Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Politically Connected Firms

Examination of firms in 47 countries shows a widespread overlap of controlling shareholders and top officers who are connected with national parliaments or governments, particularly in countries with higher levels of corruption, with barriers to foreign investment, and with more transparent systems. Connections are diminished when regulations set more limits on official behavior. Additionally, I show that the announcement of a new political connection results in a significant increase in value.
Dichotrachelus pesarinii sp.n., a missing link between the species from the central and the western southern Alps (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Cyclominae)

A new species of Dichotrachelus associated with Saxifraga caesia is described, D. pesarinii sp.n. , and a phylogenetic analysis is carried out based on morphological and molecular mtCOI data. The new species resolved as the sister group of the D. sulcipennis group, whose members are associated with Saxifraga oppositifolia. This placement suggests that this group differentiated in the central southern Alps, and that the new species represents an evolutionary link between the species from the central and eastern southern Alps and those from the western Alps. The evolution of the association of Dichotrachelus with particular Saxifraga species remains contradictory; scenarios are proposed.
Age of onset of mental disorders: a review of recent literature

Purpose of review The aim of this article is to review recent epidemiological research on age-of-onset of mental disorders, focusing on the WHO World Mental Health surveys. Recent findings Median and inter-quartile range (IQR; 25th–75th percentiles) of age-of-onset is much earlier for phobias (7–14, IQR 4–20) and impulse–control disorders (7–15; IQR 4–35) than other anxiety disorders (25–53, IQR 15–75), mood disorders (25–45, IQR 17–65), and substance disorders (18–29, IQR 16–43). Although less data exist for nonaffective psychosis, available evidence suggests that median age-of-onset is in the range late teens through early 20s. Roughly half of all lifetime mental disorders in most studies start by the mid-teens and three quarters by the mid-20s. Later onsets are mostly secondary conditions. Severe disorders are typically preceded by less severe disorders that are seldom brought to clinical attention. Summary First onset of mental disorders usually occur in childhood or adolescence, although treatment typically does not occur until a number of years later. Although interventions with early incipient disorders might help reduce severity-persistence of primary disorders and prevent secondary disorders, additional research is needed on appropriate treatments for early incipient cases and on long-term evaluation of the effects of early intervention on secondary prevention.
Strontium: To LTE or non-LTE that is the question

Strontium has proven itself to be one of the most important neutron-capture elements in the study of metal-poor stars. Thanks to the strong absorption lines of Sr, they can be detected even in the most metal-poor stars and also in low-resolution spectra. However, we still cannot explain the large star-to-star abundance scatter we derive for metal-poor stars. Here we confront Galactic chemical evolution (GCE) with improved abundances for SrI+II including updated atomic data, to evaluate possible explanations for the large star-to-star scatter at low metallicities. We derive abundances under both local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE) and non-LTE (NLTE) for stars spanning a large interval of stellar parameters. Gravities and metallicities are also determined in NLTE. We confirm that the ionisation equilibrium between SrI and SrII is satisfied under NLTE but not LTE, where the difference between SrI and SrII is on average ~0.3dex. We show that the NLTE corrections are of increasing importance as the metallicity decreases. For the stars with [Fe/H]>-3 the SrI NLTE correction is ~0.35/0.55dex in dwarfs/giants, while the Sr II NLTE correction is +/-0.05dex. On the basis of the large NLTE corrections, SrI should not be applied as a chemical tracer under LTE, while it is a good tracer under NLTE. SrII is a good tracer under both LTE and NLTE (down to [Fe/H]\sim -3), and LTE is a safe assumption for this majority species. However, the Sr abundance from SrII lines is dependent on an accurate surface gravity determination, which can be obtained from NLTE spectroscopy of Fe lines or from parallax measurements. We could not explain the star-to-star scatter (which remains under both LTE and NLTE) by the use of the GCE model, since the Sr yields to date are too uncertain to draw firm conclusions. At least two production sites seem necessary in order to account for this large scatter (abridged).
The impact of government policies on income inequality and the translation of growth into income poverty reduction: protocol for two systematic reviews

The eradication of poverty has been a central aim of international development for several decades, and the importance of reducing inequality is also increasingly accepted. This paper presents the protocols for two systematic reviews on the government policies and interventions that affect in-country income inequality and the translation of economic growth into reductions in income poverty. The paper describes the background to the reviews and the links between them, their aims and scope, the inclusion criteria, search strategy and synthesis options.
Identifying Technology Associated with Weight Status and Health Problems in Children Referred for Weight Management

Marsha B. Novick1*, Helen M. Hendy2, Whitney Adams3 and Keith Williams3 1Department of Pediatrics, Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital, HP 14500 University Drive, Hershey, PA 17033, USA 2Penn State University, Schuylkill Campus, 200 University Drive, Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972, USA 3Feeding Program, Department of Pediatrics, Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital, 905 W. Governor Road Hershey, PA 17033, USA
Assessment of voluntary ethanol consumption and the effects of a melanocortin (MC) receptor agonist on ethanol intake in mutant C57BL/6J mice lacking the MC-4 receptor.

BACKGROUND The melanocortin (MC) system is composed of peptides that are cleaved from the polypeptide precursor proopiomelanocortin (POMC). Recent evidence shows that chronic exposure to ethanol significantly blunts central MC peptide immunoreactivity and MC receptor (MCR) agonists protect against high ethanol intake characteristic of C57BL/6J mice. Here, we assessed the role of the MC-4 receptor (MC4R) in voluntary ethanol intake and in modulating the effects of the nonselective MCR agonist melanotan-II (MTII) on ethanol consumption. METHODS To assess the role of the MC4R, MC4R knockout (Mc4r(-/-) ) and littermate wild-type (Mc4r(+/+) ) mice on a C57BL/6J background were used. Voluntary ethanol (3, 5, 8, 10, 15, and 20%, v/v) and water intake were assessed using standard two-bottle procedures. In separate experiments, Mc4r(-/-) and Mc4r(+/+) mice were given intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) infusion of MTII (0, 0.5, or 1.0 μg/1 μl) or intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of MTII (0 or 5 mg/kg/5 ml). The effects of MTII (0 or 0.5 μg/1 μl, i.c.v.) on 10% sucrose and 0.15% saccharin intake were assessed in C57BL/6J mice. RESULTS Mc4r(-/-) mice showed normal consumption of ethanol over all concentrations tested. I.c. v. infusion of MTII significantly reduced ethanol drinking in Mc4r(+/+) mice, but failed to influence ethanol intake in Mc4r(-/-) mice. When administered in an i.p. injection, MTII significantly reduced ethanol drinking in both Mc4r(-/-) and Mc4r(+/+) mice. MTII attenuated consumption of caloric (ethanol, sucrose, and food) and noncaloric (saccharin) reinforcers. CONCLUSIONS When given centrally, the MCR agonist MTII reduced ethanol drinking by signaling through the MC4R. On the other hand, MTII-induced reduction of ethanol drinking did not require the MC4R when administered peripherally. Together, the present observations show that the MC4R is necessary for the central actions of MCR agonists on ethanol drinking and that MTII blunts the consumption natural reinforcers, regardless of caloric content, in addition to ethanol.
Possible correlation of plica-limbal distance with the presence of primary medial pterygium

Background: Loss of elastic properties, the introduction of tractional forces, and shortening of the plica-limbal distanceÂ (the distance between the nasal limbus and the semilunar plica bottom in full abduction) are common anatomical abnormalities in eyes of patients with primary medial pterygium. In this study, we assessed whether, and to which degreeÂ the latter phenomenon correlated with the presence of pterygium. Methods and findings: Plica-limbal distance was measured using a slit lamp in individuals who came for routine eyeÂ examination, and was related to pterygium size, as well as to patientsâ€™ gender and age. Data were expressed as meansÂ (95% CI). Eighty-three males and 118 females were enrolled in the study. There were 49 eyes from patients with unilateral pterygium, 84 from patients with bilateral pterygium, and 220 from individuals who did not suffer from eitherÂ uni- or bilateral pterygium. The mean plica-limbal distance in eyes with pterygium (7.3 mm, 95% CI: 6.9 â€“ 7.7 mm) wasÂ significantly shorter than that in eyes without pterygium (9.9 mm, 95% CI: 9.7 â€“ 10.1 mm). Plica-limbal distance correlated inversely with pterygium size (r2 = 0.32, p < 0.0001), was not related to gender, but decreased with increasing ageÂ in both individuals with and without pterygium. Conclusion: Our results suggest that plica-limbal distance correlated inversely with the presence of pterygium. ThisÂ finding may have important consequences for the identification of individuals at risk, as well as for improvement of theÂ treatment of this condition.
Strategic Factors Influencing the Growth of Islamic Banks in Nakuru Sub-County, Kenya

Islamic banking has a recent origin as compared to its conventional counterparts. Islamic banking is sporadically progressing from being a relatively new sector in local and international finance to one viable economy can hardly do without. Islamic banking is enjoying stable growth even in the world of financial crisis at an average rate of 15% growth. The growth has not been exceptional in the Kenyan scenario despite the small population of the Muslim community. Basing on this, it is important to look into the strategic factors affecting the growth of Islamic banks in Kenya. The study reviewed literature on sharia law and Islamic bank growth. The study adopted a descriptive study design in the empirical part of the study. Self-developed short structured questionnaires were distributed to the various respondents. The study’s population was derived from two Islamic banks customers in Nakuru town having a customer base of 6929 persons. Data collected was edited, coded and analyzed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 21. Descriptive statistics presented in tables and charts were used to summarize and organize data and to describe the characteristics of the sample while inferential statistics were used to test the hypothesis. Pearson correlation coefficient was used to test the hypothesis. The study found that sharia compliance significantly influences the growth of Islamic banks in Kenya. The researcher recommended that Islamic banks administration should enhance its level of sharia compliance by putting systems in place that would enhance this.
The Design Graphene-Based Nanosheets as a New Nanomaterial in Anti-CancerTherapy and Delivery of Chemotherapeutics and Biological Nano Drugs forLiposomal Anti-Cancer Nano Drugs and Gene Delivery

The design Graphene-based nano sheets as a new nanomaterial in anti-cancer therapy and delivery of chemotherapeutics and biological nano drugs for liposomal anticancer nano drugs and gene delivery using nanofunctionalization of metal complexes for molecular imaging and anti-cancer therapy under synchrotron radiation has been studied more seriously in recent years and many researchers have investigated the theoretical aspects of pharmaceutical enzymatic reactions in much detail. Many kinetic models have been applied to these reactions [1-10].
Should the Macedonian denar be devalued? Some evidence from the trade equations

Recently some have reminded us of the panacea for the Macedonian economy – the devaluation of the denar. We feel that the public deserves an explanation – why might devaluation help the economy and why we believe it would not help the Macedonian economy at the present moment. In theory, devaluation makes domestic products cheaper and foreign products more expensive, so it could stimulate exports and de-stimulate imports, improving the current account. In practice, however, Macedonian exports appear not to be dependent on the exchange rate, while imports appear to depend only very little. Thus, devaluing the denar is likely to have no major effect on the current account while the costs, in terms of the loss of confidence in the national currency, will be very high.
IL-32α-induced inflammation constitutes a link between obesity and colon cancer

ABSTRACT Growing evidence indicates that adipose tissue inflammation is an important mechanism whereby obesity promotes cancer risk and progression. Since IL-32 is an important inflammatory and remodeling factor in obesity and is also related to colon cancer (CC) development, the aim of this study was to explore whether IL-32 could function as an inflammatory factor in human obesity-associated CC promoting a microenvironment favorable for tumor growth. Samples obtained from 84 subjects [27 lean (LN) and 57 obese (OB)] were used in the study. Enrolled subjects were further subclassified according to the established diagnostic protocol for CC (49 without CC and 35 with CC). We show, for the first time, that obesity (p = 0.009) and CC (p = 0.026) increase circulating concentrations of IL-32α. Consistently, we further showed that gene (p < 0.05) and protein (p < 0.01) expression levels of IL-32α were upregulated in VAT from obese patients with CC. Additionally, we revealed that IL32 expression levels are enhanced by hypoxia and inflammation-related factors in HT-29 CC cells as well as that IL-32α is involved in the upregulation of inflammation (IL8, TNF, and CCL2) and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling (SPP1 and MMP9) genes in HT-29 cancer cells. Additionally, we also demonstrate that the adipocyte-conditioned medium obtained from obese patients stimulates (p < 0.05) the expression of IL32 in human CC cells. These findings provide evidence of the potential involvement of IL-32 in the development of obesity-associated CC as a pro-inflammatory and ECM remodeling cytokine.
Church and Family Support Networks and Depressive Symptoms among African Americans: Findings from the National Survey of American Life.

Depression, with a lifetime prevalence rate of 18.6% and 12-month prevalence rate of 8.1% (González, Tarraf, Whitfield, & Vega, 2010), is the most prevalent and one of the most burdensome mental health problems in the U.S. Clinical depression is associated with chronic health problems, early mortality, diminished role functioning (e.g., low marital functioning and work performance), difficulties with role transitions, functional impairments, and increased healthcare utilization (Kessler, 2012; Pratt & Brody, 2014; WHO, 2017). Further, the financial cost of depression in the U.S. is immense, totaling $210.5 billion per year (Greenberg, Fournier, Sisitsky, Pike, & Kessler, 2015). Depressive symptoms, even in the absence of a depression diagnosis, are associated with significant health and social problems including psychosocial dysfunction, substance use disorders, functional impairments, poor self-rated health, as well as the onset of clinical depression (Hybels, Blazer, & Pieper, 2001; Lewinsohn, Solomon, Seeley, & Zeiss, 2000). An estimated 6.6% of the general U.S. population experiences moderate to severe depressive symptoms (Pratt & Brody, 2014).
On the Generalized Hill Process for Small Parameters and Applications

Let X1;X2;::: be a sequence of independent copies (s.i.c) of a real random variable (r.v.) X 1, with distribution function df F (x) = P(X x) and let X1;n X2;n ::: Xn;n be the order statistics based on the n 1 rst of these observations. The following continuous generalized Hill process Tn( ) = k Pj=k j=1 j (logXn j+1;n logXn j;n); > 0, 1 k n, has been introduced as a continuous family of estimators of the extreme value index, and largely studied for statistical purposes with asymptotic normality results restricted to > 1=2. We extend those results to 0 1.
Beauty‐related perceptual bias: Who captures the mind of the beholder?

To explore the beauty‐related perceptual bias and answers the question: Who can capture the mind of the beholder? Many studies have explored the specificity of human faces through ERP or other ways, and the materials they used are general human faces and other objects. Therefore, we want to further explore the difference between attractive faces and beautiful objects such as flowers.
Morphological computation in haptic sensation and interaction: from nature to robotics

Abstract Haptics, or the sense of touch, has played an important role in enhancing the versatility and capabilities of robots. Tasks involving unstructured or changing environments can significantly benefit from haptic sensation. The requirements of such sensing systems can be complex, however. Many designers have succeeded in using the morphological properties of the sensors themselves, such as geometry or material properties, to replicate or replace the functions of traditional computer control, reducing the burden on the central controller. This concept is generally referred to as morphological computation or embodied intelligence in the literature. This review will investigate the role morphological computation has played in haptic sensing and discuss potential future avenues of research. In the review, the concept of morphological computation will first be more rigorously defined. This is followed by an investigation into how nature has solved the problem of touch and a discussion of how such morphological principles could inspire design of similar systems in robotics. The state of haptic systems for display, sensing and interaction that utilise morphological computation is then surveyed. Finally, approaches to future research on morphological computation in haptics are discussed as well as some of the major challenges in this field.
Factors associated with acute and chronic pain after inguinal herniorraphy

Abstract Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyse the relationship between types of anaesthesia, patients’ demographic variables, preoperative emotional states and the prevalence of postoperative pain. Method: In this randomized prospective study, postoperative pain was assessed in 100 patients, who were ASA (American Society of Anaesthesiologist) I-II and between 18-65 years old, undergoing inguinal herniorrhaphy with either general or spinal anaesthesia. In addition, postoperative pain compared with patients’ demographic properties and psychological conditions in each group was also considered. Acute pain was evaluated at 1, 2, 4, 6, 12 and 24th hours with the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) and chronic neuropathic pain was at 1, 2 and 3rd months with Douleur Neuropathique 4 Questions (DN4). All patients were treated with the same analgesics after operation. Results: Group spinal anaesthesia had lower acute pain at 1 and 2nd hours but they felt more severe pain at the 24th hour. Also patients’ anxieties were correlated with acute and chronic postoperative pain. Ten patients complained about postoperative chronic pain after 3 months and there was no significant difference between groups. Conclusion: Spinal anaesthesia decreased acute pain intensity at the first postoperative hours. Patients with anxiety felt high pain levels and they had an increased chronic pain prevalence.
Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE) for the Early Diagnosis of Dementia Across a Variety of Healthcare Settings

The ability to identify people with dementia continues to be an area of public and professional concern globally, and late diagnosis may limit the amount of support healthcare works can provide patients. Accordingly, early diagnosis could help nurses to initiate early interventions and better support patients and their families in controlling the condition and plan for the future. Cognitive screening tests such as the Mini-mental State Examination (MMSE) (Creavin et al., 2016; Tsoi et al., 2015) are used in practice and research to detect cognitive decline in older patients. On occasion, however, direct assessment of a patient is not practical and it may be more useful to speak to someone who has known the older person over a period of time and can describe the patient’s characteristics more accurately to determine the presence of behaviours that are indicative of the condition. It may also be advantageous to supplement patient assessment with an informant’s account. IQCODE (Informant Questionnaire for Cognitive Decline in the Elderly) is a widely used screening tool that can be completed by a family or friend who has known the older person for at least 10 years (Jorm, 2004). The forms are available in various lengths and languages. IQCODE can be administered as a questionnaire or structured interview and informants are asked to rate changes (using a 1–5 scale) in the patient’s abilities to remember and make everyday decisions. While IQCODE is mostly used in supporting current diagnosis of dementia, this systematic review sought to determine if the tool could also be useful in predicting a future diagnosis of dementia.
Neighborhood social cohesion and sleep outcomes in the Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander National Health Interview Survey

Study Objective Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders (NHPIs) have the lowest attainment of healthy sleep duration among all racial and ethnic groups in the United States. We examined associations of neighborhood social cohesion with sleep duration and quality. Methods Cross-sectional analysis of 2464 adults in the NHPI National Health Interview Survey (2014). Neighborhood social cohesion was categorized as a continuous and categorical variable into low (<12), medium (12-14), and high (>15) according to tertiles of the distribution of responses. We used multinomial logistic regression to examine the adjusted odds ratio of short and long sleep duration relative to intermediate sleep duration. We used binary logistic regression for dichotomous sleep quality outcomes. Sleep outcomes were modeled as categorical variables. Results Forty percent of the cohort reported short (<7 hours) sleep duration and only 4% reported long (>9 hours) duration. Mean (SE, range) social cohesion score was 12.4 units (0.11, 4-16) and 23% reported low social cohesion. In multivariable models, each 1 SD decrease in neighborhood social cohesion score was associated with higher odds of short sleep duration (odds ratio [OR]: 1.14, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02, 1.29). Additionally, low social cohesion was associated with increased odds of short sleep duration (OR: 1.53, 95% CI: 1.10, 2.13). No associations between neighborhood social cohesion and having trouble falling or staying asleep and feeling well rested were found. Conclusion Low neighborhood social cohesion is associated with short sleep duration in NHPIs.