Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Long-term effects of antihypertensive agents on proteinuria and renal function.

BACKGROUND Although many studies have examined the effects of antihypertensive agents on proteinuria and glomerular filtration rate in patients with kidney disease, many questions remain unresolved. These questions include whether the effects of agents differ, whether their effects are similar in diabetic and nondiabetic patients with renal disease, and whether the effects of any agents are independent of blood pressure reductions. METHODS We conducted a meta-analysis of studies obtained with MEDLINE and bibliographies from comprehensive reviews but included only investigations with follow-up times of at least 6 months. We combined data (1) in an analysis of randomized controlled trials, (2) in a separate univariate analysis of controlled and uncontrolled trials, and (3) using weighted multiple linear regression. RESULTS In 14 randomized controlled trials, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors caused a greater decrease in proteinuria (pooled mean [95% confidence intervals], -0.51[-0.68 to -0.35], ln [treatment/control]), improvement in glomerular filtration rate (0.13 mL/min per month [0.10 to 0.16 mL/min per month]), and decline in mean arterial pressure (-4.0 mm Hg [-4.9 to -3.0 mm Hg]) compared with controls. In a multivariate analysis of controlled and uncontrolled trials, each 10-mm Hg reduction in blood pressure decreased proteinuria (regression coefficient [95% confidence interval] -0.14 [-0.22 to -0.06] ln [after/before]), but angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (-0.45 [-0.58 to -0.32]) and nondihydropyridine calcium antagonists (-0.38 [-0.70 to -0.06]) were associated with additional declines in proteinuria that were independent of blood pressure changes and diabetes. Each 10-mm Hg reduction in blood pressure caused a relative improvement in glomerular filtration rate (0.18 mL/min per month [0.04 to 0.31 mL/min per month]), but among diabetic patients there was a tendency for dihydropyridine calcium antagonists to cause a relative reduction in glomerular filtration rate (-0.68 mL/min per month [-1.31 to -0.04 mL/min per month]). CONCLUSIONS Long-term beneficial effects of antihypertensive agents on proteinuria and glomerular filtration rate are proportional to blood pressure reductions and are similar in diabetic and nondiabetic patients with renal disease. In addition, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and possibly nondihydropyridine calcium antagonists, have additional beneficial effects on proteinuria that are independent of blood pressure reductions.
Taxes and Capital Structure: Evidence from Firms’ Response to the Tax Reform Act of 1986

While the theoretical relation between taxes and capital structure has been extensively analyzed, the empirical evidence on this issue has thus far been inconclusive. One of the main difficulties confronting previous empirical studies of the cross-sectional relationship between taxes and leverage was the control of intervening variables. The Tax Reform Act of 1986 (TRA), which drastically changed the tax regime, provides a unique opportunity to assess the interaction between taxes and leverage decisions in a controlled environment. The authors test the relationship between leverage and certain tax-related variables for a large sample of companies in the years surrounding the enactment of TRA. The results support the tax-based theories of capital structure. The findings indicate that there exists a substitution effect between debt and nondebt tax shields, and that both corporate and personal tax rates affect leverage decisions. Coauthors are Dan Givoly, Aharon R. Ofer, and Oded Sarig. Article published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Financial Studies in its journal, The Review of Financial Studies.
MicroRNAs and Target Genes As Biomarkers for the Diagnosis of Early Onset of Parkinson Disease

Among the neurodegenerative disorders, Parkinson's disease (PD) ranks as the second most common disorder with a higher prevalence in individuals aged over 60 years old. Younger individuals may also be affected with PD which is known as early onset PD (EOPD). Despite similarities between the characteristics of EOPD and late onset PD (LODP), EOPD patients experience much longer disease manifestations and poorer quality of life. Although some individuals are more prone to have EOPD due to certain genetic alterations, the molecular mechanisms that differentiate between EOPD and LOPD remains unclear. Recent findings in PD patients revealed that there were differences in the genetic profiles of PD patients compared to healthy controls, as well as between EOPD and LOPD patients. There were variants identified that correlated with the decline of cognitive and motor symptoms as well as non-motor symptoms in PD. There were also specific microRNAs that correlated with PD progression, and since microRNAs have been shown to be involved in the maintenance of neuronal development, mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress, there is a strong possibility that these microRNAs can be potentially used to differentiate between subsets of PD patients. PD is mainly diagnosed at the late stage, when almost majority of the dopaminergic neurons are lost. Therefore, identification of molecular biomarkers for early detection of PD is important. Given that miRNAs are crucial in controlling the gene expression, these regulatory microRNAs and their target genes could be used as biomarkers for early diagnosis of PD. In this article, we discussed the genes involved and their regulatory miRNAs, regarding their roles in PD progression, based on the findings of significantly altered microRNAs in EOPD studies. We also discussed the potential of these miRNAs as molecular biomarkers for early diagnosis.
Ultimate device scaling: Intrinsic performance comparisons of carbon-based, InGaAs, and Si field-effect transistors for 5 nm gate length

We use a single, multi-dimensional, and atomistic quantum transport simulator to investigate how far carbon nanotube, graphene nanoribbon, InGaAs, and Si ultra-thin body and nanowire n-type field-effect transistors can be scaled and to understand the mechanisms that limit their miniaturization. Despite multiple leakage paths, non-planar devices with a multi-gate architecture and an extremely narrow cross section can be expected to still work as good switches, even with a 5 nm gate length, provided that they exhibit a large enough band gap and transport effective mass and that their gate contact can modulate the electrostatic potential of the source and drain extensions to effectively increase the gate length.
A market entry timing model for new techniques

A central issue in new product development and planning is the market timing/entry decision. An entry too early may risk pushing an under-developed product into the marketplace, with possible negative results; however, a product/technology may sacrifice sales if entry is delayed too long. A market diffusion model is developed that incorporates negative word-of-mouth associated with new product failure, resulting from premature introduction. Our analysis suggests that, when introducing a new technology, significant penalties may be associated with mistiming introduction. The analysis was applied to a problem facing the photovoltaic program of the Department of Energy. A proposal to construct a 100-home demonstration program for photovoltaics PV in the Southwest was being evaluated. The analysis of this case showed that an argument can be made to delay the demonstration program for several years and that significant risks in terms of lowered ultimate market penetration exist when starting this PV demonstration program prematurely.
Prostaglandins and echocardiography in the assessment of patent ductus arteriosus

Prostaglandin (PG) levels and M-mode echocardiography were used to evaluate the severity of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in 19 premature infants. Mean 6-keto-PGF1α levels in infants with more severe left-to-right shunting were significantly higher than those in infants with a moderate level of shunting (1335 ± 763 vs. 504 ± 348 pg/ml, respectively). Furthermore, there was a significant correlation between this elevation and a decrease in the left ventricular systolic time interval, suggesting that both reflect the severity of ductal shunting. Although other echocardiographic measurements of cardiovascular function generally showed some tendency to vary with 6-keto-PGF1α levels, none was as closely correlated with the extent of PG elevation. Levels of PGE2 also seemed to vary with PDA severity; however, this correlation was not as significant.
Bortezomib, cyclophosphamide, and dexamethasone: highly effective for rapid reversal of myeloma-associated hyperammonemic encephalopathy

Hyperammonemic encephalopathy in the absence of liver disease is a rare complication of advanced multiple myeloma (MM) that is fatal without immediate intervention. Doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, and melphalan have been used for treatment in the cases reported to date [1,2]. Bortezomib is the first proteasome inhibitor used in the treatment of MM. There are no previous reports of bortezomib use in hyperammonemic patients with MM. We report a male patient with hyperammonemic encephalopathy due to aggressively relapsed MM who had a dramatic and sustained response to treatment with bortezomib, high-dose cyclophosphamide, and dexamethasone. A 61-year-old man with lambda light chain multiple myeloma (LLC MM), diagnosed 3 years previously, presented with a 2-day history of an acute confusional state. At initial diagnosis of MM, serum protein electrophoresis revealed severely depressed immunoglobulin levels and no intact M-protein, with an abnormal protein band of LLC and 2.51 g/day excretion of Bence Jones protein. The serum free LLC (SFLLC) level was 570 mg/L (K/L ratio 0.02). Hemoglobin was 142 g/L, calcium 2.31 mmol/L, albumin 45 g/L, and b2-microglobulin 2.5 mg/L, renal function was normal, and there was a patchy plasma cell infiltrate in the bone marrow. He was treated with three cycles of AD (infusional adriamycin 9 mg/m days 1–4, dexamethasone 40 mg days 1–4) and monthly zoledronic acid. He achieved an inadequate response, with reduction of urine Bence Jones protein to 1.79 g/day. Second-line therapy (thalidomide 200 mg daily with dexamethasone 40 mg daily for 4 days every 28 days) resulted in an excellent response, with a reduction in urine Bence Jones protein to 0.03 g/day and55% plasmacytosis in the bone marrow. He proceeded to a high-dose melphalan (200 mg/m) autograft. Post-transplant, the urine was immunofixation-negative for Bence Jones protein and SFLLC was 9.7 mg/L (K/L ratio 0.36). He continued on monthly zoledronic acid infusions. He remained in good response until the month prior to presentation, when urine Bence Jones protein increased to 3.08 g/day. He had a long past history of rheumatoid arthritis and had been treated with plaquenil. At presentation he was agitated and disoriented to time and place. He was apyrexial and hemodynamically stable. He was able to follow one-stage commands, but was unable to perform more complex tasks. Asterixis was present, but there were no other focal neurological signs. His cardiovascular and respiratory examinations were normal, apart from tachypnea (respiratory rate 28). There were no stigmata of chronic liver disease and his liver and spleen were not palpable. Peripheral blood counts were hemoglobin 92 g/L, white cell count 5.36 10/L, and platelets 276 10/L. There were a few red cell fragments on the peripheral blood film,
A Layered Communication Architecture for the Support of Crisis Response

Crises, situations characterized by high consequence, low probability, and short decision time, create a unique and threatening decision-making environment that must be conscientiously supported. The aim of this study is to derive a prescriptive architecture for crisis response systems, in particular, the role of communication and the characteristics of communication systems that are needed to connect the decision-making elements of crisis response.The layered crisis communication architecture (CCA) detailed in this paper enumerates the communication functionality required of any crisis response system. To support the crisis-handling team adequately during crisis response, such systems must include the services of each of the described six layers: The base, or connectivity, layer interfaces with the ISO's OSI model to provide error-flee end-to-end message transfer. The data-validation layer protects against incorrect data sources through gathering information to corroborate an incoming message. The filtering layer organizes and synthesizes messages to ensure that the crisis-handling team is presented with relevant data in a meaningful, usable form. The values layer interprets messages based on preestablished crisis priorities. The organizational memory layer provides decision makers with access to relevant data and knowledge bases. The group process layer supports the communication, coordination, and collaboration among the crisis-handling team members. To support crisis response adequately, these six layers of the CCA must be implemented as a single, cohesive whole.Through the CCA, the study offers pragmatically sound principles for organizing crisis response systems and captures a comprehensive perspective of the crisis response process; that is, this work offers a system architecture. As an architecture, the model enumerates all the functions necessary to support crisis response communication effectively.
Residents' perceptions of the environmental impacts of tourism in the Lake Bosomtwe Basin, Ghana

This study investigates residents' perceptions of tourism's physical impacts in the Lake Bosomtwe Basin in Ghana. Data were based on a resident survey conducted in the basin in January 2006. Residents perceived both positive and negative impacts of tourism development, but were more inclined to the positive side. Based on the findings, it is recommended that the district assemblies in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism should start managing the impacts, and also educate the local population on the dangers of underestimating the negative impacts of tourism on the environment.
Design for reliability of power electronic systems

Advances in power electronics enable efficient and flexible processing of electric power in the application of renewable energy sources, electric vehicles, adjustable-speed drives, etc. More and more efforts are devoted to better power electronic systems in terms of reliability to ensure high availability, long lifetime, sufficient robustness, low maintenance cost and low cost of energy. However, the reliability predictions are still dominantly according to outdated models and terms, such as MIL-HDBK-217H handbook models, Mean-Time-To-Failure (MTTF), and Mean-Time-Between-Failures (MTBF). A collection of methodologies based on Physics-of-Failure (PoF) approach and mission profile analysis are presented in this paper to perform reliability-oriented design of power electronic systems. The corresponding design procedures and reliability prediction models are provided. Further on, a case study on a 2.3 MW wind power converter is discussed with emphasis on the reliability critical components IGBTs. Different aspects of improving the reliability of the power converter are mapped. Finally, the challenges and opportunities to achieve more reliable power electronic systems are addressed.
The power of the markets? The international bond markets and the 2002 elections in Brazil

ABSTRACT This study uses an investment bank's fixed income research reports to analyse in unusual detail the investment activities and attitudes of international emerging bond market investors during the extreme market volatility over the Brazilian presidential elections of 2002. In examining these investors' reaction to the prospect and subsequent policies of the left-wing Lula government, the article considers Mosley's (2003, Global Capital and National Governments, Cambridge, New York, Melbourne: Cambridge University Press) conclusions regarding the strength and breadth of the bond market's influence on emerging market governments. The data show that international bond market investors did not exit Brazil before the elections, putting in question whether they were the source of the rise in the cost of government borrowing that Mosley and others see as indicative of the market's strength. This suggests that our understanding of the actors responsible for market movements remains incomplete. The article, therefore, challenges the idea, common within international political economy, of ‘the market’ as a single entity, with common actions and policy preferences. The data presented strongly suggest ‘the market’ is in reality made up of multiple, heterogeneous actors, often lacking any unity of opinion or purpose. After Lula's election victory, market prices recovered and the data show that international investors increased their investments in Brazil, despite slower policy implementation than market practitioners desired and the new government's social agenda. This supports a questioning of the true breadth of investors' policy interests and, therefore, influence.
Can Workfare Serve as a Substitute for Weather Insurance? The Case of NREGA in Andhra Pradesh

The rural poor in developing countries have great difficulty in coping with adverse weather. In theory, workfare programs may serve as an important mechanism for allowing households to deal with the effects of weather related shocks. If participation in a workfare program is sufficiently flexible households in a village which suffers bad weather may compensate for the loss of income by increasing their participation in the program. If participation in a workfare program is not sufficiently flexible due to, for example, caps on overall participation at the local level, then the program will not allow households to compensate for the effects of a weather shock. We evaluate whether India’s new workfare program for rural areas, the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA), allowed households in one state to mitigate the effects of weather induced income shocks by looking at whether NREGA participation is responsive to changes in rainfall. We find that NREGA did allow households to mitigate the effects of weather induced income shocks. While we are unable to precisely identify the relationship between changes in income and participation in NREGA, we show that the relationship is strong enough to be practically significant.
Managerial Economics in a Global Economy

Tastes, production, labor markets, financial markets, and competition have become highly globalized; financial and economic crises have become more frequent, and the risks of doing business have increased in a world economy that has become more sluggish (growing less rapidly than in past decades). Thoroughly recognizing and highlighting this new business environment, Managerial Economics in a Global Economy examines how firms reach optimal managerial decisions in the face of these modern constraints. Managerial Economics in a Global Economy synthesizes economic theory, decision sciences, and business administration to help instructors train students on how managerial deccisions are actually made in the modern, globalized world. Theory is explained clearly and the applications are numerous, real, and relevant. A global perspective permeates the presentation- examples, data and theory- to help illustrate how local economic decision making is now inescapably global.
Technology Evolution in China's Color TV Industry

For industries in undeveloped countries, technological paradigm transition means both opportunities and challenges. This paper examines the technology evolution process of the color TV industry in China across two areas: CRT (cathode ray tube) and flat panel display. In order to delineate the evolution path, a theoretical model is proposed in which six influencing factors, namely, firm strategy, demand, resource supplying, policy/regulation, technology paradigm/technology regime and industry structure, are examined. These factors jointly determine the evolution process of the color TV industry in China. This model clearly explains the industry's backward position, in comparison with that in leading countries.
Tigecycline Treatment Causes a Decrease in Fibrinogen Levels

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to assess the impact of tigecycline treatment on coagulation parameters, specifically fibrinogen, in patients with severe infections. We examined 20 cases of tigecycline-treated patients with severe infections, including hospital-acquired pneumonia, complicated intra-abdominal infections, complicated skin and soft tissue infections, and bloodstream infections. We monitored the relative markers of coagulation and renal and liver function before, during, and after treatment. Fibrinogen (FIB) levels decreased significantly after the use of tigecycline and normalized after the cessation of treatment. FIB levels significantly decreased in the patients treated with the recommended dose or a higher treatment dose. The FIB levels decreased more in the higher-treatment-dose group. There was no difference in the decrease in FIB levels or the FIB level recovery by age. Prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), and thrombin time (TT) were prolonged after tigecycline use. The TT decreased after the cessation of treatment, and the PT and APTT also decreased but not to a significant level. There was no change in platelet, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), or creatinine (Cr) levels associated with treatment. The use of tigecycline was associated with decreased FIB levels, which returned to normal after the cessation of treatment. A high-dose treatment group showed greater decreases in FIB levels than did patients treated with the recommended dose. The decline in FIB was not related to patient age. The use of tigecycline was associated with prolonged PT, APTT, and TT.
The study on pressure effect on characterization of directional coupler for different thickness of fiber cores in POF splitter development

An experimental study of coupling characterization is performed where different thickness of fiber cores are paired in order to develop a directional splitter. An external pressure is exerted upon both the fibers to stimulate the transfer of energy between the first fiber to the second fiber. The aim is to analyze the optimum thickness of multimode polymer optical fiber core needed to develop an effective coupler/splitter. The study is done by experimental set-up using specified radius of circular blocks customized using matching refractive index material. Other aim is to provide a considerable explanation on the characteristics in splitting ratio, excess loss and insertion loss when different thickness of cores are used with the existence of load F.
The Evolution of Stock Markets in Transition Economies

Abstract A significant autocorrelation of returns, also called predictability, may indicate market inefficiency. To test whether market efficiency has improved in transition economies, we develop a methodology based on a time-varying parameter model. We apply this methodology to a set of recently established stock markets over the period April 1994 through June 1999. We find that the Hungarian market always satisfies weak efficiency. For the Czech and Polish markets, we document convergence toward efficiency. On the other hand, a constantly significant level of predictability characterizes the Russian market. For this market, we cannot draw any conclusions concerning market efficiency. J. Comp. Econom. , September 2000, 28(3), pp. 456–472. Department of Finance, HEC School of Management, 1, rue de la Liberation, 78351 Jouy-en-Josas, France; and Department of Investment, Risk Management and Insurance, City University Business School, Frobisher Crescent, Barbican Centre, London EC2Y 8HB, United Kingdom.