Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Solidarity Forever? The 1993 ACTU Congress

The 1993 Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACRU) Biennial Congress, held from 30 August to 3 September at Sydney’s swank Darling Harbour, began in an atmosphere marked by elements of both confidence and uncertainty. The confidence was inspired by the institutional stability engendered by the re-election of a Labor government on 13 March. The uncertainty emanated from the prospect that the same government would not continue the consultative approach that had characterized policy making throughout the preceding decade, and that government decisions would not always be sympathetic to the union movement. This Congress was attended by some 730
Econometric analysis of energy use in urban households

This article analyses the pattern of energy carrier consumption in the residential sector of Bangalore, a major city in south India. A 1,000-household survey was used to study the type of energy carrier used by households in different income groups for different end-uses, such as cooking, water heating, and lighting. The dependence of income on the carrier utilized is established using a carrier dependence index. Using regression analysis, the index analyses the impact of different explanatory variables such as family income, family size, and price of energy carrier on consumption. The results show that income plays an important rote not only in the selection of an energy carrier but also on the quantity of consumption per household. Also, a source-service matrix is prepared for Bangalore's residential sector, which shows the disaggregation of energy consumption by the type of energy carrier and end-use.
Physiological and coordinate downregulation of the NPC1 and NPC2 genes are associated with the sequestration of LDL‐derived cholesterol within endocytic compartments

The Niemann‐Pick C1 and C2 (NPC1 and NPC2) proteins have a central role in regulating the transport of lipoprotein‐derived cholesterol from endocytic compartments to the endoplasmic reticulum for esterification by acyl‐CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) and feedback inhibition of the sterol regulatory element‐binding protein (SREBP) pathway. Since the NPC1 gene/protein has recently been shown to be downregulated by feedback inhibition of the SREBP pathway, the present study was performed to determine whether physiological downregulation of the NPC1 gene/protein alters the transport and metabolism of low‐density lipoprotein (LDL)‐derived cholesterol in human fibroblasts. To perform this study, three different culture conditions were used that included fibroblasts grown in lipoprotein‐deficient serum (LPDS), LPDS supplemented with LDL, and LPDS supplemented with LDL, followed by equilibration in the absence of LDL to allow the transport of LDL‐derived cholesterol from endocytic compartments and equilibration of cellular sterol pools. The results from this study indicated that in addition to the NPC1 gene/protein, the NPC2 gene/protein was also downregulated by LDL‐derived cholesterol‐dependent feedback inhibition and that downregulation of both the NPC1 and NPC2 genes/proteins was associated with the sequestration of LDL‐derived cholesterol within endocytic compartments, including late endosomes/lysosomes after equilibration. Therefore, it is proposed that physiological and coordinate downregulation of the NPC1 and NPC2 genes/proteins promotes the sequestration of LDL‐derived cholesterol within endocytic compartments and serves a role in maintaining intracellular cholesterol homeostasis. J. Cell. Biochem. 108: 1102–1116, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Peculiarity of the Cathodoluminescence of lpha- Alumina Prepared by Calcination of Gibbsite Powder or Generated by Oxidation of a Metallic FeCrAl Alloy

Most of metallic materials functioning at high temperature need to have oxidation resistance. This resistance can be achieved when the material develops, through oxidation, an oxide film which acts as a diffusion barrier while keeping a good adherence. In this respect, alpha alumina clearly acts as such. The oxides of aluminum have been the subject of many investigations because of their commercial importance and scientific interest. The thermal stability and optical properties of pure nanometer-sized alumina powder have received much attention because of their intrinsic interest and commercial value. Nanometer-sized alumina powders are widely applied today. One of its applications is in fluorescent lamps due to the absorption of ultraviolet light. In fact, it can also emit the light under excitation with a suitable wavelength. It is important to note that there are many works about alpha alumina using X-ray diffraction, but there is a need for a more detailed structural analysis. To achieve this more exhaustive structural characterization we have used the Rietveld refinement method and cathodoluminescence (CL) measurements.
Occupational health hazards in sewage and sanitary workers

An estimated 1.2 million scavengers in the country are involved in the sanitation of our surroundings. The working conditions of these sanitary workers have remained virtually unchanged for over a century. Apart from the social atrocities that these workers face, they are exposed to certain health problems by virtue of their occupation. These health hazards include exposure to harmful gases such as methane and hydrogen sulfide, cardiovascular degeneration, musculoskeletal disorders like osteoarthritic changes and intervertebral disc herniation, infections like hepatitis, leptospirosis and helicobacter, skin problems, respiratory system problems and altered pulmonary function parameters. This can be prevented through engineering, medical and legislative measures. While the engineering measures will help in protecting against exposures, the medical measures will help in early detection of the effects of these exposures. This can be partly achieved by developing an effective occupational health service for this group of workers. Also, regular awareness programs should be conducted to impart education regarding safer work procedures and use of personal protective devices.
Seasonal decomposition with a modified Hodrick-Prescott filter

I describe preliminary results for seasonal decomposition procedure using a modified Hodrick-Prescott (Leser) filter. The procedure is simpler to implement compared to two currently most popular seasonal decomposition procedures - X-11 filters developed by the U.S. Census Bureau and SEATS developed by the Bank of Spain. A case study for Latvia's quarterly gross domestic product shows the procedure is able to extract a stable seasonal component, yet allowing for structural changes in seasonality.
Prognosis in coronary artery disease.

Evaluation of the results of surgery for coronary artery disease requires a knowledge of the clinical course of patients not having this mode of treatment. To obtain such information we performed a retrospective analysis of the fate of 266 patients with arteriographically documented significant stenosis followed from one to ten years. For the entire group the five year survival was 73%. Subdivided into single, double or triple vessel disease categories the percent five year survival rates were respectively 92, 65 and 55. A history of angina pectoris or myocardial infarction prior to angiography did not affect survival. However, hypertension, congestive heart failure, abnormal hemodynamics or left ventricular asynergy were all associated with
Hidden Node Problem Aware Routing Metric for Wireless LAN Mesh Networks

In this paper, we propose a hidden node problem aware routing metric for wireless LAN (WLAN) mesh networks. To counter the hidden node problem, we utilize the packet collision ratio. This packet collision ratio is estimated from neighbor information, including the transmission time ratio and the neighbor list, as gathered by state announcement packets periodically. Simulation results for a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) communication show that with the acceptable increased control overhead in network due to neighbor information, our proposed routing metric improves the average latency and the packet loss rate performance, and thus allows more concurrent VoIP calls, compared to conventional routing metrics which do not take account of the hidden node problem.
Invasive pneumococcal disease in homozygous sickle cell disease: Jamaican experience 1973-1997.

OBJECTIVES To examine the clinical features and epidemiology of invasive pneumococcal disease in homozygous sickle cell (SS) disease and the efficacy of pneumococcal prophylaxis. STUDY DESIGN A retrospective study of 80 episodes in 68 patients in the Jamaican Sickle Cell Clinic in a 25-year period (1973-1997). RESULTS Clinical features included a history of fever (94%), vomiting (70%), an ill appearance (80%), fever (89%), abnormal chest signs (43%), and meningismus (39%). There were 14 deaths-13 among 68 initial episodes (6 of which were deaths on arrival) and one death during a recurrence. Thirteen episodes occurred in patients who should have been receiving antibiotic prophylaxis. Ten were due to failure to adhere to protocols, and 3 occurred during prophylaxis; one patient was receiving oral erythromycin, and two had received injections of benzathine penicillin 4 and 24 days before the episode. All but one of the pneumococcal isolates were susceptible to penicillin. The 32 patients who received pneumococcal vaccine had more mild clinical courses as indicated by a greater chance of being treated as outpatients or surviving after admission (Mann-Whitney U test, P =.03). CONCLUSIONS Penicillin remains the mainstay of prophylaxis, although breakthroughs occur and will become more common with the increasing frequency of penicillin-resistant organisms. Pneumococcal immunization appears to ameliorate the course of invasive disease.
Lohneffekte der Zuwanderung: eine empirische Untersuchung für Deutschland (Wage effects caused by migration: an empirical study for Germany)

"The article examines the effects that the migration of foreign workers has on the wages of indigenous workers. Using a cross-sectional sample of the employment statistics for 1990, a translog production function is estimated in which foreign and indigenous workers are differentiated according to their position in the occupation. The estimated results imply negligibly low wage effects caused by migration. " (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))
Strategic Benchmarks in Earnings Announcements: The Selective Disclosure of Prior‐Period Earnings Components

This paper provides evidence that managers strategically select the prior‐period earnings amount that is used as a benchmark to evaluate current‐period earnings in quarterly earnings announcements. Managers are more likely to separately announce a prior‐period gain from the sale of property, plant, and equipment (PPE) than a loss. This strategy provides the lowest possible benchmark for evaluating current earnings, thereby allowing the manager to highlight the most favorable change in earnings. This strategic disclosure behavior is more likely to occur when it prevents a negative earnings surprise. The observed strategic disclosure decisions are consistent with a conjecture by managers that the nonrecurring nature of the prior‐period gain/loss will be forgotten unless it is separately announced. Consistent with this conjecture, there is some evidence that equity investors, one potential target of strategic reporting, use the benchmark that managers provide in earnings announcements to evaluate current ear.
Cyclic adenosine monophosphate as a second messenger in horizontal cell uncoupling in the teleost retina

The reduction in the receptive field of horizontal cells of the teleost Eugerres plumieri observed upon dopamine (DA) superfusion is thought to be due to cell uncoupling. The possible mechanisms by which activation of DA receptors modify the electric coupling between horizontal cells were studied in the present work. It was found that the effect of DA in different preparations is mediated by a modification of intracellular concentration of cAMP and H+. The effects of intracellular injection of cAMP and H+ were studied in retinal horizontal cells of the teleost E. plumieri. A triple microelectrode was used to inject the ion iontophoretically, to pass current pulses, and to record voltages from the same cell, while a fourth microelectrode was used to record voltages from a neighboring cell in the same retinal layer. Responses evoked by light spots and annuli were evaluated simultaneously.
The Relationship between Population Growth and Economic Growth Over 1870-2013: Evidence from a Bootstrapped Panel-Granger Causality Test

This study applies the bootstrap panel causality test proposed by Konya (2006), which accounts for both dependency and heterogeneity across countries, to test the causal link between population growth and economic growth in 21 countries over the period of 1870-2013. With regards to the direction of population growth-economic growth nexus, we found one-way Granger causality running from population growth to economic growth for Finland, France, Portugal, and Sweden, one-way Granger causality running from economic growth to population growth for Canada, Germany, Japan, Norway and Switzerland, and no causal relationship between population growth and economic growth is found in Belgium, Brazil, Denmark, Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain, Sri Lanka, the UK, the USA and Uruguay. Furthermore, we found feedback between population growth and economic growth for Austria and Italy. Dividing the sample into two subsamples due to a structural break yielded different results in that for the first period of 1871-1951 we found that population growth Granger cause economic growth only for Finland and France, economic growth Granger cause population growth for Denmark, Japan, and Norway and that there is bidirectional causality between population growth and economic growth for both Austria and Italy. For the period of 1952-2013 we found that population growth Granger cause economic growth only for Sri Lanka, economic growth Granger cause population growth for Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, New Zealand, Spain, Switzerland, and Uruguay and that found bidirectional causality between population growth and economic growth only for Japan. Our empirical results have important policy implications for these 21 countries under study as the directions of causality tend to differ across countries and depending on the time period under question.
Crystal structure of a mononuclear RuII complex with a back-to-back terpyridine ligand: [RuCl(bpy)(tpy–tpy)]+

In this first crystal structure of an Ru complex with 6′,6"-bis(pyridin-2-yl)-2,2′:4′,4":2",2"’-quaterpyridine, a ‘half’ of the ligand (one of the two terpyridyl units) is N^N^N mer-coordinated, whereas the other is free and adopts a trans,trans conformation about the interannular C—C bonds. The crystal packing features π–π stacking interactions between tpy–tpy ligands.
Farm Operating Risk and Cash Rent Determination

This article examines farm operating risks and cash-rent determination through the use of the efficient set mathematics. The efficient set mathematics proves to be a pragmatic approach to characterizing operating risks, and the relationships between operating risks and cash-rent determination. Various separation theorems are used to postulate the relationship between operating risk and cash rents. Preliminary evidence appears to support the theoretical conclusion that opperating risk and cash-rent determination are related.
2007 ESH‐ESC Guidelines for the management of arterial hypertension

Authors/Task Force Members: Giuseppe Mancia, Co-Chairperson (Italy), Guy De Backer, CoChairperson (Belgium), Anna Dominiczak (UK), Renata Cifkova (Czech Republic) Robert Fagard (Belgium), Giuseppe Germano (Italy), Guido Grassi (Italy), Anthony M. Heagerty (UK), Sverre E. Kjeldsen (Norway), Stephane Laurent (France), Krzysztof Narkiewicz (Poland), Luis Ruilope (Spain), Andrzej Rynkiewicz (Poland), Roland E. Schmieder (Germany), Harry A.J. Struijker Boudier (Netherlands), Alberto Zanchetti (Italy) ESC Committee for Practice Guidelines (CPG): Alec Vahanian, Chairperson (France), John Camm (United Kingdom), Raffaele De Caterina (Italy), Veronica Dean (France), Kenneth Dickstein (Norway), Gerasimos Filippatos (Greece), Christian Funck-Brentano (France), Irene Hellemans (Netherlands), Steen Dalby Kristensen (Denmark), Keith McGregor (France), Udo Sechtem (Germany), Sigmund Silber (Germany), Michal Tendera (Poland), Petr Widimsky (Czech Republic), Jose Luis Zamorano (Spain) ESH Scientific Council: Sverre E. Kjeldsen, President (Norway), Serap Erdine, Vice-President (Turkey), Krzysztof Narkiewicz, Secretary (Poland), Wolfgang Kiowski, Treasurer (Switzerland), Enrico Agabiti-Rosei (Italy), Ettore Ambrosioni (Italy), Renata Cifkova (Czech Republic), Anna Dominiczak (United Kingdom), Robert Fagard (Belgium), Anthony M. Heagerty, Stephane Laurent (France), Lars H. Lindholm (Sweden), Giuseppe Mancia (Italy), Athanasios Manolis (Greece), Peter M. Nilsson (Sweden), Josep Redon (Spain), Roland E. Schmieder (Germany), Harry A.J. Struijker-Boudier (The Netherlands), Margus Viigimaa (Estonia) Document Reviewers: Gerasimos Filippatos (CPG Review Coordinator) (Greece), Stamatis Adamopoulos (Greece), Enrico Agabiti-Rosei (Italy), Ettore Ambrosioni (Italy), Vicente Bertomeu (Spain), Denis Clement (Belgium), Serap Erdine (Turkey), Csaba Farsang (Hungary), Dan Gaita (Romania), Wolfgang Kiowski (Switzerland), Gregory Lip (UK), Jean-Michel Mallion (France), Athanasios J. Manolis (Greece), Peter M. Nilsson (Sweden), Eoin O’Brien (Ireland), Piotr Ponikowski (Poland), Josep Redon (Spain), José Rodicio (Spain), Frank Ruschitzka
Expression of five proteins from the Sendai virus P/C mRNA in infected cells

The polycistronic P/C mRNA of Sendai virus is translated under cell-free conditions into five proteins (P, C', C, Y1, and Y2) from overlapping reading frames. In this study, we showed that in addition to the P, C', and C proteins, Y1 and Y2 were expressed by six different Sendai virus strains in infected cells. The Y proteins exhibited strain-specific variation in their gel mobility which corresponds to the variation seen in the cognate C proteins. While the relative levels of the P, C', and C proteins were consistent among various cell lines, the levels of Y1 and Y2 proteins varied among the cell lines used for viral infection.
Cellular response to oxidative stress: Signaling for suicide and survival *

Reactive oxygen species (ROS), whether produced endogenously as a consequence of normal cell functions or derived from external sources, pose a constant threat to cells living in an aerobic environment as they can result in severe damage to DNA, protein, and lipids. The importance of oxidative damage to the pathogenesis of many diseases as well as to degenerative processes of aging has becoming increasingly apparent over the past few years. Cells contain a number of antioxidant defenses to minimize fluctuations in ROS, but ROS generation often exceeds the cell's antioxidant capacity, resulting in a condition termed oxidative stress. Host survival depends upon the ability of cells and tissues to adapt to or resist the stress, and repair or remove damaged molecules or cells. Numerous stress response mechanisms have evolved for these purposes, and they are rapidly activated in response to oxidative insults. Some of the pathways are preferentially linked to enhanced survival, while others are more frequently associated with cell death. Still others have been implicated in both extremes depending on the particular circumstances. In this review, we discuss the various signaling pathways known to be activated in response to oxidative stress in mammalian cells, the mechanisms leading to their activation, and their roles in influencing cell survival. These pathways constitute important avenues for therapeutic interventions aimed at limiting oxidative damage or attenuating its sequelae. Published 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Impacts of Trade Openness on Employment, Poverty and Inequality: The Case of Brazil

This paper investigates the impacts of greater trade openness on employment, poverty and inequality in Brazil. The empirical strategy is based on decomposition analysis exercises to assess the main determinants of current account deficits following trade liberalization as well as output decomposition into private sector demand, public sector expenditures and import substitution. Further to this aggregate analysis, we use a computable general equilibrium model to simulate different policy scenarios and use the results of this modeling approach to create counterfactual microsimulations and assess the impacts of greater trade openness on household income distribution and poverty ratios. Our conclusion is that trade liberalization alone will not be sufficient to significantly reduce poverty and inequality in Brazil.
A Hospital-based Case-control Study of Diarrhea in Children in Shanghai

Background: Prevention and control of childhood diarrhea is a global priority. We conducted a case-control study of childhood diarrhea in Shanghai. Methods: We prospectively recruited diarrheal children in an outpatient setting. Nondiarrheal controls were individually matched to cases. Rotavirus, norovirus and bacterial pathogens were examined. Clinical and epidemiologic data were obtained at enrollment and follow-up. Results: Potential pathogens identified in 680 diarrheal cases and 680 controls were rotavirus (19.0% vs. 1.3%), norovirus (13.4% vs. 4.7%), nontyphoidal Salmonella (9.3% vs. 1.9%), enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (8.4% vs. 6.9%) and enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (7.2% vs. 6.2%) and Campylobacter (5.1% vs. 1.2%), enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (1.2% vs. 0.6%), enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (0.3% vs. 0%) and Shigella (0.15% vs. 0%), respectively. The specificity and sensitivity of fecal leukocytes >5 per high-power field for the diagnosis of bacterial diarrhea were 94.2% and 22.8%. Salmonella were susceptible to ciprofloxacin, ceftriaxone and amoxicillin-clavulanate and showed low frequency of resistance to azithromycin. Campylobacter showed low frequency of resistance to azithromycin and high frequency of resistance to ciprofloxacin. Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli was highly susceptible to ciprofloxacin and amoxicillin-clavulanate. Contact with diarrheal patients was a risk factor for rotavirus [adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 11.7], norovirus (aOR: 7.5) and Campylobacter (aOR: 27.1) infections. Mother’s education was positively associated with Salmonella infection (aOR: 2.1). Good hand hygiene was protective against rotavirus (aOR: 0.6), norovirus (aOR: 0.5) and Salmonella (aOR: 0.3) infections. Conclusions: Rotavirus, norovirus, nontyphoidal Salmonella and Campylobacter are significantly associated with diarrhea in Chinese children. Fecal leukocytes >5 per high-power field can predict bacterial diarrhea. Target prevention and appropriate treatment of diarrhea should consider the potential pathogen and resistance pattern.