Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gender equality in politics at home and promotion of gender equality in politics abroad: The role of bilateral official development assistance

Does gender equality in politics in donor countries affect the allocation to recipient countries of official development assistance in support of gender equality in politics? Since the 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the launch of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals in 2000, gender equality has been underscored as an important development goal for donors. We hypothesize that donors with higher levels of gender equality in politics are likely to allocate more aid to recipients with lower levels of gender equality in politics to promote the equality in politics in those countries. We expect this positive relationship to be even more significant after the launch of the Millennium Development Goals. Using a time-series cross-sectional design covering country dyads for the period, 1990–2012, we find evidence supporting our hypotheses.
Dynamic Behavior of Magnetostriction-Induced Vibration and Noise of Amorphous Alloy Cores

Although the amorphous alloy core distribution transformers (AMDTs) have the advantage of lower no-load losses over orientation silicon-steel distribution transformers, a high noise level is inevitable. The vibration and noise for different positions of cores are still unknown. Understanding the vibration and noise behaviors of cores under operation is vital to reduce the noise of AMDT. In this paper, two cores from 10 kVA AMDT and 24-turn coils were used as the testing objects, and the ac voltage of 54.3 V was applied to the coils until the magenetic flux density attained 1.337 T. The finite-element method was used to analyze the cores' magnetic-field distribution. An attempt was made to find the largest amplitude position of the cores by vibration sensors. Sensors were arranged on the surface of the cores according to the magnetic flux density distribution. A personal computer data acquisition platform was set up for signal measurement. Fast-Fourier transform and wavelet packet transform were integrated to analyze the vibration signals. The vibration amplitude related with time and frequency was discussed at different positions of the cores, and experimental results indicated that the position with the largest amplitude was in the middle of the core's yoke and limb at 200 Hz. The experimental results suggested that magnetostriction played a major role in exciting noise and vibration. A filler of silicon rubber and foam under the cores can lessen the vibration energy. This performs well in reducing noise. All the above testing results and analysis are helpful to optimize the design and improve the manufacturing technology of AMDT.
Core outcomes and definitions for pediatric fever and neutropenia research: A consensus statement from an international panel

There are no specific recommendations for the design and reporting of studies of children with fever and neutropenia (FN). As a result, there is marked heterogeneity in the variables and outcomes that are reported and new definitions continue to emerge. These inconsistencies hinder the ability of researchers and clinicians to compare, contrast and combine results. The objective was to achieve expert consensus on a core set of variables and outcomes that should be measured and reported, as a minimum, in pediatric FN studies.
Three levels of education and the economic growth

ABSTRACT The aim of this article is to solve the question how the three main stages of education contribute to the labour productivity growth in selected 125 countries in the period 1999–2014. The model is based on the neoclassical production function enhanced with human capital. The authors draw on the Penn World Tables 9.0 and UNESCO databases. The key benefit of this article is that human capital is characterized according to the returns to education from average number of years of formal schooling at the primary, secondary and tertiary level. Based on the panel data analysis, the contributions of capital and of the three levels of education to the growth of labour productivity are estimated. At the same time, the model allows to estimate the contribution of total factor productivity. The results of the analysis show that tertiary education has the strongest impact on labour productivity across the considered economies. At the same time, the breakdown of aggregate human capital by level of education leads to better clarification of the effects of human capital and physical capital on labour productivity. The conclusions also indicate a tendency towards rising returns to scale induced by the secondary and tertiary education.
Injectable, sustained-release naltrexone for the treatment of opioid dependence: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

CONTEXT Oral naltrexone can completely antagonize the effects produced by opioid agonists. However, poor compliance with naltrexone has been a major obstacle to the effective treatment of opioid dependence. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a sustained-release depot formulation of naltrexone in treating opioid dependence. DESIGN AND SETTING Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 8-week trial conducted at 2 medical centers. PARTICIPANTS Sixty heroin-dependent adults. INTERVENTIONS Participants were stratified by sex and years of heroin use (> or = 5 vs < 5) and then were randomized to receive placebo or 192 or 384 mg of depot naltrexone. Doses were administered at the beginning of weeks 1 and 5. All participants received twice-weekly relapse prevention therapy, provided observed urine samples, and completed other assessments at each visit. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Retention in treatment and percentage of opioid-negative urine samples. RESULTS Retention in treatment was dose related, with 39%, 60%, and 68% of patients in the placebo, 192 mg of naltrexone, and 384 mg of naltrexone groups, respectively, remaining in treatment at the end of 2 months. Time to dropout had a significant main effect of dose, with mean time to dropout of 27, 36, and 48 days for the placebo, 192 mg of naltrexone, and 384 mg of naltrexone groups, respectively. The percentage of urine samples negative for opioids, methadone, cocaine, benzodiazepines, and amphetamine varied significantly as a function of dose. When the data were recalculated without the assumption that missing urine samples were positive, a main effect of group was not found for any drugs tested except cocaine, where the percentage of cocaine-negative urine samples was lower in the placebo group. Adverse events were minimal and generally mild. This formulation of naltrexone was well tolerated and produced a robust, dose-related increase in treatment retention. CONCLUSION These data provide new evidence of the feasibility, efficacy, and tolerability of long-lasting antagonist treatments for opioid dependence.
Health‐Related Stressors Experienced by Patients Who Underwent Total Knee Replacement Seven Days After Being Discharged Home

BACKGROUNDEmpirical evidence indicates that the first few weeks after total knee replacement are likely to be stressful for patients. However, no reported studies have examined the type of stressors that individuals encounter during the first few days at home. PURPOSEThe purpose of this study was to describe stressors experienced by patients 7 days post-hospitalization after total knee replacement who were managing their care at home. METHODThe stressor of most concern to the patient was identified using an open-ended question. Intensity, frequency, and duration of the stressors were measured using five-point Likert response scales. RESULTSVarious stressors were identified, but those of most concern related to pain management and bowel difficulties. Respondents indicated the stressors caused a great deal of concern/worry and occurred daily and most could have been prevented if patients had sufficient self-care knowledge. IMPLICATIONSThe study suggests that preoperative education of patients may need to be improved and that nurses may need to contact patients after discharge to assist them with postoperative problems and concerns.
Role of neutrophils in hepatotoxicity induced by oral acetaminophen administration in rats.

Acetaminophen (APAP) is a common analgesic and antipyretic compound which, when administered in high doses, has been associated with significant morbidity and mortality, secondary to hepatic toxicity. To date, the mechanism(s) whereby APAP induces liver injury remains to be delineated. This study investigated the potential role of neutrophils as contributors to liver injury in rats administered sublethal doses of APAP. Oral APAP administration (650 mg/kg) was associated with increases in serum alanine transaminase (ALT) levels indicating biochemical evidence of significant liver damage. Furthermore, histological analyses verified significant hepatocellular necrosis as well as enhanced myeloperoxidase staining in these liver specimens. However, if animals were pretreated with antineutrophil sera prior to APAP administration, neutrophil counts remained depressed, ALT levels were significantly decreased, and the degree of liver injury was attenuated on a histological level. Taken together these data suggest that neutrophils mediate, at least in part, the hepatotoxic effects of oral acetaminophen administration in rats.
Unraveling the effect of alliance experience on alliance formation and alliance governance structure: A meta-analytic approach

Alliance experience plays a crucial role in the stage of alliance formation. However, theoretical gaps and empirical controversies exist in the analyses of its effects on alliance formation and alliance governance structure. Drawing on the method of meta-analysis, we have systematically searched and coded previous empirical studies, generating a database of 91 empirical studies in all. Through classifying alliance experience into general and partner-specific alliance experience, we seek to examine the different effects of these two types of alliance experience on alliance formation and alliance governance structure. We enrich the classification of alliance experience in terms of governance structure to address the disadvantages of this classification in explaining the resulting effects. Our research uses meta-regression to provide evidence about how contextual contingencies affect the alliance experience–alliance governance structure link. JEL Classification: L22, L24
[Social support and quality of life in the HIV infection].

OBJECTIVES To verify the relationship between social support and health related quality of life (HRQoL), specifically if a low level of social support implies in worse results in the HRQoL, and to establish the relative weight of the social support in the prediction of the HRQoL in a sample of patient with HIV infection. DESIGN Cross sectional study, descriptive and correlation study.Setting. Urban university hospital. PARTICIPANTS 100 patients were evaluated draw from the HIV Unit of the university hospital, by self-report questionnaires. MEASUREMENTS Social support questionnaire Duke-UNC-11, HRQoL questionnaire MOS-SF30. RESULTS It has been detected significant differences in the QoL of people with HIV infection according to the level of social support that they presented; in short, those with a low level of social support had presented a worse perceived health, more pain, a worse physical functioning, more difficulties in the daily activities, higher health related distress, worse cognitive functioning and they experienced worse physical and emotional health that in the previous month. On the whole the HRQoL was worse in those subjects with a low level of social support. In the same way, the lineal regression equation, show that the level of social support was predictor of the HRQoL. CONCLUSIONS The social support is an important variable in the understanding of the well-being and QoL in people with HIV infection, address efforts for the development of this personal resource contributes directly for improvement of the QoL.
The Labour Market Effects of ‘Working for Families’ in New Zealand

This article examines, using a behavioural microsimulation model for New Zealand, the impact of the major package of welfare reforms collectively referred to as â€˜Working for Familiesâ€™ (WfF). These reforms were announced in May 2004 and involved a phased introduction of changes, with annual modifications from October 2004 until April 2007. Concentrating on welfare payments for families with dependent children, this remains a cornerstone of the New Zealand welfare system. The simulation takes a backwardâ€ looking perspective, by comparing labour supply under the 2008 database and tax structure with that obtained using the 2008 data and 2004 tax structure (suitably adjusted for inflation).
Night-to-night variability of polysomnography in children with suspected obstructive sleep apnea.

OBJECTIVES To determine whether a single polysomnographic night was a valid measure of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) in children with symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing. STUDY DESIGN The night-to-night variability of respiratory and sleep parameters was measured prospectively in 30 snoring children aged 1.6 to 11.3 years (mean +/- SD, 4.1 +/- 2) by using 2 nocturnal polysomnograms performed 7 to 27 days apart (14 +/- 5 days). RESULTS The mean of the respiratory variables including apnea index, apnea/hypopnea index, arterial oxygen saturation, and end-tidal partial pressure of carbon dioxide were not significantly different from night to night. Among the sleep parameters, there was no significant night-to-night difference in sleep efficiency, arousal index, percent rapid eye movement, or percent of slow wave sleep. Only the percentage of stage 2 was significantly different between the nights. The polysomnographic clinical diagnosis remained the same on both nights for all children, although the disease severity differed slightly in 2 patients. CONCLUSIONS There is little clinically significant night-to-night variability in pediatric polysomnography, and no first-night effect. These data suggest that a single polysomnographic night is an adequate measure of the OSAS in children with symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing.
DETERMINANTS OF TURKISH STOCK RETURNS UNDER THE IMPACT OF ECONOMIC POLICY UNCERTAINTY

Bu makalenin amaci yerel ve global ekonomik politika belirsizligi altinda Turkiye’de hisse senedi getirilerinin belirleyicilerinin hangi makroekonomik degiskenler oldugunu ARDL metodu ve 1991-2017 yillari arasi donemde aylik veriler kullanarak belirlemektir. Calismada; bagimli degisken olarak Borsa Istanbul’un BIST100 (BIST) ve Endustri endeksleri (IND) ve bagimsiz degiskenler olarak da Turkiye imalat sanayi endeksi (IPI), reel doviz kuru (RER), tuketici fiyat endeksi (CPI), faiz orani (R), Turkiye’nin jeopolitik risk endeksi (GPR) ve ABD’nin ekonomik politika belirsizligi (EPU) verilerinden yararlanilmistir. ARDL tahmin sonuclari, kisa donemde BIST hisse senedi getirilerinin belirleyicilerinin pozitif olarak IPI, RER ve CPI; negatif olarak da R, EPU ve 2008 global finansal krizini temsil eden “kukla degiskeni” oldugunu ortaya koymaktadir. Uzun donemde ise IPI, RER ve CPI’daki degismeler pozitif, EPU’daki degismeler ise hisse senedi getirilerine negatif etki etmektedir.
The Impact of Mitral Stenosis on Left Atrial Function Assessed by Two‐Dimensional Speckle Tracking Echocardiography

Aims: The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of mitral stenosis (MS) on left atrial (LA) function using two‐dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2DSTE). Methods and Results: The study subjects consisted of 52 patients with asymptomatic MS and 52 control subjects. LA function was assessed using prototype speckle tracking software and manual tracking method. Maximal LA volume (LAVmax) and minimal LA volume (LAVmin) and LA volume before atrial contraction (LAVpre‐a) were measured. Using these volumes, LA reservoir, conduit and booster pump fuction parameters were calculated. Indexed LAVmax, LAVmin, and LAVpre‐a measurements via speckle tracking were highly correlated with manual tracing methods in both groups. Expansion index (67.8 ± 36.4 vs. 148.3 ± 44.2), diastolic emptying index (37.7 ± 12.9 vs. 58.0 ± 8.5), passive emptying (37.3 ± 14.1 vs. 70.4 ± 10.4) and passive emptying index (13.3 ± 6.3 vs. 41.3 ± 10.6) were decreased significantly in MS patients (P < 0.001). In contrast active emptying index (62.6 ± 4.1 vs. 29.5 ± 10.1) increased in MS group (P < 0.001) while active emptying (28.1 ± 13.0 vs. 28.3 ± 6.9) remained same among both groups. Conclusions: This is the first study relating LA volumes and function assessed by 2DSTE to MS. 2D speckle tracking analysis of LA volume is relatively easy and provides more detailed information regarding the changes in LA volumes during the cardiac cycle.
A Low-Dose β1-Blocker Effectively and Safely Slows the Heart Rate in Patients with Acute Decompensated Heart Failure and Rapid Atrial Fibrillation

Objective: Recently, we reported that low-dose landiolol (1.5 µg·kg-1·min-1), an ultra-short-acting β-blocker, safely decreased the heart rate (HR) in patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) and sinus tachycardia, thereby improving cardiac function. We investigated whether low-dose landiolol effectively decreased the HR in ADHF patients with rapid atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods: We enrolled 23 ADHF patients with rapid AF (HR ≥120 beats·min-1 and New York Heart Association class III-IV) and systolic heart failure (SHF: n = 12) or diastolic heart failure (DHF: n = 11) who received conventional therapy with diuretics, vasodilators, and/or low-dose inotropes. They were administered continuous intravenous infusion of low-dose landiolol (1.0-2.0 µg·kg-1·min-1), and their electrocardiograms and blood pressures were monitored for 24 h thereafter. Results: Two hours after starting landiolol, the HR was reduced significantly (22%), without a reduction in blood pressure, and remained constant thereafter. The HR reduction 2 h after landiolol administration was significantly greater in the DHF group than in the SHF group. No incidence of hypotension was recorded. Conclusions: Digitalis or amiodarone is currently recommended for HR control in ADHF patients with rapid AF. Our results showed that continuous infusion of low-dose landiolol may also be useful as first-line therapy in these patients.
Neonatal handling reduces the number of cells in the locus coeruleus of rats.

Neonatal handling induces long-lasting effects on behaviors and stress responses. The objective of the present study was to analyze the effects of neonatal handling (from the 1st to the 10th day after delivery) on the number of cells and volume of locus coeruleus (LC) nucleus in male and female rats at 4 different ages: 11, 26, 35, and 90 days. Results showed significant reductions in the number of cells and the volume of the LC nucleus in neonatally handled males and females compared with nonhandled rats. Environmental stimulation early in life induced a stable structural change in a central noradrenergic nucleus, which could be one of the causal factors for the behavioral and hormonal alterations observed in adulthood.
Heterogeneous effects of rural-urban migration on agricultural productivity

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the impacts of rural–urban migration on agricultural (labor) productivity in China. Design/methodology/approach This paper closely follows the framework of Rozelle et al. (1999), Taylor et al. (2003) and Atamanov and Van den Berg (2012)—new economics of labor migration—to demonstrate the heterogeneous effects of migration on agricultural productivity, using simultaneous equations extended by an interaction term of off-farm income and household wealth. Findings The results empirically verify two key theoretical predictions: the loss of labor available for agricultural activities decreases rice yield per worker per day, and the off-farm income that may relax liquidity constraints has a positive offsetting effect, which becomes weaker with increasing household wealth. The final calculation based on these two contradictory influences indicates that the lost-labor effect dominates across all levels of household wealth, resulting in a negative net impact of rural–urban migration on agricultural productivity. The key results are shown to hold for land productivity as well. Originality/value To the best of the author’s knowledge, it is the first paper to examine the impacts of rural–urban migration on labor productivity and the heterogeneity across households with different levels of wealth. A major policy issue facing national leaders is whether the massive and ongoing outflow of labor will be a threat to China’s rural development and its food security in the future. This paper provides insightful ideas in a different way.
Finite-Element Modeling of Metasurfaces With Generalized Sheet Transition Conditions

A modeling of metasurfaces in the finite-element method (FEM) based on generalized sheet transition conditions (GSTCs) is presented. The discontinuities in electromagnetic fields across a metasurface as represented by the GSTC are modeled by assigning nodes to both the sides of the metasurface. The FEM-GSTC formulation in both 1-D and 2-D domains is derived and implemented. The method is extended to handle more general bianistroptic metasurfaces. The formulations are validated by several illustrative examples.
Attendance demand in a developing football market: the case of the Peruvian first division

ABSTRACT Research question: Most of the empirical research on football demand has focused on leagues in developed countries while those in developing countries have received comparatively limited attention. In the absence of more specific analyses of leagues in developing countries, an implicit assumption is that the demand for football across different economies is homogenous. However, such an assumption may lead to inappropriate policies. Therefore, decision-making and policies aimed at attendance and pricing in developing countries should be substantiated with empirical evidence reflecting their settings. Research methods: This paper models match level attendance demand and price in the first tier of the Peruvian football league from 2012 to 2016 inclusive. Using a sample of 1719 matches, two-stage least-squares estimation with instrumental variables is used. Results and findings: We find that attendance in the Peruvian football league is driven by market size, distance between teams and recent performance while local rivalry and price do not exert significant impacts. More importantly, attendance exhibits properties of an inferior good given its relationship with levels of poverty and associated correlation with income. Implications: The implications are that demand models for football in developing and developed economies generate different results as the impacts of some exogenous variables on attendance offer different outcomes. For example, the impact of price and income differ from prior expectations indicating that different approaches are necessary to managing football in developing countries including distinct policies on stadium accommodation.
OpsX from Haemophilus influenzae Represents a Novel Type of Heptosyltransferase I in Lipopolysaccharide Biosynthesis

ABSTRACT The inner core region of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of Haemophilus influenzae is characterized by the presence of a phosphorylated 3-deoxy-α-d-manno-octulosonic acid (Kdo). In this study, we show that the heptosyltransferase I adding the first l-glycero-d-manno-heptose residue to this acceptor is encoded by the gene opsX, which differs in substrate specificity from the other heptosyltransferase I, known as WaaC.