Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Basic Formal Education Quality, Information Technology and Inclusive Human Development in Sub-Saharan Africa

This study assesses the relevance of basic formal education in information technology for inclusive human development in 49 countries in sub-Saharan Africa for the period 2000-2012. The question it aims to answer is the following: what is the relevance of basic formal education in the effect of mobile phone penetration on inclusive human development in sub-Saharan Africa when initial levels of inclusive human development are taken into account? The empirical evidence is based on instrumental quantile regressions. Poor primary education dampens the positive effect of mobile phone penetration on inclusive human development. This main finding should be understood in the perspective that, the education quality indicator represents a policy syndrome because of the way it is computed, notably: the ratio of pupils to teachers. Hence, an increasing ratio indicates decreasing quality of education. It follows that decreasing quality of education dampens the positive effect of mobile phone on inclusive development. This tendency is consistent throughout the conditional distribution of inclusive human development. Policy implications for sustainable development are discussed.
Intelligent Particle Filter and Its Application to Fault Detection of Nonlinear System

The particle filter (PF) provides a kind of novel technique for estimating the hidden states of the nonlinear and/or non-Gaussian systems. However, the general PF always suffers from the particle impoverishment problem, which can lead to the misleading state estimation results. To cope with this problem, a modified particle filter, i.e., intelligent particle filter (IPF), is proposed in this paper. It is inspired from the genetic algorithm. The particle impoverishment in general PF mainly results from the poverty of particle diversity. In IPF, the genetic-operators-based strategy is designed to further improve the particle diversity. It should be pointed out that the general PF is a special case of the proposed IPF with the specified parameters. Two experiment examples show that IPF mitigates particle impoverishment and provides more accurate state estimation results compared with the general PF. Finally, the proposed IPF is implemented for real-time fault detection on a three-tank system, and the results are satisfactory.
Absence of xenotropic murine leukemia virus–related virus in blood donors in China

BACKGROUND: Xenotropic murine leukemia virus–related virus (XMRV) is a novel human gammaretrovirus that was first identified in patients with prostate cancer in 2006. Subsequent studies have shown that XMRV is also detected in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and even in some healthy controls and blood donors. However, some conflicting findings have been reported by different laboratories or in different regions. The association of XMRV with human diseases and the prevalence of XMRV in different populations needs to be further determined.
The Rabbit and the Tortoise. Climate Change Policy Development on the Local Level in Norway and Poland

Policy innovation in unitary states relies heavily on the proclivity of local governments to identify and respond to emerging policy chal­lenges. The article contributes by applying a framework for policy innovation normally used in federal systems to a comparative analysis of two unitary states – Poland and Norway. The analy­sis serves to highlight how the effectiveness of horizontal, non-coercive diffusion mechanisms relies on established norms and traditions for local political self-rule. A key finding is that the prospects of success for ‘soft’ central govern­ment steering seem to rely not least on the re­sourcefulness of the local units. The study fur­thermore highlights the importance of historical trajectories for internal as well as external deter­minants for policy innovation.
The Impacts of Paid Family Leave Benefits: Regression Kink Evidence from California Administrative Data

Although the United States provides unpaid maternity and family leave to qualifying workers, it is the only OECD country without a national paid leave policy, making wage replacement a pivotal issue under debate. We use ten years of linked administrative data from California together with a regression kink (RK) design to estimate the causal impacts of benefits in the first state-level paid family leave program for women with earnings near the maximum benefit threshold. We find no evidence that a higher weekly benefit amount (WBA) increases leave duration or leads to adverse future labor market outcomes for mothers in this group. In contrast, we document consistent evidence that an increase in the WBA leads to a small increase in the share of quarters worked one to two years after the leave and a sizeable increase in the likelihood of making a future paid family leave claim across a variety of specifications.
Blood pressure among public employees after the Great East Japan Earthquake: the Watari study.

BACKGROUND Increases in blood pressure were reported in overworked public workers following the Mid-Niigata earthquake. This study aimed to compare blood pressure changes between public employees and the general population after the Great East Japan Earthquake of March 2011. METHODS We analyzed 1,776 individuals from the general population and 240 public employees of the town of Watari who received medical check-ups in 2010 and from July 2011 through November 2011. Anthropometric parameters and sitting blood pressure were compared, and fasting blood samples were taken from all participants. In post-disaster measurements, the degrees of insomnia, depression, fatigue, and life disruption due to the disaster were assessed using a questionnaire. Information on the working hours of public employees was obtained from authorized sources. RESULTS After age-sex adjustments, the public employees showed greater increases in systolic (11.3 vs. -1.9mm Hg, P < 0.001) and diastolic (7.8 vs. 1.1mm Hg, P < 0.001) blood pressure than the general population when compared with measurements taken during the previous year. In contrast, the degrees of fatigue, depression, and life disruption were equivalent in the 2 groups. The average monthly overtime hours worked by public employees in March 2011 was 10-fold higher compared with the previous March. CONCLUSION Public employees showed greater and more prolonged increases in blood pressure than the general population after the Great East Japan earthquake. Thus blood pressure should be monitored after a great earthquake among public employees, and treatment should be considered if necessary.
Serum biomarkers for atrophic gastritis and antibodies against Helicobacter pylori in the elderly: Implications for vitamin B12, folic acid and iron status and response to oral vitamin therapy

Objectives. To investigate the prevalence of serological markers for chronic atrophic gastritis (AG) and Helicobacter pylori antibodies (HPAb) in an elderly population, and to examine the interrelationship and significance for cobalamin, folic acid and iron status and response to oral vitamin therapy. Material and methods. The study included community-dwelling subjects (n=209), mean age 76 years, randomized to 4 month of oral daily treatment with 0.5 mg cyanocobalamin, 0.8 mg folic acid and 3 mg vitamin B6 or placebo (double-blind). Biochemical tests were carried out before and after treatment. Results. AG, as indicated by a pepsinogen I/II ratio <2.9, occurred in 14% (26/190) and HPAb in 54% (102/190) of the subjects. AG subjects had higher levels of serum methylmalonic acid (MMA) (p<0.001), plasma homocysteine (tHcy) (p<0.05), lower haemoglobin (Hb) (p<0.01) and a higher prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency (p<0.01). HPAb was associated with AG, whereas AG subjects without HPAb had higher tHcy and MMA levels. There was no correlation between AG and iron status. Oral vitamin treatment led to greater (albeit non-significant) improvements in MMA, tHcy and total cobalamins in AG subjects compared to non-AG subjects. Conclusions. AG is a common condition and is a significant determinant of vitamin B12 status. AG is correlated to HPAB and lower Hb. Elderly AG subjects respond at least as well as non-AG subjects to oral treatment with B-vitamins in the doses employed.
The role of endothelin receptor antagonism in collar‐induced intimal thickening and vascular reactivity changes in rabbits

Intimal thickening, due to smooth muscle cell migration and proliferation, is considered to be one of the major components of vascular proliferative disorders such as atherosclerosis and restenosis. One experimental model, resulting in intimal thickening in the rabbit, involves placing a silicon collar around the carotid artery, and is used in this study. Endothelin is known to act as a strong mitogen and to stimulate smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration. We investigated the contribution of endothelin to the development of collar‐induced intimal thickening and the effects of TAK‐044, (5mg kg−1 daily, s.c.), a non‐selective ETA/ETB receptor antagonist, on intimal thickening and vascular reactivity changes in the collared rabbit carotid artery. Endothelin levels and the intimal cross‐sectional area, as well as the ratio of intimal area to media (index), increased significantly in collared arteries as compared with those in sham‐operated arteries. TAK‐044 significantly inhibited intimal thickening and also decreased the index without affecting increased endothelin levels in collared arteries. Vascular reactivity changes in response to collaring produced predictable effects, such as decreased contractile responses to vasoconstrictor agents and increased sensitivity to serotonin (5‐hydroxytrypt‐amine, 5‐HT). In terms of contractile responses in this model, TAK‐044, in particular, did not affect collar‐induced vascular reactivity changes. These results suggest that endothelin may be involved in the pathogenesis of collar‐induced intimal thickening. As an endothelin receptor antagonist, TAK‐044 may potentially be beneficial in the treatment of atherosclerosis.
The importance of data presentation regarding gingival crevicular fluid myeloperoxidase and elastase-like activity in periodontal disease and health status.

BACKGROUND The enzymatic profile of gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) is being analyzed with increasing interest, but related studies lack a general consensus on most methodological points, including the appropriate mode of data presentation. METHODS GCF myeloperoxidase (MPO) and elastase-like activity (ELA) levels were spectrophotometrically determined on a total of 60 subjects who were divided into three equal subgroups as early-onset periodontitis (EOP), adult periodontitis (AP), and healthy. GCF enzyme levels were calculated and evaluated both as total enzyme activity and enzyme concentration. The correlations between these GCF enzymes and clinical periodontal status were also analyzed. RESULTS With both modes of data presentation, the results regarding MPO activity were consistent. When presented either as total MPO activity or MPO concentration, the periodontally healthy group showed significantly lower MPO activity than the two patient groups (P<0.05). However, two modes of data presentation did not match when GCF ELA was concerned. When data were reported as total ELA, the healthy group exhibited lower enzyme activity (0.02 +/- 0.001 U) than EOP (0.04 +/- 0.01 U) and AP (0.06 +/- 0.02 U) groups; but when reported as concentration, the highest ELA levels were seen in the healthy group (221 +/- 31.53 nmol/min/ml), followed by AP (98.63 +/- 23.03 nmol/min/ml) and EOP (70.49 +/- 12.02 nmol/min/ml) (P<0.05). A strong-positive and significant correlation existed between GCF MPO and ELA. Correlations with clinical parameters were mostly observed with total activities. CONCLUSIONS The findings of the present study confirm the relationship between GCF ELA and MPO activity and periodontal disease and also support the functional relativity between the two enzymes. Furthermore, based on these findings, it can be suggested that data presentation by use of total activity seems to be more sensitive in both the reflection of the actual enzymatic profile of GCF and also the existing clinical periodontal status. For each GCF component, the validity of different modes of data presentation should be considered.
Evaluation of the diagnostic value of serum level of total bilirubin in patients with suspected acute appendicitis

Introduction Clinical diagnosis of acute appendicitis still remains a problem. Delays in diagnosis of acute appendicitis may cause perforation and septic peritonitis which result in increasing morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to determine the sensitivity, specificity and the diagnostic value of total serum bilirubin levels as a predictor of acute appendicitis. Methods In this cross-sectional study, patients who underwent appendectomy with the diagnosis of acute appendicitis from April 2012 to March 2013 at Emam Reza Hospital in Mashhad (Iran) were enrolled. Serum bilirubin-Total and Direct-, were measured. Then based on the final pathologic reports, patients were categorized into five groups of normal appendix, chronic inflammatory changes, acute appendicitis, gangrenous and/or necrotic changes, and perforated appendicitis. Independent sample t-test, ANOVA, and Chi-square test were used for data analysis by SPSS version 16. Results There were 174 patients studied, (117 male, 57 female) with a mean age of 27.15±0.7 years. All of the patients had rebound tenderness; 75.3% had nausea, 58.6% had anorexia and 21.3% had fever. The histological reports of all patients showed 76.4% acute appendicitis. Analyzing p-values for SGPT, SGOT, WBC was (p=0.903) and differential count was (p=0.959). The study showed no significant difference between the pathological groups. However, there were no significant differences in serum total bilirubin levels between the pathological groups. Total bilirubin showed sensitivity of 48% and specificity of 61% in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis. Total serum bilirubin more than 0.85 mg/dl was the cut-off value with the best performance for diagnosis of appendicitis. Conclusion Bilirubin levels are reliable, sensitive and specific to diagnosis and a prediction of complicated appendicitis.
Perceptions and practice: A social ecological approach to investigating assessment culture in student affairs

Given the dynamic nature of culture as both a social and individual phenomenon, an investigation of assessment culture in student affairs necessitates a look at the reciprocal relationship between individual practitioners and their surrounding environment. The purpose of this study was to explore the range of perceptions of student affairs practitioners regarding assessment of student learning by integrating various individual and environmental variables into a comprehensive framework that encompasses the multiple levels of the social ecological model (McLeroy, Steckler, Bibeau, & Glanz, 1988). The researchers employed Q methodology to illustrate the range of viewpoints of 44 student affairs practitioners regarding assessment in student affairs. Participants representing various functional areas, position levels, and institution types completed a Q sort of 51 assessment-related statements. Participants’ sorting data were subjected to by-person factor analysis, resulting in groupings of respondents who share similar perspectives. Additional qualitative data were collected via post-sort questions and follow-up interviews to assist with interpretation of three participant viewpoints: Assessment-as-Significant, Assessment-as-Irrelevant, and Assessment-in-Isolation. These distinct viewpoints clearly illustrated that the various beliefs individuals hold about themselves and their institution’s culture of assessment interact dynamically to impact participants’ assessment perceptions and practice. Study findings provide further insight into reasons for the gap between the espoused value and actual practice of assessment and reinforce the notion that addressing this gap requires attention to the dynamic interactions of both individual and environmental factors. Implications for the scholarship of assessment and assessment practice are discussed.
Basal ice formation in snow cover in Northern Finland between 1948 and 2016

Basal ice formation in the terrestrial snow cover is a common phenomenon in northern circumpolar areas, one having significant impacts on ecosystems, vegetation, animals and human activities. There is limited knowledge on the spatial and temporal occurrence of basal ice formation because of the sparse observation network and challenges involved in detecting formation events. We present a unique dataset on the annual extent of ice formation events in northern Finland between 1948 and 2016 based on reindeer herders’ descriptions of the cold season in their management reports. In extreme years, basal ice can form over wide geographical extents. In approximately half of the herding districts studied, it occurred more frequently in the period 1983–2016 than in the period 1948–1982. Furthermore, five out of seven of the most extensive basal ice formation events (90th percentile) occurred between 1991 and 2016. The most commonly reported processes related to ice formation were thaw or rain-on-snow events followed by freezing of the snow cover. Years with extensive basal ice formation were often characterized by above-average October–December air temperatures, air temperature variations around 0 °C and relatively high precipitation. However, basal ice did not occur during all warm and wet early winters, and formation events were generally weakly linked to the large-scale atmospheric teleconnections. Another risk factor for reindeer grazing associated with warm and rainy early winters is the growth of mycotoxin-producing molds below the snow. Approximately 24% of all reported mold formation events co-occurred with basal ice formation. The prevalence and frequency of basal ice formation events can be assessed based on our results. Our work contributes to understanding long-term fluctuations and changes in snow and ice conditions and the impacts of this variability in circumpolar areas.
Tobacco use outcomes of adolescents treated clinically for nicotine dependence.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the tobacco use outcomes and baseline characteristics of adolescents treated for nicotine dependence. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. SETTING Mayo Clinic Nicotine Dependence Center, Rochester, Minn. PATIENTS Ninety-six adolescents (60 boys, 36 girls) receiving clinical services for treatment of nicotine dependence between January 1, 1988, and November 30, 1997. Their mean age was 15.6 years (range, 11-17 years), and 91.7% were white. INTERVENTION The Nicotine Dependence Center intervention involves a 45-minute consultation with a nicotine dependence counselor. A treatment plan individualized to the patient's needs is then developed. Telephone follow-up is conducted at 6 and 12 months. As part of this study, a long-term follow-up was conducted by telephone at a mean of 5.3 years (range, 1.6-10.6 years) following the intervention. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Self-reported 7-day point-prevalence abstinence from tobacco at 6 and 12 months, and 30-day point-prevalence tobacco abstinence at the long-term follow-up. RESULTS The tobacco abstinence rates were 17.7% (17/96 patients) at 6 months, 7.3% (7/96 patients) at 12 months, and 11.5% (11/96 patients) at the long-term follow-up. A high proportion of the sample had smoking-related medical morbidity and psychiatric diagnoses documented in the medical record prior to or at the time of the intervention. CONCLUSIONS Adolescents utilize the medical community to seek treatment for nicotine dependence. The 6-month tobacco abstinence rate is higher than the estimates of the natural history of smoking cessation in adolescents. Medical and psychiatric diagnoses are common in this population.
Estimating the Effects of Human Capital Constraints on Innovation in the Caribbean

Human capital, as reflected in education levels and skills, and innovation is an important engine of economic growth. The Caribbean is deficient in both: lower than expected GDP growth rates are accompanied by relatively low innovation at the firm level, and the workforce is characterised by skills deficiencies and educational mismatches. In that regard, this paper exploits firm-level data covering 13 Caribbean countries to examine the extent to which innovation, a key driver of productivity growth, is affected by firms’ inability to find appropriately educated and skilled workers to fill key positions in its organizational structure, which is estimated using Probit models distinguishing between past and future innovation decisions. The econometric analysis finds that firms that have difficulty finding new skilled employees are less likely to engage in any type of innovation compared to those that can, and this is also true for decisions about future technological and non-technological innovations. Moreover, firms that face challenges finding employees with the required core and job-related skills at the managerial and professional levels are also less likely to innovate. Finally, while in-firm training is found to increase the probability of innovation, its magnitude is low.
Hepatitis C virus core protein inhibits microsomal triglyceride transfer protein activity and very low density lipoprotein secretion: a model of viral‐related steatosis

Liver steatosis, which involves accumulation of intracytoplasmic lipid droplets, is characteristic of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. By use of an in vivo transgenic murine model, we demonstrate that hepatic overexpression of HCV core protein interferes with the hepatic assembly and secretion of triglyceride‐rich very low density lipoproteins (VLDL). Core expression led to reduction in microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) activity and in the particle size of nascent hepatic VLDL without affecting accumulation of MTP and protein disulfide isomerase. Hepatic human apolipoprotein AII (apo AII) expression in double‐core/apo AII transgenic mice diminished intrahepatic core protein accumulation and abrogated its effects on VLDL production. Apo AII and HCV core colocalized in human HCV‐infected liver biopsies, thus testifying to the relevance of this interaction in productive HCV infection. Our results lead us to propose a new patho‐physiological animal model for induction of viral‐related steatosis whereby the core protein of HCV targets microsomal triglyceride transfer protein activity and modifies hepatic VLDL assembly and secretion. —Perlemuter, G. , Sabile, A. , Letteron, P., Vona, G. , Topilco, A. , Chrétien, Y. , Koike, K. , Pessayre, D. , Chapman, J., Barba, G. , Bréchot, C. Hepatitis C virus core protein inhibits microsomal triglyceride transfer protein activity and very low density lipoprotein secretion: a model of viral‐related steatosis FASEB J. 16, 185–194 (2002)