Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Relative Income, Community Attachment and Subjective Well–Being: Evidence from Japan

Income is one of the most important and well–studied determinants of subjective well–being (SWB), and empirical evidence indicates that there is a robust positive income effect on measures of SWB. However, evidence from previous studies is inconclusive regarding the impact of relative income on reported well–being. In this study, we use original Japanese survey data collected in 2015 and reference area income derived from 500 m mesh data to examine the impact of relative income on life satisfaction. The results of structural equation modeling reveal that relative income has a direct negative impact but an indirect positive effect through community attachment on life satisfaction. This suggests that the negative effects of reference income observed in previous studies that did not consider community attachment are likely to be overestimated. Our results also suggest that younger people are more affected by the direct negative effect of reference income than people in other age groups. Furthermore, people with a household income higher than the reference area income are not necessarily more attached to their neighborhood; however, they are more likely to report higher life satisfaction.
The Effect of Mixing 1.5% Mepivacaine and 0.5% Bupivacaine on Duration of Analgesia and Latency of Block Onset in Ultrasound-Guided Interscalene Block

BACKGROUND:Short- and long-acting local anesthetics are commonly mixed to achieve nerve blocks with short onset and long duration. However, there is a paucity of data on advantages of such mixtures. We hypothesized that a mixture of mepivacaine and bupivacaine results in a faster onset than does bupivacaine and in a longer duration of blockade than does mepivacaine. METHODS:Sixty-four patients undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgery (ages 18 to 65 years; ASA physical status I–II) with ultrasound-guided interscalene brachial plexus block as the sole anesthetic were studied. The subjects were randomized to receive 1 of 3 study solutions: 30 mL of mepivacaine 1.5%, 30 mL of bupivacaine 0.5%, or a mixture of 15 mL each of bupivacaine 0.5% and mepivacaine 1.5%. The block onset time and duration of motor and sensory block were assessed. RESULTS:Onset of sensory block in the axillary nerve distribution (superior trunk) was similar among the 3 groups (8.7 ± 4.3 minutes for mepivacaine, 10.0 ± 5.1 minutes for bupivacaine, and 11.3 ± 5.3 minutes for the combination group; P = 0.21 between all groups). The duration of motor block for the combination group (11.5 ± 4.7 hours) was between that of the bupivacaine (16.4 ± 9.4 hours) and mepivacaine (6.0 ± 4.2 hours) groups (P = 0.03 between bupivacaine and combination groups; P = 0.01 between mepivacaine and combination groups). Duration of analgesia was the shortest with mepivacaine (4.9 ± 2.4 hours), longest with bupivacaine (14.0 ± 6.2 hours), and intermediate with the combination group (10.3 ± 4.9 hours) (P < 0.001 for mepivacaine vs. combination group; P = 0.01 for bupivacaine vs. combination group). CONCLUSIONS:For ultrasound-guided interscalene block, a combination of mepivacaine 1.5% and bupivacaine 0.5% results in a block onset similar to either local anesthetic alone. The mean duration of blockade with a mepivacaine–bupivacaine mixture was significantly longer than block with mepivacaine 1.5% alone but significantly shorter than the block with bupivacaine 0.5% alone.
Association Study of Dopamine Receptor D2TaqI A Polymorphism and Reward-Related Personality Traits in Healthy Korean Young Females

Background: Genetic factors make a significant contribution to the determination of human personality traits. We aimed to investigate the possible relationship between dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2) TaqI A polymorphism and the reward-related personality traits as measured by the Carver and White Behavioral Inhibition System/Behavioral Approach System (BIS/BAS) scales and Cloninger’s Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI). Methods: The sample consisted of 267 female healthy Korean unrelated university students (age: 23.12 ± 3.22 years) and they filled out the BIS/BAS scales and the TCI. Genomic DNA was isolated from whole blood and genotyped with the fluorescence polarization detection method. The effect of the independent variables (DRD2 genotypes) on the dependent variables were analyzed by multivariate and subsequent univariate ANOVA. Results: We found significant associations between the A1 allele of the DRD2 TaqI A polymorphism and a high BAS-RR score (reward responsiveness). No significant association was observed between DRD2 polymorphisms and other factors of the BIS/BAS scales and TCI. Conclusion: These findings suggest the notion that DRD2 TaqI A polymorphism contributes to high reward sensitivity, which measures anticipation and positive response towards reward.
A Candidate Gene Study of Folate-Associated One Carbon Metabolism Genes and Colorectal Cancer Risk

Background: Folate-associated one-carbon metabolism (FOCM) may play an important role in colorectal carcinogenesis. Variation in FOCM genes may explain some of the underlying risk of colorectal cancer. Methods: This study utilized data from 1,805 population-based colorectal cancer cases and 2,878 matched sibling controls from the Colon Cancer Family Registry. We used a comprehensive haplotype tagging single nucleotide polymorphism (tagSNP) approach to select 395 tagSNPs in 15 genes involved in folate and vitamin B12 metabolism. Genotyping was done using the Illumina GoldenGate or Sequenom platforms. Risk factor and dietary data were collected using self-completed questionnaires. Microsatellite instability (MSI) status was determined using standard techniques, and tumor subsite was obtained from pathology reports. The association between SNPs and colorectal cancer was assessed using conditional logistic regression with sibships as the matching factor and assuming a log additive or codominant model. Results: In the log additive model, two linked (r2 = 0.99) tagSNPs in the DHFR gene (rs1677693 and rs1643659) were associated with a significant decrease in colorectal cancer risk after correction for multiple testing (odds ratio, 0.87; 95% confidence interval, 0.71-0.94; P = 0.029; and odds ratio, 0.87; 95% confidence interval, 0.71-0.95; P = 0.034 for rs1677693 and rs1643659, respectively). These two linked (r2 = 0.99) tagSNPs and one tagSNP in the MTR gene (rs4659744) were significantly associated with reduced colorectal cancer risk only among individuals not using multivitamin supplements. Conclusions: Overall, we found only moderate evidence that genetic variation in 15 folate pathway genes may affect colorectal cancer risk except in non–multivitamin users. Impact: This study suggests that multivitamin supplement use may modify the association between folate pathway genes and colorectal cancer risk in a post-folic-acid-supplemented population. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 19(7); 1812–21. ©2010 AACR.
Deproteinized bovine bone and gentamicin as an adjunct to GTR in the treatment of intrabony defects: a randomized controlled clinical study.

OBJECTIVES To evaluate whether Bio-Oss used as an adjunct to guided tissue regeneration (GTR) improves the healing of 1- or 2-wall intrabony defects as compared with GTR alone, and to examine whether impregnation of Bio-Oss with gentamicin may have an added effect. MATERIAL AND METHODS Sixty patients, with at least one interproximal intrabony defect with probing pocket depth (PPD) > or =7 mm and radiographic evidence of an intrabony component (IC) > or =4 mm, were treated at random with either a resorbable membrane (GTR), a resorbable membrane in combination with Bio-Oss impregnated with saline (DBB-), a resorbable membrane in combination with Bio-Oss impregnated with gentamicin (DBB+), or with flap surgery (RBF). RESULTS All treatment modalities resulted in statistically significant clinical improvements after 1 year. Defects treated with GTR alone presented a probing attachment level (PAL) gain of 2.9 mm, a residual PPD (PPD12) of 4.9 mm, a radiographic bone level (RBL) gain of 3.1 mm, and a residual IC (IC12) of 2.7 mm. GTR combined with Bio-Oss did not improve the healing outcome (PAL gain: 2.5 mm; PPD12: 4.9 mm; RBL gain: 2.8 mm; IC12: 3.3 mm). Impregnation of the Bio-Oss with gentamicin 2% mg/ml resulted in clinical improvements (PAL gain: 3.8 mm; PPD12: 4.2 mm; RBL gain: 4.7 mm; IC12: 2.1 mm), superior to those of the other treatment modalities, but the difference was not statistically significant. Defects treated with only flap surgery showed the most inferior clinical response (PAL gain: 1.5 mm; PPD12: 5.1 mm; RBL gain: 1.2 mm; IC12: 4.2 mm) of all groups. CONCLUSION The results failed to demonstrate an added effect of Bio-Oss implantation in combination with GTR on the healing of deep interproximal 1- or 2-wall, or combined 1- and 2-wall intrabony defects compared with GTR alone. Local application of gentamicin, on the other hand, improved the treatment outcome but not to an extent that it was statistically significant.
The Influence of Board Chairs on Director Engagement: A Case‐Based Exploration of Boardroom Decision‐Making

Research Question/Issue This study seeks to better understand how board chairs, as leaders and equals, shape the context for other directors to engage in their governance roles. Research Findings/Insights Using a combination of video-taped board meetings and semi-structured interviews with directors at three corporations, we found a generalized and negative association between chair involvement and directors’ engagement during board meetings. Theoretical/Academic Implications Our empirical results suggest that the chair’s role can be viewed as a paradox requiring both (i) strong leadership to counter managerial power, and (ii) a more subtle orientation as peer to fellow directors that enables other board members to contribute to boardroom decision-making. Moreover, our study revealed the transitory nature of both chair contributions and directors’ engagement during meetings, highlighting the potential and need for further unpacking of the temporal dimensions of boardroom decision-making processes. Practitioner/Policy Implications Our analysis suggests a revision of the implicit prescription in the literature for board chairs to be active leaders who lead from the front. Given that chair involvement appears to reduce director engagement during meetings, our research hints at the need for a more supportive role of the chair during boardroom decision-making that is in line with non-traditional leadership models.
Financial literacy and business performances improvement of micro, small, medium-sized enterprises in East Java Province, Indonesia

The primary purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between financial literacy and business performance improvement of MSMEs in East Java Province. Data collection from a survey questionnaire of 399 respondents was used to examine the research model. Then, the research model was analysed primarily using logistic regression supported by SPSS V.20 Software. The results of the study show that bookkeeping literacy and budgeting literacy has been proven as the significant predictor of sales growth, profit growth and overall business performance of MSMEs. However, control variables such as gender, education, and experience do not give any critical role in the relationship between financial literacy and business performance improvement of MSMEs. Theoretically, this study proposed that increasing the level of financial literacy for MSMEs managers related to bookkeeping and budgeting skills can enhance the business performance of MSMEs. Practically, the results of the study can be used as a reference for increasing the level of financial literacy for MSMEs managers who are still low in Indonesia. It is suggested to develop well-structured regular training for MSMEs managers regarding bookkeeping and budgeting skills in improving the level of financial literacy and business performance simultaneously.
Serum levels of caspase-cleaved cytokeratin 18 (CK18-Asp396) predict severity of liver disease in chronic hepatitis B

Background and aim Caspase-cleaved cytokeratin 18 (CK18-Asp396) is a potential clinically useful biomarker in liver disease as it is released from hepatocytes during apoptosis. In this study, we investigated serum CK18-Asp396 levels in chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Patients and methods Overall, 163 patients with CHB were included. Serum CK18-Asp396 levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and results were related to steatosis grade, histological activity index, inflammation score, and METAVIR fibrosis grade as well as to viral load, serum levels of liver enzymes, and albumin. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was used to evaluate the diagnostic performance of serum CK18-Asp396 levels for assessing disease activity. Results A higher level of serum CK 18 concentrations was found in patients with significant inflammation vs no significant inflammation (378.5 [interquartile range {IQR}: 173.2–629.6] vs 137.3 [87.5–197.7], P < 0.05; approximately threefold increase) and in patients with significant fibrosis vs no significant fibrosis (177.8 [IQR: 120.8–519.1] vs 142.7 [IQR: 88.8–214.4], P < 0.05; 1.25-fold increase). There was no differential CK 18 level by degree of steatosis. CK 18 was an independent predictor of significant inflammation with an 82% specificity and a 94% negative predictive value. We found the strongest correlation of CK 18 with alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase (both r = 0.52; P < 0.001), but less with albumin (r = −0.24; P < 0.05) and viral load (log) (r = 0.19; P < 0.05). Conclusion CHB appears to be accompanied by continuous high levels of hepatocyte apoptosis as judged from serum CK 18, suggesting that elimination of the infected compartment constitutes a defensive strategy against disease. Accordingly, CK 18 works as an independent predictor of significant inflammation with a high specificity.
Comparison of linear measurements of optic cup-to-disk ratio obtained with RTVue OCT and digital retinography.

PURPOSE To compare the linear measurements of the optic disk cup obtained using RTVue optical coherence tomography (OCT) with those obtained using digital retinography. METHODS This is a cross-sectional study performed with digital retinography and RTVue OCT images from patients with glaucoma or patients suspected of glaucoma. In color retinography, the greatest horizontal and vertical diameters of the optic disk starting from the inner edge of the Elschnig ring were obtained using a pachymeter with a grade of 0.01 mm. In OCT, the delineation of the optic nerve was obtained automatically from the horizontal and vertical cup results. RESULTS One hundred eyes from 100 subjects with a mean age of 60.1 ± 15.7 years were included. Of these, 79 were the right eye and 21 the left eye, with 61 men and 39 women. The mean horizontal cup obtained with OCT was 0.91 ± 0.10, while that obtained with retinography was 0.79 ± 0.11 (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS There was poor agreement between the evaluated methods in the measurements of optic disk cup excavations. Measurements obtained automatically with OCT RTVue were higher but were significantly correlated with measurements obtained manually with digital retinography. Poor agreement of the optic disk parameters between the two imaging devices was noted.
Findings from a community education needs assessment to facilitate the integration of genomic medicine into primary care

Purpose: To assess the lay public's knowledge of, and beliefs about, genetics and genetic testing to create an educational initiative that promotes acceptance and utilization of genomic medicine in primary health care.Methods: A telephone survey of English-speaking adults in Guilford County, North Carolina was conducted in 2006 to identify community members' educational needs regarding genetics and genetic testing.Results: Most respondents recognized the connection between family history and disease risk. A majority did not appear to know about: (1) basic principles of inheritance, (2) laws prohibiting genetic discrimination, and (3) the availability and limitations of genetic tests. About 25% thought that they could not reduce their risk if they have a genetic predisposition for disease. Knowledge level was affected by education, experience, age, and race.Conclusion: If primary care providers use family history as a risk assessment tool, community education programs must address (1) the collection of family health history, (2) legislation regarding genetic nondiscrimination, (3) benefits and limitations of existing genetic tests, and (4) genetic determinism. Programs emphasizing practical, “how to” information can be targeted to individuals likely to collect family history information and address misperceptions about discrimination, testing, and determinism.
Theiler's virus persistence and demyelination in major histocompatibility complex class II-deficient mice

Mice with targeted disruption of the A beta gene of major histocompatibility complex class II molecules (Abo) were used to investigate the role of class II gene products in resistance or susceptibility to virus-induced chronic demyelination in the central nervous system (CNS). Class-II-deficient mice from the resistant H-2b [H-2b(Abo)] and nonmutant H-2b backgrounds were infected with Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus intracerebrally and examined for CNS virus persistence, demyelination, and neurologic clinical signs. Virus titers measured by plaque assays showed that 8 of 10 normally resistant nonmutant H-2b mice had cleared the virus within 21 days, whereas the other 2 mice had low titers. In contrast, all class II-deficient Abo mice had high virus titers for up to 90 days after infection (4.30 log10 PFU per g of CNS tissue). Virus antigens and RNA were localized to the brains (cortex, hippocampus, thalamus, and brain stem) and spinal cords of Abo mice. Colocalization identified persistent Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus in oligodendrocytes and astrocytes but not in macrophages. There was demyelination in 11 of 23 and 6 of 9 Abo mice 45 and 90 days after virus infection, respectively, whereas no demyelination was observed in infected nonmutant H-2b mice. Demyelinating lesions in Abo mice showed virus-specific CD8+ T cells and macrophages but no CD4+ T cells. Spasticity and paralysis were observed in chronically infected Abo mice but not in the nonmutant H-2b mice. These findings demonstrate that class II gene products are required for virus clearance from the CNS but not for demyelination and neurologic disease.
Persuasion under Second-Order Uncertainty∗

We study a general model of persuasion games. Absent second-order uncertainty about the sender’s knowledge of an uncertain state variable, we provide an algorithm for constructing a truthful equilibrium, as well as necessary and sufficient conditions for equilibrium uniqueness. Unlike situations where such uncertainty is absent, we show that second-order uncertainty eliminates truth-telling as an equilibrium. Instead, equilibrium consists of a convex interval of states where either disclosure or complete non-disclosure occurs, depending on the relative slopes of the ideal action lines of the sender and receiver. We apply these findings to a corporate voluntary disclosure setting and offer novel empirical predictions.
In vivo ultrasound-assisted tissue-engineered mandibular condyle: a pilot study in rabbits.

CONTEXT Tissue engineering of mandibular articular condyles encounters many challenges, especially restoring adequate mechanical strength that is correlated to matrix production by the tissue-engineered mandibular condyles (TEMCs). Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) has been shown to enhance cell expansion, differentiation, and matrix production by different cells. OBJECTIVE This study evaluated effect of daily LIPUS treatment (in vitro and in a pilot in vivo study) for 4 weeks on matrix production and functional integration of the TEMCs in rabbits. METHODS Bone marrow stromal cells were isolated from the femoral bones of skeletally mature New Zealand rabbits, expanded, and differentiated into chondrogenic and osteogenic lineages. Animals employed in the in vivo study were divided into four groups: (1) TEMCs and LIPUS treatment; (2) TEMCs without LIPUS treatment; (3) empty scaffold and LIPUS treatment, and (4) empty scaffolds without LIPUS treatment. RESULTS In vitro results showed that LIPUS enhanced chondrogenic and osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells. The in vivo study showed that LIPUS led to better structural formation (namely, new osteogenic and chondrogenic tissue formation) and integration of the newly formed tissues and original condylar bone than those without LIPUS treatment. LIPUS resulted in a small amount of tissue regeneration in the empty scaffolds, whereas empty scaffolds without LIPUS treatment showed no signs of repair. CONCLUSIONS The preliminary results of this pilot study suggest that LIPUS can enhance TEMCs both in vitro and in vivo.
Relative effectiveness of monetary and fiscal policies on output growth in Turkey: an ARDL bounds test approach

Research background: Effects of monetary and fiscal policy on output growth has been one of the major topics that economists have been investigating. Monetary and fiscal policies are tools for economists and policymakers to correctly direct the economy and facilitate the growth and development of the country. Accordingly, it is critically important for policy-makers in the area of economy to study the efficiency and the effectiveness of such policies. But, so far, there has been no generally accepted evidence suggesting the effectiveness of either the policy in Turkey or around the world. Instead, the dominance of either policy is subject to a change period to period and country to country. Purpose of the article: The purpose of this study is to analyze the growth effectiveness of fiscal and monetary policies and then determine which of these two policies is more powerful in promoting economic growth in Turkey over the period 1998 and 2016. Methods: To investigate the growth effectiveness of monetary and fiscal policies, we use some of the time series econometric techniques, such as ARDL Bounds testing, structural break unit root tests and Granger causality tests. Findings & Value added: Monetary policy variable is creating only short-run effects on growth; but, it’s not causing any Granger causality on it. On the other hand, fiscal policy variable has a long-run significant effect and causing to growth. Thus, the fiscal policy seems to be more effective than monetary policy during examination period, implying the rethinking the implementation of both policies in Turkey. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first attempt to investigate the relative effectiveness of economic policies on growth in Turkey in terms of both methods used and period chosen.
Database Challenges in Financial Misconduct Research

More than 150 research papers that examine the causes and effects of financial misconduct compile samples use one of four popular databases. We use a hand-collected sample of 1,099 cases identified by the SEC for financial misrepresentation to document, calibrate, and measure the importance of four features in each of these four databases that pose challenges for researchers. First, the initial public revelations of financial misconduct occur months before the initial coverage in these databases. Second, these databases collect just one type of event, so they omit other relevant announcements that affect a researcher’s use of the events. Third, most of the events captured by these databases are unrelated to financial fraud. Fourth, the databases miss large numbers of events they were designed to capture. Event study tests and comparisons of firm characteristics show that these four database features can lead to economically meaningful biases in many applications. We show which database is most susceptible to each potential challenge, and propose remedies for researchers seeking to use these four databases.