Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Is the association between social capital and health robust across Nordic regions? Evidence from a cross-sectional study of older adults

Nyqvist F, Nygard M. Is the association between social capital and health robust across Nordic regions? Evidence from a cross-sectional study of older adults The study examined the association between structural and cognitive social capital and self-rated health among 65- and 75-year-olds in Vasterbotten in Sweden and Osterbotten and Pohjanmaa in Finland. Data were retrieved from a cross-sectional postal questionnaire survey conducted in 2005 and was answered by 3,370 persons, yielding a total response rate of 69 per cent. The association between self-rated health and interpersonal trust and membership in organisations was tested by logistic regression analysis. The results showed that older adults in Vasterbotten in Sweden experienced better self-rated health than in Finland. Furthermore, interpersonal trust and active membership in organisations were associated with self-rated health among 65- and 75-year olds even after having controlled for the influence of region. We therefore conclude that the association between social capital and self-rated health tends to be robust across contextually similar regions, but that further analyses are warranted in order to clarify the nature of this relationship. Key Practitioner Message: •Health status can be indirectly strengthened through investments in social capital, such as group participation and active networks; •When working with older adults, more focus needs to be put on how to develop trustful relationships; •The Nordic welfare state, with its universal and subsidised social and health care services, has an indirect and positive effect on health among older adults.
Sales Stabilization Through Export Diversification

FOLKLORE has it that foreign markets are more risky than domestic markets because of political, economic, and social instability abroad. A normative implication of this belief, sometimes mentioned in the literature, is that a firm must establish itself in the domestic market before venturing into foreign markets; otherwise, it is argued, the inherent instability associated with exports might seriously damage the firm's operations. It is shown here that such implications are at variance with the diversification principle in portfolio theory. Specifically, an individual project might be very risky, yet its incorporation with other projects may decrease the overall risk of the portfolio. The overall risk of a group of projects is affected mainly by the relationships among these projects and only slightly by the individual riskiness of each. The hypothesis advanced in this study was that exports, through market diversification, tend to stabilize the firm's sales, and the larger the spread of these exports over several markets the more stable the sales. This hypothesis was tested on data selected from a sample of about 500 firms in Denmark, the Netherlands, and Israel. Results of the test were consistent with the hypothesis: sales stability and diversification of exports are indeed positively correlated.
Blue InGaN Light-Emitting Diodes With Multiple GaN-InGaN Barriers

Optical performance of blue InGaN light-emitting diodes (LEDs) with multiple GaN-InGaN barriers is investigated. The energy band diagrams, light-current performance curves, and internal quantum efficiency are studied numerically. The simulation results show that the InGaN LED has markedly improved the optical performance when the first conventional GaN barrier is replaced by the GaN-InGaN-GaN barrier, in which the indium composition is less than 5%, with other GaN barriers remain unchanged. The improved performance is due to the enhanced injection efficiency of holes and relatively uniform distribution of electrons and holes.
A rural school’s closure: Impacts on volunteers’ gender roles

Abstract In this study, we employed social ecological theory and socialist feminist theory to explore a rural school closure𒀙s impacts on residents of Limerick, SK. Our findings from participant observation, focus groups, and semi-structured interviews indicate that prior to the school𒀙s closure, male and female volunteers within both the school and broader community contexts largely displayed traditional gender roles; however, the school𒀙s closure caused a gap in volunteer capacity as local children𒀙s parents became engaged in the outlying communities in which their children𒀙s new schools were located to support their children𒀙s school and extra-curricular activities. As a result of the school𒀙s closure, some middle-aged women and older male and female adult residents in the community challenged traditional gender roles as expressed through volunteerism in order to allow several local institutions and organisations to continue to function. This paper demonstrates the far-reaching and often unanticipated changes a rural school𒀙s closure can have on a rural community𒀙s residents.
Conformational Abs recognizing a generic amyloid fibril epitope

Disease-related amyloid fibrils appear to share a common, but poorly understood, structure. We describe here the generation and preliminary characterization of two conformation-specific mAbs, WO1 and WO2, that bind to the amyloid fibril state of the Alzheimer's peptide Aβ(1–40) but not to its soluble, monomeric state. Surprisingly, these Abs also bind to other disease-related amyloid fibrils and amyloid-like aggregates derived from other proteins of unrelated sequence, such as transthyretin, islet amyloid polypeptide, β2-microglobulin, and polyglutamine. At the same time, WO1 and WO2 do not bind to the native protein precursors of these amyloids, nor do they bind to other kinds of protein aggregates. This new class of Abs associated with a fundamental amyloid-folding motif appear to recognize a common conformational epitope with little apparent dependence on amino acid side chain information. These Abs should contribute to the understanding of amyloid structure, assembly, and toxicity and also may benefit the development of diagnostic and therapeutic agents for amyloid diseases.
Heterogeneous Technical Efficiency of Hotels in Luanda, Angola

This paper uses a random frontier model to analyse technical efficiency in a data set of hotels in Luanda, the capital city of Angola, for 1990–2007. The hotels are ranked according to their technical efficiency, disentangling homogeneous and heterogeneous variables. This methodology attempts to account for observed and unobserved heterogeneity across hotels. The study rests on the premise that hotels in Luanda have an established role in the business market and emerging significance in the tourism market, broadly defined. Based on the analysis, the authors conclude that those hotels adopting a more strategic approach are better, and thus more efficient, than those that lack vision. They then point to the wider implications of the discussion.
Economic Impacts of the Phase-Out in 2005 of Quantitative Restrictions under the Agreement on Textiles and Clothing

This paper discusses the economic impacts of the phase-out of the Multi-Fibre Arrangement (MFA), which was provided for under the 1994 Agreement on Textiles and Clothing (ATC). It presents an overview of the integration process of textile and clothing products into the GATT, takes stock of the most recent changes in the global textile and clothing (T&C) markets, and analyses some major economic impacts and strategies adopted by producers in OECD and non-OECD countries to survive in the post-MFA global competitive arena.
Perceived Risk and Other Predictors and Correlates of Teenagers' Safety Belt Use During the First Year of Licensure

Objectives. Teenagers have the lowest rate of safety belt use and the highest crash rate compared to other age groups. Past studies on teenagers' belt use have mostly been cross-sectional. The first goals of this study were to examine, at licensure, teenagers' and parents' perceptions of risk of crash/injury for newly licensed teenagers when driving unbelted and teenagers' perceived and parents' intended consequences for safety belt rule violations. In addition, the comparability of these variables to other risky driving behaviors was explored. The second goal was to evaluate the importance of these variables in the prediction of teenagers' belt use during the first year of licensure, relative to other factors related to belt use, including demographics and substance use. Methods. More than 2,000 parent-teenager dyads were interviewed by telephone, parents at permit and licensure and teenagers at permit, licensure, and 3, 6, and 12 months after licensure. Results. Approximately a third of the teenagers reported at least once at 3, 6, or 12 months post-licensure not always using their safety belt in the past week. At licensure, participants' perceived risk of safety belt non-use was high and ranked among the behaviors most related to crash/injury for newly licensed teenagers, behind driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Parent-imposed consequences for safety belt rule violations were not as highly rated as parent-imposed consequences for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Sequential logistic regression modeled the relationship between safety belt use and perceived risk and consequences of non-use, as well as other prospective predictors assessed at permit and licensure, and driving correlates measured after licensure. Teenagers' extreme perceived risk and parents' intended sure consequences for non-use were significant prospective predictors of regular use during the first year of licensure. Other significant predictors and correlates were race (White), high school grade average of “A,” not smoking cigarettes, driving a passenger vehicle, and never receiving a traffic citation or engaging in risky driving behaviors, including driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and running a red light. Conclusions. While the effect size was small for perceived risk of non-use, it is a modifiable factor and focused intervention contrived to enhance perceived risk could increase teenagers' belt use. Perceived risk is discussed as a target for intervention in relation to the Protection Motivation Theory. This theory appears helpful in guiding future research into the modifiable factors studied here as well as other factors, including perceived rewards and costs associated with non-use.
DEVELOPMENT AND PROGRESSION OF A LAMELLAR MACULAR HOLE WITH LAMELLAR HOLE-ASSOCIATED EPIRETINAL PROLIFERATION.

PURPOSE To describe evolution and progression of a lamellar macular hole (LMH) with "lamellar hole-associated epiretinal proliferation (LHEP)" using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography and fundus autofluorescence. METHODS Observational case report. RESULTS We report on a 63-year-old male patient demonstrating a complete history of LMH development with LHEP occurring during a follow-up period of 8 years. Presenting with a normal foveal contour and attached posterior vitreous at first visit, an LMH developed shortly after incomplete posterior vitreous detachment with vitreopapillary adhesion. On spectral-domain optical coherence tomography images, progression of the LMH including enlargement of the intraretinal cavitation and decrease in the retinal thickness were documented. An increase of LHEP was first documented 6 months after LMH evolution. One month after cataract surgery and 6 years after the first visit, a full-thickness macular hole developed that closed spontaneously after 4 weeks. Localization of LHEP had moved into the foveal defect toward the outer retinal layers. Thereafter, the LMH was stable, and the patient presented with a visual acuity of 20/25. CONCLUSION Proper follow-up time is important for studying eyes with an LMH. Epimacular cell proliferation shows progression over time that appears to be associated with morphologic changes of the LMH including shape of the lamellar defect, amount of LHEP, and contractive properties of epiretinal tissue. The presence of LHEP was documented shortly after posterior vitreous detachment.
Ca2+ Diffusion through Endoplasmic Reticulum Supports Elevated Intraterminal Ca2+ Levels Needed to Sustain Synaptic Release from Rods in Darkness

In addition to vesicle release at synaptic ribbons, rod photoreceptors are capable of substantial slow release at non-ribbon release sites triggered by Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release (CICR) from intracellular stores. To maintain CICR as rods remain depolarized in darkness, we hypothesized that Ca2+ released into the cytoplasm from terminal endoplasmic reticulum (ER) can be replenished continuously by ions diffusing within the ER from the soma. We measured [Ca2+] changes in cytoplasm and ER of rods from Ambystoma tigrinum retina using various dyes. ER [Ca2+] changes were measured by loading ER with fluo-5N and then washing dye from the cytoplasm with a dye-free patch pipette solution. Small dye molecules diffused within ER between soma and terminal showing a single continuous ER compartment. Depolarization of rods to −40 mV depleted Ca2+ from terminal ER, followed by a decline in somatic ER [Ca2+]. Local activation of ryanodine receptors in terminals with a spatially confined puff of ryanodine caused a decline in terminal ER [Ca2+], followed by a secondary decrease in somatic ER. Localized photolytic uncaging of Ca2+ from o-nitrophenyl-EGTA in somatic ER caused an abrupt Ca2+ increase in somatic ER, followed by a slower Ca2+ increase in terminal ER. These data suggest that, during maintained depolarization, a soma-to-terminal [Ca2+] gradient develops within the ER that promotes diffusion of Ca2+ ions to resupply intraterminal ER Ca2+ stores and thus sustain CICR-mediated synaptic release. The ability of Ca2+ to move freely through the ER may also promote bidirectional communication of Ca2+ changes between soma and terminal. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Vertebrate rod and cone photoreceptors both release vesicles at synaptic ribbons, but rods also exhibit substantial slow release at non-ribbon sites triggered by Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release (CICR). Blocking CICR inhibits >50% of release from rods in darkness. How do rods maintain sufficiently high [Ca2+] in terminal endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to support sustained CICR-driven synaptic transmission? We show that maintained depolarization creates a [Ca2+] gradient within the rod ER lumen that promotes soma-to-terminal diffusion of Ca2+ to replenish intraterminal ER stores. This mechanism allows CICR-triggered synaptic release to be sustained indefinitely while rods remain depolarized in darkness. Free diffusion of Ca2+ within the ER may also communicate synaptic Ca2+ changes back to the soma to influence other critical cell processes.
Oil Prices and Equity Returns in the BRIC Countries

This paper measures the level by which global oil price returns influence the stock returns and volatility in the BRIC equity markets and observes the time-varying conditional correlation between BRIC equity returns and oil price returns. The study concludes that the level of impact of oil price returns on equity returns and volatility in the BRIC countries depends on the extent to which these countries are net importers or net exporters of oil. It also concludes that despite the aggressive economic growth of the BRIC countries in the past 25 years, the volatility of stock returns in these economies does not have a significant impact on the volatility of global oil price returns.
Extracting Value from Learning Curves: Integrating Theory and Practice

Learning curves are used as management metrics in many industrial settings. However, their apparent simplicity masks the tremendous number of changes and opportunities that are summarized by this apparently simple exponential relationship. Through exploration of these underlying opportunities, practitioners are able to better identify and exploit opportunities. By integrating learning curve theory to include design, supply chain and life cycle management to a framework illustrating the complex series of events that comprise the seemingly parsimonious learning curve, it is possible to better see how learning curves reduce cost, expand existing markets and create new markets. Illustrations are used to assist practitioners in taking economic advantage of the theoretical contributions offered in this framework.
Network Optimization for Lightweight Stochastic Scheduling in Underwater Sensor Networks

In this paper, we examine the merit of a simple and lightweight stochastic transmission strategy based on the ALOHA protocol for underwater wireless sensor networks (UWSNs). We use a stochastic scheduling approach in which time is slotted, and each network component transmits according to some probability during each slot. We present objective functions for assigning the transmission probabilities that are aimed at optimizing network performance with respect to the overall network latency and the overall network reliability. We show that there is an easily distributed heuristic policy based on local network density that works well in practice. We also evaluate our approach using numerical simulations. The evaluation results show that even without using explicit control signaling, our lightweight stochastic scheduling method is effective for data transmission in underwater sensor networks.
ESTIMATING TECHNICAL INEFFICIENCIES WITH CORRECTION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

The aim of the paper is to present a statistical methodology allowing the estimation of technical performances of production units within a particular sector of activities. The approach is such that it allows the introduction of exogenous environmental factors explaining a part of the apparent inefficiency. The statistical procedure will be based on the observation of production activities of a set of firms. The method is illustrated through the analysis of technical efficiencies of railway companies.
Agricultural adaptation to climate change: observations from the Mid-Hills of Nepal

This paper provides empirical evidence of agricultural adaptation strategies being adopted in the Mid-Hills regions of Nepal in response to climate change. Farmers were interviewed across four districts and climate change observations were reported, most notably those of increased temperatures and unpredictable precipitation. Agricultural adaptation strategies adopted in response to climate change were varied, with agroforestry and organic farming being the most popular practices. Most adaptation strategies were thought to be development-facing actions to reduce vulnerability, rather than specifically addressing climate change. From this research it is evident that indigenous knowledge, financial support and increased accessibility all play a pivotal role for successful climate change adaptation in the Mid-Hills. This case study provides valuable evidence-based research of autonomous adaptation techniques in a highly climate-vulnerable location of Nepal. Recommendations are made for donors to learn from best-practice and adopt local knowledge when investing in climate change adaptation strategies to most effectively reduce the vulnerability of some of the world's poorest communities.
Situational and institutional determinants of firms' R&D search intensity

Our theory extends the situational considerations explaining firm R&D search intensity beyond the behavioral theory of the firm by including shifts in the focus of attention among bankruptcy, aspirations, and slack. We also allow that search can reflect institutionalized investment patterns within firms and industries. We find stable firm-specific R&D investment patterns (i.e., institutionalized search) and variations in R&D intensity depending on firms' situations—including performance relative to aspirations, proximity to bankruptcy, and slack. Our empirical results evidence shifts in the focus of attention relevant to explaining R&D search intensity for subsamples of firms in different situations. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Effects of Trade Openness on Malaysian Exchange Rate

This study investigates the impact of trade openness on Malaysian exchange rate. The findings show that most of the variables are statistically significant and carried the expected signs. As predicted by the theory, the rise of the income level and stock market index in Malaysia will lead to the appreciation of domestic currency. On the other hand, the increase in trade openness and interest rate can lead to depreciation of Malaysian Ringgit. In addition, the results suggested that a rise in money supply differential caused RM to appreciate. However, increase in trade balance caused the depreciation of RM.
Bandwidth management using software defined network and comparison of the throughput performance with traditional network

Software Defined Networking (SDN) is a new network design which brings certain advantageous to the network management compared to the Traditional Network. This research study implements best effort based traditional network. The ability of SDN to support better allocation of bandwidth makes it possible to apply the SDN concept in this research study in order to manage the usage of limited bandwidth in the network. Available network bandwidth must be managed efficiently to ensure a stable network throughput to be delivered to the end user. In SDN, the bandwidth can be managed by utilizing per-port output queues and bandwidth reservation according to the needs of the traffic. This research study assumes the traffics in the network are classified into Sensitive Traffics and Non-Sensitive Traffics. The purpose of this research study is to propose a new model. The model implemented the SDN concept to replace the Traditional Network concept in order to simplify the network bandwidth management while giving priority to the Sensitive Traffics to access the network throughput. The performance of the network throughput of the proposed model with the Traditional Network also has been compared. Preliminary results show the sensitive traffics successfully achieved a higher throughput compared with the non-sensitive traffic.
Sampling and data collection in business angel research

There has been a marked expansion in the volume of research published on business angels and the informal capital market in the past 25 years, and a corresponding increase in the level of public policy interest in the functioning of this market and the extent to which it can play an enhanced role in the development of a dynamic entrepreneurial economy (Mason and Harrison 2000; Mason 2006; Kelly 2007). However, progress in terms of the volume of research and the range of topics addressed has not been matched by corresponding progress in the data sources and methodologies used in that research. Yet, as Korman (1974, 194) has made clear in a different research context, ‘The point is not that adequate measurement is ‘‘nice’’. It is necessary, crucial, etc. Without it we have nothing’.
An in vitro study of the bioefficacy of essential oil blends against Aedes aegypti (Linn.) and Anopheles dirus (Peyton and Harrison) by using membrane feeding apparatus

Nutthanun Auysawasdi, Sawitri Chuntranuluck, Vichien Keeratinijakal, Siriporn Phasomkusolsil, Silas A Davidson Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Agro-Industry, Kasetsart University, 50 Ngam Wong Wan Road, Ladyaow, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Kasetsart University, 50 Ngam Wong Wan Road, Ladyaow, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand Department of Entomology, Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Science, Bangkok 10400, Thailand Journal of Coastal Life Medicine 2017; 5(2): 82-87