Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
EQUIVALENCE SCALES, WELL‐BEING, INEQUALITY, AND POVERTY: SENSITIVITY ESTIMATES ACROSS TEN COUNTRIES USING THE LUXEMBOURG INCOME STUDY (LIS) DATABASE

The Luxembourg Income Study (LIS) database on which this article is based offers researchers exciting new possibilities for international comparisons based on household income microdata. Among the choices the LIS microdata allows a researcher, e.g. income definition, income accounting unit, etc., is the choice of family equivalence scale, a method for estimating economic well-being by adjusting income for measurable differences in need. The range of potential equivalence scales that can and are being used in the ten LIS countries and elsewhere to adjust incomes for size and related differences in need span a wide spectrum. The purpose of this paper is to review the available equivalence scales and to test the sensitivity of various income inequality and poverty measures to choice of equivalence scale using the LIS database. The results of our analysis indicate that choice of equivalence scale can sometimes systematically affect absolute and relative levels of poverty; and inequality and therefore rankings of countries (or population subgroups within countries). Because of these sensitivities, one must carefully consider summary statements and policy implications derived from cross-national comparisons of poverty and/or inequality.
A comparative study of racecadotril and single dose octreotide as an anti-secretory agent in acute infective diarrhoea.

OBJECTIVE To assess the efficacy of single dose of octreotide and compare it with another antisecretory agent racecadotril in the management of acute infective diarrhea. METHODS A randomized control study was done in the Department of Medicine and Infectious Disease Hospital (Department of Preventive and Social Medicine) of SMS Medical College and Hospital. 150 patients with moderate to severe acute diarrheal illness needing hospitalization were randomly allotted into 3 categories of 50 patients each. The control group received only fluids and antibiotics, the racecadotril group received fluid, antibiotics and oral racecadotril at dose of 1.5 mg/kg three times a day and the octreotide group received octreotide (100 microgram stat) along with fluid and antibiotics. The following end points of the study were compared, namely- frequency, quantity and consistency of stools and fluid requirement per day. RESULTS The mean (+/- SE) frequency of stools was significantly less (p < 0.001) from day 2 onwards in the octreotide group compared to the control and racecadotril group. Diarrhea stopped in half of the patients in the octreotide group by day 3. The consistency of stools changed significantly in the octreotide group (p < 0.001). No significant difference was seen between the racecadotril and control group (p > 0.05) in terms of the frequency and consistency of stools. The mean (+/- SE) quantity of stools was significantly decreased in the octreotide group (p < 0.001) on day 2 compared to the other two groups. The mean (+/- SE) quantity of fluid required was almost the same in all 3 groups on day 1 (p > 0.05) but it was significantly less in the octreotide group on day 2 (p < 0.001). No significant difference was seen with respect to the fluid requirement between the control and racecadotril group (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION Patients who received single dose of octreotide fared better than those patients in control and racecadotril group in terms of frequency, quantity and consistency of stools passed. The fluid requirement was also less in octreotide group. However more trials need to be done to substantiate this finding before octreotide becomes a standard of therapy in acute infective diarrhea.
Cloning of human T cells specific for measles virus haemagglutinin and nucleocapsid

T cell lines specific for measles virus (MV) were generated from blood of two DR1/DR2 heterozygous healthy donors with a history of past measles infection. The antigenic specificity of 66 T cell clones derived from the lines was studied in a blastogenic assay using whole measles virus and two purified virus components, haemagglutinin and nucleocapsid. Thirty‐nine of the clones were specific for one of the two purified antigens. None of seven synthetic peptides covering 20% of the MV haemagglutinin amino acid sequence stimulated T cell clones with haemagglutinin specificity. Responsiveness of the majority of the clones were restricted by HLA‐D/DR antigens, although two clones were isolated that responded only to MV antigens presented by autologous cells. Ten of 11 clones recognizing the nucleocapsid antigen were DR1‐restricted, while the haemagglutinin antigen and whole measles virions were recognized more often in association with the DR2 antigen. These results indicate that much of the MV‐specific memory T cell response is specific for the haemagglutinin and nucleocapsid virus antigens, with the DR antigen being the main restriction element involved.
Accounting and Business Economics in Spain

Economia de la Empresa (Business Economics) emerged in Spain as a distinct academic discipline in the second half of the twentieth century. In its early years, Business Economics shared common influences with Accounting, particularly ideas and theories acquired from the translation of Italian and German works on Economia Aziendale and Betriebswirtschaftslehre. However, partly because of the institutional structure of Spanish universities, the two disciplines moved apart. During the Franco regime, Spanish accounting research was quite isolated, and with the return of democracy and the move towards greater European involvement much research was devoted to issues of financial accounting harmonization and standardization. This normative research was of little interest to Business Economics researchers, who were developing analytical approaches grounded in economic theory. More recently, academics working in the two disciplines have drawn on a wider range of theoretical approaches, from empirical studies to behavioural and organizational theory and institutional economics based on agency theory and transaction cost analysis. At present, the disciplines 'walk separately down the same road', but the new generation of researchers has the opportunity to bring Accounting and Business Economics closer together from an intellectual and scientific point of view.
Double antisymmetry and the rotation-reversal space groups.

Rotation-reversal symmetry was recently introduced to generalize the symmetry classification of rigid static rotations in crystals such as tilted octahedra in perovskite structures and tilted tetrahedra in silica structures. This operation has important implications for crystallographic group theory, namely that new symmetry groups are necessary to properly describe observations of rotation-reversal symmetry in crystals. When both rotation-reversal symmetry and time-reversal symmetry are considered in conjunction with space-group symmetry, it is found that there are 17,803 types of symmetry which a crystal structure can exhibit. These symmetry groups have the potential to advance understanding of polyhedral rotations in crystals, the magnetic structure of crystals and the coupling thereof. The full listing of the double antisymmetry space groups can be found in the supplementary materials of the present work and at http://sites.psu. edu/gopalan/research/symmetry/.
Capture the flag: a multiplayer online game for phone users

This paper explores the concept of using smart phones to facilitate pervasive mixed reality, location-based, physical and social gaming. The interaction and communication between the virtual and physical worlds are explored and studied using a mixed reality version of the capture-the-flag game. In this game, players from two different paradigms, virtual and real, compete and collaborate in a social gaming environment using mobile devices and network system.
REIT Returns and Pricing: The Small Cap Value Stock Factor

This study employs a variance decomposition approach to explore the investment characteristics of equity REITs within a multi‐factor model relating REIT returns to returns to small capitalization value stocks, small cap growth stocks, large cap stocks, bonds and private real estate. It also examines the changing nature of the return process over time, utilizing a finer partition of the stock market factor than many previous researchers have by distinguishing between small capital growth and small capital value stocks. This decomposition allows the effect of small stocks to be measured more accurately. In addition, this study is unique in that it incorporates a real estate factor at the monthly frequency, constructed from monthly REIT share price premium to NAV estimates. Our results show that REITs have a significant small capital value component, yet also exhibit a large sector‐specific component that has increased in importance in recent years. Conversely, REIT return volatility is not highly related to small capital growth stocks, and the contribution of large capital stock drivers to REIT volatility has declined over time. On a monthly level, private real estate returns play only a marginal role in explaining REIT volatility. Our results contribute to an improved understanding of the role played by REITs in portfolios diversified across asset classes.
The scalpel model of third language acquisition

Aims and Objectives: This article proposes the “scalpel model,” a new model of third and additional language (L3/Ln) acquisition. The model aims to identify and examine what happens beyond the initial state of acquisition and what factors may influence change from one state of knowledge to another. Methodology: The article briefly examines the currently proposed hypotheses and models and evaluates the existing evidence for their predictions. It highlights several cognitive and experiential factors affecting crosslinguistic influence that are not taken into account by the current models. These factors include: structural linguistic complexity; misleading input or lack of clear unambiguous evidence for some properties or constructions; construction frequency in the target L3; and prevalent language activation or use. Data and analysis: Findings of recently published research are discussed in support of the scalpel model. In particular, findings of differential learnability of properties within the same groups of learners suggest that L1 or L2 transfer happens property by property and is influenced by diverse factors. Findings: The scalpel model explicitly argues that wholesale transfer of one of the previously acquired languages does not happen at the initial stages of acquisition because it is not necessary. It also argues that transfer can be from the L1 or the L2 or both, but it is not only facilitative. Originality: The new model increases the explanatory coverage of the current experimental findings on how the L3/Ln linguistic representations develop. Implications: The model emphasizes the importance of the cognitive, experiential, and linguistic influences on the L3/Ln beyond transfer from the L1 or L2. Thus, it aligns L3/Ln acquisition with current debates within L2 acquisition theory.
The effect on the performance of listed family and non-family firms

Purpose - – The purpose of this paper is to examine whether the ownership of public firms is related to accounting and market performance, comparing family and non-family listed firms. Design/methodology/approach - – The paper uses regression analysis, considering a sample of Portuguese family and non-family firms (NFF) for the period between 1999 and 2010. Findings - – Overall, the results show that family firms (FF) are older, are more indebted and have higher debt costs than NFF. However, they present lower levels of risk. The evidence suggests that FF outperform NFF when the author considers a market performance measure. The market performance of family-controlled firms is more sensitive to the crisis periods and age, compared to their counterparts. The empirical findings suggest that under economic adversity, the performance is especially compromised by the firms' age. Research limitations/implications - – A limitation of this study is the small size of the sample, which derives from the small size of the Portuguese stock market, the Euronext Lisbon. Originality/value - – This paper offers some insights on the ownership of public firms and firm performance by investigating a small European economy. The study also contributes to the stream of firm performance, considering new independent variables as determinants of firm performance, such as operational risk. Finally, the study examines the interaction between ownership and performance under both steady and adverse economic conditions, giving the opportunity to analyze whether firm performance differs according to market conditions.
Global incidence of oesophageal cancer by histological subtype in 2012

Objective The two major histological types of oesophageal cancer—adenocarcinoma (AC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)—are known to differ greatly in terms of risk factors and epidemiology. To date, global incidence estimates for individual subtypes are still lacking. This study for the first time quantified the global burden of oesophageal cancer by histological subtype. Design Where available, data from Cancer Incidence in Five Continents Vol. X (CI5X) were used to compute, age-specific, sex-specific and country-specific proportions of AC and SCC. Nine regional averages were computed for countries without CI5X data. The proportions were then applied to all oesophageal cancer cases from GLOBOCAN 2012 and age-standardised incidence rates calculated for both histological types. Results Worldwide, an estimated 398 000 SCCs and 52 000 ACs of the oesophagus occurred in 2012, translating to incidence rates of 5.2 and 0.7 per 100 000, respectively. Although SCCs were most common in South-Eastern and Central Asia (79% of the total global SCC cases), the highest burden of AC was found in Northern and Western Europe, Northern America and Oceania (46% of the total global AC cases). Men had substantially higher incidence than women, especially in the case of AC (male to female ratio AC: 4.4; SCC: 2.7). Conclusions These first global estimates of oesophageal cancer incidence by histology suggested a high concentration of AC in high-income countries with men being at much greater risk. This quantification of incidence will aid health policy makers to plan appropriate cancer control measures in the future.
Conservation of Endo16 expression in sea urchins despite evolutionary divergence in both cis and trans-acting components of transcriptional regulation

Evolutionary changes in transcriptional regulation undoubtedly play an important role in creating morphological diversity. However, there is little information about the evolutionary dynamics of cis-regulatory sequences. This study examines the functional consequence of evolutionary changes in the Endo16 promoter of sea urchins. The Endo16 gene encodes a large extracellular protein that is expressed in the endoderm and may play a role in cell adhesion. Its promoter has been characterized in exceptional detail in the purple sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus purpuratus. We have characterized the structure and function of the Endo16 promoter from a second sea urchin species, Lytechinus variegatus. The Endo16 promoter sequences have evolved in a strongly mosaic manner since these species diverged ∼35 million years ago: the most proximal region (module A) is conserved, but the remaining modules (B-G) are unalignable. Despite extensive divergence in promoter sequences, the pattern of Endo16 transcription is largely conserved during embryonic and larval development. Transient expression assays demonstrate that 2.2 kb of upstream sequence in either species is sufficient to drive GFP reporter expression that correctly mimics this pattern of Endo16 transcription. Reciprocal cross-species transient expression assays imply that changes have also evolved in the set of transcription factors that interact with the Endo16 promoter. Taken together, these results suggest that stabilizing selection on the transcriptional output may have operated to maintain a similar pattern of Endo16 expression in S. purpuratus and L. variegatus, despite dramatic divergence in promoter sequence and mechanisms of transcriptional regulation.
Do Low-Quality Products Affect High-Quality Entry? Multiproduct Firms and Nonstop Entry in Airline Markets

This paper studies the effect of product ownership and quality on nonstop entry in the airline industry. Specifically, this paper empirically examines the decision of an airline to offer high quality nonstop service between cities given that the airline may or may not be offering lower quality one-stop service. I find that airlines that offer one-stop service through a hub are less likely to enter that same market with nonstop service than those that do not. In addition, the quality of the one-stop service is an important determinant of entry. Airlines are more likely to enter a market with nonstop service if their own or their rival'. s one-stop service in the market are of lower quality. Estimates suggest that the entry of a rival nonstop carrier diminishes the probability a carrier enters the market with nonstop service. However, airlines offering one-stop service respond differently to nonstop rivals. In particular, relative to other carriers, those offering one-stop service are more likely to enter markets if there are nonstop rivals, suggesting that cannibalization effects are diminished in the presence of nonstop competition.
Rectal Histopathology in Endemic Shigella and Salmonella Diarrhea

&NA; Rectal histopathology was evaluated in 34 cases (2 months‐12 yrs old) of endemic “invasive diarrhea” [>20 WBCs per high‐power field on stool microscopy with (RBC positive) or without (RBC negative) associated RBCs] where S. dysenteriae (n = 9), S. flexneri (n = 11), and nontyphoidal Salmonella were isolated as the sole identifiable enteropathogens. Persistent diarrhea (>14 days duration) was more common with Salmonella infection whereas RBC‐positive “invasive diarrhea” was more frequent with Shigella, particularly S. dysenteriae (all cases) infection. The histopathological profile was comparable to the earlier descriptions of infective colitis to a large extent and the nature of the infecting organism could not be determined on the basis of rectal histology alone. The other noteworthy features were as follows: (i) mild crypt distortion (26%) and branching (21%) in both Shigella and Salmonella infection; in Salmonella infection, dilation of the glands was significantly greater with persistent diarrhea; (ii) presence of chronic inflammatory cells either alone or in combination with neutrophils in 62%; a predominant neutrophilic response was significantly higher with S. dysenteriae infection and an acute presentation; (iii) pseudomembrane formation (six subjects; 18%) especially in S. dysenteriae (four cases); and (iv) a significant association of neutrophilic response, edema, and neutrophils within the vessels in the lamina propria and mucin depletion in the glands with RBC‐positive “invasive diarrhea. ”
CARDIAC FUNCTION AND STRUCTURE IN LONGITUDINAL ANALYSIS OF ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY IN PERITONEAL DIALYSIS PATIENTS

♦ Background: Echocardiography is widely used for the evaluation of cardiac structures and function. The prognostic value of assessment of left cardiac atrium (LA) size in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients is still unclear. The objective of the present study is to investigate prospectively a longitudinal monitoring of echocardiography parameters after start of PD. We also investigated a correlation study among plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) level, LA size, and cardiac function undergoing aggressive treatment. ♦ Methods: Correlation among plasma ANP, LA size, and cardiac function was prospectively analyzed by Doppler echocardiography in 32 PD patients in Juntendo University Hospital, Tokyo. Measurement of these parameters was performed at 0, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after start of PD. All patients were treated with an angiotensin type 1 receptor blocker to control blood pressure to less than 140/90 mmHg. Other antihypertensive drugs such as diuretics and/or calcium channel blockers were added if blood pressure rose to over 140/90 mmHg. Hemoglobin and hematocrit levels were targeted at 10.0 g/dL and 30.0% respectively with recombinant human erythropoietin treatment. A diuretic was added or patients decreased their water intake if ANP was more than 43.0 pg/mL or LA diameter (LAD) more than 39 mm, and for other basic markers of volume status. Cardiac function was measured before and after drainage of PD fluid to evaluate the influence of cardiac function. ♦ Results: LAD at start of dialysis (36 ± 4.6 mm) decreased significantly to 33 ± 3.3 mm (p < 0.05), 33 ± 3.2 mm (p < 0.05), and 33 ± 3.6 mm (p < 0.05) after 6, 12, and 24 months, respectively. Ejection fraction after 6 months was significantly increased compared with that at start of dialysis (p < 0.05). Left ventricular mass index (LVMI) after 6, 12, and 24 months was significantly decreased compared with that at start of dialysis (p < 0.05). ANP was 56 ± 39 pg/mL at start of dialysis and decreased significantly to 33 ± 19 pg/mL after 24 months (p < 0.05). ANP was significantly correlated with LAD (r = 0.412, p < 0.01), transmitral A wave flow velocity (r = 0.429, p < 0.01), and LVMI (r = 0.426, p < 0.01). Instillation of the dialysis fluid did not affect any parameters except inferior vena cava dimension. ♦ Conclusion: This study demonstrates a reduction in LA size and LVMI in PD patients followed over 24 months. Left ventricular structure, contraction, and compliance were well preserved in PD patients undergoing aggressive treatment based on measurements of plasma ANP and LAD.
Rural gentrification as a migration process: Evidence from Sweden

The aim of this study is to investigate rural gentrification as a migration process in parts of the sparsely populated countryside. The aim is sought through an analysis of the socio-economic and demographic composition of migration patterns using register data and employing different methods including logistic regression analysis. The particular time set of the analyses from the late 1980s until the early 1990s has been utilized as a way to understand the changing migration pattern of a changing economy; from boom to bust. The results show that rural gentrification is of marginal importance in the sparsely populated countryside of Sweden.