Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Association between serum uric acid, aortic, carotid and femoral stiffness among adults aged 40–75 years without and with type 2 diabetes mellitus: The Maastricht Study

Objective: Arterial stiffness may be a mechanism to explain the association between uric acid and cardiovascular disease. We aimed to analyse associations between serum uric acid and regional and local arterial stiffness, and assess potential differences related to sex and glucose metabolism status. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed in 614 adults [52.6% men; mean age 58.7 ± 8.5 years; 23.2% type 2 diabetes mellitus (by design)] from The Maastricht Study. Arterial stiffness was assessed by carotid–femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV), distensibility, and compliance coefficient of the carotid and femoral artery, and carotid artery Young's elastic modulus. Results: Higher uric acid (per SD of 74 &mgr;mol/l) was associated with greater stiffness indicated by a significantly higher cfPWV [&bgr; = 0.216 (95% confidence interval 0.061, 0.372); P = 0.006] and lower carotid distensibility coefficient [&bgr; = −0.633 (95% confidence interval −1.099, −0.166); P = 0.008] after adjustment for sex, age, and glucose metabolism status. Associations lost significance after adjusting for mean arterial pressure, BMI, waist, smoking status, heart rate, total : high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio, triglycerides, estimated glomerular filtration rate, use of lipid-lowering, antihypertensive, and diabetes medication, and use of secondary uricosurics. No associations were found between uric acid and carotid compliance coefficient, carotid Young's elastic modulus, or stiffness of the femoral artery. A significant interaction (P < 0.10) with glucose metabolism status was found for cfPWV. However, none of the stratified associations were significant. There was no interaction with sex. Conclusion: Uric acid was not significantly associated with stiffness of the aorta, or the carotid or femoral artery among adults aged 40–75 years without and with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
A Theory of Workouts and the Effects of Reorganization Law

We present a model of a financially distressed firm with outstanding bank debt and public debt. Coordination problems among public debtholders introduce investment inefficiencies in the workout process. In most cases, these inefficiencies are not mitigated by the ability of firms to buy back their public debt with cash and other securities--the only feasible way that firms can restructure their public debt. We show that Chapter 11 reorganization law increases investment and we characterize the types of corporate financial structures for which this increased investment enhances efficiency.
Entrepreneurship in Post-Conflict Transition

We examine new self-employment entry and its viability in Bosnia and Herzegovina, using a rich household survey for the years 2001–2004. We find that wealthier households are more likely to engage in viable self-employment and create employment suggesting an important role for financing constraints. Specifically, although having an existing bank relationship is not significantly related to the entry decision, it is positively related to the survival for new entrepreneurs and their employment creation. We also find a non-linear relationship between remittances and entry in that individuals not receiving remittances are more likely to enter self-employment; but, if they do receive them, the likelihood of starting a business increases in the fraction of wealth received from domestic remittances. Finally, people working in the informal sector are more likely to become viable entrepreneurs, particularly those provided with loans from micro-credit organizations. These findings support the perception of the informal sector as an incubator for formal self-employment in the early years of transition.
Costly Information Disclosure in Oligopoly

We examine the effect of competition on the incentive of firms to disclose quality to consumers before trade when information disclosure is not costless. We demonstrate that no firm will disclose information in the limit, no matter how small the disclosure cost is; that is, the market outcome converges to complete concealment of information as the number of competing firms becomes larger. Nonetheless, it can be shown that under a mild condition, the equilibrium amount of information disclosure is socially excessive for any number of firms, so discouraging information disclosure by levying a tax may increase social welfare.
Nursing home staff training in dementia care: a systematic review of evaluated programs.

BACKGROUND We reviewed studies of in-service interventions for caregivers of persons with dementia in nursing homes published between 1990 and 2004. The aim was to obtain an overview of the evaluated interventions and to characterize their methodological quality. METHODS A thorough literature search was conducted, including searching electronic databases for selected intervention studies and previous reviews. Selected studies were summarized and compared along certain categories, and methodological quality was assessed. RESULTS A total of 21 studies were identified, mostly published in the United States. Most were of poor methodological quality. Although nearly all reported positive effects, their results must be interpreted cautiously due to methodological weaknesses. Extensive interventions with ongoing support successfully demonstrated sustained implementation of new knowledge. Owing to methodological weaknesses and a lack of follow-up evaluations, little or no evidence existed for the efficacy or, particularly, the transfer of knowledge in simpler interventions when reinforcing and enabling factors were not present. CONCLUSION On an international and, particularly, on a national level a lack of evaluated in-service training programs for caregivers in homes for people with dementia is apparent. Methodological weakness is common. This study highlights the need for well-defined methodologically improved studies, providing conclusive evidence of the effects of intervention types to help improve the quality of dementia care.
Media and Gender Stereotyping: The need for Media Literacy

Media’s role in a democracy is to bring mass awareness on political, social and economic issues. However, media channels tend to give preference to political and economic news items over social issues, especially the issue of women. This has lead to the issues on women take a backseat Media can play a significant role in sensitizing the society about gender issues. But, before that, the media itself needs to be sensitized in covering women issues. The distribution of power between the two sexes – both physical and economic- is unequal, leading to discrimination against women. Media exerts immense influential power on the masses; this cannot be undermined. Portrayal of women as equal has not been given the priority it deserves by the media. Women issues should be dealt in a sensitive, responsible way by the media. Declining sex ratio, rape, workplace sexual harassment, dowry-related crimes domestic violence molestation, eve-teasing and honour killings are some of the issues that the media needs to sensitize the society about. Total women empowerment can come about only if it includes political, social, cultural and other dimensions of human life. This happens only if development includes women participation and control over resources of power. The electronic media and particularly TV has become the most influential medium of mass communication. It is a disturbing trend when media negatively portrays women as “the weaker sex” who should remain subservient. Most disturbing, however, is the disproportionate coverage of sensationalized violence. Sexual brutalization of women has remained a highly marketable commodity. “Commodification” of women as “sexual objects” in advertisements should be stopped. Media can either be an accomplice to gender based discrimination or it can challenge the gender bias by providing balanced coverage.
Calculated PRA (CPRA): The New Measure of Sensitization for Transplant Candidates

The ways we measure whether a patient is sensitized to HLA antigens and to what extent sensitization affects access to transplantation have changed remarkably during the past decade. What we mean by sensitized and broadly sensitized today is heavily dependent upon the sensitivity of the test that is used to measure antibodies. Because we provide additional allocation points for broadly sensitized patients in the United States kidney allocation system in an effort to compensate for their biological disadvantage, some consistency and accountability are required. The calculated panel‐reactive antibody, which provides an estimate of the percentage of deceased organ donors that will be crossmatch incompatible for a candidate provides both consistency and accountability.
DNA repair gene ERCC1 and ERCC2/XPD polymorphisms and risk of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

OBJECTIVE To determine the effect of the ERCC1 C8092A polymorphism and the ERCC2/XPD G23591A polymorphism on the risk of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). DESIGN A hospital-based case-control study. SUBJECTS A total of 330 newly diagnosed case subjects with SCCHN and 330 cancer-free control subjects matched on age (+/- 5 years), sex, smoking status, and alcohol use. All subjects were non-Hispanic whites. METHODS After informed consent was obtained, blood was drawn for genotyping. The ERCC1 C8092A polymorphism was typed by single-strand conformational polymorphism analysis. The ERCC2/XPD G23591A polymorphism was typed by polymerase chain reaction-based restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis with the enzyme StyI. The chi(2) analysis was used to assess differences in genotype and allele frequencies. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate the risk of SCCHN for individuals having these genotypes after adjustment for age, sex, tobacco smoking, and alcohol use. RESULTS The DNA was available and genotyping was ultimately successful for 313 case subjects and 313 control subjects. The ERCC1 8092CC genotype and the ERCC2/XPD 23591A allele were associated with nonsignificantly increased risks of SCCHN: odds ratios, 1.15 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.84-1.59) and 1.28 (95% CI, 0.93-1.76), respectively, whereas having both risk genotypes was associated with an even higher risk of SCCHN: odds ratio, 1.78 (95% CI, 0.99-3.17). When considering both polymorphisms, we found a significant allele dose effect (P =.04). CONCLUSIONS These 2 polymorphisms may contribute to the risk of SCCHN, but larger studies are needed to confirm their role in SCCHN. Combining common DNA repair gene polymorphisms into models of genetic risk of SCCHN may improve risk estimates.
Factors Correlated With Hepatitis C and B Virus Infections Among Injecting Drug Users in Tehran, IR Iran

Background In Iran, the number of injecting drug users (IDUs) has increased in recent years. The rates of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections among IDUs are reportedly high. Objectives The purpose of this study was to assess factors correlated with HCV and HBV infections among IDUs in Tehran. Patients and Methods A cross-sectional study included 899 IDUs recruited from the community, drug treatment centers, and drop-in-centers. The study involved interviews conducted using an adapted version of the WHO Drug Injection Study Phase II (Version 2b) questionnaire and blood testing for the HCV antibody, hepatitis B surface antigen, and hepatitis B core antibody. A logistic regression model was used to identify independent factors correlated with HCV and HBV infections. Results HCV infection was found to be primarily associated with female gender [odds ratio (OR) 5.0, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.0-10.0)], unmarried status (OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.9-4.4), drug use for more than 10 years (OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.8-3.9), drug injection frequency of more than once per day (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.6-4.2), history of imprisonment (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.6-4.0)], and a history of shared injection needles in prison (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.5-3.6). HBV infection was mainly correlated with a history of imprisonment (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.4-2.7) and drug use for more than 10 years (OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.1-1.9). Conclusions Because a considerable number of IDUs in Iran are receiving reduction services, tailoring services for prevention of hepatitis infection are necessary.
Non-Energy Import Demand Function in Turkey: New Evidence

This study estimates the non-energy demand function of Turkey in the period of 2003:Q1-2015:Q3. We estimated a long run and a short run model of imports, based on the traditional import approach. Then? we analyzed income and price elasticity of imports using cointegration methodology with multiple structural breaks of Maki (2012). The empirical results show that real non-energy imports cointegrate with real domestic income and relative price with significant structural breaks in 2006:Q1 and 2010:Q3. Contrary to theory, domestic income carries negative coefficient, which suggests that an increase in income will decrease the level of non-energy import in the case of Turkey. Also, cointegration results suggest that non-energy import is income and price elastic in the long-run; income elastic, but price inelastic in the short-run, and income and price elasticity of non-energy import demand in Turkey, are time-varying due to the structural breaks.
Corporate sustainability performance and firm performance association: a literature review

The purpose of the present study is to conduct a review of the literature on the relation between corporate sustainability performance and firm performance. In this study corporate sustainability performance and firm performance measurement has been divided into different categories. Only empirical studies have been selected for the review. Research articles are classified based on certain measurement categories. Findings of this study suggest a positive relation between corporate sustainability performance and firm performance. Firm size and industry are the control variables used by the maximum number of studies. The results of the study support the fact of doing well pay well. The association between corporate sustainability performance and firm performance is an issue of ongoing debate among scholars and practitioners. This debate is supported by various ethical, religious, and emotional facts. The importance of this issue is major driven power of the empirical studies in this field of research. The positive relation between corporate sustainability performance and firm performance may be an important motivating factor for the practitioners to contribute more towards sustainable development. Results of this study will help both practitioners and academicians those are conducting research in the field of corporate sustainability performance measurement.
Promise and Practice of Professional Portfolios

Abstract Professional portfolios provide a tool for improving teacher education on several levels. First, they enable programs to assess preservice students' progress in developing the myriad of complex skills necessary for effective teaching. Secondly, portfolios serve to clarify, reinforce, and evaluate attainment of a program's goals. Finally, professional portfolios reflect the national trend towards performance assessment in career placement and as a vehicle for demonstrating competency on state and national teaching standards. In response to these multiple uses of professional portfolios, faculty at a southwestern teacher training institution implemented a professional portfolio component. This study surveyed preservice students' perceptions regarding the impact of portfolios on professional development and the transition from school to work. Results indicated the process promoted reflective practice, increased self-confidence, prepared them for the job search, and heightened awareness of professional standards. In addition, student feedback offered suggestions for making portfolios an integral part of teacher education programs.
Genetic analysis of the antifungal activity of a soilborne Pseudomonas aureofaciens strain

Pseudomonas aureofaciens Q2-87 produces the antibiotic 2,4-diacetophloroglucinol (Phl), which inhibits Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici and other fungi in vitro. Strain Q2-87 also provides biological control of take-all, a root disease of wheat caused by this fungus. To assess the role of Phl in the antifungal activity of strain Q2-87, a genetic analysis of antibiotic production was conducted. Two mutants of Q2-87 with altered antifungal activity were isolated by site-directed mutagenesis with Tn5. One mutant, Q2-87::Tn5-1, did not inhibit G. graminis var. tritici in vitro and did not produce Phl. Two cosmids were isolated from a genomic library of the wild-type strain by probing with the mutant genomic fragment. Antifungal activity and Phl production were coordinately restored in Q2-87::Tn5-1 by complementation with either cosmid. Mobilization of one of these cosmids into two heterologous Pseudomonas strains conferred the ability to synthesize Phl and increased their activity against G. graminis var. tritici, Pythium ultimum, and Rhizoctonia solani in vitro. Subcloning and deletion analysis of these cosmids identified a 4.8-kb region which was necessary for Phl synthesis and antifungal activity.
Development of a new multidimensional individual and interpersonal resilience measure for older adults†

Objectives: Develop an empirically grounded measure that can be used to assess family and individual resilience in a population of older adults (aged 50–99). Methods: Cross-sectional, self-report data from 1006 older adults were analyzed in two steps. The total sample was split into two subsamples and the first step identified the underlying latent structure through principal component exploratory factor analysis (EFA). The second step utilized the second half of the sample to validate the derived latent structure through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Results: EFA produced an eight-factor structure that appeared clinically relevant for measuring the multidimensional nature of resilience. Factors included self-efficacy, access to social support network, optimism, perceived economic and social resources, spirituality and religiosity, relational accord, emotional expression and communication, and emotional regulation. CFA confirmed the eight-factor structure previously achieved with covariance between each of the factors. Based on these analyses we developed the multidimensional individual and interpersonal resilience measure, a broad assessment of resilience for older adults. Conclusion: This study highlights the multidimensional nature of resilience and introduces an individual and interpersonal resilience measure developed for older adults which is grounded in the individual and family resilience literature.
In Search of Order: Property Rights Enforcement in Kibera Settlement, Kenya

In Kibera, Nairobi Kenya's largest slum, getting property rights enforced is no simple matter. Structures are owned by one person and rented by another, neither of whom have rights to the land on which the structure stands. Rental contracts are the subject of frequent dispute for residents and government conflict resolution mechanisms are inaccessible. Using structured interviews and working with local community based organizations we were able to identify three different mechanisms for contract enforcement that developed apart from the formal government channel: 1) bureaucratic entrepreneurs willing to act outside of their area of authority; 2) community based organizations; and 3) ethnic gangs. All of these mechanisms assist people in getting their property rights contracts enforced. In this paper we establish a rubric for the assessment of welfare maximization based on extant literature in new institutional economics. We discuss each of these contract enforcement institutions and evaluate them against the rubric. We find that these organically developed solutions to the inaccessibility of government mechanisms for contact enforcement are not obviously superior to the formal institutions.
AN INDEX OF ENTRY BARRIERS AND ITS APPLICATION TO THE MARKET STRUCTURE PERFORMANCE RELATIONSHIP

IN previous research (Orr, 1974) we estimated a model which expressed entry as a function of various incentives to enter and barriers to entry. From these basic empirical results, the present paper constructs an index of the overall level of entry barriers for each of the 71 Canadian three-digit manufacturing industries. This index, and its underlying methodology, should be more useful than any alternative empirical measure of overall entry barriers currently available. Unlike the classification scheme of Mann (Mann, I966), the weights attributed to the individual barriers in our index are empirically determined rather than subject to the authors judgment. Also, our index is continuous rather than discreet, and available for all (71) manufacturing industries rather than a small (30) selected sample. Some measure of the overall level of entry barriers is crucial to anti-trust investigators, as well as economists interested in the interaction between market structure and performance. Both Bain (1956) and Mann (I966) agreed that seller concentration alone is not an adequate indicator of monopoly power. They conclude that entry conditions are a crucial additional aspect of market structure. Accordingly, Part II identifies and ranks the manufacturing industries according to the level of entry barriers. This index of entry barriers is then employed to re-examine several issues current in the market structure-performance literature. As a first application (Part III) we examine the relationship between entry barriers and profitability in light of Mann's (I966) conclusions. The interaction between barriers and concentration on profits provides another application of our index (Part IV). After numerous attempts, this Rhoades (I97I, 1972) vs. Mann (I966, 1971, I973) debate seems unresolved. Thirdly, we examine the question, Do firms with a very high degree of monopoly power use this power to earn the higher profits predicted? Can we support the hypotheses that they restrain themselves to discourage entry or government regulation, or that monopoly power weakens the incentive for profit maximization?
Ranking Economics Journals and Articles, Economics Departments, and Economists Using Teaching-Focused Research Productivity: 1991-2011

Journal rankings have been used as a common low-cost management tool by academic institutions to measure research productivity among scholars. In this paper, we extend the work by Lo et al. (2008) that produced rankings of economics journals, departments, and economists based on teaching-focused research productivity. In particular, we update these rankings by using both a more refined ranking method published in Econometrica (Palacios-Huerta and Volij, 2004) and a larger database consisting of 1,172 articles published across 20 economics journals from 1991 to 2011. In addition, we produce a new ranking that provides a list of the top 20 most influential articles in the field of economic education. Our findings should be of interest to university administrators, researchers publishing in the field of economic education and students seeking graduate programs with a research focus in economic education.