Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Neighborhood Context and Social Disparities in Cumulative Biological Risk Factors

Objective: This study examines the role of neighborhood context in the accumulation of biological risk factors and racial/ethnic and socioeconomic disparities. Methods: Data came from face-to-face interviews and blood sample collection on a probability sample of adults (n = 549) in the 2002 Chicago Community Adult Health Study. Following the approach of prior studies, we constructed an index of cumulative biological risk (CBR) by counting how many of eight biomarkers exceeded clinically defined criteria for "high risk": systolic and diastolic blood pressure, resting heart rate, hemoglobin A1c, C-reactive protein, waist size, and total and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Data are presented as incidence rate ratios (IRRs) based on generalized linear models with a Poisson link function and population-average estimates with robust standard errors. Results: Non-Hispanic blacks (n = 200), Hispanics (n = 149), and people with low (n = 134) and moderate (n = 275) level of education had significantly higher numbers of biological risks than their respective reference groups (IRR = 1.48, 1.59, 1.62, and 1.48, respectively, with p <.01). Black-white (p <.001) and Hispanic-white (p <.003) disparities in CBR remained significant after adjusting for individual-level socioeconomic position and behavioral factors, whereas individual-level controls substantially diminished the low/high (p <.069) and moderate/high (p <.042) educational differences. Estimating "within-neighborhood" disparities to adjust for neighborhood context fully explained the black-white gap in CBR (p <.542) and reduced the Hispanic-white gap to borderline significance (p <.053). Neighborhood affluence predicted lower levels of CBR (IRR = 0.82, p <.027), but neighborhood disadvantage was not significantly associated with CBR (IRR = 1.00, p <.948). Conclusions: Neighborhood environments seem to play a pivotal role in the accumulation of biological risk and disparities therein.AL = allostatic load; CBR = cumulative biological risk; CCAHS = Chicago Community Adult Health Study; CRP = C-reactive protein; DBP = diastolic blood pressure; HbA1c = glycosylated/glycated hemoglobin; HLM = hierarchical linear models; HDL = high-density lipoprotein; NHANES = National Health and Nutrition Examination Study; PHDCN = Project on Human Development in Chicago Neighborhoods; RHR = resting heart rate; SBP = systolic blood pressure; SEBAS = Social Environment and Biomarkers of Aging Study; TC = total cholesterol; WS = waist size
Prediction of fetal outcome by Doppler examination and by the non‐stress test

Ninety‐tour women with high‐risk pregnancies were referred to the Aker University Hospital, Department of Obstetrics, and monitored by Doppler velocimetry and conventional cardiotocography. The peak systolic/end diastolic (A/B) ratio was measured in the velocity waveform obtained in the umbilical artery blood flow. The non‐stress test (NST) was classified according to the Fischer scores. In this mixed group of high‐risk pregnancies, the sensitivity of the A/B ratio to predict fetal growth retardation was 71%, predictive value 57% and specificity 77%. The corresponding values for NST were 39%, 65% and 90%. It is concluded that Doppler velocimetry is more sensitive than cardiotocography for identifying fetal growth retardation. In an attempt to further improve the detection rate of fetal pathology, the cases with abnormal NST scores were added to those with high A/B ratios and collectively defined as abnormal. In consequence, only an insignificant improvement in sensitivity (79%) could be achieved. When the A/B ratio is normal, there seems little justification for expending time, effort and resources in routine use of cardiotocography.
Rheolytic thrombectomy in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction and large thrombus burden: the Thoraxcenter experience.

OBJECTIVES To determine the impact of Rheolytic thrombectomy (RT) on the clinical and angiographic outcome of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and large thrombus burden (LTB). METHODS Two hundred sixty-six consecutive patients who presented from April 2002 until December 2004 with STEMI and LTB were retrospectively analyzed. LTB was defined as definite presence of thrombus with the greatest dimension greater > or = 2 vessel diameters by visual assessment. RT, as well as the interventional procedure and the peri-procedural pharmacological therapy, was at the discretion of the operator. All patients were followed for major adverse cardiac events (MACE) defined as death, non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI) and infarct-related artery revascularization. Pre- and post-procedural thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow and thrombus burden as well as myocardial blush, distal embolization and no reflow were also determined. RESULTS Complete follow-up was available in all patients; mean duration was 17 +/- 8.7 months. RT was used in 75 patients (28.2%). Stents were implanted in 251 (94.4%) patients; drug-eluting stents in 210 (84.6%) patients (15.5% sirolimus-eluting stents and 69.1% paclitaxel-eluting stents). The 2-year cumulative survival and MACE-free survival were higher in the RT compared to the non-RT group (92% vs. 82.7%, p = 0.051 and 87.7% vs. 69.9%, p = 0.004, respectively). Post-procedure indices (TIMI 3 flow, absence of thrombus and myocardial blush grade 3) of angiographic outcome were significantly better in the RT group. RT was an independent predictor of MACE (HR: 0.45, 95% CI: 0.22-0.93, p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS RT significantly improves the clinical and angiographic outcome of patients with STEMI and large thrombus burden.
Modulation of neglect hemianesthesia by transcutaneous electrical stimulation

Abstract The effects of transcutaneous electrical stimulation on deficits of tactile perception contralateral to a hemispheric lesion were investigated in 10 right brain-damaged patients and in four left brain-damaged patients. The somatosensory deficit recovered, transiently and in part, after stimulation of the side of the neck contralateral to the side of the lesion, in all 10 patients with lesions in the right hemisphere, both with (six cases) and without (four cases) left visuo-spatial hemineglect, and in one left brain-damaged patient with right hemineglect. In three left brain-damaged patients without hemineglect, the treatment had no detectable effects. In one right brain-damaged patient, the stimulation of the side of the neck ipsilateral to the side of the lesion temporarily worsened the somatosensory deficit. These effects of transcutaneous electrical stimulation are similar to those of vestibular stimulation. The suggestion is made that these treatments modulate, through afferent sensory pathways, higher-order spatial representations of the body, which are pathologically distorted toward the side of the lesion. The modulatory effect is direction-specific: the defective internal representation of the contralesional side may be either partly restored, improving the disorder of tactile perception, or further impoverished, worsening the deficit. The possible neural basis of this modulation is discussed. (JINS, 1996, 2, 452–459.)
The Coskewness Puzzle in the Cross-Section of Industry Portfolio Returns

I derive the beta-pricing representation of Harvey and Siddique (2000) conditional 3M-CAPM and demonstrate the restrictions that it imposes on a quadratic market factor model. I confirm that, while the latter is surprisingly successful at capturing the cross-sectional variation of the returns on the Fama and French (1995) 30 US industry-sorted portfolios, the 3M-CAPM coskewness premium for the period 1952-2002 turns out to be too large for non satiation, risk aversion and non-increasing absolute risk aversion to hold. I demonstrate however that a representative investor with this type of preferences would still find the market portfolio to be in sample more efficient than individual industry portfolios. I also show that Fama and French (1995) 3-factor model cannot match the explanatory power of a quadratic market factor model for the cross section of industry-sorted portfolio returns. Thus, I propose to use an APT-type quadratic market factor model with an upper bound on the volatility of the implied stochastic discount factor. This approach allows the explanatory power of the quadratic specification to be salvaged yet avoiding fitting unexpected extreme outcomes rather then pricing patterns.
Denitrification and Biodiversity of Denitrifiers in a High-Mountain Mediterranean Lake

Wet deposition of reactive nitrogen (Nr) species is considered a main factor contributing to N inputs, of which nitrate (NO3−) is usually the major component in high-mountain lakes. The microbial group of denitrifiers are largely responsible for reduction of nitrate to molecular dinitrogen (N2) in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, but the role of denitrification in removal of contaminant nitrates in high-mountain lakes is not well understood. We have used the oligotrophic, high-altitude La Caldera lake in the Sierra Nevada range (Spain) as a model to study the role of denitrification in nitrate removal. Dissolved inorganic Nr concentration in the water column of la Caldera, mainly nitrate, decreased over the ice-free season which was not associated with growth of microbial plankton or variations in the ultraviolet radiation. Denitrification activity, estimated as nitrous oxide (N2O) production, was measured in the water column and in sediments of the lake, and had maximal values in the month of August. Relative abundance of denitrifying bacteria in sediments was studied by quantitative polymerase chain reaction of the 16S rRNA and the two phylogenetically distinct clades nosZI and nosZII genes encoding nitrous oxide reductases. Diversity of denitrifiers in sediments was assessed using a culture-dependent approach and after the construction of clone libraries employing the nosZI gene as a molecular marker. In addition to genera Polymorphum, Paracoccus, Azospirillum, Pseudomonas, Hyphomicrobium, Thauera, and Methylophaga, which were present in the clone libraries, Arthrobacter, Burkholderia, and Rhizobium were also detected in culture media that were not found in the clone libraries. Analysis of biological activities involved in the C, N, P, and S cycles from sediments revealed that nitrate was not a limiting nutrient in the lake, allowed N2O production and determined denitrifiers’ community structure. All these results indicate that denitrification could be a major biochemical process responsible for the N losses that occur in La Caldera lake.
Reference-Dependent Analysis of Capital Structure and REIT Performance

Using prospect theory, we develop a theoretical framework to examine the relationship between leverage and Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) returns by introducing the concept of reference point. We postulate that firms’ capital structure decisions are affected by target leverage (i.e., the reference point) as well as the observed leverage. Market conditions combined with firms’ capital structure will put firms in either loss or gain domains, where firms behave differently. In general, the leverage-return relationship is positive in the gain domain and negative in the loss domain. Firms are then subject to asymmetric risk preference in different domains. Our empirical evidence shows strong support for the theoretical model. Compared to the conventional approach where only observed leverage is used, our model is more flexible and realistic in revealing the underlying structure of the leverage–returns relationship.
Systematic Mapping Study of Academic Engagement in MOOC

MOOCs are presented as an affordable and easily accessible modality that offers the opportunity to democratize education in our time; however, this convenience training favors a low completion rate of the participants. Faced with this situation, scholars have suggested that it is necessary to deepen the construct of academic engagement, a concept that has been addressed in the study of face-to-face training, to better understand how students participate in this educational modality. This article systematically explores the existing literature, in the period of 2015-2018, about the construct of academic engagement in online, massive and open learning courses, through a Systematic Mapping of Literature, a method which aims to identify the characteristics of production in a given subject. The results show that there is a considerable increase in published articles that associate academic engagement and MOOCs, mainly from the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom. Most of the mapped publications employ qualitative methods, with an exploratory approach, although there are several correlational studies. The study of participation patterns and instructional design appear as the main topics of interest in the field. In addition to providing a general overview of production on the subject, the research provides accurate information that will identify works for more in-depth reviews. Thus, it also offers a replicable and flexible literature search method for different research interests.
Modification of galactosamine‐induced liver injury in rats by reticuloendothelial system stimulation or depression

The reticuloendothelial system has been implicated in galactosamine‐induced liver injury because of a correlation between phagocytic alterations induced by colloidal carbon or endotoxin, and development of liver necrosis. To evaluate this concept, the influence of galactosamine on liver function and histology was determined in rats in which the reticuloendothelial system was normal, stimulated, or depressed. Methyl palmitate was used as a reticuloendothelial system suppressant, and glucan was used as a reticuloendothelial system activating agent. Administration of galactosamine to control rats resulted in hypoglycemia and increased serum bilirubin concentration, elevated serum glutamic oxalacetic transaminase, lactic dehydrogenase and glutamic pyruvic transaminase activities, and retention of sodium sulfobromophthalein. Histological studies revealed hepatic necrosis, and a polymorphonuclear and lymphocytic cellular infiltrate in galactosamine‐treated rats. Pretreatment of rats with methyl palmitate inhibited galactosamine‐induced alterations in serum glucose concentration, glutamic oxalacetic transaminase and lactic dehydrogenase activities, and sodium sulfobromophthalein retention. Liver necrosis and inflammatory reactions were also reduced in methyl palmitate‐treated galactosamine‐injected animals. In contrast, activation of the reticuloendothelial system by glucan increased galactosamine‐induced alterations in serum bilirubin, glucose and cholesterol concentrations, glutamic oxalacetic transaminase, glutamic pyruvic transaminase and lactic dehydrogenase activities, and sodium sulfobromophthalein retention. Liver necrosis and inflammation were also increased. These findings suggest that the degree of galactosamine‐induced liver injury is directly correlated with macrophage function when specific macrophage‐modifying agents are used.
Participation or What? Local Experiences and Perceptions of Household Performance Contracting in Rwanda

This article analyses the participation entailed in the Rwandan practice of household performance contracting, and discusses likely effects. Participation constitutes an intrinsic part of development practice and theory. Approaches and aims, however, differ, for example, between community members making decisions and being informed, and between empowerment and efficiency. The Rwandan government, eloquently ascribing to the participation discourse, has launched a number of programmes alluding to traditional participatory practices. One of these is performance contracting, imihigo, presented as involving the population in formulation, implementation and monitoring of national policy. As part of the programme, every head of household signs a contract, committing to, within a specific timeframe, reach a number of detailed targets. In order to investigate local experiences and perceptions of household imihigo, officials and residents in two communities have been interviewed. Responses are analysed in light of participation theories, with regard to in what and how residents participate, and what the likely effects are. Findings show that household imihigo targets derive from the state, that poor people are made to concentrate their efforts to reaching these targets, also at the expense of more immediate needs, that residents are closely monitored on partly highly personal issues, and that individual households' performance is publically announced. The system is found to entail participation in the implementation of national policy, but not in formulation or monitoring. It is argued that, while household imihigo increases efficiency and possibly government legitimacy, it does not provide for local relevance or empowerment, but rather constitutes a governing tool.
Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the GHQ-12: Can I See that Again?

Objective: This paper reviews research relating to the factor analysis of the GHQ-12. We explore the question of whether there is a consistent replicable structure to the GHQ-12 using: (i) a comparative analysis of fit between identified factor models; and (ii) a confirmatory factor analysis of GHQ-12 data from our own study. Method: The factor models proposed from the literature were reviewed. The published factor loadings were used to carry out a factor matching analysis to identify similarities between the various factor models that have been identified. In addition, 490 patients visiting their general practitioner completed the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) in the first phase of a longitudinal study evaluating service delivery to rural Tasmania. Three different methods for scoring the GHQ-12 were utilized and each resultant data set was analysed using a Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) to establish which of the various factor models provided the most consistent description of the data. Result: None of the complete factor models that have been proposed have been consistently replicated across studies. Isolated factors were replicated between some studies but no single factor structure was replicated across all studies. All of the models had adequate fit to the Tasmanian data when the usual scoring was used. However, only one model had a consistently high ‘goodness of fit’ across scoring methods. Conclusion: It was concluded that the ‘best fit’ was achieved by a model based on an early factor analytic study using an Australian sample. It was suggested that researchers wanting to extract scales from the GHQ-12 could use this model.
A revisit of parametrization of summer downward longwave radiation over the Tibetan Plateau from high temporal resolution measurements

Abstract. The Tibetan Plateau (TP) is one of hot spots in the climate research due to its unique geographical location, high altitude, highly sensitive to climate change as well potential effects on climate in East Asia. Downward longwave radiation (DLR), as a key component in the surface energy budget, is of practical implications for many research fields. Several attempts have been made to measure hourly or daily DLR and then model it over the TP. This study uses 1-minute radiation and meteorological measurements at three stations over the TP to parameterize DLR during summer months. Three independent methods are used to discriminate clear-sky observations by making maximal use of collocated measurements of downward shortwave and longwave radiation as well as Lidar backscatter measurements with high temporal resolution. This guarantees a reliable separation of clear-sky and cloudy samples that favors for proper parameterizations of DLR under these two contrast conditions. Clear-sky and cloudy DLR models with original parameters are firstly assessed. These models are then locally calibrated based on 1-minute observations. DLR estimation is notably improved since specific conditions over the TP are accounted for by local calibration, which is indicated by smaller root mean square error (RMSE) and larger coefficient of determination (R2). The best local parametrization can estimate clear-sky DLR with RMSE of 3.8 W⸱m-2. Overestimation of clear-sky DLR by previous study is evident, likely due to potential residue cloud contamination on the clear-sky samples. Cloud base height under overcast conditions is shown to be intimately related to cloudy DLR parameterization, which is considered by this study in the locally calibrated parameterization over the TP for the first time.
The Excess Returns of 'Quality' Stocks: A Behavioral Anomaly

This note investigates the causes of the quality anomaly, which is one of the strongest and most scalable anomalies in equity markets. We explore two potential explanations. The "risk view", whereby investing in high quality firms is somehow riskier, so that the higher returns of a quality portfolio are a compensation for risk exposure. This view is consistent with the Efficient Market Hypothesis. The other view is the "behavioral view", which states that some investors persistently underestimate the true value of high quality firms. We find no evidence in favor of the "risk view": The returns from investing in quality firms are abnormally high on a risk-adjusted basis, and are not prone to crashes. We provide novel evidence in favor of the "behavioral view": In their forecasts of future prices, and while being overall overoptimistic, analysts systematically underestimate the future return of high quality firms, compared to low quality firms.
A Major Choice: An Examination of Higher Education and Ability-Adjusted Income

We compare annual post-college income across student groups defined by ability levels, school quality, and major using individual-level data from the NLSY 1997. We condition on student ability (quality of the top school admitted to), and study major and school choice together. Elite institution attendance increases post-college income by almost $8,000. Some of this increase is driven by longer working hours. Major choice has a bigger impact on income than school choice. Students majoring in engineering, computer-related fields, and business earn more than humanities and arts majors even after adjusting for ability and hours worked ($23,000 more for top students).