Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
National Inequality and the Catch-Up Period: Some “Growth Alone” Scenarios

At the close of the millennium, the unanimity over the major "systemic" alternatives available for economic advancement was, arguably, greater than at any time during the twentieth century. In the wake of the collapse of the Eastern bloc, there appears to be only one route available-that of market capitalism within a globalized world economy-with varying (and declining) degrees of state intervention providing the variation on this theme.1 The argument for meaningful redistribution has practically vanished from the mainstream economic and political agenda.2 This short paper reasserts the argument by examining some of the implications of economic convergence, or "catch-up," via what might be described as the "growthalong" scenario (taken to mean, without recourse to state redistributive policies). Catch-up has been a strong aspiration of both post-colonial countries as well as the transition nations of the former Eastern bloc. It is an aspiration that continually manifests itself in the movement (or the desire to move) of migrants and refugees from the developing to the developed world to escape levels of impoverishment and destitution so prevalent in the former. In view of this, we argue that catch-up is a valid socioeconomic objective to examine and analyze-even if it appears, as we will see, utopian for the foreseeable future. But it was certainly not a utopian vision in Wal Rostow's [1960] schema of "the stages of growth," which suggested that as developed countries moved into the "high mass consumption" phase, developing countries would be in the "take off"
Maize Response to Leguminous Biomass Composted with Phosphate Rocks in the Northern Zone of Tanzania

A study was conducted to evaluate maize response to leguminous biomass composted with phosphate rocks (PRs) in a split plot design. Field experiments were conducted at Wang’waray Farmers Training Center (F.T.C) located in Babati District of Manyara region in the Northern zone of Tanzania between December 2013 and June 2015. Three leguminous (Crotalaria juncea, Lablab purpureus and Mucuna pruriens) strips were cultivated in 2013/14 to produce a biomass which was harvested at flowering to early podding stage and air dried. Air-dry biomass was composted with PRs from Minjingu (medium reactive PR) and Panda Hill (low reactive PR). Maize response to different treatments was evaluated across the field strips in 2014/15 season. The strips previously used to produce leguminous biomass were used as main plots and each strip was divided into seven subplots receiving different treatments at random. A medium term maize variety SC. 627 was used as a test crop. Average maize grain yields obtained from Crotalaria, Lablab and Mucuna strips reached 5.3, 4.5 and 4.0 t ha-1, respectively and were statistically different (P=.05). Application of Minjingu or Panda Hill PR alone didn’t increase maize grain yield above the control while Minjingu PR applied with urea or composted with biomass increased maize grain yield by 2.40 and 1.58 t ha-1, respectively above the control. Application of Panda Hill PR with urea or composted with biomass increased grain yield by 1.20 and 1.06 t ha-1, respectively above the control. The observed differences (0.82 and 0.14 t ha-1) were not statistically significant indicating that biomass composted with PR was as effective as the PR applied with urea.
A longitudinal examination of positive changes in quality-of-life after traumatic brain injury

Abstract Purpose: Most studies of quality-of-life (QoL) after traumatic brain injury (TBI) reveal a largely negative picture, yet some survivors show positive changes (PC). Understanding PC in QoL may assist clinicians in facilitating post-injury adjustment. This study aimed to prospectively explore changes in QoL from pre- to post-injury, identify those with PC and examine predictive and associated factors. Methods: Ninety-five participants, recruited from consecutive admissions to a rehabilitation hospital, were prospectively assessed at least once over the first 4 years post-injury. Measures of QoL, psychiatric disorders, coping style and psychosocial outcome were administered at each assessment. Results: Participants’ mean QoL was in the average range pre-injury and at follow-up. A third demonstrated PC post-injury, which tended to remain stable. PC participants tended to rate their relatives as of greater importance than other participants, but did not rate their health as high. Group membership was not predicted by pre-injury demographic or injury factors, but it was significantly associated with psychosocial and functional outcome. Conclusions: Even after a significant brain injury, some individuals show sustained improved QoL. Factors such as lack of ‘good old days’ bias and increased value placed on family may have important clinical utility.
BRAF Mutations in Colorectal Cancer Are Associated With Distinct Clinical Characteristics and Worse Prognosis

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer is a heterogeneous disease with multiple underlying genetic mutations causing different clinical phenotypes. Mutation in the BRAF oncogene is a key step in malignant transformation within the methylator pathway to colorectal cancer. However, there is a paucity of information about BRAF mutant colorectal tumors. OBJECTIVE: This study defines the clinical characteristics and oncologic outcome associated with colorectal cancer BRAF mutations. DESIGN: Colorectal adenocarcinomas from a single-institution frozen-tumor biobank were studied. Genomic DNA was isolated and analyzed for mutations in the BRAF oncogene by polymerase chain reaction amplification followed by direct sequencing. A sample was classified as mutant if any of the tested loci were mutated. Patient and tumor characteristics were recorded including patient age, sex, tumor location, tumor differentiation, and microsatellite instability. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Statistical associations with BRAF mutant tumors were determined by the Fisher exact probability test, &khgr;2 test, or Wilcoxon analysis. Kaplan-Meier estimates and multivariate Cox regression analysis were performed for overall survival. RESULTS: Four hundred seventy-five colorectal adenocarcinomas were included in the study population; 56 samples harbored a BRAF mutation (12%). There were significant differences between BRAF wild-type and mutant tumors in age (66 vs 75 years, p = 0.004), female sex (44% vs 71%, p < 0.001), proximal tumor location (44% vs 95%, p < 0.001), and frequency of microsatellite instability (16% vs 76%, p < 0.001). There was no difference in cancer stage between BRAF mutant and wild-type populations. Survival data were analyzed for 322 patients with stage I to III disease, and patients with a BRAF mutation had decreased overall survival than those without a mutation (p = 0.018). With the use of Cox regression analysis, BRAF mutation conferred a worse overall survival (HR 1.79, CI 1.05–3.05, p = 0.03) independent of microsatellite instability status. CONCLUSIONS: BRAF mutations in colorectal cancers are associated with distinct clinical characteristics and worse prognosis.
Clinical comparison of the Proview eye pressure monitor with the Goldmann applanation tonometer and the Tonopen.

OBJECTIVE To compare intraocular pressure (IOP) values obtained by patients using the new Proview eye pressure monitor (Bausch & Lomb, Rochester, NY) with those measured with the Goldmann tonometer and the TonoPen (Mentor, Norwell, Mass). METHODS Eighty-six patients (a total of 171 eyes) with a diagnosis of glaucoma or glaucoma suspect successfully completed the study. The IOP was measured by 3 methods in the following order: Goldmann tonometer, TonoPen, and Proview eye pressure monitor. The central corneal thickness was measured by an ultrasonic pachymeter. Separately for each eye, the differences in mean IOP values between measurement methods were assessed with paired t tests and also in multivariate models that tested the dependence of IOP difference on central corneal thickness. RESULTS There was a significant difference (P<.001) in the mean IOPs measured by the 3 different methods (Goldmann vs Proview, Goldmann vs TonoPen, and TonoPen vs Proview) for both eyes, and the difference was independent of the central corneal thickness. The differences between IOP measured by Goldmann and Proview were similar in all categories of patient-reported ease of using the Proview. CONCLUSIONS The IOPs obtained with the Proview eye pressure monitor are significantly lower than those measured with Goldmann tonometer and the TonoPen, and variations of the central corneal thickness do not contribute to the difference. Intraclass correlations of IOP values obtained with the Goldmann and the Proview or TonoPen and Proview are not strong. On the other hand, as expected, measurements with Goldmann and TonoPen agreed fairly well.
MODELING OF THE CORE MANAGEMENT COMPETENCIES IN THE PROCESS OF TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT OF HEALTH MANAGERS

The success of any organization depends on effective management, but health systems face a lack of competent management at all levels. During the past decade, there has been a growing interest in competency-based performance systems for enhancing both individual and organizational performance in health professions. This article reviews the processes and outcomes associated with the training and development of health managers. The study attempted to draw up guidelines for basic modeling of key management skills necessary to optimize the training of health managers. To achieve this, the following methods of research were used: critical analysis and synthesis of scientific literature on the research problem; documentary method - national and European documents were examined, inquiry method - direct inquiry. Results: A noticeable deficiency in knowledge and application of appropriate motivational approaches to communicating with staff. The most desired areas of excellence to which it is necessary to focus future training topics relate to: motivation skills, conflict resolution and team cohesion, communication skills, persuasion and influencing / leadership skills.
Single-Phase VSC Based SSSC for Subsynchronous Resonance Damping

In this paper, a novel control strategy for subsynchronous resonance (SSR) mitigation using a static synchronous series compensator (SSSC) will be presented. The SSSC is constituted by three single-phase voltage source converters. SSR mitigation is obtained by increasing the network damping only at those frequencies that are critical for the turbine-generator shaft. This is achieved by controlling the subsynchronous component of the grid current to zero. Using the IEEE First benchmark model, the effectiveness of the proposed control algorithm when mitigating SSR due to torsional interaction and torque amplification effect will be shown.
Population Pharmacokinetic Modeling and Dosing Simulations of Nitrogen‐Scavenging Compounds: Disposition of Glycerol Phenylbutyrate and Sodium Phenylbutyrate in Adult and Pediatric Patients with Urea Cycle Disorders

Sodium phenylbutyrate and glycerol phenylbutyrate mediate waste nitrogen excretion in the form of urinary phenylacetylglutamine (PAGN) in patients with urea cycle disorders (UCDs); rare genetic disorders characterized by impaired urea synthesis and hyperammonemia. Sodium phenylbutyrate is approved for UCD treatment; the development of glycerol phenylbutyrate afforded the opportunity to characterize the pharmacokinetics (PK) of both compounds. A population PK model was developed using data from four Phase II/III trials that collectively enrolled patients ages 2 months to 72 years. Dose simulations were performed with particular attention to phenylacetic acid (PAA), which has been associated with adverse events in non‐UCD populations. The final model described metabolite levels in plasma and urine for both drugs and was characterized by (a) partial presystemic metabolism of phenylbutyric acid (PBA) to PAA and/or PAGN, (b) slower PBA absorption and greater presystemic conversion with glycerol phenylbutyrate, (c) similar systemic disposition with saturable conversion of PAA to PAGN for both drugs, and (d) body surface area (BSA) as a significant covariate accounting for age‐related PK differences. Dose simulations demonstrated similar PAA exposure following mole‐equivalent PBA dosing of both drugs and greater PAA exposure in younger patients based on BSA.
Application of Radiation Force in Noncontact Measurement of the Elastic Parameters

Ultrasound-stimulated vibro-acoustic spectrography is a recently-developed method that employs the radiation force of two intersecting continuous ultrasound beams to remotely vibrate an object at an arbitrary low frequency. Object vibration produces a sound field (acoustic emission) in the medium, which is a function of object mechanical properties. By measuring the acoustic emission field, one can obtain information about the mechanical parameters of the object. In this paper, we use this method for remote (noncontact) measurement of the dynamic Young's modulus of a rod based on its fundamental resonance frequency. Experimental results on an aluminum rod agree with the published data.
Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Leadership Styles in Nigerian Work Organisations

This research project investigated four managerial leadership styles in Nigerian organizations. The research question that the research tries to address is: to what extent are the leadership styles expressed in modern management theories consistent with Nigerian Traditional values? The findings do confirm that the perceived leadership style in the organizations by the managers is autocratic, the preferred style is the paternalistic and the rejected is the autocratic. For about one in five Nigerian managers, the democratic style is the most often rejected. The study challenges the validity of dominant Western universal perspectives in managerial leadership in traditional African organizations. The study suggests that elements of traditional values pose serious challenge to Nigerian managers’ ability to adopt traditional and modern management practice that can improve the effectiveness of leadership in their organizations
Matrilysin (matrix metalloproteinase‐7) expression in ulcerative colitis–related tumorigenesis †

Matrilysin (matrix metalloproteinase‐7) plays a part in the initiation and growth of colorectal tumors; expression of this protein has been implicated in tumor invasion and metastasis. To date, matrilysin expression in ulcerative colitis (UC)–associated tumorigenesis has not been studied. The aim of this study was to assess the immunohistochemical expression of matrilysin at different stages of UC‐associated neoplasia. Paraffin‐embedded specimens from 25 patients with UC without dysplasia, UC‐related low‐grade dysplasia (LGD) and high‐grade dysplasia (HGD), and UC‐associated carcinoma as well as four colon biopsy samples with no abnormality were examined using an anti–human matrilysin monoclonal antibody and standard immunoperoxidase techniques. Matrilysin expression was recorded as the number of positive cases and the percentage of positive crypts as follows: normal: none of four; negative results for dysplasia: seven of 12 (< 10%); LGD: nine of 15 (< 10%); HGD: nine of 13 (11–50%); and invasive carcinoma: six of seven (> 50%). The results indicated an apparent switch from focal expression of matrilysin in UC‐related low‐grade dysplasia to widespread expression in high‐grade dysplasia and invasive cancer, mimicking the pattern of expression in sporadic colorectal cancer. Although the sample size is small and further investigation therefore is required, the results suggest the possible role of anti–matrix metalloproteinase therapy in reducing the risk of progression from LGD to cancer in patients with ulcerative colitis. Published 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Social Participation, Personal Projects and Well-Being: A Social Ecological Framework on the Life-Course

2 Introduction: Same Time, Same Place, Different Projects 3 Social Participation and Well-Being: A Social Ecological Framework 4 A Focus on Well-Being 4 A Focus on Persons 5 A Focus on Contexts 5 A Focus on Personal Projects 5 Social Participation as Personal Projects A Focus on the Life Course 7 General Patterns and Trends in Social Participation 8 Population Patterns 8 Life-Course Patterns . 9 Person Factors in Participation 10 Demographic Factors 11 Personality Factors 11 Stable Personality Traits Dynamic Features: Motivational Styles, Self Concepts and Identities Context Factors in Participation 13 Community Contexts 14 Social Capital 15 Institutional Contexts 16 The Impact of Social Participation on Well-Being 16 Does Social Participation Enhance Well-Being? 17 Does the Link Between Participation and Well-Being Hold across the Life-Course? 18 Does it Matter How or How Much People Participate? 19 What is Cause and What is Effect? 21 What is Missing? 22 Social Participation and Well-Being across the Life-Course: Introducing Oliver 22 Conclusion: Research and Policy Implications 26 WIT: Three Research Agenda Items 26 Winnowing Integration Tractability Policy Implications 28 References 29 Figure 1: Social Ecological Model of Well-Being 37 Figure 2: National Rates of Volunteering in Canada, 1987 to 2003 38 Figure 3: Volunteering Across the Life Cycle, 1987 to 2003 39
Rubric-Q: Adding Quality-Related Elements to the GEOSS Clearinghouse Datasets

Geospatial data have become a crucial input for the scientific community for understanding the environment and developing environmental management policies. The Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) Clearinghouse is a catalogue and search engine that provides access to the Earth Observation metadata. However, metadata are often not easily understood by users, especially when presented in ISO XML encoding. Data quality included in the metadata is basic for users to select datasets suitable for them. This work aims to help users to understand the quality information held in metadata records and to provide the results to geospatial users in an understandable and comparable way. Thus, we have developed an enhanced tool (Rubric-Q) for visually assessing the metadata quality information and quantifying the degree of metadata population. Rubric-Q is an extension of a previous NOAA Rubric tool used as a metadata training and improvement instrument. The paper also presents a thorough assessment of the quality information by applying the Rubric-Q to all dataset metadata records available in the GEOSS Clearinghouse. The results reveal that just 8.7% of the datasets have some quality element described in the metadata, 63.4% have some lineage element documented, and merely 1.2% has some usage element described.
Subunit Structure of Thyrotropin Receptors Expressed on the Cell Surface*

We studied cell surface thyrotropin receptor (TSHR) by biotinylating proteins on the surface of metabolically labeled, intact cells. In addition to TSHR cleaved into A and B subunits, mature single-chain receptors with complex carbohydrate were also present on the cell surface. A low A/B subunit ratio indicated partial shedding of extracellular A subunits from transmembrane B subunits. TSHR cleavage at upstream site 1 (within amino acid residues 305–316) would generate a B subunit of 51–52 kDa. However, only smaller B subunits (40–46 kDa) were detected, corresponding to N termini from residues ∼370 (site 2) extending downstream to the region of B subunit insertion into the plasma membrane. The intervening C peptide region between sites 1 and 2 could not be purified from TSHR epitope-tagged (c-myc) within this region. However, the small proportion of B subunits recovered with a c-myc antibody were larger (45–52 kDa) than the majority of B subunits recovered with a C-terminal antibody. In conclusion, our study provides the first characterization of cell surface TSHR including their A and B subunits. Single-chain, mature TSHR do exist on the cell surface. The C peptide lost during intramolecular cleavage disintegrates rapidly following cleavage at upstream site 1 of the single-chain TSHR into A and B subunits. N-terminal disintegration of the B subunit pauses at site 2, but then progresses downstream to the vicinity of the plasma membrane, revealing a novel mechanism for A subunit shedding.
Bank Syariah di Indonesia: Ketaatan pada Prinsip- Prinsip Syariah dan Kesehatan Finansial

The objective of this paper is to examine the sharia principles implementation on the financial health in syariah banking in Indonesia. The study used 36 annual reports of listed companies on the website of syariah banking in Indonesia from 2007 â€“ 2010. Sample was selected using purposive sampling method. While multiple regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses developed in this research. The result found that sharia principles (Islamic investment Ratio, Profit sharing Financiing ratio, Islamic Income ratio and Directorâ€™s â€“ Employee Welfare Ratio) are positive significant to financial health. The contribution of this study is provided additional suggestion for regulator dan Islamic banking participant as the mechanism of hablum minnallah wa hablum minanaas. Keywords : sharia principles, financial health, bankingÂ
What Do We Know About Short and Long Term Effects of Early Life Exposure to Pollution?

Evidence shows that pollution exposure early in life is detrimental to near-term health, and an increasing body of evidence suggests that early-childhood health influences health and human capital outcomes later in life. This article reviews the economic research that brings these two literatures together. We begin with a conceptual model that highlights the core relationships across the life cycle. We then review the literature concerned with such estimates, focusing particularly on identification strategies to mitigate concerns regarding endogenous exposure. The nascent empirical literature provides both direct and indirect evidence that early-childhood exposure to pollution significantly impacts later-life outcomes. We discuss the potential policy implications of these long-lasting effects and conclude with a number of promising avenues for future research.
The effects of personality traits on quality of life

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate the impact of women’s personality traits and some sociodemographic variables on quality of life (QoL). MethodsThis cross-sectional and correlational study was conducted among 320 Turkish women aged between 45 and 64 years who attended the Menopausal Polyclinic. Data were collected from the Turkish version of the Cervantes Personality Scale and the Turkish version of the Menopause-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire. ResultsThe mean (SD) age of the participants was 51.8 (5.3) years. The average (SD) age since menopause was found to be 46 (3.3) years. The menopausal QoL was correlated with education status, income level, working status, exercise routine, chronic health problems, family’s/friends’ support, and negative life events. Logistic regression analyses showed that the QoL in vasomotor, psychological, and sexual domains were 6.1, 9.2, and 11.4 times, respectively, lower in neurotic women than in emotionally stable women. In addition, the QoL in sexual domains were 3.3 times lower in introverted women than in extraverted women. ConclusionThese findings indicate that higher levels of introversion and higher levels of neuroticism lead to lower QoL among postmenopausal women. The results of this study support the hypothesis that personality would play an important role in women’s QoL during the transition period of menopause.