Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Accountability insights from the devolution of Indigenous child welfare in Manitoba

This article examines how language and discourse have framed the issue of accountability in Indigenous child welfare devolution in Manitoba. Devolution has been officially presented by the province as a structure and process of collaborative governance – a form of governing that requires horizontal accountability among equal partners. Our examination of the accountability structures and processes reveals that, despite the rhetoric, there is continuing heavy insistence on vertical accountability to the provincial government. At best, the idea of collaborative governance is an illusion; at worst, it has serious negative impacts on Indigenous autonomy and on standards of accountability. Sommaire Cet article examine comment le langage et le discours ont formule la question de la responsabilisation dans le transfert des responsabilites de la protection de l'enfance autochtone au Manitoba. Le transfert des responsabilites aux autorites locales a ete officiellement presente par la province comme une structure et un processus de gouvernance collaborative – une forme de gouvernance qui exige une responsabilisation horizontale entre partenaires egaux. Notre examen des structures et processus de responsabilisation revele qu'en depit de la rhetorique, on continue a insister lourdement sur la responsabilisation verticale envers le gouvernement provincial. Dans le meilleur des cas, l'idee de gouvernance collaborative est une illusion; au pire, elle a de serieuses repercussions negatives sur l'autonomie des Autochtones et sur les normes de responsabilisation.
How nurture can shape preferences: an experimental study on risk preferences of Vietnamese fishers

ABSTRACT We combined field experiment and household survey data to investigate whether working in a risky occupation such as fishing makes fishers less risk averse than people in other occupations. The unique characteristic of Vietnam's fisheries enables us to solve the endogeneity problem of occupational choice usually found in this kind of study. We used prospect theory as the main analytical framework and developed a practical procedure to simultaneously estimate the parameters of the utility function under prospect theory. The key finding is that working in a fishery makes economic agents less risk averse than others.
Relationship of cerebral blood flow regulation to acute mountain sickness.

Acute mountain sickness (AMS) is a prevalent illness seen in humans exposed to high altitudes. An increase in cerebral blood flow as a result of cerebrovasodilatation is felt by many to be responsible for its occurrence. Using the recently developed transcranial Doppler (TCD), it has become possible to detect and quantify flow velocity in the large cerebral vessels. By this method, intracranial arterial blood flow velocities and vasodilatation were measured at high altitude and correlated with clinical symptoms. Mean middle cerebral artery velocity (MCA‐V) showed a significant increase from 55 +/‐ 7 cm/s at sea level to 71 +/‐ 13 cm/s at 13,500 feet. The pulsatility index (PI) and vasomotor reactivity (VMR) both decreased (.71 +/‐ .11 at sea level to .53 +/‐ .12 at 13,500 and 45 +/‐ 17% sea level to 23 +/‐ 15% at 8,000 feet, respectively). These preliminary studies indicated that TCD technique is a viable tool for measurement of cerebral blood flow velocities and cerebral arterial vasodilatation at altitude.
Interests and information in referendum voting: An analysis of Swiss voters

Referendums impose considerable informational demands on voters. Recent theoretical and empirical research has emphasized the different shortcuts and heuristics they may employ in deciding how to vote. Relying on a substantial series of votes at the national level in Switzerland, we provide empirical tests on how Swiss voters cope with the informational demands in referendum voting. We combine simple heuristics, like partisan cues and endorsements, with indicators of instrumental interests to explain citizens' choices in a series of votes.
Financial Reporting Quality and Labor Investment Efficiency

We examine whether accounting quality is associated with efficient investments in labor. Consistent with high quality accounting mitigating market frictions that lead to sub-optimal levels of investment, we find evidence that abnormal net hiring (measured as the absolute deviation from net hiring predicted by economic fundamentals) is negatively associated with accounting quality. These results are robust to a battery of sensitivity tests and controls for other relevant factors, including labor power and other contemporaneous investments. We further examine the channels through which accounting quality improves net hiring efficiency and provide evidence that high quality accounting reduces both over-investment in labor (over-hiring and under-firing) and under-investment in labor (under-hiring and over-firing). We also show that the effect of accounting quality on net hiring efficiency is particularly strong in highly unionized industries. Finally, we also document that abnormal net hiring is costly, in that it is associated with lower future profitability. Overall, our results suggest that accounting quality improves the efficiency of investments in labor, a key factor of production, and contribute to the emerging literature on the effects of accounting on firms’ investment decisions.
Bone Loss in Ankylosing Spondylitis: Does Syndesmophyte Formation Have an Influence on Bone Density Changes?

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess bone mineral density (BMD) using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in a group of patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and the factors which have an impact on bone mass. Also, a subgroup of patients not treated with anti-osteoporotic or disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs was followed for 24 months to assess potential influencing factors on BMD changes. Subjects and Methods: Fifty-five patients (42 males, 13 females) with AS were enrolled in the study. Clinical examinations were performed. BMD was measured using DXA at lumbar spine (L2–L4) and proximal femur (femur neck BMD and total femur BMD). Lumbar spine radiographs were scored using the Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spine Score (SASSS). Twenty-one of 55 patients who completed 24 months of follow-up without using the aforementioned medications were reassessed. Results: Active patients (Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index >4, n = 22) had significantly lower femur neck and total BMD compared to inactive patients (n = 33), whereas spinal BMD was not different. Follow-up data revealed a 3.4% increase in spinal BMD but 0.9% and 0.25% decreases in femur neck BMD and total femur BMD, respectively. Percent changes in BMD measurements and SASSS scores were not significantly different between active (n = 10) and inactive (n = 11) patients. Conclusion: Significant increase in spinal BMD in parallel with increased SASSS revealed that spinal involvement prominent with new bone formation, sclerosis and syndesmophytes may influence spinal BMD measurements using DXA methods in AS. Proximal femur measurements seem to be less affected from disease-related new bone formation.
Um Termômetro para as Macro-Prudenciais

Desenvolvemos um modelo com friccoes no credito tanto para firmas como familias. Credito as firmas e tratado como nos modelos de acelerador financeiro (e.g. Bernanke et al (1999)). Os juros sobre os recursos emprestados as familias dependem de seu endividamento, como em Curdia e Woodford (2010). O modelo e estimado para o Brasil, utilizado para estudar os episodios de desaceleracao, e para a extracao dos premios de financiamento (destilados a partir de dados nao financeiros), os quais sao comparados com informacoes sobre credito as pessoas fisicas e juridicas. Dessa forma, o obtem-se um termometro para mensurar como medidas prudenciais sobre o credito afetam atividade e inflacao.
The Effects of Public Sector Sponsored Training on Individual Employment Performance in East Germany

This study analyses the effects of public sector sponsored vocational training on individual unemployment and employment duration in East Germany. The data is taken from the German Socio-Economic Panel (GSOEP). The empirical analysis is limited to training measures that took place between July 1990 and June 1993. To resolve the intriguing sample selection problem, i.e. to find an adequate control group for the group of trainees, we employ matching methods. The training effect is be estimated by using a discrete time hazard rate model. In the empirical analysis no evidence can be found to show that participation in public vocational training significantly decreases unemployment duration or increases employment duration.
Prediction of Operating Cash Flows: Further Evidence from Australia

This paper examines empirically the relative abilities of current operating cash flows (hereafter OCF) and earnings in predicting future operating cash flows in Australia. It extends prior Australian research on cash flow prediction (Percy and Stokes 1992; Clinch, Sidhu and Sing 2002; Farshadfar, Ng and Brimble 2009) by examining future cash flow predictions for one-, two- and three-year-ahead forecast horizons; incorporating additional contextual variables likely to affect the predictive association between current cash flows or earnings and future cash flows; and comparing cross-sectional versus time series-based prediction models to ascertain the relative superiority of one approach over the other. Regression results reveal that the cash flow-based models are more accurate in predicting future operating cash flows than earnings-based models. This result, however, is moderated by firm-specific contextual factors like firm size, negative versus positive cash flow pattern, cash flow variability and firm operating cycle. Finally, a comparison between cross-sectional and time series approaches reveals that the cross-sectional model outperforms the time series model for both the operating cash flows and earnings models in most of the forecast years.
Relationship between the interleukin‐28b gene polymorphism and the histological severity of hepatitis C virus–induced graft inflammation and the response to antiviral therapy after liver transplantation

Up to 30% of liver transplants will develop graft cirrhosis within 5 years after liver transplantation (LT) due to recurrent HCV‐infection forwarding accelerated graft damage. Genetic variants of cytokines involved in the immune response may contribute to the degree of graft inflammation, fibrosis progression, and antiviral therapy outcome. The aim of our study was to analyze biochemical and histological inflammation extent based on protocol liver biopsies and to evaluate the role of genetic variants of IL‐28b in HCV‐related graft disease and antiviral treatment response. 183 patients, who underwent liver transplantation for HCV‐induced liver disease, were genotyped for IL‐28b (rs8099917, G ≥ T) by TaqMan Genotyping Assay. 56 of 159 patients have been successfully treated with interferon‐based antiviral therapy. 605 protocol liver biopsies performed 0.5 to 10 and more than 10 years after transplantation were evaluated according to Desmet and Scheuer classification of inflammation and fibrosis. Prevalence of IL‐28b‐genotypes was correlated with histological severity of graft damage, levels of aminotransferases, occurrence of acute cellular rejection, pre‐treatment viremia, and antiviral therapy outcome. Significant association of IL‐28b‐genotype distribution was observed to the median grade of inflammation (p < 0.001), mean levels of aminotransferases (ALT: p = 0.001, AST: p = 0.003), median pre‐treatment viremia level within 1 year after LT (p = 0.046) and interferon‐based antiviral therapy failure (p < 0.001). Among successfully treated patients, G‐allele was significantly less frequent, and the genotype GG was not present at all. No differences were observed regarding acute cellular rejection (p = 0.798) and fibrosis stages (p = 0.586). IL‐28b polymorphism seems to influence the degree of graft inflammation at biochemical and histological levels. G‐allele might serve as a marker for graft inflammation and as a predictor for unfavorable antiviral therapy outcome in HCV‐re‐infected LT‐population. Liver Transpl, 2011. © 2011 AASLD.
Foreign Direct Investment and Economic Growth: The Experience of CEMAC Countries

﻿This paper estimates the impact of foreign direct investment (FDI) on economic growth in CEMAC countries. The basic theory is that of endogenous growth. The econometrical study is based on the work of Alaya, Nicet-Chenaf, and Rougier (2009) and Borensztein, De Gregorio, and Lee (1998). This model also includes the channels through which FDI influences growth. The study covers the period 1980-2010. All CEMAC countries are considered. To estimate the model, the author has used the method of double least squares and the generalised method moment. The results show that FDI affect growth in all CEMAC countries except Congo. The mean by which the realisation of their influence differs from one country to another. The main recommendation of the study is to promote economic and structural policies to modernise the economies of CEMAC.
Review article: hepatitis C virus and calcineurin inhibition after renal transplantation

The impact of hepatitis C virus on patient and graft survival after renal transplantation remains controversial. However, recent studies have given emphasis on the detrimental role of hepatitis C on long‐term patient and graft survival after renal transplantation. Various mechanisms can promote the lower survival in hepatitis C virus‐positive recipients, i.e. post‐transplant diabetes mellitus, liver disease and infections.
The Business Case for Offering Domestic Partner Benefits

The lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender population represents a large, talented group of potential employees. The dilemma for many employers is how this population should be recognized or accommodated, if at all. This article examines the issue of domestic partnerships and benefit parity. The decision regarding whether to offer domestic partner benefits hinges on an assessment of the costs and benefits of offering them, plus consideration of which package of benefits to offer, how taxes must be handled and whether domestic partner benefits will be extended to all domestic partners or only to same-sex partners. Legislative constraints are also examined.
Wage inequality and economic growth in Mexican regions

Only a few studies have analysed the relationship between intra- regional inequality and growth, although several studies have measured inequal- ity at the regional level. The objective of this paper is to analyse the relationship between income (wage) inequality and economic growth in different regions of Mexico. We also try to identify factors that explain the variation of intra-regional inequality across Mexican regions and over time. Using macroeconomic databases and p ublicly available microdata, we apply techniques used in the fields of statis- tics and econometrics to obtain robust evidence on the relationship between growth and inequality. Our aim is to provide policy recommendations to support the de- sign and implementation of growth-promoting measures thatavoid the exclusion of certain social groups. This paper provides reasons to use a spatial approach and an analysis of particular regions to avoid «one size fits all» policy recommendations.
Conflicts of Interest and Stock Recommendations: The Effects of the Global Settlement and Related Regulations

We study the effect of the Global Analyst Research Settlement and related regulations on sell-side research. These regulations attempted to mitigate the interdependence between research and investment banking. We document that following the regulations many brokerage houses have migrated from the traditional five-tier rating system to a three-tier system. Optimistic recommendations have become less frequent and more informative, whereas neutral and pessimistic recommendations have become more frequent and less informative. Importantly, the overall informativeness of recommendations has declined. The likelihood of issuing optimistic recommendations no longer depends on affiliation with the covered firm, although affiliated analysts are still reluctant to issue pessimistic recommendations. The Author 2009. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Society for Financial Studies. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oxfordjournals.org, Oxford University Press.
Changing patterns of migration between metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas in the United States: Recent evidence

Data from the 1975 Current Population Survey confirm that, during 1970–1975, there was a reversal of the traditional net migration stream between metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas in the United States. During this period, there was net in-migration of 1,600,000 persons to nonmetropolitan areas, in contrast to net out-migration of 350,000 persons from these areas in 1965–1970. Reversal was caused by a 12 percent decrease in the number of nonmetropolitan out-migrants and a 23 percent increase in the number of SMSA residents moving to nonmetropolitan territory over 1965–1970 levels. While some changes in the size of migration streams were due to changes in age structures and population bases in metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas, they were caused primarily by real shifts in outmigration propensities at practically all ages in both areas.
HOME-BASED BUSINESS: A PHENOMENON OF GROWING ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE

ABSTRACT One of the fastest growing sectors of the North American economy is the “home-based enterprise”. This paper focuses on one component of this sector—the self-employed or the “home-based business”. Our study is based on a sample of firms recently registered or incorporated in Canada. The importance of the home-based sector is highlighted by the fact that over 71 per cent of all respondents indicated their principal place of business was their home. The rapid growth of this sector can be attributed primarily to the need to save money and the desire of many respondents to minimize the risk of starting a business of their own. A number of other factors have contributed to this growth. For many people, the decision to operate from their homes appears to be a lifestyle decision reflecting their personal career preferences and not one based principally on economic or financial considerations. As the sector continues to grow, it is imperative that government and other support system providers develop poli.
IdLNF1-specific T cell clones accelerate the production of IdLNF1 + IgG and nephritis in SNF1 mice.

We have shown that antibodies bearing a nephritogenic idiotype (IdLNF1) are important in the pathogenesis of autoimmune glomerulonephritis in the (NZB x SWR)F1 hybrid, SNF1. A significant shift in the ratio of CD4+ to CD8+ IdLNF1-specific T lymphocytes, in favour of CD4+ IdLNF1-specific T cells, occurred at 22-24 weeks of age in the SNF1 and correlated with an increase in serum IdLNF1 + IgG and its deposition in the kidney. Recently, we reported the characteristics of six IdLNF1-specific T cell clones (CD3+CD4+CD8-V beta 17a+) derived from 22-week-old SNF1 mice which proliferated in response to IdLNF1 + Ig and augmented IdLNF1 + IgG production when mixed with SNF1 B cells in vitro. No increase in the production of anti-DNA antibodies was seen. Here we report results of the adoptive transfer of three of these clones, A1, B6 and D2, into 6-8-week-old SNF1 mice. Serum immunoglobulin (Ig) (IgG and IgM) levels did not differ from those of age-matched unmanipulated SNF1 up to and including 35 days post-injection. Similarly, total IdLNF1 + Ig levels did not vary significantly among the groups until 28 days post-injection. However, elevated levels of IdLNF1 + IgG were observed as early as 7 days post-injection in mice receiving clone B6 and 21 days post-injection in mice receiving clone D2. This was in sharp contrast with the results obtained in mice treated with clone A1 or unmanipulated SNF1 mice, which did not express IdLNF1 + IgG during this period. Digital image analysis of the kidney glomeruli of mice receiving T cell clones B6 or D2 demonstrated a significantly (P < 0.05) higher level of IdLNF1 + Ig deposition and glomerulonephritis than age-matched unmanipulated SNF1 mice or mice which had received clone A1. Interestingly, there was no statistically significant difference in the production of anti-ssDNA or dsDNA antibodies with the treatments. Mean survival for mice treated with T cell clones B6 and D2 was significantly (P < or = 1 x 10(-6)) shorter compared to unmanipulated SNF1 mice, while that of mice which had received T cell clone A1 was significantly (P < or = 3 x 10(-6)) longer, as determined by chi-squared analysis. The overall survival of mice treated with clones B6 and D2 did not differ from that of unmanipulated mice; however, mice treated with clone A1 survived significantly (P < or = 0.05) longer. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Which Type of Trust for Inter-firm Learning?

This study investigates the association between types of trust and inter-firm learning in buyer-supplier exchanges in an industrial cluster. More specifically, the study explores the impact of trust types on knowledge sharing among manufacturer and retailer SMEs in a furniture cluster. The results of empirical data from 158 manufacturers suggest no significant association between trust based on competence, reliability and predictability and inter-firm learning and a significant positive association between trust based on goodwill, benevolence and non-opportunism and inter-firm learning. The study findings integrate research on the relational and knowledge-related aspects of knowledge exchange at the dyadic inter-firm level.
Elevation of blood &bgr;-carboline alkaloids in essential tremor

Background &bgr;-Carboline alkaloids are normal body constituents but are also potent tremor-producing chemicals that are naturally present in the food chain. Objective To explore the hypothesis that high concentrations of &bgr;-carboline alkaloids are associated with essential tremor (ET). Methods One hundred cases and 100 controls were frequency matched on age, sex, and ethnicity. Blood concentrations of harmane and harmine were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography, blinded to clinical information. Results The mean log blood concentration of harmane was higher in cases than controls (0.72 ± 0.53 vs 0.51 ± 0.64 g−10/mL;p = 0.01). A nonparametric test on nontransformed data (median harmane = 5.21 g−10/mL in cases and 2.28 g−10/mL in controls) confirmed this difference (p = 0.005). The mean log blood concentration of harmine was 0.20 ± 0.48 g−10/mL in cases and 0.10 ± 0.65 g −10/mL in controls (p = 0.20). Log harmane concentrations were stratified based on the median value; 62% of cases vs 39% of controls had a high log harmane concentration (p = 0.001). Mean log harmane concentration was similar in the cases with (0.74 ± 0.58 g−10/mL) and without (0.71 ± 0.50 g−10/mL) an affected relative (p = 0.83). Conclusions Blood concentrations of harmane were measured in ET cases compared with controls. Concentrations were elevated in cases with and without a family history of ET.