clinical focus of infection on first examination and absence of upper respiratory tract infection. The FN population was than divided among 3 different risk groups as follows: group 1 (low risk), group 2 (intermediate risk), with a 13 (4.4 to 38.3)-fold risk for SIC; and group 3 (high risk) with a 50 (16.4 to 149.2)-fold risk for SIC. Conclusions This study suggests that patients with FN can be stratified for risk of SIC using clinical parameters at hospital admission.
Physical activity patterns and its influencing factors among high school students of Izeh city: Application of some constructs of health belief model

Purpose: This study has been conducted to identify the roles of self-efficacy, benefits of and barriers to physical activity, and its relationship with physical activity in male and female high school students in the city of Izeh, Iran. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive analytical study, 500 students (200 boys and 300 girls) from high schools of Izeh city during the period 2011-2012 were chosen using the multistage random sampling method. The data for this study was acquired through a multisectional questionnaire that included sections as follows: Demographic characteristics, self-efficacy, and perceived benefits and barriers. The gathered data was then studied and analyzed. Statistical tests such as independent t-tests, Spearman's correlation, Pearson's correlation coefficient and linear regression were used to interpret and analyze the data. Results: Data analysis showed that the mean age of male participants was 15.67 ± 0.95 years and females 15.86 ± 1.16 years. The average weekly time of physical activity in male students was 424.74 ± 158.48 min and in females 186.63 ± 90.59 min. The mean scores for self-efficacy and perceived benefits of physical activity were significantly higher in boys as compared to girls. There was a positive and significant correlation between the mean scores for perceived self-efficacy and the weekly time in male students spent on physical activity as well as the mean scores for perceived benefits and the weekly time spent on physical activity in both genders. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that many factors influence students’ physical activity; however, the role of these factors is not identical in the two genders. An understanding of these factors helps educationalists and other health experts design appropriate interventions.