Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Policy Making in China: Leaders, Structures, and Processes . By Kenneth Lieberthal and Michel Oksenberg. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1988. 456p. $39.95. - Environmental Policy in China . By Lester Ross. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1988. 240p. $35.00.

the Chou people (can one account for the rise of Chou through economic advantages? ) and the military strength of the Chou (their weapon kit and chariots), both examined through a medley of material evidence and literary tradition. The authors also provide an extended discussion (even celebration) of the Mandate of Heaven and related ideas as the dawn of an incipient Chinese humanism and rationalism. As an account of Western Chou archaeology, the volume is less than satisfying. Archaeological data are the handmaidens of history in this volume. Instead of being topically organized, information is sprinkled throughout when and if it serves to illustrate the subject under discussion. Illustrations are fair at best. Of the seventy-two figures in chapters 4 8 , two-thirds are rubbings or transcriptions of bronze inscriptions; rarely are these texts actually translated or given any extended critical examination. Many of the photographs are indistinct, with the notable exception of those drawn from the Metropolitan Museum's Great Bronze Age of China exhibition (but many of these are not properly and fully acknowledged). The description of the key sites at Feng-ch'u, Ch'i-shan, and Chao-ch'en, Fu-feng, is confused and uncritically illustrates contradictory reconstructions of the buildings. The literature surveyed seems to stop at 1983, almost five years before publication. The greatest merit of this volume is its serious effort to place the study of the Western Chou centuries on an equal footing with that of other great ages in Chinese civilization. Given both the nature of the received sources and the new data at hand, the organizational framework of this volume is plausible, albeit heavily indebted to traditional canons of historical thinking. The authors work from within an allembracing set of historical assumptions; their mission is not to challenge orthodoxy but to elaborate it. Many of their assumptions might well be questioned by historians looking from outside the native Chinese historiographical tradition, but the authors are not unaware of critical issues in modern history writing. As a summation of conventional wisdom leavened with examples drawn from recent archaeology, Western Chou Civilization will find its own readership. New thinking on Western Chou history and a proper conspectus of Western Chou archaeology remain topics for other authors to attempt.
On Democratizing Financial Turmoil: A Minskian Analysis of the Subprime Crisis

The paper uses Minsky's financial instability hypothesis as an analytical framework for understanding the subprime mortgage crisis and for introducing adequate reforms to restore economic stability. We argue that the subprime crisis has structural origins that extend far beyond the housing and financial markets. We further argue that rising inequality since the 1980s formed the breeding ground for the current financial markets meltdown. What we observe today is only the manifestation of the ingenuity of the market in taking advantage of moneymaking opportunities, regardless of the consequences. The so-called "democratization of homeownership" rapidly turned into record-high delinquencies and foreclosures. The sudden turn in market expectations led investors and banks to reevaluate their portfolios, which brought about a credit crunch and widespread economic instability. The Federal Reserve Bank's intervention came too late and failed to usher in adequate regulation. Finally, the paper argues that a true democratization of homeownership is only possible through job creation and income-generation programs, rather than through exotic mortgage schemes.
Survival strategies for corporate real estate in uncertain times

As major economies throughout the world gradually pick themselves up after 2001’s downturn, what are the prospects for the UK property industry? Is it safe to say that it has avoided the plunging values experienced in the early 1990s recession and what can corporate occupiers be doing to ensure survival in uncertain economic conditions?
Perioperative factors associated with 1-year mortality after lung transplantation: a single-center experience in Korea.

Background Most studies about the risk factors of 1-year mortality after lung transplantation were performed on non-Asians. This study aimed to evaluate the perioperative factors related to the 1-year mortality after lung transplantation in Korea. Methods Sixty-eight consecutive patients who underwent lung transplantation without preoperative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation treatment at 1 tertiary hospital in South Korea between October 24, 2012, and October 16, 2015, were analyzed retrospectively. Results Forty-four patients (64.7%) lived for >1 year after lung transplantation. The median age of all patients was 55 years (range, 16-75 years), and men accounted for 57.4%. The major cause of lung transplantation was idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (48.5%); the other causes were interstitial lung disease related to connective tissue disease (17.6%) and bronchiolitis obliterans after stem cell transplantation (14.7%). In univariate analysis, higher median age (52 vs. 61.5 years, P<0.001), male sex (45.5% vs. 79.2%, P=0.007), lower preoperative albumin level (<3 g/dL) (22.7% vs. 45.8%, P=0.049), need for renal replacement therapy (RRT) after surgery (4.5% vs. 37.5%, P=0.001), and postoperative delta neutrophil index (DNI) >5.5 higher than the preoperative DNI (22.7% vs. 70.8%, P<0.001) were significantly related to 1-year mortality. After adjustments, old age, postoperative increased DNI, and need for RRT after transplantation were the independent perioperative risk factors for 1-year mortality after lung transplantation. Conclusions Recipients with advanced age should be carefully selected, and patients who need RRT or with increased DNI after transplantation should be managed accordingly.
International stock exchange listing and the reduction of political risk

The impending 1997 assimilation into the People's Republic of China made the 1980s a challenging period for Hong Kong, one in which Kong Kong-based companies relocated their corporate domiciles to other countries as political insurance. International listing, however, is another way for companies to reduce political risk. This paper examines the post-1985 effects of Hong Kong-based company stocks being quoted on London's International Stock Exchange. We document that there is no price effect for these companies after the first trading day and a significant increase in the average trading volume surrounding the event day. This may be attributed to the London market makers who build up their stakes before the listing and who unwind their positions in the Hong Kong market after the event day. We also find that there is, on average, a decrease in systematic risk of these companies after being traded on the London market. Furthermore, the evidence shows that there is an increase in systematic risk for companies that are not listed in London after 4 June 1989, however, not for those London-listed Hong Kong companies. The results constitute evidence to support the inference that there is a reduction of local political risk for internationally listed companies.
Operative stress response and energy metabolism after laparoscopic cholecystectomy compared to open surgery.

AIM To determine the least invasive surgical procedure by comparing the levels of operative stress hormones, response-reactive protein (CRP) and rest energy expenditure (REE) after laparoscopic (LC) and open cholecystectomy (OC). METHODS Twenty-six consecutive patients with noncomplicated gallstones were randomized for LC (14) and OC (12). Plasma concentrations of somatotropin, insulin, cortisol and CRP were measured. The levels of REE were determined. RESULTS In the third postoperative day, the insulin levels were lower compared to that before operation (P<0.05). In the first postoperative day, the levels of somatotropin and cortisol were higher in OC than those in LC. After operation the parameters of somatotropin, CRP and cortisol increased, compared to those in the preoperative period in the all patients (P<0.05). In the all-postoperative days, the CRP level was higher in OC than that in LC (7.46+/-0.02; 7.38+/-0.01, P<0.05). After operation the REE level all increased in OC and LC (P<0.05). In the all-postoperative days, the REE level was higher in OC than that in LC (1438.5+/-418.5; 1222.3+/-180.8, P<0.05). CONCLUSION LC results in less prominent stress response and smaller metabolic interference compared to open surgery. These advantages are beneficial to the restoration of stress hormones, the nitrogen balance, and the energy metabolism. However, LC can also induce acidemia and pulmonary hypoperfusion because of the penumoperitonium it uses during surgery.
Neuregulins Promote Survival and Growth of Cardiac Myocytes

Neuregulins (i.e. neuregulin-1 (NRG1), also called neu differentiation factor, heregulin, glial growth factor, and acetylcholine receptor-inducing activity) are known to induce growth and differentiation of epithelial, glial, neuronal, and skeletal muscle cells. Unexpectedly, mice with loss of function mutations of NRG1 or of either of two of their cognate receptors, ErbB2 and ErbB4, die during midembryogenesis due to the aborted development of myocardial trabeculae in ventricular muscle. To examine the role of NRG and their receptors in developing and postnatal myocardium, we studied the ability of a soluble NRG1 (recombinant human glial growth factor 2) to promote proliferation, survival, and growth of isolated neonatal and adult rat cardiac myocytes. Both ErbB2 and ErbB4 receptors were found to be expressed by neonatal and adult ventricular myocytes and activated by rhGGF2. rhGGF2 (30 ng/ml) provoked an approximate 2-fold increase in embryonic cardiac myocyte proliferation. rhGGF2 also promoted survival and inhibited apoptosis of subconfluent, serum-deprived myocyte primary cultures and also induced hypertrophic growth in both neonatal and adult ventricular myocytes, which was accompanied by enhanced expression of prepro-atrial natriuretic factor and skeletal α-actin. Moreover, NRG1 mRNA could be detected in coronary microvascular endothelial cell primary cultures prepared from adult rat ventricular muscle. NRG1 expression in these cells was increased by endothelin-1, another locally acting cardiotropic peptide within the heart. The persistent expression of both a neuregulin and its cognate receptors in the postnatal and adult heart suggests a continuing role for neuregulins in the myocardial adaption to physiologic stress or injury.
Bubbles: A review of their relationship to the formation of thin films and porous materials

Abstract Bubbles arise at the intersection of gases with other phases. Their role in the formation and applications of thin films and porous materials is complex. At times they are to be avoided. In other cases they are essential to the desired properties and outcomes. In many cases their function, form and production are misunderstood or disregarded. This review seeks to connect a diverse array of technical and fundamental aspects of bubbles so as to facilitate more control and understanding of their functions and utility
Monetary Policy, Capital Flows, and the Exchange Rate

The use of monetary policy in India has been constrained by a loose fiscal policy and capital flows. Capital inflows have the potential to cause a Dutch Disease-type situation. The RBI has carried out sterilized intervention to prevent this. In spite of this, the trade balance and, more often than not, the current account continue to be in deficit. Thus the real exchange rate, in spite of the intervention, is inconsistent with external balance (defined as a manageable current account deficit). The problem of capital flows is a self-inflicted pain. The authorities could have kept a lid on capital flows, allowing only the most urgent inflows from a growth standpoint. It would have had a competitive edge in manufacturing. This would have allowed it to expand labor-intensive industry and help mitigate the massive poverty levels.
Economic Development and End-Use Energy Demand

We examine the relationship between economic development and energy demand. The paper identifies the development patterns that characterize particular economic sectors, and analyzes the effect of sector-specific energy demand growth rates on the composition of final energy demand. We also examine some of the associated policy implications. Industrial energy demand increases most rapidly at the initial stages of development, but growth slows steadily throughout the industrialization process. Energy demand for transportation rises steadily, and takes the majority share of total energy use at the latter stages of development. Energy demand originating from the residential and commercial sector also increases to surpass industrial demand, but long term growth is not as pronounced as it is in the transport sector. These results have implications for the primary energy demand of an economy as it develops, and thus, for domestic energy security and global geopolitical relationships.
Resolving clinical diagnoses for syndromic cleft lip and/or palate phenotypes using whole‐exome sequencing

Individuals from three families ascertained in Bogota, Colombia, showing syndromic phenotypes, including cleft lip and/or palate, were exome‐sequenced. In each case, sequencing revealed the underlying causal variation confirming or establishing diagnoses. The findings include very rare and novel variants providing insights into genotype and phenotype relationships. These include the molecular diagnosis of an individual with Nager syndrome and a family exhibiting an atypical incontinentia pigmenti phenotype with a missense mutation in IKBKG. IKBKG mutations are typically associated with preterm male death, but this variant is associated with survival for 8–15 days. The third family exhibits unusual phenotypic features and the proband received a provisional diagnosis of Pierre Robin sequence (PRS). Affected individuals share a novel deleterious mutation in IRF6. Mutations in IRF6 cause Van der Woude and popliteal pterygium syndrome and contribute to nonsyndromic cleft lip phenotypes but have not previously been associated with a PRS phenotype. Exome sequencing followed by in silico screening to identify candidate causal variant(s), and functional assay in some cases offers a powerful route to establishing molecular diagnoses. This approach is invaluable for conditions showing phenotypic and/or genetic heterogeneity including cleft lip and/or palate phenotypes where many underlying causal genes have not been identified.
Influence of different sized files on the accuracy of two electronic apex locators

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of different file sizes on the accuracy of two electronic apex locators (EALs). Thirty extracted human single-rooted permanent mandibular incisors were used. A #10 K-file was inserted in the root canal until its end could be observed (using a light microscope) through the apical foramen. One millimetre was subtracted to establish working length (WL). Electronic readings were performed using MiniApex Locator or Root ZX II, from #10 K-file to #130 K-file. Statistical analysis was performed by two-way anova and Tukey test (P ≤ 0.05). From #60 to #130 K-file, observed differences were noted between the values obtained with both EALs and WL (P ≤ 0.05). The MiniApex Locator showed increased means when measurements were made with #50 to #70 and with #120 (P = 0.008) and #130 (P = 0.005) K-files. File sizes influenced the accuracy of EALs - the greater the instrumentation size, the higher mean differences compared to WL.
Practitioner perspective on REDD: Commercial challenges in project‐based rainforest protection financing in the Asia Pacific region

This paper presents a practitioner perspective on community-based REDD (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation) projects in the Pacific Islands. It draws upon the author's experience in forest conservation financing since 1987, and REDD project and programme design, development and implementation since 2006. The aim is to highlight the commercial challenges faced by REDD practitioners, and explore strategic (including policy) solutions to meet these challenges. The paper begins by situating REDD as a tool for forest conservation and community development. Following a brief overview of the key elements of REDD project development procedures, the paper examines commercial (particularly market access) challenges faced by project proponents, together with challenges associated with the supply and demand dynamic for REDD credits in the global carbon market. This is situated against a backdrop of global policy stagnation in the REDD sector and the implications of this for those at the frontier of community-based forest protection efforts on the ground. The paper culminates by showing the importance of an effective partnership between governments, rainforest communities and the private sector in regional and global rainforest conservation financing.
Endogenous Work Hours and Practice Patterns of Canadian Physicians

Using an extensive survey of Canadian physicians, the authors study how physician practice patterns are shaped by demographic characteristics, physician specialty, and government policy. They model the simultaneous determination of group size, primary source of professional income (fee-for-service or salaried position), weekly hours of direct patient care, and total weekly hours of work. Employing a method of maximum simulated likelihood, the coefficients are precisely identified. With all else constant in the model, physicians who work under fee-for-service see patients 5.9 more hours each week than physicians who are primarily salaried, yet fee-for-service physicians work 5.5 hours less per week in total.
The clinical use of sodium fluoride F 18 in bone photoscanning.

Thirty-eight patients were given 350μc to 750μc of sodium fluoride F 18. The nuclide was administered both orally and parenterally. Photoscans were performed in 35 cases, and point counts only were done in the other three. Diagnostic scans were found at all dosage levels given. Normal scans were found in cases of osteochondroma, soft-tissue sarcomas, rheumatoid spondylitis, Engelmann's disease, and aseptic necrosis of femoral heads. Abnormal scans were found in 25 cases including four cases of metastatic bone tumors in which roentgenograms were either normal or equivocal. The radionuclide has been found to be well tolerated. The radiation hazard with sodium fluoride F 18 is minimal, and serial scans have been performed successfully in several patients.
An Evidential Reasoning Approach to Land Degradation Evaluation: Dempster‐Shafer Theory of Evidence

This study explores the combination of expert and local knowledge for an integrated evaluation of land degradation in southern Mauritania. The expert knowledge uses two imprecise information and uncertainty management tools, Fuzzy measure theory and Dempster‐Shafer theory, mediated by expert knowledge, to integrate data collected using local knowledge. Fuzzy measures were found to be an efficient way of handling uncertainty of data compiled from local environmental knowledge and uniformly scaling all land degradation indicator variables to the same numerical range of values. The two techniques allowed scaling and integration of 13 evidential themes characterizing southern Mauritania. The cartographic outputs of this study show the potential of Fuzzy measure theory and Demspter‐Shafer theory as powerful complementary environmental resource management tools. On a scale of 0.0 to 1.0, the maps indicate the degree of degradation. The seriousness of land degradation decreases from settlements, roads, and watering points outward. As such, they constitute an excellent guide for resource allocation and rehablitation plans.
An Investigation of the Efficacy of a Novel Ocular Lubricant

Objective To investigate the efficacy of a novel ocular lubricant compared with a commercially marketed ocular lubricant in a group of noncontact lens wearers currently using over-the-counter products for the management of symptoms of moderate to severe dry eye. Methods This was a prospective, double-masked study that randomized 110 subjects in a ratio of 1:1 to receive a novel ocular lubricant (test group) or a marketed ocular lubricant (control group). Subjects were instructed to instill the lubricant eye drops at least three times daily. After enrollment, subjects were evaluated at baseline and at 7 and 30 days. They were also required to complete a series of home-based subjective questionnaires after 15 days. Main outcomes were subjective symptoms and objective clinical assessment at 7 and 30 days. Results The test group had higher overall comfort ratings than the control group (P = 0.012). Seventy-one percent of the test group and 57% of the control group said the drops used “somewhat” or “definitely” improved ocular comfort; 62% of the test group had greater end-of-day comfort compared with 45% of the control group (P = 0.015). There were no between-group differences in visual acuity, tear quality or quantity, corneal staining, conjunctival staining, or bulbar and limbal conjunctival hyperemia. Conclusions The novel ocular lubricant offers equivalent or superior comfort compared with a marketed lubricant eye drop. Objective clinical outcomes were not statistically significantly different between the two groups.
Prescribing and Drug Costs in the Province of Ontario

The Report of the Pharmaceutical Inquiry of Ontario documented dramatic increases in the cost of the Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB) program. This article demonstrates that the rise in ODB costs for those 65 and over is due to two factors: more intensive prescribing—physicians prescribing to the elderly more often and writing more prescriptions each time they see an elderly patient—and physicians writing prescriptions for more expensive drugs. Neither of these two changes in prescribing behavior has resulted in any demonstrable improvement in the health of the elderly. Efforts to control costs through some form of copayment or by eliminating some drugs from the ODB formulary should not be undertaken since they probably will result in a reduction in the use of medically necessary drugs. Ultimately, drug costs will only be controlled by improving the appropriateness of physicians' prescribing.
Parental Wealth and the Black–White Mobility Gap in the U.S

Utilizing longitudinal data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID), this paper examines the relationship between parental wealth and intergenerational income mobility for black and white families. I find that total parental wealth is positively associated with upward mobility for low‐income white families, but is not associated with reduced likelihood of downward mobility for white families from the top half of the income distribution. Conversely, I find that total parental wealth does not have the same positive association for low‐income black families, while home ownership may have negative associations with the likelihood of upward mobility for these families. However, for black families from the top half of the income distribution, home equity is associated with a decreased likelihood of downward mobility, suggesting a heterogeneous relationship between home ownership and mobility for black families.