Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Elephant in the Room: the Impact of Labor Obligations on Credit Risk

We study the impact of labor market frictions on credit risk. Our central finding is that labor market variables are the first-order effect in driving the credit spread fluctuations. Recent studies have highlighted a link between credit risk and macroeconomic variables such as investment growth, financial leverage, volatility, etc. We show that labor market variables (wage growth or labor share) can forecast credit spread as well as or better than alternative predictors. A model with wage rigidity can explain this link as well as produce large credit spreads despite realistically low default probabilities (credit spread puzzle). This is because pre-committed payments to labor make other committed payments (such as debt) more risky; for this reason variables related to pre-committed labor payments forecast credit risk. JEL classification: E23, E44, G12
University of Groningen Population Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacogenetic Analysis of Mitotane in Patients with Adrenocortical Carcinoma

Background Mitotane is the only approved treatment for patients with adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC). A better explanation for the variability in the pharmacokinetics (PK) of mitotane, and the optimization and individualization of mitotane treatment, is desirable for patients. Objectives This study aims to develop a population PK (PopPK) model to characterize and predict the PK profiles of mitotane in patients with ACC, as well as to explore the effect of genetic variation on mitotane clearance. Ultimately, we aimed to facilitate mitotane dose optimization and individualization for patients with ACC. Methods Mitotane concentration and dosing data were collected retrospectively from the medical records of patients with ACC taking mitotane orally and participating in the Dutch Adrenal Network. PopPK modelling analysis was performed using NONMEM (version 7.4.1). Genotypes of drug enzymes and transporters, patient demographic information, and clinical characteristics were investigated as covariates. Subsequently, simulations were performed for optimizing treatment regimens. Results A two-compartment model with first-order absorption and elimination best described the PK data of mitotane collected from 48 patients. Lean body weight (LBW) and genotypes of CYP2C19*2 (rs4244285), SLCO1B3 699A>G (rs7311358) and SLCO1B1 571T>C (rs4149057) were found to significantly affect mitotane clearance (CL/F), which decreased the coefficient of variation (CV%) of the random inter-individual variability of CL/F from 67.0 to 43.0%. Fat amount (i.e. body weight − LBW) was found to significantly affect the central distribution volume. Simulation results indicated that determining the starting dose using the developed model is beneficial in terms of shortening the period to reach the therapeutic target and limit the risk of toxicity. A regimen that can effectively maintain mitotane concentration within 14–20 mg/L was established. Conclusions A two-compartment PopPK model well-characterized mitotane PK profiles in patients with ACC. The CYP2C19 enzyme and SLCO1B1 and SLCO1B3 transporters may play roles in mitotane disposition. The developed model is beneficial in terms of optimizing mitotane treatment schedules and individualizing the initial dose for patients with ACC. Further validation of these findings is still required.
Differential activation of neuroinflammatory pathways in children with seizures: A cross-sectional study

PURPOSE Inflammation plays a crucial role in epileptogenesis. We analyzed inflammatory cytokines in plasma and saliva from children with seizures and healthy controls and measured their associations with HHV6 and EBV infection. METHODS We analyzed plasma from 36 children within 24 h of seizures (cases) and 43 healthy controls and saliva from 44 cases and 44 controls with a multiplex immunoassay. Saliva from all controls and 65 cases and blood from 26 controls and 35 cases were also analyzed by PCR for viral DNA. Primary outcome was cytokine levels in cases vs. controls. Secondary outcomes included detection of HHV-6 and EBV viral DNA in cases vs. controls and viral loads in cases vs. controls. Statistical analysis included the Wilcoxon Rank Sum test, Fisher's exact test, ANOVA, and Spearman correlation. RESULTS Compared to controls, patients had higher levels of CCL11 (p = 0.0018), CCL26 (p<0.001), IL10 (p = 0.044), IL6 (p<0.001), IL8 (p = 0.018), and MIP1β (p = 0.0012). CCL11 was higher with 3 or more seizures (p = 0.01), seizures longer than 10 min (p = 0.001), and when EEG showed focal slowing (p = 0.02). In saliva, febrile seizures had higher levels of IL-1β (n = 7, p = 0.04) and new onset seizures had higher IL-6 (n = 15, p = 0.02). Plasma and saliva cytokine levels did not show a correlation. The frequency of HHV-6 and EBV detection was similar across groups and not different than controls. We found no correlation between viral load and cytokine levels. CONCLUSIONS We showed differential activation of neuroinflammatory pathways in plasma from different seizure etiologies compared to controls, unrelated to viral infection.
Using Phylogeny Approach on Ethnobotanical Bioprospecting for Leading Antimalarial Plant-Based Drug Discovery

Ethnobotanical-directed bioprospecting has made a significant contribution to modern drug discoveries. However, merely relying on this approach may spend more expenditure, time-consuming, and lead exhaustive laboratory testing due to the tremendous data of medicinal plants used and the occurrence of placebo effect during traditional medical treatment. Combining the phylogeny approach with ethnobotanical bioprospecting may become new prospective tools to lead the plant-based drug discovery, including antimalaria. This study aimed to map the ethnomedicinal plants used by various indigenous cultures to investigate the clustered pattern of its antimalarial properties for future bioprospecting. The Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) region sequences of selected 280 medicinal plants taxa obtained from NCBI (National Center for Biotechnology Information) were aligned by MUSCLE multiple sequences alignments. They were further analyzed using the Maximum Likelihood Phylogenetic Test by MEGA X software to construct the phylogenetic tree. Our research revealed that the medicinal plant taxa for malaria treatment was clumped in several families, including Apocynaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Rubiaceae, Rutaceae, Fabaceae were strongly clumped along with plants used for fever in the Asteraceae family. Interestingly, our finding showed that these plants were clumped in the sub-family of antimalarial producing species , the Asteroidea. Furthermore, the strongly clumping pattern was also shown in the tribe Heliantheae alliance of this sub-family. This finding supports the predictive power of phylogeny for future bioprospecting to select the candidate taxa to lead the drug discovery.
RATIONALITY AND HEURISTICS: HOW VENTURE INVESTIGATION EFFORTS AND PRIOR STARTUP EXPERIENCE DRIVE BUSINESS MODEL DEVELOPMENT AND VENTURE PROGRESS IN NASCENT TECHNOLOGY VENTURES

Why do some nascent entrepreneurs have more developed business models than others? And do more developed business models facilitate venture progress? In this study, we examine the effects of rational venture investigation and experience-based heuristics as dual drivers of business model development in nascent technology ventures. We propose that business models serve as cognitive schemas that entrepreneurs leverage for venture progress. Using a unique longitudinal dataset of nascent technology ventures, we find that both venture investigation efforts and prior startup experience have a positive effect on business model development. More developed business models, in turn, facilitate a venture’s progress, measured as recruiting employees and acquiring early customers. The business model not only has a direct impact on venture progress, but importantly, serves as a mediator that translates the founder’s venture investigation efforts and prior startup experience into venture progress. Our study provides unique empirical evidence that rational and heuristics-based approaches positively and independently impact business model development, which significantly contributes to nascent
Effect of Product and Service Development on Performance At Kenya Railways

Kenya Railways is facing performance challenges similar to those faced in other network industries thus have affected its contribution to the economy. The main aim of this study is determining effect of product and service developmenton performance at Kenya Railways. This study will adopt product development process theory. This study will use survey research design to study the effect of operation strategies on performance at Kenya Railways. The study will target all employees in Kenya Railways. The target population will be 945 employees at Kenya Railways in Mombasa and Nairobi. A sample size of 281 will be obtained using Yamane formulae. Proportionate sampling will be used to distribute the sample among the employees of the six departments; these will enhance distribution representation and avoid bias in sampling. Purposive sampling technique will be used in selection of respondents in each department. The study will collect primary data using questionnaires from employees in Kenya Railways. In order to ascertain validity and reliability of the research instruments, the researcher will pilot the instruments by distributing 28 questionnaires to respondents who will not be part of the respondents to be sampled in Eldoret. Descriptive statistics will be percentages, frequency, mean, standard deviation, minimum and maximum. Inferential statistics will be correlation and multiple regression. Data analysis will be done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software. This study findings and recommendation will provide an insight into the railway in Kenya and provide vital information necessary for decision making concerning operation strategy and performance. Upcoming, existing researchers and academicians will benefit from this research as it will open up a new area of study. It will also serve as a reference to enable them use it and come up with new dimensions they can do further research. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Date of Submission: 10-10-2020 Date of Acceptance: 26-10-2020 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To Evaluate And To Assess The Relationship Between Vitamin-D & Chronic Periodontitis A Clinico Biochemical Study

INTRODUCTION Chronic Periodontitis is an multifactorial, immuno inflammatory disorder which is initiated by the accumulation of periodontal pathogens in dental plaque. When plaque bacteria invades the gingival tissue it evokes an immune inflammatory response by stimulating the host response which results in the destruction of periodontal apparatus in the susceptible individuals. Vitamin D plays an vital role in bone metabolism and homeostasis. Additionally vitamin D also has immunomodulatory and anti inflammatory properties. Hence there is an rationale that vitamin D deficiency could progress the rate of periodontal destruction. This study was done to evaluate if any relationship exist between vitamin D deficiency and periodontal disease and to find out anti inflammatory properties of vitamin D. MATERIALS & METHODS. A total of 60 subjects were selected and categorized into 3 groups 1.clinically healthy 2. Gingivitis & 3.periodontitis. the periodontal status of patients in all the 3 groups was assessed by gingival index(loe and sillness 1964) , pocket probing depth using (UNC15 PROBE). Subjects in all the 3 groups were biochemically tested for serum vitamin D3 level and serum CRP level. RESULT The results obtained from this study revealed that vitamin D level is decreased in the periodontitis group and also revealed that there is inverse relationship between the mean vitamin D3 level and mean serum CRP level which showed the anti inflammatory effect of vitamin D. CONCLUSION. Deficiency of vitamin D might be an risk factor for progression of periodontal diseases. Hence further studies with larger sample size, larger duration of follow up and with more advance invasive procedures, may help in studying relationship between vitamin d and Periodontitis with more accuracy and precision.
Risk Factors of Covid-19 Confirmed Died Patients in Dr. Kariadi Hospital: A Retrospective Study

Covid-19 is a communicable disease causing global pandemic. Some factors inflict worse infection. This study aims to investigate risk factors of Covid-19 confirmed died patients at Dr. Kariadi Hospital Semarang. It is a retrospective study with a total sample of all Covid-19 confirmed patients involving died and healed patients from March to June 2020. Data was gathered from screening forms and analysed with Chi Square (confidence interval of 95%). This study found sixteen risk factors of Covid-19 confirmed died patients involving age (p= 0.000; OR= 8.803; 95% CI 3.982-19.462), entrepreneur (p= 0.041; OR= 14.894; 95% CI 1.12-198.65), farmer/trader (p= 0.029; OR= 25.625; 95% CI 1.40-469.25), contact history (p= 0.000; OR= 12.923; 95% CI 6.163-27.097), fever (p= 0.000; OR= 4.877; 95% CI 2.647-8.984), dyspnea (p=0.000; OR= 17.018; 95% CI 8.523-33.977), cough (p= 0.009; OR= 2.178; 95% CI 1.205-3.935), lethargic (p=0.010; OR= 2.282; 95% CI 1.205-4.323), cold (p= 0.002; OR= 0.180; 95% CI 0.054-0.600), diabetes (p=0.000; OR= 9.767; 95% CI 3.932-24.263), COPD (p= 0.001; OR= 6.360; 95% CI 2.164-18.690), hypertension (p= 0.043; OR= 2.436; 95% CI 1.008-5.887), cancer (p=0.001; OR= 9.647; 95% CI 2.413-38.579), heart disease (p= 0.000; OR= 12.226; 95% CI 2.4-62.294), neurological disorders (p=0.008; OR= 6.057; 95% CI 1.650-22.232), and immune disorders (p=0.031; OR= 1.625; 95% CI 1.186-113.899). Adequate handling is needed to prevent death. in patients with confirmed Covid-19 who have risk factors.
Prepared for the 2016 ASSA-AREUEA Conference Do Rural Migrants Benefit from Urban Labor Market Agglomeration Economies? Evidence from Chinese Cities (Preliminary draft)

We combine the 2005 China Inter-Census Population Survey data and the 2004 China Manufacturing Census to test whether workers, particularly rural migrants, benefit from labor market Marshallian externalities in manufacturing industries in Chinese cities. We find that workers in general, and rural migrants in particular, benefit from labor market pooling effect (measured by total employment in a city-industry cell) and human capital externalities (measured by share of workers with a college degree or above in a cityindustry cell). These findings are robust to various sorting bias tests. However, rural migrants benefit much less compared with local or urban workers, possibly because rural migrants suffer from lack of social network and from double ―discrimination‖ in terms of being both ―rural‖ and ―migrants. ‖ Our findings have policy implications on how Chinese cities can attract skilled workers during the rapid urbanization process coupled with global competition.
The effect of strong shear on internal solitary-like waves

Abstract. Large amplitude internal waves in the ocean propagate in a dynamic, highly variable environment with changes in background current, local depth, and stratification. The Dubreil-Jacotin-Long, or DJL, theory of exact internal solitary waves can account for a background shear, doing so at a cost of algebraic complexity and a lack of a mathematical proof of algorithm convergence. Waves in the presence of shear that is strong enough to preclude theoretical calculations have been reported in observations. We report on high resolution simulations of stratified adjustment in the presence of strong shear currents. We find instances of large amplitude solitary-like waves with recirculating cores in parameter regimes for which DJL theory fails, and of wave types that are completely different in shape from classical internal solitary waves. Both are spontaneously generated from general initial conditions. Some of the waves observed are associated with critical layers, but others exhibit a propagation speed that is very near the background current maximum. As such they are not freely propagating solitary waves, and a DJL theory would not apply. We thus provide a partial reconciliation between observations and theory.
The Correlation between Serum Ferritin, Serum Troponin T, cardiac T2* MRI and Echocardiographic Findings in Patients with Thalassemia Major

1Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Aliasghar Cinical Research Development Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 2General Practitioner, Department of Emergency, School of Medicine, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran 3Associate professor, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran 4Medical Student, Students Research Committee, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 5Medical Student, Students Research Committee, School of Medicine, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran
Is Sonic Brushing More Effective in Mixed Dentition? A Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis

Background: Sonic brushing technology is progressing and its assessment mainly concerns adults. Objectives: To compare the effectiveness and the acceptance of a sonic electric toothbrush and a manual toothbrush for plaque removal in children in mixed dentition. Materials and Methods: 75 children with an average age of 8.5 years were randomly assigned to a 19 days period of manual toothbrush use (Elmex Junior®, Colgate Palmolive, and Basel Switzerland) or sonic electric toothbrush use (Sonicare For Kids®, Philips, and Amsterdam Netherlands). This was followed by a wash-out period, then crossover to the other brush for 19 days. The primary endpoint of this single-blind, crossover study was the determination of the change in plaque index, quantified as the average index assessed on six teeth on either side after 19 days of use. Exploratory measurements of plaque were also made after 12 days of use of each brush and after four months. The secondary aim was to know how the children perceived the brushes. Results: There was a significantly higher plaque reduction after 19 days of use of the sonic electric brush as compared with the manual brush (-0.27 points; 95% confidence interval -0.35 to -0.19; p<0.0001). The higher the plaque index at D0, the greater the reduction in plaque index at D19 with the same period, toothbrush type and sequence. Longitudinal analysis showed a continuous decrease in the plaque index between D0, D12 and D19 with the electric toothbrush. During the four-month re-evaluation, the plaque index was, on average, lower than that measured at the start of the study. Children’s perceptions of the two types of brushes were recorded. Conclusion: For children, using a sonic toothbrush in mixed dentition provides better plaque removal than using a manual toothbrush. For the first time, school children expressed findings concerning an electric toothbrush.
NEW UNDERSTANDING OF MULTI-SCALE PEDESTAL TURBULENCE, TRANSPORT, AND GRADIENT BEHAVIOR DURING TYPE-I ELMS ON THE DIII-D TOKAMAK

New observations of pedestal localized turbulence in the inter-ELM period of DIII-D show that ITG-scale density fluctuation (ñ) increases right after ELM crash and is quickly suppressed by an increase in local ExB shear. This excitation and subsequent suppression of ITG-scale ñ can explain the previously reported anomalous ion heat flux, Qi during the ELM that then becomes neo-classical (E. Viezzer et al, 2017 Nucl. Fusion 57 022020) on a longer timescale leading up to next ELM. Shorter wavelength TEM-scale ñ starts to increase at a critical pedestal temperature gradient (∇T! ,#! $) and saturates as both local ExB shear, T% T) ⁄ ratio, and ∇T! ,#! $ increase and saturate. This TEM-scale ñ, which has potential to cause electron heat transport, is consistent with driving an anomalous electron heat flux Qe (Qe estimated between ELMs using experimental profiles and power balance). ITG and TEM-scale ñ amplitude variations with background Ti/Te and ∇ne, ped are found to be consistent with theoretical predictions of these measured ñ being ITG and TEM instabilities respectively. These new and unique observations on the nature of turbulence and their contributions to electron and ion heat fluxes at different ELM periods (i.e., collapse, recovery, and saturation phases of pedestal gradients) can significantly test and improve our predictive capabilities leading to better optimization of fusion performance in ITER and other future fusion devices.
The number of $D_4$-fields ordered by conductor

We consider families of quartic number fields whose normal closures over Q have Galois group isomorphic to D4, the symmetries of a square. To any such field L, one can associate the Artin conductor of the corresponding 2-dimensional irreducible Galois representation with image D4. We determine the asymptotic number of such D4-quartic fields ordered by conductor, and compute the leading term explicitly as a mass formula, verifying heuristics of Kedlaya and Wood. Additionally, we are able to impose any local splitting conditions at any finite number of primes (sometimes, at an infinite number of primes), and as a consequence, we also compute the asymptotic number of order 4 elements in class groups and narrow class groups of quadratic fields ordered by discriminant. Traditionally, there have been two approaches to counting quartic fields, using arithmetic invariant theory in combination with geometry-of-number techniques, and applying Kummer theory together with L-function methods. Both of these strategies fall short in the case of D4-quartic fields ordered by conductor since counting quartic fields containing a quadratic subfield with large discriminant is difficult. However, when ordering by conductor, we utilize additional algebraic structure arising from the outer automorphism of D4 combined with both approaches mentioned above to obtain exact asymptotics.
Surveys of Canine Filarioids In Nigeria: The Path Travelled and the Way Forward

Filarioid worms infecting dogs have recently received increased attention globally because of their zoonotic potential. In Africa and, particularly, in Nigeria, however, where there is preponderance of the risk factors for vector-borne diseases transmission, there are few reports of the disease in the canid and felid definitive hosts, the wild/domestic reservoirs and humans. Thus, the epidemiology of the disease in Nigeria remains sketchy and needs to be investigated. A retrospective analysis of reported canine filarioids in Nigeria was undertaken with the view to highlight what has been done and reported, existing gaps in knowledge, what needs to be done to bridge the gap and possibly how it could be done. Thirteen published works on canine filarioids using classical laboratory methods in Nigeria, reported the finding of Dirofilaria immitis (0.4– 15.1%), Dirofilaria repens (0.1–9.4%), Acanthocheilonema reconditum (0.4–9.2%) and a case of A. dracunculoides in an unspecified dog population. In most instances, the species identification of the filarioids reported was not conclusive due to limitation of the diagnostic methods employed. No human infection due to any zoonotic canine filarioid has been reported in Nigeria. Suggestions for prospective filarioids research in Nigeria were made.