Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Religiosity and Muslim Women’s Employment in the United States

Does Muslim women’s religiosity deter them from paid work outside the home? I extend this question to Muslims in the United States, where the Muslim community is both ethnically and socioeconomically diverse and where this question has not yet been answered. I pool data from the 2007 and 2011 Pew Research Center surveys of American Muslims, the only large, nationally representative samples of Muslims in the United States, and use logistic regression models to analyze the relationship between religiosity and Muslim women’s employment. I find that mosque attendance is positively associated with employment, whereas other measures of religiosity have no significant effect. Education, ethnicity, and childbearing, on the other hand, are strong, consistent predictors of Muslim women’s employment. These findings suggest that practicing Islam, in itself, does not deter American Muslim women’s engagement in paid work.
User satisfaction with child psychiatry outpatient care: implications for practice.

INTRODUCTION Satisfaction with outpatient care is determined by the extent to which the expectations of users are met. Obtaining the opinion of users is considered a reliable method of assessing the quality of service. The objective of our study was to assess the degree of satisfaction expressed by users of a child psychiatry outpatient service and to match degree of satisfaction with the dropout rate. METHOD A questionnaire was used to assess the users' expectation of the service and degree of satisfaction. Dropout rate was determined from the clinical records. RESULTS 165 new referrals to the outpatient service were recruited for the study. 41.2% expected a cure for the child's mental health problem. 65.5% expressed satisfaction with the treatment intervention and time provided at the first consultation. Positive free text comments supported this opinion, but were incongruent with the 32.8% dropout rate after the first and second visits to the clinic. Behaviour problems in children and serious social problems in the families increased the risk of dropout from treatment. CONCLUSIONS Initial expression of satisfaction with the service by the users does not guarantee continued co-operation with follow up care. Sensitivity in the approach to treatment is needed where there is a higher risk of dropout.
Demographic and clinical factors correlating with high levels of psychological distress in HIV-positive women living in Ontario, Canada

The concept of psychological distress includes a range of emotional states with symptoms of depression and anxiety and has yet to be reported in HIV-positive women living in Ontario, Canada, who are known to live with contributing factors. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, severity, and correlates of psychological distress among women accessing HIV care participating in the Ontario HIV Treatment Network Cohort Study using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10). The K10 is a 10-item, five-level response scale. K10 values range from 10 to 50 with values less than or equal to 19 categorized as not clinically significant, scores between 20 and 24 as moderate levels, 25–29 as high, and 30–50 as very high psychological distress. Correlates of psychological distress were assessed using the Pearson's chi-square test and univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Moderate, high, and very high levels of psychological distress were experienced by 16.9, 10.4, and 15.1% of the 337 women in our cohort, respectively, with 57.6% reporting none. Psychological distress levels greater than 19, correlated with being unemployed (vs. employed/student/retired; AOR = 0.33, 95% CI: 0.13–0.83), living in a household without their child/children (AOR = 2.45, 95% CI: 1.33–4.52), CD4 counts < 200 cells/mm3 (AOR = 2.07, 95% CI: 0.89–4.80), and to a lesser degree an education of some college or less (vs. completed college or higher; AOR=1.71, 95% CI: 0.99–2.95). Age and ethnicity, a priori variables of interest, did not correlate with psychological distress. Findings suggest that socioeconomic factors which shape the demography of women living with HIV in Ontario, low CD4 counts, and losing the opportunity to care for their child/children has a significant relationship with psychological distress. Approaches to manage psychological distress should address and make considerations for the lived experiences of women since they can act as potential barriers to improving psychological well-being.
Atherogenesis: the role of inflammation and infection

Atherosclerosis is no longer considered a disorder of lipid accumulation, but a disease process characterized by the dynamic interaction between endothelial dysfunction, subendothelial inflammation and the ‘wound healing response’ of the vascular smooth muscle cells. Prospective epidemiological studies have unequivocally demonstrated increased vascular risk in individuals with elevated levels of (i) cytokines such as interleukin‐6 and tumour necrosis factor‐alpha, (ii) cell adhesion molecules such as intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 and P‐selectin, and (iii) acute‐phase proteins such as C‐reactive protein, fibrinogen and serum amyloid A. Furthermore, evidence from clinical trials have demonstrated that risk reduction achieved with anti‐inflammatory agents such as statins is significantly greater in patients with evidence of inflammation. A number of risk factors for atherogenesis, including infectious agents, have been shown to exert their influence via inflammatory mechanisms. However, despite compelling experimental evidence, clinical studies looking at the role of infection in atherogenesis have lacked consistency. The clinical product of this dynamic process is variable and unpredictable between individuals, even those with apparently similar risk profiles
Evidence on the Incentive Properties of Share Contracts

Ever since Adam Smith, share contracts have been condemned for their lack of incentives. Sharecropping tenants face incentives to undersupply productive inputs since they receive only a fraction of the marginal revenue. The empirical literature reports that lands under sharecropping are indeed less productive and employ inputs less intensively than those operated by owners. This paper shows that (1) sharecropping and fixed-rent tenancy are both associated with low-quality lands, (2) plots under sharecropping and fixed rent present (on average) the same unconditional productivity, (3) controlling for observed land quality and input use, their average productivities are also identical to those of owner-operated plots, and (4) the input choices satisfy the same profit maximization conditions for all land contracts. These results challenge the conventional wisdom connecting sharecropping to incentive distortions. They support an alternative view that farmers optimally employ more input resources into good-quality lands, which are typically managed by owners. (c) 2008 byThe University of Chicago. All rights reserved.
Social capital and firms' environmental innovations: The moderating role of environmental scanning

Seen as an effective way to balance financial and environmental goals, environmental innovation has become a priority for firms. Based on the theory of social capital, this study examined the antecedents of firms' environmental innovations. Selecting environmental scanning as the moderator, this study analyzed the relationship between the three dimensions of social capital and environmental innovation. Two hundred and forty firms in the manufacturing industry were selected as the sample, and the data were analyzed using SPSS 21.0. The results showed that structural and relational capital had a positive effect on environmental innovation, while the impact of cognitive capital was not significant. Environmental scanning played the role of a positive moderator in the relationships between structural capital, relational capital and environmental innovation. Finally, in accordance with the conclusions, this study proposes related managerial implications and points out future research directions.
Osteosarcoma of the pelvis: a monoinstitutional experience in patients younger than 41 years.

AIMS AND BACKGROUND Information is scarce on systemic treatment of pelvic osteosarcoma because most chemotherapy protocols for osteosarcoma include patients with extremity tumors and aged up to 30-40 years. METHODS Data on patients <41 years of age with high-grade pelvic osteosarcoma were prospectively collected. Patients received two chemotherapy protocols consisting of methotrexate, cisplatin, doxorubicin (MAP) and standard-dose or high-dose ifosfamide. RESULTS Forty patients between 11 and 36 years were included. The most frequent histological subtype was osteoblastic followed by chondroblastic (37.5%). Complete surgical remission was achieved in 65% of patients. Eighteen patients had MAP/standard-dose ifosfamide, 22 MAP/high-dose ifosfamide. Primary chemotherapy was given to 25 patients and 6 (24%) of them had a good histological response. Median follow-up was 32 months (range, 4-134). Five-year overall survival was 27.5%: 33% in localized and 0 in metastatic patients ( P = 0.02); 45% in patients with complete surgical remission and 0 for patients without complete surgical remission (P = 0.001). Local recurrence rate was 46%. In patients with complete surgical remission, 5-year overall survival was 32% with MAP/standard-dose ifosfamide and 59% with MAP/high-dose ifosfamide regimen (P = 0.3). CONCLUSIONS Local control is the major issue in the treatment of pelvic osteosarcoma. Poor pathological response and high incidence of chondroblastic variant indicate different characteristics between pelvic and extremity osteosarcoma. Chemotherapy with MAP and high-dose ifosfamide might be beneficial in patients with pelvic osteosarcoma and warrants further investigation.
Microstructure of the coating obtained by magnetron sputtering of a Ni-Cr-B4C composite target

This paper presents data on obtaining a composite coating by radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering of a Ni-Cr-B4C composite target in an inert gas (argon) environment. To make the target, Ni-Cr-B4C composite powder was applied to the copper base of the target by detonation gas-thermal spraying. The obtained targets served as a source of coating material during high-frequency magnetron sputtering. This method of coating production ensures the reproducibility of their properties, as well as the uniformity of coating thickness and good adhesion to various target backings. The data of the study of the structure and morphology of the composite coating are presented. The resulting composite coating Ni-B/Cr7C3 with a thickness of 2 microns has a dense homogeneous structure with expressed textured polycrystallinity. The surface of the resulting coating is represented by nanoscale and homogeneous grains. There is no columnar crystal growth in the coating, which has a positive effect, as the columnar structure reduces the mechanical characteristics of the coatings due to faster oxygen diffusion along the grain boundaries. It is established that the combined use of the Ni-B and Cr7C3 binary phases in composite coatings leads to an increase in operational properties.
Ectodermal Wnt controls nasal pit morphogenesis through modulation of the BMP/FGF/JNK signaling axis

Background: Mutations of WNT3, WNT5A, WNT9B, and WNT11 genes are associated with orofacial birth defects, including nonsyndromic cleft lip with cleft palate in humans. However, the source of Wnt ligands and their signaling effects on the orofacial morphogenetic process remain elusive. Results: Using Foxg1‐Cre to impair Wnt secretion through the inactivation of Gpr177/mWls, we investigate the relevant regulation of Wnt production and signaling in nasal–facial development. Ectodermal ablation of Gpr177 leads to severe facial deformities resulting from dramatically reduced cell proliferation and increased cell death due to a combined loss of WNT, FGF and BMP signaling in the developing facial prominence. In the invaginating nasal pit, the Gpr177 disruption also causes a detrimental effect on migration of the olfactory epithelial cells into the mesenchymal region. The blockage of Wnt secretion apparently impairs the olfactory epithelial cells through modulation of JNK signaling. Conclusions: Our study thus suggests the head ectoderm, including the facial ectoderm and the neuroectoderm, as the source of canonical as well as noncanonical Wnt ligands during early development of the nasal–facial prominence. Both β‐catenin–dependent and –independent signaling pathways are required for proper development of these morphogenetic processes. Developmental Dynamics 245:414–426, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
On the Measurement of Consumer Preferences and Food Choice Behavior: The Relation Between Visual Attention and Choices

When buying a product, consumers are confronted with a host of information presented to them. However, this information can only affect shoppers' choices if they pay attention to it. Eye tracking can measure visual attention to information. Most recently, agricultural and food economics research has combined eye tracking and valuation methods to give insight into the relation between visual attention, preferences, and choices. We present an overview of the eye-tracking literature, and discuss theory and applications. Also, insights on how to measure visual attention and choice are provided. While eye tracking has its challenges, there are interesting future research avenues that can be explored by agricultural and food economists using eye tracking.
Astrocytic glutamate uptake is slow and does not limit neuronal NMDA receptor activation in the neonatal neocortex

Glutamate uptake by astrocytes controls the time course of glutamate in the extracellular space and affects neurotransmission, synaptogenesis, and circuit development. Astrocytic glutamate uptake has been shown to undergo post‐natal maturation in the hippocampus, but has been largely unexplored in other brain regions. Notably, glutamate uptake has never been examined in the developing neocortex. In these studies, we investigated the development of astrocytic glutamate transport, intrinsic membrane properties, and control of neuronal NMDA receptor activation in the developing neocortex. Using astrocytic and neuronal electrophysiology, immunofluorescence, and Western blot analysis we show that: (1) glutamate uptake in the neonatal neocortex is slow relative to neonatal hippocampus; (2) astrocytes in the neonatal neocortex undergo a significant maturation of intrinsic membrane properties; (3) slow glutamate uptake is accompanied by lower expression of both GLT‐1 and GLAST; (4) glutamate uptake is less dependent on GLT‐1 in neonatal neocortex than in neonatal hippocampus; and (5) the slow glutamate uptake we report in the neonatal neocortex corresponds to minimal astrocytic control of neuronal NMDA receptor activation. Taken together, our results clearly show fundamental differences between astrocytic maturation in the developing neocortex and hippocampus, and corresponding changes in how astrocytes control glutamate signaling. GLIA 2015;63:1784–1796
Ceramic bone graft substitute with equine bone protein extract is comparable to allograft in terms of implant fixation: A study in dogs

Background and purpose We studied whether osseointegration and fixation of plasma-sprayed titanium implants grafted with β-TCP granules (Ossaplast) can be improved by adding an osteogenic signal (Colloss E). The results were compared to implants grafted with fresh frozen morselized allograft with and without the Colloss E device. Methods 4 porous-coated Ti implants were placed in the proximal humeri in each of 10 dogs. All implants were surrounded by a 2.5-mm defect, which was grafted with: (A) β-TCP, (B) β-TCP+20 mg Colloss E, (C) allograft, or (D) allograft+20 mg Colloss E. The observation time was 4 weeks. Results Mechanical testing showed that the β-TCP group with Colloss E was twice as well fixed as the control group grafted with β-TCP granules alone, and comparable to both allograft groups. We found that every control implant in the β-TCP grafted group was covered by a dense fibrous membrane. No fibrous tissue was seen in the β-TCP group augmented with Colloss. These implants were well osseointegrated, with new bone covering 10–25% of the implant surface. Both treated groups had increased graft resorption compared to their respective control groups. Colloss E had no effect on new bone formation or fibrous tissue reduction around the allografted implants. Interpretation The Colloss E device improved early osseointegration of implants grafted with β-TCP granules and increased their mechanical implant fixation to the level of allografted implants. The experiment indicates that ceramic bone substitutes may be a viable alternative to allograft when combined with an osteogenic signal such as Colloss E.
Using Markov-Switching models in Italian, British, U.S. and Mexican equity portfolios: a performance test

In this paper we test the use of Markov Switching models in equity trading strategies, following Brooks and Persand (2001), Kritzman et al. (2012) and Hauptmann et al. (2014), who suggest their use as warning systems of bad performing periods. We extend their reviews by testing again (with the impact of trading fees) the U.S. and U.K. markets and by extending our tests to the Italian and Mexican case. The rationale behind our Markov-Switching strategy is to invest in equity index tracking ETFs in low volatility or ”good performing” periods and in the local risk-free asset in high-volatility or ”bad performing” ones. Our results show that in a weekly simulation from January 4, 2001 to July 30, 2017 with a 0.35% trading fee plus taxes, our system is useful to create alpha in all the simulated markets even if the Italian case showed several deep distress moments due to a financial or political crisis.
Adolescents with negative pregnancy test results. An accessible at-risk group.

OBJECTIVE To estimate nationally what percentage of young women receive negative pregnancy test results before becoming pregnant, to explore their fertility and test histories, and to estimate the potential for intervention at the time of a negative test result. DESIGN A cross-sectional study in which young women presenting to clinics for pregnancy tests were asked to complete a self-administered questionnaire before test results were known that explored prior pregnancy tests, pregnancies, sexual and contraceptive histories, and childbearing attitudes. SETTING Fifty-two clinics including hospital, health department, Planned Parenthood, and independent facilities. PARTICIPANTS A total of 2926 patients aged 17 years or younger requesting pregnancy tests at presentation. RESULTS Among young women who had ever conceived, 34.2% had a prior negative pregnancy test result and 24.4% had a prior negative test result at a clinic. Almost three of five of the adolescent girls, including both those who had and those who had not conceived, received a negative test result at a clinic before they ever became pregnant. By the age of 14 years, the probability of a negative test result was substantially greater than the chance of a positive test. Many presented for tests even though they were quite certain that they were not pregnant. CONCLUSIONS Adolescent girls with a negative pregnancy test result may be an appropriate target group for intervention. One fourth of adolescent girls who have a negative pregnancy test may be identified by the health care system on that occasion in time to prevent early childbearing.
Comparative analysis of two instructional strategies and their impacts on selected university engineering students' performances in particle technology

This study examined the effects of active learning and traditional lecturing on the academic performance of Particle Technology students in order to identify the more effective teaching strategy. Two active learning models, namely, cooperative and collaborative learning were used. The population of the study consisted of thirty-eight third year students enrolled in the Bachelor of Engineering in Chemical Engineering program in one of the universities in one of the Caribbean Island. The post-test only control group experimental design was employed for the study while the instruments used to collect data were midterm tests and a final examination. The data collected was subjected to an independent t-test analysis (α = 0.05), using the SPSS statistical software application. The findings indicated that students taught with traditional lecturing performed significantly better (mean P = 0.01) than those taught using active learning strategies. Males and female participants taught with traditional lecturing also performed better than their counterparts taught with active learning. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended that students be better sensitized about new teaching strategies being implemented, Particle Technology teachers recognize the value of traditional lecturing, appropriate measures be implemented to achieve comparable attendance among study groups and future studies should focus on understanding the characteristics of female students which results in them exhibiting enhanced learning compared to their male counterparts.
Therapeutic plasma exchange in neuromyelitis optica: A case series

Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is a relapsing inflammatory disease of the central nervous system that predominantly affects the spinal cord and optic nerves. The clinical hallmark of the disease is a step‐wise deterioration of visual and spinal cord function. This study reviews patients with steroid resistant relapsing NMO presenting for therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) at our institution from December 2005 to December 2012. A total of five patients were treated with single volume TPE. Both subjective and objective clinical response to TPE was estimated by three different sources (the patient, a Transfusion Medicine physician, and the treating Neurologist) with the patient and Transfusion Medicine physician's final assessment of response made at the time of the last TPE in the series and the treating neurologist's assessment of response made at the time of the next neurological exam after the last TPE. A total of 17 TPE series were performed with the average course of therapy being three series (ranged 1–5) with five TPE (ranged 3–7) per series. All patients demonstrated improvement with each series of TPE and all procedures were well tolerated with only transient and well‐described reactions all of which were successfully resolved with minor or no sequelae. J. Clin. Apheresis 29:171–177, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.