Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Deviant Peer Influences in Intervention and Public Policy for Youth

The problem is well known to every parent of a teenager, every high school teacher, every clinical practitioner, and every social policy maker: vulnerable adolescents risk becoming more deviant through association with deviant peers and peer groups. Deviant peer infl uences are among the most potent factors in the development of antisocial behavior. Deviant youth are prone to seek out other deviant youth, but the tendency to self-select into deviant peer groups does not fully account for the effect that the peer group has on exacerbating the problem. More exposure to deviant peers increases the opportunity for peer infl uences to operate. It is now becoming known that well-intentioned adults and government programs may also exacerbate deviant peer infl uences by placing deviant youth into programs and settings that are populated by other deviant youth. In fact, the most common policy is to segregate unruly youth from the mainstream peer group and to place them in groups composed entirely or mostly of deviant peers. New studies indicate that sometimes this practice results in harmful effects. That is, the children whom we are attempting to help may in fact be made worse by our efforts. Placing a deviant adolescent with deviant peers can reduce the intended benefi ts of interventions and lead to less positive, sometimes even negative, outcomes, especially under conditions of poor supervision and lack of structure. Nonetheless, deviant youth do require a response, and economic, political, and treatment considerations complicate the solution. This report reviews the evidence on group interventions for deviant adolescents and makes recommendations that address the public policy problem of placements for deviant youth. This report makes the following recommendations: 1) Programs, placements, and treatments that aggregate deviant youth that are ineffective as well as costly should be terminated whenever possible; 2) Effective alternatives to deviant peer-group placement are available and should be supported; 3) Policy decision-making should take into account the system-wide impact of interventions and placements on both deviant youth and their communities; and 4) Practitioners, programs, and policymakers should document the peer context of each placement and evaluate the impact of each placement on the youth and the community.
Hypomethylation of pericentromeric DNA in breast adenocarcinomas

Drug‐induced DNA demethylation in normal human cells and inherited localized hypomethylation in mitogen‐stimulated lymphocytes from patients with a rare recessive disease (ICF: i―mmunodeficiency, c―entromeric region instability, f―acial anomalies) are associated with karyotypic instability. This chromosomal recombination is targeted to heterochromatin in the vicinity of the centromere (pericentromeric region) of human chromosome 1. Pericentromeric rearrangements in this chromosome as well as overall genomic hypomethylation are frequently observed in many kinds of cancer, including breast adenocarcinoma. We found that almost half of 25 examined breast adenocarcinomas exhibited hypomethylation in satellite 2 DNA, which is located in the long region of heterochromatin adjacent to the centromere of chromosome 1 and is normally highly methylated. One of the 19 examined non‐malignant breast tissues displaying fibrocystic changes was similarly hypomethylated in this satellite DNA. We also looked at an opposing type of methylation alteration in these cancers, namely, hypermethylation in a tumor‐suppressor gene region that is frequently hypermethylated in breast cancers. We found that increased methylation in the E‐cadherin promoter region and decreased methylation in satellite 2 DNA were often present in the same breast cancers. While hypermethylation in certain tumor‐suppressor gene regions may favor tumorigenesis by repressing transcription, demethylation of other DNA sequences may predispose to cancer‐promoting chromosomal re‐arrangements. Int. J. Cancer 77:833–838, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Large-Loop Excision of the Transformation Zone: Effect on the Pathologic Interpretation of Resection Margins

Objective: To determine the effect of large-loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ) on the ability to interpret adequately the pathologic specimen and surgical margins. Methods: Fifty consecutive LLETZ specimens were used for repeat histopathologic assessment with emphasis on the interpretability of the surgical specimen and margin. All reevaluations were performed by a single pathologist. Complete lesion evaluability was defined as satisfactory accuracy of the histologic diagnosis and the ability to evaluate thoroughly all surgical margins. Medical records of the patients from whom the specimens were obtained were reviewed and analyzed for possible correlates to the status of specimen interpretability. Results: Histologic accuracy was sufficient in 46 cases (92%). Extensive heat distortion precluded full assessment of the ectocervical margins in ten (20%) and the endocervical margins in 22 (44%) of the cases. There was no difference in complete lesion evaluability whether LLETZ was performed solely for treatment in cases suitable for ablative procedures or for both diagnosis and treatment in patients who traditionally would have undergone a cone biopsy. If the latter group (N = 25) was analyzed separately, extensive heat distortion made histopathologic diagnosis impossible in four cases (16%) and precluded full assessment of the ectocervical margin in eight (32%) and the endocervical margin in 12 (48%). Conclusion: The high rate of surgical-margin thermal destruction, with related limitation of interpretability, may represent a serious diagnostic and therapeutic limitation of the LLETZ procedure when considered as an alternative to cold knife conization.
The impact of digital practices on the perception of risks and benefits of digital gaming

This study introduces a new multivariate framework around a set of digital practices such as entertainment-oriented uses, information-oriented uses, social-connection uses, and ecommerce uses, and shows that these digital practices are, in fact, important predictors of the positive and negative perceptions of digital gaming. We developed two multiple regression models on a representative sample of the Spanish population. After controlling for socio-demographic factors (age, gender and level of education), our models reveal that gaming-related perceptions of benefits and risks are associated with people’s concrete personal experiences with digital games and, interestingly, to the greater or lesser development of their digital practices. We show that the perceptions of benefits with regards to video games are related to more developed digital practices. Conversely, the perceptions of risk are higher in the case of individuals who lack exposure and experiences regarding digital practices.
Modelling a Small Open Economy Using a Wavelet-Based Control Model

This paper develops a wavelet-based control system model that can be used to simulate fiscal and monetary strategies in an open economy context in the time-frequency domain. As the emphasis on real exchange rate stability is increased, the model simulates the effects on both the aggregate and decomposed trade balance under both constant and depreciating real exchange rate targets, and also the effects on the real GDP expenditure components. This paper adds to recent research in this area by incorporating an external sector via the use of a real effective exchange rate as a driver of output. The research is also the first to analyze exchange rate effects within a time-frequency model with integrated fiscal and monetary policies in an open-economy applied wavelet-based optimal control setting. To demonstrate the usefulness of this model, we use post-apartheid South African macro data under a political targeting design for the frequency range weights, where we simulate jointly optimal fiscal and monetary policy under varying preferences for real exchange rate stability.
Energy Use and Temperature Habituation: Evidence from High Frequency Thermostat Usage Data

Using micro‐level thermostat data from 27,000 U.S. households, we analyze how home heating/cooling decisions respond to weather. Responses are greater for extreme heat than for extreme cold and persist for at least 30 days after exposure, due in part to transaction costs but also to changes in intrinsic preferences. Failure to understand habit can lead us to overestimate the impact of short‐term policy nudges but underestimate the long‐run impact of small changes. Higher frequency estimates of how behavior responds to weather improve our understanding of climate adaptation as climate change affects not only mean temperatures but also variances. (JEL C55, D03, Q4)
Do Start-ups Pay Less?

The authors analyze Danish registry data from 1991 to 2006 to determine how firm age and firm size influence wages. Unadjusted statistics suggest that smaller firms paid less than larger firms paid, and that firm age had little or no bearing on wages. After adjusting for differences in the characteristics of employees hired by these firms, however, they observe both firm age and firm size effects. Larger firms paid more than did smaller firms for observationally equivalent individuals but, contrary to conventional wisdom, younger firms paid more than older firms. The size effect, however, dominates the age effect. Thus, although the typical start-up—being both young and small—paid less than a more established employer, the largest start-ups paid a wage premium.
Methotrexate improves the health-related quality of life of children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Objectives: To examine the change in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and its determinants in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) treated with methotrexate (MTX). Methods: Patients were extracted from the PRINTO clinical trial which aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety profile of MTX administered in standard, intermediate or higher doses (10, 15 and 30 mg/m2/week respectively). Children with polyarticular-course JIA, who were less than 18 years and had a complete HRQOL assessment were included. Results: A total of 521 children were included. At baseline, patients with JIA showed poorer HRQOL (p<0.01) than healthy children. In 207/412 (50%) and 63 (15%) children, HRQOL values were 2 standard deviations below the mean of healthy controls in the physical and psychosocial summary scale, respectively. After 6 months of treatment with standard dose MTX, there was a statistically significant improvement in all HRQOL health concepts, particularly the physical ones. Similar improvements were observed in those who did not respond to a standard dose of MTX and were subsequently randomised to a higher dose. The presence of marked disability at baseline was associated with a fivefold increased risk of retaining poor physical health after 6 months of active treatment with standard dose MTX. Other less important determinants of retaining poor physical well-being were the baseline level of systemic inflammation, pain intensity and an antinuclear-antibody-negative status. Conclusions: MTX treatment produces a significant improvement across a wide range of HRQOL components, particularly in the physical domains, in patients with JIA.
Entering the men's domain? Gender and portfolio allocation in European governments

While all government portfolios used to be the purview of men exclusively, more and more women are selected to sit around the cabinet table. But under which circumstances do women get appointed to different ministerial portfolios? This article, proposes a theoretical framework to consider how party leaders’ attitudes and motivations influence the allocation of portfolios to male and female ministers. These propositions are tested empirically by bringing together data on 7,005 cabinet appointments across 29 European countries from the late 1980s until 2014. Considering the key partisan dynamics of the ministerial selection process, it is found that women are significantly less likely to be appointed to the ‘core’ offices of state, and ‘masculine’ and ‘neutral’ policy areas. However, these gender differences are moderated by the ideology of the party that allocates them. Women are more likely to be appointed to ‘masculine’ portfolios when a party's voters have more progressive gender attitudes. This theoretical framework and analysis enhances our understanding of women's access to the government, which has important implications for how ministers are selected, as well as how women are represented in the most powerful policy‐making positions in Europe.
[Evaluation of knowledge and practice on tegumentary leishmaniasis in an endemic area of Venezuela].

INTRODUCTION Leishmaniases constitutes a serious public health problem in many parts of the Americas. However, the populations exposed to leishmaniasis lack information about this disease. For this reason, educational assessments and interventions were deemed necessary to contribute to a greater impact of control measures. OBJECTIVE The level of knowledge and practices was evaluated for tegumentary leishmaniasis and the phlebotomine sand fly vector species. MATERIALS AND METHODS Between September 2006 and July 2007, a survey was conducted on epidemiological aspects, prevention, and control of leishmaniasis in two endemic communities-Bolero Alto and Bajo, in the municipality of Pinto Salina, Mérida state, Venezuela. It was administered to persons 7 years of age, in randomly selected houses. Collections of sand fly vectors were made indoors and around the houses. RESULTS Approximately 68% of the population showed a level of knowledge on leishmaniasis considered as insufficient. The lowest level of knowledge found was on matters related to leishmaniasis transmission and prevention. Seven epidemiologically important Lutzomyia species were identified: L. youngi, L. ovallesi, L. gomezi, L. walkeri, L. panamensis, L. punctigeniculata and L. venezuelensis. The predominant species in both communities were L. youngi and L. ovallesi, constituting 55% and 24%, respectively, of the totals. CONCLUSIONS The residents of the endemic communities studied had a low level of knowledge about leishmaniasis. This must be considered in the development of educational alternatives that complement control programs. A particular focus on the prevention of insect bites is recommended.
The determinants of the municipal debt policy in Spain

This paper analyzes the impact of economic, social and political factors on municipal debt behavior. With this aim, we have obtained a stratified random sample of 130 cities during a five-year period. These data have been used to configure a micro panel to obtain accurate estimates and to control for problems such as unobserved heterogeneity. The main conclusion obtained from this process is that non-financial surplus/deficit, financial independence, capital expenditures, and capital revenues are the variables that best explain the indebtedness of this type of entities.
Roles for the Histone Modifying and Exchange Complex NuA4 in Cell Cycle Progression in Drosophila melanogaster

Robust and synchronous repression of E2F-dependent gene expression is critical to the proper timing of cell cycle exit when cells transition to a postmitotic state. Previously NuA4 was suggested to act as a barrier to proliferation in Drosophila by repressing E2F-dependent gene expression. Here we show that NuA4 activity is required for proper cell cycle exit and the repression of cell cycle genes during the transition to a postmitotic state in vivo. However, the delay of cell cycle exit caused by compromising NuA4 is not due to additional proliferation or effects on E2F activity. Instead NuA4 inhibition results in slowed cell cycle progression through late S and G2 phases due to aberrant activation of an intrinsic p53-independent DNA damage response. A reduction in NuA4 function ultimately produces a paradoxical cell cycle gene expression program, where certain cell cycle genes become derepressed in cells that are delayed during the G2 phase of the final cell cycle. Bypassing the G2 delay when NuA4 is inhibited leads to abnormal mitoses and results in severe tissue defects. NuA4 physically and genetically interacts with components of the E2F complex termed Drosophila, Rbf, E2F and Myb/Multi-vulva class B (DREAM/MMB), and modulates a DREAM/MMB-dependent ectopic neuron phenotype in the posterior wing margin. However, this effect is also likely due to the cell cycle delay, as simply reducing Cdk1 is sufficient to generate a similar phenotype. Our work reveals that the major requirement for NuA4 in the cell cycle in vivo is to suppress an endogenous DNA damage response, which is required to coordinate proper S and G2 cell cycle progression with differentiation and cell cycle gene expression.
Stress test and gastric-arterial Pco2 measurement improve prediction of successful extubation

Objective Correct early prediction of successful extubation decreases morbidity and mortality. The use of single time point measurements and surrogate markers of true extubation success limits weaning studies. Our aim was to determine whether a “stress test” improves prediction of extubation outcome and to determine the most predictive variables. Design Observational study. Setting Intensive care unit of a teaching hospital. Patients A convenience sample of 68 patients judged to be ready for extubation. Interventions We decreased pressure support from 5 to 0 cm H2O for 1 hr before extubation (stress test) while patients were on 5 cm H2O continuous positive airway pressure. Measurements and Main Results We measured respiratory frequency, tidal volume, ratio of respiratory frequency to tidal volume (f/Vt), airway occlusion pressure after onset of inspiration (P0.1), and gastric-arterial Pco2 (&Dgr;Pg-aco2) both on 5 cm H2O and 0 cm H2O pressure support. Then all patients were extubated. Failure of extubation was defined as reintubation within 24 hrs. Seventeen patients (25%) failed extubation. With pressure support of 5 cm H2O and continuous positive airway pressure of 5 cm H2O, most predictors were not different between patients who failed and patients who were successfully extubated. After the stress test, &Dgr;Pg-aco2 was 2 (−5; 15) mm Hg (median; quartiles) in successfully extubated patients vs. 28 (−9; 48) in failures (p = .0003), tidal volume was 473 (387; 558) vs. 400 (323; 435) mL (p = .02), and P0.1 was 2.8 (2; 4.1) vs. 4.1 (2.7; 5.3) mm Hg (p = .03), respectively. The stress test increased specificity of &Dgr;Pg-aco2 from 0.45 to 0.94 and positive predictive value from 0.85 to 0.97. The specificity and positive predictive values for f/Vt after the stress test were 0.23 and 0.78. Conclusions A simple stress test improves prediction of extubation outcome. &Dgr;Pg-aco2 has superior specificity and positive predictive value compared with other variables. The use of true clinical outcome (i.e., extubation) instead of the use of surrogate markers (e.g., tachypnea) distinguishes these results from previous studies.
Evaluation of the Elasticity of Farm Output among Smallholder Farmers in Selected Agro-Ecological Zones of Embu County, Kenya

Aims: Low and declining levels of crop and livestock productivities in the Kenyan agriculture have been attributed to the low application of the key farm inputs. Measures to encourage application of farm inputs with the highest effect on farm output in a given agro-ecological zone (AEZs) have been hampered by lack of adequate and reliable research-based information to guide the choices. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the elasticity of farm output for some selected farm inputs across three different agro-ecological zones (AEZs) in Kenya, using data collected from Embu County in Eastern Kenya as a case study. Place and Duration of Study: The sample was collected from three agro-ecological zones, namely Sunflower, Coffee and Tea zones, in Embu county, Eastern Kenya between June 2015 and November 2016. Methodology: The data was collected from a sample comprising 384 farms that were randomly selected using multi-stage stratified sampling employing probability proportionate to size sampling Original Research Article Ndirangu et al.; AJAEES, 26(3): 1-10, 2018; Article no.AJAEES. 43048 2 procedures. A stochastic log-linearized Cobb-Douglas production function was used to estimate the elasticity of output for the key factors of production. Results: The elasticity of farm output for labour was found to be significant and positive in the Sunflower (p=.000), Coffee (p=.000) and Tea (p=.000) zones. The elasticity of farm output for fertilizer was significant and positive in the Sunflower (p=.02) and Tea (p=.01) zones. It was only in the Sunflower (p=.01) Zone where the elasticity of farm output for land was found to be significant. Conclusion: The study recommended that measures be put in place to increase labour usage in the three agro-ecological zones. The study also recommended for increased fertilizer usage in the Sunflower and Tea zones.
The Causal interactions of Urban Population, and Economic Growth on the Environment of Ghana.

This study seeks to explore the causal effect of urban population and economic growth on the environment of Ghana, using a time series data for the period 1980-2014. The Max Eigen-value Johansen cointegration test failed to confirm a long-run cointegration relationship between environmental pollution and economic growth for the case of Ghana. Hence, the direction of causality among the variables was conducted using the VAR Granger Causality Test. The findings of the VAR Granger causality revealed the presence of a bi-directional causality between these paramount variables: carbon dioxide emission (CO2) and urbanisation (URB); and between economic growth (Y) and urbanisation (URB). This study advocates that Ghana adheres to more stricter environmental regulations in order to control high pollution firms in the residential and commercial sectors, in her quest to mitigate environmental pollution issues even as the economy advances. Furthermore, our study reiterate that the human capacity of Ghana is empowered with the requisite productive skills to boost productivity of her industries.
Sensitivity of muscle proton spin-spin relaxation time as an index of muscle activation.

The purpose of this study was to determine the minimum number of contractions that are needed to detect an increase in the muscle proton spin-spin relaxation time (T2) at a given exercise intensity. Five healthy human subjects performed five sets of an exercise that included concentric and eccentric contractions of the elbow-flexor muscles with loads that were 25 or 80% of maximum. With the 80% load, the five sets involved 1, 2, 5, 10, or 20 repetitions of the exercise; with the 25% load the five sets were 2, 5, 10, 20, or 40 repetitions. The upper arm of each subject was imaged before and immediately after each set of the exercise. Spin-echo images (repetition time/echo time = 2,000 ms/30, 60, 90, and 120 ms) were collected using an extremity coil, and T2 values were calculated. The signal intensity was measured from the elbow-flexor and -extensor muscles and from the bone marrow of the humerus. With the 80% load, T2 increased in the short head of the biceps brachii after two repetitions of the elbow exercise and after five repetitions in the brachialis and the long head of the biceps brachii. With the 25% load, T2 became longer after five repetitions of the exercise for the short head of the biceps brachii and after 10 repetitions for the brachialis and the long head of the biceps brachii. T2 varied linearly with the number of contraction repetitions for each of the elbow-flexor muscles at either load (r2 > or = 0.97, P < 0.001). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)