Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Health status in fibromyalgia--a followup study.

OBJECTIVE To examine symptoms, physical function, and nutritional status in patients with fibromyalgia (FM) after 6 to 8 years. METHODS Of 51 women with FM initially included in exercise and patient education programs 6 and 8 years ago, 33 agreed to participate. Median (range) age was 45.5 years (33-64) and symptom duration 18 years (8-46). Symptoms (visual analog scales), cardiovascular capacity (Aastrand's test), and restriction on daily activities (Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire) were measured. Employment status and experience of coping with everyday life were addressed in an interview. Nutritional status was evaluated by anthropometric measurements and dietary intake. RESULTS All the 33 participants had widespread chronic pain, and 79% had enough tender points to satisfy the FM classification criteria. Compared with initital data there were significant reductions in the number of tender points (p = 0.004) in the exercise group, and in fatigue (p = 0.008) and pain (p = 0.5) in the patient education group. Cardiovascular capacity was within normal limits in 33% of the participants. Currently, 26 performed regular physical activity and of these, 10 were engaged in organized exercise. Seventy-two percent reported regular use of dietary supplements and attached importance to a healthy diet. Still, there was a significant increase in weight and body fat, and 24% were obese (BMI > 30). The coping strategies adopted were adjustments to the new situation and distraction from symptoms. CONCLUSION No worsening of symptoms and no change in employment status, as well as frequent participation in physical activities, suggests a benign longterm outcome in these patients with FM.
Economies of scope and scale in the mutual‐fund industry

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to examine market concentration, economies of scale, economies of scope, and the relative size of a particular fund, within a fund family, as determinants of mutual-fund expense ratio. This examination is focused at the asset-manager level and is based on the Morningstar equity and fixed-income style classifications. Design/methodology/approach - All data used in this study come from the July Morningstar Principia database for the years 1997 through 2006. One challenge of working with these data is that Morningstar treats each separate class of a fund as though it were an individual fund. As a result all Morningstar data items are reported for each fund class as though they are data items for a separate fund. The data are modified so that the items for separate classes of a fund are merged into data for a single fund. For example, assets in a fund become the total of the assets in each class of the fund. Findings - This study contributes to the literature on mutual-fund managers, and the literature on the structure of mutual funds, by showing that market concentration at the asset-manager level varies substantially across Morningstar styles, particularly for the fixed-income funds. The paper shows that increased market concentration is associated with greater expenses for the funds under management, within a given Morningstar-style box, for both equity funds and for fixed-income funds. We also show that increased costs are partially offset by economies of scope for the fixed-income funds. Originality/value - This paper extends the current literature in several ways. First, it confirms the existence of economies of scale at the fund level within Morningstar style classifications. Second, it documents the existence of varying levels of market concentration within different Morningstar style classifications. Third, the results demonstrate that there is a negative relation between the scope of funds handled across the Morningstar classifications by a particular fund manager and the expense ratio for particular funds. Finally, the results presented in this paper show that the largest funds within a family are associated with the highest expense ratios in the family.
Neuroscience and Ultimate Causation in Accounting Research

What is human nature? It is not the genes, which prescribe it, or cuture, its ultimate product. Rather, human nature is something else for which we have only begun to find ready expression. It is the epigenetic rules, the hereditary regularities of mental development that bias cultural evolution in one direction as opposed to another, and thus connect the genes to culture . The search for human nature can be viewed as the archaeology of epigenetic rules. It is destined to be a vital part of future interdisciplinary work. —E. O. Wilson Consilience: The Unity of Knowledge (1999, 178–179)
Religion and Depression in Adolescence

Depression is the leading cause of illness and disability in adolescence. Many studies show a correlation between religiosity and mental health, yet the question remains whether the relationship is causal. We exploit within-school variation in adolescents’ peers to deal with selection into religiosity. We find robust effects of religiosity on depression that are stronger for the most depressed. These effects are not driven by the school social context; depression spreads among close friends rather than through broader peer groups that affect religiosity. Exploration of mechanisms suggests that religiosity buffers against stressors in ways in which school activities and friendships do not.
The Role of Aggregate Demand in Kaldor's Late Contributions to Economic Growth: A Comment on Palumbo

The purpose of this comment is to challenge Palumbo’s (2009) suggestion that the theoretical apparatus of Kaldor’s late writings on growth sits uncomfortably with the central insight of Keynesian economics that real activity is demand constrained. Palumbo maintains these late writings should be evaluated solely in terms of their theoretical references to the Harrod foreign trade multiplier, although the latter does not support the Keynesian insights that Kaldor tries to infer from such writings. In fact, Palumbo (2009, p. 341) starts with the suggestion in the literature that ‘Nicholas Kaldor’s change of attitude towards the analysis of economic growth in the later part of his life was mainly due to his involvement with economic policy’. Kaldor (1978, pp. xvii–xx) was in fact guided by ‘what kind of regularities can be detected in empirically observed phenomena’ to provide explanations of those regularities and to find ‘solutions for real problems’. Here, as Palumbo and most of the subsequent literature on Kaldorian economics notes, Kaldor’s preoccupation was with deriving Keynesian policy conclusions from strong empirical evidence to the effect that the fast growth of exports is generally associated with fast output growth.
Assimilation across the Latino Generations

There is concern that Hispanics have not mimicked the European immigrant experience of great generational advance (Jeffrey Grogger and Stephen Trejo, 2002). Reasons for concern vary, but a theme is that Latino immigrants and their offspring are less committed to assimilation than Europeans were. Discrimination, adherence to Spanish, and frequent trips “home” due to proximity are said to be reasons. I examine two aspects of generational mobility of Hispanic and Mexican men: education and wages. A major problem in studying this assimilation is ambiguity in defining generations and ethnicity across Census and Current Population Survey (CPS) files. Generations are defined as follows: 1st generation, born outside the United States; 2nd generation, at least one parent born outside the United States; 3rd generation or more, both parents born in the United States. While reference is made for convenience to the 3rd generation, it includes all generations beyond the second. Since no distinction was made between the 2nd and subsequent generations in the 1980 and 1990 Censuses or the March CPS’s until 1994, I use data from four decennial Censuses between 1940 and 1970, four special CPS supplements on language and immigration (1979, 1983, 1986, 1988) to cover the 1980’s, and four successive March CPS’s starting in 1994 to represent the 1990’s. Ethnicity is straightforward to define for the 1st and 2nd generation, where place or birth or self-reported ethnicity can be used to define Hispanic ethnicity. The problem is the 3rd generation, where information available for Hispanic descent and specific ethnicity differs across the Censuses and CPS’s. Details of the rules adopted to define specific Hispanic ethnicity are available in Smith (2001).
Psychological factors and responses to artificial interferences in subjects with and without a history of temporomandibular disorders

Objective. It has often been suggested that psychological factors play a role in temporomandibular disorders (TMD). However, reports on psychological factors in TMD patients and controls have been equivocal. In a previous double-blind randomized controlled study, subjects with a TMD history showed more clinical signs and subjective symptoms and adapted less well to the artificial interferences than subjects without an earlier TMD history. In the present study, we analyzed the associations of psychological factors with symptom responses and adaptation to interferences. Material and Methods. Before the intervention, the subjects filled in questionnaires dealing with personality traits, level of psychological and somatic stress symptoms, coping strategies, and health beliefs. Every day during the 2-week follow-up period, the subjects rated the intensity of their symptoms on 9 modified visual analog scales (VAS). Results. Health hardiness, positive socialization history and inhibition of aggression were associated with weaker symptom responses and better adaptation to true artificial interferences. Some personality characteristics in subjects with an earlier TMD history tended to associate with higher symptom reporting despite the type of intervention. Conclusions. Psychological factors appeared significant for the symptom responses to artificial interferences, and they seem to play a different role in responses in subjects with an earlier TMD history compared to those without.
A MULTINOMIAL LOGIT MODEL OF CONSUMER PERCEPTIONS FOR BIOTECH FOOD LABELING

A multinomial logit analysis is employed to analyze consumers' perceptions about purchasing biotech foods and their preferences for mandatory and voluntary labeling. Results showed that consumers who are sensitive to the possible side effects of biotech crops on wildlife and the environment are more likely to support a mandatory labeling policy. Results also indicated that respondents who believe biotech foods may have unforeseen health risks are more likely to favor mandatory labeling. Furthermore, the study found that respondents who are willing to buy a meat product produced using biotechnology are more likely to favor a voluntary labeling policy.
Nephron, Wilms’ tumor-1 (WT1), and synaptopodin expression in developing podocytes of mice

Newborn mouse glomeruli are still immature with a morphological feature of an early capillary loop stage, but infant mice do not manifest proteinuria. Little is known about the molecular mechanism whereby infant mice are resistant to proteinuria. Nephrin and synaptopodin are crucial for slit diaphragm and foot process (FP) formation for avoiding proteinuria. Nephrin tyrosine phosphorylation means a transient biological signaling required for FP repair or extension during nephrotic disease. Using an immunohistochemical technique, we examined the natural course of nephrin, Wilms’ tumor-1 (WT1) and synaptopodin at 16.5 days of embryonic age (E16.5d) and E19.5d, 7 days of post-neonatal age (P7d) and P42d during renal development of mice. As a result, nephrin and synaptopodin were detected at E19.5d in S-shaped bodies. WT1, a transcriptional factor for nephrin, was detected in nucleus in podocyte-like cells in all stages. Nephrin tyrosine phosphorylation was evident in glomeruli at P7d, and this was associated with an early-stage of FP extension. Inversely, nephrin phosphorylation became faint at P42d, along with maturated FP. Based on the present results, we suggest the sequential molecular mechanism to protect growing mice from proteinuria: (i) WT1-induced nephrin production by podocytes in S-shaped bodies at E19.5d; (ii) Synchronized induction of synaptopodin at the same period; and (iii) FP extension is initiated at a milk-suckling stage under a nephrin tyrosine-phosphorylated condition, while it is arrested at an adult stage, associated with a loss of nephrin-based signaling.
Environmental Factors Favoring the Allergen‐specific Th2 Response in Allergic Subjects

Abstract: Allergen‐reactive type 2 helper T cells (Th2) play a triggering role in the activation and/or recruitment of IgE antibody‐producing B cells, mast cells, and eosinophils, i.e., the cellular triad involved in the allergic inflammation. Interleukin (IL)‐4 production at the time of antigen presentation to the Th cell is critical for the development of Th2 cells. Other cytokines, such as IL‐1 and IL‐10, and hormones, such as calcitriol and progesterone, also play a positive role. In contrast, cytokines such as interferon (IFN)‐α, IFN‐γ, IL‐12, and transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β, and relaxin play a negative regulatory role on the development of Th2 cells. However, the mechanisms underlying the preferential activation by environmental allergens of Th2 cells in atopic individuals still remain obscure. Some gene products selectively expressed in Th2 cells or selectively controlling the expression of IL‐4 have recently been described. Moreover, cytokines and other gene products that dampen the production of IL‐4, as well as the development and/or the function of Th2 cells, have been identified. These findings allow us to suggest that the upregulation of genes controlling IL‐4 expression and/or abnormalities of regulatory mechanisms of Th2 development and/or function may be responsible for Th2 responses against common environmental allergens in atopic subjects.
Information asymmetry and the role of traceability systems

The role of food traceability systems in resolving information asymmetry is explored. Three functions of traceability systems are identified: ex post reactive systems that allow the traceback of affected products in the event of a contamination problem so as to minimize social costs, ex post systems that facilitate the allocation of liability, and information systems that provide ex ante quality verification. A taxonomy of traceability systems illustrates the multidimensional nature of the information problems related to food safety and food quality. A model of ex ante quality verification and ex post traceability systems is used to demonstrate the different functions and incentives of a traceability system. Finally, examples of private sector and regulatory traceability initiatives are discussed within the context of the ex post and ex ante models developed in the paper. lEconLit citations: Q130; Q180; L150.r © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Agribusiness 20: 397-415, 2004.
The Effects of Operating and Capital Subsidies on Total Factor Productivity: A Decomposition Approach

Past studies relied on ad hoc associations to establish relationships between productivity on one hand and operating and capital subsidies on the other. This article deviates from these studies. It builds on recent research based on private cost to derive a total factor productivity formula that includes subsidy effects. It specifies an empirical model to estimate the required parameters to apply the formula. The application to urban transit systems shows that the effects of these subsidies on productivity through technical change reinforce the decline in productivity.
Customer Relationship Management: A Comparative Analysis of Family and Nonfamily Business Practices

It has been reported that family businesses perceive excellent customer service as critical to the future of their businesses. However, little research into the customer relationship management (CRM) practices of family businesses has been performed. In this study, we examine CRM implementation among 82 family and 370 nonfamily firms. Family and nonfamily businesses report similar attitudes toward the importance of CRM, their knowledge of CRM, and their success when they do implement it. However, using a logit regression model, we find that the actual implementation strategies of family businesses are significantly different from those of nonfamily businesses. These results remain constant when controlling for size and industry sector.
Sensory Flow as a Basis for a Novel Distance Cue in Freely Behaving Electric Fish

The sensory input that an animal receives is directly linked to its motor activity. Behavior thus enables animals to influence their sensory input, a concept referred to as active sensing. How such behavior can serve as a scaffold for generating sensory information is of general scientific interest. In this article, we investigate how behavior can shape sensory information by using some unique features of the sensorimotor system of the weakly electric fish. Based on quantitative behavioral characterizations and computational reconstruction of sensory input, we show how electrosensory flow is actively created during highly patterned, spontaneous behavior in Gnathonemus petersii. The spatiotemporal structure of the sensory input provides information for the computation of a novel distance cue, which allows for a continuous estimation of distance. This has significant advantages over previously known nondynamic distance estimators as determined from electric image blur. Our investigation of the sensorimotor interactions in pulsatile electrolocation shows, for the first time, that the electrosensory flow contains behaviorally relevant information accessible only through active behavior. As patterned sensory behaviors are a shared feature of (active) sensory systems, our results have general implications for the understanding of (active) sensing, with the proposed sensory flow-based measure being potentially pertinent to a broad range of sensory modalities. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Acquisition of sensory information depends on motion, as either an animal or its sensors move. Behavior can thus actively influence the sensory flow; and in this way, behavior can be seen as a manifestation of the brain's integrative functions. The properties of the active pulsatile electrolocation system in Gnathonemus petersii allow for the sensory input to be computationally reconstructed, enabling us to link the informational content of spatiotemporal sensory dynamics to behavior. Our study reveals a novel sensory cue for estimating depth that is actively generated by the fishes' behavior. The physical and behavioral similarities between electrolocation and other active sensory systems suggest that this may be a mechanism shared by (active) sensory systems.
What Is a Quote?

Technological advances that give rise to myriad new trading strategies and practices also have important implications for basic concepts such as quotes. Because quotes determine the NBBO (the National Best Bid or Offer), the issue of what is and is not a quote is important. I argue that there are now a variety of circumstances in which what is or should be a quote is not clear. These circumstances arise because in electronic markets both quotes and orders can be moved instantaneously, setting the stage for potential abuses. I provide several examples to illustrate these problems and offer some thoughts on the question: what is a quote?
Testing for Forecast Consensus

A panel of forecasts may be defined to be in consensus when individual forecasters place identical weights on a common latent variable. We suggest this definition and formulate a dynamic latent-variable model to test for consensus. This method also tests whether it is valid to use the mean forecast as the consensus forecast. In applications to surveys of U.S. macroeconomic forecasters, there is greater consensus in forecasts for output growth than for inflation or unemployment, but idiosyncratic forecast autocorrelation from year to year is present for most forecasters.
Does war make states? Rentierism and the formation of states in the Middle East

The famous dictum that ‘war makes states’ has received renewed interest with the experience of state failure and state collapse in many parts of the Developing World. Historical studies have shown that the activity of war-making was an essential ingredient of the process of state-making in early modern Europe. The history of state-making in the Arab Middle East shows that rentier states defy the ‘war makes states’ theory. This article compares four states from the Arab world, two having been exposed to the experience of war-making (Iraq and Jordan) and two not (the United Arab Emirates and Tunisia). The comparison of these four states shows that rentierism serves as an obstacle to the formation of legitimate and institutionalized states. However, the availability of external rents also allows state institutions and patronage channels to continue providing general welfare. Thus, rentierism produces a twin phenomenon of state weakness and life support for potentially failed states. It is only when war-making is employed in rentier states as a strategy of state-making that states fail and break.
Equity Valuation Effects of the Pension Protection Act of 2006

We investigate the equity valuation effects of the Pension Protection Act of 2006 (hereafter PPA 2006). The PPA 2006 has two main provisions: (1) firms must fully fund their pension plans within seven years (previously allowed 30 years to fund 90 percent of the pension liability), and (2) firms receive a tax deduction for contributions up to 150 percent of the pension liability (previously 100 percent). After controlling for the effects of SFAS 158, growth opportunities, the cost of external funds and other information released during our sample period, we examine pension firms' abnormal returns surrounding key dates in the legislative process leading to the adoption of the PPA 2006. First, we find a mean negative abnormal return of -4.20 percent during the period in which the PPA 2006 was first voted on by Congress. The mean (median) firm in our sample experienced a $310 million ($60 million) decline in market capitalization. Second, we find that the valuation effect was more negative for firms with larger unfunded pension liabilities and larger capital expenditure requirements, while firms with higher marginal tax rates experienced a positive effect. Third, we find no evidence of differential valuation effects for firms in different "at risk" categories as defined by the PPA 2006. Finally, we find a significant number of pension freezes occurred during our sample period. Our results are stronger when excluding these firms from our sample.
Forced eviction and forced relocation in Nigeria: the experience of those evicted from Maroko in 1990

This paper examines the consequences for those evicted from the settlement of Maroko in Lagos in 1990 in terms of housing quality, overcrowding, rents, basic services and overall satisfaction with their new neighbourhood. It shows that most of those evicted were worse housed than before the eviction. By way of introduction, the paper describes the scale and nature of recent evictions in Lagos, and the underlying causes, and the concluding section discusses why evictions remain so common in urban areas of Nigeria.
The Competitive Implications of Top-of-the-Market and Related Contract-Pricing Clauses

This article examines the competitive implications of contract pricing arrangements, which link the contract price to the subsequent cash price. We focus on so-called “top-of-the-market pricing” (TOMP) in cattle procurement. The TOMP clause is shown to have anticompetitive consequences when the same buyers who purchase contract cattle with the TOMP clause also compete to procure cattle in the subsequent spot market. The TOMP clause reduces packers' incentives to compete aggressively in the spot market. Although TOMP pricing is not in producers' collective interest, rational sellers may nonetheless sign these contracts with little or no financial inducement. Copyright 2004, Oxford University Press.