Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Economic Inequality and Electoral Participation: A Cross-Country Evaluation

Empirical research has shown that electoral engagement is positively correlated with income at the individual level. At the same time, the aggregate relationship between income inequality and electoral turnout is still unclear. While most studies show a negative impact of inequality over turnout, some others have found no relationship at all, and some others even suggest a positive impact. In this paper I argue that more fine-grained research is needed to understand this relationship. Firstly, standard measures of inequality, such as the Gini index, do not seem to be adequate to study the effect of inequality over turnout, given that changes in the Gini index may reflect either a change at the top or at the bottom of the income ladder. For that reason, alternative measures, such as the income ratio between quintiles, need to be tested. Secondly, differences in electoral engagement by income may be affected by the set of political alternatives available in each country. I hypothesize that when the polarization between parties on economic and social issues is high, that will induce a higher electoral turnout, given that voters will be highly motivated to avoid the undesired outcome. In order to test these hypotheses, I use data from CSES (Module 2) as well as aggregate data. Multilevel analysis is used to these hypotheses. Results are also compared with estimated dependent variable (EDV) techniques. Findings show that different measures of income inequality may change the relationship between inequality and electoral turnout. On the other hand, party polarization seems to be correlated with differences in turnout.
More than 50% of players sustained a time-loss injury (>1 day of lost training or playing time) during the 2012 Super Rugby Union Tournament: a prospective cohort study of 17 340 player-hours

Background Professional Rugby Union is a contact sport with a high risk of injury. Objective To document the incidence and nature of time-loss injuries during the 2012 Super Rugby tournament. Design Prospective cohort study. Setting 2012 Super Rugby tournament (Australia, New Zealand, South Africa). Participants 152 players from 5 South African teams. Methods Team physicians collected daily injury data through a secure, web-based electronic platform. Data included size of the squad, type of day, main player position, training or match injury, hours of play (training and matches), time of the match injury, mechanism of injury, main anatomical location of the injury, specific anatomical structure of the injury, the type of injury, the severity of the injury (days lost). Results The proportion (%) of players sustaining a time-loss injury during the tournament was 55%, and 25% of all players sustained >1 injury. The overall incidence rate (IR/1000 player-hours) of injuries was 9.2. The IR for matches (83.3) was significantly higher than for training (2.1) and the IR was similar for forwards and backs. Muscle/tendon (50%) and joint/ligament (32.7%) injuries accounted for >80% of injuries. Most injuries occurred in the lower (48.1%) and upper limb (25.6%). 42% of all injuries were moderate (27.5%) or severe (14.8%), and tackling (26.3%) and being tackled (23.1%) were the most common mechanisms of injury. The IR of injuries was unrelated to playing at home compared with away (locations ≥6 h time difference). Conclusions 55% of all players were injured during the 4-month Super Rugby tournament (1.67 injuries/match). Most injuries occurred in the lower (knee, thigh) or upper limb (shoulder, clavicle). 42% of injuries were severe enough for players to not play for >1 week.
Significant activity of paclitaxel in advanced transitional-cell carcinoma of the urothelium: a phase II trial of the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group.

PURPOSE To assess the efficacy and toxicity of single-agent paclitaxel as first-line chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced or metastatic transitional-cell carcinoma of the urothelium. PATIENTS AND METHODS Twenty-six eligible patients were enrolled onto this cooperative group study and treated with paclitaxel at a dosage of 250 mg/m2 by 24-hour continuous infusion every 21 days until progression or patient intolerance. All patients received recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) at 5 micrograms/kg/d for at least 10 days during each cycle. RESULTS Eleven of 26 patients (42%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 23% to 63%) demonstrated an objective response, with seven achieving a complete clinical response (CR) (27%; 95% CI, 12% to 48%) and four (15%) a partial response (PR). The median duration of response in the 11 responders is 7+ months (range, 4 to 17), with five responders (four CRs, one PR) remaining progression-free at 5, 6, 10, 12, and 16 months from the start of therapy. The estimated median survival duration for all patients is 8.4 months. Hematologic toxicity consisted of anemia (12% grade 3) and granulocytopenia (4% grade 3, 19% grade 4), with two patients developing granulocytopenic fevers. Nonhematologic toxicity included grade 3 mucositis in 11%, grade 3 neuropathy in 11%, and grade 4 diarrhea in 4%. CONCLUSION Single-agent paclitaxel at this dosage and schedule is one of the most active single agents in previously untreated patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma, and is well tolerated by this patient population when given with hematopoetic growth factor support.
How Do Children Fare in the New Millennium? Initial Findings from Vietnam Round 3 Survey

H o w D o C h il d re n F a re i n t h e N e w M il le n n iu m ? In iti al fi nd in gs fr om V ie tn a m Young Lives is a long-term international research project investigating the changing nature of childhood poverty in four developing countries – Ethiopia, India (in Andhra Pradesh), Peru and Vietnam – over 15 years, the timeframe set by the UN to assess progress towards the UN Millennium Development Goals.
Nellore bulls in Brazilian feedlots can be safely adapted to high-concentrate diets using 14-day restriction and step-up protocols

In the present study, the effects of restricted intake of the final finishing diet as a means of dietary adaptation compared with diets increasing in concentrate content (step-up) over periods of 14 and 21 days on growth performance, carcass characteristics, feeding behaviour and rumen morphometrics of Nellore cattle were evaluated. One hundred and twenty 20 months old Nellore bulls (initial BW = 372.2 kg, s.d. = 21.5 kg) were randomly allocated in 24 pens (n = 5 per pen) and fed for 84 days. The study had a completely randomised design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement: adaptation using both 14-day and 21-day step-up and restriction protocols. Each treatment was replicated 6 times. One bull per pen was slaughtered (n = 24) at the end of adaptation period to evaluate rumen morphometrics. The remaining bulls (n = 96) were slaughtered at the end of experimental period. Interactions were observed (P < 0.05) for growth performance, feeding behaviour and rumen morphometrics variables. Overall, no protocol or adaptation length main effect (P > 0.05) was observed for any of the growth rate and carcass traits evaluated, except for hot carcass weight (P = 0.03) and dressing percentage (P = 0.04), where bulls adapted for 14 days had heavier carcasses and increased dressing percentage when compared with cattle adapted for 21 days. Cattle adapted for 21 days had a larger (P = 0.005) rumen wall absorptive surface area at the end of adaptation period than those adapted for 14 days; however, no differences were detected at the end of finishing period. Thus, Nellore yearling bulls could be adapted for 14 days regardless of the protocol.
Dose–Response Head-to-Head Comparison of Inodilators Dobutamine, Milrinone, and Levosimendan in Chronic Experimental Pulmonary Hypertension

The choice of inodilator drug in the acute management of patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) having right ventricular (RV) failure remains unsettled and challenging. Comprehensive experimental evaluations may provide further insight and fundamental translational research clues to support inodilator selection and clinical trial design. Our aim was to compare acute dose–response hemodynamic effects of inodilators dobutamine (DOB), milrinone (MIL), and levosimendan (LEV) in chronic experimental PH. Seven-week-old male Wistar rats were randomly injected with 60 mg·kg−1 monocrotaline (MCT) or vehicle (Ctrl, n = 7) and underwent systemic and pulmonary artery (PA) pressure and RV pressure–volume (PV) hemodynamic evaluation under halogenate anesthesia 24 to 30 days after injection. The MCT-injected animals (n = 7 each) randomly received dose–response infusions of DOB (1, 3, 6 and 12 μg·kg−1·min−1), MIL (MIL: 1, 3, 6 and 12 μg·kg−1·min−1), or LEV (0.3, 0.6, 1.2 and 2.4 μg·kg−1·min−1). Load-independent indexes were obtained by inferior vena cava occlusion at baseline and after the last dose. All inodilators increased RV ejection fraction, preload recruitable stroke work, and ventricular–vascular coupling without jeopardizing perfusion pressure. Dobutamine raised heart rate and PA pressure. Only LEV increased cardiac index and decreased PA elastance and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR). Moreover, only LEV downward-shifted the end-diastolic PV relationship, thereby improving RV compliance. Adding sildenafil to LEV further decreased PVR. Levosimendan had beneficial acute systolic and diastolic functional effects in experimental chronic PH and RV afterload compared to DOB and MIL. It should be further tested in clinical trials enrolling patients with PH in the perioperative and critical care settings.
Occupational socialization and the physical education student teacher.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to assess the physical education student teacher's Pupil Control Ideology (PCI) prior to and after student teaching and to examine the cooperating teacher's role as a socialization agent. PCI was examined by the Pupil Control Ideology Form which assesses the ideology on a continuum from custodialism to humanism. In addition, observational and interview data were collected in order to make further comparisons with PCI data. The results indicate that the subjects (N = 28) became significantly more custodial in their PCI during student teaching. When compared to cooperating teacher scores, student teachers' mean PCI scores were significantly different on pretest analyses (in a humanistic direction), but not on posttest analyses. Furthermore, PCI results from subjects selected for field observation indicated that the humanistic group moved in a custodial direction, while the custodial group moved in a humanistic direction. Finally, observation and interview data support .
Inhibiting system xC− and glutathione biosynthesis – a potential Achilles' heel in mutant-p53 cancers

ABSTRACT Effective therapeutic strategies to target mutant tumor protein p53 (TP53, best known as p53) cancers remain an unmet medical need. We found that mutant p53 impairs the function of nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (NFE2L2, commonly known as NRF2), suppresses solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) expression, and diminishes cellular glutamate/cystine exchange. This decreases glutathione biosynthesis, resulting in redox imbalance. Mutant p53 tumors are thus inherently susceptible to further perturbations of the SLC7A11/glutathione axis.
A meta‐analysis of erythropoiesis‐stimulating agents in anaemic patients with chronic heart failure

Anaemia is a frequent comorbidity in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) and is associated with worse outcomes. It is logical to consider whether correcting anaemia is a novel therapeutic target in such patients. We performed a meta‐analysis to explore whether treatment of anaemia with erythropoietin‐stimulating agents (ESA) can improve symptoms and progression in patients with CHF.
“I thought we were supposed to learn how to become better coaches”: developing coach education through action research

ABSTRACT Youth coaches play a crucial role in the development of young athletes and their physical, psychological and social well-being. Therefore, it is important to foster and develop youth coaches’ ability to govern and act effectively in their coaching practices. Sports organisations facilitate the development of youth coaches through formal coach education. However, research has shown this to be with limited effect. The purpose of this action research study was to involve youth coaches in developing a new and more effective coach education practice. The coaches developed their practices through both dialogue and reflection with each other. A shift in the mindset of the coaches resulted in a more reflective and analytical approach in their way of thinking and talking about their practices. The most effective tools for improving the coach educational practice was the active management of the relations between the participating coaches and assisting the coaches’ reflection and dialogue through the use of scaffolding. In order to engage coaches in the educational practice, alignment between coaches’ expectations and both course content and form was crucial. These findings provide further insight into how coaches can develop their practices and how sports organisations can develop more effective coach education practices.
Does the gonadotropin pulsatility of postmenopausal women represent the unrestrained hypothalamic-pituitary activity?

Ovarian sex steroids profoundly modulate the gonadotropin pulsatile secretion in women. A gonadotropin pulsatility determined in the absence of any considerable ovarian sex steroid feedback, as in postmenopausal women (PMW), may thus represent the unrestrained activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. We hypothesized that increases in the gonadotropin pulse frequencies and amplitudes during sex steroid replacements may be limited by those determined in the hypogonadal state of PMW. To address this assumption, we investigated the unstimulated the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-stimulated release of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in PMW before and during sequential ovarian sex steroid treatments. Seven PMW (mean age 59.4 years) were studied initially during unreplaced conditions (control studies), then on the last day of a 21-day course of oral estradiol valeriate (E2) administrations (2 mg daily) and, finally, on the last day of a 21-day course of oral estradiol-progesterone (E2/P4) replacements (2 mg of E2 and 200 mg of micronized P4 daily). On all study occasions, blood was drawn at 10-min intervals for 10 h and GnRH (25 micrograms iv) was administered 8 h after initiation of blood collections. Compared to control conditions, the basal serum estrogen (estrone and E2) and progesterone (P4) concentrations markedly increased (p < 0.001) following oral E2 or E2/P4 treatments. As determined by Cluster pulse algorithm, LH and FSH were found to be released episodically during each study condition. Mean LH and FSH release rates declined (P < 0.05 or less) during E2 and E2/P4 regimens. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
China–Australia Training on Psychosocial Crisis Intervention: Response to the Earthquake Disaster in Sichuan

Objective: This paper describes the AusAID-funded psychosocial training program conducted jointly by Chinese and Australian mental health facilitators in the wake of the devastating earthquake disaster in Sichuan. Conclusions: A total of 280 professional and volunteer leaders in disaster mental health response from across China took part in the national disaster mental health training program. A comprehensive, evidence-based and practical program was collaboratively developed and delivered to meet the needs of the medical professionals and volunteer mental health workers working in the field. Results of the training evaluation indicated high levels of uptake and usefulness for the participants. Further outcome assessments will be utilized at the service delivery and community levels. The training program has contributed significantly to the building of national and local capacity to deliver psychological first-aid and psychosocial response management to assist the populations who have been affected by disaster.
Undocumented Workers' Employment Across U.S. Business Cycles

Using matched employer-employee data from the state of Georgia, this paper investigates how employment of undocumented workers varies along the business cycle and how it differs from the adjustment in employment of documented workers. The cyclical component of undocumented employment is found to be significantly more volatile than the cyclical component of documented employment. Simulation results indicate that complementarities between documented workers and capital account for almost 90 percent of the difference in measured volatility between documented and undocumented employment.
Cervical Soft Tissue Emphysema in Hanging—A Prospective Autopsy Study *

Abstract: The underlying mechanism of cervical soft tissue emphysema (CSTE) in hanging remains unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of CSTE in cases of hanging. The sample included 83 deceased persons, average age 55.3 ± 17.9 years. CSTE was established in 44 cases. CSTE is presented as frothy air, soap bubble‐like formations in superficial and/or deep connective tissue between the neck muscles up to the ligature mark, visible during gross neck examination, using special neck autopsy technique—preparation of the neck organs in layers. The interpretation of positive CSTE must be taken with caution: it could be an antemortem phenomenon possibly because of either Macklin Effect or direct or indirect trauma to the cervical airways, as well as an ante‐ or postmortem artifact.
Causes of tax evasion in Tunisia: a survey study

The purpose of this paper is to examine the causes of tax evasion in Tunisia. The paper uses the survey methodology. We use a sample of 101 participants divided into three major groups: business students’ participants, medicine students’ participants and other students’ participants. The results show that medicine students’ participants are more opposed to tax evasion than the other participants (business and others). We find also that women are more opposed to such a behavior. While our research unprecedentedly deals with the motivations tax evasion in Tunisia, other researchers have examined this issue analyzing other contexts. The addition of other statements to this survey will enrich the list of causes of tax evasion; other economical and sociological variables will be taken into account. Our findings can be valuable to both researchers and Tunisian regulators. For researchers, this research helps to understand the motivations of tax evasion in the Tunisian context. As far as regulators are concerned, this research highlights the reduction of the tax rates as possible cure. Causes of tax evasion in Tunisia: a survey study
Contribution of the cerebellum to cognitive performance in children and adolescents with multiple sclerosis

Background: Posterior fossa lesions are common in pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis (MS), which is of concern, given the known role of the cerebellum in cognition. Objectives: To investigate the relationship between cerebellar pathology and cognitive function in youth with pediatric-onset MS. Methods: Twenty-eight pediatric-onset relapsing–remitting MS patients (21 girls; mean age 16.2 years; mean disease duration 4.3 years, median Expanded Disability Status Scale 1.25) were compared to 33 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Participants underwent structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and neuropsychological evaluation to assess intelligence, attention, processing speed, language, visuo-motor integration, and fine-motor dexterity. Associations between cognitive outcomes and cerebellar volume independent of cerebral volume were examined. Results: Cognitive and motor performance of the MS group was reduced relative to controls (all p<0.003). While cerebellar volumes did not differ between groups, cerebellar posterior lobe volume and infratentorial lesion volume accounted for extra variance on measures of information processing (R2=0.43; p=0.02) and vocabulary (R2=0.56; p=0.04) in patients (controlling for cerebral volume and sex), but not in controls. Conclusion: Smaller cerebellar posterior lobe volume, a known region for cognitive processing, and increased lesion burden in the posterior fossa adversely impact cognitive function, an important functional consequence of MS onset during childhood.
Energy‐efficient target detection in sensor networks using line proxies

One of the fundamental and important operations in sensor networks is sink–source matching, i.e. target detection. Target detection is about how a sink finds the location of source nodes observing the event of interest (i.e. target activity). This operation is very important in many sensor network applications such as military battlefield and environment habitats. The mobility of both targets and sinks brings significant challenge to target detection in sensor networks. Most existing approaches are either energy inefficient or lack of fault tolerance in the environment of mobile targets and mobile sinks. Motivated by these, we propose an energy‐efficient line proxy target detection (LPTD) approach in this paper. The basic idea of LPTD is to use designated line proxies as rendezvous points (or agents) to coordinate mobile sinks and mobile targets. Instead of having rendezvous nodes for each target type as used by most existing approaches, we adopt the temporal‐based hash function to determine the line in the given time. Then the lines are alternated over time in the entire sensor network. This simple temporal‐based line rotation idea allows all sensor nodes in the network to serve as rendezvous points and achieves overall load balancing. Furthermore, instead of network‐wide flooding, interests from sinks will be flooded only to designated line proxies within limited area. The interest flooding can further decrease if the interest has geographical constraints. We have conducted extensive analysis and simulations to evaluate the performance of our proposed approach. Our results show that the proposed approach can significantly reduce overall energy consumption and target detection delay. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Psychology of Fraud: What Motivates Fraudsters to Commit Crime?

For decades, fraud examiners and forensic accountants have been perplexed by the question: “Why do people commit fraud? ” Over the years, researchers have conducted many studies with the objective of developing a deeper understanding of fraudulent behavior. This paper provides an overview of both historic and emerging research regarding the psychology of fraud and the factors that motivate fraudsters to commit crime. From the classic fraud triangle theory that was born from Donald R. Cressey’s research to more recent developments regarding fraudulent behavior, this paper provides a comprehensive examination of the theories surrounding fraud motivation. Then, recommendations for ways to deter fraud and a thorough list of fraud warning signs are presented based on the findings.