Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A leadership preparation program for educational administrators

The central role of the educational administrator in successful schools has been well established. In Mexico, few school administrators receive formal preparation before beginning their positions. Although recent regional and national efforts have provided more professional development opportunities, formal preservice preparation is still lacking on a nationwide basis. This article briefly describes the historical paradigm of education administration programs in the US and offers a model for the preparation of school leaders. The model, utilized by the Education Administration Program of California State University, Fresno, focuses on instructional leadership, taking students from theoretical underpinnings to practical knowledge and application of concepts. The program foundations, design, and attributes are described in detail.
Is Increasing Urinary Albumin a Better Marker for Microvascular than for Macrovascular Complication of Type 2 Diabetes mellitus?

Aims: The aims of the study were to evaluate the prevalence of increased urinary albumin excretion (UAE) and associated cardiovascular risk factors and vascular diabetes complications in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Methods: We studied 975 patients in a cross-sectional design from 1998 to 2000. Frequency of micro- and macroalbuminuria, and their associations with cardiovascular risk factors and vascular DM complications, were examined. Results: Prevalence of increased UAE was 28.5% (18.3% micro- and 10.2% macroalbuminuria). Body mass index (BMI) (only females) and hemoglobin (Hb)A1c significantly correlated with macroalbuminuria (p = 0.034, p = 0.027, respectively), while high blood pressure (diastolic) was associated with microalbuminuria (p = 0.008). Diabetes duration, high systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and triglycerides were significantly correlated with both micro- and macroalbuminuria. Increased UAE was associated with neuropathy (relative risk (RR) 2.12, confidence interval (CI) 1.07–4.19), retinopathy (RR 2.19, CI 1.76–2.74) and hypertension (RR 2.91, CI 1.77–4.78), but not with cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol and peripheral vascular disease. In the multiple logistic regression analysis, a significant association of albuminuria was found with diabetes duration (odds ratio (OR) 1.59, CI 0.98–2.58; p < 0062), hypertension (OR 3.42, CI 2.22–5.27; p < 0.0001), low HDL cholesterol (OR 1.78, CI 1.31–2.43; p < 0.0003), current smoking status (OR 2.19, CI 1.32–3.64; p < 0.0024), and increased serum creatinine (OR 11.16, CI 5.7–21.7; p < 0.0001). Conclusion: Prevalence of increased UAE was similar to that described in other geographically close populations. The stronger association found with microvascular diabetes complications suggests that increased UAE is a better predictor for renal damage than for cardiovascular disease in this type 2 DM population.
SPARC stimulates the synthesis of OPG/OCIF, MMP-2 and DNA in human periodontal ligament cells.

BACKGROUND Osteonectin/secreted protein, acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) is expressed in periodontal ligaments. Therefore, a better understanding of the action of SPARC on periodontal ligament cells could help to elucidate remodelling and repair mechanisms in periodontal tissue. In the present study, we examined the effects of human platelet-derived SPARC (hp-SPARC) on the expressions of SPARC and osteoprotegerin/osteoclastogenesis inhibitory factor (OPG/OCIF), alkaline phosphatase (ALPase) activity, matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) production and DNA synthesis in cultures of human periodontal ligament (HPL) cells. METHODS HPL cells at the sixth passage were exposed to hp-SPARC. The expression of OPG/OCIF and SPARC mRNAs was examined by Northern blot analysis. The protein levels for OPG/OCIF and MMP-2 were determined by Western blot analysis. ALPase activity was measured by the method of Bessey et al. DNA synthesis was estimated by incorporation of [3H] thymidine. RESULTS Hp-SPARC enhanced OPG/OCIF synthesis at the protein and mRNA levels. Hp-SPARC also enhanced DNA and MMP-2 synthesis dose-dependently, but had little effect on ALPase activity and SPARC mRNA expression. CONCLUSION SPARC may play a role in remodelling and repair of periodontal tissue by promoting proliferation and MMP-2 production. It may also regulate osteoclast formation through OPG/OCIF in periodontal ligament cells.
Analysis of the C9orf72 gene in spinal muscular atrophy patients

Abstract Spinal muscular atrophy and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis are both motor neuron disorders. Several studies have tried to establish a link between the two diseases but the subject is still under debate. In amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, large expansions of the hexanucleotide GGGGCC in intron 1 of the C9orf72 gene are responsible for a variable percentage of familial and sporadic cases. We investigated whether the number of the hexanucleotide repeat in C9orf72 was associated with the phenotype and the number of SMN2 copies in a group of 162 SMA patients. Conventional PCR, repeat primed-PCR and Southern blot were used to determine repeat number and characterize large expansions. Results showed that no pathological (> 30 repeats) or premutated alleles (20–30 repeats) were found. The allelic distribution of the C9orf72 gene in spinal muscular atrophy patients overlapped with the data obtained in our control population, discarding putative repeats that may be associated with the disease. No association was observed with either the SMA phenotype or the number of SMN2 copies. In conclusion, the involvement of C9orf72 as a genetic modifier in spinal muscular atrophy is unlikely. Current investigation of modifier genes in SMA and of the link between ALS and SMA should consider other possible candidates.
Does Finland Suffer from Brain Drain

This paper examines the trends in immigration to and emigration from Finland during the period 1987-2006. The focus is on the human capital content of the migration flows, the key question being : Is Finland losing out in the international competition for highly educated individuals? International comparisons presented by the OECD give the impression that Finland perform very weakly in the global competition for talent, as the share of highly-skilled immigrants is very low. However, these comparisons are distorted by the lack of information with regard to the level of education of immigrants into Finland. It would be desirable that the Central Statistical Office could provide better information on this issue. The results of this paper indicate that Finlands emigrants are indeed better educated than its immigrants, and that brain-drain exists to a certain degree. However, the magnitude of the brain-drain phenomenon is not very large, and there is no statistical evidence of the well-educated to emigrate would have increased over time. Although Finlands immigrants are more poorly educated than the Finnish population at large, they are apparently better educated than immigrants to, for instance, Sweden or Denmark, owing to the disproportionately large share of immigrants from Estonia and Russia to Finland. Nevertheless, the labour market performance of Finnish immigrants is as bad as for immigrants in most Western European countries, i.e. their unemployment rate is about twice as high as that of the native population. This amounts to a serious failure of assimilation policies.
Pricing traditional travel agency services: a theatre-based experimental study.

Airline commissions’ cuts and the use of Internet for bookings have severely affected traditional (physical) travel agencies. To survive, travel agents are redesigning their job as to become travel consultants. However, customers seem not to be willing to pay for the service provided and current fees are not representative of its perceived value. We have designed a theatre-based experiment to discover the Willingness-To-Pay for a travel agency service experience. Results show that individuals are not willing to pay anything for an unpleasant experience. By contrast, only 1/3 of the sample would pay enough for an outstanding service experience to make such a business sustainable.
Electromyographic and Kinematic Exploration of Whiplash-Type Left Anterolateral Impacts

Background Volunteer studies of the cervical muscular response and head–neck kinematics in response to frontal impacts are uncommon. Moreover, the effect of a frontal impact offset to the left on the resultant muscle responses is unknown. Objective The purpose of this study was to determine the response of the cervical muscles to increasing low-velocity frontal impacts offset by 45° to the left and to compare the quantitative effects of expected and unexpected impact. Methods Nine healthy volunteers were subjected to frontal impacts, offset by 45° to the subject’s left, of 5.0, 8.7, 11.3, and 15.6 m/s2 of acceleration at two levels of expectation: expected and unexpected. Bilateral electromyograms (EMGs) of the sternocleidomastoids, trapezii, and splenii capitis were recorded. Triaxial accelerometers recorded the acceleration of the chair, torso at the shoulder level, and head of the participant. Results Subjects tended to exhibit lower percentages of their maximal voluntary contraction EMG when the impact was expected. When the impact was unexpected, and at an acceleration of 15.6 m/s2, the splenius capitis muscle contralateral to the impact (ie, right splenius in a left anterolateral impact) generated 95% of its maximal voluntary contraction EMG, whereas the left splenius (ipsilateral to the left anterolateral impact) generated only 43% of this variable. Under these same conditions, the trapezii responded symmetrically, generating approximately 80% of their maximal voluntary contraction EMG. At an acceleration of 15.6 m/s2, the sternocleidomastoids generated approximately 37% of their maximal voluntary contraction EMG in both the expected and the unexpected impact conditions. EMG (such as time to peak EMG) and kinematic variables were significantly affected by the levels of acceleration (P < 0.001) and expectation status (P < 0.05). The time to onset of the EMG for the splenii capitis and trapezii progressively decreased with increasing levels of acceleration. In response to left anterolateral impacts, muscle responses were greater with higher levels of acceleration and greatest for the splenius capitis muscle contralateral to the side of impact. The head acceleration response was greater in the unexpected than in the expected condition (P < 0.05). Conclusions Because the muscular component of the head–neck complex plays a central role in the abatement of higher acceleration levels, this is likely a primary site of injury in the whiplash phenomenon in frontal collisions. More specifically, when a frontal impact is offset to the subject’s left, it not only results in increased EMG generation in both trapezii, but the splenius capitis contralateral to the direction of impact also bears part of the force of the neck perturbation. Expecting or being aware of imminent impact may play a role in reducing muscle responses in low-velocity anterolateral impacts.
R&D alliances, knowledge flows, and innovation: Three studies on the value of collaborative R&D

This chapter asks how compositional features of firms’ R&D alliance portfolios influence the rate of technological knowledge flowing into these firms. I theorize that R&D alliance portfolios—firms’ collections of R&D alliances— perform an information-gathering role, allowing firms to deal with technological uncertainties. Using longitudinal data on the innovative activities of firms engaged in information technology-related R&D alliances between 1975 and 1999, I study how inflows of technological knowledge vary with (1) the size of portfolios, (2) their focus on research versus development, and (3) the mix of novel and recurrent partners. Results show that portfolio composition crucially conditions knowledge inflows, over and above portfolio size alone. 2.
VALORES ORGANIZACIONAIS E COMPROMETIMENTO AFETIVO

RESUMO O objetivo desta pesquisa foi verificar a possível influência dos valores organizacionais sobre o comprometimento organizacional. A Escala de Comprometimento de Mowday e colaboradores foi administrada a uma amostra de 200 empregados de uma organização pública. O Inventário de Perfis de Valores Organizacionais (IPVO) foi utilizado para a avaliação dos valores organizacionais. O IPVO foi construído com base na estrutura dos valores pessoais e está composto por oito fatores: Autonomia, Conformidade, Bem-estar, Realização, Tradição, Preocupação com a coletividade, Domínio e Prestígio. O coeficiente alpha varia entre 0,75 e 0,87. Para verificar a relação entre os valores organizacionais e o comprometimento foi utilizada a regressão múltipla stepways. Os resultados revelaram que Prestígio, Bem-estar do trabalhador, Autonomia, Tradição e Domínio foram preditores do comprometimento organizacional, sendo positiva a relação com os três primeiros, e negativa com Tradição e Domínio. Os resultados são explicados a partir das metas específicas de cada um dos fatores envolvidos.
The Effect of ICU Out-of-Hours Admission on Mortality: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis*

Objectives: Organizational factors are associated with outcome of critically ill patients and may vary by time of day and day of week. We aimed to identify the association between out-of-hours admission to critical care and mortality. Data Sources: MEDLINE (via Ovid) and EMBASE (via Ovid). Study Selection: We performed a systematic search of the literature for studies on out-of-hours adult general ICU admission on patient mortality. Data Extraction: Meta-analyses were performed and Forest plots drawn using RevMan software. Data are presented as odds ratios ([95% CIs], p values). Data Synthesis: A total of 16 studies with 902,551 patients were included in the analysis with a crude mortality of 18.2%. Fourteen studies with 717,331 patients reported mortality rates by time of admission and 11 studies with 835,032 patients by day of admission. Admission to ICU at night was not associated with an increased odds of mortality compared with admissions during the day (odds ratio, 1.04 [0.98–1.11]; p = 0.18). However, admissions during the weekend were associated with an increased odds of death compared with ICU admissions during weekdays (1.05 [1.01–1.09]; p = 0.006). Increased mortality associated with weekend ICU admissions compared with weekday ICU admissions was limited to North American countries (1.08 [1.03–1.12]; p = 0.0004). The absence of a routine overnight on-site intensivist was associated with increased mortality among weekend ICU admissions compared with weekday ICU admissions (1.11 [1.00–1.22]; p = 0.04) and nighttime admissions compared with daytime ICU admissions (1.11 [1.00–1.23]; p = 0.05). Conclusions: Adjusted risk of death for ICU admission was greater over the weekends compared with weekdays. The absence of a dedicated intensivist on-site overnight may be associated with increased mortality for acute admissions. These results need to be interpreted in context of the organization of local healthcare resources before changes to healthcare policy are implemented.
Measuring Earnings Inequality: An Economic Analysis of the Bonferroni Index

This paper studies the economic content of the Bonferroni index. The most remarkable property of the Bonferroni index is that it overweights income transfers among the poor, and the weights are higher the lower the transfers occur on the income distribution. Hence, it is a good measure of inequality when changes in the living standards of the poor are concerned. There are many problems - especially in labor economics - that fall into this category. Using a version of the assignment model, we show that the Bonferroni index can be formulated endogenously within a mechanism featuring efficient assignment of workers to firms. This formulation is useful in evaluating the interactions between the distribution of skills and earnings inequality with a special emphasis on the lower tail of the earnings distribution. Moreover, it allows us to think about earnings inequality by separately analyzing the contribution of each economic parameter.
Market size, trade, competition and productivity: evidence from OECD manufacturing industries

This article investigates empirically the links between market size, trade, competition and productivity, using a cross-section of 11 OECD countries and 11 manufacturing industries over the period 1995 to 2000. To deal with endogeneity concerns we extend the Frankel and Romer (1999) approach to construct instruments for both trade and competition. We find that larger, more integrated markets exhibit more competition (lower markups) and higher productivity, in line with the theoretical model by Melitz and Ottaviano (2005). The pro-competitive effect of trade accounts for approximately 30% of trade's total productivity effects.
Competition, Small Business Financing, and Discrimination: Evidence from a New Survey

We analyze credit applications, loan denials, and interest rates paid by small businesses across owner gender, race, and ethnicity. In addition, we examine data from owners who said they did not apply for credit because they believed that their applications would have been turned down. After controlling for a rich set of explanatory variables, including personal and business credit histories, substantial differences in denial rates between firms owned by African Americans and white males remain. Moreover, consistent with Becker's classic theories (1957), we find evidence that increases in competition in the firm's local banking market reduces these differences.
Outcomes of Coaxial Micro-incision Phacoemulsification in Nanophthalmic Eyes: Report of Retrospective Case Series.

PURPOSE The surgical risk and complication rate after cataract surgery are extremely high in patients with nanophthalmos. This study is designed to compare the visual and refractive outcomes before and after coaxial micro-incision phacoemulsification and evaluate postoperative complications. METHODS Fifty nine patients (89 eyes) with axial length (AL) < 21 mm diagnosed with nanophthalmos were enrolled in this retrospective study. All patients underwent coaxial micro-incision phacoemulsification and IOL implantation. The main outcome measures included anterior chamber depth (ACD), anterior chamber volume (ACV), anterior chamber angle (A CA), intraocular pressure (IOP) and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA). Wilcoxon signed rank test or Mann-Whitney test, and Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis were performed for statistical tests as appropriate. RESULTS The median AL was 19.63 mm. Sixty-six eyes (74.16%) had a history of surgical intervention. Postoperative ACD, ACV and ACA were increased significantly (all P < 0.001), whereas postoperative IOP was decreased significantly (P < 0.001) after surgery. Previous surgical intervention was related to a reduction in the postoperative ACD and ACA (P < 0.01), and both preoperative and postoperative IOP (P < 0.001). Postoperative BCVA was improved in 94.38% of the cases. Intraoperative complications mainly included iridoschisis (6 eyes, 6.74%). Early postoperative complications included temporary corneal edema (TCE) (23 eyes, 25.84%), anterior inflammatory response (AIR) (19 eyes, 21.35%), cystoid macular edema (CME) (14 eyes, 15.73%), and uveal effusion (4 eyes, 4.49%). Late postoperative complications included CME (8 eyes, 8.99%), uveal effusion (8 eyes, 8.99%), malignant glaucoma (2 eyes, 2.25%) and posterior capsular opacification (PCO) (10 eyes, 11.24%). The majority of complications (80%) were successfully resolved by pharmacotherapy or operation. The risk of surgical complications was greater in patients with lower AL, ACD, ACV or ACA and higher nuclear hardness or mean keratometry (Km). CONCLUSION With reasonable preoperative management, prudent selection of the lens, rigorous surgical technique and unerring cognition of potential complications, coaxial microincision phacoemulsification lens surgery can be performed in patients with nanophthalmos and yield favorable outcomes and a low incidence of complications.
A Theory of Migration as a Response to Relative Deprivation

Abstract We model migration as a response to relative deprivation. We present a specific configuration of incomes in which the process of migration in response to relative deprivation reaches a steady state. However, for the general configuration of incomes we show that it is impossible to prove the existence of a steady state. We study the social welfare implications of the two cases and show that if individuals are left to pursue their betterment, the resulting state falls short of the best social outcome. We present several implications of the model including federalism and the demand for secession.
Transfer of Employment Practices, Varieties of Capitalism, and National Employment Systems. A Review

National employment systems are changing primarily through the activities of multinational enterprises (MNEs). In order to understand in how far national employment systems are susceptible to change, we revisit important quantitative empirical studies published since 1994 on the transfer of employment practices within MNEs. Three propositions are derived from a neo-institutional approach, and evidence for all of the three was found when re-analysing the empirical papers. Firstly, human resource practices are more often transferred than industrial relations practices. Secondly, HR practices are more often transferred from a liberal market economy (such as the USA) to a coordinated market economy (such as Germany) than vice versa. Thirdly, some adoption of HR practices common in the USA points to a dominance effect. Overall, the findings show that an uneven change in national employment systems is to be expected from the transfer of practices within MNEs. The limits of the analysis and further routes for research are discussed in the concluding section of the paper.