Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Income inequality in the United States

This paper presents new homogeneous series on top shares of income and wages from 1913 to 1998 in the United States using individual tax returns data. Top income and wages shares display a U-shaped pattern over the century. Our series suggest that the large shocks that capital owners experienced during the Great Depression and World War II have had a permanent effect on top capital incomes. We argue that steep progressive income and estate taxation may have prevented large fortunes from fully recovering from these shocks. Top wage shares were flat before World War II, dropped precipitously during the war, and did not start to recover before the late 1960s but are now higher than before World War II. As a result, the working rich have replaced the rentiers at the top of the income distribution.
Dairy sector reforms and transformation in Uganda since the 1990s

The Dairy sector in Uganda has responded positively to agricultural sector liberalisation policies that took effect in the 1990s. Total national milk production has grown from 460 million litres in 1990 to 1.6 billion litres in 2011, with per capita milk consumption growing from 16 litres in 1986to 58 litres by 2010. A variety of dairy products that were previously imported are now being produced locally in the country. Driven largely by dairy, the livestock sector has maintained positive growth rates averaging 3 percent per annum compared to the declining (and often negative) growth rates registered in the food and cash crop sub sectors. Milk production increased primarily from growth in cattle population, and secondarily from adoption of higher milk yielding cattle. While milk production remains concentrated in the Western milk shed, there is evidence of dairy activities spreading to other non-traditional milk producing regions of the country especially in the Central and Eastern regions of Uganda. Development of the value chain in the dairy sector has led to employment creation and income generation not only for about 700,000 dairy farming households, but also for farm input dealers, dairy equipment dealers, dairy ingredients dealers, raw milk traders, milk transporters, mini-dairies, large scale milk processors, and distributors.
Long-term Effects of the Herbst Appliance on the Dental Arches and Arch Relationships: A Biometric Study

The purpose of this study was to evaluate biometrically the treatment and post-treatment effects of the Herbst appliance on the dental arches and arch relationships. The sample consisted of 53 Class II, division 1 malocclusion patients (33 boys and 20 girls) treated with the Herbst appliance. The mean age of the patients before treatment was 12·5 years (SD = 1·2 years). Dental casts were analysed before treatment, after treatment, 6 months post-treatment and at the end of the growth period (5–10 years post-treatment). The following variables were assessed: sagittal molar and canine relationships, overjet, overbite, maxillary and mandibular arch perimeters, and inter-molar and inter-canine dental arch widths. During treatment, the overjet, overbite, and sagittal molar relationship were overcorrected in most of the cases, while the sagittal canine relationship was normalized. The maxillary and mandibular arch perimeters increased during treatment, as did dental arch widths (moral and canine). In the long-term (mean = 6·7 years after treatment), Herbst appliance treatment resulted in a normal or over-corrected sagittal molar relationship in 79 per cent and a normal canine relationship in 68 per cent of the cases. Eighty-three per cent of the subjects has an overjet of 4·5 mm or less. In the long-term, the arch perimeters seemed to follow a normal dental development pattern. The increase of the upper molar and canine dental arch widths during treatment remained virtually stable whilst the lower intermolar arch widths seemed unaffected by treatment.
Increasing Returns, Path Dependence, and the Study of Politics

It is increasingly common for social scientists to describe political processes as “path dependent. ” The concept, however, is often employed without careful elaboration. This article conceptualizes path dependence as a social process grounded in a dynamic of “increasing returns. ” Reviewing recent literature in economics and suggesting extensions to the world of politics, the article demonstrates that increasing returns processes are likely to be prevalent, and that good analytical foundations exist for exploring their causes and consequences. The investigation of increasing returns can provide a more rigorous framework for developing some of the key claims of recent scholarship in historical institutionalism: Specific patterns of timing and sequence matter; a wide range of social outcomes may be possible; large consequences may result from relatively small or contingent events; particular courses of action, once introduced, can be almost impossible to reverse; and consequently, political development is punctuated by critical moments or junctures that shape the basic contours of social life.
Dietary weight loss‐induced changes in RBP4, FFA, and ACE predict weight regain in people with overweight and obesity

Adipokines and other biomarkers were previously identified with roles in energy expenditure, appetite, satiety, and adiposity. Therefore, we investigated whether dietary weight loss‐induced changes in adipokines and other biomarkers known to play a role in weight regulation or energy expenditure could predict weight regain in people with overweight and obesity. In this randomized controlled trial 26 males and 30 females (BMI: 28–35 kg/m2) followed either a low‐calorie diet (LCD; 1250 kcal/day) for 12 weeks or a very‐low‐calorie diet (VLCD; 500 kcal/day) for 5 weeks followed by a weight stable period of 4 weeks (dietary intervention (DI) period) and a 9‐month follow‐up period. Blood samples were taken before and after each period to measure FFA, TAG, total cholesterol, insulin, glucose, angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) activity, IL‐6, RBP4, apelin, leptin, adiponectin, vaspin, and nesfatin‐1 concentrations. Weight loss was similar between groups (LCD: −8.2 ± 0.5 kg; VLCD: −8.9 ± 0.4 kg, P = 0.30). Only changes in ACE activity, FFA and RBP4 concentrations during DI were correlated with weight regain in the whole group (r = −0.299, P = 0.030, r = −0.274, P = 0.047, and r = 0.357, P = 0.008, respectively). Together they explained 28% (r = 0.532) of weight regain variation. Dietary weight loss‐induced changes in ACE activity, FFA and RBP4 independently contribute to weight regain prediction.
Does tourism cause growth? Evidence from Turkey

This paper examines the impact of detailed tourism expenditure on the long-run economic growth by employing Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) approach and causality test for data set of 2003:1 to 2012:4 in Turkey. The detailed tourism expenditure data are firstly employed for the causality of tourism expenditure on economic growth. The results of the bounds test show that there is a stable long-run relationship between accommodation expenses, transport expenditure, expenditure of sporting activities, sightseeing tour expenditure, clothing–footwear expenditure, gift expenditure and economic growth. The results of the causality test, on the other hand, show that there is a bidirectional causality between accommodation expenses, expenditure of sporting activities, gift expenditure and economic growth and a causal flow from transport expenditure to economic growth which is verified growth-led tourism hypothesis. Results reveal that sightseeing tour expenditure and expenditure of sporting activities are more successful on explaining the long-run growth in Turkey in terms of ARDL coefficients size. This result implies a policy that Turkey needs to invest tourism to gain more especially by focusing accommodation, sightseeing tours, sporting activities and transport infrastructure.
Determinants of Corporate Dividend Policy: A Factorial Analysis

This paper re-examines the dividend policy issue by conducting a simultaneous test of the alternative explanations of corporate payout policy using a two-step procedure that involves factor analysis and multiple regression. Several new proxies for theoretical attributes that have appeared in the literature are introduced, including the role of managerial dimensions in determining dividend policy. Strong support is found for the transaction cost/residual theory of dividends, pecking order argument, and the role of dividends in mitigating agency problems. Strong support is also found for the role of managerial consideration in affecting the firm's payout policy; specifically, firms that maintain stable dividend policies and firms that enjoy financial flexibility pay higher dividends. The results appear to support the tax clientele argument. Copyright 1993 by MIT Press.
Evidence that the SpoIIIE DNA translocase participates in membrane fusion during cytokinesis and engulfment

During Bacillus subtilis sporulation, SpoIIIE is required for translocation of the trapped forespore chromosome across the sporulation septum, for compartmentalization of cell‐specific gene expression, and for membrane fusion after engulfment. We isolated mutations within the SpoIIIE membrane domain that block localization and function. One mutant protein initially localizes normally and completes DNA translocation, but shows reduced membrane fusion after engulfment. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching experiments demonstrate that in this mutant the sporulation septum remains open, allowing cytoplasmic contents to diffuse between daughter cells, suggesting that it blocks membrane fusion after cytokinesis as well as after engulfment. We propose that SpoIIIE catalyses these topologically opposite fusion events by assembling or disassembling a proteinaceous fusion pore. Mutants defective in SpoIIIE assembly also demonstrate that the ability of SpoIIIE to provide a diffusion barrier is directly proportional to its ability to assemble a focus at the septal midpoint during DNA translocation. Thus, SpoIIIE mediates compartmentalization by two distinct mechanisms: the SpoIIIE focus first provides a temporary diffusion barrier during DNA translocation, and then mediates the completion of membrane fusion after division to provide a permanent diffusion barrier. SpoIIIE‐like proteins might therefore serve to couple the final step in cytokinesis, septal membrane fusion, to the completion of chromosome segregation.
Does Economic Diversification Lead to Financial Development?: Evidence from Topography

An influential theoretical literature has observed that economic diversification can reduce risk and increase financial development. But causality operates in both directions, as a well functioning financial system can enable a society to invest in more productive but risky projects, thereby determining the degree of economic diversification. Thus, ordinary least squares (OLS) estimates of the impact of economic diversification on financial development are likely to be biased. Motivated by the economic geography literature, this paper uses instruments derived from topographical characteristics to estimate the impact of economic diversification on the development of finance. The fourth estimates suggest a large and robust role for diversification in shaping financial development. And these results imply that, by impeding financial sector development, the concentration of economic activity common in developing countries can adversely affect financial and economic development.
Advances in Brief p 53 Is Essential for Chemotherapy-induced Hair Loss 1

Anticancer drugs stimulate apoptosis in the hair follicles (HF) and cause hair loss, the most common side effect of chemotherapy. In a mouse model for chemotherapy-induced hair loss, we demonstrate that p53 is essential for this process: in contrast to wild-type mice, p53-deficient mice show neither hair loss nor apoptosis in the HF keratinocytes that maintained active proliferation after cyclophosphamide treatment. HF in p53 mutants are characterized by down-regulation of Fas and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 3 and by increased expression of Bcl-2. These observations indicate that local pharmacological inhibition of p53 may be useful to prevent chemotherapy-associated hair loss.
Founders versus Descendants: The Profitability, Efficiency, Growth Characteristics and Financing in Large, Public, Founding-Family-Controlled Firms

This study examines the differences between founder-controlled firms and firms controlled by descendants or relatives of the founder. In general, we observe that founder-controlled firms grow faster and invest more in capital assets and research and development. However, descendant-controlled firms are more profitable. The results are consistent with a life-cycle view of the family firm in which the early years are characterized by rapid growth. The experience of the early years provides a basis for later, when the firm is more professionally run and can exploit its established position in the market.
Prospective sonographic detection of spina bifida at 11–14 weeks and systematic literature review

Abstract Objective: To conduct a literature review to assess the effectiveness of first trimester ultrasonographic markers of spina bifida (SB) integrating data with our prospective experience. Methods: The analysis of the SB cases that we prospectively detected in the first trimester, between January 2012 and February 2014, and a systematic review of all the papers evaluating the effectiveness of SB ultrasonographic markers at 11–14 weeks, namely brain stem diameter (BS), fourth ventricle/intracranial translucency (IT), cisterna magna (CM), brain stem/occipital bone distance (BSOB), the ratio between BS and BSOB. Some studies assess only the effectiveness of IT, others include more parameters, and few include them all. Results: We prospectively detected four SB cases, three open (OSB) and one closed (CSB), in a low risk population undergoing first trimester screening. In the three OSB, CM (in 2/3 cases) and BSOB (3/3) distance were below the 5th percentile, BS and BS/BSOB ratio (3/3) were above the 95th percentile. In the CSB, all the measurements were within normal limits. Conclusion: The literature and our data agree that most fetuses with OSB demonstrate in the first trimester positive sonographic markers in the posterior fossa, but additional prospective studies are needed to establish the best protocol for OSB screening.
Does ‘workfare’ work? The Norwegian experience

The aim in this article is to examine the recruitment process to workfare programmes in the Norwegian municipalities and determine whether these programmes actually enhance self-sufficiency. The design of the study is quasi-experimental. The programme group consists of 300 people and the comparison group of a 10% sample of 1,559 non-participating social assistance recipients from 40 local social service administrations in 1995. In the Norwegian workfare schemes, recruitment according to ‘need’, i.e. labour market problems and lack of human resources, appears to be the dominating approach. The workfare schemes do not produce significant effects, either on employment or on earnings. These results are supported by analyses of a number of observed variables and of two models applied to deal with unobserved selection bias: the parametric Heckman model and the semi-parametric maximum score model.
Dietary and lifestyle interventions for weight management in adults from minority ethnic/non‐White groups: a systematic review

Minority ethnic/non‐White populations are more prone to weight gain and more susceptible to obesity‐related complications. The objective of this study was to systematically review dietary and lifestyle interventions for weight management in minority ethnic groups. Electronic databases and reference lists of original studies and reviews were searched for studies on dietary and lifestyle weight management interventions published. Randomized clinical trials with ≥6‐month duration were included. Nineteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Fourteen studies involved African–Americans, one in non‐White Hispanics, one in Japanese Americans and three in both African–Americans and non‐White Hispanics. Most of the interventions proved relatively effective. However, significant drawbacks were noted for several of these studies, such as small sample size, high attrition rates and lack of follow‐up data. Better quality and long‐term trials are required in order to investigate in detail the effectiveness of lifestyle changes for weight management in these populations and eventually support evidence‐based recommendations.
Optical phenomenon of peri-implant soft tissue. Part II. Preferred implant neck color to improve soft tissue esthetics.

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to investigate an optical solution to eliminate the undesirable shine-through effect of implants on peri-implant mucosa by selecting an optimized implant neck color based on an objective and quantifiable method. MATERIAL AND METHODS The optical effect of color strips on 15 peri-implant mucosal sites of 14 patients with Straumann single-tooth implant replacements in the maxillary anterior region was analyzed. The color differences between the peri-implant mucosa with insertion of each of eight different color strips (white, black, light pink, pink, light orange, orange, gold, violet) and the gingiva of an adjacent or contralateral tooth without any color strips were compared for the selection of optimal color of implant neck. Spectrophotometric color measurements were performed to compare the color difference index (DeltaE) and color coordinates (DeltaL*, Deltaa*, Deltab* and DeltaC*). RESULTS The colors of the peri-implant mucosa with color strips and the gingiva of natural tooth demonstrated that the test site soft tissue with color strips of light pink, pink, light orange and orange showed a significantly smaller DeltaE value (P<0.05). Moreover, light pink exhibited the lowest mean DeltaE value of 2.6+/-0.6, indicating a clinically indistinguishable color difference. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that it is possible to improve gingival esthetics by coloring the implant neck, most effectively with light pink, to mask the impact of the underlying titanium implant. The use of implants with optimized neck colors to correct an esthetic deficiency may be a feasible approach to establish improved peri-implant soft tissue esthetics.
Does Analyst Following Improve Informativeness of Earnings? Evidence from the MENA Region

Given ineffective disclosure and governance mechanisms, are there any mechanisms that can help improve informativeness of disclosed information in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region? This paper aims to answer the above question by documenting the effect of analyst following on the informativeness of reported earnings. Our results show that the informativeness of reported earnings, measured by earnings-return relation, is a significantly positively function of analyst following. We argue that analysts reduce information asymmetries by continually gathering, interpreting and disseminating firm-specific information. As a result, it becomes hard for insiders to evade effective disclosure of firm value. It, therefore, leads firms to disclose the information more truthfully, thereby improving credibility of reported earnings. We also show that our results hold across sub-samples of well-performing and badly performing firms. Interestingly, our results do not hold for firm headquartered in the Middle East.
Assessment of the stresses imposed on adult ostriches (Struthio camelus) during handling, loading, transportation and unloading

The stresses imposed during the handling, loading and unloading of 250 adult ostriches (Struthio camelus) transported by road were evaluated, weighted, scored and later compared with some objective physiological indices of stress measured after the journey. During handling, the numbers of slips and falls, incidents of aggressive behaviour, the calculated behavioural points, the number of injuries recorded per ostrich and the time spent were significantly (P<0·01) greater than the values recorded during loading and unloading. During handling and loading, 45 per cent of the ostriches had a good score (1·1 to 2 points), 15·5 per cent had a fair score (2·1 to 3 points) and 39·4 per cent had a poor or bad score (more than 3 points). The behavioural scores were significantly and positively correlated with the heterophil:lymphocyte ratio, the rectal temperature and the number of injuries sustained by the ostriches. The results showed that the poorer the behavioural score, the higher the level of stress suffered by the ostriches during handling and loading.
A Faith Dimension on the Landscape of Teachers: Muslim Teachers on Recruitment, Retention and Career Advancement

A significant area of teacher education is the increasing focus in many countries on how faith and schooling should best be understood. Yet, understanding faith perspectives in the lives and careers of teachers appears to be an under-researched area. To this end, the experiences of professional Muslim teachers in state primary schools in England were explored using semi-structured in-depth life history interviews. This paper focuses on their views regarding the recruitment, retention and career advancement of Muslim teachers in particular, as part of Black and minority ethnic teachers in Britain. Findings reveal a positive picture and their representation at various levels of the hierarchy in the profession has increased. The study, therefore, draws attention for further research on successful teachers from various faith communities.
A Community Leadership Program: Reflections on Civic Engagement, Leadership Development, and Democracy Education

This study is about a community leadership program (CLP), pseudo-named Leadership Greater Promisetown (LGP), located in the heartland of the United States. The study’s purpose is to describe program outcomes and impact in terms of civic engagement, leadership development, and democracy education. The study’s problem statement identifies lack of civic trust among citizens within the community. Using qualitative analysis, the researcher observed the LGP Class of 2012 from orientation through a retreat and seven daylong sessions and graduation, conducted a series of interviews with 11 class members, and followed up with the class using an Internet survey one year after the class ended. In addition, a comparable Internet survey was used to gather data from alumni who graduated from the program throughout its 30year history. Although the word “democracy” was not included in the formal class curriculum, the study examines democracy education within the program according to the study’s conceptual framework. The study suggests implications for future research and practice in civic leadership education. Program impact is described by analyzing participants’ civic engagement attitudes and activities and their responses to study questions about the impact of the program on their leadership development and workplace or career and greater good of the community. Analysis of the data suggests an increase in trust across five areas: (a) trust in self, (b) trust in others, (c) trust in lifelong learning, (d) trust in the community good, and (e) trust in the process of civic engagement.