Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Correlation and path coefficient analysis of some quantitative traits in wheat

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is an important cereal crop of cool climates, and plays a key role in the food and nutritional security of India. The objective of this study was to establish the inter-relationship and direct and indirect effect of various wheat components on yield. Thirty-seven wheat genotypes and three check varieties were studied for correlation and path coefficient analysis of some quantitative traits in wheat at Kisan (P.G), College, Simbhaoli in India. Generally, the estimates of genotypic correlation coefficients were higher than the corresponding phenotypic correlation coefficients for all the character combinations. Seed yield was significantly and positively associated with number of spikelets plant-1, followed by number of effective tillers and 100-seed weight at both phenotypic and genotypic levels. Seed yield showed a significant negative association with number of seeds spikelet-1 at genotypic level. Among the significant inter-relationships, the association of days to 75% spike emergence with days to maturity and 100-seed weight were significant and positive, but were negative and significantly associated with number of seeds spikelet-1 and number of grains spike-1. Similarly, the associations of spike length with number of seeds spikelet-1, and number of spikelets plant-1 and number of effective tillers were negative and significant. The association of number of spikelets plant-1 with number of effective tillers was also positive and highly significant. Path coefficient analysis revealed that the magnitude of positive direct effect on seed yield was highest through number of spikelets plant-1, followed by number of grains spike-1 and 100-seed weight; whereas protein content followed by number of seeds spikelet-1 and number of effective tillers exhibited high, but negative direct effect on seed yield plant-1.
Aid and Fertility

This paper uses a panel data from developing countries to study the relationship between foreign aid flows and fertility rates. By making use of natural disasters in neighboring countries as an instrumental variable to foreign aid receipts,I find that a percentage point increase in the share of aid in the GDP increases on average fertility rates among the population by 0.045 additional children. This can be trans- lated to an additional child for about every 22 women of childbearing age. The positive effect of foreign aid on fertility rates can contribute to the current debate on foreign aid, and supply an additional explanation for its limited efficacy historically. By making use of the same instrumental variable, I also find no effect of foreign aid on other determinants of economic growth and growth itself.
A quantitative model for ERP investment decision: considering revenue and costs under uncertainty

This paper evaluates ERP investment under uncertainty using a model based on the Real Options theory. We expand the Dixit and Pindyck (Dixit, A.K. and Pindyck, R.S., 1994. Investment under uncertainty. Princeton: Princeton University Press) model, which considers a single source of uncertainty, and apply it to the problem of ERP investment decision. Revenue and costs are well documented in the literature as uncertain and critical factors. We developed a quantitative model using the concept of dynamic programming, which takes into account multiple uncertain factors, to determine the optimal threshold ratio of revenue to cost, as a means to evaluate investment in ERP. In addition, we performed sensitivity analysis on the effects various parameters have on the value of ERP projects. In contrast to conventional wisdom, we showed that the evaluation of ERP based on Real Options theory differs from that of NPV and captures a more realistic valuation of investment in ERP. This paper contributes to the literature by taking both uncertain revenue and costs into account, and makes up for the lack of tools required to quantify investments in ERP under uncertainty.
Association between Supraependymal Nerve Fibres and the Ependymal Cilia of the Mammalian Brain

The ciliated ependymal cells that line the floor of the fourth ventricle in adult Wistar rats are overlaid by an immense network of supraependymal nerve fibres. This study presents morphological evidence of a characteristic association of supraependymal nerve fibres with the cilia of the ependymocytes of the ventricular surface. It is found that the supraependymal nerve fibres accumulate and/or terminate at the base of the clusters of ependymal cilia. These fibres are varicose in nature and consist of large‐diameter fibres with numerous prominent varicosities and small‐diameter fibres with less frequent and less prominent varicosities. The characteristic association of the supraependymal nerve fibres with the ciliated ependymocytes suggests that these nerve fibres may be involved in producing co‐ordinated ciliary movements in the mammalian brain.
Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy: A randomized controlled trial comparing dexamethasone and ursodeoxycholic acid

Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is characterized by troublesome maternal pruritus, elevated serum bile acids (≥10 μmol/L) and increased fetal risk. Recently we determined a cutoff level of serum bile acids, ≥40 μmol/L, to be associated with impaired fetal outcome. We have now studied the effects of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and dexamethasone on pruritus, biochemical markers of cholestasis, and fetal complication rates in a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial. For this purpose, 130 women with ICP were randomly allocated to UDCA (1 g/day for three weeks), or dexamethasone (12 mg/day for 1 week and placebo during weeks 2 and 3), or placebo for 3 weeks. Pruritus and biochemical markers of cholestasis were analyzed at inclusion and after 3 weeks of treatment. Fetal complications (spontaneous preterm delivery; asphyxial events; and meconium staining of amniotic fluid, placenta, and membranes) were registered at delivery. An intention‐to‐treat analysis showed significant reduction of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (P = .01) and bilirubin (P = .002) in the UDCA group only. In a subgroup analysis of ICP women with serum bile acids ≥40 μmol/L at inclusion (n = 34), UDCA had significant effects on pruritus (−75%), bile acids (−79%), ALT (−80%), and bilirubin (−50%) as well, but not on fetal complication rates. Dexamethasone yielded no alleviation of pruritus or reduction of ALT and was less effective than UDCA at reducing bile acids and bilirubin. In conclusion, 3 weeks of UDCA treatment improved some biochemical markers of ICP irrespective of disease severity, whereas significant relief from pruritus and marked reduction of serum bile acids were only found in patients with severe ICP. (HEPATOLOGY 2005;42:1399–1405.)
Weight loss and dropout during a commercial weight-loss program including a very-low-calorie diet, a low-calorie diet, or restricted normal food: observational cohort study

Background: The effectiveness of commercial weight-loss programs consisting of very-low-calorie diets (VLCDs) and low-calorie diets (LCDs) is unclear. Objective: The aim of the study was to quantify weight loss and dropout during a commercial weight-loss program in Sweden (Itrim; cost: $1300/€1000; all participants paid their own fee). Design: This observational cohort study linked commercial weightloss data with National Health Care Registers. Weight loss was induced with a 500-kcal liquid-formula VLCD [n = 3773; BMI (kg/m): 34 6 5; 80% women; 45 6 12 y of age], a 1200–1500kcal formula and food-combination LCD (n = 4588; BMI: 30 6 4; 86% women; 50 6 11 y of age), and a 1500–1800-kcal/d restricted normal-food diet (n = 676; BMI: 296 5; 81% women; 516 12 y of age). Maintenance strategies included exercise and a calorierestricted diet. Weight loss was analyzed by using an intention-totreat analysis (baseline substitution). Results: After 1 y, mean (6SD) weight changes were 211.4 6 9.1 kg with the VLCD (18% dropout), 26.8 6 6.4 kg with the LCD (23% dropout), and 25.1 6 5.9 kg with the restricted normal-food diet (26% dropout). In an adjusted analysis, the VLCD group lost 2.8 kg (95% CI: 2.5, 3.2) and 3.8 kg (95% CI: 3.2, 4.5) more than did the LCD and restricted normal-food groups, respectively. A high baseline BMI and rapid initial weight loss were both independently associated with greater 1-y weight loss (P , 0.001). Younger age and low initial weight loss predicted an increased dropout rate (P , 0.001). Treatment of depression (OR: 1.4; 95% CI: 1.1, 1.9) and psychosis (OR: 2.6; 95% CI: 1.1, 6.3) were associated with an increased dropout rate in the VLCD group. Conclusion: A commercial weight-loss program, particularly one using a VLCD, was effective at reducing body weight in self-selected, self-paying adults. Am J Clin Nutr doi: 10.3945/ajcn.112. 038265.
After globalization: emerging politics of education

Globalization refers to the formation of world systems, as distinct from internationalization which presupposes nations as the essential unit. Globalization includes finance and trade; communications and information technologies; migration and tourism; global societies; linguistic, cultural and ideological convergence; and world systems of signs and images. While it does not negate the nation-state, it changes its circumstances and potentials. In the global era, government continues to be largely national in form, and education is, if anything, more central to government, while issues of identity and difference become more important in the politics of education.
Partnership by Law?: The pre-proceedings process for famiies on the edge of care proceedings

The pre-proceedings process was introduced in 2008 as part of the PLO reforms to care proceedings. Its aim was to divert cases of abuse and neglect from the courts, to ensure local authority applications were better prepared and to reduce the time courts took to decide these cases. Local authorities were required to write a ‘letter before proceedings’ to parents explaining their concerns and invite them to a ‘pre-proceedings meeting’ to discuss how proceedings could be avoided. Legal aid was made available so that parents could have advice and support at this meeting. About the Study: The study, conducted in 6 local authorities in England and Wales, examined the operation and impact of the process through analysing local authority case and court proceedings files (207); interviews with social work managers (16), social workers (19), local authority lawyers (16) and lawyers who represent parents (19); observations of pre-proceedings meetings (36), interviews with parents who attended them (24); and a focus group with judges. Observed cases were followed up 6-18 months after the meeting. The research provides an in depth account of the operation of the pre-proceedings process, including how the parents and professionals experienced it, and its effectiveness in achieving diversion from court and reducing delay for children. Key Points: • Use of the pre-proceedings process varies between local authorities. Those in the study used it in almost all cases where there was time to do so, around half of all cases where care proceedings were started. • A third of pre-proceedings cases involved pre-birth assessments. Meetings were used to agree assessments, services and /or alternative care. • Use of the process was supported by social workers and their managers who saw it as a more respectful way to work with families at risk of care proceedings. • Parents felt supported by having their lawyer at the pre-proceedings meeting; for some this helped them to engage with children’s services and improve care. • The pre-proceedings process did succeed in diverting cases from court. Based on the file sample, about a quarter of cases did not enter care proceedings; in a third of these children were protected by kin care or foster care; and in two-thirds by improvements in care at home. • Care proceedings were not shorter where the pre-proceedings process had been used. Courts did not appear to take particular account of this work. • The pre-proceedings process delayed decisions for children who entered care proceedings. Court applications were delayed by attempts to use the process and sometimes by failure to recognise family care was not improving.
Risk On/Risk Off

The phrase “risk on/risk off” may now be ingrained in the vernacular of global investors. Lee attempts to crystallize what risk on/risk off really means by analyzing an extreme state of the market when the correlation of all assets is perfect. He derives a set of normative results of how assets should behave in relation to the investment opportunity set. Although his results do not provide guidance on the interpolation between a given state and the extreme state of perfect correlation, Lee believes that his analysis can serve as a compass for the investment decision-making process in the event that investors believe the market is moving toward or away from a risk-on/ risk-off environment. Lee discusses the investment implications in relation to the risk parity portfolio, global asset allocation, and active portfolio management.
An imperfect representative democracy political income redistribution in Latin America

Although several papers in the political economy literature suggest a positive relationship between income inequality and redistribution, the data for Latin America does not support this claim. Countries with more income inequality also have less redistribution. This paper explores how the degree of imperfection in the political institutions influences equilibrium redistributive tax rates and income distributions. A citizen-candidate model is developed (Osborne and Slivinski, 1996 and Besley and Coate, 1997) in which candidates face a cost for representing other citizens in politics. Political-economic equilibria for diferent degrees of imperfection of the political system are derived and compared. In particular, two distinct cases are found. Countries where the cost of entry to politics is low can have higher redis tribution and lower inequality if the median run as a candidate or ,when there is a two candidate equilibria, redistribution and inequality could go either way. On the other hand, countries where the cost of entry is high will not be able to translate the will of the people into political action and will end up with little redistribution and high levels of inequality.
Effect of Sahaja yoga meditation on quality of life, anxiety, and blood pressure control.

OBJECTIVE The present study investigates the effect of Sahaja yoga meditation on quality of life, anxiety, and blood pressure control. DESIGN The prospective observational cohort study enrolled two study groups: those receiving treatment from the International Sahaja Yoga Research and Health Center (meditation group) and those receiving treatment from the Mahatma Gandhi Mission Hospital (control group). Researchers measured quality of life, anxiety, and blood pressure before and after treatment. RESULTS Sixty-seven (67) participants in the meditation group and 62 participants in the control group completed the study. The two groups were comparable in demographic and clinical characteristics. At baseline, the meditation group had higher quality of life (p<0.001) than controls but similar anxiety level (p=0.74) to controls. Within-group pre- versus post-treatment comparisons showed significant improvement in quality of life, anxiety, and blood pressure in the meditation group (p<0.001), while in controls, quality of life deteriorated and there was no improvement in blood pressure. The improvement in quality of life, anxiety reduction, and blood pressure control was greater in the meditation group. The beneficial effect of meditation remained significant after adjusting for confounders. CONCLUSIONS Meditation treatment was associated with significant improvements in quality of life, anxiety reduction, and blood pressure control.
Evaluation of a perceived organisational performance scale using Rasch model analysis

Increasingly, researchers are using perceptual or subjective measures of organisational performance, but our review of the literature reveals that these measures are rarely validated. We introduce Rasch model analysis to the management field and apply it to a psychometric analysis of an organisational performance scale developed in 1996 by Delaney and Huselid. Although this scale has been widely used, the present work is the first substantial investigation of its psychometric properties. The results of Rasch model analysis reveal that the original hypothesised two-factor structure was not supported but a revised three-factor structure with good psychometric properties that reflect internal, external and market performance was supported. Evidence for construct validity was found for internal and market performance subscales but not for external performance. This paper presents an important methodological advance for management research by demonstrating the evaluation of the psychometric properties of this scale through Rasch model analysis. The findings expand our understanding of the underlying structure of organisational performance and have implications for a wider application of Rasch model analysis in the management field.
The Effect of Investment Opportunity Set and Debt Level on Earnings-Returns Relationship and the Pricing of Discretionary Accruals

This study examines whether the informativeness of earnings and the pricing of discretionary accruals by the market are associated with investment opportunity set (IOS) and debt levels. We show that the earnings-returns relationship is impacted positively by IOS but negatively by debt after controlling for other confounding variables such as size, beta, persistence of earnings and regulatory environment. We then show that the market prices discretionary accruals at a higher level for high-IOS firms than for low-IOS firms. The evidence on the effect of debt on the pricing of discretionary accruals is weaker but negative. We show further that the positive association of discretionary accruals with future profits is further improved in high-IOS firms but weakened in high-debt firms. This is consistent with the view that managers use discretionary accruals as a means to signal future opportunities for growth. In effect, this efficient earnings management can be significant, especially in high-IOS firms. More interestingly, opportunistic earnings management is not the only motivation for earnings management under all circumstances. Key Words: Earnings management; Investment opportunity set; Capital markets; Valuation; Discretionary accruals
Inflammatory cell and cytokine patterns in patients with chronic polyarthritis and temporomandibular joint involvement

Objective. To investigate the occurrence of selected markers for inflammatory cells and cytokines in patients with chronic polyarthritis (CPA) and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) involvement. Material and Methods. Eleven patients (11 joints) with CPA and TMJ disorder were included in the study. Synovial specimens were obtained during TMJ open surgery and these were subjected to immunohistochemistry on frozen sections post-fixed with paraformaldehyde and with the cell membranes permeabilized by saponin. In all patients, the cytokines IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-1ra, TNFα, IFNγ, IL2, and TGFβ were investigated using specific antibodies. The occurrence of macrophages and T-lymphocytes was investigated using immunohistochemistry with monoclonal antibodies against antigens CD68 and CD45RO, respectively. In addition, PCNA was used as a marker for cell proliferation. Results. Staining of IL-1α, IL-1, and TGF was seen in all 11 specimens, IFN? in 1, TNFα in 4, and IL-2 in none. CD45RO-positive T cells were detected in 7 specimens, CD68-positive macrophages in 6, and cell proliferation seen with PCNA was noted in 8. Conclusions. The predominant cytokines of TMJ CPA were IL-1α, IL-1β, and TGFβ, and there appeared to be no differences between the subgroups (rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis) involved. Moreover, the cytokine pattern of TMJ CPA patients seemed to differ from patients with osteoarthritis, as shown in our previous study. The main difference was the absence of IFNγ and TNFα in TMJ CPA patients and a stronger TGFβ and IL-1α expression.
THE LAW OF ONE PRICE IN A NETWORK: ARBITRAGE AND PRICE DYNAMICS IN NATURAL GAS CITY GATE MARKETS*

In this paper we develop a model of the law of one price in a network where many markets are linked with a structure of paths. We show that arbitrage-free prices depend on the structure of the network and so do price dynamics. Our estimates indicate that local bypass and open access pipeline transportation were instrumental in opening arbitrage paths to natural gas city markets and causing their prices to converge. Spot markets in the city gates, pipeline hubs, and production fields, that are scattered over distant points in the vast pipeline network in the United States, now form a single market.
Injuries to the Immature Optic Radiation Show Correlated Thinning of the Macular Ganglion Cell Layer

Injuries to the immature optic radiation (OR) are associated with thinning of the retinal nerve fiber layer and corresponding visual field (VF) defects. The aim of the current study was to seek evidence for causal retrograde trans-synaptic degeneration by exploring the correspondence between the localization and extension of the injury to the OR and the structure of the macular ganglion cell complex, and the relation to VF function. Seven adults (age range 18–35) with visual dysfunction secondary to white-matter damage of immaturity and six healthy adults (age range 22–33) underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Fiber tractography was used to generate the geniculate projections to the dorsal and ventral striate cortex, delineated by retinotopic functional MRI mapping. The structure of the macular ganglion cell complex was measured with optical coherence tomography. The tractography showed overlaps between the dorsal and ventral geniculo-striate projections. However, in four patients with inferior VF defects, the dorsal projections were to a large extent traversing the space normally solely occupied by ventral projections. This is consistent with structural changes to the OR and suggests of re-organization upon injury. Diffusion parameters were significantly different between patients and controls, and most pronounced in the dorsal geniculo-striate projections, with a pattern indicating primary injury. The macular ganglion cell complex was significantly thinner in the patients and most pronounced in the superior sectors; a pattern particularly evident in the four patients with inferior VF defects. The ratio of the mean thickness of the macular ganglion cell complex in the superior and inferior sectors significantly correlated with the axial and mean diffusivities in the contra- and ipsilateral dorsal striate projections. The results suggest a causal link between injuries to the superior portion of the immature OR and secondary thinning in the macular ganglion cell complex, resulting in inferior VF defects.