Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
External terms-of-trade and labor market imperfections in developing countries: theory and evidence

The paper addresses the question of whether developing countries possess any built-in mechanism that can cope with external terms-of-trade (TOT) shocks. Using a two-sector, full-employment general equilibrium model with endogenous labor market distortion theoretically it shows that such countries possess an inherent shock-absorbing mechanism that stems from their peculiar institutional characteristics and can lessen the gravity of detrimental welfare consequence of exogenous TOT movements. This result has been found to be empirically valid based on a panel dataset of 13 countries from 2000-2012. Our analyses lead to recommendation of an important policy that should be adhered to preserve this in-built system.
Detection and Differentiation of Intraretinal Hemorrhage in Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography

ABSTRACT Purpose: The purpose of this study was to classify and detect intraretinal hemorrhage (IRH) in spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). Methods: Initially the presentation of IRH in BRVO-patients in SD-OCT was described by one reader comparing color-fundus (CF) and SD-OCT using dedicated software. Based on these established characteristics, the presence and the severity of IRH in SD-OCT and CF were assessed by two other masked readers and the inter-device and the inter-observer agreement were evaluated. Further the area of IRH was compared. Results: About 895 single B-scans of 24 eyes were analyzed. About 61% of SD-OCT scans and 46% of the CF-images were graded for the presence of IRH (concordance: 73%, inter-device agreement: k = 0.5). However, subdivided into previously established severity levels of dense (CF: 21.3% versus SD-OCT: 34.7%, k = 0.2), flame-like (CF: 15.5% versus SD-OCT: 45.5%, k = 0.3), and dot-like (CF: 32% versus SD-OCT: 24.4%, k = 0.2) IRH, the inter-device agreement was weak. The inter-observer agreement was strong with k = 0.9 for SD-OCT and k = 0.8 for CF. The mean area of IRH detected on SD-OCT was significantly greater than on CF (SD-OCT: 11.5 ± 4.3 mm2 versus CF: 8.1 ± 5.5 mm2, p = 0.008). Conclusions: IRH seems to be detectable on SD-OCT; however, the previously established severity grading agreed weakly with that assessed by CF.
The Determinants of Cross-Border Equity Flows: The Geography of Information

We apply a new approach to a new panel data set on bilateral gross cross-border equity flows between 14 countries, 1989-96. The model integrates elements of the finance literature on portfolio composition and the international macroeconomics and asset trade literature. Gross asset flows depend on market size in both source and destination country as well as trading costs, in which both information and the transaction technology play a role. Distance proxies some information costs, and other variables explicitly represent information transmission, an information asymmetry between domestic and foreign investors, and the efficiency of transactions. The remarkably good results have strong implications for theories of asset trade. We find that the geography of information is the main determinant of the pattern of international transactions, while there is little support in our data for diversification and "return-chasing" motives for transactions.
icornavirus IRES elements : RNA structure and host protein nteractions

Internal ribosome entry site (IRES) elements were discovered in picornaviruses. These elements are cis-acting RNA sequences that adopt diverse three-dimensional structures and recruit the translation machinery using a 5′ end-independent mechanism assisted by a subset of translation initiation factors and various RNA binding proteins termed IRES transacting factors (ITAFs). Many of these factors suffer important modifications during infection including cleavage by picornavirus proteases, changes in the
The use of early immobilization in the management of acute soft-tissue injuries of the knee: results of a survey of emergency physicians, sports medicine physicians and orthopedic surgeons.

BACKGROUND Evidence-based guidelines on the use of immobilization in the management of common acute soft-tissue knee injuries do not exist. Our objective was to explore the practice patterns of emergency physicians (EPs), sports medicine physicians (SMPs) and orthopedic surgeons (OS) regarding the use of early immobilization in the management of these injuries. METHODS We developed a web-based survey and sent it to all EPs, SMPs and OS in a Canadian urban centre. The survey was designed to assess the likelihood of prescribing immobilization and to evaluate factors associated with physicians from these 3 disciplines making this decision. RESULTS The overall response rate was 44 of 112 (39%): 17 of 58 (29%) EPs, 7 of 15 (47%) SMPs and 20 of 39 (51%) OS. In cases of suspected meniscus injuries, 9 (50%) EPs indicated they would prescribe immobilization, whereas no SMPs and 1 (5%) OS would immobilize (p = 0.002). For suspected anterior cruciate ligament injuries, 13 (77%) EPs, 2 (29%) SMPs and 5 (25%) OS said they would immobilize (p = 0.005). For lateral collateral ligament injuries, 9 (53%) EPs, no SMPs and 6 (32%) OS would immobilize (p = 0.04). All respondents would prescribe immobilization for a grossly unstable knee. CONCLUSION We found that EPs were are more likely to prescribe immobilization for certain acute soft-tissue knee injuries than SMPs and OS. The development of an evidenced- based guideline for the use of knee immobilization after acute soft-tissue injury may reduce practice variability.
Cost-effectiveness of losartan in diabetic nephropathy: a Greek perspective.

BACKGROUND Diabetic nephropathy is the primary cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD), which involves substantial economic burden. The primary objective of this study was to estimate the potential effect of losartan on the costs associated with ESRD in patients with diabetic nephropathy in a Greek setting. A secondary aim was to approximate the direct health care cost of renal replacement therapy (RRT) in Greece. METHODS A cost-effectiveness analysis was performed to compare losartan with placebo in patients with type 2 diabetes and nephropathy. Clinical data were derived from the RENAAL study. All costs were calculated from the perspective of the Greek social insurance system, in 2003 euros. Future costs were discounted at 3%. The time horizon was 3.5 years. Extensive sensitivity analyses were performed. RESULTS The reduction in the number of ESRD days over 3.5 years in patients treated with losartan reduced ESRD-related costs by 3,056.54 euros, resulting in net cost savings of 1,665.43 euros per patient. Net cost savings increase thereafter, increasing to 2,686.48 euros per patient over a period of 4.0 years. The results were robust under a wide range of plausible assumptions. The weighted mean daily cost of RRT was estimated at 90.97 euros per patient. The total economic burden of RRT for the year 2003 has been estimated at 304.773 million euros. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated that treatment of patients with diabetic nephropathy in Greece with losartan is cost-effective, as it leads to important savings for the social insurance system by slowing the progression to ESRD.
Role of ALDP (ABCD1) and Mitochondria in X-Linked Adrenoleukodystrophy

ABSTRACT Peroxisomal disorders have been associated with malfunction of peroxisomal metabolic pathways, but the pathogenesis of these disorders is largely unknown. X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD) is associated with elevated levels of very-long-chain fatty acids (VLCFA; C>22:0) that have been attributed to reduced peroxisomal VLCFA β-oxidation activity. Previously, our laboratory and others have reported elevated VLCFA levels and reduced peroxisomal VLCFA β-oxidation in human and mouse X-ALD fibroblasts. In this study, we found normal levels of peroxisomal VLCFA β-oxidation in tissues from ALD mice with elevated VLCFA levels. Treatment of ALD mice with pharmacological agents resulted in decreased VLCFA levels without a change in VLCFA β-oxidation activity. These data indicate that ALDP does not determine the rate of VLCFA β-oxidation and that VLCFA levels are not determined by the rate of VLCFA β-oxidation. The rate of peroxisomal VLCFA β-oxidation in human and mouse fibroblasts in vitro is affected by the rate of mitochondrial long-chain fatty acid β-oxidation. We hypothesize that ALDP facilitates the interaction between peroxisomes and mitochondria, resulting, when ALDP is deficient in X-ALD, in increased VLCFA accumulation despite normal peroxisomal VLCFA β-oxidation in ALD mouse tissues. In support of this hypothesis, mitochondrial structural abnormalities were observed in adrenal cortical cells of ALD mice.
Expression of the multidrug resistance operon mexA-mexB-oprM in Pseudomonas aeruginosa: mexR encodes a regulator of operon expression

The region upstream of the multiple antibiotic resistance efflux operon mexA-mexB-oprM in Pseudomonas aeruginosa was sequenced, and a gene, mexR, was identified. The predicted MexR product contains 147 amino acids with a molecular mass of 16,964 Da, which is consistent with the observed size of the overexpressed mexR gene product. MexR was homologous to MarR, the repressor of MarA-dependent multidrug resistance in Escherichia coli, and other repressors of the MarR family. A mexR knockout mutant showed a twofold increase in expression of both plasmid-borne and chromosomal mexA-reporter gene fusions compared with the MexR+ parent strain, indicating that the mexR gene product negatively regulates expression of the mexA-mexB-oprM operon. Furthermore, the cloned mexR gene product reduced expression of a plasmid-borne mexA-lacZ fusion in E. coli, indicating that MexR represses mexA-mexB-oprM expression directly. Consistent with the increased expression of the efflux operon in the mexR mutant, the mutant showed an increase (relative to its MexR+ parent) in resistance to several antimicrobial agents. Expression of a mexR-lacZ fusion increased threefold in a mexR knockout mutant, indicating that mexR is negatively autoregulated. OCR1, a nalB multidrug-resistant mutant which overproduces OprM, exhibited a greater than sevenfold increase in expression of a chromosomal mexA-phoA fusion compared with its parent. Introduction of a mexR knockout mutation in strain OCR1 eliminated this increase in efflux gene expression and, as expected, increased the susceptibility of the strain to a variety of antibiotics. The nucleotide sequences of the mexR genes of OCR1 and its parental strain revealed a single base substitution in the former which would cause a predicted substitution of Trp for Arg at position 69 of its mexR product. These data suggest that MexR possesses both repressor and activator function in vivo, the activator form being favored in nalB multidrug-resistant strains.
The Japanese equal employment opportunity law : its effects on personnel management policies and women's attitudes

May 1985 the Japanese government passed the Equal Employment Opportunity Law (hereafter referred to as EEO Law) which took effect from April 1986. The enactment of the EEO Law has aroused much controversy and debate unprecedented in the history of lbour legislation in Japan. It prohibits discrimination against women in vocational training, fringe benefits, retirement and dismissal. It also urges employers to 'endavour' to treat women equally with men with regard to recruitment, job assignment and promotion. This paper analyses the nature of the EEO Law and looks at its effects on companies' personnel policies. It also examines how the law has affected Japanese women's career consciousness based on attitude surveys conducted at a 'good practice' company before and after the enactment of the law.
A Review of Immediate Bus Architecture: A System Perspective

Three basic intermediate bus architectures are reviewed for electronic power distribution system and components developers from a system perspective. Salient features for each system are discussed in detail. They cover input power stage, bus voltage level, output power stage, output regulation, multiple outputs, thermal property, system stability, and output impedance. Design tradeoffs are also presented to guide practical designs. It is concluded that the double regulated intermediate bus architecture has the best efficiency, regulation, thermal, and stability performances. Engineering hardware achieved a record efficiency of 99%, validating the superiority of the double regulated intermediate bus architecture.
The Effect of Export Marketing Capabilities on Export Performance: An Investigation of Chinese Exporters

The primary purpose of this article is to investigate the effect of export marketing capabilities on export performance. Drawing on the resource-based view, the authors develop a model that links an exporter's product development capability, distribution capability, communication capability, and pricing capability with its positional advantages (low-cost advantage and branding advantage) and its performance in the export market. On the basis of a survey of Chinese export ventures, the authors find general support for their proposed model. The authors discuss the theoretical and managerial implications of their findings.
Diversity in growth and protein degradation by dairy relevant lactic acid bacteria species in reconstituted whey

The high nutritional value of whey makes it an interesting substrate for the development of fermented foods. The aim of this work was to evaluate the growth and proteolytic activity of sixty-four strains of lactic acid bacteria in whey to further formulate a starter culture for the development of fermented whey-based beverages. Fermentations were performed at 37°C for 24 h in 10 and 16% (w/v) reconstituted whey powder. Cultivable populations, pH, and proteolytic activity (o-phthaldialdehyde test) were determined at 6 and 24 h incubation. Hydrolysis of whey proteins was analysed by Tricine SDS-PAGE. A principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to evaluate the behaviour of strains. Forty-six percent of the strains grew between 1 and 2 Δlog CFU/ml while 19% grew less than 0·9 Δlog CFU/ml in both reconstituted whey solutions. Regarding the proteolytic activity, most of the lactobacilli released amino acids and small peptides during the first 6 h incubation while streptococci consumed the amino acids initially present in whey to sustain growth. Whey proteins were degraded by the studied strains although to different extents. Special attention was paid to the main allergenic whey protein, β-lactoglobulin, which was degraded the most by Lactobacillus acidophilus CRL 636 and Lb. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus CRL 656. The strain variability observed and the PCA applied in this study allowed selecting appropriate strains able to improve the nutritional characteristics (through amino group release and protein degradation) and storage (decrease in pH) of whey.
Population health environmental indicators: ecologic monitoring of environment‐related health and disease trends

Background: Current State of the Environment (SoE) reporting focuses primarily on indicators directly related to the physical environment such as climate, and air, water and soil quality. As the environment has both direct and indirect effects on human health, an opportunity exists to include environment‐related human disease indicators as an SoE indicator theme.
Analysis of the United Network for Organ Sharing database comparing renal allografts and patient survival in combined liver-kidney transplantation with the contralateral allografts in kidney alone or kidney-pancreas transplantation1

Background. Combined liver-kidney transplantation (LKT) is the accepted treatment for patients with liver failure and irreversible renal insufficiency. Controversy exists as to whether simultaneous LKT with organs from the same donor confers immunologic and graft survival benefit to the kidney allograft. This study compares the outcomes of simultaneous LKT with the contralateral kidneys used for kidney alone transplantation (KAT) or combined pancreas-kidney transplantation (PKT) to understand the factors that account for the differences in survival. Methods. From October 1987 to October 2001, LKTs with organs from 899 cadaver donors were reported to the United Network for Organ Sharing; 800 contralateral kidneys from these donors were used in 628 KAT and 172 PKT recipients. These 800 paired control patients were the basis of this analysis. Results. Graft and patient survival rates were lower among LKT recipients compared with KAT (P <0.001) and PKT recipients (P <0.001), because of a higher patient mortality rate during the first 3 months posttransplant. Among human leukocyte antigen-mismatched transplants, LKT recipients demonstrated the highest 1-year rejection-free survival rate (LKT 70%, KAT 61%, and PKT 57% ) (P =0.005 vs. KAT, P =0.005 vs. PKT). There was a lower incidence of renal graft loss resulting from chronic rejection among LKT recipients (LKT 2% vs. KAT 8% vs. PKT 6%, P <0.0001). Conclusions. Patients undergoing LKT exhibit a higher rate of mortality during the first year posttransplant compared with patients undergoing KAT and KPT. Analysis of the data indicates an allograft-enhancing effect of liver transplantation on the renal allograft.
Farmers’ Income and Production Responses to Rural Taxation Reform in Three Regions in China

The relationship between agricultural taxation and production efficiency has been thoroughly explored for many countries. Recently, China has taken various measures including the rural taxation reform (RTR) to promote grain production and to increase farmer incomes. In this study, we investigate whether the Chinese policy of abolishing rural taxation has improved farm households’ incomes and affected their production decisions. Using household survey data obtained from three regions in China, we estimate the effect of the RTR on farmers’ income. Results show that the RTR has significantly improved farmers’ post-tax net income by 9.2% in Shandong, 16.9% in Shanxi and 16.8% in Zhejiang. These increments, mostly from farm income rather than from off-farm income, are much higher than the direct income increase from the tax savings. In addition, we examine the dynamic impact of farmers’ net income, and find that the RTR has a sustained positive income effect in Shandong and Shanxi, whereas its positive effect in Zhejiang appears temporary. We also examine farmers’ production responses to the RTR. Results show that farmers in the three regions respond in different ways: farmers in Shandong significantly increase their labour input, farmers in Zhejiang increase intermediate inputs, whereas Shanxi farmers augment their intermediate inputs and enlarge their crop acreage. It appears that the farmers’ responses to the taxation reform vary due to the agronomic and economic factors in these three regions, suggesting that diverse post-RTR supplemental policies should be implemented in different regions.
Domestic tourism demand in China’s urban centres: Empirical analyses and marketing implications

China’s domestic tourism market makes up more than 90 per cent of the country’s tourist traffic, and contributes more than 70 per cent of total tourism receipts. This study proposed a demand model that examined the relationship between the annual expenditure of urban domestic travellers and per capita GDP. It was found that the demand theory developed in market economies was applicaable in a transit economy like China. Income elasticity of domestic tourism in China’s urban areas was determined to be 0.30. The model also recognised the positive effect of the country’s special economic zones on the domestic demand. Underlying reasons for the study’s findings are discussed. The model can be used to forecast domestic demand from Chinese urban centres. Implications of the study include the suggestion that the demand measurement of expenditure is more appropriate than person trips in the Chinese context and from the perspective of destination marketing.
Organisational and accounting change: theoretical and empirical reflections and thoughts on a future research agenda

There has been considerable interest in the theory and practice of organisation change. Similarly there has been a great deal of attention given to the processes that lead to and result from accounting change within organisations. There has also been a more limited interest in the interaction and interrelationship between these two literatures. In this paper we explore these different literatures and provide a perspective on this extensive research. The contents are not intended to be a systematic summary of this voluminous literature but rather a recounting of our own views on how we have engaged with this material, as a precursor to thoughts on a future research agenda for these important issues. The paper starts by posing four questions related to organisational and accounting change, the answers to which circumscribe how these themes can be approached theoretically and empirically. Based on our answers to these questions we then move into perspectives on understanding organisations, understanding organisational change and understanding accounting change within an organisational change context. From this analysis the paper concludes with some suggestions on a possible future research agenda on these important organisational issues.
Ultrasound imaging in prolonged second stage of labor: does it reduce the operative delivery rate?

Abstract Objective: To reduce the operative delivery rate in the prolonged second stage of labor (PSSL) through intrapartum sonography. Methods: Sixty-two women – with uncomplicated pregnancies at term, fetus in cephalic presentation and occipitoanterior position, in PSSL – had already undergone epidural anesthesia and oxytocin infusion. Transperineal ultrasound was performed to define fetal head direction (downward, horizontal, and upward) and patients were divided into three groups (D, H, and U). Proposed protocol: Cessation of oxytocin infusion, addition of a dose of anesthesia, invitation to assume a hand-and-knee position, and to relax. After one hour, oxytocin infusion was started again and women were invited to push. Fetal well-being ensured by cardiotocography (CTG). Chi-square test was used to compare the mode of delivery: cesarean section (CS), vacuum extraction (VE), and spontaneous delivery (SD). Results: Group D (n = 20): 4 SD (20%), 4 VE, 12 CS; group H (n = 22): 9 SD (41%), 9 VE, 4 CS; group U (n20): 16 SD (80%), 4 VE. The risk of not having a SD in group D versus U is quadrupled (RR 4; 95% CI 1.6–9.9). Conclusions: Ultrasound diagnosis of fetal head upward direction is highly predictive of SD in case of PSSL. Further studies are needed to assess this hypothesis.
Cryptosporidium species in Australian wildlife and domestic animals

SUMMARY Cryptosporidium is an important enteric parasite that is transmitted via the fecal-oral route, water and food. Humans, wildlife and domestic livestock all potentially contribute Cryptosporidium to surface waters. Most species of Cryptosporidium are morphologically indistinguishable and can only be identified using molecular tools. Over 24 species have been identified and of these, 7 Cryptosporidium species/genotypes are responsible for most human cryptosporidiosis cases. In Australia, relatively few genotyping studies have been conducted. Six Cryptosporidium species (C. hominis, C. parvum, C. meleagridis, C. fayeri, C. andersoni and C. bovis) have been identified in humans in Australia. However, little is known about the contribution of animal hosts to human pathogenic strains of Cryptosporidium in drinking water catchments. In this review, we focus on the available genotyping data for native, feral and domestic animals inhabiting drinking water catchments in Australia to provide an improved understanding of the public health implications and to identify key research gaps.