Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Television viewing and fatty liver in early midlife. The Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study

Introduction. Both sedentary behaviour and fatty liver are associated with increased risk of obesity and non-communicable diseases, but their relationship remains unknown. We investigated the relationship of television (TV) viewing time with serum gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and Fatty Liver Index (FLI), and ultrasonographically assessed liver fat. Methods. A total of 1,367 adults of the population-based Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns study (748 women, 619 men, aged 34–49 years) had fasting serum GGT, triglycerides, weight, height, and waist circumference, and self-reported TV time data from 2001, 2007, and 2011. Changes in GGT and FLI, and liver ultrasound images in 2011 were studied in groups with constantly low (≤ 1 h/d), moderate (1–3 h/d), or high (≥ 3 h/d) daily TV time, and in groups with ≥ 1 hour increase/decrease in daily TV time between 2001 and 2011. Results. Constantly high TV time was associated with higher GGT and FLI (P < 0.02 in both), and 2.3-fold (95% CI 1.2–4.5) increased risk of fatty liver regardless of age, sex, leisure-time and occupational physical activity, energy intake, diet composition, alcohol use, sleep duration, socioeconomic status, and smoking. Adjustment for BMI partly attenuated the associations. Conclusions. High TV viewing increases fatty liver risk. It may be one mechanism linking sedentary behaviour with increased cardiometabolic disease risks.
Analyst Recommendations and Stock Price Bubbles

This paper documents how analyst recommendations are related to periods of bubbles. We find a strong positive relation between the concentration in analyst buy recommendations and bubble continuation in two settings. First, we show a positive association between the concentration in buy recommendations and the tech bubble; the crash was associated with changes in buy recommendation concentration. Second, in an out-of-sample analysis of firms in multiple industries from 1994-2009, we show that analyst buy recommendation concentration predicts future return patterns that exhibit characteristics of a rational speculative bubble. While the evidence is not sufficient to conclude that analyst buy recommendations are the causal factor that perpetuates the mispricing, our findings suggest that, at a minimum, analysts do not act proactively to correct this form of mispricing in a timely manner.
Pax6 guides a relay of pioneer longitudinal axons in the embryonic mouse forebrain

We have characterized a system of early neurons that establish the first two major longitudinal tracts in the embryonic mouse forebrain. Axon tracers and antibody labels were used to map the axon projections in the thalamus from embryonic days 9.0–12, revealing several distinct neuron populations that contributed to the first tracts. Each of the early axon populations first grew independently, pioneering a short segment of new tract. However, each axon population soon merged with other axons to form one of only two shared longitudinal tracts, both descending: the tract of the postoptic commissure (TPOC), and, in parallel, the stria medullaris. Thus, the forebrain longitudinal tracts are pioneered by a relay of axons, with distinct axon populations pioneering successive segments of these pathways. The extensive merging of tracts suggests that axon–axon interactions are a major guidance mechanism for longitudinal axons. Several axon populations express tyrosine hydroxylase, identifying the TPOC as a major pathway for forebrain dopaminergic projections. To start a genetic analysis of pioneer axon guidance, we have identified the transcription factor Pax6 as critical for tract formation. In Pax6 mutants, both longitudinal tracts failed to form due to errors by every population of early longitudinal axons. Taken together, these results have identified potentially important interactions between series of pioneer axons and the Pax6 gene as a general regulator of longitudinal tract formation in the forebrain. J. Comp. Neurol. 479:399–409, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Crisis adjustment strategies in France: The contribution of establishment-level data

[eng] This paper explores the employment and wage adjustments and business reorganisation implemented by French establishments between 2008 and 2010, using data from the Dares REPONSE survey. Drawing up a typology of adjustment practices based on a statistical classification, it reveals a diversity of practices illustrating the complementarity of these adjustments. Then the paper analyses the characteristics of the different classes of establishments and the links between practices, the flexibility levers available to the establishments and their economic and financial dependency relationships, taking into account the diversity of economic and social contexts. While recourse to temporary contracts and subcontracting does not seem to be significant, the use of flexible pay components (individual pay rises and performance bonuses) and worker versatility affect the adjustments made by establishments. Likewise, being majority foreign-owned, being a subsidiary of a (listed or unlisted) group, or being part of a subcontracting chain emerge from the analysis as significant factors affecting these adjustments.
How Transparency and Reproducibility Can Increase Credibility in Policy Analysis: A Case Study of the Minimum Wage Policy Estimate

The analysis of public policies, even when performed by the best non-partisan agencies, often lacks credibility (Manski, 2013). This allows policy makers to cherrypick between reports, or within a specific report, to select estimates that better match their beliefs. For example, in 2014 the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) produced a report on the effects of raising the minimum wage that was cited both by opponents and supporters of the policy, with each side accepting as credible only partial elements of the report. Lack of transparency and reproducibility (TR) in a policy report implies that its credibility relies on the reputation of the authors, and their organizations, instead of on a critical appraisal of the analysis. This dissertation translates to policy analysis solutions developed to address the lack of credibility in a different setting: the reproducibility crisis in science. I adapt the Transparency and Openness Promotion (TOP) guidelines (Nosek et al, 2015) to the policy analysis setting. The highest standards from the adapted guidelines involve the use of two key tools: dynamic documents that combine all elements of an analysis in one place, and open source version control (git). I then implement these high standards in a case study of the CBO report mentioned above, and present the complete analysis in the form of an open-source dynamic document. In addition to increasing the credibility of the case study analysis, this methodology brings attention to several components of the policy analysis that have been traditionally overlooked in academic research, for example the distribution of the losses used to pay for the increase in wages. Increasing our knowledge in these overlooked areas may prove most valuable to an evidence-based policy debate.
Variation in breast cancer care quality in New York and California based on race/ethnicity and Medicaid enrollment

Racial/ethnic and socioeconomic disparities persist in part because our current understanding of the care provided to minority and disadvantaged populations is limited. The authors evaluated the quality of breast cancer care in 2 large states to understand the disparities experienced by African Americans, Hispanics, Asian/Pacific Islanders (APIs), and Medicaid enrollees and to prioritize remediation strategies.
Salicylic acid‐dependent immunity contributes to resistance against Rhizoctonia solani, a necrotrophic fungal agent of sheath blight, in rice and Brachypodium distachyon

Summary Rhizoctonia solani is a soil‐borne fungus causing sheath blight. In consistent with its necrotrophic life style, no rice cultivars fully resistant to R. solani are known, and agrochemical plant defense activators used for rice blast, which upregulate a phytohormonal salicylic acid (SA)‐dependent pathway, are ineffective towards this pathogen. As a result of the unavailability of genetics, the infection process of R. solani remains unclear. We used the model monocotyledonous plants Brachypodium distachyon and rice, and evaluated the effects of phytohormone‐induced resistance to R. solani by pharmacological, genetic and microscopic approaches to understand fungal pathogenicity. Pretreatment with SA, but not with plant defense activators used in agriculture, can unexpectedly induce sheath blight resistance in plants. SA treatment inhibits the advancement of R. solani to the point in the infection process in which fungal biomass shows remarkable expansion and specific infection machinery is developed. The involvement of SA in R. solani resistance is demonstrated by SA‐deficient NahG transgenic rice and the sheath blight‐resistant B. distachyon accessions, Bd3‐1 and Gaz‐4, which activate SA‐dependent signaling on inoculation. Our findings suggest a hemi‐biotrophic nature of R. solani, which can be targeted by SA‐dependent plant immunity. Furthermore, B. distachyon provides a genetic resource that can confer disease resistance against R. solani to plants.
A Novel 6/4 Flux-Switching Permanent Magnet Machine Designed for High-Speed Operations

The purpose of this paper is to investigate a novel flux-switching permanent magnet (FSPM) machine that is amenable for high-speed operation. The low-pole topology of high-speed machine is favorable to minimize fundamental frequency requirement. The lowest possible three-phase topology of the FSPM machine, with six stator slots and four rotor poles (6/4), has unacceptably large second-order harmonic distortion in the flux linkage and severe cogging torque in its conventional single-stator-single-rotor form. To resolve these challenges, a novel dual-stator structure is proposed that eliminates the even-order harmonics in the flux linkage. Harmonic distortion and cogging torque are notably reduced in the proposed machine. The principles of operation and design methods are described in this paper. The properties of the proposed dual-stator 6/4 FSPM machine are compared with a conventional 6/4 FSPM machine and a conventional 12/10 FSPM machine for a 5 kW, 15 000 r/min design. Comparison results gathered from 3-D finite-element analysis demonstrate that the proposed dual-stator 6/4 FSPM machine achieves significantly better flux linkage, back EMF, and cogging torque than the conventional 6/4 design and better efficiency than the conventional 12/10 FSPM machine.
Cardiac function and tolerance to ischemia-reperfusion injury in chronic kidney disease.

BACKGROUND Cardiac dysfunction is an independent risk factor of ischemic heart disease and mortality in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, yet the relationship between impaired cardiac function and tolerance to ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury in experimental CKD remains unclear. METHODS Cardiac function was assessed in 5/6 ablation-infarction (AI) and sham male Sprague-Dawley rats at 20 weeks of age, 8 weeks post-surgery using an isolated working heart system. This included measures taken during manipulation of preload and afterload to produce left ventricular (LV) function curves as well as during reperfusion following a 15-min ischemic bout. In addition, LV tissue was used for biochemical tissue analysis. RESULTS Cardiac function was impaired in AI animals during preload and afterload manipulations. Cardiac functional impairments persisted post-ischemia in the AI animals, and 36% of AI animals did not recover sufficiently to achieve aortic overflow following ischemia (versus 0% of sham animals). However, for those animals able to withstand the ischemic perturbation, no difference was observed in percent recovery of post-ischemic cardiac function between groups. Urinary NOx (nitrite + nitrate) excretion was lower in AI animals and accompanied by reduced LV endothelial nitric oxide synthase and NOx. LV antioxidants superoxide dismutase-1 and -2 were reduced in AI animals, whereas glutathione peroxidase-1/2 as well as NADPH-oxidase-4 and H(2)O(2) were increased in these animals. CONCLUSIONS Impaired cardiac function appears to predispose AI rats to poor outcomes following short-duration ischemic insult. These findings could be, in part, mediated by increased oxidative stress via nitric oxide-dependent and -independent mechanisms.
Consumer Nationalism and Multilateral Trade Cooperation

We investigate the implications of consumer nationalism for multilateral trade cooperation. We develop a two-country, two-firm model, in which the firms produce horizontally differentiated products and act as Bertrand competitors. Assuming that there is asymmetry in consumer nationalism between countries, we show that the country with the (relatively more) nationalist consumers can sustain more liberal trade policies than its trade partner in a repeated-game setting. Moreover, its most cooperative equilibrium tariff is actually decreasing in the level of its consumers' nationalism, provided that countries are not too patient. On the other hand, asymmetric consumer nationalism across countries produces an anti-cooperation effect on the incentives of the country with the non-nationalist consumers.
HRM and Employee Engagement Link: Mediating Role of Employee Well-being

The debate concerning the link between human resource management (HRM) and employee level as well as organizational outcomes has reached an interesting crossroads. While studies continue to demonstrate a relationship between financial success and the organization’s commitment to management practices that support people’s goals and treat people as assets, yet in reality, the focus on achieving short-term financial performance has obscured the consideration of people-oriented goals. Given the centrality of HRM practices to organizational success, this study reports the results of a survey conducted among 626 knowledge professionals working in IT companies in Chennai city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The study found statistically significant relationship between HRM practices and employee-level outcomes such as perceived efficacy, engagement and employee well-being, where employee well-being plays a mediating role. The implications of the findings of the theory and practice of HRM have been discussed.
Why make political finance transparent? Explaining the Group of States against Corruption (GRECO)’s success in reforming national political finance regulation

If transparency in political finance is part and parcel of democracy, why do some countries adopt internationally agreed standards to regulate political finance in a more transparent way, while others do not? This paper (a) suggests a theoretical framework to address this question, taking into account international obligations, existing party finance regulation, and demands for greater legitimacy of political institutions; (b) introduces a unique data set of 46 member-countries of the Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) project operated by the Council of Europe; and (c) concludes that unwillingness to pay the high domestic costs of changing national regulation is the prime impediment to compliance with transparency regulation proposed by GRECO. Right-of-centre cabinets are, on average, associated with a poorer level of compliance. Interestingly, compliance with recommendations which reduce the privileges of parliamentary parties does not deviate from the overall pattern.
Outcomes of tuberculosis treatment among inpatients and outpatients in the city of São Paulo, Brazil.

OBJECTIVE To compare inpatient and outpatient treatment of tuberculosis, in terms of outcomes, in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, as well to determine which variables are most frequently associated with hospitalization. METHODS A prospective, longitudinal study carried out between January and December of 2007, at two large hospitals and at outpatient clinics, in two regions of the city of São Paulo. For inpatients, data were collected with a structured questionnaire. Additional data were obtained from the São Paulo State Department of Health Tuberculosis Database. RESULTS Of the 474 patients included in the study, 166 were inpatients, and 308 were outpatients. The multivariate analysis showed that hospitalization for tuberculosis was associated with hospital/emergency room diagnosis of tuberculosis (OR = 55.42), with HIV co-infection (OR = 18.57), with retreatment (OR = 18.51), and with having previously sought treatment at another health care facility (OR = 12.32). For the inpatient and outpatient groups, the overall cure rates were 41.6% and 78.3%, respectively, compared with 30.4% and 58.5% for those who were co-infected with HIV, whereas the overall mortality rates were 29.5% and 2.6%, respectively, compared with 45.7% and 9.8% for those who were co-infected with HIV. CONCLUSIONS Among inpatients, tuberculosis appears to be more severe and more difficult to diagnose, resulting in lower cure rates and higher mortality rates, than among outpatients. In addition, tuberculosis patients co-infected with HIV have less favorable outcomes.
The family caregiver experience – examining the positive and negative aspects of compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue as caregiving outcomes

ABSTRACT Objectives: Caregiving results in both positive and negative outcomes for caregivers. The purpose of this study was to examine compassion fatigue and compassion satisfaction in family caregivers. Methods: Using a cross sectional descriptive survey design with a convenience sample, 168 family caregivers of individuals with chronic illness completed a web-based survey. Measures included a demographic questionnaire, Caregiver Burden Interview, Brief COPE inventory and Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL). Results: The majority of participants (71%) reported high levels of caregiver burden, moderate to low levels of the compassion fatigue concepts of burnout (59.5%) and secondary traumatic stress (STS) (50%), and moderate levels of compassion satisfaction (82.7%). Regression analyses showed that caregiver burden, time caregiving, coping, social support, and caregiving demands explained a total variance of 57.1%, F(11,119) = 14.398, p < . 00 in burnout and a total variance of 56%, F(11, 119) = 13.64, p < . 00 in STS. Specifically, behavioral disengagement is a predicator that may indicate early compassion fatigue. Conclusion: Findings suggest that despite high caregiver burden and moderate compassion fatigue, family caregivers are able to provide care and find satisfaction in the role. This study supports the use of compassion fatigue and compassion satisfaction as alternative or additional outcomes to consider in future research.
Smartphone Applications for Mental Health

Many adolescents and adults do not seek treatment for mental health symptoms. Smartphone applications (apps) may assist individuals with mental health concerns in alleviating symptoms or increasing understanding. This study seeks to characterize apps readily available to smartphone users seeking mental health information and/or support. Ten key terms were searched in the Apple iTunes and Google Play stores: mental health, depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, bipolar, trauma, trauma in schools, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), child trauma, and bullying. A content analysis of the first 20 application descriptions retrieved per category was conducted. Out of 300 nonduplicate applications, 208 (70%) were relevant to search topic, mental health or stress. The most common purported purpose for the apps was symptom relief (41%; n = 85) and general mental health education (18%; n = 37). The most frequently mentioned approaches to improving mental health were those that may benefit only milder symptoms such as relaxation (21%; n = 43). Most app descriptions did not include information to substantiate stated effectiveness of the application (59%; n = 123) and had no mention of privacy or security (89%; n = 185). Due to uncertainty of the helpfulness of readily available mental health applications, clinicians working with mental health patients should inquire about and provide guidance on application use, and patients should have access to ways to assess the potential utility of these applications. Strategic policy and research developments are likely needed to equip patients with applications for mental health, which are patient centered and evidence based.
Bactericidal activity of ramoplanin against antibiotic-resistant enterococci

Ramoplanin, a new lipoglycodepsipeptide antibiotic, was uniformly active against 65 strains of enterococci, including strains highly resistant to vancomycin, penicillin G, and gentamicin. MBCs were usually within a fourfold dilution of the MICs. In time-kill studies, ramoplanin alone demonstrated dose-dependent bactericidal activity against enterococcal strains that resisted killing by vancomycin or penicillin in combination with gentamicin.
The effect of anticoagulation on antenatal ultrasound findings in pregnant women with thrombophilia

Objective. To assess whether treatment with heparin alters ultrasound findings in pregnant women with inherited thrombophilia. Methods. This was a retrospective study of a cohort of patients referred for pregnancy complications who were found to have genetic thrombophilia. Ultrasounds were reviewed in treated and untreated pregnancies for the presence of growth restriction, oligohydramnios or abnormal Doppler results. Results. There were a total of 178 pregnancies in 51 patients. The overall percentage of abnormal ultrasounds was significantly greater in the untreated compared with treated pregnancies (52.8% vs. 27.9%; p = 0.024.) Growth restriction and abnormal Doppler results were more common in untreated pregnancies. There was a significantly decreased risk of oligohydramnios with treatment (27.3% vs. 7%; p = 0.03). Overall outcomes were significantly improved with the use of anticoagulation ( p < 0.0001). Conclusions. Treatment markedly improves ultrasound parameters of growth, fluid and feto-placental blood flow in patients with thrombophilia. The presence of abnormalities despite treatment reinforces the need for close antenatal surveillance.
A Wandering Mind Is an Unhappy Mind

The iPhone Hap App reveals that wandering thoughts lead to unhappiness. We developed a smartphone technology to sample people’s ongoing thoughts, feelings, and actions and found (i) that people are thinking about what is not happening almost as often as they are thinking about what is and (ii) found that doing so typically makes them unhappy.
Safety and immunogenicity of the RTS,S/AS02A candidate malaria vaccine in children aged 1–4 in Mozambique

Background The development of a malaria vaccine remains a public health priority for sub‐Saharan Africa. RTS,S/AS02A candidate malaria vaccine has been shown to be safe and immunogenic in previous studies in adults and staggered dose‐escalation studies in children in The Gambia. However, genetic features and the intensity of malaria transmission may modify the safety and immune response of a vaccine.
Land Inequality and Economic Growth: A Meta-Analysis

Increasing commercial pressure on land may lead to land concentration in developing countries, especially in the context of complex systems of property rights. In this article we review through meta-analysis (MA) the econometric findings of the literature estimating the nexus between land inequality and economic growth. In particular, our MA controls for various features of the studies and for the so-called “publication bias,” and shows that land-inequality negatively affects economic growth, especially at low development levels. Analysis based on panel data, which generally imply a relatively short run perspective, typically report a lower or positive correlation between land inequality and growth, suggesting that the negative impact of land inequality emerges in the long run, possibly through credit constraints and institutional mechanisms.