Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The interacting effect of the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism and stressful life events on adolescent depression is not an artifact of gene-environment correlation: evidence from a longitudinal twin study.

BACKGROUND Confounding introduced by gene-environment correlation (rGE) may prevent one from observing a true gene-environment interaction (G × E) effect on psychopathology. The present study investigated the interacting effect of the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism and stressful life events (SLEs) on adolescent depression while controlling for the rGE by two means: separating pure environmental factors (independent SLEs) from the environmental factors under partial genetic control (dependent SLEs) and adopting a prospective longitudinal design. METHODS A total of 780 pairs of Chinese twins, aged 11-17 years (mean = 13.6, SD = 1.8) at intake, were followed up twice. Self-reported depression symptoms at Time 1 and Time 2 were assessed by the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI). SLEs occurring between Time 1 and Time 2 were assessed by a self-reported checklist. SLEs were differentiated into independent and dependent ones and were validated by heritability analyses using twin design. The interacting effects between the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism and numbers of SLEs (total SLEs and independent SLEs) on intraindividual change of depression symptoms were examined. RESULTS After controlling for sex, age, age square, and Time 1 depression, both total SLEs × BDNF Val66Met genotype and independent SLEs × BDNF Val66Met genotype significantly predicted Time 2 depression. Val allele carriers (Val/Val and Val/Met) were more susceptible to the detrimental effects of stress. CONCLUSIONS There is a true G × E effect underlying the observed interaction between BDNF Val66Met polymorphism and environmental stress on depression.
A Test of the Equality of Closed-Ended and Open-Ended Contingent Valuations

A test is developed to find whether open-ended and closed-ended contingent valuation mechanisms lead to significantly different results. The test is based on joint estimation of willingness to pay responses to open- and closed-ended questions asked of the same sample of individuals. In a public good example, individuals do respond differently depending on question format. Possible explanations include different incentives for strategic behavior and respondents' lack of familiarity with the open-ended question type. No differences in willingness to pay were found in a private good example.
FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE THE DECISION TO PARTICIPATE IN YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS IN RURAL HIGH SCHOOLS IN THREE STATES

This study sought to determine the factors that influenced student decisions to participate in FFA in a rural school and their level of involvement as an FFA member. Data was collected from 2,111 high school students in 41 rural high schools in Arizona, Florida, and Texas. Discriminant analysis identified four factors that influence participation in FFA in the respondents: high school GPA, participation in on-campus (non-Career/Technical organizations) activities, agreement with the statement “Leadership activities have made me a more confident person,” and the student’s year in school. Factors identified that influenced the level of involvement in FFA by the respondents were: involvement in on-campus athletics, involvement in on-campus (non-Career/Technical organizations) activities, high school GPA, and agreement with the statement “My friends would think less of me. ” Future research is recommended, including a replication of this study with urban students.
Misoprostol 50 μg Sublingually versus Vaginally for Labor Induction at Term: A Randomized Study

Objective: To compare the efficacy of misoprostol 50 µg vaginally and 50 µg sublingually for labor induction at term. Materials and Methods: One hundred and sixty women were randomized to receive misoprostol 50 µg vaginally (n = 80) or 50 µg sublingually misoprostol (n = 80). The doses were given every 4 h (maximum 6 doses). Primary outcome measure was number of cesarean deliveries. Induction to delivery time, delivery within 24 h, the number of misoprostol doses given; the need for oxytocin augmentation, tachysystole and uterine hyperstimulation rates and neonatal outcomes were secondary outcome measures. Results: The mean induction to delivery time was 748 ± 379 min in the vaginal group and 711 ± 425 in the sublingual group (p = 0.56). The number of women delivering within 24 h was 73 (91.3%) in the vaginal group and 74 (92.5%) in the sublingual group (p = 0.78). The mean number of misoprostol doses required was significantly higher in the sublingual group (1.9 ± 1.2) compared with the vaginal group (1.1 ± 0.4; p < 0.001). More women in the sublingual group experienced tachysystole (n = 14, 17.5%) compared with the vaginal group (n = 3, 3.8%; p = 0.005). Seven cases (8.8%) in the vaginal group and 12 cases in the sublingual group (15%) required emergent cesarean delivery for fetal heart rate abnormalities (p = 0.22). Other neonatal outcomes including umbilical artery pH, Apgar scores and intensive care unit admission were similar in the two groups. Conclusion: Sublingual misoprostol is as efficacious as vaginal misoprostol for induction of labor. More frequent tachysystole is observed with misoprostol 50 µg sublingually, but neonatal outcomes are similar.
Accuracy and Reliability Considerations of Option Pricing Algorithms

A wide variety of computational schemes have been proposed for the numerical valuation of various classes of options. Experiences in numerical computation have revealed that the details of the implementation of the auxiliary conditions in the numerical algorithms may have profound effects on numerical accuracy. Difficulties in designing algorithms that deal with the path‐dependent payoffs, monitoring features, etc., have been well reported in the literature. In this article, the theoretical issues on the assessment of numerical schemes with regard to accuracy of approximation of auxiliary conditions, rate of convergence, and oscillation phenomena are reviewed. In particular, the oscillation phenomena in bond‐price calculations and the intricacies in implementing the auxiliary conditions in barrier options, proportional step options, and lookback options are discussed. With different types of options and modes of monitoring (continuous or discrete), the optimal method of placing the lattice nodes with reference to the boundary (absorbing or reflecting) are examined in order to achieve linear temporal rate of convergence. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 21:875–903, 2001
Technical analysis in the foreign exchange market: a layman's guide

Economists have traditionally been skeptical of the value of technical analysis, the use of past price behavior to guide trading decisions in asset markets. Instead, they have relied on the logic of the efficient markets hypothesis. Christopher J. Neely briefly explains the fundamentals of technical analysis and the efficient markets hypothesis as applied to the foreign exchange market, evaluates the profitability of simple trading rules, and reviews recent ideas that might justify extrapolative technical analysis.
In Vivo Aspects of Urogastrone-Epidermal Growth Factor

SUMMARY Recent evidence indicates that human urogastrone-epidermal growth factor originates in submandibular and Brunner’s glands and that serum levels are low (< 1 ng ml−1). It occurs in many secreted fluids to a much greater extent and many tissues are thus exposed to concentrations greater than 100 ng ml−1. Rapid actions in vivo of URO-EGF include the ability to inhibit gastric acid secretion at low doses (250 ng kg h−1 in humans) and to provide cytoprotective effects against ulcerogenic agents (250 ng kg h−1 in cats). More prolonged exposure of tissues shows increases in parameters related to wound healing, beneficial effects upon ulceration and also the ability to accelerate crypt cell production rate along the gastrointestinal tract. Synthetic material has been prepared with an identical structure to the natural URO-EGF thus enabling detailed studies of the biological effects to be pursued.
Characterization of the human quadriceps muscle in active elders.

OBJECTIVE To compare muscle activation deficits and muscle physiology in older versus younger adults. DESIGN A maximal volitional isometric contraction of the quadriceps muscle with burst-superimposition was used to assess strength and activation. In addition, force-frequency testing during fresh, fatigue, and recovery conditions and electrically elicited fatigue testing were performed. SETTING Muscle performance laboratory. PATIENTS Healthy, active young (age range, 20-28 yr) and older (age range, 66-83 yr) subjects. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Torque production, activation of the quadriceps, F50 values from the force-frequency relationships (frequency at which 50% of the maximum normalized force is produced), and the average amount of fatigue. RESULTS Older subjects were weaker (574.4 +/- 156 N) than younger subjects (900.9 +/- 295 N) and had significantly greater deficits in central activation in the quadriceps muscles (elderly = 95.5% activation; younger = 98.1% activation). The force-frequency curves for the elderly were to the left of the younger subjects for all 3 testing conditions. Aged muscles fatigued to the same extent as younger muscle (young = 49.8% +/- 2.6%, elderly = 51.1% +/- 2.8%). CONCLUSIONS These results can be used to modify high-intensity strength training protocols designed to optimize sustainable strength gains in the elderly during rehabilitation.
CULTURAL DISTANCE AND BOND PRICING: EVIDENCE IN THE YANKEE AND RULE 144A BOND MARKETS

type="main" xml:lang="en"> In this article we examine the impact of cultural distance on the pricing of corporate bonds issued in the United States. We find that greater cultural differences between U.S. investors and foreign issuers increase the cost of debt. We also find that the cost of Rule 144a offers is less sensitive to cultural distance and creditor protection effects because of the different market structure and investor bases in the Yankee and Rule144a bond markets. Our results suggest that cultural differences influence bond pricing through an information asymmetry channel.
Intrametropolitan Employment Structure: Polycentricity, Scatteration, Dispersal and Chaos in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver, 1996-2001

There is little consensus on where and how employment is decentralising in metropolitan areas. However, a number of key processes have been brought to light, and different cities have tended to display different processes: strong CBDs, suburban polynucleation, job dispersal, scattering, edgeless cities and perhaps 'keno capitalism'. This paper explores the distribution and growth of employment at a fine spatial scale. It is shown that, at this scale, there are very dynamic processes of growth and decline throughout metropolitan areas, but that these processes are organised at a wider scale by stable employment centres and by links between these centres. The structures and processes thus revealed suggest that the spatial economy of metropolitan areas should be approached as a chaotic system. From an empirical perspective, this means that, depending on the scale of analysis and the way data are considered, polynucleation, dispersal and chaos are all observed: this may partly explain the lack of consensus in the literature. The only process not evident within Canadian cities is scattering, but this process may in fact be occurring within some areas identified as suburban employment zones.
Choosing to Target: What Types of Countries Get Different Types of World Bank Projects

Well-governed countries are more likely to make use of foreign aid for the purposes of economic development and poverty alleviation. Therefore, if aid agencies are providing funds for the sake of development, these countries should receive more aid and categorically different types of aid as compared with poorly governed countries. In poorly governed countries aid should be given in forms that allow for less discretion. Using an original data set of all World Bank projects from 1996 to 2002, the author distinguishes programmatic projects from investment projects and national from subnational investment projects. If the World Bank allows more discretion in well-governed countries, then it will choose to provide programmatic and national aid for these recipients. The author presents evidence that the World Bank provides a larger proportion of national investment lending in better-governed countries. With regard to programmatic lending, he finds mixed evidence. Among counties eligible for International Development Association (ida ) aid, good governance surprisingly is associated with a lower proportion of programmatic aid, whereas for International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (ibrd ) borrowers, good governance is associated with a higher proportion. The author subjects these results to a number of robustness checks. Although he confirms the existing result in the literature that the World Bank provides larger overall amounts of aid to better-governed countries, his examination of the disaggregated data leads to questioning whether both lending wings of the World Bank are designing aid programs in the most prodevelopment way possible.
Thermoregulatory responses as a function of core temperature in humans.

1. Six healthy humans were immersed sequentially in baths maintained at a steady temperature of either 28 +/‐ 1 or 38‐8 +/‐ 1 degree C. 2. Metabolic heat production was calculated by respiratory gas analysis. A ventilated capsule was placed on the forehead and sweat secretion was calculated from psychrometric recordings. Convective heat loss from one hand to water‐perfused glove provided a continuous measurement of vasomotor response. 3. Heat production, sweating, and vasomotor heat loss were proportional to core temperature. 4. Sweating and vasomotor response were parallel. Vasoconstriction was complete, before the onset of shivering. 5. The thresholds for heat loss and heat production were superimposed, without a 'dead band' core temperature.
Economic Perspective of Transferability of Mode Choice Models

Economic analysis between the increment of accuracy and the number of small sample size was conducted to the spatial transferability in Ho Chi Minh City. Transfer index generated from the association of small sized samples with naive method, updating alternative specific constants, Bayesian updating, updating alternative specific constants and scale parameter, and combined transfer estimator were used to represent the accuracy in the analysis. Graphical observation based on marginal transfer index and increment of marginal transfer index was used to produce the optimum range. In general, the economic range produced by the first three methods is between 150 and 360 observations. However, there is no optimum range need to be constructed from the last two methods as the transfer index is relatively established. A sample of 100 observations is recommended as the cost)effective sample size for these two methods. These monetary findings are not in line with the result from previous study.
IL‐18, TNF, and IFN‐γ alleles and genotypes are associated with susceptibility to chronic hepatitis B infection and severity of liver injury

This study evaluated the association of polymorphisms in the IL‐18 (−607C/A and −137C/G), IFNγ (+874 A/T), and TNF (−238 A/G and −308 A/G) genes with susceptibility to HBV infection and severity of liver injury. A total of 259 chronic HBV‐infected patients followed at the University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil, and 202 healthy individuals were studied. Four Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) were amplified by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Liver biopsy was performed in 212 HBV‐infected patients and classified according to severity of liver fibrosis (scores 0–4) and necroinflammatory activity (HAI scores 0–18). TNF‐308*A allele (P < 0.001; OR = 2.16) and TNF −308 AA genotype (P = 0.026; OR = 5.43) were associated with susceptibility to HBV infection. An association was found between severe liver fibrosis when compared to mild fibrosis and the following polymorphisms: Alleles IL‐18 ‐137*G (P = 0.004; OR = 3.45), TNF −308*A (P < 0.001; OR = 3.39), and IFNγ +874*T (P = 0.029; OR = 1.85) and IL‐18 −137 GG genotype (P = 0.009; OR = 3.70). No significant association was found between IL‐18 (−607 A/C) polymorphism and severity of liver fibrosis. Alleles IL‐18 −137*G (P = 0.028; OR = 2.64) and TNF‐308*A (P = 0.002; OR = 3.06) and IL‐18 −137 GG genotype (P = 0.011; OR = 4.20) were associated with severe necroinflammatory activity (HAI>12) when compared to mild necroinflammatory activity (HAI 1–8). The results suggest that IL‐18 −137C/G, TNF‐308 G/A and IFNγ +874 A/T SNPs were associated to more severe liver injury in chronic HBV infection. TNF −308*A allele and TNF −308 AA genotype could play a role in the susceptibility to HBV infection. J. Med. Virol. 87:1689–1696, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Genetic polymorphisms of cytochrome P450 2C9 causing reduced phenprocoumon (S)-7-hydroxylation in vitro and in vivo

The effect of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C9 polymorphisms on the stereoselective biotransformation of the oral anticoagulant phenprocoumon (PPC) to inactive, monohydroxylated metabolites was studied in vitro and in vivo. In human liver microsomes, the (S)-7-hydroxylation — being the major metabolic pathway — was significantly compromised in a gene–dose-dependent manner in samples expressing the CYP2C9*2 or CYP2C9*3 allele. The CYP2C9*3/*3 genotype corresponded to an almost fourfold lower (S)-7-hydroxylation rate than CYP2C9*1/*1 (wild-type). The intrinsic clearance of human recombinant CYP2C9*2 and CYP2C9*3 for the (S)-7-hydroxylation was 28.9 and 50.9% lower than of CYP2C9*1, respectively. The area under the plasma concentration–time curve (AUC) of PPC metabolites after oral intake of 12 mg racemic PPC was significantly lower in volunteers expressing the CYP2C9*2 or CYP2C9*3 allele. Increasing plasma AUC metabolic ratios (parent compound/metabolite) in CYP2C9*2 and CYP2C9*3 variant allele carriers were found for each hydroxylation reaction and the CYP2C9*3/*3 genotype corresponded to an about 10-fold higher metabolic ratio of PPC (S)-7-hydroxylation relative to CYP2C9*1/*1. CYP2C9 polymorphisms cause a markedly compromised PPC (S)-7-hydroxylation. However, PPC metabolism appears overall less influenced by CYP2C9 genotype compared with other oral anticoagulants and it may thus be a valuable alternative for therapeutic anticoagulation of patients expressing CYP2C9 variant alleles.
Impact of heterogeneity on software development teams

Changes in Indian workforce and globalisation have resulted in an increase in heterogeneous information technology (IT) teams. Team heterogeneity has been shown to impact various team outcomes. This paper examines the impact of demographic, knowledge and underlying diversity in IT teams on various team outcomes. Data were collected from 62 software development (SD) teams and analysed using multiple regressions. The result suggests that more than other forms of heterogeneity, underlying heterogeneity in SD teams has been consistently a significant predictor of the various team outcomes and thus impacts the team effectiveness.
A Portfolio View of Banking with Interest and Noninterest Activities

This paper uses a portfolio framework to evaluate the impact of increased noninterest income on equity market measures of return and risk of U.S. bank holding companies from 1997 to 2004. The results indicate that the banks most reliant on activities that generate noninterest income do not earn higher average equity returns, but are much more risky as measured by return volatility (both total and idiosyncratic) and market betas. This suggests that the pervasive shift toward noninterest income has not improved the risk/return outcomes of U.S. banks in recent years.
The British Columbia marine ecosystem classification: Rationale, development, and verification

There is an increasing need to develop new tools and techniques for marine conservation, resource management, and planning. One of these new techniques is the application of terrestrial ecosystem approaches to the development of an equivalent marine methodology. These modified ecosystem approaches have been used in the development of the British Columbia Marine Ecosystem Classification (BCMEC) for the Pacific coast of Canada. The classification is hierarchical, and consists of four nested divisions based on physical properties and a fifth division based on current, depth, bottom substrate, bottom relief, and wave exposure. The fifth division—termed ecounits— was created at a considerably larger scale (1:250,000), and is the first example of a large‐scale marine classification applied over a large area (453,000 km2). The ecounits were developed to evaluate the boundaries and homogeneity of the four larger divisions, as well as for the application to coastal management and marine protected areas planning. T.
Spatial Convergence of Regions Revisited: A Spatial Maximum Likelihood Panel Approach

This paper suggests that one should account for the endogeneity of important explanatory variables and the persistence of technology shocks when analyzing spatial convergence among regions.Specifically, it is argued that a systems approach is called for that includes the average growth rate and the initial income level as the endogenous variables. For 212 European regions the estimation results reveal a substantial correlation between the disturbances of the equation explaining initial income per capita and that of its subsequent average growth rate. Moreover, the estimated speed of convergence is found substantially higher in a systems framework. This holds true for both spatial conditional and unconditional convergence.