Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
MOBILITY AND INEQUALITY IN RURAL NIGERIA: THE CASE OF OFF‐ROAD COMMUNITIES

This article draws attention to the specific problems faced by off-road communities on the Jos Plateau, Nigeria. It contends that many members of off-road communities have become more isolated, more unequal, at least in part because of road construction in their region, and that the structural adjustment programme in place between 1986 and 1994 has exacerbated their problems. Economic, social welfare and political issues are examined in turn. Suggestions are made regarding ways off-road communities could be assisted at limited cost. However, the study concludes that there will have to be much greater political commitment to poverty-focused development before the needs of off-road communities are adequately addressed.
The mechanism of autoantibody production in an autoimmune MRL/lpr mouse.

Rheumatoid factors (RF) and anti-DNA Abs from MRL/lpr mice have features similar to Abs directed toward foreign Ags, indicating a role of specific activation by Ags during disease. But our previous studies and analogous studies from others concentrated on a limited subset of hybridomas selected on the basis of Ag binding to well characterized target autoantigens. Thus, it has been unclear to what extent clonal expansion is restricted to identifiable autospecificities. To obtain a more complete picture of disease-associated autoantibody production, we designed the following experiment. A large number of B cell hybridomas were generated from the spleen of an MRL/lpr mouse and then analyzed for self-specificity, sequence, and clonal relationship. Surprisingly, we found that clonal expansion was limited to only a few autospecificities, implying a unique property of this response. In addition, we used Southern blotting with heavy and L chain constant region probes to screen both RF and non-RF hybridomas for membership in clones, one of which was first identified among RF hybridomas. We found no non-RF members of this clone. The size and number of mutations of this clone were sufficient for us to conclude that nonspecific (i.e., non-RF) mutant members are rapidly lost. Had an Ag other than IgG2a been driving clonal expansion, we should have seen mutants that retained spectificity for that Ag but that lost specificity for IgG2a. This observation, along with the restriction of clonal expansion to a few autospecificities, provides strong evidence that normal autoantigens themselves drive autoantibody clonal expansion.
Conscious recollection and illusory recognition: an event‐related fMRI study

In this event‐related functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study we examined the neuronal correlates of the subprocesses underlying recognition memory. In an explicit memory task, participants had to discriminate studied (‘old’) words from semantically related and unrelated ‘new’ (unstudied) words. We examined whether the correct rejection of semantically related words which were similar to old words, which had elicited correct responses, was based on conscious recollection of study phase information. In this task, false‐positive responses to semantically related new words can be assumed to result from the assessment of the semantic similarity between test words and studied words with minimal recollection. For correct identification of old words and correct rejection of new related words we found common activation in a variety of brain areas that have been shown to be involved in conscious recollection, among them the left middle frontal gyrus, the precuneus, the retrosplenial cortex, the left parahippocampal gyrus and the thalamus. For correct responses to old words, the frontomedian wall, the posterior cingulate cortex and the nucleus accumbens were additionally activated, suggesting an emotional contribution to these judgements. Correct rejections of related new words were associated with additional activation of the right middle frontal gyrus, suggesting higher monitoring demands for these more difficult recognition judgements. False‐positive responses to semantically related new words were associated with enhanced activation in the frontomedian wall. The results point to an important role of the prefrontal cortex as well as medial temporal and medial parietal regions of the brain in successful memory retrieval and conscious recollection.
Development Accounting with Spatial Effects

Abstract The aim of this paper is to show how the spatial autocorrelation phenomenon often observed in the world distribution of income per capita, can be introduced structurally as the outcome of spillovers effects into a development accounting equation. Neglecting spatial autocorrelation potentially biases our vision of the role played by physical capital in the development process. We show that the total contribution of physical capital accounts for almost 90% of the differences between developing countries and the richest countries.
Scenario Analysis

During the past decade, several macroeconomic studies on the potentials of information and communication technology (ICT) to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have been published. The mitigation potentials identified in them vary to a high degree, mainly because they are not consistently defined and diverse methodologies are applied. The characteristics of ICT—exceptional dynamics of innovation and diffusion, social embedment and cross‐sector application, diverse and complex impact patterns—are a challenge for macroeconomic studies that quantify ICT impacts on GHG emissions.
Work and Retirement Transitions: Changing Sociological and Social Policy Contexts

The main argument of this paper is that retirement will retain its importance over the next few decades, despite pressure from governments to encourage workers to delay leaving paid employment. Retirement may prove especially difficult to reverse among the ‘baby boom’ cohorts where an expectation of withdrawing from work at earlier ages has become entrenched. The article examines the policy context influencing current debates. It then reviews data on retirement attitudes and trends in the employment of older workers. The paper concludes by arguing for a ‘broadening’ in the social institution of retirement, with the development of new types of social engagement in formal as well as informal spheres of activity.
The influence of depression on cognition in Parkinson's disease

Article abstract-Conflicting reports about the effects of depression on cognition in Parkinson's disease (PD) are difficult to interpret because they are based on small sample sizes and confound depression with other variables. We found that a sample of 45 PD patients with current depression was cognitively more impaired than a sample of 45 PD patients without current depression matched for age, education, gender, age at disease onset, disease duration, and disease severity. The domains of cognition impaired in the two PD groups (compared with 45 age-, education-, and gender-matched controls) overlapped considerably, but only the depressed PD group had impaired memory relative to the control group. Our comparison of 22 depressed PD patients and 22 Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients matched for overall severity of cognitive impairment, age, education, and gender indicated that the depressed PD group performed significantly worse on visuoconstructive tasks and marginally worse on conceptualization tasks. In contrast, the AD group performed significantly worse than the depressed PD group on memory tasks. Together, our results suggest that depression has a negative impact on cognition (and, in particular, memory) in PD, and that the pattern of this cognitive impairment is distinguishable from that associated with AD. NEUROLOGY 1995;45: 672-676
Practical Active Currency Management for Global Equity Portfolios

For global equity portfolios, a number of active currency management strategies have consistently dominated both unhedged and passively hedged strategies. The author shows that for portfolios broadly diversified across major equity markets (including the U.S., the U.K., France, Germany, and Japan), a single technically based active currency management strategy yielded the highest risk–adjusted return in all rolling ten–year periods and in twenty–one of twenty–four rolling five–year periods during 1972–1999. Although equity managers may not be in the business of foreign exchange management, they should not be blind to significant currency trends that could be detrimental to portfolio performance. The author suggests some practical techniques to address these trends.
Have financial statements lost their relevance

The authors explore the concern that financial statements no longer have the same relevance to investors that they had in the past. They test for “value relevance” by measuring the total return that could have been earned from prior knowledge of financial statement information and by examining the explanatory power of accounting information on market values and annual market-adjusted returns. Both analyses are applied to a broad sample of exchange-listed and Nasdaq firms for the 1952–94 period. The authors find mixed evidence on value relevance of financial statement reporting during the test period.
Observer effects and heritability of childhood attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms.

BACKGROUND Twin studies have found that childhood attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has a strong genetic component. Estimates of heritability, the extent of non-additive genetic effects and of 'sibling contrast' effects vary between different studies. AIMS To use multiple informants to assess the extent to which observer effects influence such estimates in an epidemiological sample of twins. METHOD Questionnaire packs were sent to the families and teachers of twins aged 5-16 years in the Bro Taf region of South Wales. The twins were ascertained from community paediatric registers. RESULTS Both parent- and teacher- rated data showed a high degree of heritability for ADHD measured as a symptom dimension, but the correlation between the two types of rater was modest. Bivariate analyses suggested that parent and teacher ratings reflect the effects of different genes. Self-report data from twins aged 11-16 years showed no evidence of genetic effects. CONCLUSIONS Although ADHD is shown to be highly heritable by both parent- and teacher-rated data, the underlying genotypes may be substantially different. This has implications for study designs aiming to find genes that contribute to the disorder.
Film-induced tourism: an incidental experience

This research was conducted to discover how film viewing might be related to tourism activities and whether motivations drive people to become film-specific tourists or whether visitation to film locations is simply an incidental tourism experience. A survey collected data relating to film tourism motivation, film viewing behavior, general travel behavior, and demographic profiles. Factor analysis was applied to reduce 29 statements into themes of motivations that were labeled Novelty, Prestige, and Personalization. Logistic regression was used to predict likely future film tourist behavior.
Percutaneous Nephrostomy: Technical Aspects and Indications

First described in 1955 by Goodwin et al as a minimally invasive treatment for urinary obstruction causing marked hydronephrosis, percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) placement quickly found use in a wide variety of clinical indications in both dilated and nondilated systems. Although the advancement of modern endourological techniques has led to a decline in the indications for primary nephrostomy placement, PCNs still play an important role in the treatment of multiple urologic conditions. In this article, the indications, placement, and postprocedure management of percutaneous nephrostomy drainage are described.
Impact of Proximity to Light Rail Rapid Transit on Station-area Property Values in Buffalo, New York

This study assesses the impact of proximity to light rail transit stations on residential property values in Buffalo, New York, where light rail has been in service for 20 years, but population is declining and ridership is decreasing. Hedonic models are constructed of assessed value for residential properties within half a mile of 14 light rail stations and independent variables are included that describe property characteristics, neighbourhood characteristics and locational amenities. The model suggests that, for homes located in the study area, every foot closer to a light rail station increases average property values by $2.31 (using geographical straight-line distance) and $0.99 (using network distance). Consequently, a home located within one-quarter of a mile radius of a light rail station can earn a premium of $1300-3000, or 2-5 per cent of the city's median home value. Model results further suggest that three independent variables-the number of bathrooms, size of the parcel and location on the East side or West side of Buffalo-are more influential than rail proximity in predicting property values. Individual regression models for each of the light rail system's 14 stations suggest that effects are not felt evenly throughout the system. Proximity effects are positive in high-income station areas and negative in low-income station areas. An analysis of the actual walking distance to stations (along the street network) versus the perceived proximity to stations (measured by straight-line distance) reveals that the results are statistically more significant in the network distance than the straight-line distance model, but the effects are greater in the straight-line distance model, which suggests that apparent proximity to rail stations is an added locational advantage compared with physical walking distance to the station.
Accumulating Technology and Location Spillovers Among Firms in Taiwan's Electronics Industry

Using firm-level panel data from the Taiwanese Census of Manufactures for 1986 and 1991 in the context of a modified selection model, we focus on three activities that contribute to the productivity growth of firms in the electronics industry: research and development, direct foreign investment and exports. In particular we address the issue of whether, in addition to the direct benefits of these activities, there are spillovers to other firms within the same four-digit industry or within the same geographical county. Our empirical results indicate that while the survival and direct productivity growth effects of R&D, exports and DFI are positive and statistically significant, intra-industry and geographical spillover effects are consistently present only for the export activity. That is, a firm's expected future TFP is positively and significantly affected by being located in a county and industry with more export activity. In addition, there is some evidence that the indirect effects generated by DFI firms, in the form of location spillover benefits to other firms, are also positive and significant. Finally, the empirical results indicate that the above direct and indirect benefits of the technological activities under study accrue principally to Taiwan's small and medium enterprises, rather than its large firms.
The dynamics of capital structure in the presence of zakat and corporate tax

Purpose - – The purpose of this paper is to determine the impact of wealth tax (zakat) and corporate tax (CT) on the firm's capital structure. The pioneering works of capital structure were introduced by Modgliani and Miller (1958). Subsequently, these studies were extended by other authors such as Elton and Gruber (1970), Miller (1977), DeAngelo and Masulis (1980), Mackie-Mason (1990), Harris and Raviv (1991), Rajan and Zingales (1995) and Booth Design/methodology/approach - – The study uses the sample of Malaysian firms that are listed in the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange. The cross-sectional and time-series data covering 422 companies from 1996 to 2000 are compiled from the database published by the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange. All the sample firms are listed as a syariah company that normally pays the wealth tax. These data, then, are used to examine the effects of several explanatory variables, i.e. wealth tax and CT, and several controlled variables on firm capital structure decisions. Findings - – The results showed that, first, the significance of wealth tax is consistent with the argument that firms that pay high wealth tax should be financed with relatively more debt. Second, as the CT rate is raised, firms are subjected to lower CT rates which would lead them to utilize more debt in their capital structures. Third, a significant relationship exists between age, size, return on assets, volatility, industry classification, tangible assets and bankruptcy with the capital structure. Originality/value - – This paper viewed the tax benefits and the zakat payments in isolation. However, the tax deductions and the zakat payments are both expected to influence the capital structure decisions. The paper will study this decision and reveal the determinants that influence the capital structure decisions in general and the specific choice of payments, i.e. tax and zakat payments.
Non c'è rete senza nodi. Il ruolo del capitale sociale nel mercato del lavoro

This article deals with the relationship between labour market attainment and individual social capital, referring in particular to the relevance of relational and kinship networks in the process of job matching. After a brief reconstruction of the main characteristics of the Italian labour market, as well as of the peculiar occupational regime that it is realised, the role of individual's social belongings are deepened by means of a specific survey carried on a sample of newly hired people in Milan. The research shows how, in a labour market characterised by closed employment relations, strong ties play a very important role in predefining individual first entry into their occupational career, and subsequently during their work history. By this way, the research falsify Granovetter's thesis of the strength of weak ties.
miR-144-3p serves as a tumor suppressor by targeting FZD7 and predicts the prognosis of human glioblastoma.

OBJECTIVE Previous research indicated that miR-144-3p was associated with the regulation of the carcinogenic processes, but the role of miR-144-3p in glioblastoma (GBM) remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to analyze the role of miR-144-3p in GBM. PATIENTS AND METHODS The expression of miR-144-3p was measured in GBM tissues and adjacent non-malignant tissues using qRT-PCR. The correlation of miR-144-3p with clinicopathological features and prognosis was also analyzed. Cell proliferation, invasion, and migration assay were applied to assess the function of miR-144-3p in vitro. Bioinformatics prediction and luciferase assays were employed to identify the predicted microRNA (miRNA) which regulates Frizzled-7 (FZD7). The levels of FZD7 and FZD7 mRNA were determined by Western blot and RT-PCR. RESULTS The results showed that the miR-144-3p expression was significantly downregulated in tumor tissues and GBM cell lines compared with that in normal brain tissues and the normal human astrocytes. The levels of miR-144-3p were negatively correlated with the status of WHO grade and recurrence. Furthermore, patients with low serum levels of miR-144-3p had a significantly shorter median overall survival rate. Multivariate Cox regression analysis confirmed that low level of miR-144-3p expression predicted poor prognosis independently. Further function assays showed that miR-144-3p inhibited proliferation invasion and migration of GBM cells. Finally, miR-144-3p was demonstrated to bind to the wild-type 3' untranslated region of FZD7 but not with its mutant. CONCLUSIONS The results of the present study indicate that miR-144-3p suppresses tumor metastasis by targeting FZD7. This work also provides strong evidence that miR-144-3p is an independent prognostic factor for patients with GBM.
Why not nephrology? A survey of US internal medicine subspecialty fellows.

BACKGROUND There is a decreased interest in nephrology such that the number of trainees likely will not meet the upcoming workforce demands posed by the projected number of patients with kidney disease. We conducted a survey of US internal medicine subspecialty fellows in fields other than nephrology to determine why they did not choose nephrology. METHODS A web-based survey with multiple choice, yes/no, and open-ended questions was sent in summer 2011 to trainees reached through internal medicine subspecialty program directors. RESULTS 714 fellows responded to the survey (11% response rate). All non-nephrology internal medicine subspecialties were represented, and 90% of respondents were from university-based programs. Of the respondents, 31% indicated that nephrology was the most difficult physiology course taught in medical school, and 26% had considered nephrology as a career choice. Nearly one-fourth of the respondents said they would have considered nephrology if the field had higher income or the subject were taught well during medical school and residency training. The top reasons for not choosing nephrology were the belief that patients with end-stage renal disease were too complicated, the lack of a mentor, and that there were insufficient procedures in nephrology. CONCLUSIONS Most non-nephrology internal medicine subspecialty fellows never considered nephrology as a career choice. A significant proportion were dissuaded by factors such as the challenges of the patient population, lack of role models, lack of procedures, and perceived difficulty of the subject matter. Addressing these factors will require the concerted effort of nephrologists throughout the training community.
Effects of Job Entry Restrictions on Economic Integration - Evidence for Recent Ethnic German Immigrants

We analyze the impact of job entry restrictions on the economic integration of recent ethnic German immigrants, using twelve waves of the German Socio-Economic Panel.The German labor market closely ties job accessibility to vocational education which likely hampers the transferability of foreign human capital. To assess this effect, we compare the job mismatch probabilities of ethnic German immigrants and German natives and the employment probability in jobs that vary by the qualifications they require. Our results suggest that ethnic Germans are disadvantaged upon arrival, yet almost completely assimilate to comparable natives considering these two job quality measures. Furthermore, controlling for these factors explains a considerable share of the earnings gap between ethnic and native Germans.
Compensation, Unionization, and Deregulation in the Motor Carrier Industry

Previous research on the deregulation of the motor carrier industry has concluded that firms have become more efficient under deregulation and that costs have fallen, largely at the expense of labor. Most studies that examine the effects on labor use Current Population Survey data and find that wage premiums to union labor have fallen as a result of deregulation. This study uses firm data and finds that deregulation had a very small effect on the average compensation paid by surviving union firms. For nonunion firms, the impact of deregulation is much larger. These results suggest that the compensation premium for the labor of surviving union firms has increased, but this increase applies only to surviving union labor. In the paper, we also point to and note a major exodus of union firms with the result that union labor levels have fallen, and fallen dramatically.