Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Income Taxation and the Equilibrium Allocation of Labor

We study the impact of labor income taxation on workers' job search behavior and the implications it has for the equilibrium allocation of labor in a complete markets equilibrium on-the-job search model with two-sided heterogeneity, endogenous job search effort and hiring intensity, equilibrium wage formation, and firm entry and exit. By appropriating part of the gain from finding a better paid job, income taxation reduces the return to job search effort, and distorts workers' job search effort, which, in turn, distorts the equilibrium allocation of labor. The model is estimated on Danish matched employer-employee data, and is used to evaluate a series of tax reforms in Denmark in the 1990s and 2000s. We find that these income tax reforms increased aggregate productivity by 2.2% through improved labor allocation, provide a novel structural decomposition of the elasticity of taxable labor income, and to identify a Pareto optimal income tax reform.
Role of PRIP‐1, a novel Ins(1,4,5)P3 binding protein, in Ins(1,4,5)P3‐mediated Ca2+ signaling

PRIP‐1 was isolated as a novel inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate [Ins(1,4,5)P3] binding protein with a domain organization similar to phospholipase C‐δ1 (PLC‐δ1) but lacking the enzymatic activity. Further studies revealed that the pleckstrin homology (PH) domain of PRIP‐1 is the region responsible for binding Ins(1,4,5)P3. In this study we aimed to clarify the role of PRIP‐1 at the physiological concentration in Ins(1,4,5)P3‐mediated Ca2+ signaling, as we had previously used COS‐1 cells overexpressing PRIP‐1 (Takeuchi et al., 2000, Biochem J 349:357–368). For this purpose we employed PRIP‐1 knock out (PRIP‐1−/−) mice generated previously (Kanematsu et al., 2002, EMBO J 21:1004–1011). The increase in free Ca2+ concentration in response to purinergic receptor stimulation was lower in primary cultured cortical neurons prepared from PRIP‐1−/− mice than in those from wild type mice. The relative amounts of [3H]Ins(1,4,5)P3 measured in neurons labeled with [3H]inositol was also lower in cells from PRIP‐1−/− mice. In contrast, PLC activities in brain cortex samples from PRIP‐1−/− mice were not different from those in the wild type mice, indicating that the hydrolysis of Ins(1,4,5)P3 is enhanced in cells from PRIP‐1−/− mice. In vitro analyses revealed that type1 inositol polyphosphate 5‐phosphatase physically interacted with a PH domain of PRIP‐1 (PRIP‐1PH) and its enzyme activity was inhibited by PRIP‐1PH. However, physical interaction with these two proteins did not appear to be the reason for the inhibition of enzyme activity, indicating that binding of Ins(1,4,5)P3 to the PH domain prevented its hydrolyzation. Together, these results indicate that PRIP‐1 plays an important role in regulating the Ins(1,4,5)P3‐mediated Ca2+ signaling by modulating type1 inositol polyphosphate 5‐phosphatase activity through binding to Ins(1,4,5)P3. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Early Indicators of Prognosis in Upper Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage

Objective:Endoscopy allows accurate risk stratification of patients presenting with gastrointestinal bleeding; frequently, however, it is not immediately available. Initial management and triage of patients thus depends on nonendoscopic information. We sought to risk stratify patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding using variables available on initial presentation (i.e., before endoscopy). Methods:A retrospective observational study was performed using data from 335 admissions with an initial diagnosis of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage. All patients underwent endoscopy and were evaluated for an adverse outcome during their hospitalization. An adverse outcome was defined as death, the need for any operation, recurrent hematemesis, recurrent melena after initial clearing, or a hematocrit falling despite transfusion.Results:Univariate analysis identified 17 distinct variables associated (p < 0.05) with an adverse outcome. A stepwise logistic regression identified five variables as independent predictors (p < 0.05) of an adverse outcome: an initial hematocrit <30%, initial systolic blood pressure <100 mm Hg, red blood in the nasogastric lavage, history of cirrhosis or ascites on exam, and a history of vomiting red blood. We derived a decision rule based on patients having 0–5 of these independent predictors. This decision rule allowed identification of a large patient population with a <10% chance of an adverse outcome.Conclusion:Risk stratification is possible from information available at the time of initial presentation. If confirmed in other populations, these predictors can be used to identify patients who require a less intensive level of care.
Cost measurement of mental disorders in Germany.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS OF THE STUDY Mental disorders are frequently investigated in economic evaluations. However, measuring direct costs of mental disorders is complex, in particular in Germany. We conducted a systematic review that investigated the following research questions: Which cost categories are assessed? Is the used data source (patient-reported data from interviews or questionnaires; claims data from health insurance; medical records from patient charts) associated with specific study characteristics? METHODS We conducted a systematic literature search in PubMed. We included cost-of-illness studies (COIs) and cost-effectiveness analyses (CEAs) that measured patient level data on direct costs of mental disorders in Germany. RESULTS We found 31 COIs and 17 CEAs. Cost items could be assigned to the cost categories outpatient medical, outpatient non-medical, sheltered living, hospital, rehabilitation, nursing care, outpatient goods (medication and medical goods), other direct costs, and indirect costs. Most studies, in particular COIs and studies conducted from a societal perspective, used patient-reported data which suited to assess cost categories comprehensively. Studies based on claims data or medical records tended to include fewer cost categories. DISCUSSION The sample size of 48 analyzed studies was rather small. However, our study investigated three methods to assess health care utilization -- using patient-reported data, claims data, or medical records -- and identified their respective strengths and weaknesses in the context of covered cost categories and further attributes. CONCLUSION Studies measuring the direct costs of mental disorders in Germany mostly relied on patient-reported data to assess resource consumption. Although more objective, claims data were used less frequently and covered less cost categories. IMPLICATIONS FOR HEALTH POLICIES The direct costs of mental disorders are likely to be underreported as relevant cost factors such as non-medical services or sheltered living were often neglected in the studies. Policy makers should consider this when deciding on measures that aim at reducing the costs of care. IMPLICATIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH Eliciting data from patients seems to constitute an adequate instrument to assess a broad range of cost categories, even though this bears various methodological challenges. Further research should (i) ameliorate the methods of collecting data from patients in ensuring that all relevant costs are covered and that methodological flaws are minimised (ii) develop or improve methods for the combination of claims data from different data holders.
Tumor microsatellite instability and clinical outcome in young patients with colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer can arise through two distinct mutational pathways: microsatellite instability or chromosomal instability. We tested the hypothesis that colorectal cancers arising from the microsatellite-instability pathway have distinctive clinical attributes that affect clinical outcome. METHODS We tested specimens of colorectal cancer from a population-based series of 607 patients (50 years of age or younger at diagnosis) for microsatellite instability. We compared the clinical features and survival of patients who had colorectal cancer characterized by high-frequency microsatellite instability with these characteristics in patients who had colorectal cancers with microsatellite stability. RESULT We found high-frequency microsatellite instability in 17 percent of the colorectal cancers in 607 patients, and in a multivariate analysis, microsatellite instability was associated with a significant survival advantage independently of all standard prognostic factors, including tumor stage (hazard ratio, 0.42; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.27 to 0.67; P< 0.001). Furthermore, regardless of the depth of tumor invasion, colorectal cancers with high-frequency microsatellite instability had a decreased likelihood of metastasizing to regional lymph nodes (odds ratio, 0.33; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.21 to 0.53; P< 0.001) or distant organs (odds ratio, 0.49; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.27 to 0.89; P=0.02). CONCLUSION High-frequency microsatellite instability in colorectal cancer is independently predictive of a relatively favorable outcome and, in addition, reduces the likelihood of metastases.
Returns to Investment in Distance Learning: the Case of Greece

In this paper we extent the literature on the rate of return to investment in Higher Education towards studies in distance learning Universities. In particular, we explore the difference in returns between graduates of a distance learning university (the Hellenic Open University - HOU) and applicants that were excluded by this university’s random selection process and did not study elsewhere. The data set was extracted from a database compiled from responses to a questionnaire which was part of a survey concerning HOU (the only Distance-learning University in Greece). A modified Mincer type model was estimated with fixed effects. Our findings suggest that graduates that have obtained a first degree from HOU enjoy a rate of return to education of about 8% higher than the rate of return obtained by those high school graduates that were not selected by this university. Moreover, Master’s degree graduates get about a 16.5% higher rate of return to education relatively to those applicants that were not selected for studies in HOU and did not study elsewhere. Additionally, our findings also show that the rates of return for higher education are high even after the 2008 economic crisis. These results suggest a straightforward policy implication: a distance learning University may not only be considered as a second chance to education for mature students, often facing time and budget restrictions, but, it may also be seen as a worthwhile private investment enabling a much higher private return. Moreover, from policymakers’ point of view, a distance learning university can be seen as a vehicle to reduce income inequalities and thus increase social mobility.
The effect of the relationship between punch velocity and particle size on the compaction behaviour of materials with varying deformation mechanisms

The effect of punch velocity over the range 0.033–300 mm s−1 on the compaction properties of lactose, microcrystalline cellulose and a drug substance (a phthalazine derivative) for a range of particle sizes has been studied using the yield pressure derived from the Heckel relationship and a strain rate sensitivity index (SRS index), as the criteria to describe their behaviour. For lactose, a material which deforms by a mixed mechanism of particle fracture and plastic deformation at the contact points, the yield pressure increased and the SRS index decreased as particle size decreased, due to a reduction in the amount of fragmentation of the particles. For microcrystalline cellulose, a material which is known to deform plastically, the yield pressure and the SRS index were independent of particle size. For the phthalazine derivative the yield pressure increased as particle size decreased; however the SRS index reduced from 41% to zero, indicating that the deformation mechanism was changing from plastic flow to brittle behaviour. This decrease in the SRS index has been explained in terms of the relative amounts of strain‐hardened material produced as milling severity increased, resulting in an increasing resistance to deformation and thus an apparent increase in brittle behaviour as particle size decreased.
Mutation screening of PDZD2, GOLPH3, and MTMR12 genes in patients with schizophrenia.

Department of Psychiatry, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bronx, New York, USA, San Juan Veteran Affairs Medical Center and University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico Correspondence to Irina N. Bespalova, PhD, Department of Psychiatry, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, One Gustave Levy Place, PO Box 1230, NY 10029, New York, USA Tel: + 1 212 659 8843; fax: + 1 212 659 5626; e-mail: irina.bespalova@mssm.edu
The reminiscence bump in autobiographical memory and for public events: A comparison across different cueing methods

The reminiscence bump has been found for both autobiographical memories and memories of public events. However, there have been few comparisons of the bump across each type of event. In the current study, therefore, we compared the bump for autobiographical memories versus the bump for memories of public events. We did so between-subjects, through two cueing methods administered within-subjects, the cue word method and the important memories method. For word-cued memories, we found a similar bump from ages 5 to 19 for both types of memories. However, the bump was more pronounced for autobiographical memories. For most important memories, we found a bump from ages 20 to 29 in autobiographical memory, but little discernible age pattern for public events. Rather, specific public events (e.g., the Fall of the Berlin Wall) dominated recall, producing a chronological distribution characterised by spikes in citations according to the years these events occurred. Follow-up analyses suggested that the bump in most important autobiographical memories was a function of the cultural life script. Our findings did not yield support for any of the dominant existing accounts of the bump as underlying the bump in word-cued memories.
Developing a conceptual model for examining social media marketing effects on brand awareness and brand image

Social-media marketing has attracted increasing attention from marketers, being regarded as one of the most important channels to communicate information about brands to consumers. Despite its growing importance, limited research has examined the influence of social-media marketing communications on consumers' brand knowledge. This paper addresses this gap in the literature, proposing a conceptual model for examining the impact of social-media-marketing dimensions on brand awareness and image across products with different involvement levels. The model seeks to enhance understanding of the influence of social-media-marketing communications on brands, across products with different involvement levels. Suggestions for the empirical investigation of the model are made.
MOSQUITO MORTALITY AND THE EVOLUTION OF MALARIA VIRULENCE

Abstract Several laboratory studies of malaria parasites (Plasmodium sp.) and some field observations suggest that parasite virulence, defined as the harm a parasite causes to its vertebrate host, is positively correlated with transmission. Given this advantage, what limits the continual evolution of higher parasite virulence? One possibility is that while more virulent strains are more infectious, they are also more lethal to mosquitoes. In this study, we tested whether the virulence of the rodent malaria parasite P. chabaudi in the laboratory mouse was correlated with the fitness of mosquitoes it subsequently infected. Mice were infected with one of seven genetically distinct clones of P. chabaudi that differ in virulence. Weight loss and anemia in infected mice were monitored for 16–17 days before Anopheles stephensi mosquitoes were allowed to take a blood meal from them. Infection virulence in mice was positively correlated with transmission to mosquitoes (infection rate) and weakly associated with parasite burden (number of oocysts). Mosquito survival fell with increasing oocyst burden, but there was no overall statistically significant relationship between virulence in mice and mosquito mortality. Thus, there was no evidence that more virulent strains are more lethal to mosquitoes. Both vector survival and fecundity depended on parasite clone, and contrary to expectations, mosquitoes fed on infections more virulent to mice were more fecund. The strong parasite genetic effects associated with both fecundity and survival suggests that vector fitness could be an important selective agent shaping malaria population genetics and the evolution of phenotypes such as virulence in the vector.
Determinants of Health Seeking Behaviour in Uganda - Is It Just Income and User Fees That Are Important?

This paper uses Uganda National Household Survey (UNHS) data to investigate, via a discrete choice model, the main determinants associated with seeking private, government and pharmacy based health care, for both adults and children. More specifically, and particularly important given that almost 40% of the Ugandan population are below the poverty line and that policies on user fees have recently changed, we investigate if income and user fees are the main factors which influence health care demand in Uganda. After controlling for endogenously issues we find that income is strongly associated with increased health care usage, across all age ranges but especially for women, and that user fees are less significant that one might first expect, especially when compared to having a health unit within close proximity. Furthermore, we find significant differences in health seeking behavior to be related to age and gender, and that increased levels of education are consistently associated with a transfer away from government provided health care, possibly indicating that people regard its quality as inferior.
Culturable microbiota of ranched southern bluefin tuna (Thunnus maccoyii Castelnau)

The Australian tuna industry is based on the ranching of wild southern bluefin tuna (SBT, Thunnus maccoyii). Within this industry, only opportunistic pathogens have been reported infecting external wounds of fish. This study aimed to identify different culturable bacteria present in three cohorts of SBT and to determine normal bacteria and potential pathogens in isolates from harvest fish and moribund/dead fish. Post‐mortem changes in the microbiota were also studied.
Stylistic Analysis of Election Banners of Ruling andOpposition Parties in 2016 Sarawak State Election

This paper presents a stylistic analysis of election banners put up by the ruling and opposition parties during the 2016 state election campaign in Sarawak, Malaysia. The specific aspects analysed were the graphetic, typographical and textual features. Election banners put up during the 2016 state election in three cities in Sarawak were photographed. Using Crystal and Davy’s (2006) framework, 30 election banners were analysed. The results showed different use of banner space by the ruling and opposition parties. The ruling party banners usually have the photograph of the candidate, sometimes side by side with the chief minister’s photograph. The opposition parties put more text on the banners, often capitalised for emphasis. Most of the election banners conveyed clear messages using factual and literal language. In trying to fit as many words as possible into the banner to highlight pertinent issues to the electorate, the opposition parties tended to use phrases separated by commas but the ruling party banners had short sentences, mostly stating the party and candidate to vote for. The study showed that the ruling and opposition political parties use different strategies in their election banners to persuade voters because of their differential status and position in the society.
Essential Role of the Response Regulator Rrp2 in the Infectious Cycle of Borrelia burgdorferi

ABSTRACT Alteration of surface lipoprotein profiles is a key strategy that the Lyme disease pathogen, Borrelia burgdorferi, has evolved to be maintained within its enzootic cycle between arthropods and mammals. Accumulated evidence indicates that the central regulatory pathway controlling differential gene expression by B. burgdorferi is the RpoN-RpoS pathway (the σ54-σS sigma factor cascade). It was previously shown that activation of the RpoN-RpoS pathway is controlled by Rrp2, a two-component response regulator and σ54-dependent transcriptional activator. The role of Rrp2 in the infectious cycle of B. burgdorferi has not been determined heretofore. In this report, we demonstrate that an rrp2 mutant defective in activating σ54-dependent transcription was unable to establish infection in mice, but the rrp2 mutant was capable of surviving within ticks during and after tick feeding. Because the rrp2 mutant was defective in the production of OspC, an outer surface lipoprotein essential for mammalian host infection, we further examined whether the loss of infectivity of the rrp2 mutant was solely due to the inability to produce OspC. While transformation with a shuttle vector carrying ospC under the control of a constitutive flaB promoter restored infection to an ospC mutant in immunodeficient SCID mice, it could not rescue the avirulent phenotype of the rrp2 mutant. These data indicate that, in addition to controlling OspC, Rrp2 controls another factor(s) essential for B. burgdorferi to establish infection in mammals. Furthermore, microarray analyses revealed that 125 and 19 genes were positively and negatively regulated, respectively, by Rrp2, which provides a foundation for future identification of additional Rrp2-dependent virulence determinants in B. burgdorferi.
Simultaneous targeting of prostate stem cell antigen and prostate‐specific membrane antigen improves the killing of prostate cancer cells using a novel modular T cell‐retargeting system

Recently, we described a novel modular platform technology in which T cell‐recruitment and tumor‐targeting domains of conventional bispecific antibodies are split to independent components, a universal effector module (EM) and replaceable monospecific/monovalent target modules (TMs) that form highly efficient T cell‐retargeting complexes. Theoretically, our unique strategy should allow us to simultaneously retarget T cells to different tumor antigens by combining the EM with two or more different monovalent/monospecific TMs or even with bivalent/bispecific TMs, thereby overcoming limitations of a monospecific treatment such as the selection of target‐negative tumor escape variants.
Patterns of cigarette sales and lung cancer mortality in some central and eastern European countries, 1960‐1989

Background. Remarkable increases in lung cancer risk recently have been observed in the Central and Eastern European (CEE) area. This study examines the patterns of lung cancer mortality rates and cigarette sales in 1960‐1989 in seven CEE countries with a total population of 97.5 million and 43,000 deaths from lung cancer in the last year under study.
Trusting Clients’ Financial Risk Tolerance Survey Scores

We examine whether and to what extent financial advisers can trust financial risk tolerance scores derived from client survey responses. We propose using the standard deviation of standardized survey responses as a simple, practical measure for determining the reliability of client risk tolerance measures. Our findings suggest that advisers will better discharge their fiduciary responsibilities by reexamining a client’s survey results if there is substantial variation in that client’s standardized survey responses and resurveying such clients to better gauge their risk tolerance scores. Dislosure: The authors report no conflicts of interest. Editor’s Note Submitted 26 December 2017 Accepted 15 January 2019 by Stephen J. Brown