Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
[Chronic fatigue syndrome and multiple chemical hypersensitivity after insecticide exposure].

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) are well-defined illnesses that may appear after some toxic exposures. PATIENTS AND METHOD We report a consecutive series of 26 patients who developed CFS after exposure to insecticide products. It was associated with MCS in a third of cases. RESULTS Toxic exposure was of labour origin after returning to usual work place after a process of fumigation. In 42% of cases there was no fulfilment of fumigation safety rules. The majority of patients were mean-aged women who developed an acute upper airway inflammatory syndrome, without muscarinic or nicotinic manifestations, followed by digestive syndrome, neurocognitive, fibromyalgic and chronic fatigue manifestations. The course of disease was shorter than 1 year in 5 cases (19%), longer than 1 year in 15(58%), and disabling in 6 cases (23%). CONCLUSIONS Due to the possible prevention of this toxic exposure, it is very important to carefully follow measures of environment isolation and ventilation after insecticide use in order to avoid the development of these diseases.
Agency Costs, Firm Value and Corporate Investment

textabstractOften firms lack the necessary internal resources to pursue all profitable investment opportunities at their disposal. One of the most important roles of financial markets is to allocate resources from different economic agents to the firms that will better employ them, thereby enabling productive investment to take place. However, there are informational and incentive-related problems in financial markets that result in agency costs. These costs can hinder the efficient allocation of capital across the economy and, as a result, can impact economic growth. This thesis examines the mechanisms that investors and managers use to reduce the agency costs of outside financing and the impact of such costs on firms’ investment decisions and value. The first chapter shows that the voluntary disclosure of information can help overcoming the informational asymmetry between managers and investors. The second chapter provides evidence that institutional ownership of firms can improve firm decisions and increase firm value when coupled with the appropriate incentives. In particular, we show that stock illiquidity is a key incentive in this setting. The last chapter examines the impact of accessing the public debt market on corporate investment. The findings support the hypothesis that firms adjust their investment decisions to offset an increase in agency costs, which in turn enables them to access outside financing on more favorable terms.
Carnegie Visits Nobel: Do Inheritances Affect Labor and Capital Income?

The objective of this paper is to study when and how much labor supply and savings of heirs respond to inheritances. We estimate fixed effects models following direct heirs, inheriting in 2004, during the years 2000–2008 using Swedish panel data. Our first main result is that the more the heir inherits,the lower her labor income becomes. This labor supply effect appears in the years after the heir had inherited. We also find evidence of anticipation effects that occur before the actual transfer. Our second main result is that the more the heir inherits, the higher her capital income becomes. This savings effect only appears in the years after receiving the inheritance. It disappears after a couple of years.
A Novel Real-Time Voltage and Frequency Compensation Strategy for Photovoltaic-Based Microgrid

Weather-dependent photovoltaic (PV) system power variation may become frequent and rapid, which could be regarded as perturbation for the microgrid (MG). This perturbation would lead to voltage and frequency fluctuations and dramatically degrade the MG performances. Conventional secondary control strategy could restore the voltage and frequency after a certain time delay, but it cannot satisfy the speed demands when frequent and rapid perturbations appear. To overcome the limitation, this paper proposes a novel real-time voltage and frequency compensation strategy to suppress the fluctuations. The proposed strategy realizes voltage regulation by an adaptive virtual impedance loop and realizes frequency regulation by a virtual frequency-impedance loop. The novel real-time strategy is simple to be implemented and needless of communication; therefore, it is much more suitable for the PV-based MG. Finally, a PV-based MG is established as laboratory prototype, and experimental results validate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Gated cities of today?: Barricaded residential development in England

This paper reports on research which examined the prevalence and rationales underlying the growth in gated residential development in England. The research also set out to consider the immediate and likely future impacts of such development. Policy debates regarding socio-spatial segregation and the encouragement of social mix to promote sustainable communities have generally ignored the upper end of the housing market and clustering of affluent households which are perceived to produce few negative externalities or problems for residents. We argue that gated development appears to provide a socially problematic form of residential development which `excludes' but nevertheless, in certain cases, appears to deliver a semi-autonomous form of neighbourhood governance. The research found around 1,000 gated developments in England at a time when the Government aims for new development to provide socially diverse neighbourhoods as the hallmark of future community sustainability. We conclude that this initial profiling of gated communities highlights the need for a debate regarding the relative social costs and benefits imposed by gating.
Industry Policy in East Asia

This survey examines the role of industry policy in the industrialisation of East Asian economies since the early 1980s. The first section outlines the neoclassical' model and the interventionist literature that has arisen to challenge it. It distinguishes three strands in this literature: the ‘structuralist’ and the ‘strategic’ trade models and the ‘fair trade’ argument. The following sections evaluate the empirical evidence for Northeast and Southeast Asian economies, discuss the analytical and empirical validity of the interventionist literature and in conclusion draw attention to the diminished relevance of industry policy, given the rapid market‐driven integration taking place in the Asian‐Pacific region.
Beta as a Random Coefficient

After Markowitz [14, p. 100] and Sharpe [19, 20] suggested estimating the beta systematic risk coefficient for market assets, finance professors, stock brokers, investment managers, and others began expending large quantities of resources each year on estimating betas. Unfortunately however, it appears that the ordinary least-squares (OLS) regressions used in nearly every instance may be inappropriate. This paper suggests that many stocks' beta coefficients move randomly through time rather than remain stable as the OLS model presumes.
New evidence of the expectation hypothesis of interest rates: a flexible nonlinear approach

Conventional approaches to examining the Expectation Hypothesis (EH) assume a parametric linear specification among variables. In contrast, this article tests the hypothesis using a flexible nonlinear inference approach proposed by Hamilton (2001). We examine the impact of the nonlinearity of interest rates to explain the variability of risk premia on market rates. It is assumed that the term structure of interest rates can be identified by two factors, the risk-free rate and its volatility. The results of the linearity test against nonlinear alternatives suggest that there is clear evidence of nonlinearity. Our empirical application shows that correctly accounting for the nonlinearity of the term structure of interest rates may explain the variability of risk premia and the specific characteristics of interest rate dynamics on the US market.
An Integrated Model-Based Approach for Sales Force Structuring

This paper analyzes the problem of designing the structure of multiproduct sales forces selling in an environment where purchase decisions are made on a straight rebuy or modified rebuy basis. It addresses two key issues pertaining to structure: How many sales forces should the firm have and which products should be assigned to each sales force? First, the key determinants of sales force structure are identified and described. Next, a mathematical programming model is formulated that can aid firms in designing the structure of their multiproduct sales force. An application is then described in detail including sales response specification, parameter estimation, solution procedure, and model implementation. Insights from several of the numerous implementations of the model in the pharmaceutical industry are also summarized.
Thymocyte-Thymic Epithelial Cell Interaction Leads to High-Level Replication of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Exclusively in Mature CD4+ CD8− CD3+ Thymocytes: a Critical Role for Tumor Necrosis Factor and Interleukin-7

ABSTRACT This work aims at identifying the thymocyte subpopulation able to support human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) replication under the biological stimuli of the thymic microenvironment. In this report we demonstrate that interaction with thymic epithelial cells (TEC) induces a high-level replication of the T-tropic primary isolate HIV-1B-LAIp exclusively in the mature CD4+CD8− CD3+ thymocytes. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin-7 (IL-7), secreted during this interaction, are critical cytokines for HIV long terminal repeat transactivation through NF-κB-dependent activation. TNF is the major inducer of NF-κB and particularly of the p50-p65 complex, whereas IL-7 acts as a cofactor by sustaining the expression of the p75 TNF receptor. The requirement for TNF is further confirmed by the observation that the inability of the intermediate CD4+ CD8− CD3−thymocytes to replicate the virus is associated with a defect in TNF production during their interaction with TEC and correlates with the absence of nuclear NF-κB activity in these freshly isolated thymocytes. Addition of exogenous TNF to the intermediate thymocyte cultures induces NF-κB activity and is sufficient to promote HIV replication in the cocultures with TEC. The other major subpopulation expressing the CD4 receptor, namely, the double-positive (DP) CD4+ CD8+ CD3± thymocytes, despite the entry of the virus, do not produce a significant level of virus, presumably because they are unresponsive to TNF and IL-7. Together, these data suggest that in vivo, despite an efficient entry of the virus in all the CD4+ subpopulations, a high viral load may be generated exclusively within the mature CD4+CD8− CD3+ subset of thymocytes. However, under conditions of inflammatory response after infection, TNF might also be present in the intermediate thymocyte compartment, leading to efficient HIV replication in these cells.
American home: predatory mortgage capital and neighbourhood spaces of race and class exploitation in the united states

Abstract Predatory home mortgage lending has become a central concern for housing research, public policy and community activism in US cities. Regulatory attempts to stop abuses, however, are undermined by claims that ‘predatory’ cannot be defined or distinguished from legitimate subprime lending, and claims that the industry performs a public service by meeting the needs of low‐income, high‐risk consumers (many of them racially marginalized) who would have been denied credit in previous years. We evaluate these claims in historical‐geographical context, drawing on David Harvey's theory of class‐monopoly rent to analyse what is new (and what is not) in contemporary financial exploitation. We use a mixed‐methods approach to (1) provide econometric measures of subprime racial targeting and disparate impact that cannot be blamed on the supposed deficiencies of borrowers, (2) qualitatively assess the rationale for judging particular subprime practices and lenders as predatory, and (3) trace the connections between local practices and transnational investment networks. The fight against predatory lending cannot succeed, we argue, without a renewed analytical and strategic emphasis on the class dimensions of financial exploitation and racial‐geographical discrimination.
Effects of volatile oil constituents of Nigella sativa on carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity in mice: evidence for antioxidant effects of thymoquinone.

Effects of the volatile oil constituents of Nigella sativa, namely, thymoquinone (TQ), p-cymene and alpha-pinene, on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4-indued acute liver injury were investigated in mice. A single dose of CCl4 (15 microl/Kg i.p.) induced hepatotoxicity 24 h after administration manifested biochemically as significant elevation of the enzymes activities of serum alanine transaminase (ALT, EC:2.6.1.2), asparate transaminase (AST, EC:2.6.1.1) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH, EC: 1.1.1.27). The toxicity was further evidenced by a significant decrease of non-protein sulfhydryl(-SH) concentration, and a significant increase of lipid peroxidation measued as malondialdhyde (MDA) in the liver tissues. Administration of different doses of the TQ (4, 8, 12.5, 25 and 50 mg/Kg i.p.) did not alter the chosen biochemical parameters measured, while higher doses of TQ were lethal. The LD50 was 90.3 mg/Kg (77.9-104.7, 95% CL). Pretreatment of mice with different doses of TQ 1 h before CCl4 injection showed that the only dose of TQ that ameliorated hepatotoxicity of CCl4 was 12.5 mg/Kg i.p. as evidenced by the significant reduction of the elevated levels of serum enzymes as well as hepatic MDA content and significant increase of the hepatic nonprotein sulfhydryl(-SH) concentration. Treatment of mice with the other volatile oil constituents, p-cymene or alpha-pinene did not induce any changes in the serum ALT measured. In addition, i.p. administration of these compounds 1 h before CCl4 injection, did not protect mice against CC4-induced hepatotoxicity. The results of the present study indicate that TQ (12.5 mg/Kg, i.p.) may play an important role as antioxidant and may efficiently act as a protective agent against chemically-induced hepatic damage. In contrast, higher doses of TQ were found to induce oxidative stress leading to hepatic injury.
Efficacy and Safety of Nimodipine in Subcortical Vascular Dementia: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial

Background and Purpose— Evidence of drug efficacy in vascular dementia (VaD) is scanty. Therapeutic trials should address VaD subtypes. We studied the efficacy and safety of the calcium antagonist nimodipine in subcortical VaD. Methods— 242 patients defined as affected by subcortical VaD based on clinical (ICD-10) and computed tomography criteria were randomized to oral nimodipine 90 mg/d or placebo. Results— 230 patients (121 nimodipine, mean age 75.2±6.1; 109 placebo, 75.4±6.0) were valid for the intention-to-treat analysis. At 52 weeks, the Sandoz Clinical Assessment Geriatric scale 5-point variation (primary outcome measure) did not differ significantly between the 2 groups. However, patients on nimodipine performed better than placebo patients in lexical production (P<0.01) and less frequently showed deterioration (3 or more point-drop versus baseline) on a Mini-Mental State Examination (28.1% versus 50.5%; &khgr;2 P<0.01) and Global Deterioration Scale (P<0.05). Dropouts and adverse events were all significantly more common among placebo than nimodipine patients, particularly cardiovascular (30 versus 13; RR, 2.26; 95% CI, 1.11 to 4.60) and cerebrovascular events (28 versus 10; RR, 2.48; 95% CI, 1.23 to 4.98), and behavioral disturbances requiring intervention (22 versus 5; RR, 3.88; 95% CI, 1.49 to 10.12). A worst-rank analysis, performed to correct for the effect of the high dropout rate in the placebo group, showed additional significant differences in favor of nimodipine in Set Test and MMSE total scores. Conclusions— Nimodipine may be of some benefit in subcortical VaD. Confirming previous results, the safety analysis of this study shows that in this high-risk population, nimodipine might protect against cardiovascular comorbidities.
Study on Risks and Precautions of Enterprises' R&D Outsourcing

R&D outsourcing is another management form which can relieve enterprises from complexly daily activities and strengthen enterprises' competitiveness with the exception of human resources outsourcing and financial outsourcing. However, there are great risks involved in R&D outsourcing. The paper aimed at determining key risks of R&D outsourcing and making countermeasures for avoiding them. The paper, based on the concept and connotation of R&D outsourcing, analyzed risks during outsourcing at a strategic level and concluded that risks of R&D outsourcing should focus on risk of business strategic analysis, risk of decision-making on R&D outsourcing, risk of selection and management of service provider and risk of performance evaluation on R&D outsourcing. Finally the paper proposed preventive measure against the risks.
Adrenocortical and gonadal steroids during sleep deprivation.

Twelve healthy males were exposed to 48 hr of sleep deprivation under conditions of strictly controlled activity and of food and drink intake. During the experiment the subjects were isolated from external time cures, i.e. no daylight, clocks, etc. Plasma samples were obtained before and at the end of the vigil, as well as after 5 days of recovery. Samples were analyzed for adrenal and gonadal steroid hormones and for follicle-stimulating (FSH) and luteinizing hormones (LH). The levels of all unconjugated steroids studied (cortisol, 17-hydroxypregnenolone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, androstenedione, dihydrotestosterone) were significantly lower at the end of the sleep deprivation period. Self-ratings of fatigue were significantly higher at the end of the deprivation period. After recovery, all values returned to base line. No changes were observed in the levels of FSH, LH, or most conjugated steroids. It was concluded that the results were not consistent with the view that sleep deprivation induces an emergency reaction with increased activation, but rather that it results in lower levels of both psychological and physiological activation.
Impact of the strategic human resource management on organizational performance: evidence from Turkey

The strategic importance of human resources (HR) and their contribution to the organizational performance are receiving increasing recognition worldwide. In this study, we examined strategic human resource management (SHRM) and HR practices in Turkey to assess the impact of these practices on financial/market performance, operational performance, job satisfaction, and turnover. Empirical results from a sample of Turkey's Top 500 firms-2007 demonstrate that SHRM and selection/development practices have direct and positive effects on financial/market performance and operational performance. However, only selection/development practices are found to have a positive effect on turnover.
The importance of conducting and reporting pilot studies: the example of the Scottish Births Survey.

BACKGROUND In many research papers, pilot studies are only reported as a means of justifying the methods. This justification might refer to the overall research design, or simply to the validity and reliability of the research tools. It is unusual for reports of pilot studies to include practical problems faced by the researcher(s). Pilot studies are relevant to best practice in research, but their potential for other researchers appears to be ignored. OBJECTIVE The primary aim of this study was to identify the most appropriate method for conducting a national survey of maternity care. METHODS Pilot studies were conducted in five hospitals to establish the best of four possible methods of approaching women, distributing questionnaires and encouraging the return of these questionnaires. Variations in the pilot studies included (a) whether or not the questionnaires were anonymous, (b) the staff involved in distributing the questionnaires and (c) whether questionnaires were distributed via central or local processes. For this purpose, five maternity hospitals of different sizes in Scotland were included. RESULTS Problems in contacting women as a result of changes in the Data Protection Act (1998) required us to rely heavily on service providers. However, this resulted in a number of difficulties. These included poor distribution rates in areas where distribution relied upon service providers, unauthorized changes to the study protocol and limited or inaccurate information regarding the numbers of questionnaires distributed. CONCLUSIONS The pilot raised a number of fundamental issues related to the process of conducting a large-scale survey, including the method of distributing the questionnaire, gaining access to patients, and reliance on 'gatekeepers'. This paper highlights the lessons learned as well as the balancing act of using research methods in the most optimal way under the combined pressure of time, ethical considerations and the influences of stakeholders. Reporting the kinds of practical issues that occur during pilot studies might help others avoid similar pitfalls and mistakes.
Migration within the United States: Role of Race-Ethnicity

Minority racial and ethnic groups, which account for an ever larger share of the U.S. population, are unevenly distributed across states. The concentration of Hispanic and Asian populations in New York, California, and a few other large states is related to their recent immigrant status and attachments to coethnic communities in those areas. Yet recent U.S. Census 2000 results suggest greater geographic dispersal for these two groups. The African American population, while less concentrated than these other race-ethnic groups, is demonstrating an increased tendency to locate in the South, countering a long-standing movement in the reverse direction. The prominence of race-ethnic minorities in the U.S. population and their changing distribution and dispersal patterns calls for explicit attention to their roles in internal migration models. The history of such models has shown increasing elaboration over past decades. Early migration researchers conceptualized the migration process as a largely labor market phenomenon, where migration responds mainly to the spatial disparities in economic opportunities. The typical model explaining origin-to-destination specific flows
A Limited Feedback Joint Precoding for Dual-Hop MIMO Amplify-and-Forward Relay Systems

This paper investigates the limited feedback joint precoding design for dual-hop multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) amplify-and-forward (AF) relay systems. Assuming that full channel state information (CSI) of two hops is available and that a linear receiver is employed at the destination, a suboptimal joint precoding structure, which is based on the maximization of the minimum postprocessing signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), is presented. Based on a derived lower bound on the minimum postprocessing SNR, a joint codeword selection (JCS) scheme at the destination is proposed. To reduce feedback latency and computational complexity, the lemma of singular value inequalities of a product matrix and other lemmas are used to split the JCS into two independent codeword selections (ICSs). Thus, the codeword selections at the relay and the destination are concurrently carried out. Simulation results illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed limited feedback joint precoding design. They also show that the ICS scheme displays a bit error rate performance that is close to that of the joint scheme, while having shorter feedback latency and lower computational complexity.