Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
State TANF Spending: Predictors of State Tax Effort to Support Welfare Reform

State spending on Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) greatly varies. Combined federal and state spending by the states per TANF family or recipient reflects the historic level of state generosity for Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC), the failure of the federal government to set any minimum spending standard for the states, and the failure of the federal government to adjust federal grants for huge changes in state TANF caseloads. Our multivariate analysis shows that state spending for TANF is greatly influenced by the percentage of the state population that is black, the percentage of the state population that is on TANF (especially if a significant percentage of the rolls consist of black recipients), and the economic conditions within the state. Some states spend as much as their economies will allow, while other states spend far below capacity. Despite the very different goals of TANF, state spending is still heavily influenced by their historic approach to AFDC. Copyright 2006 by The Policy Studies Organization.
Risk of gastric cancer in asymptomatic, middle‐aged Japanese subjects based on serum pepsinogen and Helicobacter pylori antibody levels

A total of 5,209 asymptomatic, middle‐aged subjects, whose serum pepsinogen (PG) and Helicobacter pylori antibody levels had been assessed, were followed for 10 years. Subjects with positive serum H. pylori antibodies (>50 U/mL) had an increased cancer risk (HR = 3.48, 95% CI = 1.26–9.64). Risk of gastric cancer increased as the antibody level increased; the H. pylori‐positive group with antibody levels >500 U/mL had the highest incidence rate (325/100,000 person‐years). Cancer development also increased with a reduced serum PG I level or a reduced PG I/II ratio; the risk was significantly elevated with serum PG I level ≤30 ng/mL (HR = 3.54, 95% CI = 1.95–6.40) or PG I/II ratio ≤3.0 (HR = 4.25, 95% CI = 2.47–7.32). Furthermore, the risk of diffuse‐type cancer increased as PG II level increased; it was significantly elevated with PG II level ≥30 ng/mL (HR = 3.81, 95% CI = 1.10–13.21). Using H. pylori antibody and PG levels, subgroups with an especially high or low cancer incidence rate could be identified. H. pylori‐negative or indeterminate subjects with low PG level (PG I ≤30 ng/mL or PG I/II ratio ≤2.0) or H. pylori‐positive subjects with antibody levels >500 U/mL and a low PG level were among the subgroups with a high cancer incidence rate (over 400/100,000 person‐years). In contrast, H. pylori‐negative subjects with a PG I level >70 ng/mL or a PG I/II ratio >3.0 had the lowest risk; none of these subjects developed cancer. Thus, serum PG levels and/or H. pylori antibody levels can be used to predict the risk of cancer in individuals with H. pylori‐related gastritis from the general population. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
An Algorithm for Counting the Number of Possible Portfolios Given Linear Restrictions on the Weights

In application of portfolio selection algorithms [3,4] and in tests of the effectiveness of these approaches [1,2], it is sometimes useful to know, a priori, the size of the set of possible portfolios that may be encountered. Given a set of linear restrictions such as that worked by Frankfurter, Phillips, and Seagle [1,2], the set of possible portfolios is finite. This note presents a simple algorithm for determining the size of this set. Only two inputs are required: 1. The size of the universe of securities under study, and 2. A functional relationship which acts as a constraint on the weights. The following is a heuristic algorithm without a rigorous, generalized proof.
Bis(5-amino-1H-tetrazole-κN 4)diaqua(oxalato-κ2 O 1,O 2)cadmium

In the monomeric title complex, [Cd(C2O4)(CH3N5)2(H2O)2], the CdII ion exhibits a distorted octahedral coordination geometry, with the equatorial plane defined by two O atoms from an oxalate ligand and two N atoms from two 5-amino-1H-tetrazole ligands; the axial sites are occupied by two water molecules, with longer Cd—O bond lengths. An intramolecular N—H⋯O hydrogen bond occurs. In the crystal, N—H⋯O as well as O—H⋯O and O—H⋯N hydrogen bonds (some of which are bifurcated) link the complex molecules into a three-dimensional network.
Why are agroholdings so pervasive in Russia's Belgorod oblast'? Evidence from case studies and farm-level data

This article analyses the reasons for the prevalence of agroholdings in Russia's Belgorod oblast', focusing on the forces driving their emergence and persistence. It draws on both case study evidence and a unique farm-level dataset for 2001–07. It argues that, despite notable evidence for government support, political economy factors alone cannot explain the emergence of agroholdings in this region. Instead a complex mix of political and pure economic factors favoured agroholding creation. Likewise, it is shown that the persistence of agroholdings in Belgorod cannot easily be reduced to rent seeking. Rather much evidence is found that it is caused by good economic performance of agroholding farms, in particular by improvements in total factor productivity resulting from large investments in modern technology. However, since these investments were mostly credit financed, agroholding farms are exposed to a higher risk of default than independent farms.
Training and its Impact on Organizational Commitment among Lodging Employees

Training is one of the key methods managers employ to control hospitality products and services. The purpose of this research was to examine the attitudes U.S. hotel employees have about the training that they have received and to test for a relationship between training and their commitment to the organizations. Other variables that addressed employee satisfaction, such as awareness of rules, morale, and perceived quality of management, were examined to assess if indirect effects occurred between training and organizational commitment. These results demonstrated that persuasive evidence speaks loudly to the necessity of implementing high-quality training programs. Training is consequential to the success of franchise lodging organizations because it has not only a direct positive relationship with morale, perception of supervisor quality, and awareness of rules but also a significant indirect effect on organizational commitment.
Online Cancer Support Groups: A Review of the Research Literature

This article explores current research on online cancer support groups. A review of the literature revealed 9 research articles (describing 10 research studies) that focused on computer-mediated or Internet cancer support groups. The researchers in 9 of the 10 studies concluded that online cancer support groups helped people cope more effectively with their disease. Most of the research studies had small sample sizes. Six of the 10 studies did not include men, and six focused on Caucasian women with breast cancer. Information seeking/giving was prevalent in the online groups. Gender differences, negative psychological effects, and barriers to using online groups were identified. The few studies that were found in the literature suffered from a lack of experimental design, small and homogenous samples, and lack of outcome measures, thereby limiting applicability of results.
Psychosocial Factors Predicting the Motivation to Undergo Cosmetic Surgery

Background: The present study investigates psychological factors expected to predict the motivation to undergo cosmetic surgery. It is hypothesized that body image, self-esteem, teasing history, acceptance of cosmetic surgery in the individual's environment, and self-monitoring relate to motivation to have cosmetic surgery. Methods: Questionnaire data were obtained from 907 participants who responded to a survey distributed to a representative sample of Norwegian women aged 22 to 55 years. A second sample of 195 female prospective cosmetic surgery patients was recruited from a plastic surgery clinic. Measures of the hypothesized predictor variables were obtained from both samples. Surgery motivation was operationalized in two different ways. First, the women in the first sample were asked to indicate whether they wished to undergo cosmetic surgery, such that women who wished to have surgery could be compared with those who did not. Second, prospective patients were compared with women from the first sample who indicated that they did not wish to have cosmetic surgery. Results: Analyses revealed all predictor variables but self-esteem to be related to either the wish or the decision to undergo surgery, or to both. Social acceptance of cosmetic surgery and body image were the strongest predictors of cosmetic surgery motivation. Conclusions: The study gives new insights into psychological factors predicting cosmetic surgery motivation. Furthermore, the influence of social factors on cosmetic surgery motivation is emphasized, and it is suggested that these factors be included in future research designs.
Sustainable workplaces: improving staff health and well‐being using plants

Purpose – The paper aims to identify and demonstrate the benefits of plants in offices in contributing to employee health and well‐being by applying the study to a working office.Design/methodology/approach – Via comprehensive literature reviews, the paper identifies the importance of indoor plants in office environments, firstly through physically improving the air quality and removing pollutants and secondly in improving employee well‐being through psychological benefits.Findings – It is argued that plants are important in removing indoor air pollutants and in increasing employee perceptions of well‐being. The paper identifies, through literature review, plants with the ability to remove common office pollutants. It shows that there is a general preference for plants in offices through a perception survey and that occupants of planted offices feel more comfortable, more productive, healthier and more creative and feel less pressure than occupants of non‐planted offices.Research limitations/implications .
Transforming patients to consumers: evaluating national healthcare portals

Purpose – One prominent translation of patient‐centred care is public sector consumerism by which patients may influence the services provided by acting like consumers. The focus of this study is the extent to which technological devices in national public healthcare portals in the UK and three Nordic countries transform patients so that they can act as healthcare consumers.Design/methodology/approach – The paper applies a comparative case study methodology.Findings – As national healthcare portals, Norway's technological devices, to some extent, and the devices in the UK and Denmark, to a greater extent, equip patients to act as consumers. At present, Sweden's technological devices are much more limited. In Denmark and the UK, these devices that use quality indicators are in the forefront in the development of national healthcare portals.Originality/value – A theoretical framework is applied that emphasizes the role of technological devices in the construction of calculating consumers as described by Mic.
System Theoretic Time-Series Forecasts of Weekly Live Cattle Prices

Multivariate time-series forecasts of weekly live cattle prices in six different geographic markets are developed using a procedure based on the principles of linear systems theory. These forecasts were found to be informative and superior to those obtained from an alternative model. Following the approach developed for stock prices by Cerchi and Havenner, arbitrage portfolios were constructed from the model parameters. A simulation exercise based on 208 weekly observations withheld from model specification and estimation suggests that these arbitrage activities would have been profitable in practice.
The MaBwana Black men's study: community and belonging in the lives of African, Caribbean and other Black gay men in Toronto

In Canada, there is a paucity of research aimed at understanding Black gay men and the antecedents to risk factors for HIV. This study is an attempt to move beyond risk factor analysis and explore the role of sexual and ethnic communities in the lives of these men. The study utilized a community-based research and critical race theory approach. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight key informants to augment our understanding of Black gay men and to facilitate recruitment of participants. In-depth interviews were done with 24 Black gay men. Our data showed that the construction of community for Black gay men is challenged by their social and cultural environment. However, these men use their resilience to navigate gay social networks. Black gay men expressed a sense of abjuration from both gay and Black communities because of homophobia and racism. It is essential for health and social programmers to understand how Black gay men interact with Black and gay communities and the complexities of their interactions in creating outreach educational, preventive and support services.
Process mining in healthcare: a systematised literature review

Process mining is a promising approach that turns event logs into valuable insights about processes. One domain amenable to process mining is healthcare, where an enormous amount of data is generated by care processes, but where realistic care models are seldom available. In this paper, we perform a systematised literature review (SdLR) to assess the status of process mining, particularly in healthcare. We first provide an overview of process mining in general, and in healthcare in particular. On the basis of 2371 research publications related to process mining, obtained by querying six relevant search engines in May 2016, we found that the trend of publications in this domain has been growing over the past decade, especially in healthcare. Among the 11 existing literature reviews on process mining selected for further analysis, only two are systematised, and only three relate to healthcare. This paper contributes a systematised review in healthcare that is much needed to fill this void. Important challenges specific to healthcare are identified, and threats to the validity of the results are also discussed.
Realization of a 4-port generalized mutator and its application to memstor1 simulations

In this paper, using one current conveyor and one current follower, a new realization of a 4-port circuit acting like a generalized mutator is being presented. The 4-port, under proper termination of two of the ports, behaves like a mutator and using the resulting 2-port mutator a meminductor and a memristor (memstors in general) are realized by connecting a memristor and a nonlinear resistor respectively to one of the ports. With the memristor model developed by Biolek et al. also included are simulation results that verify the signature of these elements.
Cell-associated HIV-1-DNA quantitation after highly active antiretroviral therapy-treated primary infection in patients with persistently undetectable plasma HIV-1 RNA

ObjectiveTo determine the usefulness of cell-associated HIV-1-DNA quantification during the follow-up of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART)-treated primary-infected patients with persistently undetectable plasma RNA loads. Patients and methodsIn 27 patients given HAART within a median of 24 days after symptomatic primary HIV infection, plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) HIV-1 RNA were less than 50 copies/ml and less than 50 copies/106 cells after 18 months of treatment. HIV-1 RNA and DNA were quantified every 6 months in PBMC in these 27 patients, 14 of whom accepted excision lymph node biopsy after month 18 for HIV-1-RNA and -DNA quantification in lymph node mononuclear cells (LNMC). ResultsThe median decreases in plasma HIV-1 RNA, PBMC HIV-1 RNA and DNA over the 18 months of follow-up were 3.6 log (P < 0.005), 1.1 log (P < 0.05), and 1.0 log (P < 0.001), respectively. HIV-1 DNA was detected in 92.3% of PBMC samples at baseline and at month 18. In LNMC, 100% of samples were detectable for HIV-1 DNA. ConclusionIn this highly selected population of patients with excellent plasma virological response under HAART, HIV-1 DNA showed a progressive decrease but was still detectable in 92.3% of samples at month 18, whereas all LNMC samples tested scored positive for HIV-1 DNA. The utility of proviral HIV-1-DNA monitoring was not clearly demonstrated in this 18-month follow-up of HAART-treated primary-infected patients. However, this finding could be reconsidered when using other therapeutic strategies such as structured treatment interruptions, reinforced treatment or additive immunotherapy.
Are forward premia mean reverting?

The return regression methodology is used to test for mean reversion in the forward market for US T-bills over the period 1964 to 1995. Substantial evidence of mean reversion is found in one- to ten-month forward spreads over the 12 to 24 month horizon. Such evidence is indicative of market inefficiency or speculative dynamics in models with time-invariant term premia. This is not necessarily the case, however, in models with time-varying term premia. We show that forward premia estimated using a multi-factor GARCH model accounts for this evidence, thus reconciling the evidence of mean reversion with market efficiency.
POT1 deficiency alters telomere length and telomere-associated gene expression in human gastric cancer cells

Telomeres are the end structures of linear chromosomes in eukaryotic cells. The integrity of a telomere is essential for the overall stability of the chromosome. The human protection of telomeres 1 (hPOT1) protein, a single-stranded telomeric DNA binding protein, plays an important role in telomere protection and telomere length regulation. Here, we show that the loss of hPOT1 by RNA interference in BGC823 (poorly differentiated human gastric adenocarcinoma) cells leads to an increase in multinucleated giant cells, a decrease in cell proliferation and colony formation, induction of senescence and apoptosis, shortened telomere length, upregulation of the TRF1 gene and downregulation of the TRF2, tankyrase1 and hTERT genes. These results suggest that the loss of hPOT1 results in a decrease in the viability of BGC823 cells; hPOT1 regulates telomere length positively and has an influence on the expression of other telomere-associated genes in the cells.
Light Reflection Rheography: A Non‐Invasive Diagnostic Tool for Screening for Venous Disease

Light reflection rheography has been increasingly used in the last few years to screen for chronic venous insufficiency. It is non-invasive, easy to perform, and well-suited for repetition and standardization. Light reflection rheography is appropriate for the global assessment of calf-pump insufficiency regardless of whether it is caused by varicosis, the postphlebitic syndrome, or deep venous thrombosis. For this reason, it is a good method to use as a pretreatment selection test, especially for varicose veins. With the application of tourniquets, it can help to predict treatment results. When it is used in combination with ultrasound venous Doppler, a simple decision can be made for the treatment of nearly all venous patients. J Dermatol Surg Oncol 1992;18:425–430.
Oral intake of added titanium dioxide and its nanofraction from food products, food supplements and toothpaste by the Dutch population

Abstract Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is commonly applied to enhance the white colour and brightness of food products. TiO2 is also used as white pigment in other products such as toothpaste. A small fraction of the pigment is known to be present as nanoparticles (NPs). Recent studies with TiO2 NPs indicate that these particles can have toxic effects. In this paper, we aimed to estimate the oral intake of TiO2 and its NPs from food, food supplements and toothpaste in the Dutch population aged 2 to over 70 years by combining data on food consumption and supplement intake with concentrations of Ti and TiO2 NPs in food products and supplements. For children aged 2–6 years, additional intake via ingestion of toothpaste was estimated. The mean long-term intake to TiO2 ranges from 0.06 mg/kg bw/day in elderly (70+), 0.17 mg/kg bw/day for 7–69-year-old people, to 0.67 mg/kg bw/day in children (2–6 year old). The estimated mean intake of TiO2 NPs ranges from 0.19 μg/kg bw/day in elderly, 0.55 μg/kg bw/day for 7–69-year-old people, to 2.16 μg/kg bw/day in young children. Ninety-fifth percentile (P95) values are 0.74, 1.61 and 4.16 μg/kg bw/day, respectively. The products contributing most to the TiO2 intake are toothpaste (in young children only), candy, coffee creamer, fine bakery wares and sauces. In a separate publication, the results are used to evaluate whether the presence of TiO2 NPs in these products can pose a human health risk.
Genetic Damage Induced by In Vitro Irradiation of Human G0 Lymphocytes with Low-Energy Protons (28 keV/μm): HPRT Mutations and Chromosome Aberrations

Abstract Mognato, M. , Bortoletto, E. , Ferraro, P., Baggio, L. , Cherubini, R. , Canova, S. , Russo, A. and Celotti, L. Genetic Damage Induced by In Vitro Irradiation of Human G0 Lymphocytes with Low-Energy Protons (28 keV/μm): HPRT Mutations and Chromosome Aberrations. Radiat. Res. 160, 52–60 (2003). Cell survival, mutations and chromosomal effects were studied in primary human lymphocytes exposed in G0 phase to a proton beam with an incident energy of 0.88 MeV (incident LET of 28 keV/μm) in the dose range 0.125–2 Gy. The curves for survival and mutations at the hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase locus were obtained by fitting the experimental data to linear and linear-quadratic equations, respectively. In the dose interval 0–1.5 Gy, the α parameters of the curves were 0.42/Gy and 3.6 × 10−6 mutants/Gy, respectively. The mutation types at the HPRT locus were analyzed by multiplex-PCR in 94 irradiated and 41 nonirradiated clones derived from T lymphocytes from five healthy donors. All clones showed a normal multiplex-PCR pattern and were classified as point mutations. Chromosome aberration data were fitted as a linear function of dose (α = 0.62 aberrations per cell Gy−1). By irradiating G0 lymphocytes from a single subject with 28 keV/μm protons and γ rays, an RBE of 6.07 was obtained for chromosome aberrations. An overinvolvement of chromosome 9 relative to chromosome 7 was found in chromosome breaks after chromosome painting analysis.
Weight loss during telaprevir-based triple therapy due to telaprevir-induced appetite loss.

OBJECTIVE The sustained virological response (SVR) rate has improved to >70% for patients with hepatitis C virus genotype 1 treated with the triple therapy of telaprevir (TVR), pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN)-α, and ribavirin (RBV). However, this therapy has various adverse effects, although there have been no reports of it decreasing body weight. METHODS A total of 175 patients with chronic hepatitis C received one of three IFN-based regimens (35 received the PEG-IFN/RBV/TVR (PRT) regimen, 70 received the PEG-IFN/RBV (PR) regimen, and 70 received the IFN-β/RBV (FR) regimen) and body weight was followed for 12 weeks. RESUTS Decreases in body weight up to week 12 were significantly greater in the PRT group than in the PR or FR groups (p<0.001). The proportion of patients who experienced weight loss ≥5.0 kg by week 12 in the PRT group was significantly higher than in the PR or FR groups (p<0.001) regardless of baseline ghrelin level. The question 18 score (appetite) of the Beck Depression Inventory-II at week 12 was significantly higher in the PRT group than in the PR or FR groups (p<0.001). A multivariate analysis revealed PRT, the ghrelin level before treatment (<7.0 fmol/mL), and the question 18 score in week 12 (2 or 3) to be independent factors associated with a decrease in body weight ≥5.0 kg from week 0 to week 12. CONCLUSION PEG-IFN/RBV/TVR therapy yielded high SVR rates, but it was associated with a decreased body weight due to TVR-induced appetite loss.