Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Demand for Life Insurance Policy Loans

Previous research has examined the demand for life insurance policy loans using aggregate policy loan data. In contrast, we use a detailed household survey data set containing life insurance and policy loan information to alternatively, and in some cases more directly, examine the four hypotheses traditionally associated with policy loan demand. Our research provides the first U.S. evidence (in the post–World War II period) in support of the policy loan emergency fund hypothesis. In particular, we find that the more detailed emergency fund proxies used here reveal a significantly positive relation between loan demand and recent expense or income shocks.
Why an auditor can't be competent and independent: A french case study

Abstract This research proposes an understanding of the role of the relationship between the finance director and the auditor in the audit process and its effect on audit quality. We adopt an interpretative and qualitative approach. Based on 60 interviews, this qualitative method is the object of an interpretative process, composed of two complementary theoretical fields: contractual economic theories and economic sociology. Two notions emerge from this process, which are considered as the interpretation bases: relationship dualism (professional/personal relationship) and hybrid trust. This interpretative conception leads to a redefinition of the relationship between a finance director and an auditor as a peers' relationship. The emergence conditions of a peers' relationship are the sharing of professional and cultural norms, the frequency of relationship and the multiplexity of relationship. A peers' relationship is characterised by a hybrid trust, a joint generation of knowledge and a role equality. This parity conception of a relationship leads to a new reading of the foundations of audit quality that are auditor independence and competence. Audit quality appears as a balance between its two determinants, competence and independence.
Determinants of Employee Involvement Practices in Manufacturing Enterprises

Faced with today's dynamic and competitive environment, manufacturing enterprise successes rely significantly on using the workforce's entire capacity to generate new ways of working and to make relevant and timely decisions. This paper identifies the determinants of employee involvement (EI), and discusses the employment of EI practices and its influences on the organizational performance of manufacturing enterprises with particular reference to both electronics and plastics industry sectors in Hong Kong. Incorporating the empirical findings of a recent study, an analytical digest of managerial views on critical factors, sub-factors and benefits of EI adoption is presented. A generic decision framework for EI adoption is elaborated using the analytical hierarchy process technique. The study found that management commitment, rewards and motivation were the most critical factors; clear corporate mission, continuous improvement and both extrinsic rewards and intrinsic rewards were the dominating sub-factors of EI adoption. Effective involvement practices could bring along attainable employee satisfaction, quality improvement and productivity enhancement in manufacturing enterprises.
Building a Multidimensional Wellbeing Index for Rural Populations in Northeastern Namibia

Growing awareness of the limitations of conventional development indicators to adequately capture the full human experience provides an opportunity to adopt more holistic concepts such as wellbeing. However, operational and quantification challenges must be addressed to propose measures that can guide and monitor the impacts of development policies. We developed a multidimensional wellbeing index based on existing research and participatory methods to understand and quantify wellbeing in the context of rural northeastern Namibia. We present our index to provide a practical tool for policy-makers and analysts in the region and in other developing countries. We interviewed a random sample (n = 395) in five communities and built a multidimensional wellbeing index comprised of sub-indices for subjective wellbeing, health, wealth, education, and surrounding economic, social, political and infrastructural contexts. We improve upon existing measures by incorporating local preferences of different life domains and by the ability to disaggregate wellbeing assessments at different scales.
Commercial Real Estate Returns

In the commercial real estate market, which is perceived to be relatively inefficient, investors have comparative advantages; hence there are significant costs to diversification. This paper presents for the first time a series of market (or quasi-market) returns for a large data base. This data base is believed to be the most complete commercial real estate data base yet constructed. The paper empirically evaluates the benefits of diversification along various dimensions within the commercial real estate opportunity set. The analysis confirms certain aspects of prior work concerning inflation protection and diversification opportunities while concluding that even investment grade real estate investments are heterogeneous assets. Copyright American Real Estate and Urban Economics Association.
The relationship between financial development indicators and human development in India

Purpose - – The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between financial development indicators and human development in India using annual data from 1980-2012. Design/methodology/approach - – The Ng-Perron unit root test is used to check for the order of integration of the variables. The long run relationship and short run dynamics are examined by implementing the ARDL bounds testing approach to co-integration. Granger’s non-causality test and variance decomposition techniques are also used to examine the impact of financial development indicators on human development. Findings - – The results confirm a long run relationship among the variables. The results of granger non causality indicate that unidirectional causality runs from financial development indicators to human development index (HDI). The variance decomposition analysis shows that among all the financial indicators, broad money supply (M3) has the largest contribution to changes in human development in India. Research limitations/implications - – The present study recommends for appropriate reforms in financial market to attain sustainable human development in India. The findings will be useful for India’s policy makers, in order to maintain the parallel expansion of financial development and human development. Originality/value - – This paper is first of its kind to empirically examine the casual relationship between financial development indicators and human capital development proxied by HDI in India by using modern econometric techniques.
Between field and table: environmental implications of local food distribution

Local food has been championed as a sustainable alternative to the industrial food system for many reasons, including a perceived environmental benefit through an expected decrease in the energy needed for transport from farm to market. The environmental benefit of local food, however, has been clouded by questions surrounding the energy footprint of small-scale distribution methods that do not enjoy economies of scale. Several studies have found local food to be as energy intensive as imported food due to very inefficient distribution methods; a case study of a Calgary, Canada restaurant, explores this issue. A description of FoodRoots, a local food distributor in Victoria, Canada, with a mandate to promote a local sustainable food system by creating the infrastructure link between consumers and growers and processors, illustrates one method of addressing this problem. Their 'Pocket Markets' represent a less energy-intensive distribution method for local food.
Effect of remote ischemic postconditioning on patients undergoing living donor liver transplantation

The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of remote ischemic postconditioning (RIPostC) on graft function and acute kidney injury (AKI) after living donor liver transplantation (LT). Recipients undergoing elective living donor LT were randomly assigned to either the RIPostC group or the control group. Immediately after reperfusion, 4 cycles of ischemia and reperfusion lasting for 5 minutes each were performed on 1 upper limb in the RIPostC group. Graft function was assessed through evaluations of the serum levels of total bilirubin and liver enzymes and the prothrombin time for 28 days after surgery. The incidence of AKI, as defined by the Risk, Injury, Failure, Loss, and End‐Stage Kidney Disease classification, was evaluated within 28 days of the operation. In addition, the incidences of graft dysfunction, acute cellular rejection, and major complications; the 1‐, 3‐, and 6‐month mortality rates; the length of stay in the intensive care unit; and the length of hospital stay were also investigated. In all, 78 patients were enrolled in the analysis (n = 39 in each group). No differences in graft function or clinical outcomes were observed between the groups. The incidences of postoperative AKI were 38% (n = 15) in the RIPostC group and 72% (n = 28) in the control group (P = 0.006). Despite no improvements in postoperative graft function, RIPostC decreased the incidence of postoperative AKI after living donor LT in this study. However, no other clinical benefits with respect to the complication rate, length of hospital stay, or short‐term mortality rate were observed. Thus, further studies will be needed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of RIPostC in LT fully. Liver Transpl 20:1383‐1392, 2014. © 2014 AASLD.
Valuing marine parks in a small island developing state: a travel cost analysis in Seychelles

Abstract A major problem facing the Seychelles islands is the decline in the quality and the value of marine protected areas (MPAs). Economic valuation can help guide policy makers to understand the value of marine resources and the cost of neglecting MPAs by expressing the value of their goods and services in monetary terms. This paper presents an analysis of the economic value of a group of marine parks in Seychelles. The travel cost method is used to establish willingness-to-pay of international tourists for trips to marine parks in Seychelles from their observed behaviour. The average per-trip consumer surplus is approximately €128 for single-site visitors and €65 for multiple-site visitors. The total social welfare value attributable to the recreational opportunity in marine parks is approximately €3.7 million annually. These results provide policy makers with a strong justification for government investment needed to maintain marine sites in Seychelles.
Intake of trans fatty acids from partially hydrogenated vegetable and fish oils and ruminant fat in relation to cancer risk

Intake of trans fatty acids (TFA) may influence systemic inflammation, insulin resistance and adiposity, but whether TFA intake influences cancer risk is insufficiently studied. We examined the association between TFA intake from partially hydrogenated vegetable oils (PHVO‐TFA), partially hydrogenated fish oils (PHFO‐TFA), and ruminant fat (rTFA) and cancer risk in the Norwegian counties study, a large cohort study with a participation rate >80%. TFA intake was assessed three times in 1974–1988 by questionnaire. A total of 77,568 men and women were followed up through 2007, during which time 12,004 cancer cases occurred. Hazard ratios (HRs) and confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated with Cox regression for cancer sites with ≥150 cases during follow‐up. Significantly increased or decreased risks were found when comparing the highest and lowest intake categories (HRs, 95% CIs) for PHVO‐TFA and pancreatic cancer in men (0.52, 0.31–0.87) and non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) in both genders (0.70, 0.50–0.98); PHFO‐TFA and rectal cancer (1.43, 1.09–1.88), prostate cancer (0.82, 0.69–0.96), and multiple myeloma (2.02, 1.24–3.28); and rTFA and all cancers (1.09, 1.02–1.16), cancer of the mouth/pharynx (1.59, 1.08–2.35), NHL (1.47, 1.06–2.04) and multiple myeloma (0.45, 0.24–0.84). Furthermore, positive trends were found for PHFO‐TFA and stomach cancer (ptrend = 0.01) and rTFA and postmenopausal breast cancer (ptrend = 0.03). Inverse trends were found for PHVO‐TFA and all cancers (ptrend = 0.006) and cancer of the central nervous system in women (ptrend = 0.005). PHFO‐TFA, but not PHVO‐TFA, seemed to increase cancer risk. The increased risks observed for rTFA may be linked to saturated fat.
Pythons metabolize prey to fuel the response to feeding

We investigated the energy source fuelling the post–feeding metabolic upregulation (specific dynamic action, SDA) in pythons (Python regius). Our goal was to distinguish between two alternatives: (i) snakes fuel SDA by metabolizing energy depots from their tissues; or (ii) snakes fuel SDA by metabolizing their prey. To characterize the postprandial response of pythons we used transcutaneous ultrasonography to measure organ–size changes and respirometry to record oxygen consumption. To discriminate unequivocally between the two hypotheses, we enriched mice (= prey) with the stable isotope of carbon (⊃13C). For two weeks after feeding we quantified the CO⊂2 exhaled by pythons and determined its isotopic ⊃13C/⊃12C signature. Ultrasonography and respirometry showed typical postprandial responses in pythons. After feeding, the isotope ratio of the exhaled breath changed rapidly to values that characterized enriched mouse tissue, followed by a very slow change towards less enriched values over a period of two weeks after feeding. We conclude that pythons metabolize their prey to fuel SDA. The slowly declining δ⊃13C values indicate that less enriched tissues (bone, cartilage and collagen) from the mouse become available after several days of digestion.
Prostaglandins as Putative Neurotoxins in Alzheimer's Disease

Abstract Chronic inflammatory reactions in the brain appear to be one of the primary etiological factors in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). This is supported by the fact that the secretory products of inflammatory reactions, which include cytokines, complement proteins, adhesion molecules, and free radicals, are neurotoxic. We have recently reported that prostaglandins (PGs), which are also released during inflammatory reactions, cause rapid degenerative changes in differentiated murine neuroblastoma cells (NB) in culture. PGA1 is more effective than PGE1. Similar observations were made in a primary culture of fetal rat hippocampal cells. Epidemiological and clinical studies on AD also support the involvement of PGs in neuronal degeneration. Thus, we propose a hypothesis that PGs are one of the major extracellular signals that initiate neuronal degeneration, which is mediated by intracellular signals such as the β-amyloid peptide (Aβ) and ubiquitin, since the levels of these proteins are increased by PG treatment. We further suggest that adenosine 3′, 5′-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) is one of the factors that regulate the levels of both Aβ and ubiquitin in NB cells. Increases in the level of Ap in NB cells following an elevation of intracellular cAMP levels appear to be due to an increase in the rate of processing of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) rather than an increase in the expression of APP. The mechanisms underlying Aβ-induced neuronal degeneration have been under intense investigation, and several mechanisms of action have been proposed. We postulate that PG-induced elevation of Aβ may lead to an increased binding of Aβ to the 20S proteasome, resulting in a reduction of 20S proteasome-mediated degradation of ubiquitin-conjugated proteins. This is predicted to lead to an increase in an accumulation of abnormal proteins, which ultimately contribute to neuronal degeneration and death. Based on our hypothesis and on studies published by others, we propose that a combination of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which inhibit the synthesis of PGs, and antioxidant vitamins, which quench free radicals and both of which have been recently reported to be of some value in AD treatment when used individually, may be much more effective in the prevention and treatment of AD than the individual agents alone.
Full-thickness Skin Grafts: Clinical Observations on the Impact of Using Epinephrine in Local Anesthesia of the Donor Site

Background and Design: A recent animal study indicated that epinephrine in local anesthesia adversely affects the survival of full-thickness skin grafts. Because animal models do not always correlate to humans, we performed a prospective observational study to elucidate the clinical outcome of using epinephrine in local anesthesia of the donor site. Seventy-two patients had cutaneous tumors excised by the Mohs micrographic technique. The resultant surgical defects were repaired using full-thickness skin grafts. Patients were randomly divided into two groups based on the local anesthetic used at the donor site: (1) 1% lidocaine (Xylocaine) (n=33) or (2) 1% lidocaine with 1:100 000 epinephrine (n=39). Results: Assessment of the skin grafts at 1 week revealed a significantly increased risk of developing graft complications in the lidocaine with epinephrine group compared with the plain lidocaine group. The overall cosmetic outcome of the grafted site at 6 weeks revealed no significant difference between the two groups. Conclusions: Because there was only a minimal clinical effect of epinephrine on graft survival observed at 1 week and there was no effect on the 6-week cosmetic outcome, we do not recommend harvesting all full-thickness skin grafts with plain lidocaine. In certain clinical circumstances with compromised vascular supply or poor oxygenation, the use of plain lidocaine may be advantageous. (Arch Dermatol. 1995;131:691-694)
The shdA Gene Is Restricted to Serotypes ofSalmonella enterica Subspecies I and Contributes to Efficient and Prolonged Fecal Shedding

ABSTRACT Little is known about factors which enable Salmonellaserotypes to circulate within populations of livestock and domestic fowl. We have identified a DNA region which is present inSalmonella serotypes commonly isolated from livestock and domestic fowl (S. enterica subspecies I) but absent from reptile-associated Salmonella serotypes (S. bongori and S. enterica subspecies II to VII). This DNA region was cloned from Salmonella serotype Typhimurium and sequence analysis revealed the presence of a 6,105-bp open reading frame, designated shdA, whose product's deduced amino acid sequence displayed homology to that of AIDA-I from diarrheagenicEscherichia coli, MisL of serotype Typhimurium, and IcsA ofShigella flexneri. The shdA gene was located adjacent to xseA at 52 min, in a 30-kb DNA region which is not present in Escherichia coli K-12. A serotype Typhimurium shdA mutant was shed with the feces in reduced numbers and for a shorter period of time compared to its isogenic parent. A possible role for the shdA gene during the expansion in host range of S. enterica subspecies I to include warm-blooded vertebrates is discussed.
Race, Class, and Education: The Politics of Second-Generation Discrimination.

While most school systems have undergone some formal desegregation to eliminate inequities in access to education, inequities and discrimination nonetheless remain. In this study covering 170 major school districts during the years between 1968 and 1984, the authors discuss the remaining obstacles to equal opportunity in education. Clustering of students into separate classes or groups of classes based on perceived learning potential is one form of discrimination that remains; disciplinary policy resulting in suspension or expulsion is the other. Based on their findings, Meier, Stewart, and England argue that the single most important factor in improving the access of black students to equal educational opportunities is having black teachers in the classroom, a goal attainable through use of the political system. In a very concise book, Meier, Stewart, and England . build a damning case against standard education policies as contributors to the resegregation of our schools. In the process, they give us an excellent example of what good policy analysis is by carefully blending empirical documentation with evaluation and prescription. Mary Kweit, "Public Administration Review""
Characterization of early, chitin-induced gene expression in Arabidopsis.

Three genes (i.e., a zinc finger protein, a lectin-like protein, and AtMPK3), previously shown to respond to chitin elicitation in microarray experiments, were used to examine the response of Arabidopsis spp. to chitin addition. Maximum induction for all three genes was found upon addition of crab-shell chitin at 100 mg per liter. Threefold induction was found with a chitin concentration as low as 10(-4) mg per liter. The specificity of this response was examined using purified chitin oligomers (degree of polymerization = 2 to 8). The larger chitin oligomers (hexamer to octamer), were most effective in inducing expression of the three genes assayed. Gene induction was observed after the addition of 1 nM chitin octamer. The protein kinase inhibitors staurosporine and K252a effectively suppressed chitin-induced gene expression, while the protein phosphatase inhibitors calyculin A and okadaic acid induced the accumulation of mRNA in the absence of chitin. The phosphorylation event necessary for transmission of the chitin signal was completed within the first 20 min of chitin addition. The level of chitin-induced gene expression of the lectin-like protein and AtMPK3 was not significantly changed in mutants blocked in the jasmonic acid (JA, jar1)-, ethylene (ein2)-, or salicylic acid (SA, pad4, npr1, and eds5)-dependent pathway. In contrast, expression of mRNA for the zinc finger protein was reduced in the mutants affected in the JA- or SA-dependent pathway.
[One night treatment of obstructive sleep apnea and hypopnea syndrome with nasopharyngeal airway].

OBJECTIVE To investigate the therapeutical effect and feasibility of treating obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) with nasopharyngeal airway. METHODS Thirty-two OSAHS patients were treated with silicone nasopharyngeal airway for one night. Each patient had Somite polysomnography (PSG) for the first night and repeated PSG with the nasopharyngeal airway treatment for the second night. PSG parameters were compared between the two nights. With normal distribution data in (x(-) +/- s), Paired-Samples t test was used. RESULTS Overall patient tolerance of the nasopharyngeal airway for one night was 90.6% (29/32). With the nasopharyngeal airway treatment, the AHI of the 29 patients decreased from (44.7 +/- 16.0)/h to (14.6 +/- 10.0)/h, the longest time of apnea shortened from (44.3 +/- 11.5) s to (30.1 +/- 13.2) s, the lowest arterial oxygen saturation increased from (0.722 +/- 0.080) to (0.861 +/- 0.070) and the percentage of sleep time with arterial oxygen saturation < 0.90 decreased from (19.2 +/- 18.0)% to (1.5 +/- 4.0)%. Data showed obvious therapeutical effect (Paired-Samples t test, P < 0.001). The subject symptoms of the 29 patients improved obviously that night with treatment and the following day after treatment. The therapeutical successful rate for one night was 65.5% (19/29, a reduction of AHI by 50% and AHI < 20/h). The noneffective reason of the six patients was probably that they had higher proportion of tongue base obstruction. CONCLUSIONS The single-night preliminary experiment shows that the treatment using nasopharyngeal airway has obvious therapeutical effect for OSAHS patients with retropalatal obstruction and provides clinical evidence for developing a new treatment approach in the future. In addition, based on the result of nasopharyngeal airway treatment, the obstruction level may be evaluated.