Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Current Constraints and Future Directions for Risk Adapted Land-Use Planning Practices in the High-Density Asian Setting of Ho Chi Minh City

The need to integrate adaptation efforts into land-use planning policies has been only recently recognized in Ho Chi Minh City. The city's latest planning guidance addresses both flooding resilience and mitigation of urban heat. This paper outlines the development contexts and the current barriers for adapted land-use planning within the city. The key challenge for land-use planning is communicating the important functions and services of open and natural urban spaces and effectively guiding the mainly individual developer-driven development. As the realization of non-structural adaptation measures is in strong contrast to the current market-driven private and short-term developer interests, the main development trajectories are questioned and synergies identified.
The biology of vernix caseosa

The biology and physical properties of the uniquely human skin cream ‘vernix caseosa’ are discussed. This material coats the foetal skin surface during the last trimester of gestation and provides multiple beneficial functions for the foetus and newborn infant. Vernix has a complex structure similar to stratum corneum but lacks lipid lamellae and is more plastic due to the absence of desmosomal constraints. In utero, vernix is made in part by foetal sebaceous glands, interacts with pulmonary surfactant, detaches into the amniotic fluid, and is swallowed by the foetus. At the time of birth, vernix has a remarkably constant water content approximating 80%. Postnatally, vernix is simultaneously a cleanser, a moisturizer, an anti‐infective, and an anti‐oxidant. Vernix facilitates acid mantle development and supports normal bacterial colonization. Its hydrated cellular structure and unusual lipid composition provide a ‘best’ solution for the needs of the foetus and newborn, not least of which is the attraction of caregivers. Vernix is an important natural biomaterial of potential interest to cosmetic scientists, and other disciplines involved in product development and therapies targeting the complex interface between the stratum corneum and a changing terrestrial environment.
On the relationship between real exchange rate and public spending: The case of Argentina

Drawing on Rodriguez (1989) and De Gregorio and Wolf (1994), this paper develops a model to explain the recent experience of appreciation in the exchange rate in Argentina. Although we incorporate the fundamentals to explain the equilibrium value of the exchange rate, the focus is on the close relationship between public spending and exchange rate. We develop a standard long-run cointegration analysis (error correction model) using determinants from the supply side. Different periods of overvaluation were identified compared to the equilibrium implied by an econometric model based on fundamentals. Particularly, it is found that the dramatic increase in government spending since the currency board was adopted in 1991 produced a significant appreciation on the real exchange rate both in the long and short run.
Improved Differentiation of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Other S. mitis Group Streptococci by MALDI Biotyper Using an Improved MALDI Biotyper Database Content and a Novel Result Interpretation Algorithm

ABSTRACT Reliable distinction of Streptococcus pneumoniae and viridans group streptococci is important because of the different pathogenic properties of these organisms. Differentiation between S. pneumoniae and closely related Sreptococcusmitis species group streptococci has always been challenging, even when using such modern methods as 16S rRNA gene sequencing or matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry. In this study, a novel algorithm combined with an enhanced database was evaluated for differentiation between S. pneumoniae and S. mitis species group streptococci. One hundred one clinical S. mitis species group streptococcal strains and 188 clinical S. pneumoniae strains were identified by both the standard MALDI Biotyper database alone and that combined with a novel algorithm. The database update from 4,613 strains to 5,627 strains drastically improved the differentiation of S. pneumoniae and S. mitis species group streptococci: when the new database version containing 5,627 strains was used, only one of the 101 S. mitis species group isolates was misidentified as S. pneumoniae, whereas 66 of them were misidentified as S. pneumoniae when the earlier 4,613-strain MALDI Biotyper database version was used. The updated MALDI Biotyper database combined with the novel algorithm showed even better performance, producing no misidentifications of the S. mitis species group strains as S. pneumoniae. All S. pneumoniae strains were correctly identified as S. pneumoniae with both the standard MALDI Biotyper database and the standard MALDI Biotyper database combined with the novel algorithm. This new algorithm thus enables reliable differentiation between pneumococci and other S. mitis species group streptococci with the MALDI Biotyper.
Controlled release of photoswitch drugs by degradable polymer microspheres

Abstract Background: QAQ (quaternary ammonium-azobenzene-quaternary ammonium) and DENAQ (diethylamine-azobenzene-quaternary ammonium) are synthetic photoswitch compounds that change conformation in response to light, altering current flow through voltage-gated ion channels in neurons. These compounds are drug candidates for restoring light sensitivity in degenerative blinding diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Purpose: However, these photoswitch compounds are cleared from the eye within several days, they must be administered through repeated intravitreal injections. Therefore, we are investigating local, sustained delivery formulations to constantly replenish these molecules and have the potential to restore sight. Methods: Here, we encapsulate QAQ and DENAQ into several molecular weights of poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) through an emulsion technique to assess the viability of delivering the compounds in their therapeutic window over many weeks. We characterize the loading efficiency, release profile and bioactivity of the compounds after encapsulation. Results: A very small burst release was observed for all of the formulations with the majority being delivered over the following two months. The lowest molecular weight PLGA led to the highest loading and most linear delivery for both QAQ and DENAQ. Bioactivity was retained for both compounds across the polymers. Conclusion: These results present encapsulation into polymers by emulsion as a viable option for controlled release of QAQ and DENAQ.
O Estrategista da Micro, Pequena e Média Empresa Privada Brasileira

The importance of micro, small and medium size companies (MSMC) to the economical development and job creation in the country hasn’t found parallel with respect to the production of theories in the strategy field, even considering the limited capacity of action of the MSMCs and the idiosyncrasies of their leaders. This article seeks to contribute to the understanding of the strategy formation processes in these companies by the nature of the strategic thinking of their strategists, having as reference the taxonomy of generic strategies and the cognitive processes of decision making and strategic thinking. It aims at proposing a typology to comprehend the nature of strategic thinking of these managers, identifying their main characteristics dimensions and proposing an instrument that allows its categorization and comparison. The application of a survey with an intentional sample composed by 70 strategists allowed the use of factor analysis for the construction of categories and scale, and the observation that, in the universe of the surveyed strategists in regard to their way of thinking, intuition is complementary, not dominant, the collective character is intense in the strategy formation process as well as the appreciation of formalism and belief of the importance of planning and registering their intentions. Key words: Strategy. Micro, small e medium companies. Intuition. Collective character. Formalism.
Multifractal analysis of the dollar–yuan and euro–yuan exchange rates before and after the reform of the peg

Since the beginning of the reforms in China in the late seventies, the economic growth of China has been impressive; for more than two decades, the growth rate has been close to 10%. According to the IMF, China surpassed the UK in terms of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to become the world’s fourth largest economy in 2005. For 2006 and 2007 the GDP of China and Germany were very close, and by the end of 2008 China became the third nation in terms of GDP, behind the United States and Japan. In 2009, its growth was very strong (10.7%) and China became the second economic power in 2010. China is also now considered the World’s factory, being the first producer of goods such as televisions, cell phones, and toys. Since the beginning of the 1980s, there have been many changes in the daily life of Chinese people. At the internal level, the result of this impressive growth rate has been a strong decrease of people living below the poverty line, and the progressive appearance of a middle class. At the same time, the trade surplus of China vis-a-vis Western Europe and the United States is strongly increasing, and the exchange rate of the yuan has been considered by some sources to be the main reason for this surplus (Goldstein 2003). The yuan exchange rate system is thus becoming an important economic issue (Anderson 2004, Bouveret et al. 2006, McKinnon and Schnabl 2006, McKinnon 2007). Some authors have argued, for example, that the yuan is strongly undervalued (Chang and Shao 2004) and that the boom in foreign direct investment in China has been strongly helped by China’s exchange rate policy (Xing 2006). A few years ago, on July 21, 2005, this system was modified. Before this, for more than 10 years a fixed parity was imposed by the People’s Bank of China (PBC), with a small margin. After July 21, 2005, a more complex procedure was adopted, with a possible slow revaluation. We consider here the effect of this exchange rate system on foreign exchange fluctuations: for this, we consider the scaling properties of these fluctuations, through power spectra and structure *Corresponding author. Email: francois.schmitt@univ-lille1.fr
The return of the male breadwinner model? Educational effects on parents’ work arrangements in Austria, 1980–2009

This study examines how the educational level of parents with children below age six affects their work arrangements. Based on Austrian microcensus data from 1980 to 2009, multinomial logistic regression models are used to investigate changes in this effect. The findings show converging trends between different educational groups. Couples with children below the age of three whose mothers are highly educated increasingly turn away from the dual breadwinner model and, rather unexpectedly, choose the male breadwinner model. Over the period covered, parents with various combinations of educational attainments opted more and more frequently for the modernized male breadwinner model in which women work part-time. The latter has become the most common arrangement among parents with preschool children. These results are interpreted in the light of institutional and cultural factors, paying special attention to parental leave regulations, the availability of childcare places and attitudes towards mothers’ employment.
Prolonged Prevention of Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Skin by Regular Sunscreen Use

Half of all cancers in the United States are skin cancers. We have previously shown in a 4.5-year randomized controlled trial in an Australian community that squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) but not basal cell carcinomas (BCC) can be prevented by regular sunscreen application to the head, neck, hands, and forearms. Since cessation of the trial, we have followed participants for a further 8 years to evaluate possible latency of preventive effect on BCCs and SCCs. After prolonged follow-up, BCC tumor rates tended to decrease but not significantly in people formerly randomized to daily sunscreen use compared with those not applying sunscreen daily. By contrast, corresponding SCC tumor rates were significantly decreased by almost 40% during the entire follow-up period (rate ratio, 0.62; 95% confidence interval, 0.38-0.99). Regular application of sunscreen has prolonged preventive effects on SCC but with no clear benefit in reducing BCC. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2006;15(12):2546–8)
Plasmatherapy in Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome

Plasmatherapy has become empirically first-line treatment in atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), although no prospective controlled trials have been conducted. Patients with mutations that induce complete or partial factor H (FH) quantitative deficiency may be controlled by plasma infusions (PI), but plasma exchanges appear more efficient than PI in patients with mutations that result in a mutant dysfunctional FH in the circulation. Early treatment is crucial. Long-term prophylactic plasmatherapy appears more efficient to prevent end-stage renal disease (ESRD) than plasmatherapy only during relapses. However, the longest follow-up with preserved renal function under plasmatherapy is only 6.5 years. Plasmatherapy does not appear to influence the outcome of aHUS with membrane cofactor protein mutation, and its efficacy in patients with factor I, C3, or factor B mutations is suggested by a few reports. We hope complement blockers will offer patients a better chance to avoid ESRD and provide a better quality of life.
Characteristics of Inter-regional Income Disparities in China

在地区收入差距的文献中, 一直缺乏从个人收入角度出发的研究; 而关于个人收 入分配的研究, 也很少考察地区差异。 文章使用2005年全国1%人口普查数据, 从个 人收入角度描述了全国及 (几种不同定义下的) 地区间的个人收入差距, 并分析了影 响个人收入差距的因素, 得到了一些有意义的结果。 关键词: 个人收入分配 地区差距 The literature on regional disparities in China rarely analyzes individual income. Similarly, most research on individual income inequality does not take regional differences into account. Using data from the 2005 One Percent National Population Sample Survey, this paper describes income inequality at the national level and among (variously defined) regions from the angle of individual income, and analyzes factors affecting income inequality.
Large company capital formation and effects of market share turbulence : micro-data evidence from the PIMS database

The possible effect of demand uncertainty on company investment decisions is investigated at the micro level. A standard investment function is employed and modified to incorporate demand uncertainty. The data comes from the PIMS data base on business units of large firms in concentrated markets. In dynamic panel data estimation, significance was found for a variable representing market share turbulence. In a number of industries, this variable causes a depressing effect on capital investment either on its own or in combination with indicators of vertical integration, which indicate insulation from demand uncertainty. The results constitute some of the best available evidence that demand uncertainty constraints capital investment.
Whether environmental factors matter: some evidence from UK property companies

Purpose – The purpose of the paper is test whether what property companies say they do with respect to corporate social responsibility (CSR) in general and the environment in particular has an impact on corporate value as expressed by their return on assets (ROA). Design/methodology/approach – The annual report for any UK‐listed company is a statutory document with its contents prescribed by legislation. This paper is concerned with a comparison of how real estate companies present themselves in their annual reports with their actual performance. To extract that information systematically, word frequency analysis (WFA) was undertaken on the contents of the annual reports of the top 20 UK‐listed property companies by value using a CSR vocabulary of words and phrases. The frequency of each of these was established in each annual report between 2001 and 2010. Two indices were created: a general CSR index based on the occurrence of a CSR vocabulary; and a green index based on the environmental vocabulary. Thes.
Molecular Epidemiology of Leishmania (Viannia) guyanensis in French Guiana

ABSTRACT Little information is available about the genetic variability of Leishmania populations and the possible correlations with ecoepidemiological features of leishmaniases. The present study was carried out in French Guiana, a country where cutaneous leishmaniases (CL) are endemic over the whole territory. The genetic polymorphism of a nuclear sequence encompassing the end of the ribosomal small subunit and the internal transcribed spacer 1 of 265 isolates from patients with CL was examined by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Genotypes based on the fingerprinting phenetic integration were compared to epidemiological, clinical, and geographical data. In agreement with previous reports, five different Leishmania species were identified, but Leishmania (Viannia) guyanensis represented 95.8% of the samples. Two distinct L. (V.) guyanensis populations were found to originate in two ecologically characterized regions. Higher lesional parasite densities and the need for additional treatments were significantly linked to genotype group I. Parasites of genotype group II were more likely to cause chronic and disseminated cutaneous forms in patients. L. (V.) guyanensis was previously said not to be very polymorphic; however, the present analysis resulted in a significant degree of discrimination among L. (V.) guyanensis isolates from diverse ecological areas and with different clinical implications.
Hepatitis C Virus NS5A Protein Triggers Oxidative Stress by Inducing NADPH Oxidases 1 and 4 and Cytochrome P450 2E1

Replication of hepatitis C virus (HCV) is associated with the induction of oxidative stress, which is thought to play a major role in various liver pathologies associated with chronic hepatitis C. NS5A protein of the virus is one of the two key viral proteins that are known to trigger production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). To date it has been considered that NS5A induces oxidative stress by altering calcium homeostasis. Herein we show that NS5A-induced oxidative stress was only moderately inhibited by the intracellular calcium chelator BAPTA-AM and not at all inhibited by the drug that blocks the Ca2+ flux from ER to mitochondria. Furthermore, ROS production was not accompanied by induction of ER oxidoreductins (Ero1), H2O2-producing enzymes that are implicated in the regulation of calcium fluxes. Instead, we found that NS5A contributes to ROS production by activating expression of NADPH oxidases 1 and 4 as well as cytochrome P450 2E1. These effects were mediated by domain I of NS5A protein. NOX1 and NOX4 induction was mediated by enhanced production of transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1). Thus, our data show that NS5A protein induces oxidative stress by several multistep mechanisms.
Skin and muscle indurations in phenylketonuria.

Scleroderma-like skin lesions with involvement of the muscles of the extremities are described in a child with phenylketonuria (PKU) who was observed for five years. Association of the lesions with PKU is indicated by their dependence on the severity of the latter and their pronounced improvement during treatment with hydrolysates devoid of phenylalanine. Biochemical investigations failed to demonstrate 2,5-dihydroxyphenylpyruvic acid (2,5-DHPPA) but showed abundant conversion of tryptophan to indolelactic acid and indoleacetic acid with depressed metabolism of tryptophan via 5-hydroxytryptophan, serotonin, and 5-hydroxyindolacetic acid.
An Examination of the Credence Attributes of an Audit

SYNOPSIS: An audit consists of two main components: (1) the assessment of risk, and (2) the planning and execution of audit procedures. Both activities require a great deal of professional judgment. In this sense, the auditor is an expert who is best positioned to assess the risk and to conduct the audit in accordance with professional auditing standards. We use a simple decision-making framework to illustrate an auditor's possible strategies when an auditee cannot directly determine the effort level required to conduct an audit appropriately. We discuss and compare three economic perspectives for the audit: search goods, experience goods, and credence goods. Based on the economic theory of credence goods, we predict that a seller has incentives to act strategically when buyers are faced with considerable uncertainties relating to a service they purchase. Specifically, we argue that an auditor might have incentives to (1) under-audit, (2) over-audit, or (3) overcharge. These strategic actions have importa.
An n-of-1 Trial Service in Clinical Practice: Testing the Effectiveness of Stimulants for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

OBJECTIVE. We sought to describe the clinical use of n-of-1 trials for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in publicly and privately funded family and specialized pediatric practice in Australia. METHODS. We used a within-patient randomized, double-blind, crossover comparison of stimulant (dexamphetamine or methylphenidate) versus placebo or alternative stimulant using 3 pairs of treatment periods. Trials were conducted from a central location using mail and telephone communication, with local supervision by the patients’ clinicians. PATIENTS. Our study population included children with clinically diagnosed attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder who were aged 5 to 16 years and previously stabilized on an optimal dose of stimulant. They were selected because treatment effectiveness was uncertain. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES. Our measures included number of patients recruited, number of doctors who used the service, geographic spread, completion rates, response rate, and post–n-of-1 trial decisions. RESULTS. Forty-five doctors across Australia requested 108 n-of-1 trials, of which 86 were completed. In 69 drug-versus-placebo comparisons, 29 children responded better to stimulant than placebo. Immediately posttrial, 19 of 25 drug-versus-placebo responders stayed on the same stimulant, and 13 of 24 nonresponders ceased or switched stimulants. In 40 of 63 for which data were available, posttrial management was consistent with the trial results. For all types of n-of-1 trials, management changed for 28 of 64 children for whom information was available. DISCUSSION. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder n-of-1 trials can be implemented successfully by mail and telephone communication. This type of trial can be valuable in clarifying treatment effect when it is uncertain, and in this series, they had a noticeable impact on short-term management.
Robust Optimization of the Equity Momentum Strategy

Quadratic optimization for asset portfolios often leads to error maximization, with optimizers zooming in on large errors in the predicted inputs, that is, expected returns and risks. The consequence in most cases is a poor real-time performance. In this paper we show how to improve real-time performance of the popular equity momentum strategy with robust optimization in an empirical application involving 1500-2500 US stocks over the period 1963-2006. We also show that popular procedures like Bayes-Stein estimated expected returns, shrinking the covariance matrix and adding weight constraints fail in such a practical case.