Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Variation of the Physico-Chemical Parameters, Nutrients and Some Selected Heavy Metals Around the Waters of the Tincan Island in Lagos, Nigeria

This study assessed the physico-chemical characteristics, concentration of heavy metals and nutrients composition of the surface water of Badagry and Tincan Island creeks adjoining the Lagos Lagoon. Sanplind was done once in a month between May and September 2019. The pH, Temperature, Salinity, Conductivity, Total Dissolved Solids, Total Suspended Solids, Dissolved Oxygen, Biochemical Oxygen Demand, Sulphate, Phosphate, Silicate, Nitrate, Calcium, Copper, Iron, Zinc, Lead, Cadmium, Manganese, Chromium and Nickel were determined usuing statndard methods. there was a significant difference (p<0.05) in the different parameters recocorded in the stations and the months. The DO (0.36 mg/L- 5.47mg/L) was lower than the WHO recommended 5mg/L for water quality assessment with a significant difference (p<0.05) recorded across the stations and months. The BOD values varied significantly across all the stations and the months with up to 211mg/L in station 1 in September thus depicting a severe deterioration of the creek. The concentrations of the heavy metals in the water samples were within the safe limit but posits potential human and fisheries health implications from continuous usage.
Equity Home Bias When Firms are Indebted

We reassess one of the major puzzles in international macroeconomics, namely the equity home bias puzzle, to shed some light on how it is affected by financial leverage. As corporate debt is generally key to employment, the analysis can provide interesting insights to the mooted argument according to which equity home bias stems from agents’ attempt to insure against changes in their labor income. In a panel of advanced economies spanning the period 1980 through 2018, we find that the non-financial corporate credit-to-GDP ratio is negatively correlated with a standard equity home bias index. The former has increased over time while the latter has decreased, so we attempt to rationalize the data with a two-country, two-good model where firms face borrowing constraints and these constraints reduce agents’ appetite for domestic equities. We show that this happens because the borrowing constraints hinder employment after positive technology shocks, especially those hitting investment. After examining this result with a tractable framework, we find that it can also be true in an extended model, adding financial shocks, trade in bonds and non-unitary elasticity of substitution between goods.
Estimating Policy‐Corrected Long‐Term and Short‐Term Tax Elasticities for the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom

We estimate the elasticities of the most important tax categories using a new quarterly database of discretionary tax measures for the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom over the period 1980Q1 to 2018Q2. Employing Romer and Romer’s (2009) narrative approach, we construct a policy-neutral dataset based on revenue figures from governmental records. Using this quantitative information, we are able to subtract policy-induced changes, which are typically not considered in the extant literature. Furthermore, we estimate state-dependent elasticities. Our conclusions are as follows. (i) In Germany and the UK, long-term tax-to-base elasticities are generally higher than short-term elasticities, whereas results for the US are mixed. (ii) Short-term elasticities for base-to-output elasticities tend to be smaller than unity, whereas long-term elasticities are close to unity. (iii) German and UK tax-to-output elasticities in the short term are lower than long-term elasticities, with mixed results for the US. (iv) For tax-to-base elasticities, we find business cycle asymmetries across countries but not within countries. (v) For base-to-output elasticities, our results suggest few asymmetries across countries and more asymmetries across tax types. (vi) Typically, the above conclusions do not hold for corporate income tax.
The roles of prior experience and the location on the severity of supply chain disruptions

This study examines relationships between the location of supply chain disruptions (SCDs) within the supply chain, a firm’s experience with SCDs, and the disruption severity. Using organisational learning theory, we propose that an organisation’s prior experience with SCDs will reduce the negative influence of future disruptions. However, the location of disruption occurrence (internal to the firm vs. external to the firm) also plays a vital role in the severity of future disruptions. We consider two measures of SCD severity to quantify the extent of negative influence on firms: (1) the initial loss of return on assets (ROA) and (2) the total loss of ROA over time. We empirically evaluate the performance of 262 publicly traded U.S. firms that experienced an SCD. Our study shows that the influence of internal and external SCDs on firms can be different when firms do and do not have experience with similar events. More specifically, the results show that when firms have not experienced a similar event in the past, internal SCDs are associated with a higher disruption severity than are external SCDs. The results also show that prior experience significantly decreases the disruption severity suffered by firms after internal SCDs.
Sophistication about Self-Control

We propose a broadly applicable empirical approach to classify individuals as time consistent versus naive or sophisticated regarding their self-control limitations. Operationalizing our approach based on nationally representative data reveals that self-control problems are pervasive and that most people are at least partly aware of their limited self-control. Compared to naïfs, sophisticates have higher IQs, better educated parents, and are more likely to take up commitment devices. Accounting for both the level and awareness of self-control limitations has predictive power beyond one-dimensional notions of self-control that neglect awareness. Importantly, sophistication fully compensates for self-control problems when choices involve immediate costs and later benefits. Raising people's awareness of their own self-control limitations may thus assist them in overcoming any adverse consequences.
Peer effects on corporate cash holdings: evidence from Vietnam

This research examines the peer effects on cash holdings in Vietnam, an emerging market, and finds a reverse peer effect on them - that is, a firm’s level of cash holdings negatively relates to those of its peers. We also note the reverse peer effects are stronger for firms facing less competition and with low intangibility. Because the Vietnam market has noticeable lower competition and investment in innovation than in developed economics like the U.S., our evidence lend supports for competition and innovation investment positively driving cash holdings’ peer effects and reconciles inconsistencies in the literature. Our findings also support heterogeneity across countries in peer mimicking behavior and contributes to the cash holdings literature for the Vietnam market.
Employment Protection and Fertility Decisions: The Unintended Consequences of the Italian Jobs Act

We study the effect of a reduction in employment protection on workers’ fertility decisions. Using data from the Italian Labor Force Survey for 2013-2018, we analyze how the propensity to have a child has been affected by the 2015 labor market reform dubbed the “Jobs Act,” which reduced employment protection for employees of larger firms while leaving small firms essentially untouched. We take a Difference-in-Differences identification approach and compare the change in fertility decisions of women employed in large firms with that of women in small firms. We find that the former’s probability of having a child is 1.4 percentage points lower. A battery of robustness checks confirms this finding. The effect also holds when possible sorting issues are accounted for by an instrumental variable approach. We document substantial heterogeneous effects by age, marital status, parity, and geographical area as well as by education and earnings. Our findings suggest the potential unintended consequences on fertility that labor market reforms introducing greater flexibility may have by heightening career insecurity.
The Productivity Puzzle in Business Services

In Germany, the productivity of professional services, a sector dominated by micro and small firms, declined by 40 percent between 1995 and 2014. This productivity decline also holds true for professional services in other European countries. Using a German firm-level dataset of 700,000 observations between 2003 and 2017, we analyze this largely uncovered phenomenon among professional services, the 4th largest sector in the EU15 business economy, which provide important intermediate services for the rest of the economy. We show that changes in the value chain explain about half of the decline and the increase in part-time employment is a further minor part of the decline. In contrast to expectations, the entry of micro and small firms, despite their lower productivity levels, is not responsible for the decline. We also cannot confirm the conjecture that weakening competition allows unproductive firms to remain in the market.
Making a Case for Diversion of Solid Medical Waste from Households: A Generation Study in Ga South Municipal Assembly, Accra, Ghana

Background: Solid medical waste (SMW) is generated from the healthcare industry but can also be found in households when activity involving patient care occurs. Its hazardous properties require special treatment to minimize hazards to the environment. To achieve this, SMW must be safely diverted from house-holds using a systemic approach, which should be informed by the quantities generated and factors associated with generation. Objective: To characterize household SMW in terms of quantity and composition and to describe the factors associated with its generation. Methods: Manual sorting of household waste was conducted in 60 households to measure quantities of SMW and its components in Ga South Municipal Assembly, Accra, Ghana. Sample collection took place in the wet season (October, 2014) and dry season (December, 2014/January 2015). Rates of generation and percentage composition computed. Factors influencing generation were evaluated with non-parametric tests and quantile regression analysis. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Per capita generation of SMW was 1.77 × 10-3 kg/person/day. Pharmaceutical waste and sharps waste comprised 98% and 2% of SMW respectively. Generation rates were significantly higher in the wet season than in the dry season (z = 3.129, p = 0.002). Households where medical complaints were reported generated significantly less SMW at the 5th, 10th, 25th and 50th quantiles (β = -2.711, p = 0.001; β = -2.949; p < 0.001; β = -3.429, p < 0.001; β = -4.600, p < 0.001 respectively). Conclusion: SMW was generated in relatively small quantities in households. However, the large proportion of pharmaceuticals with mostly antibiotics raises concerns about drug resistance among other potential hazards.
The Economic Consequences of Financial Certifier Competition

This paper studies the effect of financial certifier competition on syndicated loan contracting. Using the sudden demise of the U.S. fifth largest certifier of financial statements (i.e., auditor) as a shock to local certifier competition, we find a greater decrease in loan pricing for borrowers in markets where certifier competition declined more. The effect of certifier competition is concentrated in borrowers with weaker shareholder monitoring and those contributing more revenue to their auditors. Our evidence shows that certifier competition deteriorates service quality, which lenders (i.e., consumers of the certification outcomes) understand and price when contracting with borrowers.
Analysts’ Non-GAAP Exclusions to Forecast Lower Earnings (but Higher Valuations)

Researchers often do not distinguish non-GAAP exclusions that increase earnings from those that decrease earnings, overlooking the fact that EPS-decreasing exclusions (about one fifth of all analysts’ exclusions) could have different properties and valuation implications. Using both hand-collected analyst reports and large samples from I/B/E/S and Compustat, we document how analysts’ EPS-decreasing exclusions differ from their EPS-increasing exclusions in both the type and timing of the earnings items being excluded, underscoring the need to study the two kinds of exclusions separately. We find that EPS-decreasing exclusions are positively associated with analysts’ optimism incentives in the same way as EPS-increasing exclusions are. This optimism manifests in analysts’ target prices, which are more optimistic (both ex ante and ex post) when analysts make either type of exclusion. Further evidence suggests that when analysts make EPS-decreasing exclusions, they tend to over-estimate firms’ growth prospects, and investors discount the resulting valuation optimism.
Successful Treatment of a 39-Year-Old COVID-19 Patient with Respiratory Failure by Selective C-Reactive Protein Apheresis

Patient: Male, 39-year-old Final Diagnosis: SARS-CoV-2 Symptoms: Fatigue • dyspnea • fever Medication: Dexamethasone • heparin Clinical Procedure: C-reactive protein apheresis Specialty: Immunology Objective: Unusual clinical course Background: High C-reactive protein (CRP) plasma levels in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection are associated with poor prognosis. CRP, by activating the classical complement pathway and interacting with macrophages via Fc gamma receptors, can cause pulmonary inflammation with subsequent fibrosis. Recently, we have reported first-in-man CRP apheresis in a “high-risk” COVID-19 patient. Treatment was unfortunately clinically unsuccessful. Here, we report on successful CRP apheresis treatment in a “lower-risk” COVID-19 patient with respiratory failure. Case Report: A 39-year-old male patient suffering from fatigue, dyspnea, and fever for 4 days was referred to us. The patient had to be intubated. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of a throat smear revealed SARS-CoV-2 infection. Mutation analysis revealed the VOC B. 1.1. 7 variant. CRP levels were 79.2 mg/L and increased to 161.63 mg/L. Procalcitonin (PCT) levels were continuously normal (<0.5 ng/ml). Antibiotic therapy was started to avoid bacterial superinfection. CRP apheresis was performed once via central venous access. CRP levels declined from a maximum of 161.63 mg/L to 32.58 mg/L. No apheresis-associated adverse effects were observed. Subsequently, CRP plasma levels declined day by day and normalized on day 5. The patient was extubated on day 5 and discharged from the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) on day 6. A second low CRP peak (maximum 22.41 mg/L) on day 7 remained clinically inapparent. The patient was discharged in good clinical condition with a CRP level of 6.94 mg/L on day 8. Conclusions: SARS-CoV-2 infection can induce an uncontrolled CRP-mediated autoimmune response of ancient immunity. In this patient, the autoimmune response was potently and successfully suppressed by early selective CRP apheresis.
Placebo Response and Its Predictors in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Meta-Analysis and Comparison of Meta-Regression and MetaForest

Abstract Background High placebo response in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can reduce medication–placebo differences, jeopardizing the development of new medicines. This research aims to (1) determine placebo response in ADHD, (2) compare the accuracy of meta-regression and MetaForest in predicting placebo response, and (3) determine the covariates associated with placebo response. Methods A systematic review with meta-analysis of randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial investigating pharmacological interventions for ADHD was performed. Placebo response was defined as the change from baseline in ADHD symptom severity assessed according to the 18-item, clinician-rated, DSM-based rating scale. The effect of study design–, intervention–, and patient–related covariates in predicting placebo response was studied by means of meta-regression and MetaForest. Results Ninety-four studies including 6614 patients randomized to placebo were analyzed. Overall, placebo response was −8.9 points, representing a 23.1% reduction in the severity of ADHD symptoms. Cross-validated accuracy metrics for meta-regression were R2 = 0.0012 and root mean squared error = 3.3219 for meta-regression and 0.0382 and 3.2599 for MetaForest. Placebo response among ADHD patients increased by 63% between 2001 and 2020 and was larger in the United States than in other regions of the world. Conclusions Strong placebo response was found in ADHD patients. Both meta-regression and MetaForest showed poor performance in predicting placebo response. ADHD symptom improvement with placebo has markedly increased over the last 2 decades and is greater in the United States than the rest of the world.
A bibliometric analysis of COVID‐19 publications in the ten psychology‐related Web of Science categories in the social science citation index

Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to analyze the characteristics of the COVID‐19 publications in the ten psychology‐related Web of Science categories in the social science citation index 10‐month following the COVID‐19 outbreak. Methods Six publication indicators were examined across authors, institutions, and countries. Results Analyses showed that the United States has produced the highest number of empirical investigations into the psychological impact of COVID‐19, and the majority of the research across all countries was in clinical and psychopathology. Distribution of journals and psychology‐related Web of Science categories were analyzed. Frequently used words in article title, author keywords, and KeyWords Plus were also presented. Conclusions The findings suggest that there are substantial clinical implications associated with COVID‐19. There are recommendations offered for future research and clinical practice.
Neurological Soft Signs Are Associated With Altered White Matter in Patients With Schizophrenia

Abstract Neurological soft signs (NSS) are related to grey matter and functional brain abnormalities in schizophrenia. Studies in healthy subjects suggest, that NSS are also linked to white matter. However, the association between NSS and white matter abnormalities in schizophrenia remains to be elucidated. The present study investigated, if NSS are related to white matter alterations in patients with schizophrenia. The total sample included 42 healthy controls and 41 patients with schizophrenia. We used the Neurological Evaluation Scale (NES), and we acquired diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging to assess white matter on a voxel-wise between subject statistic. In patients with schizophrenia, linear associations between NES with fractional anisotropy (FA), radial, axial, and mean diffusivity were analyzed with tract-based spatial statistics while controlling for age, medication dose, the severity of the disease, and motion. The main pattern of results in patients showed a positive association of NES with all diffusion measures except FA in important motor pathways: the corticospinal tract, internal capsule, superior longitudinal fascicle, thalamocortical radiations and corpus callosum. In addition, exploratory tractography analysis revealed an association of the right aslant with NES in patients. These results suggest that specific white matter alterations, that is, increased diffusivity might contribute to NSS in patients with schizophrenia.
Comparison of Hippocampal Subfield Segmentation Agreement between 2 Automated Protocols across the Adult Life Span

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The hippocampus is a frequent focus of quantitative neuroimaging research, and structural hippocampal alterations are related to multiple neurocognitive disorders. An increasing number of neuroimaging studies are focusing on hippocampal subfield regional involvement in these disorders using various automated segmentation approaches. Direct comparisons among these approaches are limited. The purpose of this study was to compare the agreement between two automated hippocampal segmentation algorithms in an adult population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We compared the results of 2 automated segmentation algorithms for hippocampal subfields (FreeSurfer v6.0 and volBrain) within a single imaging data set from adults (n = 176, 89 women) across a wide age range (20–79 years). Brain MR imaging was acquired on a single 3T scanner as part of the IXI Brain Development Dataset and included T1- and T2-weighted MR images. We also examined subfield volumetric differences related to age and sex and the impact of different intracranial volume and total hippocampal volume normalization methods. RESULTS: Estimated intracranial volume and total hippocampal volume of both protocols were strongly correlated (r = 0.93 and 0.9, respectively; both P < .001). Hippocampal subfield volumes were correlated (ranging from r = 0.42 for the subiculum to r = 0.78 for the cornu ammonis [CA]1, all P < .001). However, absolute volumes were significantly different between protocols. volBrain produced larger CA1 and CA4-dentate gyrus and smaller CA2-CA3 and subiculum volumes compared with FreeSurfer v6.0. Regional age- and sex-related differences in subfield volumes were qualitatively and quantitatively different depending on segmentation protocol and intracranial volume/total hippocampal volume normalization method. CONCLUSIONS: The hippocampal subfield volume relationship to demographic factors and disease states should undergo nuanced interpretation, especially when considering different segmentation protocols.
Speech rate increase in primary progressive apraxia of speech and its cost on articulatory accuracy

ABSTRACT Impaired articulation (e.g., articulatory accuracy) and prosody (e.g., slow speech rate) are considered primary diagnostic criterions for apraxia of speech both in neurodegenerative and post-stroke contexts. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the ability of participants with primary progressive apraxia of speech (PPAOS), a neurodegenerative disease characterised by initially isolated progressive apraxia of speech, to increase speech rate and the interaction between articulatory accuracy and speech rate. The secondary aim was to investigate the effect of syllable frequency and structure on this interaction. Four speakers with PPAOS, and four sex- and age-matched healthy speakers (HS) read eight two-syllable words embedded two times in a ten-syllable carrier phrase. Syllable frequency and structure were manipulated for the first syllable of the target words and controlled for the second syllable. All sentences were produced at three different target speech rates (conditions): habitual, regular (five syllables/second), and fast (seven syllables/second). Prosodic measures for target words and sentences were computed based on acoustic analysis of speech rate. Articulatory measures for words and sentences were rated based on a perceptual assessment of articulatory accuracy. Results show slower speech rate and reduced articulatory accuracy in speakers with PPAOS compared to HS. Results suggest that speakers with PPAOS also have limited ability to increase their speech rate. Finally, results suggest that articulatory complexity influences speech rate but that the cost of speech rate increase on articulatory accuracy varies greatly across speakers with PPAOS and is not necessarily related to the extent of the increase when measured in a highly structured sentence production task. Theoretical and clinical implications of these findings are discussed.