Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Beyond Help: Direct Effector Functions of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1-Specific CD4+ T Cells

ABSTRACT The immune correlates of protection in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection remain poorly defined, particularly the contribution of CD4+ T cells. Here we explore the effector functions of HIV-1-specific CD4+ T cells. We demonstrate HIV-1 p24-specific CD4+-T-cell cytolytic activity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells directly ex vivo and after enrichment by antigen-specific stimulation. We further show that in a rare long-term nonprogressor, both an HIV-1-specific CD4+-T-cell clone and CD4+ T cells directly ex vivo exert potent suppression of HIV-1 replication. Suppression of viral replication was dependent on cell-cell contact between the effector CD4+ T cells and the target cells. While the antiviral effector activity of CD8+ T cells has been well documented, these results strongly suggest that HIV-1-specific CD4+ T cells are capable of directly contributing to antiviral immunity.
Abnormal audit delays, earnings quality and firm value in the USA

Purpose - – This paper aims to address three questions: Does the abnormal delay in the audit process signal poor earnings quality? Is this information about earnings quality incremental to that contained in earnings report delay? Does the market use this information about earnings quality in valuing the firm? Design/methodology/approach - – Data are obtained from four databases: Compustat, Audit Analytics, Compact-Disclosure and I/B/E/S. Complete data are available for 5,298 firms for 22,492 firm-years. The paper uses a two-stage model. In the first stage, a detailed model using determinants from extant research tries to explain the audit delay. In the second stage, the unexplained delay from the first stage is used in the association tests with earnings quality. Findings - – The paper presents evidence that abnormal delays in the audit process are inversely associated with earnings quality. When the market values a dollar of reported earnings, it appears to discount the valuation by the extent of abnormal audit delay. Originality/value - – The current paper contributes to existing research in several ways. First, it establishes a comprehensive model to explain audit delays and provides a tool to measure abnormal audit delays. Second, it provides evidence of inverse association between abnormal audit delay and seven proxies of earnings quality. Finally, the paper shows that abnormal audit delay creates skepticism among investors about earnings quality and they value the disclosed earnings after discounting for such delay.
Disentangling the Effects of Stock Returns, Equity Market Timing and Firm Specific Characteristics on Capital Structure

Recent prior research has had contradicting findings as to whether it is equity market timing or stock returns which is the major determinant of capital structure. In this paper we make attempts to disentangle the effects of equity market timing practice from that of stock returns on UK firms’ capital structures in order to reach a verdict as to which one is the major determinant of capital structure. We document that although equity market timing practice has statistically significant effects on gearing, stock returns are the most important capital structure determinant. Further robustness tests show that although the effect of equity market timing and firm-specific characteristics such as profitability, growth opportunities, size, and non-debt tax shields, is persistent and statistically significant, compared to stock returns effect, their economic role is negligible. Stock returns drive gearing mechanistically for a long time, even for more than 10 years. The results also show that managers do not strive to adjust their capital structure towards some optimal debt ratio when their debt-carrying capacity increases. The findings imply that there is no optimal capital structure.
Tetany Due to Hypomagnesaemia with Secondary Hypocalcaemia

The case is described of a 5-month-old boy who had convulsions and persistent tetany, associated with hypomagnesaemia and hypocalcaemia. Vitamin D treatment corrected the hypocalcaemia without modifying the clinical status; parenteral magnesium was given, but the child died shortly thereafter. The pathological examination showed calcinosis of the myocardium, kidneys and in one of the cerebral arteries.
Mutual Impedance of Small Ring-Type Coils for Multiwinding Induction Heating Appliances

This paper proposes a model of the mutual impedance between ring-type coils used in domestic induction hobs. Recent developments in these appliances have focused on flexible cooking surfaces, including adjustable-size or total-active surfaces. Flexible cooking surfaces are implemented by means of several small ring-type closely arranged coils, each one supplied by a resonant inverter. The basic winding is a ring-type circular small coil, whose self-impedance has been reported previously. In this paper, the coupling between coils in terms of impedance is derived. The coils are modeled as axisymmetric current density distributions with parallel revolution axes. The mutual impedance between the coils is obtained considering two media representing the load and the ferrite, respectively. Experimental measurements have been performed to validate the results.
The Most Likely Stream

The most likely stream is an extension of the most likely path. It solves at a small algorithmic cost the known defect of the most likely path (i.e. underestimation of the convexity). It offers a fast and robust method to transform a local volatility surface into an implied volatility one. This paper presents new theoretical results accompanied with graphs for better intuition on the problem.
Essays in Spatial Analysis of Land Development and Recreation Demand

iv INTRODUCTION 1 CHAPTER I 3 Abstract 4 Introduction 5 Study Area and Data 9 Methods and Empirical Model 12 A four-step procedure for prioritizing projects under the CWPPRA 12 Hedonic model specification 16 Empirical Results 20 Control variables in the second stage estimates 20 Existing wetlands and open water in second stage estimates 22 Conclusion 23 CHAPTER II 37 Abstract 38 Introduction 38 38 Introduction 38 Empirical Model 42 Step (1): Spatial lag probit model for parcel-level land conversion decisions . 43 Specification of the neighborhood structure 46 vi Specification of the parcel-level development model 48 Step (2): Spatial landscape pattern metrics with and without the policy variables . 51 Study Area and Data 52 Empirical Results 55 Step (1): Spatial lag probit model for parcel-level land conversion decisions . 55 Effects of policy variables on subdivision development 58 Spatial landscape pattern metrics with and without the policy variables 60 Conclusion 62 CHAPTER III 70 Abstract 7
[Visual acuity and macular thickness in diabetic retinopathy treated with panphotocoagulation].

PURPOSE To compare the visual acuity and macular thickness in patients with diabetic retinopathy presenting and not presenting macular edema before treatment and submitted to argon laser retinal panphotocoagulation. METHODS Patients were included and classified into two groups before the treatment. All patients were submitted to ophthalmological examination and optical coherence tomography, following panphotocoagulation. The results were evaluated by measuring visual acuity at the end and by optical coherence tomography after one week, one and three months following the treatment. RESULTS The sample was composed of 37 patients (37 eyes). Group 1 included 29 patients with diabetic retinopathy without macular edema; Group 2 included 8 patients with macular edema. The two groups were similar regarding gender, age, and the mean of argon laser spots treatment. The groups showed differences in visual acuity (p<0.001) and Group 2 patients presented decrease of visual acuity three months after the treatment (p<0.001). Group 2 patients showed a greater mean of macular thickness measurements on optical coherence tomography evaluation. CONCLUSION Variation of the macular thickness as well as decrease in visual acuity was present in the patients with macular edema previously to panphotocoagulation. Only minimal increase in macular thickness was observed in the absence of macular edema.
Biopersistence of synthetic vitreous fibers and amosite asbestos in the rat lung following inhalation.

Fiber biopersistence as a major mechanism of fiber-induced pathogenicity was investigated. The lung biopersistence of 5 synthetic vitreous fibers (SVFs) and amosite asbestos was evaluated using the rat inhalation model. In contrast to several previous studies, this study examined fibers that dissolve relatively slowly in vitro at pH 7.4. Fisher rats were exposed for 5 days by nose-only inhalation to refractory ceramic fiber (RCF1a), rock (stone) wool (MMVF21), 2 relatively durable special application fiber glasses (MMVF32 or MMVF33), HT stonewool (MMVF34), amosite asbestos, or filtered air. Lung burdens were analyzed during 1 year post-exposure. Fiber aerosols contained 150-230 fibers/cc longer than 20 micrometer (>20 micrometer). On post-exposure Day 1, long-fiber lung burdens for the 6 test fibers were similar (12-16 x 10(5) fibers/lung >20 micrometer). After 1 year, the percentage of fibers >20 micrometer remaining in the lung was 0.04-10% for SVFs but 27% for amosite. Lung clearance weighted half-times (WT1/2) for fibers >20 micrometer were 6 days for MMVF34, 50-80 days for the other 4 SVFs, and >400 days for amosite. This study and 3 previous studies demonstrate a broad range of biopersistences for 19 different SVFs and 2 asbestos types. Ten of these fibers also have been (or are being) tested in chronic inhalation studies; in these studies, the very biopersistent fibers were carcinogenic (amosite, crocidolite, RCF1, MMVF32, and MMVF33), while the more rapidly clearing fibers were not (MMVF10, 11, 21, 22, and 34). These studies demonstrate the importance of biopersistence as an indicator of the potential pathogenicity of a wide range of fiber types.
Protein Ser/ Thr phosphatases – the ugly ducklings of cell signalling

This review traces the historical origins and conceptual developments leading to the current state of knowledge of the three superfamilies of protein Ser/Thr phosphatases. ‘PR enzyme’ was identified as an enzyme that inactivates glycogen phosphorylase, although it took 10 years before this ugly duckling was recognized for its true identity as a protein Ser/Thr phosphatase. Ethanol denaturation for purification in the 1970s yielded a phosphatase that exhibited broad specificity, which was resolved into type‐1 and type‐2 phosphatases in the 1980s. More recent developments show that regulation and specificity are achieved through assembly of multisubunit holoenzymes, transient phosphorylation and the action of inhibitor proteins. Still not widely appreciated, there are hundreds of discrete protein Ser/ Thr phosphatases available to counteract protein kinases, offering potential therapeutic targets. Signalling networks and modelling schemes need to incorporate the full gamut of protein Ser/ Thr phosphatases and their interconnections.
Structural Descriptors for Category Level Object Detection

We propose a new class of descriptors which exhibits the ability to yield meaningful structural descriptions of objects. These descriptors are constructed from two types of image primitives: quadrangles and ellipses. The primitives are extracted from an image based on human cognitive psychology and model local parts of objects. Experiments reveal that these primitives densely cover objects in images. In this regard, structural information of an object can be comprehensively described by these primitives. It is found that a combination of simple spatial relationships between primitives plus a small set of geometrical attributes provide rich and accurate local structural descriptions of objects. Category level object detection of four-legged animals, bicycles, and cars images is demonstrated under scaling, moderate viewpoint variations, and background clutter. Promising results are achieved.
Foreign Influences on the Japanese Automobile Industry: The Nissan-Renault Mutual Learning Alliance1

This contribution discusses the exchange of complementary skills and knowledge in a mutual learning alliance between equal partners that come from different historical, cultural, and economic backgrounds by drawing on the 1999 merger between the French carmaker Renault and Japanese carmaker Nissan. The vantage point for this discussion is the Japanese economy, and the Nissan-Renault merger is discussed against the historical background of the protected development of Japanese carmakers. It is argued here that Renault's corporate management know-how greatly contributed to Nissan's turnaround.
Simulating Spatial Dynamics and Processes in a Retail Gasoline Market: An Agent‐Based Modeling Approach

Simulating the dynamics and processes within a spatially influenced retail market, such as the retail gasoline market, is a highly challenging research area. Current approaches are limited through their inability to model the impact of supplier or consumer behavior over both time and space. Agent‐based models (ABMs) provide an alternative approach that overcomes these problems. We demonstrate how knowledge of retail pricing is extended by using a ‘hybrid’ model approach: an agent model for retailers and a spatial interaction model for consumers. This allows the issue of spatial competition between individual retailers to be examined in a way only accessible to agent‐based models, allowing each model retailer autonomous control over optimizing their price. The hybrid model is shown to be successful at recreating spatial pricing dynamics at a national scale, simulating the effects of a rise in crude oil prices as well as accurately predicting which retailers were most susceptible to closure over a 10‐year period.
Sex assessment on the basis of long bone circumference.

Discriminant functions have long been used to classify individuals into groups according to the dimensions of their bones. Although lengths, widths, and diameters have been extensively used, the circumferences have not been adequately validated. In this work, the importance that the circumferences of long bones can have in assigning the sex of ancient human remains is demonstrated. The functions produced by using just one circumference achieved accuracies higher than 80%, and circumference at the radial tuberosity of the radius is able to classify 92.8% of skeletons from the Late Roman site of Mas Rimbau/Mas Mallol (Spain). When functions are produced by using more than one circumference, they can achieve the uppermost classification attained in this sample. The functions also showed that the arm circumference functions are more useful than those of the leg, probably because male individuals of the population had greater mechanical stress than did females. The classification percentages, as well as other statistical values for the functions, demonstrated the great ability of long bone circumferences in helping to classify the sex of individuals of other sites of the Mediterranean area besides the ones examined in this study.
The Role of Schools in the English Language Learner Achievement Gap.

The U.S. Census Bureau projects that by 2050, one in every three U.S. residents will be Hispanic. The Hispanic school-age population (ages 5 to 17) will increase 166%, from 11 million in 2006 to 28 million in 2050. Nearly 80% of English language learners are Hispanic native Spanish-speakers, though not all school age Hispanic students are immigrants. The Hispanic population is not monolithic, but made up of many ethnic groups (the U.S. Census Bureau uses the terms “Hispanic” or “Latino” to identify persons of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Central and South American, Dominican, Spanish and other Hispanic descent).
Bank Competition and Firm Creation

We investigate the effects of competition in the financial sector on the creation of firms in the nonfinancial sector, explicitly allowing for heterogeneous effects across borrowers characterized by different degrees of asymmetric information. We find evidence of a bell-shaped relationship between bank competition and firm creation. In addition, consistently with theories arguing that competition may reduce the availability of credit to informationally opaque firms, we find that bank competition results less favorable to the emergence of new firms in industrial sectors where informational asymmetries are more important.
Labor Relations in Major League Baseball

This article explores some of the roots and processes of the contentiousness surrounding baseball labor relations, assesses the new collective bargaining agreement, and examines the history of negotiations that contributed to its structure. The author offers explanations why the 2002 labor agreement is not efficiently structured to achieve its professed goals and argues that the perceived tensions that afflicted the industry in 2002 are not likely to disappear by 2007, when more substantive changes will need to be made in order to avoid another confrontation between labor and management.
Housing for Health: The Role of Owner Occupation

Housing is widely regarded as playing an important role in the mediation and management of health inequalities. British policy-makers are increasingly looking to the research community to specify what it is about housing environments that impact on health, and to identify what housing interventions constitute healthy public policies. To feed into this debate, this paper begins by reviewing the state of the art of research on housing and health. It shows that the majority of work continues to focus on how housing affects health, while the limited attention to how health status affects housing outcomes has concentrated on medical priority for rehousing in the public sector. It is argued, however, that the market sector now merits closer scrutiny among those concerned with the health selectivity of the housing system. Drawing on a series of qualitative interviews, questions are raised about: how readily people with health problems and mobility difficulties gain access to owner occupation; how easily they sustain a position in that tenure sector; and how effective they are in maintaining their homes as healthy enabling living environments.
Equity-Liabilities Distinction: The Case for Co-Operatives

Members' shares in co-operative entities are financial instruments with particular characteristics. In this paper we analyse the relation between firm leverage and systematic risk to provide empirical evidence on the economic substance of the member shares of members of cooperatives. We have studied the characteristics of members' shares in six European countries: France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain and United Kingdom. We have also conducted tests on co-operatives of these countries over the period 1993–2005. The study reports that in global terms the economic substance of the redeemable part of equity in co-operatives is not the same across countries. Therefore if accounting standards setters want to develop a global standard for co-operatives, a recommendation derived from this study would be to follow a probabilistic model to classify the redeemable part of co-operative financial instruments, where the entity does not have the unconditional right to refuse the redemption, or to report this part as an intermediate item with characteristics of debt and equity.
Fuzzy controller synthesis for a DC-DC converter

Controlling DC-DC power converters is to provide better performance and to ensure the system closed loop stability. Using a simplified averaged model of the converter we propose, in this paper, a design approach of a fuzzy PID. Unlike classical design approach of fuzzy controllers, we choose in our case to fix the controller gains according to the system stability requirements. The proposed approach is also used to make stability maps in the converter-controller parameters space. Validation of the fuzzy logic controller design approach and illustration of its efficiency is done through simulations.
A stochastic model of self‐fulfilling crises in fixed exchange rate systems

A fixed exchange rate regime can experience a self-fulfilling crisis if a high risk premium leads to high domestic interest rates that depress domestic activity, and thus make it more likely that the government will actually abandon the system. Depending on the parameter configuration, two equilibria might exist. One is characterized by low interest rates and a low (possibly zero) probability that the exchange rate commitment will be abandoned; the other is characterized by high interest rates and a high probability that the exchange rate commitment will be abandoned. An unstable intermediate equilibrium might also exist. An increase in the uncertainty of the shocks hitting the economy reduces the parameter range in which multiple equilibria can arise. Copyright @ 1999 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. All rights reserved.
Policy aspirations and practice in english telecare: a case study of story-lines and invisible work

Telecare – the use of technology to facilitate access to health and social care services – has risen in prominence over the last decade in the context of population ageing, a rise in long-term conditions and economic uncertainties. UK policy advocates adoption of telecare at scale, citing the promotion of independence and empowerment as benefits, but local implementation has been variable and the experiences of service users show a nuanced picture. This thesis investigates telecare policy, and its interpretation and implementation. It draws on an argumentative discourse analysis and material-semiotic approach to understand the experiences of telecare at a case study site. Narrative interviews and observations were undertaken, involving service provider and technology industry stakeholders and service users. Findings reveal four ‘story-lines’ of telecare policy but discrepancies between this discourse and local experiences. People are shown to engage with telecare to different extents, with the prevailing technology ‘script’ influencing non- or mis-use of devices. New work roles created by telecare sometimes appear ‘invisible’ or devalued. Furthermore, there is a lack of meaningful involvement of service users in decision-making. This study adds a theoretically-informed voice to the academic field and makes recommendations for future telecare policy, practice and research.
Applying Mean-Variance Portfolio Analysis to E.ON's Power Generation Portfolio in the UK and Sweden

Summary: Over the coming years, the European electricity industry will face enormous challenges concerning both new and existing power generation assets, also with respect to optimal (re-)investment decision-making. For the selection of suitable technologies and their integration into the existing generation mix, and apart from taking into account socio-technical aspects and the expected profitability of the plants, it is of crucial importance to also explicitly consider the financial risks and achievable risk diversification. In recent years, the energy company E.ON has been strongly engaged in the electricity markets in the United Kingdom and Sweden, respectively, and successively built up power generation capacities of various kinds. Hence it is interesting to study these investment decisions and the resulting portfolios by means of mean-variance portfolio analysis, a method that was originally developed for financial markets by Markowitz (1952), and recently has become increasingly popular in the energy economics literature.