Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Diminished Production of Monocyte Proinflammatory Cytokines during Human Immunodeficiency Virus Viremia Is Mediated by Type I Interferons

ABSTRACT The effect of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and high-level HIV replication on the function of monocytes was investigated. HIV-positive patients had elevated levels of spontaneous production of some or all of the monocyte proinflammatory cytokines measured (interleukin-1β [IL-1β], IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF-α]) compared to uninfected controls. In patients on therapy with high frequencies of monocytes producing proinflammatory cytokines, this frequency was diminished in the context of viremia during an interruption of therapy. Diminished production of proinflammatory cytokines during viremia was restored by culture with autologous CD4+ T cells or monocytes from an on-therapy time point or lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Microarray analysis demonstrated that diminished monocyte production of proinflammatory cytokines was correlated with elevated type I interferon-stimulated gene transcripts. The addition of exogenous alpha 2A interferon diminished the spontaneous production of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α but did not affect responses to LPS, recapitulating the changes observed for HIV-viremic patients. These results suggest that monocyte function is diminished during high-level HIV viremia and that this effect is mediated by chronic stimulation by type I interferons. This effect on monocytes during viremia may play a role in diminished innate or adaptive immune system functions in HIV-infected patients. In addition, the restoration of these functions may also play a role in some immune reconstitution syndromes observed during initiation of therapy.
A Review of Academic Research on the Reporting of Cash Flows from Operations

SYNOPSIS: We provide a comprehensive review of academic research related to direct method cash flow presentation. While many financial statement users have stated a preference for the direct method, few accounting standard setters around the world have required it and, given a choice, most entities present operating cash flows using the indirect method. Our review indicates that academic research has generally found direct method cash flow information to be decision useful. Also, research finds that direct method information is reflected in stock prices indicating that users appear to utilize this information when available. However, there are, as of yet, no studies detailing how this information makes its way into stock prices. Finally, the evidence we review suggests that direct method information is economically significant and that the recurring benefits that many firms derive from providing direct method information likely exceed recurring costs. Our review should be of interest to academics research.
Public procurement and corruption in Bangladesh confronting the challenges and opportunities

In new democracies like Bangladesh code of conduct, the ethics and issues of conflict of interest have not been accorded a high priority for legislative and administrative reforms. To discuss the role of public administration in Bangladesh and recommends measures to be adopted to prevent corruption in public procurement. Information on global and regional in connection to procurement and corruption were retrieved from documents available mainly on electronic databases, literature survey, on websites of specialized agencies and analysis of the existing situation in Bangladesh held. In Bangladesh contract awards provide opportunities for procurement. There are reports of wide-ranging corruption, political control and pressure from trade unions in the procurement process. Public trust in the process is generally absent. The World Banks evaluation of Bangladesh concluded that the implementation of procurement process is far from satisfactory, due to the following problems, poor advertisement, short bidding periods, poor specifications, nondisclosure of selection criteria, contract awards by lottery, one-sided contract documents, negotiations with all bidders and rebidding without adequate grounds, occurrence of corruption involving donor agency are not uncommon at nationally or globally and or other levels. The interesting finding is that procurement happens to be one of the lucrative areas, where corruption of above nature, therefore, the quality of public administration must be improved and accountable, which is an integral part of good governance. Key words: Procurement, corruption, e-procurement, public policy and administration,
The cause and consequence of domestic violence on pregnant women in India

The objective of this study is to evaluate and elucidate the impact of domestic violence on the health and pregnancy outcomes of women. Data were extracted from literature through the MEDLINE database for years 2000–2011. Domestic violence occurs in every society, irrespective of class, creed, religion and country. Women attending antenatal clinics in Delhi reported experience of 26.9% physical, 29% mental and 6.2% sexual abuse, irrespective of their age. The spouse was the perpetrator of abuse in 47% cases and his family members were responsible for 31%. Pregnant women were hit by their husbands on the back and abdomen, sometimes repeatedly, besides psychological abuse. Incidence of domestic violence was more when the male spouse was less educated or in the habit of consuming alcohol, opium or tobacco. Illiteracy, poverty, family status and uncaring attitude of community about spousal violence were the causes of domestic violence. Women having experience of violence were less likely to receive antenatal care or home visits by health workers and had a risk of perinatal and neonatal mortality of 2.59 and 2.37 times higher, respectively, than women having no violence during pregnancy. The survey indicated that 4.5% of abused women required hospitalisation and 3.8% needed medical care. Women's education, economic autonomy and empowerment may reduce the incidence of domestic violence among Indian women.
Economic and Political Factors in Formal Grievance Resolution

The resolution of formal grievances is largely determined by the applicable rights of grievant and the facts surrounding disputes. However, to the extent these rights and/or facts are unclear, the granting or denial of grievances is also partially determined by economic and political factors. A model of the impact of such factors on the favor ability of grievance decisions is developed and tested. The tests yield support for the general thesis and for several specific hypotheses.
Reduced age‐related plasticity of neurotrophin receptor expression in selected sympathetic neurons of the rat

Selective vulnerability of particular groups of neurons is a characteristic of the aging nervous system. We have studied the role of neurotrophin (NT) signalling in this phenomenon using rat sympathetic (SCG) neurons projecting to cerebral blood vessels (CV) and iris which are, respectively, vulnerable to and protected from atrophic changes during old age. RT‐PCR was used to examine NT expression in iris and CV in 3‐ and 24‐month‐old rats. NGF and NT3 expression in iris was substantially higher compared to CV; neither target showed any alterations with age. RT‐PCR for the principal NT receptors, trkA and p75, in SCG showed increased message during early postnatal life. However, during mature adulthood and old age, trkA expression remained stable while p75 declined significantly over the same period. In situ hybridization was used to examine receptor expression in subpopulations of SCG neurons identified using retrograde tracing. Eighteen to 20 h following local treatment of iris and CV with NGF, NT3 or vehicle, expression of NT receptor protein and mRNA was higher in iris‐ compared with CV‐projecting neurons from both young and old rats. NGF and NT3 treatment had no effect on NT receptor expression in CV‐projecting neurons at either age. However, similar treatment up‐regulated p75 and trkA expression in iris‐projecting neurons from 3‐month‐old, but not 24‐month‐old, rats. We conclude that lifelong exposure to low levels of NTs combined with impaired plasticity of NT receptor expression are predictors of neuronal vulnerability to age‐related atrophy.
Models for Interest Rates and Interest Rate Derivatives A Diplomarbeit and Master Thesis presented

This thesis gives an introduction to the principles of modern interest rate theory. After covering the basic tools for working in an environment with stochastic interest rates, we introduce different models for the term structure. The principals of risk neutral pricing are introduced and the Black model is derived. Closed form bond valuation equations are derived for the Cox, Ingersoll and Ross (CIR) model. Short examples of calibration of the Vasicek, CIR and LIBOR market model are given.
Planning for Peace: The Role of Tourism in the Aftermath of Violence

This article explores the role of tourism in the aftermath of violence, using the example of the contested heritage of Northern Ireland and its potential contribution to community peace building as the province emerges from 30 years of conflict. As a lasting peace seems to be a real possibility, the planning policies of the Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) are examined to see how they have operated within the context of a contested heritage. The Tower Museum in Londonderry is used as a case study to see what a best-practice model of the use of heritage tourism in community peace building might look like.
Monitoring and Enforcement of Environmental Regulations: Lessons from a Natural Field Experiment in Norway

Relying on a small natural field experiment with random assignment of treatments, I estimate effects of three core elements of most monitoring and enforcement practices: self-reporting, audit frequency and specific deterrence. I find evidence of evasive reporting of violations in self-audits, as more violations are detected in on-site audits than in self-audits. Announcing the increased audit frequency has no effect on compliance, but an audit raises the firm’s subsequent compliance substantially.
The bone marrow of multiple myeloma patients contains B cell populations at different stages of differentiation that are clonally related to the malignant plasma cell

One of the distinguishing features of multiple myeloma (MM) is the proliferation of a clonal plasma cell population in the bone marrow (BM). It is of particular interest that the tumor plasma cells appear to be restricted to the microenvironment of the BM and are rarely detected in the peripheral system, yet the disease is found widely disseminated throughout the axial skeleton. Furthermore, isolation of MM tumor cell lines has proven to be quite problematic due to their slow growth rate. These observations have instigated the search for earlier cells in the B cell lineage that are clonally related to the plasma cell tumor and that may represent the growth fraction of the tumor. We used allele-specific oligonucleotides (ASO) derived from the third complementarity determining region of the rearranged tumor immunoglobulin heavy chain gene to detect isotypes clonally related to the plasma cell tumor. By reverse transcribing RNA from the BM with a panel of CH primers (mu, delta, alpha, and gamma), followed by ASO- polymerase chain reaction amplification, we demonstrate the existence of preswitch isotype species that are clonally related to the myeloma tumor. Furthermore, we show that separation of the BM cells into CD45+ and CD38+ cell populations results in a lineage-specific expression of the clonally related RNA molecules, with the C mu and C delta in the CD45+, and C gamma in the CD38+ population. Interestingly, clonally related C alpha transcripts are also derived from the CD45+ fraction. These results confirm the presence of B cell populations clonally related to the plasma cell tumor and are consistent with models that propose the existence of myeloma precursors.
Effect of sequential cold shocks on survival and molting incidence in Panstrongylus megistus (Burmeister) (Hemiptera, Reduviidae).

The survival and molting incidence were studied in the insect, Panstrongylus megistus, following sequential cold shocks in which a milder shock at 0 or 5 degrees C for 1 h preceded a more severe shock (0 degrees C, 12 h). The shocks were separated by intervals of 8, 18, 24, and 72 h at 28 degrees C. The survival rate after sequential shocks was identical to that of unshocked controls. Cold-shock tolerance differed from heat-shock tolerance since the latter varied with the time between shocks and was much more transient. Sequential cold shocks produced a higher molting incidence when the first shock was given at 0 compared to 5 degrees C. This response was more rapid than that to sequential heat shocks. Cold-shock tolerance in P. megistus may involve heat-shock proteins, although other protective mechanisms may also occur concurrently. This is the first report of cold-shock tolerance in a blood-sucking hemipteran.
International Relationships in the Family Firm: The Effect on Leadership Succession

This article reports the results of a study designed to expand understanding regarding the effects that the quality of the work relationship between the owner-manager and the successor has on the continuity of leadership in the family firm. Training of the successor and succession planning were used as measures of leadership continuity. A positive, significant association between the reported quality of the intergenerational work relationship and successor training was found. However, no positive, significant association between the quality of the work relationship and formal succession planning was established.
A review on vein biometric recognition using geometric pattern matching techniques

Due to increasing security issues, biometrics has gained attraction during past years in both academic and commercial domains. They range from physical traits such as retina, face, iris, fingerprint, etc. to behavioral traits such as signatures, gait, etc. Techniques in non-visible spectrum are based on infrared imagery namely near infrared, short wave infrared, mid wave infrared and long wave infrared. Among physical traits vein pattern prove to be more secured as blood vessels are underneath the skin and partially visible to naked human eyes, hence, it becomes hard for intruders to forge. Due to unique physiology of vasculature network, they are fit to be used for biometric authentication. A detailed description of vein recognition technology, arrangement, infrared imaging is presented. A well defined classification has also been provided for vein pattern extraction strategies. This paper is an approach to introduce interested researchers to the scope and methods in this field with detailed classification.
The informal venture capital market in Norway ? investor characteristics, behaviour and investment preferences

There is widespread recognition in Norway that the reliance of SMEs on debt financing must be reduced while equity finance sources need to be increased. One of the main sources of equity capital is the informal venture capital market. This paper is a response to the lack of knowledge of the informal venture capital market in Norway. The findings reported in this paper are based on a large survey comprising 6618 persons. Out of all the respondents, 425 are classified as informal investors and comprise the data material that this paper is based upon. This paper describes the Norwegian informal investors in terms of their demographics, investment activity, behaviour and investment preferences. A comparison is made between the results from the Norwegian survey and findings from the UK and Sweden.
Too-Connected-To-Fail Institutions and Payments System’s Stability: Assessing Challenges for Financial Authorities

The most recent episode of market turmoil exposed the limitations resulting from the traditional focus on too-big-to-fail institutions within an increasingly systemic-crisis-prone financial system, and encouraged the appearance of the too-connected-to-fail (TCTF) concept. The TCTF concept conveniently broadens the base of potential destabilizing institutions beyond the traditional banking-focused approach to systemic risk, but requires methodologies capable of coping with complex, cross-dependent, context-dependent and non-linear systems. After comprehensively introducing the rise of the TCTF concept, this paper presents a robust, parsimonious and powerful approach to identifying and assessing systemic risk within payments systems, and proposes some analytical routes for assessing financial authorities´ challenges. Banco de la Republica´s approach is based on a convenient mixture of network topology basics for identifying central institutions, and payments systems simulation techniques for quantifying the potential consequences of central institutions failing within Colombian large-value payments systems. Unlike econometrics or network topology alone, results consist of a rich set of quantitative outcomes that capture the complexity, cross-dependency, context-dependency and non-linearity of payments systems, but conveniently disaggregated and dollar-denominated. These outcomes and the proposed analysis provide practical information for enhanced policy and decision-making, where the ability to measure each institution´s contribution to systemic risk may assist financial authorities in their task to achieve payments system´s stability.
A note on the stability of relationships between returns from emerging stock markets

Several of the larger emerging stock markets are focused upon. It is demonstrated that the intertemporal covariances between returns of different emerging markets may be insufficiently stable to permit the exploitation of the theoretical gains available from international diversification based upon ex post information. However, it is also suggested that, by using a simple strategy for forecasting covariance matrices, it is possible for many of the gains which appear to be available in ex post studies also to be achieved on an ex ante basis.
Non-stationarity and the import demand for virgin olive oil in the European Union

The aim of this study is to analyse the importation of virgin olive oil to European Union countries, paying special attention to the Spanish export contribution. The method used is based on the estimation of an imports demand system. The novelty of the paper lies not in the modelling approach but in the explicit consideration of the univariate characteristics of series that is included in the analysis. Since prices are non-stationary, cointegration among them has been tested. Results indicate that they are cointegrated and that homogeneity holds. As a result, relative prices are included in the imports demand system. Structural change is also considered so as to account for the entrance of both Spain and Greece into the EU during the period studied. Results demonstrate the leadership of Spain within the EU virgin olive oil market as well as the increasing competitiveness of Greek oil.
Recent policy changes in the Universal Child Benefit in Japan

Japan is rapidly aging, due to longer life expectancy and fewer children. Japanese social policy has tried to reduce the impacts of demographic changes by providing social services and benefits. The dominant Democratic Party of Japan came into power in the 2009 election after promising to extend child benefit, and following its landslide victory, the DPJ-led Government introduced the first universal child benefit in Japanese history. But barely more than two years on, the Government has been forced to abolish the benefit by a combination of strong opposition and financial crisis. This article will summarise the details of this child benefit controversy and look into the real problems of the Japanese welfare system behind the issues.
Management of atrial tachyarrhythmias

The prevalence of cardiovascular diseases such as atrial tachyarrhythmias (ATa) has become prevalent worldwide. A discussion on the detection, monitoring, termination, and prevention of ATa is presented. Rhythm control is defined as maintenance of sinus rhythm. One measure of rhythm control is the percent of time spent in atrial tachyarrhythmias, commonly referred to as ATa burden. Rhythm control can be attempted with antiarrhythmic drugs, atrial ablation, or implantable devices. This paper gives attention to the management of ATa using implantable devices. Such devices must detect ATa accurately and either prevent them from recurring or terminate them by using electrical stimulation techniques
Elasticity of si calculated with a lattice dynamics model

The traditional elastic theories based on the continuum assumptions may not be directly applicable for microsystems and nanosystems without any modification. In this paper, an augmented continuum theory, based on lattice dynamics theories, is developed to examine the elasticity of three-dimensional Si materials. The second-order elastic constants of Si can be expressed as the function of the force constants. A modified Keating model, as the interactional potential, includes four interactions, and needs four corresponding force constants. The phonon dispersion relations have been calculated by using the density functional perturbation theory, from which the force constants can be extracted and optimized. The calculated phonon spectra agrees well with experimental results, with the relative error ranging from 1.4% to 6.1%. Combining the modified Keating model with the phonon dispersion relations, the analytic expressions for certain high-symmetry k points phonon frequencies and the elastic constants of Si can be obtained. Then the Young's modulus in <100>, <110> and <111> crystallographic directions have been calculated, and the average deviation is less than 3.8%. The approach is expected to be used in the nano silicon beam.
Parliamentary Control of Coalition Governments

Parliamentary democracy means that the political executive is accountable to the parliamentary majority. However, when both the parliamentary majority and the cabinet consist of two or more distinct political parties, it is often difficult for the parliamentary majority to monitor and control the executive. In this article, we focus on political delegation from parliamentarians to the executive branch under multiparty parliamentary government. We identify the most important mechanisms parliamentary parties employ to remedy the accountability problems that may arise, as well as the arenas in which they are exercised: the executive arena, the parliamentary arena, and the extraparliamentary arena. We discuss the effectiveness of accountability mechanisms arena by arena, examine their use in 15 Western European countries that frequently feature coalition governments, and review our knowledge of how parliaments and parliamentary parties control political delegation and accountability in coalition governments.
Demand for money in Bangladesh: a cointegration analysis

The aim of this study is to estimate the demand for real broad (M2) money in Bangladesh using the most recently developed autoregressive distributed lag approach to cointegration analyses. The empirical results show that there is a unique cointegrated and stable long-run relationship among real per capita broad money demand, real per capita income, domestic interest rates and unofficial exchange rate (UM) premiums which act as a surrogate for foreign interest rates. With money as the dependent variable, the results show that the income and interest elasticities are positive while the UM premium elasticity is negative. These results suggest that distortions in the financial and foreign exchange markets should be reduced in order to increase financial saving or monetary accumulation. Our results also reveal that the demand for money in Bangladesh is stable despite the changes in financial and exchange rate policies between 1975 and 1995.