Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Violence and Risk Preference: Experimental Evidence from Afghanistan: Comment

In this comment on Callen et al. (2014), I revisit recent evidence uncovering a “preference for certainty” in violation of dominant normative and descriptive theories of decision-making under risk. I show that the empirical findings are potentially confounded by systematic noise. I then develop choice lists that allow me to disentangle these different explanations. Experimental results obtained with these lists reject explanations based on a preference for certainty in favor of explanations based on random choice. From a theoretical point of view, the levels of risk aversion detected in the choice list involving certainty can be accounted for by prospect theory through reference dependence activated by salient outcomes. (JEL C91, D12, D74, D81, O12, O17)
Retained Asymptomatic Third Molars and Risk for Second Molar Pathology

Prophylactic extraction of unerupted asymptomatic third molars is the most common oral surgery procedure in the United States. However, limited evidence exists to justify its costs and associated morbidity. We analyzed data collected over 25 years from 416 adult men enrolled in the Veterans Affairs Dental Longitudinal Study to evaluate the association of retained asymptomatic third molars with risk of adjacent second molar pathology (caries and/or periodontitis), based on third molar status (i.e., absent, erupted, or unerupted). Unerupted molars were further categorized as either “soft tissue” or “bony” impacted. We found that the lowest prevalence and incidence of second molar pathology occurred when the adjacent third molar was absent. The presence of a third molar that was soft tissue impacted increased the risk of incident second molar pathology 4.88-fold (95% confidence interval: 2.62, 9.08). Having an erupted or “bony” impacted third molar increased the risk of incident second molar pathology by 1.74 (95% confidence interval: 1.34, 2.25) and 2.16 (95% confidence interval: 1.56, 2.99), respectively. The retention of third molars is associated with increased risk of second molar pathology in middle-aged and older adult men.
The Effect of Scaling and Root Planing on Glycaemic Control, Periodontal Status and Gingival Crevicular Fluid TNF-α Levels in an Indian Population- To Reveal the Ambivalent Link.

CONTEXT Periodontal disease and diabetes mellitus(DM) share a two - way relationship. It can be hypothesized that successful management of periodontal infection in diabetes will lead not only to reduction of local signs and symptoms of the disease, but also to better control of glucose metabolism. AIMS To monitor the effect of Scaling and Root planing (SRP) on glycaemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus by estimating the HbA1c and GCF TNF-α levels. SETTINGS AND DESIGN This Interventional clinicobiochemical study was carried out over a period of 6 months from December 2010-May 2011 in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fifteen well-controlled, 15 moderately controlled and 15 poorly controlled diabetic subjects were enrolled in this study. All participants were subjected to non-surgical periodontal (SRP) therapy. GCF sampling and clinical periodontal parameters assessment were done at baseline and 3 months post-therapy. TNF-α levels in GCF were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) at baseline and 3 months post therapy. The improvement in glycaemic control was assessed using HbA1c levels at 3 months reevaluation. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS The data obtained were statistically analysed using Kruskal-Wallis test, Mann-Whitney test and Wilcoxon Signed Rank test. RESULTS Following periodontal treatment, all patients demon- strated a significant improvement in periodontal status. A reduction in TNF-α level and the HbA1c values were also observed. CONCLUSION The result indicates that SRP is effective in improving metabolic control in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus patients possibly through the reduction of TNF-α which in turn might improve the insulin resistance.
Design of UWB uniplanar 180° hybrid employing ground slots and microstrip-slot transitions

The paper describes the design of a uniplanar 180° hybrid with an ultra wideband (UWB) performance. The device uses a single substrate and all its four ports are of microstripline type. Its construction is accomplished by first designing separately the out-of-phase and in-phase dividers. To merge the two devices into the hybrid, the input port of the in-phase power divider is split into two lines to overpass a ground slot in the out-of-phase divider. The proposed design strategy results in the 180° hybrid exhibiting a well-balanced power division between the output ports and good quality return losses of the out-of-phase (difference) and in-phase (summation) ports across the band from 3 to 11GHz. The isolation between the difference and signal ports is excellent and the differential phase shift is also close to the ideal case of 180º and 0º across this band.
Shifts in the age distribution and from acute to chronic coronary heart disease hospitalizations

Background Shifts in the burden of coronary heart disease (CHD) from an acute to chronic illness have important public health consequences. Objective To assess age-sex-specific time trends in rates and characteristics of acute and chronic forms of CHD hospital admissions in the Netherlands. Methods Using nationwide Dutch registers, we assessed time trends between 1998 and 2007 in hospitalization rates of 188,266 acute myocardial infarction (AMI, ICD-9 410), 294,374 unstable angina (ICD-9 411, 413) and 205,649 chronic forms of CHD (ICD-9 412, 414) admissions. Results Between 1998 and 2007, the age-standardized CHD hospitalization rate declined from 688 to 545 per 100,000 in men and from 281 to 229 per 100,000 in women. Overall, hospitalization rates decreased at younger age (<75 years) but increased in very old age (≥85 years). The annual percentage change in hospitalization rates was larger for AMI (men:-5.1%, women:-4.4%) than for unstable angina patients (men:-2.0%, women:-2.0%). For chronic CHD, the average annual percentage change was +0.7% in men and +2.1% in women. The proportion of chronic CHD in the total of CHD admissions increased between 1998 and 2007 from 29% to 36% in men and from 23% to 30% in women. The proportion of AMI decreased from 30% to 24% in men and from 27% to 22% in women. Conclusions An increasing proportion of Dutch CHD hospital admissions was for chronic forms of CHD. The age at hospitalization was pushed towards older age: premature CHD admission declined over time and admission rates at very old age increased.
The role of local government management of tourism in fostering residents' support to sustainable tourism development: evidence from a Portuguese historic town

This study proposes a conceptual framework that explores the correlations between economic dependence (ED), local government management of tourism (GMT), perceived tourism benefits and costs, and support for sustainable tourism development (STD). A quantitative research design was adopted. Data collection was carried out by personal survey applied to 300 residents of the small historic town of Lamego, located within the Douro Valley World Heritage Site. Structural equation modelling methods were employed to analyse the proposed model. Results suggest that GMT has a significant effect on the perceived impacts of tourism, both in the positive and in the negative. The effect of GMT in fostering residents' support to STD was also empirically supported. Additionally, it was also determined that positive perceptions of the impacts of tourism directly influence support to STD. Nevertheless, ED does not have a significant effect either on perceived benefits, nor on perceived costs or on residents' support to STD. Likewise, perceptions of the negative impacts do not predict residents' support to STD.
P16 Immunostaining Patterns in Microglandular Hyperplasia of the Cervix and Their Significance

P16 immunostaining is an important adjunct in the differential diagnosis of difficult squamous and glandular intraepithelial lesions of the cervix. However, unexpected staining of epithelium other than the target lesion can pose a problem in the interpretation. This study examined a common entity in the cervix, microglandular hyperplasia (MGH), that is associated with proliferations of both columnar and squamous epithelial cells—and ascertained the frequency of p16 staining, its pattern, and relationship to human papillomavirus. Fifty-seven cases of MGH were analyzed; 25 scored strongly immunopositive (44%). In 18, staining of the superficial columnar epithelium was patchy, involving 10% to 20% of cells on the surface; in 4 cases, 30% to 40% of cells; and in another 3, over 50% of the cells in a given area were strongly positive. Staining involved both nucleus and cytoplasm of columnar cells. P16 positivity did not colocalize with either cyclin E or MIB-1. Adjacent non–MGH-related columnar epithelium scored negative for p16. Of 25 p16-positive columnar epithelia analyzed, all were human papillomavirus -negative. In conclusion, benign columnar epithelium in the setting of MGH can be expected to stain strongly for p16. Practitioners should be aware of this when evaluating diagnostically difficult squamous or glandular epithelial changes occurring in the setting of MGH or when interpreting cytologic preparations stained with p16.
Hepatitis C virus‐RNAs in plasma and in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of hemophiliacs with chronic hepatitis C: Evidence for viral replication in peripheral blood mononuclear cells

Hemophiliacs who have been exposed to unbeaten and/or dry heated pooled clotting factor concentrates are at high risk of chronic hepatitis C. Although the mechanism and site of hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication are not yet known, HCV is thought to replicate through a complementary negative RNA strand, as has been shown for fla‐viviruses. The detection of negative RNA strands has therefore been regarded as a marker of replication. We investigated the prevalence of HCV‐RNA and of negative HCV‐RNA strands in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and plasma of hemophiliacs.
Performance analysis of fuzzy logic controller based DC-DC converter fed DC series motor

A fuzzy controller for closed loop control of DC drive fed by DC-DC converter (Chopper) is designed and presented in this paper. This system has been designed to have two loops with an inner ON/OFF current controller and an outer fuzzy speed controller. The later is used to change the duty cycle of the converter and thereby, the voltage fed to the DC series motor regulates its speed. The performance in respect of load variation and speed change has been reported. The performance o f the proposed controller is compared with the reported results and found that the fuzzy based DC-DC drive can have better control.
An improved algorithm for PRI modulation recognition

In modern electronic warfare, it is a severe challenge for the Electronic Support Measure (ESM) system to realize the recognition of the threat radiation source, the modulation of the pulse repetition interval (PRI) is closely related to the function and application of the radar radiation source. Therefore, the recognition of PRI modulation is greatly significance to the identification of the threat radiation source. In order to recognize the PRI modulation type accurately in the presence of pulse missing and noise pulses, an improved recognition algorithm based on neural network is proposed in this paper. In this paper, the features describing a particular PRI modulation type are extracted from the pulse interval, which includes local stationarity, monotonic directionality and symmetry. After 3 dimensional feature spaces are set up, a multi-layer neural network is employed to recognize different PRI modulation type. The simulation results show that the proposed improved method can not only improves reliability and accuracy of recognition, but also greatly reduce the computational complexity.
What Are Boards For? Evidence from Closely Held Firms in Colombia

Using a large survey database on the corporate governance practices of privately held Colombian firms, we investigate why firms have boards, and how that choice and the balance of power among the board, controlling shareholders, and minority shareholders affect the trade‐offs between control, liquidity, and growth and, ultimately, firm performance. We find that the probability of having a board increases with the number of shareholders and in family firms. When the preferences of controlling and minority shareholders diverge, as with respect to capital structure and dividend policy, boards support controlling shareholders’ decisions, thereby exacerbating the agency conflict between the two groups of shareholders.
Opportunistic Channel Access and RF Energy Harvesting in Cognitive Radio Networks

Radio frequency (RF) energy harvesting is a promising technique to sustain operations of wireless networks. In a cognitive radio network, a secondary user can be equipped with RF energy harvesting capability. In this paper, we consider such a network where the secondary user can perform channel access to transmit a packet or to harvest RF energy when the selected channel is idle or occupied by the primary user, respectively. We present an optimization formulation to obtain the channel access policy for the secondary user to maximize its throughput. Both the case that the secondary user knows the current state of the channels and the case that the secondary knows the idle channel probabilities of channels in advance are considered. However, the optimization requires model parameters (e.g., the probability of successful packet transmission, the probability of successful RF energy harvesting, and the probability of channel to be idle) to obtain the policy. To obviate such a requirement, we apply an online learning algorithm that can observe the environment and adapt the channel access action accordingly without any a prior knowledge about the model parameters. We evaluate both the efficiency and convergence of the learning algorithm. The numerical results show that the policy obtained from the learning algorithm can achieve the performance in terms of throughput close to that obtained from the optimization.
Are psychiatrists an endangered species? Observations on internal and external challenges to the profession

Based on recently voiced concerns about a crisis in psychiatry, six challenges to our profession are identified and discussed. As we approach the revisions of ICD-10 and DSM-IV, the validity of psychiatry's diagnostic definitions and classification systems is increasingly questioned also from inside psychiatry. In addition, confidence in the results of therapeutic intervention studies is waning. A further challenge is the existence of de facto subgroups with opposing ideologies, a situation which is responsible for an unclear role profile of the psychiatrist. Challenges from outside include mounting patient and carer criticism, intrusion of other professions into psychiatry's traditional field of competence, and psychiatry's low status within medicine and in society in general. Studies suggest that the decline of the recruitment into psychiatry, as it is observed in many countries, might be related to problems arising from these challenges. It is unclear whether psychiatry will survive as a unitary medical discipline or whether those segments which are more rewarding, both financially and in status, will break away, leaving the unattractive tasks to carry out by what remains of psychiatry. The demise of the generalist and the rise of the specialist in modern society may contribute to this development. Attempts are underway by professional bodies to define the profile of a "general psychiatrist". Such discussions should be complemented by an analysis of the incentives which contribute to the centrifugal tendencies in psychiatry.
Severe necrotic dermatitis in the combs of line 63 chickens infected with Marek’s disease virus

ABSTRACT Marek’s disease virus (MDV), the aetiological agent of Mareks' disease (MD), is a highly cell-associated oncogenic α-herpesvirus that replicates in chicken lymphocytes and establishes a latent infection within CD4+ T cells. We investigated the possible effect of MDV infection on the exacerbation of necrotic dermatitis in the combs of MD-susceptible (72) and MD-resistant (63) chicken lines at 21 days post infection. MDV-infected birds of line 63 are relatively resistant to tumour development but exhibit an unusual necrosis of combs, wattles, and footpads that is intensified when infected with MDV. Chickens from line 72, on the other hand, are highly susceptible to MDV infection and tumour development. Real-Time PCR analysis revealed that IL-6, IL-8, IL-12, IL-18, iNOS, and IFNγ were all up regulated in the comb tissues of MDV-infected susceptible line 72 with no visible necrotic damage. With the exception of IL-8 and iNOS, the expression of all the other tested genes was barely detected in the necrotic combs of the resistant line 63. Real-Time PCR analysis revealed the MDV meq oncogene transcripts in the spleen tissues of both infected lines but in the comb tissues of only the susceptible line 72. A significant infiltration of macrophages and lymphocytes was detected in the comb tissues of both resistant and susceptible lines. Histopathological analysis also showed thinning and erosion of epidermis and inflammation, lympho-plasmocytic infiltration, heterophilic, and histocytic cellulitis within the connective tissues of the necrotic combs. Gram stain of the sectioned frozen comb samples exposed the presence of Gram-positive micrococcus.
A double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study of sildenafil in obstructive sleep apnea.

BACKGROUND Sildenafil prolongs the action of cyclic guanosine monophosphate and nitric oxide by inhibiting cyclic guanosine monophosphate-specific phosphodiesterase 5. It is largely used for erectile dysfunction, a highly prevalent condition in obstructive sleep apnea. Because nitric oxide promotes upper airway congestion, muscle relaxation, and pulmonary vasodilation, the aim of this study was to establish the impact of a single 50-mg dose of sildenafil on the sleep of patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea. METHODS Thirteen [corrected] middle-aged men with severe obstructive sleep apnea were consecutively selected for this double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study. Exclusion criteria were obesity, cardiovascular and/or respiratory disease, and conditions that interfere with sleep. All-night polysomnography was preceded by a single 50-mg dose of sildenafil or matching placebo randomly administered at bedtime, after a washout period of 1 week. RESULTS In comparison to placebo, a single 50-mg dose of sildenafil significantly increased the percentage of total sleep time with an arterial oxygen saturation of less than 90% (mean +/- SD, 15.6% +/- 9.6% vs 7.9% +/- 3.3%, [corrected] P < .01), without a difference in the nadir of oxygen desaturation. The mean arterial oxygen saturation also decreased (92.1% +/- 1.9% vs 93.8% +/- 1.3%, P = .03), [corrected] and the desaturation index increased (30.3 +/- 14.5 [corrected] events per hour vs 18.5 +/- 9.1 [corrected] events per hour, P < .001). There was an increase in apnea-hypopnea index (48.1 +/- 20.8 [corrected] events per hour vs 32.3 +/- 11.3 [corrected] events per hour, P = .001), [corrected] involving mostly obstructive events. CONCLUSION In patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea, a single 50-mg dose of sildenafil at bedtime worsens respiratory and desaturation events.
Enhanced Reduction of Helicobacter pylori Load in Precolonized Mice Treated with Combined Famotidine and Urease-Binding Polysaccharides

ABSTRACT The present study investigated the effect of a model urease-binding polysaccharide in combination with a histamine H2 receptor antagonist on Helicobacter pylori colonization in vivo. Euthymic hairless mice were treated daily with dextran sulfate via drinking water and/or famotidine via intragastric gavage starting at 1 week postchallenge with a CagA+ VacA+ (type 1) strain of H. pylori. Treatment of precolonized mice for 2 weeks with dextran sulfate combined with famotidine yielded a group mean bacterial load (per 100 mg of gastric tissue) of log101.04 CFU, which was significantly lower than those of the famotidine (log10 3.35 CFU, P < 0.01) and dextran sulfate (log10 2.45 CFU, P < 0.05) monotherapy groups and the infected nontreated group (log103.64 CFU, P < 0.01). Eradication was achieved after 2 weeks of treatment in 50% or more of the test mice using drug combinations (1 or 2 weeks of famotidine plus 2 weeks of dextran sulfate) versus none in the monotherapy and positive control groups. The enhanced activity of the drug combination may be related to the daily pattern of transient acid suppression by famotidine inducing periodic bacterial convergence to superficial mucus sites penetrated by dextran sulfate from the lumen. Increased urease-dextran sulfate avidity was observed in vitro in the presence of famotidine and may partly account for the enhanced activity. With potential utility in abbreviating treatment time and eradication of antibiotic-resistant strains, the use of urease-targeted polysaccharides concurrently with a gastric acid inhibitor warrants consideration as an additional component of the standard multidrug chemotherapy of H. pylori infection.
On Choosing an Optimal Dividend Policy in India: A Test of Substitution Hypothesis, 1999–2016

Abstract We aim to highlight quantitative significance of share buyback in an emerging economy, India by documenting its emergence and trends in stock over time, 1991–2011. The market reaction to the impact of stock repurchase program and dividend increase announcements on share price behavior and their relative signaling power with reference to Indian firms is empirically tested. Further, the problem at hand is to provide insights to what are the determinants of the choice between increasing dividends and utilizing an open market stock repurchase and the impact of that choice on the stockholders’ wealth position in India. The analysis is conducted from two points of view. First, we investigated how the market perceives and reacts to announcements of cash distribution method through dividend increase and to share repurchase. Second, we looked into what determinates corporate payout policy when marginal disbursements could be done with either dividend increase or stock repurchases. Some evidence is provided to reject the null hypotheses that managers do not discriminate in their choice of a payout method. Dividend paying and stock repurchasing firms display significant differences in firm characteristics. Further, firms do not appear to randomly choose between the various disbursements choices. Though weakly, our results suggests that large firms like to substitute repurchases for dividends.