Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
HPV and cervical cancer

Abstract In recent analyses of the global burden of cancer among women, cervical cancer ranked second to breast cancer. Numbers of new cervical cancer cases are increasing constantly although this tumor is one of the best preventable malignancies of all relevant human cancers. The genesis of cervical cancer depends essentially on an infection of the uterine cervix with human papillomavirus (HPV) that needs to persist for many years and decades. Oncogenic cell transformation occurs almost exclusively in a discrete cell population at the squamous columnar junction (SCJ). These peculiarities enable primary prevention with HPV-vaccination as well as secondary prevention by detecting and treating true precursor lesions. The actual screening program with annual cytology smears is already effective but results in a high number of false positive results and unnecessary treatments. Based on a good understanding of the etiology and high evidence from large randomized controlled trials a significant improvement in the prevention of cervical cancer by shifting to HPV screening in women aged 30 years or older is feasible. This would result in a further reduction of new cancer cases by 70–80 % with less screening examinations and interventions when well-defined patient pathways are followed and colposcopy in accordance with international quality standards is used as the gold standard for the minimal invasive management of abnormal findings. HPV vaccination prevents the development of approximately 80 % of true precursors and should have a similar impact on the incidence of cervical cancer. A combination of HPV vaccination and screening could almost eradicate cervical cancer and reduce the burden of other tumors and diseases related to HPV.
Sexual dimorphism in a dioecious population of the wind-pollinated herb Mercurialis annua: the interactive effects of resource availability and competition.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Male-biased sex allocation commonly occurs in wind-pollinated hermaphroditic plants, and is often positively associated with size, notably in terms of height. Currently, it is not well established whether a corresponding pattern holds for dioecious plants: do males of wind-pollinated species exhibit greater reproductive allocation than females? Here, sexual dimorphism is investigated in terms of life history trade-offs in a dioecious population of the wind-pollinated ruderal herb Mercurialis annua. METHODS The allocation strategies of males and females grown under different soil nutrient availability and competitive (i.e. no, male or female competitor) regimes were compared. KEY RESULTS Male reproductive allocation increased disproportionately with biomass, and was greater than that of females when grown in rich soils. Sexual morphs differentially adjusted their reproductive allocation in response to local environmental conditions. In particular, males reduced their reproductive allocation in poor soils, whereas females increased theirs, especially when competing with another female rather than growing alone. Finally, males displayed smaller above-ground vegetative sizes than females, but neither nutrient availability nor competition had a strong independent effect on relative size disparities between the sexes. CONCLUSIONS Selection appears to favour plasticity in reproductive allocation in dioecious M. annua, thereby maintaining a relatively constant size hierarchy between sexual morphs. In common with other dioecious species, there seems to be little divergence in the niches occupied by males and females of M. annua.
The Effect of Terminal Hydrogen Bonding on the Structure and Dynamics of Nanoparticle Self-Assembled Monolayers (SAMs): An NMR Dynamics Study.

conditions. The sample shown in Figure 1a was prepared by heating the solution for 3 h at 80 C and casting the hot solution on a carbon-covered microscopy grid. Gray disks 5 nm in diameter were seen, which were identified as TiO2 particles. The particles agglomerated into chains consisting of approximately 20 individual disks. Apparently the heating procedure had two effects involved in the film formation. First TiO2 particles were formed in each block copolymer micelle. In a second step, the increased temperature caused the excess HCl to evaporate. The excess HCl is known, however, to be essential for stabilizing inverse diblock copolymer micelles during film formation. [10,11] As the HCl evaporates, the PEO block loses its ionic character and the kinetic as well as the thermodynamic stability of the diblock copolymer micelles is reduced because of the increased compatibility of the constituent blocks. Casting of films by simply allowing a drop of the solution to evaporate on a carbon-coated copper grid enabled the diblock copolymer micelles to react to the changing concentration and to transform from globular to worm-like micelles.
Aprendizaje productivo en la industria manufacturera de Colombia, un estudio a nivel de sectores

Con el fin de analizar los efectos del aprendizaje en la practica en la industria colombiana,se estiman funciones de produccion a nivel de sectores industriales a cuatro digitos CIIU,empleando modelos de datos panel. Los resultados muestran que la experiencia productiva representada a traves de la produccion acumulada por trabajador, tiene efectos positivos importantes sobre la productividad presente de la industria. Asi mismo, se establece que otros factores como la mano de obra calificada, la modernidad del capital y el cambio tecnico del conjunto de la economia, inciden sobre el desempeno del sector manufacturero.
Tourism and Gastronomy: Gastronomy's Influence on How Tourists Experience a Destination

Gastronomy is becoming an important attribute in the development of niche travel and niche destinations. Although the literature supports the view that there is a connection between tourism and gastronomy, little is known about gastronomy tourists. For example, is there a gastronomy-tourism market segment? Does a destination's gastronomy contribute to the tourists' quality of experiences while visiting the destination? Do tourists return to the destination to resample its gastronomy? This study was undertaken in Hong Kong, which is arguably a city destination that offers unique and diverse gastronomy. The results of the study provide evidence suggesting that motivation to travel for gastronomy reasons is a valid construct. Also, the results of the data analysis reveal that gastronomy plays a major role in the way tourists experience the destination, and indicate that some travelers would return to the same destination to savor its unique gastronomy. Implications for practitioners are also discussed.
Does Openness Affect Regional Inequality? A Case Study for India

This paper examines the impact of economic liberalization on interregional inequality in India. It has been observed in many studies that interregional inequality in India has been steadily increasing over time. This paper is a further confirmation of this result. We have tried to locate the cause of rising interregional inequality within the production structure of the economy and observed that it is positively and systematically related to the cross-regional inequalities in agriculture and manufacturing. This systematic relationship has further been examined from a structuralist viewpoint to unravel the factors determining manufacturing production across regions where we have found that trade openness is the key factor determining the manufacturing share in income across the regions. Our further enquiry into manufacturing and trade patterns has shown that the Herfindahl index of concentration has been increasing over time on both counts. This result, along with the findings of the structuralist model about disproportionate growth of manufacturing across regions, provides an explanation of the cause of rising interregional inequality in India.
Supply Loops and Their Constraints: The Industrial Ecology of Recycling and Reuse

An increasing number of firms in Asia, Europe, and North America engage in voluntary or mandatory end-of-life product management. Since developments in product takeback are driven by a mixture of environmental concerns and economic opportunities, the most promising corporate end-of-life strategies create both economic and environmental value. This article introduces a framework that can help managers identify and assess such supply loop strategies. The usefulness of the framework is demonstrated by applying it to two specific supply loops, recycling and reuse of structural steel sections in the UK construction sector. The case study highlights the importance of supply chain constraints and also shows how lack of data can be a major obstacle to the evaluation of potential win-win supply loops.
Randomized placebo-controlled trial of brisk walking in the prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

OBJECTIVE to evaluate the effects of brisk walking on bone mineral density in women who had suffered an upper limb fracture. DESIGN randomized placebo-controlled trial. Assessments of bone mineral density were made before and at 1 and 2 years after intervention. Standardized and validated measures of physical capacity, self-rated health status and falls were used. SETTING district general hospital outpatient department. SUBJECTS 165 women drawn from local accident and emergency departments with a history of fracture of an upper limb in the previous 2 years. Women were randomly allocated to intervention (self-paced brisk walking) or placebo (upper limb exercises) groups. INTERVENTION both groups were seen at 3-monthly intervals to assess progress, measure physical capacity and maintain enthusiasm. The brisk-walking group were instructed to progressively increase the amount and speed of walking in a manner that suited them. The upper limb exercise placebo group were asked to carry out a series of exercises designed to improve flexibility and fine hand movements, appropriate for a past history of upper limb fracture. RESULTS drop-outs from both intervention and placebo groups were substantial (41%), although there were no significant differences in bone mineral density, physical capacity or health status between drop-outs and participants. At 2 years, among those completing the trial, bone mineral density at the femoral neck had fallen in the placebo group to a greater extent than in the brisk-walking group [mean net difference between intervention and placebo groups 0.019 g/cm2, 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.0026 to +0.041 g/cm2, P = 0.056]. Lumbar spine bone mineral density had increased to a similar extent (+0.017 g/cm2) in both groups. The cumulative risk of falls was higher in the brisk-walking group (excess risk of 15 per 100 person-years, 95% CI 1.4-29 per 100 person-years, P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in clinical or spinal x-ray fracture risk or self-rated health status between intervention and placebo groups. CONCLUSION the promotion of exercise through brisk-walking advice given by nursing staff may have a small, but clinically important, impact on bone mineral density but is associated with an increased risk of falls. Self-paced brisk walking is difficult to evaluate in randomized controlled trials because of drop-outs, placebo group exercise, limited compliance and lack of standardization of the duration and intensity of walking. Further work is needed to evaluate the best means of safely achieving increased activity levels in different groups, such as older women and those at high risk of fractures.
Double-blind, placebo-controlled study of a once-a-day, sustained-release preparation of alprazolam for the treatment of panic disorder.

OBJECTIVE The goals of this study were to assess the antipanic efficacy of a new, sustained-release formulation of alprazolam and to assess the safety and tolerability of once-a-day administration of 1-10 mg of sustained-release alprazolam. METHOD One hundred ninety-four patients with diagnosis of agoraphobia with panic attacks or panic disorder with limited phobic avoidance underwent a 1-week placebo washout before being randomly assigned to groups receiving 8 weeks of double-blind treatment with either sustained-release alprazolam or placebo. RESULTS There was a significant treatment effect favoring sustained-release alprazolam (highest mean dose = 4.7 mg/day) across almost all measures of anxiety, panic, and phobic avoidance, despite a significantly higher dropout rate in patients receiving placebo. Eighty-five percent of the patients treated with sustained-release alprazolam, compared with 61% of the patients given placebo, reported complete blockade of panic attacks by the end of 6 weeks of treatment. Sedation was the most commonly reported adverse effect. Discontinuation of sustained-release alprazolam was associated with moderate but transient levels of distress in 48% of the patients; discontinuation of placebo led to distress in only 10% of the patients. Nonetheless, there was no difference in the proportion of patients who were able to remain off the study drug for at least 2 weeks. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that sustained-release alprazolam is highly effective in the acute treatment of panic disorder at doses comparable to those in the originally marketed compressed tablet of alprazolam. The medication was well tolerated but showed rebound effects during a rapid drug taper after 6 weeks of treatment.
Multivariate Analysis of Rangeland Vegetation and Soil Organic Carbon Describes Degradation, Informs Restoration and Conservation

Agricultural expansion has eliminated a high proportion of native land cover and severely degraded remaining native vegetation. Managers must determine where degradation is severe enough to merit restoration action, and what action, if any, is necessary. We report on grassland degraded by multiple factors, including grazing, soil disturbance, and exotic plant species introduced in response to agriculture management. We use a multivariate method to categorize plant communities by degradation state based on floristic and biophysical degradation associated with historical land use. The variables we associate with degradation include abundance of the invasive cool-season grass, tall fescue ( Schedonorus phoenix (Scop.) Holub); soil organic carbon (SOC); and heavy livestock grazing. Using a series of multivariate analyses (ordination, hierarchical clustering, and multiple regression), we identify patterns in plant community composition and describe floristic degradation states. We found vegetation states to be described largely by vegetation composition associated primarily with tall fescue and secondarily by severe grazing, but not soil organic carbon. Categorizing grasslands by vegetation states helps managers efficiently apply restoration inputs that optimize ecosystem response, so we discuss potential restoration pathways in a state-and-transition model. Reducing stocking rate on grassland where grazing is actively practiced is an important first step that might be sufficient for restoring grassland with high native species richness and minimal degradation from invasive plants. More severe degradation likely requires multiple approaches to reverse degradation. Of these, we recommend restoration of ecological processes and disturbance regimes such as fire and grazing. We suggest old-field grasslands in North America, which are similar to European semi-natural grassland in composition and function, deserve more attention by conservation biologists.
The battle for Scotland

Andrew Marr's first book tells the distinctive story of Scottish politics - now updated with a new introductory chapter. 'We may be about to see a new country - indeed, two new countries, - emerging on these islands. Half a lifetime ago, I sat down to write this book as a work of history. As it's aged, it's become current affairs. ' Just twenty years ago it seemed impossible that Scotland would ever get home rule, let alone full independence. Yet very soon there will be a Scottish referendum which will not only decide on this matter but which will have profound consequences for the future of all people on these islands. In The Battle for Scotland, first published in 1992, Andrew Marr provides the historical backdrop to these extraordinary events. He attempts to explain the deep sources of Scottish national feeling and the political will which has brought us to this deeply uncertain time. And in a substantial new introduction, Marr considers how we got here so suddenly, what the stakes really are and what the questions every voting Scot (and every non-voting UK citizen) will be asking themselves. Andrew Marr was born in Glasgow. He graduated from Cambridge University and has enjoyed a long career in political journalism, working for the Scotsman, the Independent, the Economist, the Express and the Observer. From 2000 to 2005 he was the BBC's Political Editor. Andrew's broadcasting includes series on contemporary thinkers for BBC 2 and Radio 4, political documentaries for Channel 4 and BBC Panorama, and Radio 4's 'Start The Week'.
Devolution, Localism and Good Governance in England

David Smith and Enid Wistrich, Middlesex University, United Kingdom, London davidsmithhbo@hotmail.com Abstract Globalization continues to raise questions about the future form of the nation state which has led to increasing academic interest in sub-national forms of government and governance (Hooghe, 2012, Rhodes, 1996, Putnam 1993). In Britain there was substantial popular disengagement from conventional national politics before the 2008 economic crisis (Power, 2006). Devolution and "Localism" have been themes espoused by all recent British governments though they vary in their interpretation, level of application and consistency of approach. The Labour Government (19972010) first embraced regional devolution to Scotland, Wales, and N. Ireland and attempted unsuccessfully to develop regional governance within England. Later it moved towards a New Localism agenda placing emphasis on sub-regional levels. The present Coalition Government, elected in 2010, also embraces Localism and has replaced the English regional structure with its own sub-regional approach based on Local Economic Partnerships. In this paper we review developments, consider some of the practical implications of "New Localism" in England, and make some recommendations, illustrating with our own data drawn from our study (2009, 2012) in which we interviewed members of regional and local elites including local council leaders, politicians, local authority CEOs, local business leaders, and representatives from the 3rd sector.
Volatility spillovers across daytime and overnight information between China and world equity markets

This article explores the transmission of daytime and overnight information in terms of returns and volatility between Chinese and Asian, European and North American main stock markets. We propose a bivariate analysis with China as benchmark. By testing the constancy of the conditional correlations, we use an extended constant or dynamic conditional correlation GARCH model. The empirical findings show that across the daytime information transmissions, the relationships between China and Asian markets are closer than China and non-Asian markets, whereas through the overnight information transmissions these relationships are inverse. The analysis provides, before the crisis, that the overnight volatility spillover effects are from China to the United States and the United Kingdom. During the crisis, China affects the United Kingdom in terms of daytime volatility spillovers, whereas in terms of overnight volatility spillovers China affects the United States and is influenced by Japan. After the crisis, daytime volatility spillovers are from Taiwan to China, whereas the overnight volatility spillover effects are from China to the United States and the United Kingdom.
Sovereignty

Contemporary social science analysis is dominated by utilitarian or functional approaches in which institutional structures are assumed to adapt in an optimal fashion to changing environmental conditions, and the preferences and capabilities of individual actors are ontologically posited. In contrast, an institutional perspective insists that past choices constrain present options; that the preferences and capabilities of individual actors are conditioned by institutional structures; and that historical trajectories are path dependent. Institutional structures persist even if circumstances change. In a world of nuclear weapons and economic interdependence, any adequate analysis of the nature of sovereignty operationalized with regard to transborder controls and extraterritoriality must be informed by an institutional perspective.
Social Capital, Sociopolitical Instability, and Economic Development: A General Equilibrium Model

This essay describes the main features of a general equilibrium model of social capital and social conflict. According to the model, agents decide to participate in a number of conflict events while, at the same time, accumulate social capital. In the process, the government interacts with the economic actors by discouraging civil disobedience and social violence. The results show that social conflict is decreasing with the accumulation of physical capital, human capital, social capital, and government expenses on social development programs. Output growth in the economy depends positively upon accumulation of all types of capitals and social development funding, and negatively upon social conflict. More importantly, social capital is found to have a considerable positive effect on growth not only directly via investment, as suggested by recent empirical literature, but also indirectly by reducing the levels of social conflict. The model shows that the growth trajectories of the economy display a history-dependent pattern of growth with multiple-equilibria where countries converge to a nontrivial stable steady-state in the long-run. We also provide evidence in favor of the club convergence hypothesis which is predicated upon the initial levels of all types of capitals and the underlying level of social conflict.
The Forward Premium Puzzle and Intervention Risk

This paper presents a new interpretation regarding the forward premium puzzle (FPP). We postulate that the negative correlation between the expected rate of depreciation and interest differential is due to an expected intervention risk. We define a target zone by using a Multiple-Regime STAR. It is confirmed that deviations from UIP follow a random-walk within a target zone, but display mean-reversion once the deviations exceed the boundaries. We also confirm that the adjustment speed in the case of appreciation is faster than that in the case of depreciation. This indicates that the expected intervention risk provides an alternative explanation for FPP. Address of correspondence of author: Ayano Sato, Graduate School of Economics, Waseda University, 1-6-1 Nishi-Waseda, Shinjuku-ward, Tokyo 169-8050, JAPAN Phone & FAX: +81-47-353-8258 E-mail: ayano_sato@suou.waseda. jp