Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Association between Income and Life Expectancy

Team leaders Prof. Eytan Sheshinski Senior Fellow, Israel Democracy Institute, and Professor (Emeritus) of Economics, Hebrew University of Jerusalem Prof. Daniel Gottlieb Deputy Director General; Research and Planning, National Insurance Institute. Baerwald School Of Social Work And Welfare. Team members National Insurance Institute: Dr. Ofir Pinto Adviser to Director General; Director of Special Projects Unit Research and Planning Department Rafaela Cohen Senior Manager Collection and Financial Sustainability Dr. Gabriela Heilbronn Director of Research on Old Age & Survivors , & Income Support Miriam Schmeltzer Head Director of Research on Old Age & Survivors , Long-Term Care, Child Support, Maternity, Income Support & Unemployment National Insurance Institute of Israel
The New National Health and Hospitals Network – Building Australia’s Health Workforce: Where is the Evidence?

The National Health and Hospitals Network (NHHN) policy, released on 20 April 2010, describes a core part of the Commonwealth Government’s strategy for health reform. Additional funds are identified to support quality improvement and accessibility to hospital, primary and aged care, with just over 16 per cent of funding dedicated to building Australia’s health workforce. Whilst considerable investment in Australia’s health workforce is desirable, we argue that the explicit and implicit objectives of the workforce strategy and the specific components described in the NHHN document do not have an evidence base. This article highlights some of the flawed assumptions that seem to have informed the workforce policy. It also presents an alternate evidence-based approach to help improve the integrity and success of the NHHN workforce policy, and thus, the quality of workforce planning in Australia and the health of Australians.
Infections After Organ Transplantation

Over the last ten to fifteen years medical and surgical advances have led to lower rates of infection and infection-related mortality in transplant recipients. Despite these advances, the process whereby one diagnoses and manages infectious problems in transplant patients has become increasingly complex. Evaluation of transplant patients with infections requires a good understanding of the intricacies of modern immunosuppressive therapy and both the typical and atypical clinical manifestations of many conventional and opportunistic pathogens. In particular, it is incumbent upon the clinicians caring for transplant patients to be familiar with the biology of cytomegalovirus and other herpes viruses, and of the prophylactic strategies that have evolved to lessen the burden of disease from these agents. Thorough knowledge is also required of common fungal pathogens and the viruses that cause chronic hepatitis. Transplant patients also should always be evaluated in the temporal context of their transplant operation, because different diseases are prevalent at different times after transplantation. Since immunosuppressive drugs modify the clinical presentation of infections is important to maintain clinical vigilance and attend to even minor new symptoms. This chapter is designed to provide a relatively concise overview of transplant infections for intensivists or other clinicians who encounter transplant patients in their practice. The references encompass much of the classic transplant infectious disease literature; they are included, not only for citation, but as a bibliography for further study.
Effects of Drought and Low Nitrogen Stress on Provitamin A Carotenoid Content of Biofortified Maize Hybrids

Maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids with enhanced provitamin A (proVA) content have been deployed in sub-Saharan Africa, where low soil nitrogen and drought stress are common. The objectives of this study were to assess: (i) the effects of drought and low-N stress on grain proVA content of hybrids with enhanced proVA content, and (ii) the inheritance of proVA carotenoids under these stress conditions. An 11-line diallel cross (55 F1 crosses) was evaluated for carotenoid content and grain yield under optimum conditions, drought, and low-N stress. Compared with the optimum treatment, mean proVA was lower under both stress treatments. The consistency of genetic effects across stress treatments suggested that hybrids with improved proVA content can be developed for a broad range of environments, provided they are sufficiently adapted. General combining ability (GCA) was significant (P 85% of the variation among hybrids, whereas specific combining ability (SCA) effects were generally weak (P < 0.05), accounting for 5 to 15% of hybrid sums of squares across the three treatments. These results indicated that the inheritance of proVA was not affected by stress treatments. A negative correlation between grain yield and proVA carotenoids was detected, but the data suggested that it was caused by the genetic background of the germplasm used rather than pleiotropy. Our results provide insights that may help breeders design effective breeding strategies to develop proVA-enriched cultivars for resource-limited farming systems.
The Intricate Role of CXCR 4 in Cancer

Chemokines mediate numerous physiological and pathological processes related primarily to cell homing and migration. The chemokine CXCL12, also known as stromal cell-derived factor-1, binds the G-protein-coupled receptor CXCR4, which, through multiple divergent pathways, leads to chemotaxis, enhanced intracellular calcium, cell adhesion, survival, proliferation, and gene transcription. CXCR4, initially discovered for its involvement in HIV entry and leukocytes trafficking, is overexpressed in more than 23 human cancers. Cancer cell CXCR4 overexpression contributes to tumor growth, invasion, angiogenesis, metastasis, relapse, and therapeutic resistance. CXCR4 antagonism has been shown to disrupt tumor–stromal interactions, sensitize cancer cells to cytotoxic drugs, and reduce tumor growth and metastatic burden. As such, CXCR4 is a target not only for therapeutic intervention but also for noninvasive monitoring of disease progression and therapeutic guidance. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the biological involvement of CXCR4 in human cancers, the current status of CXCR4-based therapeutic approaches, as well as recent advances in noninvasive imaging of CXCR4 expression.
BORANG ERGS - P3(R)

The ecological theories linking neighborhood characteristics to victimization have rarely been tested in Asia. This article examines three conceptual models of social cohesion (collective efficacy, sense of belonging and feeling of morale) that are designed to explain the residents' victimization in Malaysia. This study focuses on the effects of social cohesion on crime using a sample of 294 ethnically diverse residents living in a high-crime neighborhood. The study shows the relevance of all three conceptual models in predicting victimization for both males and females. The findings indicate that a greater sense of belonging and feeling of morale among the neighborhood residents is significantly associated with lower levels of victimization. Contrary to the literature, the collective efficacy measure was associated with higher reported victimization. Our model also links social cohesion measures to neighborhood racial heterogeneity, a finding that adds knowledge to the study of ethnic diversity and crime-community relationships. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
SGX - TURVALISUSE JA JÕUDLUSE HINNANG

Intel Software Guard Extensions (SGX) is collection of instruction set extensions and mechanisms for memory access that provide integrity and confidentiality guarantees on modern Intel processors. SGX is able to launch secure containers named enclaves that remain shielded from all CPU privilege levels. This paper approaches SGX from security perspective, studying SGX from hardware to system level. Important security features like key hierarchy, encryption and attestation are broken down. Security evaluation is presented based on known vulnerabilities, attacks and exploits. Performance of three SGX edge routine methods are benchmarked in two SGX environments host and guest Linux, both fully capable of running SGX. This is achieved through experimental software offered by Intel. SGX virtualization uncovers interesting results both from systems and security perspectives. This thesis is written in English and is 73 pages long, including 3 chapters, 28 figures, and 20 tables.
The Impact of Financial Inclusion on the Interest Rate Channel of the Monetary Policy Transmission Mechanism

Many African countries are characterized by a high level of financial exclusion. Insights from theoretical models indicate that the presence of a substantial share of financially excluded consumers within the population might impede the transmission mechanism of an inflation targeting policy. This paper uses a panel vector error correction (PVEC) methodology for the period 2001Q1 to 2016Q4 to test the hypothesis that economies with lower levels of financial inclusion have weaker monetary policy transmission mechanisms than economies with higher levels of financial inclusion. This hypothesis is tested using four African countries (Ghana, Mauritius, South Africa and Uganda) which have adopted inflation targeting monetary policy frameworks. These are divided into two groups differentiated by their level of financial inclusion, with panel vector auto-regressions (PVARs) on each group estimated to assess the strength of the impulse response of inflation to the monetary policy variable. The results suggest that economies with higher levels of financial inclusion exhibit stronger impulse responses, although this does not necessarily imply that higher levels of financial inclusion are the cause of stronger monetary transmission mechanisms as the degree of financial inclusion may be correlated with other aspects of development which also affect the monetary transmission mechanism.
Analysis of Testing‐Based Forward Model Selection

This paper analyzes a procedure called Testing‐Based Forward Model Selection (TBFMS) in linear regression problems. This procedure inductively selects covariates that add predictive power into a working statistical model before estimating a final regression. The criterion for deciding which covariate to include next and when to stop including covariates is derived from a profile of traditional statistical hypothesis tests. This paper proves probabilistic bounds, which depend on the quality of the tests, for prediction error and the number of selected covariates. As an example, the bounds are then specialized to a case with heteroscedastic data, with tests constructed with the help of Huber–Eicker–White standard errors. Under the assumed regularity conditions, these tests lead to estimation convergence rates matching other common high‐dimensional estimators including Lasso.
Monetary Policy and Speculative Stock Markets ( Click here to access the latest version )

This paper studies the relationship between asset prices and macroeconomic aggregates when financial markets are speculative, and whether monetary policy can mitigate potential spillovers from financial markets. I augment a model with financial constraints on working capital with asset markets, where excess volatility of these markets is endogenized using a behavioral model for financial speculation. The presence of credit constraints links asset returns to optimal leverage and the price level. This link can induce a dynamic feedback loop that can amplify excess volatility in asset prices. I estimate this model to match key moments of empirical European data. The endogenous process of financial market speculation and the feedback from asset prices to the price level are key features to replicate these moments well, and to provide an explanation for the relationship between asset prices and macroeconomic aggregates. Nonlinear analysis suggests that central banks can offset the impact of speculation on either output or inflation by carefully targeting asset prices, but not on both, and can furthermore dampen excess volatility of stock prices. However, the scope of such policy to stabilize economic activity is limited narrowly due to its undesirable response to real economic shocks.
Insulin-like Growth Factor-I Protects Colon Cancer Cells from Death Factor-induced Apoptosis by Potentiating Tumor Necrosis Factor α-induced Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase and Nuclear Factor κB Signaling Pathways

Resistance of cancer cells against apoptosis induced by death factors contributes to the limited efficiency of immune- and drug-induced destruction of tumors. We report here that insulin and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) fully protect HT29-D4 colon carcinoma cells from IFN-γ/tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF) induced apoptosis. Survival signaling initiated by IGF-I was not dependent on the canonical survival pathway involving phosphatidylinositol 3′-kinase. In addition, neither pp70S6K nor protein kinase C conveyed IGF-I antiapoptotic function. Inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) with the MAPK/ERK kinase inhibitor PD098059 and MAPK/p38 with the specific inhibitor SB203580 partially reversed, in a nonadditive manner, the IGF-I survival effect. Inhibition of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) activity by preventing degradation of the inhibitor of NF-κB (IκB-α) with BAY 11-7082 also blocked in part the IGF-I antiapoptotic effect. However, the complete reversal of the IGF-I effect was obtained only when NF-κB and either MAPK/ERK or MAPK/p38 were inhibited together. Because these pathways are also those used by TNF to signal inflammation and survival, these data point to a cross talk between IGF-I- and TNF-induced signaling. We further report that TNF-induced IL-8 production was indeed strongly enhanced upon IGF-I addition, and this effect was totally abrogated by both MAPK and NF-κB inhibitors. The IGF-I antiapoptotic function was stimulus-dependent because Fas- and IFN/Fas-induced apoptosis was not efficiently inhibited by IGF-I. This was correlated with the weak ability of Fas ligation to enhance IL-8 production in the presence or absence of IGF-I. These findings indicate that the antiapoptotic function of IGF-I in HT29-D4 cells is based on the enhancement of the survival pathways initiated by TNF, but not Fas, and mediated by MAPK/p38, MAPK/ERK, and NF-κB, which act in concert to suppress the proapoptotic signals. In agreement with this model, we show that it was possible to render HT29-D4 cells resistant to Fas-induced apoptosis provided that IGF-I and TNF receptors were activated simultaneously.
EFFECT OF FUNGAL ROTS ON NUTRITIONAL QUALITY OF Anona senegalensis L. AND Anona squamosa L. FRUITS SOLD IN YOLA, ADAMAWA STATE, NIGERIA

The aim of this work was to analyze the effect of fungal rot on nutritional quality of Annona fruits sold in Yola, Adamawa state, Nigeria. Rotted annona fruits were randomly sampled from five markets in Yola. Fungi associated with the annona rots were isolated using Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) culture medium and were identified as Aspergillus niger, Poma herbarum and Rhizopus stolonifer. Results from proximate analysis of the infected fruits and healthy fruits of Annona senegalensis and Annona squamosa indicated that there were increase in the moisture (15.4%) and ash (14.6%) contents of A. senegalensis and 14.8% moisture and 14.6% ash contents of A. squamosa in the freshly harvested fungal infected fruits relative to the apparently healthy ones, while there were decrease in the protein (11.4%), fat (8.3%), fibre (30.2%) and carbohydrate (20.1%) content of the fungal infected fruits relative to the apparently healthy ones. Correlation test carried out show that the nutrient composition of the fungal infected and the apparently healthy fruits are significant at the 0.01 level (2-tailed). The results are clear indications that fungi not only cause rotten on fruits but also reduce the nutritional values of fruits as well.
MISALLOCATION OF RESOURCES AND PRODUCTIVITY : THE CASE OF GHANA

Resource misallocation has recently been identified as one of the causes for lower total factor productivity (TFP) in developing countries. In this paper, using firmlevel data, we employ the framework of Hsieh and Klenow (2009) to ascertain the extent of resource misallocation, their (misallocation) sources and the potential TFP gains in the absence of misallocation for one of Africa’s emerging economies – Ghana. Our findings suggest that there exists significant resource misallocation in Ghana’s manufacturing sector with female-owned firms, older firms and larger firms facing the highest distortions. We also unearth that electricity shortages and illicit financial payments – corruption – are important sources of resource misallocation. Finally, we show that TFP could improve by as much as 65% were allocative efficiency enhanced. JEL classification code: D24, L60, O12.
Survey of healthcare-associated infection rates in a nursing home resident population

In this study we assessed the incidence and types of healthcare-associated infection (HCAI) in a nursing home resident population. The influences of home size, resident category, gender and age were also examined. Fifteen homes were recruited and infection rates recorded from 1 October 2006 to 2 December 2006. A rate of 6.04 infections/1000 bed days was recorded for the complete study. Infection rates for the four main categories of infection (number of infections/ 1000 bed days) were respiratory (2.52), urinary (1.87), skin and soft tissue (1.57) and gastrointestinal (0.41). Infection rates for small, medium and large homes were 4.64 (range 1.95—6.51), 5.9 (range 0.49—10.76) and 7.79 (range 5.79—9.39), respectively; however, statistical significance was not achieved (p = 0.335). Results indicate that respiratory infection rates are higher in larger homes (4.08) than in small (1.88) or medium size homes (2.22). Urinary infection rates were similar in small (1.89), medium (1.88) and large (1.82) homes and skin and soft tissue infections were lower in small homes (0.87) but similar in medium (1.69) and large (1.90) homes. We found a statistically significant relationship between the type of infection acquired and both resident category (p = 0.017) and gender (p = 0.005); the relationship between type of infection and age did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.346).
A SOCIOLINGUISTIC VIEW OF LINGUISTIC TABOOS AND EUP HEMISTIC STRATEGIES IN THE ALGERIAN SOCIETY : ATTITUDES AND BELIEFS IN TLEMCEN SPEECH COMMUNITY

This research paper sheds light on the dark side of Algerian culture in relation to language use throu gh investigating linguistic taboos and euphemistic usa ge. It shows that the attitudes of Algerian speaker s are linked to certain socio-cultural and psychological factors including the social norms of the society, the social upbring ing of its individuals and the social environment in which they get in con tact in addition to their identity construction and other parameters. It also shows that Algerian people have developed a rich vocabulary which includes euphemistic substit utions. These substitutions are the results of societal, ps ychological and cultural pressures. In fact, euphem isms and linguistic taboos represent a wealth vocabulary of Algerian di alects and, henceforth, they provide a fertile soil f r researchers in dialectology and sociolinguistics, although not muc h scholarly ink has been spilled on by Algerian inv estigators in this field of research. To these ends, we have relied on ma y research instruments including a questionnair e and an interview. Thus, the outcomes of this study show that the perc entages of both taboos and euphemistic usage are ne rly equal, although statistical analysis of the questionnaire reveals that the respondent’s attitudes towards tab oos are highly positive. The results also show that Algerian people try to d iscuss taboo topics in single sex groups depending on their age and gender. Lastly, these research findings prove that sex has remained as the most tabooed topic, whereas death is also handled with care in Algerian society.
The Effect of Fenofibrate and Exercise on Metabolic Syndrome and Hepatic Steatosis in OLETF Rats

Background: The aim of this study is to verify the effects of fenofibrate monotherapy and fenofibrate combined with exercise for improving metabolic syndrome and hepatic steatosis. Methods: Thirty-four weeks old OLETF rats (Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty Rats, n = 20) were divided four groups: the regular diet group (n = 5, DD group), the exercise group (n = 5, DE group), the fenofibrate (100 mg/kg) treated group (n = 5, DF group) and the combination treatment group {fenofibrate and exercise (n = 5, EF group)}. After 5 weeks of treatment, blood was drawn for measuring the blood glucose, insulin, lipid and leptin levels. All the subjects were sacrificed for assessment of their body adiposity and hepatic steatosis. Results: The total amount of food intake, body weight and total body weight of the rat were significantly decreased in the EF and DF groups compared to the DD group. The plasma triglyceride and glucose levels were significantly decreased in the EF and DF groups compared to the DD group. The HOMA-IR of EF, DF and DE groups were significantly decreased compared with that of the DD group. The plasma leptin levels of the EF and DF groups were significantly decreased compared with those of the DD and DE groups. The hepatic steatosis index was significantly decreased in the EF and DF groups compared to the DD and DE groups. Conclusion: Fenofibrate monotherapy was effective to control three major components (obesity, hypertriglyceridemia and hyperglycemia) of metabolic syndrome and hepatic steatosis in OLETF rats. Exercise combined with fenofibrate treatment showed an additional effect compared to that of fenofibrate monotherapy.