Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Public Spending Reallocations and Economic Growth Across Different Income Levels

This paper examines the effects of public spending reallocations on economic growth. Assembling a disaggregated public spending dataset of 83 countries over the 1970-2011 period, we show that spending reallocations towards education, from health and social protection, have significant growth-promoting effects across a wide range of countries' income levels. However, income heterogeneity matters, particularly when reallocations involve infrastructure spending. Specifically, a reallocation from this spending to education also promotes growth, albeit primarily when the income level is low. This occurs because the effects of infrastructure spending are particularly weak in low-income countries, possibly due to the low quality of governance.
Association of aortic plaque with intracranial atherosclerosis in patients with stroke

Objective: To determine whether there is a relationship between aortic plaques and intracranial (IC) atherosclerosis. Methods: We reviewed 922 patients with stroke who had both transesophageal echocardiography and cerebral angiography. The plaques of these patients were classified as either complex aortic plaques (CAP), which protruded ≥4 mm or were present as mobile lesions in the proximal aorta, or simple aortic plaques (SAP), which were <4 mm or present in the descending aorta. Cerebral artery atherosclerosis was classified as either an IC or extracranial (EC) atherosclerosis. Results: Among the 922 patients, we found aortic plaques in 237 patients (26%). There were 111 (47%) patients of SAP, 74 (31%) patients with CAP, and 52 (22%) patients that had both SAP and CAP. Angiography showed IC or EC atherosclerosis in 511 patients (55%). The presence of aortic plaques was significantly associated with IC or EC atherosclerosis. The significance appeared to be due to the strong association between the presence of SAP and IC atherosclerosis (51% SAP vs 35% no plaques; odds ratio = 1.94, 95% CI: 1.17 to 3.21). In the multiple logistic regression analysis, SAP were independent predictors of IC atherosclerosis Conclusions: The presence of simple aortic plaques may be a marker of advanced vascular disease. Detection of simple aortic plaques during transesophageal echocardiography may have clinical implications because patients with these plaques frequently had concomitant intracranial atherosclerosis, a risk factor for stroke.
Arterial Wall Stiffness in Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus

The arterial wall stiffness in the common femoral artery was determined by means of an ultrasound technique in 47 ***insulin-dependent diabetics and 24 controls aged 20 to 39 years. They were all without vascular symptoms and signs, and were selected in such a way that they were thought to be free of age correlated changes. Furthermore, patients in potential risk groups, as for arterial disease of non-diabetic type, were excluded. The arterial wall stiffness was significantly increased in the diabetic group as compared with a control group. Furthermore, there was a significant correlation to the diabetic duration. Possible pathogenetic reasons are discussed.
Designing futures for peer-to-peer learning @ CSCW

Open, online learning environments, such as massive open online courses (MOOCs) and open learning communities have been promoted as a way to expand equitable access to quality education. Such learning experiences are potentially enriched via extensive networks of peer learners. Even though challenges exist to realize these aspirations, open, online learning environments can serve as a mechanism for how we provide transformative learning experiences. This workshop aims to bring researchers and practitioners from diverse disciplinary backgrounds to explore how the body of CSCW knowledge can better support the vision of sustaining peer-to-peer learning in online environments. Integrating contributions from designers, researchers, and practitioners at the intersection of CSCW & education, participants will co-create future visions and proposed implementations for open, online learning environments.
Zinc to Treat Tinnitus in the Elderly: A Randomized Placebo Controlled Crossover Trial

Objective Several reports suggest that zinc, which is involved in several neural transmissions systems throughout the auditory pathway, might help some tinnitus patients. However, previous studies used inadequate experimental designs. Therefore, we tested the effectiveness of zinc to reduce tinnitus. Study Design Randomized, prospective double-blind placebo-controlled design. Setting Tertiary referral center. Patients Tinnitus subjects older than 60 years, who are more likely to have a zinc deficiency. Intervention(s) In Phase 1, 58 subjects were randomized to receive 50 mg of zinc per day for 4 months, and 58 subjects received a placebo. After a 1-month washout period, the 2 groups were crossed over to receive the alternative regime (Phase 2). Main Outcome Measure Difference scores between before and after measures of the Tinnitus Handicap Questionnaire. Changes on the difference scores 20 or greater were considered as a statistically significant and, therefore, clinically meaningful improvement for THQ. Results Five percent (5 of 93 patients) had an improvement of 20 points or greater in THQ scores after zinc treatment, whereas 2% (2 of 94 patients) had an improvement of 20 or greater in THQ scores after placebo. The difference between 2 proportions is 5/93 - 2/94 = 0.03, the estimate of relative improvement is (5/93) / (2/94) = 2.53, with 95% confidence interval from 0.5 to 12.7. From chi-square independent test, there was no significant evidence that patients treated by zinc improved better than those treated by placebo (X2 (1) = 1.4, p > 0.05). The observed power in THQ for zinc is 0.16, and that for placebo is 0.06. Conclusion Zinc is not an effective treatment for tinnitus in this subgroup of patients.
Test liquids for quantitative MRI measurements of self‐diffusion coefficient in vivo

A range of liquids suitable as quality control test objects for measuring the accuracy of clinical MRI diffusion sequences (both apparent diffusion coefficient and tensor) has been identified and characterized. The self‐diffusion coefficients for 15 liquids (3 cyclic alkanes: cyclohexane to cyclooctane, 9 n‐alkanes: n‐octane to n‐hexadecane, and 3 n‐alcohols: ethanol to 1‐propanol) were measured at 15–30°C using an NMR spectrometer. Values at 22°C range from 0.36 to 2.2 10−9 m2s−1. Typical 95% confidence limits are ±2%. Temperature coefficients are 1.7–3.2 %/°C. T1 and T2 values at 1.5 T and proton density are given. n‐tridecane has a diffusion coefficient close to that of normal white matter. The longer n‐alkanes may be useful T2 standards. Measurements from a spin‐echo MRI sequence agreed to within 2%. Magn Reson Med 43:368–374, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Intermittent hypoxia in obese Zucker rats: cardiometabolic and inflammatory effects

What is the central question of this study? This study addresses the relative impact of obesity and intermittent hypoxia in the pathophysiological process of obstructive sleep apnoea by investigating the metabolic, inflammatory and cardiovascular consequences of intermittent hypoxia in lean and obese Zucker rats. What is the main finding and its importance? We found that obesity and intermittent hypoxia have mainly distinct consequences on the investigated inflammatory and cardiometabolic parameters in Zucker rats. This suggests that, for a given severity of sleep apnea, the association of obesity and obstructive sleep apnoea may not necessarily be deleterious.
Pay Gap and Performance in China

The growing gap between the pay of executives and employees has been the subject of much media publicity and political attention in recent times. We analyze the pay gap between executives and employees, focusing on three components: executive pay premium relative to industry peers; employee pay premium; and average pay gap at the industry level. We examine how the executive and employee pay premium components of the pay gap drive firm performance. On one hand, economic theories of matching and managerial talent suggest talented executives who generate relatively better firm performance receive wage premiums, implying a positive relation between pay gap and performance. On the other hand, sociological theories suggest that the inequity implied by a larger pay gap lowers firm performance by adversely affecting employee morale and productivity. To test these alternative theories, we utilize pay gap data from China that provides a setting with strong national preferences towards social equity but also with a scarcity of experienced managers and abundance of low-cost labour. Our results strongly support the economic theories—firm performance is largely driven by pay premium for executive talent. Additional tests using a smaller sample of US firms with pay gap data are consistent with our primary findings. Our study is likely to be of interest to politicians, regulators, and company executives responsible for understanding and evaluating pay gap and executive pay.
Ischemia-induced calpain activation causes eukaryotic (translation) initiation factor 4G1 (eIF4GI) degradation, protein synthesis inhibition, and neuronal death

Persistent protein synthesis inhibition (PSI) is a robust predictor of eventual neuronal death following cerebral ischemia. We thus tested the hypothesis that persistent PSI inhibition and neuronal death are causally linked. Neuronal viability strongly correlated with both protein synthesis and levels of eukaryotic (translation) initiation factor 4G1 (eIF4G1). We determined that in vitro ischemia activated calpain, which degraded eIF4G1. Overexpression of the calpain inhibitor calpastatin or eIF4G1 resulted in increased protein synthesis and increased neuronal viability compared with controls. The neuroprotective effect of eIF4G1 overexpression was due to restoration of cap-dependent protein synthesis, as well as protein synthesis-independent mechanisms, as inhibition of protein synthesis with cycloheximide did not completely prevent the protective effect of eIF4G1 overexpression. In contrast, shRNA-mediated silencing of eIF4G1 exacerbated ischemia-induced neuronal injury, suggesting eIF4G1 is necessary for maintenance of neuronal viability. Finally, calpain inhibition following global ischemia in vivo blocked decreases in eIF4G1, facilitated protein synthesis, and increased neuronal viability in ischemia-vulnerable hippocampal CA1 neurons. Collectively, these data demonstrate that calpain-mediated degradation of a translation initiation factor, eIF4G1, is a cause of both persistent PSI and neuronal death.
A Stochastic Brand Choice Framework for Econometric Modeling of Time Series Market Share Behavior

The two main purposes of this article are (1) to develop a model of individual behavior in the choice of brands which can be aggregated over consumers to produce a model of market share behavior of brands and (2) to show how modern multiple time series analysis can be applied within the general structure we develop to choose among specific alternative models. Starting at the individual level, we devise a stochastic brand choice model. The character of consumer heterogeneity is specified, permitting aggregation. The aggregation allows a model of aggregate brand switching to be derived as well as a model of market share behavior through time. Panel data are analyzed in terms of brand switching and market share behavior.
Influx of refugees: Integration as a key challenge

In 2015 and 2016, more than one million refugees arrived in Germany. While granting these migrants access to the country is an expression of humanitarian responsibility, their subsequent integration into the labor market is primarily a challenge for economic policy. For a wide range of outcomes, from unemployment to the stability of social security systems, successful labour market integration holds the key to reducing long run costs from the refugee influx. This paper outlines the implications for the provision of education and training, as well as for labour market and housing policy. They comprise a sustained effort to enhance the qualifications and skills of recognised asylum applicants, reforms geared to incentivising residential construction, and measures to improve labour market flexibility and (self-)employment opportunities.
[Imatinib combined with modified hyper-CVAD/MA followed by allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in CR1 as the front-line therapy for adult Ph(+) acute lymphoblastic leukemia].

OBJECTIVE To explore the efficacy of imatinib (IM)-based chemotherapy followed by allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) in first complete remission (CR1) for adult Ph(+) acute lymphoblastic leukemia \[Ph(+)-ALL\]. METHODS From March 2006 to December 2010, 16 adult Ph(+)-ALL were enrolled in the study. All patients received IM combined with standard VDCP ± L as induction therapy then intensive consolidation with modified Hyper-CVAD/MA regimen plus IM, and followed by allo-SCT in CR1. Some of them received IM maintenance therapy after allo-SCT. With the follow up to March 31, 2011, the clinical parameters. overall survival (OS), disease free survival (DFS), relapse incidence (RI), non-relapse mortality (NRM) and prognostic factors were analyzed. RESULTS All 16 patients achieved morphological complete remission (CR), and 10 of them achieved molecular CR. After transplantation, all patients obtained successful engraftments. With a median follow-up of 27.1 (7.4 - 65.8) months, 14 patients were alive, 2 died from NRM, and 2 relapsed. The estimated OS and DFS at 3 year were (85.9 ± 9.3)% and (83.9 ± 10.5)%, and cumulative RI and NRM at 3 year were (16.1 ± 10.5)% and (14.1 ± 9.3)%, respectively. None prognostic factor was found on analysis. CONCLUSION IM combined with intensive chemotherapy significantly increased the CR rate and improved the quality of CR, which prepared the feasibility of allo-SCT in CR1. IM therapy pre- and post-allo-SCT would be a promising strategy for adult Ph(+)-ALL to decrease relapse and facilitates favorable OS and DFS.
MiR-146b-5p Promotes Metastasis and Induces Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Thyroid Cancer by Targeting ZNRF3

Background/Aims: Micro-RNA (miR)-146b-5p is overexpressed in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and associated with extrathyroidal invasion and advanced tumor stage. In the present study, we showed that miR-146b-5p is upregulated in PTC with lymph node metastasis. Methods: A computational search and luciferase assay identified zinc RING finger 3 (ZNRF3), a negative regulator of Wnt/β-catenin signaling, as a direct target of miR-146b-5p in PTC. Results: MiR-146b-5p promoted migration and invasiveness and induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of PTC cells, whereas ZNRF3 overexpression reversed this effect. MiR-146b-5p increased the cell surface levels of the Wnt receptors Frizzled-6 and LRP6 and enhanced Wnt/β-catenin signaling by downregulating ZNRF3, whereas an inhibitor of Wnt/β-catenin suppressed the effect of miR-146b-5p on migration, invasiveness and EMT of PTC cells. Conclusion: These results indicate that miR-146b-5p induces EMT and may promote PTC metastasis through the regulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling, and suggest novel potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of PTC.
Depressive disorders and family functioning among the caregivers of patients with schizophrenia.

OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence of depressive disorders among caregivers of patients with schizophrenia, its association with patient's and caregiver's socio-demographic characteristics and family functioning. METHODS This was a cross-sectional study of caregivers of patients with schizophrenia at the outpatient clinic, Hospital Permai Johor Bahru, Malaysia. The study was conducted between August and October 2008. A total of 243 caregivers who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were enrolled, of whom 232 completed the self-administered socio-demographic questionnaire, the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-30) and the McMaster Family Assessment Device. A total of 33 caregivers with the GHQ-30 cut-off point of 7/8 were assessed further by the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview to diagnose depressive disorder. RESULTS The prevalence of psychological distress in our study sample was 14% (n = 33) and that of depressive disorders was 6% (n = 14). There was no association between patients' and caregivers' socio-demographic characteristics with depressive disorders, but there were significant associations between depressive disorders and family functioning dimensions in terms of Communication and Roles. CONCLUSION Although the causal link was not established, the results suggested that depression had a significant association with family functioning among caregivers of patients with schizophrenia.
In Vivo T1&rgr; Quantitative Assessment of Knee Cartilage After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury Using 3 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Objective:The aims of this study were to evaluate the spatial distribution of cartilage structure in controls and patients, and to quantitatively assess the cartilage overlying bone marrow edema-like lesion (BMEL) and within defined cartilage compartments in knees with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears using T1&rgr; mapping technique at 3 T magnetic resonance imaging. Materials and Methods:The knee joints of 15 healthy controls (4 women, 11 men, mean age = 30.1 year) and 16 patients with ACL tear (5 women, 11 men, mean age = 32.5 years) who showed BMEL was studied using a 3 T GE MR scanner and a quadrature knee coil. The imaging protocol included sequences for cartilage morphology and 3D quantitative T1&rgr; mapping. Lateral femoral condyle and medial femoral condyles compartments were partitioned into anterior and posterior nonweight-bearing (ant-nwb and postnwb) portions and weight-bearing (wb) portions in all subjects. In patients only, cartilage overlying BMEL and surrounding cartilage portions were also defined. T1&rgr; values were quantified in cartilage overlying BMEL and surrounding compartments and in each defined compartment of the ACL-injured knees, and compared with controls. Results:Significantly elevated T1&rgr; values were found in the femoral nonweight-bearing (nwb) portions when compared with weight-bearing (wb) portions both in patients and controls. Significantly increased T1&rgr; values were found in cartilage overlying BMEL when compared with surrounding cartilage at the lateral tibia (LT), but no difference was found in the lateral femoral condyle. Conclusion:T1&rgr; mapping technique provides tools to quantitatively evaluate the cartilage matrix overlying BMEL in patients with ACL injuries. Cartilage abnormalities are already present following initial ACL injuries over the lateral tibia. Quantitative MRI can allow critical evaluation of medical and surgical treatments for ligament and degenerative conditions of the knee.
An adaptive PD type FLC with its real-time implementation on a servo position control system

A non-fuzzy adaptation scheme is proposed for a PD type fuzzy logic controller (FLC) by continuously modifying its input scaling factors (G, GΔe). Both Ge and GΔe are updated online by a nonlinear parameter computed through a mono-polar sigmoid function defined on the process error (e) and change of error (Δe). Performance of the proposed adaptive fuzzy PD controller (AFPD) is compared with conventional as well as self-tuning fuzzy PD controller (FPD and STFPD). Simulation study and hard-ware based experimental results clearly establish the superiority of the proposed AFPD over FPD and STFPD during set point tracking and load rejection. Unlike STFPD which uses 49 control rules and additional 49 expert's defined gain rules, our proposed AFPD uses only 25 control rules along with an online non-fuzzy adaptation mechanism of the input scaling factors Ge and GΔe. In spite of almost 75% reduced rules compared to the well studied STFPD both the transient and steady state responses justify the effectiveness of the proposed AFPD.
Self-Inflicted Burns Fatalities in Manipal, India

Death due to burns is an important public health problem. Suicide by burning is uncommon in the Western world compared with Asian countries. This study presents retrospective research carried out in the tertiary care teaching hospital of Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Southern India, between January 1993 to December 2003 (11years). Out of a total of 343 burns deaths during the above-mentioned period, 39 were victims of suicide. The majority of deaths (46.1%) occurred in the 21-30 years age group, with a preponderance of the female sex (79.5%). Most of the victims belonged to the Hindu religion and the incident occurred mostly during the daytime. In the overwhelming majority of cases, the incident occurred at home (97.4%). In all cases kerosene was the accelerant and flame was the causative agent. In more than fifty per cent of cases, the total body surface area (TBSA) involved was more than 80%. Dowry demands and harassment were the reasons for committng suicide in 12 cases. More stringent laws and empowering female independence, both mentally and economically, will reduce suicidal burns in young women.
Purohit technique of vaginal hysterectomy: a new approach

To ease intra‐operative access to laterally at vaginal hysterectomy, we have developed the ‘Purohit technique of vaginal hysterectomy’ using a right angle forceps, electrocautery and 10 mm telescope with light source. A prospective study on consecutive 214 women with benign disease of the uterus without prolapse, including cases with relative contraindications (excluding endometriosis and uteri above 20 weeks size), demonstrated it to be easy, safe and effective. Vaginal hysterectomy was successfully completed in 213 (99.53%) cases, with one failure (0.46%) which needed laparoscopic assistance. Vaginal salpingo‐oophorectomy was completed in all indicated cases. We believe that many abdominal and laparoscopic hysterectomies could be avoided by this technique. Details of the technique can be seen on the following website http://www.purohittechnique. com
Follow the Redbrick Road

Despite a 1998 conference in Binghamton, New York, to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the 1974 publication of Braverman's Labor and Monopoly Capital, it may come as a surprise to many readers that there is still a "labor process de bate. " For many, the perception will be that those ideas were discredited or dis placed with the arrival of post-Fordism, teamwork, and the knowledge economy. We intend to argue that this would be a wrong judgment. Let us begin by retracing the steps. Braverman's renewal and updating of Marxian perspectives marked in one sense a simple shift back toward studying the workplace as a significant empirical and theoretical object. But it was also a way of looking at work as a focal point of conflict between capital and labor in the context of a broader political economy. The rationale for giving the workplace center stage rested upon the indeterminacy of labor—that is, the distinctive characteristic of labor as a commodity, whereby there is an inherent gap between the potential labor power that capital purchases and the possible outcomes for capital in terms of profitable labor. That gap is bridged in practice by the division of labor and managerial control relations. The gap in theory was filled by academics ranging from sociologists to management theorists, all of whom could find some means of testing old ideas and creating new ones. The Anglo-American labor process debate was constructed largely in response to Labor and Monopoly Capital, encouraging apolitical, noncomparative, and