Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Globalization on the Environment

In multiple standard OLS regression models, we test the effects of 26 standard predictor variables, including the ‘four freedoms’ of goods, capital, labour and services, on the following indicators of sustainable development: avoiding net trade of ecological footprint gha per person, Carbon emissions per million US dollars GDP, CO2 per capita, Environmental Performance Index (EPI), Global footprint per capita, Happy Life Years, Happy Planet Index, and ln (number of people per mill inhabitants 1980-2000 killed by natural disasters per year+1). Our research shows that the apprehensions of quantitative globalization critical research are fully vindicated by the significant negative environmental effects of the foreign savings rate. High foreign savings are indeed a driver of global footprint, and are a blockade against a satisfactory Happy Planet Index performance. The New International Division of Labour (NIDL)-model (Froebel et al., 1980) is one of the prime drivers of high CO2 per capita emissions. MNC penetration, the master variable of most quantitative dependency theories, blocks environmental performance (EPI-Index) and several other socially important processes. Worker remittances have a significant positive effect on the Happy Planet Index, and Happy Life Years.
Abnormal Expression of Cell Recognition Molecules in Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a neuropsychiatric disorder of unknown etiology associated with subtle changes in brain morphology. The cell recognition molecules (CRMs) neural cell adhesion molecule (N-CAM) and L1 are involved in morphoregulatory events and numerous neurodevelopmental processes. We found a selective increase of 105- to 115-kDa N-CAM in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of patients with schizophrenia while other N-CAM isoforms and L1 proteins were not altered. There was also evidence for an abnormality in CRM expression in schizophrenic patients: concentrations of 200-kDa L1 were strongly correlated with expression of N-CAM isoforms and cleaved L1 proteins in controls, whereas these correlations were absent in patients with schizophrenia. The increase of the 105- to 115-kDa N-CAM isoform in the brains of patients with schizophrenia confirms previous cerebrospinal fluid findings. Increased N-CAM in schizophrenia may result from structural brain abnormalities, from glial processing of N-CAM, or from an aberration in the regulation of N-CAM expression.
Life weariness and suicidal thoughts in late life: a national study in Sweden

ABSTRACT Objectives: This study aimed at investigating the point prevalence of life weariness and suicidal thoughts and their relationship with socio-demographic characteristics in a population of older adults in Sweden. Method: Data from 7913 individuals aged 60 years and older were drawn from the Swedish National Study on Aging and Care, a collaborative study in Sweden. Life weariness and suicidal thoughts were measured by one item derived from the Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale. A multinomial regression model was used to investigate the relationships of socio-demographic characteristics with life weariness and suicidal thoughts. Results: Living in urban and semi-urban areas, being of advanced age, being divorced and having lower educational levels were related to life weariness. Living in a residential care facility, being widowed or unmarried, being born in a non-Nordic European country and experiencing financial difficulties were related to both life weariness and suicidal thoughts. Sex was found to be unrelated to either life weariness or suicidal thoughts. Conclusion: This study found that several socio-demographic variables were associated with life weariness and suicidal thoughts among older adults. Specific attention to older individuals with these characteristics may be warranted as they might be more vulnerable to life weariness and suicidal thoughts.
Do Macro-Economic and Technical Indicators Matter?- a Principal Component Analysis Approach for Equity Risk Premium Prediction

Equity risk premium contains the property of reflecting the fundamental judgments of individuals regarding risk that might exists in the economic market and the price associated with that risk. For ERP forecasting, attention is also devoted to technical indicators apart from the macro-economic variables. A set of 14 technical and 14 macro-economic variables is selected for this purpose and based on a standard predictive regression framework; all forecasts are generated by regressing ERP on a constant and a lag of macro-economic or technical indicator. It is found that as compared to macro-economic variables technical indicators provide better indications about ERP estimates. By using National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) data of business cycle expansion and recessions, relative strength of ERP predictability is also investigated and it is found more than twice for recessions as compare to expansions.
Methylation of the p15INK4B gene in myelodysplastic syndrome: it can be detected early at diagnosis or during disease progression and is highly associated with leukaemic transformation

To investigate the time sequence of occurrence of p15INK4B gene methylation in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and its correlation with leukaemic transformation and survival of patients, the methylation status of the p15INK4B promoter region was analysed in 50 patients and was serially studied in 22 of them. Of the 50 patients, 17 (34%) showed p15INK4B gene methylation, first demonstrated at diagnosis or during follow‐up. When FAB subtypes at the time of study were used in the analysis, the incidence of p15INK4B methylation in each risk group of MDS remained stable throughout the course: 0% for low‐risk MDS [refractory anaemia (RA) and RA with ring sideroblasts] and from 23% at diagnosis to 30% for high‐risk MDS [RA with excess of blasts (RAEB), RAEB in transformation and chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia] respectively. The incidence of p15INK4B methylation rose to 60% at initial study and, finally, to 75% in cases of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) evolved from MDS. Most patients (69%) with p15INK4B methylation showed disease progression to AML; it could be detected before, at the time or after the diagnosis of leukaemic transformation. p15INK4B methylation in MDS patients implicated a shorter survival time in univariate analyses, but its prognostic significance disappeared in multivariate analyses. In conclusion, p15INK4B methylation can be detected early at the diagnosis of MDS or acquired during disease progression. It may play an important role in the pathogenesis of some high‐risk MDS and is related to leukaemic transformation of MDS.
Effects of Image Orientation on the Comparability of Pediatric Brain Volumes Using Three-Dimensional MR Data

Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine the comparability of morphometric measurements made on pediatric data sets collected at five scanner locations, each using variations on a 3D spoiled gradient-recalled echo (SPGR) pulse sequence. Method Archived MR data from 60 typically developing children were collected and separated into seven groups based on the pulse sequence used. A highly automated image-processing procedure was used to segment the brain data into white tissue, gray tissue, and CSF compartments and into various neuroanatomic regions of interest. Results Volumetric comparisons between groups revealed differences in areas of the temporal and occipital lobes. These differences were observed when comparing data sets with different image orientations and appeared to be due to partial volume averaging (PVA) and susceptibility-induced geometric distortions. Conclusion Our results indicate that slice selection and image resolution should be controlled in volumetric studies using aggregated data from multiple centers to minimize the effects of PVA and susceptibility-induced geometric distortions.
The German Version of the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10): Evaluation of Dimensionality, Validity, and Measurement Invariance With Exploratory and Confirmatory Bifactor Modeling

The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) is a popular instrument for measuring the degree to which individuals appraise situations in their lives as excessively uncontrollable and overloaded. Despite its widespread use (e.g., for evaluating intervention effects in stress management studies), there is still no agreement on its factor structure. Hence, the aim of the present study was to examine the dimensionality, measurement invariance (i.e., across gender, samples, and time), reliability, and validity of the PSS. Data from 11,939 German adults (73% women) were used to establish an exploratory bifactor model for the PSS with one general and two specific factors and to cross-validate this model in a confirmatory bifactor model. The model displayed strong measurement invariance across gender and was replicated in Study 2 in data derived from six randomized controlled trials investigating a web-based stress management training. In Study 2 (overall N = 1,862), we found strong temporal invariance. Also, our analyses of concurrent and predictive validity showed associations with depressive symptoms, anxiety, and insomnia severity for the three latent PSS factors. These results show the implications of the bifactor structure of the PSS that might be of consequence in empirical research.
Aerosol effects on the anvil characteristics of mesoscale convective systems

Simulations of two mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) that occurred during the Midlatitude Continental Convective Clouds Experiment were performed to examine the impact of aerosol number concentration on the vertical distributions of liquid and ice condensate and the macrophysical, microphysical, and radiative properties of the cirrus‐anvil cloud shield. Analyses indicate that for an increase in aerosol concentration from a clean continental to a highly polluted state, there was an increase in the rime collection rate of cloud water, which led to less lofted cloud water. Aerosol‐induced trends in the cloud mixing ratio profiles were, however, nonmonotonic in the mixed phase region, such that a moderate increase in aerosol concentration produced the greatest reduction in cloud water. Generally, less lofted cloud water led to less anvil ice mixing ratio but more numerous, small ice crystals within the anvil. In spite of reduced anvil ice mixing ratio, the anvil clouds exhibited greater areal coverage, increased albedo, reduced cloud top cooling, and reduced net radiative flux, which led to an aerosol‐induced warming (reduced cooling) effect in these squall lines.
BRM and BRG1 subunits of the SWI/SNF chromatin remodelling complex are downregulated upon progression of benign skin lesions into invasive tumours

Background Nonmelanoma skin cancer is caused by exposure to ultraviolet radiation within sunlight. Actinic keratoses (AKs) are benign precursor lesions that can develop into invasive squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Little is known about the molecular events that lead to human skin cancer progression from benign to invasive.
Community Involvement in the Development and Feedback About a Colorectal Cancer Screening Media Campaign in Ohio Appalachia

A community needs assessment focused on colorectal cancer (CRC) screening knowledge, behaviors, and barriers was completed in one Ohio Appalachia county. A CRC screening media campaign was developed based on the findings from the needs assessment and feedback was obtained about the media campaign. The survey was completed by 170 self-reported average-risk adults. In a multivariate model, the CRC screening rate was higher for participants who had received a doctor’s recommendation (OR = 6.09) and had adequate CRC knowledge (OR = 2.88), and it was lower among participants employed full-time (OR = 0.23). Having health insurance (OR = 4.20) and being married (OR = 2.58) was associated with having received a doctor’s recommendation for screening. Campaign feedback using a second survey completed by self-reported average-risk adults (n = 61) revealed that 69% recognized the campaign image and message, with a billboard being the most cited source. This study highlights the importance of involving community members in the development of CRC screening programs to reduce cancer disparities in Appalachia.
The effects of personal and corporate income tax changes on the Estonian economy

The paper analyses the dynamic e ects of personal and corporate income tax rates on the Estonian economy using narrative tax shocks in instrumental variable approach in vector autoregressive model for the period 2000Q1 to 2017Q4. Surprisingly a reduction in the average personal income tax rate leads to a decrease in output, government purchases and employment and an increase in the unemployment rate. Furthermore, a reduction in the corporate income tax rate does not have an e ect on government spending, but reduces the unemployment rate. Reductions in the average personal and corporate income tax rate produce opposite signs in the unemployment rate which may be caused by alterations in government spending and not directly due to tax changes.
Activation of non‐adrenergic non‐cholinergic inhibitory pathways by endogenous and exogenous tachykinins in the ferret lower oesophageal sphincter

Repeated oesophageal acidification causes lower oesophageal sphincter (LOS) relaxation in the anaesthetized ferret which is mediated by a peripheral neurokinin (NK‐1) receptor mechanism. Our aim in this study was to characterize neural pathways in the LOS activated by capsaicin and tachykinin receptor agonists in vitro. Circular muscle strips of LOS (two per animal) from a total of 24 ferrets were maintained in organ baths. Electrical field stimulation (EFS, 50 V, 5–50 Hz) caused frequency‐dependent LOS relaxation which was abolished by tetrodotoxin (TTX; 10−6 M: P < 0.001) and reduced by NG‐nitro‐L‐arginine (L‐NNA; 10−4 M: P < 0.01). Substance P and [Sar9, Met (O2)11]‐substance P (selective NK‐1 agonist) caused dose‐dependent relaxation, while the NK‐2 receptor agonist [β‐Ala8]‐NKA 4‐10 evoked excitation. Capsaicin (10−6 M) caused relaxation and desensitization that was overcome by long recovery periods and substance P dosing (10−8 M). After pretreatment with the NK‐1 receptor antagonist CP 99994 (10−7 M), substance P (10−8 M; P < 0.001) and capsaicin (10−6 M: P < 0.01)‐induced relaxations were reduced. In the presence of TTX (10−6 M), excitation resulted in response to substance P (10−8 M; P < 0.05) and [Sar9, Met (O2)11]‐substance P (10−8 M; P < 0.001), while the response to [β‐Ala8]‐NKA 4‐10 (10−7 M) was unaffected. In the presence of L‐NNA (10−4 M), substance P and [Sar9, Met (O2)11]‐substance P‐induced relaxations were reduced (10−8 M; P < 0.01), while the response to [β‐Ala8]‐NKA 4‐10 (10−7 M) was unaffected. These results show that functional coupling between capsaicin‐sensitive sensory neurones and NANC inhibitory neural pathways occurs via NK‐1 receptors in the ferret LOS. NK‐2 (and some NK‐1) receptors activate non‐neural excitatory mechanisms. Substance P and NK‐1 receptors coupli ng sensory and NANC inhibitory neurones may be important in the reflex control of LOS motility.
Usual Interstitial Pneumonia: Relationship Between Disease Activity and the Progression of Honeycombing at Thin‐Section Computed Tomography

The authors estimate the relationship between the progression of honeycombing and disease activity of usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) by open lung biopsy specimen and ground-glass opacity on thin-section computed tomography (CT). Open lung biopsy specimens and the initial and follow-up thin-section CT of 29 patients with proven UIP are reviewed. Follow-up thin-section CTs were performed from 2 to 61 months (mean, 15.3 months) after biopsy. The interval between the initial CT and open lung biopsy was from 2 to 30 days (mean, 10.0 days). Areas of ground-glass opacity and honeycombing were quantified respectively on each CT slice by using a 0%–100% scale with 10% increments. Each open lung biopsy specimen was scored semiquantitatively for alveolar desquamation, alveolar septal inflammation, inflammatory airway narrowing, obstructive pneumonitis, and lymphoid nodules. Patients were classified into either a mild or severe activity group according to the median value of the pathologic score and the median value of the area of ground-glass opacity. The authors compared the progression of honeycombing on follow-up thin-section CT between the groups. The progression of honeycombing in UIP was significantly faster in the severe activity group than in the mild group according to the pathologic score (p = 0.003) and the area of ground-glass opacity (p = 0.0024). In patients with UIP, more active inflammation of the pulmonary interstitium results in faster progression of honeycombing in long-term follow-up.
Differentiation of Leptomeningeal and Vascular Enhancement on Post-contrast FLAIR MRI Sequence: Role in Early Detection of Infectious Meningitis.

OBJECTIVE To qualitatively and quantitatively differentiate leptomeningeal and vascular enhancement on Post-contrast Fluid Attenuated Inversion Recovery (PCFLAIR) sequence compared to post-contrast T1-weighted (PCT1W) sequence with fat suppression (FS) and evaluate its role in early detection of infectious meningitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty-one patients with diagnosis of meningitis were evaluated with pre and post-contrast FLAIR and T1-weighted sequences with fat suppression (FS). Qualitative assessment was done by two observers for presence, absence or equivocal status of leptomeningeal enhancement. Further, quantitative estimation of single pixel signal intensities (SPSI) for meningeal and vascular enhancement was undertaken. A statistical comparison was performed using Kappa coefficient and t-test. RESULTS The overall qualitative accuracy was 90.3% for PCFLAIR compared to 54.8% for PCT1W with FS sequence. PCFLAIR was found to be 100% accurate in the detection of tubercular and pyogenic meningitis and 70% accurate in the detection of viral meningitis while PCT1W with FS sequence showed the corresponding accuracy to be 76.2% and 0% respectively. Both observers rated PCFLAIR images better than PCT1W with FS at detecting meningitis (p<0.05). The quantitative assessment revealed that the SPSI difference between the average meningeal and vascular enhancement on PCFLAIR was significantly greater than that on PCT1W with FS sequence (t= 6.31, p<0.01). CONCLUSION PCFLAIR sequence has insignificant component of vascular enhancement compared to meningeal enhancement. This makes meningeal inflammation easily discernable and aids in early detection of infectious meningitis.
American Politics Course Redesigns: The Effect of Propensity Score Matching on Predicting Learning Outcomes

Abstract Faculty at many colleges and universities are redesigning courses to address differences in student learning preferences. In this study, the researchers surveyed students in two similar American Politics classes. In one, the instructor used a traditional large-class lecture format. In the other, lectures were supplemented with weekly small-group discussions to facilitate more in-depth engagement with course material. We subsequently surveyed students in both classes about their political knowledge gains, perceptions of politics, and views on critical thinking. Due to nonrandom group assignment, we estimate the effects using propensity score matching. Our results indicate that there were different types of students enrolled in each class. Students who experienced the small-group discussions were more likely to score better on critical thinking questions, but they were not as likely to demonstrate more general knowledge about political science in their responses. There are almost no estimation differences based on whether we use propensity score matching or linear regression.
Subclinical hypothyroidism in elderly women attending an outpatient clinic.

BACKGROUND The object was to determine the frequency of subclinical hypothyroidism (SH) in elderly women and study its relation to serum lipids, hypertension, diabetes, and ischemic heart disease. MATERIAL/METHODS A sample of 257 patients was randomly selected among women above the age of 50 visiting the King Abdulaziz University outpatient clinic. All were examined for thyroid function. Positive cases of SH were further tested for thyroid antibodies, hypothyroid symptoms, and goiter. Data were collected from the cases and a control group regarding age, presence of hypertension, diabetes, and ischemic heart disease, and lipoprotein levels and body mass index (BMI) values. Comparative analysis was performed between the cases and controls regarding dyslipidemia, BMI, hypertension, diabetes, and ischemic heart disease after age adjustment with logistic regression. RESULTS Ninety patients out of 257 (35%) had SH. Positive thyroid antibodies were present in 55 (61%), goiter in 8 (9%), and hypothyroid symptoms in 22 (24%). In multiple regression analysis, SH cases were found to have lower risk for hypertension, ischemic heart disease, and diabetes than the controls after adjustment for age: OR 1.5 (95% CI: 0.8-2.83), 2.17 (0.75-6.28), 2.67 (1.50-4.76), respectively; the p-values were found to be significant for diabetes (0.19, 0.14, <0.001). However, there were no significant differences between cases and controls regarding measurements of LDL and cholesterol: 3.3+/-1.1 mmol/l and 5.5+/-1.2 mmol/l vs. 3.4+/-0.9 mmol/l and 5.4+/-1.1 mmol/l, respectively. CONCLUSIONS There is a high prevalence of SH among our sample, with no increased risk of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, ischemic heart disease, or diabetes.
Geographic export diversification: determinants and their link with export performance

This study examines company-specific factors that may help explain the choice of an export market strategy and explores how the selected export strategy contributes to explaining company's export performance. Concentrating on a specific area within a broad spectrum of export behaviour analysis has enabled us to examine these factors in greater depth. The results of our research, which was carried out using a sample comprising Spanish exporting companies, show that a firm's size, a firm's age and greater foreign ownership in its share capital are all determining factors for adopting a strategy geared to export market diversification. A greater level of investment in R&D and greater international commitment are also important in this regard. We suggest reinforcing these two factors because there is evidence of better export performance among firms that have a wider range of foreign markets.
Analysis of Total Dose-Induced Dark Current in CMOS Image Sensors From Interface State and Trapped Charge Density Measurements

The origin of total ionizing dose induced dark current in CMOS image sensors is investigated by comparing dark current measurements to interface state density and trapped charge density measurements. Two types of photodiode and several thick-oxide-FETs were manufactured using a 0.18-μm CMOS image sensor process and exposed to 10-keV X-ray from 3 krad to 1 Mrad. It is shown that the radiation induced trapped charge extends the space charge region at the oxide interface, leading to an enhancement of interface state SRH generation current. Isochronal annealing tests show that STI interface states anneal out at temperature lower than 100°C whereas about a third of the trapped charge remains after 30 min at 300°C.