Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Dynamic Model of Personal Wealth and Income Distribution in a Growing Closed Economy

T h e issue of weal th distr ibut ion has been a very impor t an t and sensitive one in discussions of social and economic reforms. This is because wealth is bo th an impor t an t source of income and a source of s ta tus and power . M o s t of the differences in policy prescript ion arise f r o m differences in social phi losophy. Nevertheless, an explicitly specified model may help clarify some of the purely technical issues su r rounding the debate . In par t icular , it may help shed light on the long-run effects of redistributive policies upon the welfare of var ious social groups . The pu rpose of this paper is to move in this direction by specifying a model appropr ia te for the analysis of the long-run interact ions among weal th distr ibution, income distr ibut ion, economic g rowth , and accumulat ion.
Intranasal Anatomic Variations in Pediatric Sinusitis

C sinusitis is the persistence of symptoms, such as cough or purulent rhinorrhea, referrable to the sinuses for 3 months or more despite medical therapy. In the pediatric population, chronic sinusitis is becoming an increasingly important entity for many reasons. Its actual incidence may be increasing, or it may be that purulent rhinorrea is more often recognized as a bacterial infection requiring treatment. In addition, since the first reports of functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) in children, I surgical therapy for this problem has improved the quality of life for the majority of patients undergoing this procedure? ,3 Coronal computerized tomography (CT) of the sinuses has become the evaluation of choice for those patients who have failed medical therapy for chronic sinusitis and in whom surgery is contemplated.4-7 With its increased use, more attention has focused on anatomic variations of the bony nasal and sinus structures and the impact these variations may have on the etiology of chronic sinusitis. Abnormalities of the middle turbinate, anterior ethmoid cells, septum, and other bony structures may impede the flow of secretions through the infundibulum, thereby leading to conditions conducive to development of chronic sinus infection and inflammation.8 However, only a few studies critically evaluate the correlation of these anatomic abnormalities with disease in the surrounding sinuses, and some studies have found similar incidences of variations in CT
High prevalence of cyclical variation in heart rate before nocturnal episodes of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

OBJECTIVE Nighttime onset of atrial fibrillation (AF) is sometimes associated with obstructive sleep apnea accompanied by a characteristic heart rate (HR) pattern known as cyclical variation of HR. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether cyclical variation of HR is prevalent in patients with nocturnal AF. METHODS The subjects consisted of 34 patients (68±12 years) with paroxysmal AF, including 14 patients with daytime AF and 20 patients with nighttime AF. Holter electrocardiogram (ECGs) were examined for the presence of cyclical variation in HR and to quantify the HR variability within the 40-minute period preceding each AF episode using a fast Fourier transform (FFT) methods. RESULTS Cyclical variation in HR was observed in 12 of 20 (60%) nighttime episodes and in only two of 14 (14%) daytime episodes. The prevalence of cyclical variation in HR was significantly greater in the nighttime AF episodes than in the daytime AF episodes (Chi=5.34, p<0.05). The mean frequency of cyclical variation in HR was 0.015±0.003 Hz. The mean power of the VLF (very low frequency) component (0.008-0.04 Hz) before the onset of AF was significantly greater in the nighttime AF episodes than in the daytime AF episodes. Among the nighttime AF episodes, the power of the HF (high frequency), LF (low frequency) and very low frequency (VLF) components increased significantly just before the onset of AF compared with that observed 40 minutes before onset. CONCLUSION The high prevalence of cyclical variation in HR observed before nocturnal AF episodes suggests that sleep apnea may play a role in the onset of nighttime AF.
Non-Contacting Moisture Sensing using a Dedicated UWB Time Domain Instrument

Abstract This paper presents a method for the moisture determination of small and irregularly shaped objects independent from their shape and orientation. The objects under test are illuminated by UWB-pulses and the scattered pulses are received by an array of antennas. A dedicated measurement set-up and time domain transmission instrument is proposed. The scattered pulses contain information about the geometric as well as the dielectric properties. In order to separate this information multivariate calibration is applied. The time domain data is therefore subjected to principal component regression, partial least squares regression and an artificial neural network. All calibration methods deliver excellent performance. The moisture content of the objects can be determined with an accuracy of prediction of 0.69% while the range of moisture is within about 5% to 24%.
Parathyroid hormone-related proteins is abundant in osteoarthritic cartilage, and the parathyroid hormone-related protein 1-173 isoform is selectively induced by transforming growth factor beta in articular chondrocytes and suppresses generation of extracellular inorganic pyrophosphate.

OBJECTIVE Parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) is a major, locally expressed regulator of growth cartilage chondrocyte proliferation, differentiation, synthetic function, and mineralization. Because mechanisms that limit cartilage chondrocytes from maturing and mineralizing are diminished in osteoarthritis (OA), we studied PTHrP expression by articular chondrocytes. METHODS PTHrP was studied in normal knee cartilage samples and cultured articular chondrocytes, and in cartilage specimens from knees with advanced OA, obtained at the time of joint replacement. RESULTS PTHrP was more abundant in OA than in normal human knee articular cartilage. Both demonstrated PTH/PTHrP receptor expression. PTHrP 1-173, one of three alternatively spliced PTHrP isoforms, was exclusively expressed and induced by transforming growth factor beta in cultured chondrocytes. Chondrocytes mainly used the GC-rich P2 alternative promoter to express PTHrP messenger RNA. Inhibition by PTHrP 1-173, but not by PTHrP 1-146 or PTHrP 1-87, of inorganic pyrophosphate (PPi) elaboration suggested selective functional properties of the 1-173 isoform. Exposure to a neutralizing antibody to PTHrP increased PPi elaboration by articular chondrocytes. CONCLUSION Increased expression of PTHrP, including the 1-173 isoform, has the potential to contribute to the pathologic differentiated functions of chondrocytes, including mineralization, in OA.
The work of nurse practitioners.

AIM This paper is a report of a study of variations in the pattern of nurse practitioner work in a range of service fields and geographical locations, across direct patient care, indirect patient care and service-related activities. BACKGROUND The nurse practitioner role has been implemented internationally as a service reform model to improve the access and timeliness of health care. There is a substantial body of research into the nurse practitioner role and service outcomes, but scant information on the pattern of nurse practitioner work and how this is influenced by different service models. METHODS We used work sampling methods. Data were collected between July 2008 and January 2009. Observations were recorded from a random sample of 30 nurse practitioners at 10-minute intervals in 2-hour blocks randomly generated to cover 2 weeks of work time from a sampling frame of 6 weeks. RESULTS A total of 12,189 individual observations were conducted with nurse practitioners across Australia. Thirty individual activities were identified as describing nurse practitioner work, and these were distributed across three categories. Direct care accounted for 36.1% of how nurse practitioners spend their time, indirect care accounted for 32.0% and service-related activities made up 31.9%. CONCLUSION These findings provide useful baseline data for evaluation of nurse practitioner positions and the service effect of these positions. However, the study also raises questions about the best use of nurse practitioner time and the influences of barriers to and facilitators of this model of service innovation.
Polypeptide chain release factors

Newly synthesized polypeptide chains are released from peptidyl‐tRNA when the ribosome encounters a stop signal on mRNA. Extra‐ribosomal proteins (release factors) play an essential role in this process. Although the termination process was first discovered in the late 1960s, much of the mechanism has remained obscure. However, important steps have recently been made in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms in unlocking the secrets of this vital stage in protein synthesis. In this review we summarize these advances and focus attention on the remaining areas of uncertainty, particularly with respect to the models that have been proposed for the action of the GTP‐hydrolysing termination factors in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, i.e. RF3 and eRF3.
Disclosure, risk and performance in islamic banking: A panel data analysis

This study provides a panel data analysis of the interrelationship among disclosure, risk and performance and also discusses the possible of endogeneity and exogeneity of dependent variables. In order to find the interrelations among these variables, we use eleven samples of full-fledged Islamic banks and Islamic windows between the years 2002 to 2006. The estimated results are as follows. All equations are not fit since all variables cannot explain the dependent variables significantly. Since there are three equations, we try to estimate these equations using simultaneous equations approach. The results indicate that all equations are almost efficient and our findings suggest that LEVERAGE and PROFIT are statistically significant in determining DISCLOSURE. Meanwhile, the result also suggests that DISCLOSURE and PROFIT are significant in explaining LEVERAGE. For the last equation which treats PROFIT as an endogenous variable, shows that DISCLOSURE is significant in explaining PROFIT among samples of Islamic banks. Furthermore, we have conducted the Granger-Causality test to check the endogeneity and exogeneity among the variables. The Granger-Causality results suggest that, DISCLOSURE has a possibility to be a dependent variable compared to LEVERAGE and PROFIT. Therefore, the regulatory authority should develop a policy in order to enhance the quality of disclosure in Islamic banking system. International Research Journal of Finance and Economics Issue (72) 101
Increasing prevalence of electronic cigarette use among smokers hospitalized in 5 US cities, 2010-2013.

INTRODUCTION Little is known about the pattern of electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use over time or among smokers with medical comorbidity. METHODS We assessed current cigarette smokers' use of e-cigarettes during the 30 days before admission to 9 hospitals in 5 geographically dispersed US cities: Birmingham, AL; Boston, MA; Kansas City, KS; New York, NY; and Portland, OR. Each hospital was conducting a randomized controlled trial as part of the NIH-sponsored Consortium of Hospitals Advancing Research on Tobacco (CHART). We conducted a pooled analysis using multiple logistic regression to examine changes in e-cigarette use over time and to identify correlates of e-cigarette use. RESULTS Among 4,660 smokers hospitalized between July 2010 and December 2013 (mean age 57 years, 57% male, 71% white, 56% some college, average 14 cigarettes/day), 14% reported using an e-cigarette during the 30 days before admission. The prevalence of e-cigarette use increased from 1.1% in 2010 to 10.3% in 2011, 10.2% in 2012, and 18.4% in 2013; the increase was statistically significant (p < .0001) after adjustment for age, sex, education, and CHART study. Younger, better educated, and heavier smokers were more likely to use e-cigarettes. Smokers who were Hispanic, non-Hispanic black, and who had Medicaid or no insurance were less likely to use e-cigarettes. E-cigarette use also varied by CHART project and by geographic region. CONCLUSIONS E-cigarette use increased substantially from 2010 to 2013 among a large sample of hospitalized adult cigarette smokers. E-cigarette use was more common among heavier smokers and among those who were younger, white, and who had higher socioeconomic status.
Human Capital Accumulation and Long‐Term Income Growth Projections for European Regions

We propose an econometric framework to construct projections for per capita income growth and human capital for European regions. Using Bayesian methods, our approach accounts for model uncertainty in terms of the choice of explanatory variables, the nature of spatial spillovers, as well as the potential endogeneity between output growth and human capital accumulation. This method allows us to assess the potential contribution of future educational attainment to economic growth and income convergence among European regions over the next decades. Our findings suggest that income convergence dynamics and human capital act as important drivers of income growth for the decades to come.
Comparison of broth macrodilution, broth microdilution, and E test antifungal susceptibility tests for fluconazole

A comparison of the E test, the broth microdilution test, and the reference broth macrodilution susceptibility test of the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards for fluconazole susceptibility testing was performed with 238 clinical isolates of Candida species and Torulopsis (Candida) glabrata. An 80% inhibition endpoint MIC was determined by the reference broth macrodilution method after 48 h of incubation. The MICs obtained by the two study methods were read after 24 and 48 h of incubation. Overall, excellent agreement within 2 doubling dilutions was obtained between the broth microdilution and the broth macrodilution methods for the combined results for all species at both 24 h (93%) and 48 h (94%). The correlation of 24-h MIC endpoints between the E test and the broth macrodilution methods was 37% for T. glabrata, 56% for Candida tropicalis, 93% for Candida albicans, and 90% for other Candida species. The percent agreement at 48 h ranged from 34% for T. glabrata to 97% for Candida species other than C. albicans and C. tropicalis. These initial results support the further evaluation of the E test as an alternative method for fluconazole susceptibility testing of Candida species.
Cerebrovascular response to the cold pressor test – the critical role of carbon dioxide

What is the central question of this study? What is the role of carbon dioxide in the cerebral blood flow (CBF) response to the cold pressor test (CPT)? What is the main finding and its importance? The CBF response was elevated during the isocapnic (controlled CO2) CPT in the middle cerebral artery and the internal carotid artery compared with the poikilocapnic (uncontrolled CO2) CPT, owing to ventilation‐associated reductions in end‐tidal CO2. Furthermore, the common carotid artery vasodilated to a greater extent during the isocapnic compared with the poikilocapnic CPT, whereas the internal carotid artery vasoconstricted during both CPTs. Our data highlight the importance of CO2 control when investigating the CBF response to the CPT.
The need for T2 correction on MRS‐based vertebral bone marrow fat quantification: implications for bone marrow fat fraction age dependence

Vertebral bone marrow fat quantification using single‐voxel MRS is confounded by overlapping water–fat peaks and the difference in T2 relaxation time between water and fat components. The purposes of the present study were: (i) to determine the proton density fat fraction (PDFF) of vertebral bone marrow using single‐voxel multi‐TE MRS, addressing these confounding effects; and (ii) to investigate the implications of these corrections with respect to the age dependence of the PDFF. Single‐voxel MRS was performed in the L5 vertebral body of 86 subjects (54 women and 32 men). To reliably extract the water peak from the overlying fat peaks, the mean bone marrow fat spectrum was characterized based on the area of measurable fat peaks and an a priori knowledge of the chemical triglyceride structure. MRS measurements were performed at multiple TEs. The T2‐weighted fat fraction was calculated at each TE. In addition, a T2 correction was performed to obtain the PDFF and the T2 value of water (T2w) was calculated. The implications of the T2 correction were investigated by studying the age dependence of the T2‐weighted fat fractions and the PDFF. Compared with the PDFF, all T2‐weighted fat fractions significantly overestimated the fat fraction. Compared with the age dependence of the PDFF, the age dependence of the T2‐weighted fat fraction showed an increased slope and intercept as TE increased for women and a strongly increased intercept as TE increased for men. For women, a negative association between the T2 value of bone marrow water and PDFF was found. Single‐voxel MRS‐based vertebral bone marrow fat quantification should be based on a multi‐TE MRS measurement to minimize confounding effects on PDFF determination, and also to allow the simultaneous calculation of T2w, which might be considered as an additional parameter sensitive to the composition of the water compartment. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Predictors of drug use in prison among women convicted of violent crimes.

BACKGROUND Worldwide, some prisoners consume illicit drugs while in prison. There is now some recognition of risk factors for this among male but not female prisoners. AIM The aim was to identify variables associated with drug use by women in prison after conviction for violent crimes. METHOD Data were obtained from 315 women serving a sentence for robbery or homicide in the Penitentiary of Sant'Ana, São Paulo State, Brazil. Mainly self-report assessments of alcohol and drug misuse, sexual and general impulsiveness, depression, and psychosocial and criminological features were completed. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS Thirty-five (11%) women reported illicit drug use in prison. Younger age, history of childhood sexual abuse, having committed robbery (rather than homicide), earlier onset of criminal activities, higher scores on sexual impulsiveness, drug-related problems prior to incarceration and having same-sex relationships inside prison were associated with a higher risk of using drugs in prison. In a multiple logistic regression, only prior drug history and having same-sex relationships in prison were independently associated with in-prison drug use. CONCLUSIONS Illicit drug use in prison impairs rehabilitative goals. Identification of risk factors for this can help to recognise people with high treatment needs. We found that in-prison drug users seemed to be an exceptionally needy group, likely to have more wide ranging historical problems than their similar offending peers. It is essential to check for history of drug use outside prison. The strong association with active sexual behaviour in the prison highlighted another area of vulnerability, requiring sensitive in-prison attention to safeguard these women. Further research to understand the reasons for this relationship is recommended.
Population movement in Zhejiang province, China: the impact of government policies.

"China's urbanization policies include strict control of permanent migration to large cities, but encourage the growth of small cities and towns. Concurrently, temporary migration is widely permitted as a way to stimulate commerce. Data for Zhejiang province indicate that permanent mobility is largely directed toward urban places, that towns gain more than cities and that rural areas experience migration losses. Permanent migrants to urban places are selective of the better educated. Temporary migration is also urban directed but greater in volume than permanent migration, and places considerable strain on urban infrastructure. Government policies are a key to understanding the migration streams and migrant characteristics. The considerable net movement into cities suggests that strict control of city growth is more difficult to achieve than envisaged by policymakers. " This is a revised version of a paper originally presented at the 1989 Annual Meeting of the Population Association of America (see Population Index, Vol. 55, No. 3, Fall 1989, p. 386).
Towards a new, ecologically targeted approach to monitoring wild bird populations for avian influenza viruses

SUMMARY Prevalence monitoring of avian influenza in wild bird populations is important to estimate risks for the occurrence of potentially zoonotic and economically disastrous outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (AIV) in poultry worldwide. A targeted, cost-effective monitoring method for AIV in wild birds was developed, which is based on monitoring results for AIV in Germany and information on the distribution and abundance of wild bird species in selected habitat types. Spatial data were combined with virological and outbreak data for the period of 1 January 2006 to 31 December 2010. Using Germany as an example, we identified 11 indicator species. By concentrating monitoring efforts on these species in spatially confined locations, we propose a targeted and more cost-effective risk-based AIV monitoring approach that can be adapted universally for the identification of wild bird indicator species worldwide with the perspective of reducing sample sizes (and costs) without impairing the validity of the results.
Determinants of Economic Growth in Africa with Emphasis on the Role of Financial Markets Using Bayesian Averaging Of Classical Estimates

This paper examines variables, which significantly determine longrun growth in Africa. Emphasis is put on financial intermediaries. The study used 37 countries and 14 variables. It employed an approach, which was introduced by Sala-i-Martin and D. Miller (2000) called Bayesian Averaging of Classical Estimates (BACE). This method constructs estimates by averaging Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) coefficients across models and weights given to individual regressions have a Bayesian justification similar to the Schwarz model selection criterion. Results vary from period to period but the most recent evidence shows that determinants of growth in Africa are Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and population growth. Of 14 explanatory variables, FDI shows the strongest evidence. Unexpectedly, all used three financial intermediary indicators were not significant except for Liquid liabilities/ GDP (llgdp), which was significant from 1992 to 1998. Keywords : Financial intermediaries, economic growth, Bayesian averaging of classical estimates.