Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Indigenous Peoples and Affinity Voting in Canada

Abstract Studies interested in Indigenous voting in Canada tend to focus on socio-economic, cultural and political factors that explain their lower levels of electoral participation. While highly relevant given Canada's ongoing reality as a settler-colonial state, these studies are of limited help in making sense of recent increases in electoral engagement in Indigenous communities across the country. Using data from four elections between 2006 and 2015, this study focuses instead on why some Indigenous individuals vote and how they vote. Our analysis suggests that one of many possible reasons for the recent surge in Indigenous turnout has to do with the candidates presenting themselves for elections. Higher voter turnout in Indigenous communities corresponds with a higher proportion of Indigenous candidates. This trend is consistent with the literature on affinity voting. We also find that political parties who present an Indigenous candidate receive more votes in constituencies with a high proportion of Indigenous voters. Résumé Les études qui portent sur le vote des Autochtones au Canada tendent à se focaliser sur l'abstention électorale et les facteurs socio-économiques, culturels et politiques qui l'expliquent. Bien que ces études soient pertinentes, notamment dans le contexte colonial de l’État canadien, elles ne permettent pas d'expliquer l'augmentation récente de la participation électorale dans certaines communautés à travers le pays. À partir de données recueillies pour les quatre élections fédérales entre 2006 et 2015, cet article s'intéresse au pourquoi et au comment du vote Autochtone. Notre étude démontre, parmi d'autres explications possibles, que le taux de participation autochtone est lié à l'identité du candidat qui se présente dans la circonscription. Ainsi, plus la proportion de candidats autochtones est grande, plus le taux de participation sera élevé. Ces résultats sont consistants avec la littérature sur le vote affinitaire. Nous démontrons également que les partis politiques qui présentent un candidat autochtone recevront plus de votes dans les circonscriptions avec une forte proportion d’électeurs Autochtones.
Parkinson's disease sleep scale: Validation study of a Spanish version

The Parkinson's Disease Sleep Scale (PDSS) is the first published bedside clinical tool to specifically measure sleep disturbances in Parkinson's disease (PD). The objective of the present study was to carry out a metric analysis of a Spanish version (PDSS‐SV) using a cross‐sectional study of 100 PD patients who participated in the study. Usual measures for PD and mental status were applied by neurologists. Patients completed the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire‐39 Items (PDQ‐39), and PDSS‐SV. PDSS internal consistency (Cronbach's α, 0.77; significant item‐total correlation for 11 items) was satisfactory. PDSS showed high test–retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient for items, 0.79–0.99; for total score, 0.94). Standard error of measurement was 9.80 (crossover) and 5.01 (longitudinal). Scores were distributed uniformly, with low floor and ceiling effect (1%). PDSS scores were correlated significantly with depression (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, rS = −0.55; P < 0.0001) and quality of life (PDQ‐39 Summary Index, rS = −0.26; P = 0.007), but not with clinical variables. Self‐perception of mood disorder, pain, or hallucinations correlated individually with PDSS scores, and a factor explaining 65% of the variance was found. The assessment of PD sleep disorders with the PDSS met some basic standards required for health status measures. © 2004 Movement Disorder Society
Human capital through a prospective method: a study for latin america

This paper aims to evaluate education as a component of human capital in comparison to other types of investments that relate to the formation of this stock. First, this study uses a nonparametric method, known as prospective, to estimate the value of human capital for a sample of ten Latin American countries from a returns perspective. Then, through partial decompositions examines the contribution of education in the volumes of human capital. The results indicate positive effects of education that however tend to run out in the long run.
Modeling the energy performance of object tracking in Wireless Sensor Network using dual-sink

This paper address the problem of modeling the energy performance by using mobile sinks in Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs). Mobile sinks can be used to balance energy consumption, however, the frequent location updates of the mobile sinks can lead to data collisions and rapid energy consumption for some specific sensors. In this paper, we explored an optimal barrier coverage based sensor deployment for object tracking WSNs where a dual-sink model was designed by us to evaluate the energy performance of all the static sensors, Static Sink (SS) and Mobile Sink (MS) simultaneously. With the designed MS mobility model that experimentally outperform RM (random movement), PM (peripheral Movement) and SM (Static-base Model), the proposed dual-sink eDSA algorithm was verified by simulations to be more efficient than single static-sink model by approximately half in energy conservation. Moreover, we demonstrate that our results are robust to realistic sensing models and also validate the correctness of our results through extensive simulations.
Analysis of the Impact of External Debt on Economic Growth in an Emerging Economy: Evidence from Nigeria

This study set out to analyse the impact of external debt on economic growth of Nigeria. Data for the study are collected from secondary sources. The variables on which data are collected include; Gross Domestic Product, External debt services, external debt stock, external reserve, and exchange rate. The scope of the study covers the period from 1985 to 2015. Data are analysed using the ordinary least square regression, ADF unit root test, Johansen cointegration and error correction test. Findings reveal that debt service payment has negative and insignificant impact on Nigeria’s economic growth while external debt stock has positive and significant effect on Nigeria’s growth index. The control variables: external reserve and exchange rate have positive and significant effect on growth. The ADF unit root test shows that all the variables are not stationary at levels but at first difference. Johansen cointegration test shows long-run relationship between external debt and growth index (GDP). It also showsed that the variables have at least one common stochastic trend driving the relationship between them. The causality test indicates unidirectional causality between external debt and GDP. From the findings, the study recommended that government should apply external loans to infrastructural development; improve business environment through legislation; initiate proper debt management policies and substitute external borrowing for human capital development. Key Words : Economic growth, external debt, dependency theory, debt servicing; external reserve, exchange rate
Sustained elevated concentrations of cardiac troponin T during acute allograft rejection after heart transplantation in children1

Background. The diagnosis of acute rejection after heart transplantation is made on the basis of endomyocardial biopsy. In children, where the method may be associated with complications, a noninvasive alternative would be desirable. We evaluated the myocardial damage marker cardiac troponin T (cTnT) as a marker of rejection in children who have undergone heart transplantation. Methods. Peripheral venous blood was collected in 124 endomyocardial biopsies in 14 children who had undergone heart transplantation (1–20 years of age). Serum levels of cTnT were compared with histologic rejection according to the International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) (grades 0–4). Results. Seven children experienced nine episodes of acute rejection. During rejection, cTnT increased from 0.05±0.07 (mean±SD) &mgr;g/L to 0.26±0.27 &mgr;g/L and remained elevated 7 and 30 days thereafter (0.10±0.11 and 0.36±0.38 &mgr;g/L, respectively) before returning to normal after 50 to 430 days. In surveillance biopsies, cTnT displayed considerable variation at all rejection grades: ISHLT grade 0, median 0.03 &mgr;g/L (range 0.01–2.04 &mgr;g/L); ISHLT grade 1, median 0.06 &mgr;g/L (range 0.01–0.67 &mgr;g/L); ISHLT grade 2, median 0.10 &mgr;g/L (range 0.01–1.42 &mgr;g/L); and ISHLT grade 3, median 0.17 &mgr;g/L (range 0.01–0.93 &mgr;g/L). A receiver operating characteristics analysis for cTnT versus rejection grade revealed an area under the curve of 0.69, indicating a moderate predictive value for cTnT. However, a cutoff of 0.015 &mgr;g/L yielded a specificity of only 36%, with a sensitivity of 89%, whereas a cutoff of 0.1 &mgr;g/L resulted in sensitivity and specificity of 53% and 77%, respectively. Conclusions. Cardiac troponin T increased and remained elevated for at least 1 month during acute rejection. The diagnostic power of a single cTnT measurement was not sufficient to replace endomyocardial biopsy.
Antiinflammatory and antinociceptive effects in mice of a sulfated polysaccharide fraction extracted from the marine red algae Gracilaria caudata

Many algal species contain relatively high concentrations of polysaccharide substances, a number of which have been shown to have anti-inflammatory and/or immunomodulatory activity. In this study, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects in mice of a sulfated polysaccharide fraction (PLS) extracted from the algae Gracilaria caudata. The antiinflammatory activity of PLS was evaluated using several inflammatory agents (carrageenan, dextran, bradykinin, and histamine) to induce paw edema and peritonitis in Swiss mice. Samples of the paw tissue and peritoneal fluid were removed to determine myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity or TNF-α and IL-1β levels, respectively. Mechanical hypernociception was induced by subcutaneous injection of carrageenan into the plantar surface of the paw. Pretreatment of mice by intraperitoneal administration of PLS (2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg) significantly and dose-dependently reduced carrageenan-induced paw edema (p < 0.05) compared to vehicle-treated mice. Similarly, PLS 10 mg/kg effectively inhibited edema induced by dextran and histamine; however, edema induced by bradykinin was unaffected by PLS. PLS 10 mg/kg inhibited total and differential peritoneal leukocyte counts following carrageenan-induced peritonitis. Furthermore, PLS reduced carrageenan-increased MPO activity in paws and reduced cytokine levels in the peritoneal cavity. Finally PLS pretreatment also reduced hypernociception 3–4 h after carrageenan. We conclude that PLS reduces the inflammatory response and hypernociception in mice by reducing neutrophil migration and cytokines concentration.
Reflection for Higher Order Risk Preferences

Higher order risk preferences are important determinants of economic behavior. We apply behavioral insights to this topic: we measure higher order risk preferences for pure gains and pure losses by controlling the reference point. We find a reflection effect not only for second order risk preferences, as in Kahneman and Tversky 1979, but also for higher order risk preferences: we find risk aversion, prudence and intemperance for gains, but risk loving preferences, imprudence and temperance for losses. The risk aversion and intemperance for gains and the imprudence for losses is evidence against a preference for combining good with bad or good with good, which previous theoretical and empirical results suggest may underlie higher order risk preferences.
THE LYSIS OF CELL WALLS OF GROUP A STREPTOCOCCI BY STREPTOMYCES ALBUS ENZYME TREATED WITH DIISOPROPYL FLUOROPHOSPHATE

Diisopropyl fluorophosphate (DFP) effectively inhibited proteolytic activity in preparations of partially purified Streptomyces albus enzyme used to lyse cell walls of Group A streptococci. Lysis of non-trypsinized Group A cell walls with DFP-treated S. albus enzyme released a soluble protein fraction containing antigenic type-specific M protein, a carbohydrate fraction consisting of Group A and a small amount of A-variant polysaccharides, and a dialyzable fraction. The similarities of the products of DFP-treated S. albus enzyme lysis of streptococcal cell walls to those released by phage muralytic enzyme furnish additional evidence of the close relationship of these wall lysins. In view of small differences in electrophoretic mobility, immunodiffusion, and chemical composition, it is suggested that Group A streptococcal cell wall polysaccharide dissolved by DFP-S. albus enzyme consists of a spectrum of molecules having the same immunological determinants but differing in content of conjugated mucopeptide.
Telomere dysfunction accurately predicts clinical outcome in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, even in patients with early stage disease

Defining the prognosis of individual cancer sufferers remains a significant clinical challenge. Here we assessed the ability of high‐resolution single telomere length analysis (STELA), combined with an experimentally derived definition of telomere dysfunction, to predict the clinical outcome of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). We defined the upper telomere length threshold at which telomere fusions occur and then used the mean of the telomere ‘fusogenic’ range as a prognostic tool. Patients with telomeres within the fusogenic range had a significantly shorter overall survival (P < 0·0001; Hazard ratio [HR] = 13·2, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 11·6–106·4) and this was preserved in early‐stage disease patients (P < 0·0001, HR=19·3, 95% CI = 17·8–802·5). Indeed, our assay allowed the accurate stratification of Binet stage A patients into those with indolent disease (91% survival at 10 years) and those with poor prognosis (13% survival at 10 years). Furthermore, patients with telomeres above the fusogenic mean showed superior prognosis regardless of their IGHV mutation status or cytogenetic risk group. In keeping with this finding, telomere dysfunction was the dominant variable in multivariate analysis. Taken together, this study provides compelling evidence for the use of high‐resolution telomere length analysis coupled with a definition of telomere dysfunction in the prognostic assessment of CLL.
Comorbidity of paraphilia and depression in Mexico

The comorbidity of paraphilia-related disorders and other psychiatric disorders is high, but the paraphilia-related disorder often remains untreated until patients seek help for the comorbid disorder. A case of a patient in Mexico with comorbid paraphilia and depressive disorder, who was effectively treated with antidepressive medication and psychotherapy, is reported. The effect of stigmatization of homosexuality on the access to care of persons with sexual disorders is discussed.
Ictal and interictal technetium-99m-bicisate brain SPECT in children with refractory epilepsy.

UNLABELLED Identification of epileptogenic foci in patients with refractory epilepsy remains a significant diagnostic challenge. Magnetic resonance imaging studies frequently fail to reveal an anatomic origin for the seizures, and scalp electroencephalography is often limited to identification of the involved hemisphere. Functional imaging modalities such as PET and SPECT are more promising tools for this application because they reflect the functional pathology associated with the seizure. These changes are more pronounced ictally, but until recently, no radiopharmaceutical was available that could be used routinely for ictal SPECT. The present study was therefore undertaken to determine whether 99mTc-bicisate could be used in ictal SPECT in pediatric patients with refractory epilepsy, to compare the patterns of ictal and interictal blood flow in these patients and to compare the localization information provided by ictal SPECT with that available from other techniques. METHODS Technetium-99m-bicisate/SPECT was compared prospectively with scalp EEG for its ability to identify a possible seizure focus in pediatric patients with refractory epilepsy. Ictal and interictal SPECT studies were performed in 10 patients (3-19 yr old, mean age 10.9 +/- 4.3 yr; 7 female, 3 male) in whom MRI scans revealed no lesions that might be responsible for the seizures. RESULTS Ictal SPECT was performed in all patients, and all ictal studies revealed focal perfusion abnormalities. By comparison, four of the interictal SPECT studies showed regional hypoperfusion that corresponded to the regions of hyperperfusion in the ictal studies, and three showed regional hyperperfusion corresponding to the hyperperfused regions in the ictal studies. Three interictal studies revealed no abnormal perfusion. Scalp EEG provided localization information in five patients. CONCLUSION These initial results suggest that ictal SPECT with 99mTc-bicisate is a more promising tool for the identification of epileptogenic foci than interictal SPECT or scalp EEG in patients without focal abnormalities on MRI.
Vulvodynia and Concomitant Femoro-Acetabular Impingement: Long-Term Follow-up After Hip Arthroscopy

Objective We hypothesized that in patients with vulvodynia and femoro-acetabular impingement (FAI), vulvar pain may be generated by the effect of FAI on pelvic floor structures, and treatment with arthroscopy may improve vulvodynia. We also sought to identify characteristics of patients whose vulvodynia improved after arthroscopy. Materials and Methods A case series of patients with vulvodynia and FAI underwent physical therapy, and, if hip symptoms did not improve, arthroscopy. Three to 5 years postoperatively, follow-up of outcomes after arthroscopy on vulvodynia was performed using chart review and patient questionnaire. Clinical characteristics and pain scores describing patients with and without vulvodynia improvement were assessed. Results Twenty-six patients with generalized unprovoked vulvodynia (GUV) or clitorodynia underwent arthroscopy for FAI. Six patients, all younger than 30 years, experienced lasting improvement in vulvodynia. Twenty patients, with an older mean age, longer mean vulvodynia duration, and mainly severe pain scores, did not experience vulvar pain improvement after arthroscopy. Conclusion This case series describes improved vulvodynia outcomes after arthroscopy for FAI in women younger than 30 years. Patients with vulvar pain and coexisting FAI had GUV and clitorodynia.
Mode-locked cavity-enhanced absorption spectroscopy

The authors demonstrate the cavity enhanced absorption spectroscopy technique with a frequency doubled ML Ti:Sa laser and a much better spectrograph (resolving power >200000), to study absorption by nitrogen ions in a plasma around 390 nm. In addition, they are implementing electronic locking to the magic point resonance which greatly increases signal level and will allow obtaining (and reporting) ML-CEAS measurements with much higher cavity finesse: F > 5/spl times/10/sup 5/.
Fostering Leadership Capacity among Black Male Achievers: Findings from an Identity-Based Leadership Immersion Program

This study investigates the extent to which leadership capacity gains differ between participants of a leader development session targeted towards Black men and (a) other Black men who participated in racially and gender-diverse sessions; and (b) a racially proportionate sample of other men in racially and gender-diverse sessions. We employed an anti-deficit achievement framework within this research. Findings suggested that Black men who attended an all-Black Male session made gains similar or greater than each comparison group, even considering elevated capacity levels prior to participating. This study addresses important implications for understanding how engaging with same-race, same-gendered peers in formal leadership programs can support Black men in continuing to develop leadership capacity.
A Biomechanical Comparison of Initial Soft Tissue Tibial Fixation Devices

Background Biomechanical testing of the Intrafix device has not been performed using human tibiae. Hypothesis The Intrafix device would provide comparable or superior tibial fixation of a quadrupled hamstring tendon graft to a 35-mm-long bioabsorbable interference screw. Study Design In vitro, biomechanical study. Methods Eight paired human tibiae and 16 quadrupled hamstring tendon grafts were divided into 2 groups. Each quadrupled hamstring tendon graft was fixed in a tunnel sized to 0.5 mm graft diameter with either an Intrafix device or a screw. Results Displacement at failure was greater in the Intrafix group (17.3 ± 4.6 mm versus 10.9 ± 4.4 mm, P = .002). Load at failure (796 ± 193 N versus 647 ± 269 N), stiffness (49.2 ± 21.9 N/mm versus 64.5 ± 22 N/mm), and bone mineral density (0.74 ±0.15 gm/cm3 versus 0.74 ± 0.14 gm/cm3) did not display significant differences for the Intrafix device and the screw, respectively (P > .05). Conclusions Displacement at failure was greater for the Intrafix device. Clinical Relevance Increased displacement at failure for the Intrafix group suggests slippage from sheath channel deployment. Concentric fixation may not occur when less than optimal tibial bone mineral density increases the difficulty of attaining precise sheath deployment and quadrupled hamstring tendon graft strand alignment.
The Role of Governmental Venture Capital in the Venture Capital Ecosystem: An Organizational Ecology Perspective

We use the theory of organizational ecology to study how governmental venture capital (GVC) affects the investment behavior of private venture capital (PVC). Because of its objectives and dominant competencies, GVC is a unique organizational species that occupies a different niche than PVC. GVC is conceived to establish mutualistic relations with PVC. Accordingly, the greater the presence of GVC in a venture capital (VC) ecosystem, the more PVC investors should be attracted toward GVC’s niche. We consider several relevant niche dimensions at the company (age and size), industry (biotechnology), and regional (competitiveness) levels. Our analysis of 1,239 PVC investments in Europe confirms most of our predictions.
Correlates of response to IL-2 therapy in patients treated for metastatic renal cancer and melanoma.

PURPOSE We evaluated the characteristics of patients with metastatic renal cancer or metastatic melanoma prior to and during treatment with bolus intravenous interleukin-2 to define prognostic indicators of subsequent response to therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS A consecutive series of 509 patients with progressive metastatic cancer were treated with intravenous interleukin-2 from September 1985 to July 1993. Pretreatment demographic characteristics, treatment history, results of laboratory tests, and metastatic sites of disease were evaluated. The amount of interleukin-2 administered, toxicity, and changes in laboratory test results were recorded for the first course of therapy. Subsequent objective response to therapy and survival were determined and used to evaluate pretreatment and treatment characteristics that acted as prognostic indicators of response. RESULTS At the end of the study, 22.6% of patients with renal cancer and 16.3% of patients with melanoma experienced an objective response to interleukin-2 therapy. Patients with renal cancer responded more frequently if they had not previously failed other immunotherapies. Also, renal cancer patients who achieved an objective response had a more profound thrombocytopenia during the first cycle of therapy. Patients with melanoma responded more frequently to interleukin-2 therapy when metastases were confined to subcutaneous tissue. In addition, responding patients with melanoma received more interleukin-2 in their first course and exhibited a more profound lymphocytosis 7 to 11 days after initiating therapy than did nonresponders. CONCLUSIONS Renal cancer and melanoma displayed separate prognostic indicators with respect to response from interleukin-2 therapy. Although significant correlates to response were identified, there was much variability and a reliable predictive model of response to therapy could not be formulated based on these results.