Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ESPAnet/JESP Doctoral Researcher Prize Essay Who cares? Changing patterns of childcare in Central and Eastern Europe

This article compares childcare provisions in the new member countries of the EU. It takes into account two pillars of childcare policy: publicly provided childcare services and parental leave provisions. In the analysis, the fuzzy set ideal types approach is utilized. In contrast to the studies conducted so far, this article stops treating the region of Cental and Eastern Europe as a monolith and demonstrates the existence of cross-country variation of childcare policies within the region. Furthermore, the difference is systematized by identifying four clusters of childcare policy. These are: explicit familialism, implicit familialism, female mobilizing and comprehensive support types. The countries are clustered as follows: the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Slovenia in the explicit familism policy model; Estonia and Latvia in the female mobilizing type policy; Lithuania and Hungary pursuing the childcare policies typical of the comprehensive support model; and finally the childcare policy in Poland resembles characteristics of the implicit familism model.
Using Geographic Variation in College Proximity to Estimate the Return to Schooling

A convincing analysis of the causal link between schooling and earnings requires an exogenous source of variation in education outcomes. This paper explores the use of college proximity as an exogenous determinant of schooling. Analysis of the NLS Young Men Cohort reveals that men who grew up in local labor markets with a nearby college have significantly higher education and earnings than other men. The education and earnings gains are concentrated among men with poorly-educated parents -- men who would otherwise stop schooling at relatively low levels. When college proximity is taken as an exogenous determinant of schooling the implied instrumental variables estimates of the return to schooling are 25-60% higher than conventional ordinary least squares estimates. Since the effect of a nearby college on schooling attainment varies by family background it is possible to test whether college proximity is a legitimately exogenous determinant of schooling. The results affirm that marginal returns to education among children of less-educated parents are as high and perhaps much higher than the rates of return estimated by conventional methods.
Spatially confined folding of chromatin in the interphase nucleus

Genome function in higher eukaryotes involves major changes in the spatial organization of the chromatin fiber. Nevertheless, our understanding of chromatin folding is remarkably limited. Polymer models have been used to describe chromatin folding. However, none of the proposed models gives a satisfactory explanation of experimental data. In particularly, they ignore that each chromosome occupies a confined space, i.e., the chromosome territory. Here, we present a polymer model that is able to describe key properties of chromatin over length scales ranging from 0.5 to 75 Mb. This random loop (RL) model assumes a self-avoiding random walk folding of the polymer backbone and defines a probability P for 2 monomers to interact, creating loops of a broad size range. Model predictions are compared with systematic measurements of chromatin folding of the q-arms of chromosomes 1 and 11. The RL model can explain our observed data and suggests that on the tens-of-megabases length scale P is small, i.e., 10–30 loops per 100 Mb. This is sufficient to enforce folding inside the confined space of a chromosome territory. On the 0.5- to 3-Mb length scale chromatin compaction differs in different subchromosomal domains. This aspect of chromatin structure is incorporated in the RL model by introducing heterogeneity along the fiber contour length due to different local looping probabilities. The RL model creates a quantitative and predictive framework for the identification of nuclear components that are responsible for chromatin–chromatin interactions and determine the 3-dimensional organization of the chromatin fiber.
Go with the Gang, ASEAN!

This study investigates the unexplored trade potentials and the economic impacts of bilateral free trade agreements (FTAs) between ASEAN-5 member countries (Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand) and the seven-candidate FTA partners (Australia, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, and the United States.) By using the gravity model and the Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) model, this study suggests the strategic FTA partners of ASEAN-5: ASEAN plus 3 FTA, ASEAN-China FTA, ASEAN-US FTA, ASEAN-Japan FTA, and ASEAN-India FTA. Moreover, this study shows that ASEAN-5 would achieve more benefits from the FTAs if they fully liberalized trade among themselves partly due to less trade diversion, better resource allocation, and terms-of-trade effect improvement. The results clearly indicate the potential gains from the intra-regional free trade, and point towards the importance of the ASEAN regional cooperation.
Clinical analysis of pulmonary cryptococcosis in non-HIV patients in south China.

AIMS The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical characteristics of pulmonary cryptococcosis occurring in non-HIV patients, and to develop early diagnosis of pulmonary cryptococcosis in immunocompetent cases as well. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data of 41 non-HIV infected patients with pulmonary cryptococcosis who were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University from January 2006 to April 2014. RESULTS The study included a total of 41 patients (23 males and 18 females) with mean age of 47 years. 12.19% of patients had a history of direct exposure to pigeon droppings; 31.70% of the patients' working or living environments were potentially contaminated by fungal spores. Almost one-third of the patients involved into the study were asymptomatic. The most common clinical manifestations were cough, expectoration and hemoptysis. The most common radiological manifestation was single node or mass in lung, which was described as untypical. Of all cases, 11 patients were diagnosed by CT-guided percutaneous cutting needle biopsy (PCNB), 5 patients were diagnosed by operation, and Crytococcus spore was found in 7 patients' cerebrospinal fluid. 8 patients' blood Cryptococcus Neoformans capsular polysaccharide antigens latex agglutination tests were positive. 36 patients received antifungal therapy. 5 patients underwent surgical resection. During 6 to 24 months follow-up, 40 cases showed total recovery and 1 cases showed improvement. CONCLUSIONS Pulmonary cryptococcosis in non-HIV subjects might be related to fungus-contaminated environmental exposure. The great variations and protean manifestations of its clinical features often lead to misdiagnosis. Recognition and invasive examination of non-HIV infected patients' pulmonary cryptococcosis in the early stage may help with improvement of its diagnosis and prognosis.
Empirical evidence about managerial issues of ISO certification

Nowadays, there are a growing number of companies that for a variety of reasons seek the ISO 9000 certificate in order to continue being competitive. This certification process provokes certain changes in company organisation which affect diverse functional areas. The article presents the results obtained from a study of a set of certified companies in a specific geographical area, and in which an attempt is made to test diverse hypotheses related to the influence of this process of certification with respect to human resources and the post‐certification process. The study was able to count upon the collaboration of more than 50 per cent of the certified companies under consideration.
La productivité des salariés âgés : une tentative d'estimation

Produktivitat der alteren Arbeitnehmer: Versuch einer Schatzung ; ; Mit dem Alter steigt im Schnitt auch die Entlohnung. Deshalb stellt sich die Frage, ob die hohere Entlohnung der alteren Arbeitnehmer auch einer hoheren Produktivitat entspricht oder nicht. Die Beantwortung dieser Frage hat zwangslaufig Auswirkungen auf die Beschaftigungsfahigkeit dieser alteren Arbeitnehmer. Die Produktivitat der Beschaftigten, die als «Beitrag» der verschiedenen Altersklassen zur Produktivitat der Unternehmen geschatzt wird, nimmt bis zum 40. Lebensjahr zu und stabilisiert sich danach. Das Profil der Produktivitat folgt demjenigen der Entlohnung recht nahe. Insbesondere gibt es eine nennenswerte Diskrepanz zwischen Entlohnung und Produktivitat nur bei den altesten Arbeitnehmern (uber 55 Jahre). Diese Ergebnisse sind jedoch nur wenig prazise, da sich auf der Grundlage einfacher Korrelationen zwischen Produktion und Struktur der Arbeitskrafte nur schwer eine Kausalitat zwischen Alter der Beschaftigten und Produktivitat der Unternehmen ableiten lasst. Vor allem in den angestammten und wenig effizienten Unternehmen sind die alteren Arbeitnehmer zahlreicher und stellen einen Teil des Personals dar, der sich den Produktivitatsschocks weniger rasch anzupassen vermag. Dies fuhrt zu einer Verzerrung bei der Schatzung der Produktivitat, die sich nur um den Preis weniger praziser Ergebnisse korrigieren lasst. Zudem betreffen die Ergebnisse lediglich die erwerbstatigen Arbeitnehmer und nicht alle Individuen.
Short-term reproducibility of a non-dipping pattern in type 2 diabetic hypertensive patients

Background Little information is available on the reproducibility of nocturnal variations in blood pressure in type 2 diabetic hypertensive patients. Objective We aimed to compare the intrasubject short-term reproducibility of a nocturnal non-dipping pattern and the prevalence of cardiac and extracardiac signs of target organ damage, in a group of type 2 diabetic hypertensive patients and in an age/gender-matched group of non-diabetic hypertensive subjects. Methods Thirty-six treated hypertensive patients with long-lasting type 2 diabetes (> 10 years duration) consecutively attending our hospital out-patient hypertension clinic (group I; mean age, 65 ± 9 years), and 61 untreated non-diabetic subjects with grade 1 and grade 2 uncomplicated essential hypertension, matched for age and gender, and chosen from patients attending an outpatient clinic (group II; mean age, 65 ± 5 years), were considered for this analysis. All patients underwent blood sampling for routine blood chemistry, 24-h urine collection for microalbuminuria, two 24-h periods of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) within a 4-week period, echocardiography, and carotid ultrasonography. A dipping pattern was defined as a greater than 10% reduction in the average systolic and diastolic blood pressure at night compared with average daytime values. Results A reproducible nocturnal dipping and non-dipping profile was found in 11 (30.6%) and 21 (58.3%) diabetic patients, respectively; while only in four (11.1%) patients was a variable dipping profile observed. Of the 23 patients with a non-dipping pattern during the first ABPM period, 21 (91.3%) also had this type of pattern during the second ABPM recording. In group II (non-diabetic hypertensive patients), 30 patients (49.2%, P < 0.05) had a dipping pattern, 13 patients (21.3%, P < 0.01) had a non-dipping profile pattern and 18 patients (29.5%, P < 0.01) had a variable dipping pattern. Of the 20 patients with a non-dipping pattern during the first ABPM period, 13 (65.0%) confirmed this type of pattern during the second ABPM recording. Finally, the prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy (77.7 versus 41.4%, P < 0.01), carotid plaques (80.5 versus 38.3%, P < 0.01), carotid intima–media thickening (54.3 versus 44.0%, P < 0.05) and microalbuminuria (11.1 versus 2.0%, P < 0.01) was significantly higher in group I than in group II. According to a logistic regression analysis, diabetes, left ventricular hypertrophy and carotid plaques were the main independent predictors of the non-dipping (pattern in the overall population. Conclusions These findings indicate that intrasubject variability of non-dipper pattern is lower in diabetic than in non-diabetic hypertensive patients, that classification of diabetic hypertensive patients as dipper or non-dipper on the basis of a single ABP recording is more reliable than in non-diabetic patients, and that the more frequent and reproducible non-dipping (pattern in diabetic patients is associated with a more prominent cardiac and extracardiac target organ damage.
Regional variation in myocardial water content in the edematous pig heart.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to examine regional variation in myocardial water content (%MWC) throughout the iatrogenically edematous pig heart. METHODS Edema was induced by hemodilution in domestic swine (n = 26). Hearts were arrested with potassium chloride. The left ventricular free wall (LVFW), interventricular septum (IVS), and right ventricular free wall (RVFW) were biopsied at the apex, base, and equator. Full-thickness biopsy (Full, 0.5-1 g) and subendocardial (Endo, 0.1-0.2 g) biopsies were removed from each region. %MWC was determined for each biopsy. RESULTS The %MWC for all hearts were as follows: Endo, 81.1 +/- 0.1, and Full, 80.6 +/- 0.1* (*P < 0.02); apex, 81.1 +/- 0.2*, equator, 80.7 +/- 0.2, and base, 80.4 +/- 0.2 (*P < 0.02); RVFW, 81.4 +/- 0.3*, IVS, 80.8 +/- 0.2*, and LVFW, 80.3 +/- 0.1* (*P < 0.02). For 18 hearts with LV samples with average %MWC >or= 80%, the percentages were apex, 81.4 +/- 0.2*, equator, 81.0 +/- 0.2*, and base, 80.6 +/- 0.2* (*P < 0.02) (repeated measures, ANOVA). CONCLUSION In the iatrogenically edematous porcine heart, a significant water gradient exists, with Endo > Full, apex > equator > base, and RVFW > IVS > LVFW. These results indicate that when examining edema, consistent biopsy results depend on a reproducible sampling site. Water content tends to be highest in thin-walled portions of the heart, suggesting that contractile force may be important in the distribution of edema.
The ‘Born Frees’: The Prospects for Generational Change in Post‐apartheid South Africa

South Africa's 1996 Constitution ushered in a democratic regime that brought new freedoms and rights and greatly expanded opportunities for political participation. In 1998, South Africa also implemented a new school curriculum intended, among other things, to promote democratic and other constitutional values. At the same time, South Africa has undergone rapid demographic change as growing proportions of young people enter the electorate with no working memory of apartheid. Given our knowledge of post-regime change shifts in popular attitudes in postwar Europe and Japan, theories of socialisation and democratic habituation would lead us to expect significant pro-democratic shifts in South Africa's political culture, especially amongst the youngest generation, who are popularly known in South Africa as the ‘Born Frees’. Against these expectations, however, survey evidence indicates that the post-apartheid generation are less committed to democracy than their parents or grandparents.
Effects of 12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate on Estrogen Receptor Activity in MCF-7 Cells (*)

The effects of long term treatment with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) on estrogen receptor (ER) expression in the human breast cancer cell line, MCF-7, were studied. This study demonstrates that treatment of cells with the phorbol ester blocked estrogen receptor activity. Treatment of cells with 100 nM TPA resulted in an 80% decrease in the level of ER protein and a parallel decrease in ER mRNA and binding capacity. Following removal of TPA from the medium, the level of ER protein and mRNA returned to control values; however, the receptor failed to bind estradiol. These cells also failed to induce progesterone receptor in response to estradiol. In addition, TPA treatment blocked transcription from an estrogen response element in transient transfection assays and inhibited ER binding to its response element in a DNA mobility shift assay. The estrogen receptor in treated cells was recognized by two monoclonal anti-ER antibodies and was not quantitatively different from ER in control cells. RNase protection analysis failed to detect any qualitative changes in the ER mRNA transcript. Mixing experiments suggest that TPA induces/activates a factor which interacts with the ER to block binding of estradiol. The effects of TPA on ER levels and binding capacity were concentration-dependent. Low concentrations of TPA inhibited estradiol binding without a decrease in the level of protein, whereas higher concentrations were required to decrease the level of ER protein. The effects of TPA appear to be mediated by activation of protein kinase C since the protein kinase C inhibitors, H-7 and bryostatin, block the effects of TPA on estradiol induction of progesterone receptor. TPA treatment had no effect on the level or binding capacity of the glucocorticoid receptor, indicating that the effects are not universal for steroid receptors. These data demonstrate that activation of the protein kinase C signal transduction pathway modulates the estrogen receptor pathway. The long term effect of protein kinase C activation is to inhibit estrogen receptor function through induction/activation of a factor which interacts with the receptor.
Replacement arthroplasty versus internal fixation for extracapsular hip fractures.

BACKGROUND Internal fixation, commonly used for extracapsular hip fractures, may fail particularly in unstable fractures. Replacement of the hip using arthroplasty, often used for intracapsular fractures, has been used as an alternative. OBJECTIVES To compare replacement arthroplasty with internal fixation for the treatment of extracapsular hip fractures in adults. SEARCH STRATEGY We searched the Cochrane Musculoskeletal Injuries Group's trials register and bibliographies of published papers, and contacted colleagues. Date of the most recent search: August 1999. SELECTION CRITERIA Randomised and quasi-randomised trials comparing replacement arthroplasty with an internal fixation implant for skeletally mature patients with an extracapsular hip fracture. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Both reviewers independently assessed trial quality, using a ten item scale, and extracted data. Additional information was sought from trialists. Odds ratios and 99% confidence intervals were calculated for relevant dichotomous outcomes and presented graphically. MAIN RESULTS Only one randomised trial of 90 patients with unstable extracapsular hip femoral fractures in the trochanteric region was identified and included in this review. This compared arthroplasty with a sliding hip screw and was of poor methodological quality. From the limited data available for this trial, there were no significant differences between the two methods of treatment for operating time, local wound complications, mortality rate or mobility of previously independent patients. There was however a reportedly higher blood transfusion need in the arthroplasty group. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS There is insufficient evidence from randomised trials to determine whether replacement arthroplasty has any advantage over the sliding hip screw for extracapsular hip fractures. Further well designed randomised trials for the treatment of these fractures for this comparison are required.
Social and environmental factors affecting fecal glucocorticoids in wild, female white‐faced capuchins (Cebus capucinus)

Assessing glucocorticoid levels in free‐ranging nonhuman primates provides a means to determine the social and environmental stress load for individuals. We investigated the effect of four proximate variables—reproductive state, season, male rank stability, and dominance rank—on the level of fecal glucocorticoids (cortisol metabolites) in eight adult female white‐faced capuchin monkeys in Costa Rica. Reproductive state, season, and male rank stability significantly affected fecal glucocorticoids while female dominance rank did not. Cortisol levels were significantly higher in pregnant females as compared with lactating or other reproductive states. Cortisol levels were higher among females during the dry season compared with the wet season, suggesting a metabolic adaptation to maintain homeostasis in drier, hotter conditions. Although unfamiliar males present a greater infanticidal threat than do familiar ones, we found that females experienced higher glucocorticoid levels during male rank instability events, regardless of whether the alpha male role was taken over by a familiar or an unfamiliar male. Our findings provide important benchmark and comparative data for future studies on the variables that affect glucocorticoid levels in this species and other mammals. Am. J. Primatol. 73:861–869, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
‘What really annoys me is people take it like it's a disability’, epilepsy, disability and identity among people of Pakistani origin living in the UK

This paper reports on a study of Pakistani people with epilepsy. It explores their attitudes towards their condition, others’ attitudes, its impact on their lives, and the extent to which they considered themselves as disabled. Epilepsy was variously interpreted within biomedical, folk and religious paradigms. In line with popular understandings, participants associated disability with stable, permanent and visible physical impairments and did not consider themselves as disabled. However, they also recognised a social dimension to their experience. Much of the distress and disadvantage they experienced was socially determined, both through direct prejudice and discrimination, and indirectly through a fear of others’ negative reactions. However, the invisible and unpredictable nature of epilepsy meant that they could conceal their condition and thereby mitigate its social effects. ‘Disability’ was not experienced as a static and permanent state but as a potential identity that was both contingent and contested. The literature portrays people moving from biomedical to social interpretations of disability. However, the tensions experienced by people in the study were more between competing religious interpretations of their condition and, to some extent, between religious and medical approaches. Conceptions of disability, which are presented in the literature as antagonistic and mutually exclusive, were experienced as different dimensions reflecting the complexity of experience. The paper concludes by suggesting that for many people, for whom disability is an ambiguous, contingent and contested identity, public self-identification as disabled is an unrealistic goal. Rather than conceiving of disability as primarily physical or primarily social, it would be better construed as a complex interweaving of multiple factors—physical, environmental, socio-cultural and psychological factors.