Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Limited availability and higher cost of gluten-free foods.

BACKGROUND A gluten-free diet is the only treatment for patients with coeliac disease, although it can be burdensome to follow and result in inadequate nutrient intake. The cost and availability of a gluten-free diet has been cited as a cause of incomplete dietary compliance; however, this has not been extensively investigated. The aim was to investigate the availability and cost of gluten-free foods across a wide range of stores. METHODS The availability and cost of 20 foods (both wheat-based and everyday foods) was surveyed at 30 different stores across five different store categories. For each of the 20 foods, four products were selected (branded gluten-free, cheapest gluten-free, branded standard, cheapest standard) resulting in sampling of up to 80 products in each of the 30 stores. RESULTS In general, there was limited availability of gluten-free foods, with an average of 8.2 of the 20 (41%) foods being available in a gluten-free version per store. Regular supermarkets had a greater availability (18.0/20, 90%), whereas budget supermarkets (1.8/20, 9%) and corner shops (1.8/20, 9%) had almost no gluten-free versions (P < 0.001). All 10 gluten-free versions of wheat-based foods were more costly than their standard counterparts (76-518% more expensive; P < 0.001). Some gluten-free versions of everyday foods were also more costly than standard counterparts (2-124%). CONCLUSIONS There is limited availability of gluten-free foods and they are generally more expensive than their standard counterparts. This may impact on compliance to a gluten-free diet, with potential nutritional and clinical consequences, together with an increased risk of complications.
Which Glycosaminoglycans Are Suitable for Antithrombogenic or Athrombogenic Coatings of Biomaterials? Part II: Covalently Immobilized Endothelial Cell Surface Heparan Sulfate (ESHS) and Heparin (HE) on Synthetic Polymers and Results of Animal Experiments

A systematic study was performed on immobilizing unfractionated heparin and endothelial cell surface heparan sulfate covalently with the spacer concept onto two polymer surfaces, followed by characterization of the surface concentration and in vitro and in vivo platelet adhesion properties under comparable high shear rates for microvascular vessels. Oligoamide spacer with a 16-atom chain length on cellulose surface and an 11-atom chain length on silicon surface, respectively, was used for immobilizing HE and ESHS via amino groups of glucosamine to the spacer which was anchored to the polymer surface. The surface concentration was in the range of 7 to 10 pmol/cm2 for HE and 1 to 1.5 pmol/cm2 for ESHS. This is in agreement with a calculated monolayer covering of ESHS and HE. In vitro and preliminary in vivo measurements (beagle, sheep) showed no platelet adhesion on the ESHS coatings, whereas HE showed high platelet adhesion and thrombus formation in vitro as well as in vivo. ESHS coating may be a potential candidate for preparing smooth artificial microvascular blood vessels.
LIVER X RECEPTOR AGONIST GW3965 DOSE-DEPENDENTLY REGULATES LPS-MEDIATED LIVER INJURY AND MODULATES POSTTRANSCRIPTIONAL TNF-&agr; PRODUCTION AND P38 MITOGEN-ACTIVATED PROTEIN KINASE ACTIVATION IN LIVER MACROPHAGES

Modulation of the host inflammatory response to infection may be a key approach to improve the outcome of patients with sepsis and organ injury. We previously reported that pretreatment of rats with the liver X receptor (LXR) agonist GW3965 reduced the liver injury associated with endotoxemia and attenuated the production of TNF-&agr; by rat Kupffer cells. Here, we examine the dose-dependent effect of GW3965 on liver injury and cytokine production in a rat model of endotoxemia and explore the mechanisms underlying TNF-&agr; attenuation in Kupffer cells. Low doses of GW3965 (0.1 or 0.3 mg/kg) administered 30 min before infusion of LPS and peptidoglycan significantly attenuated the increase in plasma levels of the liver injury markers alanine aminotransferase and bilirubin (6 h) as well as the inflammatory mediators TNF-&agr; (1 h) and prostaglandin E2 (6 h) associated with endotoxemia. In contrast, pretreatment with a higher dose of GW3965 (1.0 mg/kg) had no such effect. Studies in primary cultures of rat Kupffer cells demonstrated that LXR agonist treatment attenuated both the secreted and cell-associated levels of TNF-&agr;, whereas TNF-&agr; mRNA levels were not altered. Phosphorylated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, which plays a major role in production of TNF-&agr; at the posttranscriptional level, was attenuated by GW3965 treatment in Kupffer cells. Experiments in murine LXR-deficient Kupffer cells demonstrated enhanced production of TNF-&agr; in Kupffer cells from LXR-&agr;-/- mice when challenged with LPS compared with LXR-&bgr;-/- and wild-type Kupffer cells. Taken together, these results argue in favor of a novel mechanism for LXR-mediated attenuation of liver injury by interfering with posttranscriptional regulation of TNF-&agr; in Kupffer cells.
Analysing workplace safety policies in hong kong with a simulation method

Despite its impressive economic performance and high per-capita income, Hong Kong's workplace safety record lags behind leading industrial countries. This paper develops a computable equilibrium model of workplace safety in Hong Kong that predicts the changes in safety levels after substantial policy modifications. We find that accident rates would fall if workers' compensation insurance was more experience-rated or if fines for violations of the safety codes were raised. We also find that a progressive injury tax aimed at accident-prone firms would sharply lower the accident rate. In contrast, large increases in workers' compensation benefits have only a minor effect on the safety level.
Migrant care work and care, migration and employment regimes: A fuzzy-set analysis

Migrant care work has emerged as an increasingly important solution to the challenges of growing eldercare needs in both the private and the public sphere. Migrant workers are employed in domestic services in Southern European and in some continental European countries, and they are a significant part of the work force in the formal care sector in many national contexts. The article provides an exploratory cross-country analysis of the phenomenon. After assessing the extent of migrant care work based on individually contracted workers in the domestic sector vs. organization-based care workers in nine European welfare states, it investigates which conditions sustain specific national patterns. Using fuzzy-set analysis the article demonstrates how the intersection of care, migration and employment regimes shapes different patterns of migrant care work.
Bargaining and war: A review of some formal models

Would perfectly rational agents always negotiate peaceful outcomes at the bargaining table, or would they sometimes fight costly wars? The Coase theorem suggests that when rational agents negotiate freely, they will reach a surplus-maximizing outcome. This seems to rule out war, since war will not in general be surplus-maximizing. However, the Coase theorem is valid only under certain assumptions, such as transferable utility (no restrictions on side-payments) and complete information. Brito and Intriligator (1985) showed how incomplete information may lead to war. An aggressor who demands concessions may simply be bluffing, so it may be rational to refuse his demands. If the aggressor is not bluffing, a war may ensue. We discuss how long such a war may last, and whether other kinds of i? ½i? ½frictionsi? ½i? ½ (such as limited commitment power and limits on side-payments) may also lead to war.
Heuristics and matheuristics for a real-life machine reassignment problem

This paper addresses a real-life machine reassignment problem proposed in the Google ROADEF/EURO Challenge (2012). In this paper, we propose a linear integer programming (IP) formulation and iterated local search (ILS) heuristics for approximately solving this problem. Different versions of the ILS heuristics are presented. Two of these versions rely on IP-based perturbations, whereas the other two are based on randomized perturbations. We also propose efficient restricted versions of the classic perturbation and local search procedures based on the “shift” and “swap” neighborhoods. Computational experiments showed that the IP-based heuristics are competitive with the best heuristics in the literature.
Lab‐on‐a‐Chip Technologies for Oral‐Based Cancer Screening and Diagnostics

Abstract: The design of a microfluidic lab‐on‐a‐chip system for point‐of‐care cancer screening and diagnosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is presented. The chip is based on determining a ∼30‐gene transcription profile in cancer cells isolated from oral fluid samples. Microfluidic cell sorting using magnetic beads functionalized with an antibody against cancer‐specific cell‐surface antigens (e.g., epithelial cell adhesion molecule [EpCAM]) is described. A comprehensive cancer diagnostics chip will integrate microfluidic components for cell lysis, nucleic acid extraction, and amplification and detection of a panel of mRNA isolated from a subpopulation of cancer cells contained in a clinical specimen.
Hedonic Pricing, Information, and the Market for Thoroughbred Yearlings

Building on the 1997 work of Chezum and Wimmer, and the 1998 work of Lansford, Freeman, Topliff, and Walker, we estimated a hedonic hammer price model on a random and representative sample of 212 yearlings from the 1999 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. Explanatory variables representing day of sale, age of yearling, stud fee, racing performance of sire and dam, geographic origin of yearling, and yearling health information were statistically significant. In each model, we failed to reject the null hypothesis of no adverse selection; sellers who breed and race horses did not receive a statistically significant price penalty on their yearlings sold in this auction, compared to sellers who just breed horses.
International Productivity Patterns: Accounting for Input Quality, Infrastructure, and Research

In this paper, we present measures of land and labor productivity for a group of ninety-eight developed and developing countries using an entirely new data set with annual observations spanning the past three decades. The substantial cross-country and intertemporal variation in productivity in our sample is linked to both natural and economic factors. We extend previous work by dealing with multiple sources of systematic measurement error in conventional agricultural inputs. The mix of conventional inputs, indicators of quality of agricultural inputs, and the amount of publicly provided infrastructure are all significant in explaining observed cross-sectional differences in productivity patterns. Copyright 1997, Oxford University Press.
Analog Decoding Method for Simplified Short-Range MIMO Transmission

A novel analog decoding method using only 90-degree phase shifters is proposed to simplify the decoding method for short-range multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) transmission. In a short-range MIMO transmission, an optimal element spacing that maximizes the channel capacity exists for a given transmit distance between the transmitter and receiver. We focus on the fact that the weight matrix by zero forcing (ZF) at the optimal element spacing can be obtained by using dividers and 90degree phase shifters because it can be expressed by a unitary matrix. The channel capacity by the proposed method is next derived for the evaluation of the exact limitation of the channel capacity. Moreover, it is shown that an optimal weight when using directional antennas can be expressed by using only dividers, 90-degree phase shifters, and attenuators, regardless of the beam width of the directional antenna. Finally, bit error rate and channel capacity evaluations by both simulation and measurement confirm the effectiveness of the proposed method. key words: short-range MIMO transmission, zero forcing, unitary matrix, 90-degree phase shifter, optimal element spacing
DEFENSE SPENDING AND AGGREGATE OUTPUT IN THE UNITED STATES

In this article the effect of defense spending on aggregate output is discussed. Recent publications in this area are reviewed and new additional evidence is provided. The findings presented in this paper are supportive of the positive effect of defense spending. However, in light of the contrary evidence presented in other papers, empirical evidence taken as a whole, suggests that a definitive conclusion about the effect of defense spending at this time should be avoided.
The role of nitric oxide, K(+)(ATP) channels, and cGMP in the preconditioning response of the rabbit.

BACKGROUND The role of nitric oxide (NO), K(+)(ATP) channels, and cyclic GMP (cGMP) in preconditioning is unknown. MATERIAL AND METHODS Isolated rabbit hearts were pretreated with the NO precursor L-arginine (L-Arg), both alone and after infusion of the NO synthetase inhibitor N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME). Guanylate cyclase inhibitor methylene blue (MB) was infused prior to L-Arg in a separate group of hearts. To contrast the mechanisms of NO preconditioning and potassium channel opener (PCO) preconditioning, we infused the PCO pinacidil after L-NAME and the PCO blocker glibenclamide before L-Arg. Control hearts had no drug infused. The LAD coronary artery was occluded for 1 h and reperfused for 1 h in all hearts. Action potential duration (APD(50)), coronary flow (CF), and left ventricular developed pressure (DP) were measured, and infarct size (IS) was determined and expressed as a percentage of the area at risk. RESULTS L-Arg prolonged APD(50) at 60 min of reperfusion (94 +/- 6 ms vs 69 +/- 2 ms (control) vs 70 +/- 2 ms (L-NAME) vs 74 +/- 3 ms (MB), P < 0.05). L-Arg reduced IS compared with control (24 +/- 2% vs 49 +/- 3%, P < 0.05); this was reversed by either L-NAME (53 +/- 4%, P < 0.05) or MB (43 +/- 3%, P < 0.05), but not by glibenclamide (20 +/- 4%), unlike the increase in CF during L-Arg infusion, which was blocked by glibenclamide. Pinacidil infusion decreased IS (26 +/- 2%), but this effect was blocked by L-NAME (53 +/- 7%, P < 0.05 vs pinacidil), although L-NAME did not blunt the increase in CF. There were no significant differences in DP among groups. CONCLUSION L-Arginine preconditions the heart through NO generation, and this response is mediated through a cGMP-dependent mechanism, but is independent of the K(+)(ATP) channels. Coronary vasodilation is mediated through a mechanism different from that responsible for cardiomyocyte preconditioning.
U.S. Consumers’ Preference and Willingness to Pay for Country-of-Origin-Labeled Beef Steak and Food Safety Enhancements

The mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) troubles beef exporters to the U.S. This study evaluates the extent that U.S. consumers are receptive to imported steak and their perception of food safety level of beef from various countries. In addition, using conjoint analysis, willingness to pay for strip loin steak from Australia, Canada and the United States is estimated along with several increasingly important food safeties and quality attributes in beef. We find that on average U.S. consumers are willing to pay significantly less for imported steaks.
The Availability and Cost of Healthier Food Items

This study examines the availability of healthier food items in grocery stores and compares the cost of a standard market basket of foods to a healthier basket with low-fat meat and dairy, and whole grains. Our results show that most people had access to healthier foods, though there was sporadic availability of some healthier items in lower-income neighborhoods. The healthier market basket was more expensive by about $32 to $41 due to higher costs of whole grains, lean ground beef, and skinless poultry. This higher cost is equal to about 35 percent to 40 percent of low-income consumers’ food budgets.
PRESIÓN SOBRE LOS PRECIOS EN LAS REVISIONES DEL ÍNDICE IBEX35

Este trabajo analiza el efecto de las redefiniciones del indice Ibex35 en los precios y la actividad de negociacion de las acciones incluidas y excluidas. La muestra utilizada esta formada por 26 entradas y 22 salidas estables en el periodo enero 1991-diciembre 1998. Los resultados obtenidos demuestran que las revisiones del Ibex35 provocan una importante reaccion positiva (negativa)en el precio de las acciones que entran (salen), fundamentalmente en el dia siguiente al anuncio de la medida y en la fecha anterior a la recomposicion efectiva del indicador. Las rentabilidades anormales positivas (negativas)generadas no estan relacionadas con informacion acerca de las perspectivas futuras de las empresas afectadas ni con medidas de cambio de liquidez. Con posterioridad al cambio efectivo los precios experimentan un proceso de reversion parcial (completo) a sus niveles previos en las entradas (salidas). En conjunto, la evidencia obtenida apoya la hipotesis de presion sobre los precios como explicacion de los efectos provocados por las revisiones en la composicion del Ibex35. (Copyright: Fundacion SEPI)
Tracking properties of complex adaptive notch filter for detection of multiple real sinusoids

This paper presents a new realization of adaptive notch filter based on a cascade of adaptive IIR notch filters using complex coefficient first-order notch filters. The input is multiple real linear chirp signals embedded in a white Gaussian noise. Closed-form expression for frequency tracking mean square error (MSE) is given. Optimum step size parameter and notch bandwidth coefficient that minimize the tracking MSE are also derived. Computer simulation results are presented to validate the analysis.
Tyrol Prostate Cancer Demonstration Project: early detection, treatment, outcome, incidence and mortality

To evaluate the effectiveness of a well‐controlled programme of early detection and treatment of prostate cancer in the population of Tyrol, Austria, where such a programme of early detection and treatment was initiated in 1988 and where prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) testing was offered for free to all men aged 45–75 years from 1993.
Expatriation: A developing research agenda

This introductory article briefly reviews the current state of research into expatriation, focusing on the critical issues of strategy, selection and predeparture, compensation, performance management, repatriation, and career management. The burgeoning research in the field is set into context and a plea made for a more varied and imaginative research agenda. The articles in the rest of this special issue are located in this context. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Exchange market pressure: some caveats in empirical applications

The Exchange Market Pressure (EMP) index, developed by Eichengreen et al. (1994), is widely used as a tool to signal whether pressure on a currency is softened or warded off through monetary authorities’ interventions or, rather, a currency crisis has originated. In this article we show how the index is sensitive to some assumptions behind the aggregation of the information available (exchange rates, interest rates and reserves), especially when emerging countries are involved. Specifically, we address the way exchange rate variations are computed and the impact of different definitions of the reserves, and we question the constancy of the weights adopted. These issues compound with the choice of a fixed threshold when crisis episodes are identified through the EMP index. As a result, one should exert caution in subsequent econometric analyses where a dependent binary variable is built to identify crisis periods.
The Effect of Judicial Institutions on Uncertainty and the Rate of Litigation: The Election Versus Appointment of State Judges

This article compares litigation in appointed and elected state courts. Scholars have concluded that appointed judges are more independent than elected judges. Models of the litigation process suggest that litigation rates will be higher where uncertainty over court decisions is greater. If the institutions that promote judicial independence increase uncertainty, one should therefore find more litigation where judges are appointed and, if instead they decrease uncertainty, more litigation where judges are elected. Examining three samples of state court litigation, this analysis finds, on balance, more litigation where judges are appointed, consistent with the hypothesis that judicial independence has a net positive effect on decision uncertainty.
Regulation through Information: An Empirical Analysis of the Effects of State-sponsored Right-to-know Programs on Industrial Toxic Pollution

Title III of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act requires all states to establish a system of local emergency planning committees to gather data on the hazardous materials used by local manufacturers and make that information available to inquiring citizens. However, Title III does not specify how proactive states must be in disseminating information on industrial toxins, nor does it provide any federal funds for such programs. Consequently, there is tremendous variation in how individual states have responded to Title III. An unresolved empirical issue is whether states with programs that actively promote public access to information on toxic chemicals are more successful in reducing industrial toxic pollution than states without such programs. Using data from the Environmental Protection Agency's Toxic Release Inventory, this study conducts a preliminary analysis of the effectiveness of the right-to-know programs in decreasing industrial toxic releases across the 50 American states. Contrary to the expectations of some pessimists, findings suggest that right-to-know programs reduce industrial toxic pollution without displacing the problem to other states. Copyright 1995 by The Policy Studies Organization.
A Randomized, Controlled Trial of Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, and Codeine for Acute Pain Relief in Children With Musculoskeletal Trauma

OBJECTIVE. Our goal was to determine which of 3 analgesics, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or codeine, given as a single dose, provides the most efficacious analgesia for children presenting to the emergency department with pain from acute musculoskeletal injuries. PATIENTS AND METHODS. Children 6 to 17 years old with pain from a musculoskeletal injury (to extremities, neck, and back) that occurred in the preceding 48 hours before presentation in the emergency department were randomly assigned to receive orally 15 mg/kg acetaminophen, 10 mg/kg ibuprofen, or 1 mg/kg codeine. Children, parents, and the research assistants were blinded to group assignment. The primary outcome was change in pain from baseline to 60 minutes after treatment with study medication as measured by using a visual analog scale. RESULTS. A total of 336 patients were randomly assigned, and 300 were included in the analysis of the primary outcome (100 in the acetaminophen group, 100 in the ibuprofen group, and 100 in the codeine group). Study groups were similar in age, gender, final diagnosis, previous analgesic given, and baseline pain score. Patients in the ibuprofen group had a significantly greater improvement in pain score (mean decrease: 24 mm) than those in the codeine (mean decrease: 11 mm) and acetaminophen (mean decrease: 12 mm) groups at 60 minutes. In addition, at 60 minutes more patients in the ibuprofen group achieved adequate analgesia (as defined by a visual analog scale <30 mm) than the other 2 groups. There was no significant difference between patients in the codeine and acetaminophen groups in the change in pain score at any time period or in the number of patients achieving adequate analgesia. CONCLUSIONS. For the treatment of acute traumatic musculoskeletal injuries, ibuprofen provides the best analgesia among the 3 study medications.