Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Going from Bad to Worse: Adaptation to Poor Health, Health Spending, Longevity, and the Value of Life

Aging humans adapt to their worsening state of health and old people are usually happier than estimated by young individuals. In this paper we investigate how adaptation to a deteriorating state of health affects health spending, life expectancy, and the value of life. We set up a a life cycle model in which individuals are subject to physiological aging, calibrate it with data from gerontology, and compare behavior and outcomes of adapting and non-adapting individuals. While adaptation generally increases the value of life (by about 2 to 5 percent), its impact on health behavior and longevity depends crucially on whether individuals are aware of their adaptive behavior.
Neurocognitive Recovery After Hospital-Treated Deliberate Self-Poisoning With Central Nervous System Depressant Drugs: A Longitudinal Cohort Study

AbstractHospital-treated deliberate self-poisoning (DSP) by central nervous system depressant drugs (CNS-D) has been associated with impairments in cognitive and psychomotor functions at the time of discharge. We aimed to replicate this finding and to compare recovery in the first month after discharge for CNS-D and CNS nondepressant drug ingestions. We also examined a series of multivariate explanatory models of recovery of neurocognitive outcomes over time. The CNS-D group was impaired at discharge compared with the CNS-nondepressant group in cognitive flexibility, cognitive efficiency, and working memory. There were no significant differences at discharge in visual attention, processing speed, visuomotor speed, or inhibition speed. Both groups improved in the latter measures over 1 month of follow-up. However, the CNS-D group's recovery was significantly slower for key neurocognitive domains underlying driving in complex traffic situations, namely, cognitive flexibility, cognitive efficiency, and working memory. Patients discharged after DSP with CNS-D drugs have impairments of some critical cognitive functions that may require up to 1 month to recover. Although more pre- than post-DSP variables were retained as explanatory models of neurocognitive performance overall, recovery over time could not be explained by any one of the measured covariates. Tests of cognitive flexibility could be used in clinical settings as a proxy measure for recovery of driving ability. Regulatory authorities should also consider the implications of these results for the period of nondriving advised after ingestion of CNS-D in overdose. Future research, with adequate sample size, should examine contributions of other variables to the pattern of recovery over time.
Performance and Capital Structure of Privatized Firms in Europe

Abstract The objective of this paper is to analyze whether there are differences in performance between private firms and recently privatized firms in the European Union, as well as to determine whether ownership (state-owned versus private) and regulation affect capital structure. Focusing on economic reasons that justify privatizations, we analyze whether there are differences between recently privatized state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and private firms in their profitability, leverage and efficiency during the period 1999–2002. Also, we analyze the determinants of the capital structure of these firms. Contrary to previous studies, our results show that privatized firms are not less efficient than firms with private ownership.
Topical tacrolimus 0.1% ointment for refractory skin disease in dermatomyositis: a pilot study

BACKGROUND: Dermatomyositis is an inflammatory disease primarily involving the striated muscles and skin. Muscle disease usually responds to aggressive therapy with systemic corticosteroids. However, cutaneous lesions can be very resistant to systemic and topical therapies, even in combination. More treatment options are needed. Tacrolimus is an immunomodulator now available in a topical ointment. OBJECTIVE: To study the treatment of patients with refractory cutaneous lesions of dermatomyositis using topical tacrolimus 0.1% ointment. METHODS: Six patients with recalcitrant cutaneous lesions of dermatomyositis were included in this brief observational study: five adults and one pediatric patient. Five patients had classic dermatomyositis and one had dermatomyositis sine myositis. RESULTS: All had some degree of improvement of their dermatologic disease following 6–8 weeks of treatment with topical tacrolimus 0.1% ointment. Two had dramatic responses (>90% improvement), one had moderate (40–90%) improvement and three had minimal (20–40%) improvement. CONCLUSIONS: The dermatologic manifestations of dermatomyositis can be very difficult to treat. Multiple systemic and topical therapies have been studied. Combinations of treatments are often used, sometimes still not successfully. The results of this brief observational study using topical tacrolimus ointment for the treatment of refractory cutaneous lesions of dermatomyositis are encouraging. Topical tacrolimus was a useful adjunct in the treatment of the dermatologic component of dermatomyositis in adults and children in this pilot study.
Slow Development and Special Interests

This article argues that a natural implication of an innovation-based theory of growth is that slow development facilitates the formation of special interest groups. We demonstrate this in a growth model where innovations take the form of new goods and new production processes, and where factor suppliers in individual industries can organize to form rent-extracting special interest groups. We then examine the effect these groups have on an economy's subsequent development. We find that these groups can retard an economy's development for extended periods, but not permanently. Their long-run effect is to increase the volatility of the development process.
The Effect of Government Size on Economic Growth

This paper tests the hypothesis that the impact of government expenditures on growth is initially positive but becomes weaker or even negative beyond some threshold of government size or level of development. The author's cross-country regression results support this proposition in that the impact of changes in government size is positive and significant both for low income countries and for countries with a low share of government expenditures in GDP while being negative for countries with a high share for government expenditures and negative and significant for high income countries.
Microbiologic analysis of periodontal pockets and carotid atheromatous plaques in advanced chronic periodontitis patients.

BACKGROUND In recent years, many researchers have focused their attention on the ability of periodontal pathogens to colonize atheromatous plaques. Nevertheless, a clear correlation between the detection rates of periodontopathic bacterial DNA in atheromas and in subgingival plaque samples has not been established. The aim of our study was to assess the presence of five periodontal pathogens (Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Prevotella intermedia, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola, and Tannerella forsythia [formerly Tannerella forsythensis]) in periodontal pockets and in carotid atheromas recovered from the same patients. METHODS Thirty-three patients with advanced chronic periodontitis scheduled for endarterectomy were enrolled in the study. DNA was extracted from subgingival plaque samples and carotid atheromas. Universal bacteria primers for general detection of bacteria and species-specific primers for detection of periodontal pathogens were used to amplify part of the 16S rRNA gene by polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS All subgingival plaque samples were positive for at least one target microorganism. The prevalence of T. forsythia, P. gingivalis, T. denticola, P. intermedia, and A. actinomycetemcomitans were 69.7%, 63.6%, 54.5%, 45.4%, and 33.3%, respectively. Bacterial DNA was detected in 31 out of 33 endarterectomy specimens. However, none of the samples tested positive for DNA from periodontal pathogens. CONCLUSION The presence of periodontal bacteria in atheromatous plaques was not confirmed by this investigation; thus, no correlation could be drawn between periodontitis bacteria and microorganisms involved in the atherosclerotic lesions.
Compositional landscape for glass formation in metal alloys

Significance This paper reports and explains the exponential dependence of crystal nucleation rates on alloy composition for an undercooled liquid. It is shown that maxima in alloy glass-forming ability (GFA) take the form of exponential hypercusps in composition space. The approach is illustrated by optimizing the composition of a five-component nickel–chromium-base metallic glass to achieve order-of-magnitude improvements in GFA over prior work. Variations in GFA are shown to arise from the interplay between alloy-melting behavior and the liquid rheology. A high-resolution compositional map of glass-forming ability (GFA) in the Ni–Cr–Nb–P–B system is experimentally determined along various compositional planes. GFA is shown to be a piecewise continuous function formed by intersecting compositional subsurfaces, each associated with a nucleation pathway for a specific crystalline phase. Within each subsurface, GFA varies exponentially with composition, wheres exponential cusps in GFA are observed when crossing from one crystallization pathway to another. The overall GFA is shown to peak at multiple exponential hypercusps that are interconnected by ridges. At these compositions, quenching from the high-temperature melt yields glassy rods with diameters exceeding 1 cm, whereas for compositions far from these cusps the critical rod diameter drops precipitously and levels off to 1 to 2 mm. The compositional landscape of GFA is shown to arise primarily from an interplay between the thermodynamics and kinetics of crystal nucleation, or more precisely, from a competition between driving force for crystallization and liquid fragility.
Patriarchal Investments: Marriage, Dowry and the Political Economy of Development in Bangladesh

ABSTRACT This article explores why dowry inflation persists in Bangladesh, despite the country being widely heralded as a development success, especially with regard to gender. The article asks three questions. Does rural Bangladesh show changing patterns of marriage similar to those reported elsewhere in South Asia and more broadly? What might explain the persistent spread and inflation of dowry payments? How might changes in marriage and the inflation of dowry be related to the broader political economy of development in Bangladesh? Analysis of primary data from rural Bangladesh affirms shifts in norms of marriage arrangement and conjugal relationships, but also emphasises considerable continuity. The political economy of development in Bangladesh is briefly described. Dowry is argued to function not as compensation for perceived weakness in women’s economic contribution, but to bolster men’s. In mobilising “additional” resources, dowries help sustain the economic system and indicate ongoing commitment to cultural idioms of masculine provision and protection, against a background of widespread corruption and political and gender violence.
A preliminary spectral analysis of palatal and velar stop bursts in pitjantjatjara

This study examines the contrast between (alveo-)palatal stop bursts and velar stop bursts (/c/ vs. /k/), with particular focus on how the contrast between the two is enhanced in Word-initial vs. Word-medial position. Data are presented from nine speakers of Pitjantjatjara, a language of Central Australia. Analyses show that although there are formant differences between palatal and velar stop bursts, the formant contrast is not enhanced in Word-initial position, with the exception of a lower F3 for /k/ preceding the vowel /a/. By contrast, spectral tilt and the 3 rd spectral moment (skewness) are particularly effective at enhancing the contrast between /c/ and /k/ preceding the vowels /a/ and /i/ (with /c/ having less steep tilt values and lower skewness values than /k/); and the 4 th spectral moment (kurtosis) is particularly effective at enhancing the same contrast preceding the vowel /u/ (with /c/ having higher kurtosis values than /k/). These results suggest that Word-initial position in this language is marked not only by pitch movement and extra duration, but also by spectral properties of the stop burst.
Wealth Effects and Consumption: A Panel VAR Approach

We provide new evidence on the comparison between the stock and housing wealth effects on consumption. Using a panel VAR approach applied to OECD data, we find evidence that the stock market wealth effect is generally the larger. However, with regard to the evolution of asset wealth effects over time, our findings show that the housing wealth effect has outweighed the share market wealth effect in the last decade. We further find that asset wealth has asymmetric effects on consumption, with stronger and more persistent effects from positive asset wealth shocks. Our results have important monetary policy implications for both stock and real estate markets, and offer timely insights into the desirability of current proposals to reduce house price volatility, such as through macro prudential regulations.
Haematological modifications after acute exposure to high altitude: possible implications for detection of recombinant erythropoietin misuse

The haematological modifications developed after physiological stimulation of erythropoiesis, as in the case of exposure to high altitude, are still under debate (Birkeland et al, 1997). We have evaluated changes in haematological parameters in 24 healthy Western subjects, normally living at sea level, exposed to high altitude during a scientific expedition to the `Pyramid', Italy's National Research Committee (CNR) laboratory located in the Kumbu Valley (Nepal) at 5050 m. Blood samples were collected as follows: (A) at standard conditions (Kathmandu, 1200 m); (B) upon arrival at the Pyramid, after 6 d walking from 2800 m up to 5050 m; and (C) after an 8-d stay at the Pyramid. Haemoglobin concentration (Hb), haematocrit (Hct), red blood cell count (RBC), white blood cell count (WBC) and platelet number (Plt) were measured on the spot, using a portable automatic counter (Coulter ACT8). In addition, sera were cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen for later measurement, in our laboratory in Pavia, of erythropoietin (Epo) and soluble transferrin receptor (sTfr) concentrations (Quantikine ELISARD System), ferritin (ftr) concentrations (electrochemiluminescence immunoassay `ECLIA'; Boehringer Mannheim) and serum iron concentration (BM/Hitachi 717). Changes in Hb, Plt, sTfr, ferritin and sTfr/ftr concentrations between times A and B and between times B and C were statistically significant (Table I). Moreover, we observed a significant increase in Epo levels between times A and B and between times A and C, but not between times B and C. Haematocrits were significantly higher at time C with respect to time A and B. Finally, the sTfr/ftr ratio increased threefold between standard conditions (A) and the departure from the Pyramid (C). In a study of possible ways to detect erythropoietin abuse by athletes, Gareau et al (1996) found that subjects treated with recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEpo) showed an increased sTfr/ftr ratio (more than 100 times standard levels) compared with untreated subjects. Recently, Magnani et al (1999) confirmed these data in patients treated with a high dose of rHuEpo (200 IU/kg). In contrast, our experience suggests that even in the presence of an important and prolonged physiological stimulation the sTfr/ftr ratios do not increase by more than three times. Finally, after 15 d of progressive physiological stimulation, we did not reach in our measurements the sTfr/ftr ratios (always more than five times basal values) that Gareau et al (1996) and Magnani et al (1999) observed over a period of 15 d after five fixed time (days 0, 2, 4, 8, 10) high-dose (200 IU/kg) rHuEpo administrations. Thus, although our data do not represent a secure tool to determine rHuEpo abuse from physiological stimulation, the sTfr/ftr ratio may help in revealing high-dose rHuEpo administration. However, it remains likely that the sTfr/ftr ratio will not show the same degree of change if rHuEpo is administered at a low dose, especially when iron is also given (Magnani et al, 1999).
The effects of procurement policies on ‘downstream’ corporate social responsibility activity

The majority of businesses are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and yet the main thrust of research into corporate social responsibility (CSR) to date focuses on the practice and behaviour of large organizations. The present study is based on the content analysis of free-flow narrative responses to a survey by 68 SME owner-managers. Insights are gained into the environmental and social criteria these firms face when tendering contracts and opinions are sought on issues such as voluntary versus imposed CSR standards. Evidence provided in the survey suggests that there are many examples of positive CSR practice among the SME community. However, we find that the burden of imposed standards, with related increases in bureaucracy and costs, can create frustrations for such firms, resulting in a potential ‘ceiling effect’ and lower overall engagement with CSR.
Clinical Holistic Medicine: Mental Disorders in a Holistic Perspective

From a holistic perspective, psychiatric diseases are caused by the patients unwillingness to assume responsibility for his life, existence, and personal relations. The loss of responsibility arises from the repression of the fundamental existential dimensions of the patients. Repression of love and purpose causes depersonalization (i.e., a lack of responsibility for being yourself and for the contact with others, loss of direction and purpose in life). Repression of strength in mind and emotions leads to derealization (the breakdown of the reality testing, often with mental delusions and hallucinations). The repression of joy and gender leads to devitalization (emotional emptiness, loss of joy, personal energy, sexuality, and pleasure in life). The losses of existential dimensions are invariably connected to traumas with life-denying decisions. Healing the wounds of the soul by holding and processing will lead to the recovery of the person's character, purpose of life, and existential responsibility. It can be very difficult to help a psychotic patient. The physician must first love his patient unconditionally and then fully understand the patient in order to meet and support the patient to initiate the holistic process of healing. It takes motivation and willingness to suffer on behalf of the patients in order to heal, as the existential and emotional pain of the traumas resulting in insanity is often overwhelming. We believe that most psychiatric diseases can be alleviated or cured by the loving and caring physician who masters the holistic toolbox. Further research is needed to document the effect of holistic medicine in psychiatry.
Money Employment And Inflation

This is a textbook on macroeconomic theory that attempts to rework the theory of macroeconomic relations through a re-examination of their microeconomic foundations. In the tradition of Keynes's General Theory of Employment, Interest and Money (published in 1936), and Patinkin's Money, Interest, and Prices, published in 1956 and revised in 1965, this book represents a third generation of macroeconomic theory. This book presents a comprehensive choice-theoretic analysis of the determination of the level of employment and the rate of inflation. A central feature of the book is the recasting of macroeconomic analysis in terms of a theory of exchange under non-market-clearing conditions. In addition, the analysis incorporates other aspects of the current reformulation of macroeconomic theory, including the relation between inflationary expectations, rates of return, and unemployment, the dynamics of aggregate demand, and the significance of incomplete information regarding the spatial distribution of wages and prices.
Stakeholder Mapping for Recreation Planning of a Bahamian National Park

This study engaged key stakeholders in developing a recreation management plan for Abaco National Park. Using a stakeholder analysis and participatory mapping exercises, we determined current and desired future land uses of representatives from the tourism industry, hunters, teachers, business leaders, local community members, and environmentalists. Spatial information was analyzed using a geographic information system (GIS) for trends and overlap among recreational activities and between recreation needs and protection of an endangered parrot. Results indicate a diversity of activities occur in the park, each with a distinct spatial distribution. Stakeholder groups had varied priorities for future park uses; however, all groups desired ecotourism and infrastructure development. Overlap existed among recreational uses and between recreation and parrot protection, suggesting the use of spatial and/or temporal zoning to reduce potential conflict. These methods provided valuable data for integrated conservation and recreation planning and should be applicable to other areas lacking social information for planning and management.
Producción, precios e integración de los mercados regionales de grano en la España preindustrial1

RESUMEN Este trabajo aborda la integración de los distintos mercados regionales de grano en España durante el Antiguo Régimen. Haciendo uso de series de precios y de producción de diversa procedencia, el autor emplea técnicas de estimación relativamente sencillas, desde correlaciones y desviaciones típicas de series sin tendencia hasta modelos de retardos distribuidos. Estas técnicas revelan la existencia de una covariación entre los precios de granos en distintos mercados regionales, así como la existencia de efectos simultáneos y retardados de la producción de granos sobre el precio de los mismos en mercados locales y bastante más lejanos. El autor concluye que existía una integración modesta pero en aumento de los distintos mercados en la Península, sobre todo durante el siglo XVIII, y que las instituciones eran capaces de amortiguar en parte los efectos de una cosecha fallida. El trabajo concluye apuntando el calendario posible de la progresiva integración de los mercados de grano ocurrida a lo largo de buena parte del siglo XIX en España. ABSTRACT The present paper deals with regional grain market integration in Spain during the Old Regime. Using mostly published price and production series, the author employs straightforward statistical techniques, ranging from correlations and standard deviations of detrended series to distributed lag models. These techniques show the existence of a clear covariation in the price of grain on different regional markets, as well as both simultaneous and delayed effects of grain production on prices both locally and at considerably greater distances. The author concludes that regional grain markets on the peninsula were modestly but increasingly integrated over the period, especially during the eighteenth century, and that existing institutions were a partial buffer for the immediate effects of harvest failures. The paper concludes by suggesting the potential timing for the progressive intergration of grain markets taking place throughout much of the nineteenth century in Spain.