Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Migration , Education and Work Opportunities ∗ PRELIMINARY

This paper studies individual migration, education and work decisions in a dynamic lifecycle model in a developing context. I estimate the model exploiting long panel data on migrants and stayers in Burkina Faso, and cross-sectional data on permanent emigrants. I find that heterogenous individuals self-select into migration and migration destinations according to their education: those without education go abroad and while those with secondary and tertiary education migrate to urban centers. Differences in unemployment rates and returns to education are at the core of this. I further show that large rural-urban and rural-international income differences dwindle away when the risk of unemployment, risk aversion and migration costs are factored in. Similarly, returns to education are not as large as measures on wage earners would suggest. I uncover that the unemployment risk for labour market entrants is hump-shaped in education, leading to a re-evaluation of net returns to education. Direct and indirect migration costs further lower net returns to education of rural individuals. Together with higher rural schooling costs they explain a large fraction of the rural-urban education gap. Counterfactual policy simulation shows that a decrease in schooling costs in rural regions increases the probability of migration and leads to a re-direction of rural migration flows. Rather than migrating abroad, individuals now migrate to urban centres. Moreover, I find that migration policies have an (albeit small) impact on educational attainment in rural regions.
Genomic and protein structure modelling analysis depicts the origin and infectivity of 2019-nCoV, a new coronavirus which caused a pneumonia outbreak in Wuhan, China

Detailed genomic and structure-based analysis of a new coronavirus, namely 2019-nCoV, showed that the new virus is a new type of bat coronavirus and is genetically fairly distant from the human SARS coronavirus. Structure analysis of the spike (S) protein of this new virus showed that its S protein only binds weakly to the ACE2 receptor on human cells whereas the human SARS coronavirus exhibits strongly affinity to the ACE receptor. These findings suggest that the new virus does not readily transmit between humans and should theoretically not able to cause very serious human infection. These data are important to guide design of infection control policy and inform the public on the nature of threat imposed by 2019-nCov when results of direct laboratory tests on this virus are not expected to be available in the near future.
Efficacy and Safety of Sunitinib in Elderly Patients with Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma at a University Hospital in Japan: Before Immuno-Oncology Therapy Era

Introduction: The efficacy and safety of sunitinib in elderly patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) remains poorly documented. Methods: We assessed the efficacy and safety of sunitinib in first-line treatment of advanced RCC in the aged by reviewing the medical records of patients at Jichi Medical University Hospital, Japan. The patients were stratified into age < 75 (n = 38) and ≥ 75 (n = 9) years groups. Results: Median progression-free survival in younger and older patients was comparable, at 7.3 vs. 6.7 months, respectively (HR, 1.101; 95% CI: 0.399-3.039; p = 0.8532). Median overall survival was also comparable, at 19.2 vs. 11.8 months (HR, 0.775; 95% CI: 0.349-1.719; p = 0.5299). Younger and older patients did not significantly differ in the frequency of any grade and grade 3 or more adverse events, or in the incidence of patients with grade 3 or more adverse events. Conclusions: Treatment with sunitinib is effective and safe in elderly patients with advanced RCC although the limited sample size for older group can cause weak statistical power and only patients with no severe comorbidities were selected.
A Quantitative Exploration of the Optimal Design of Child Care Subsidies in a Mirrleesian Environment

Public involvement in child care provision is a hotly debated issue. Rosen (1996) strongly advocates against public subsidies. Becker and Posner (2005) express a similar view and argue that the provision of child care services is best left to the market without public intervention. A contrary view is given in two recent books by Currie (2006) and Waldfogel (2006), who give a number of arguments for publicly subsidized child care. OECD has taken a strong interest in the subject with several projects on child care and two large reports (OECD 2001, 2006). OECD has also given some member countries strong advice to increase public funding of child care. Not only is public child care debated. In many countries it is a common phenomenon and it seems to be on the rise. In the Nordic countries publicly financed child care is widespread. In Sweden 85% of children in ages 2-5 are in child care. To a substantial part (80-85%) this child care is publicly financed. According to Blau and Currie (2006) the majority of children in the U.S. are cared for many hours per week by adults other than their parents and school teachers. Blau and Currie state that one third of the costs of child care for children under 6 are paid for by government subsidies. According to the OECD 2001 report, for a number of member countries a vast majority of children is in some form of care outside the home. Clearly, publicly subsidized child care is a common phenomenon. One may ask why? What are the rationales? If one comes to the conclusion that it is a good thing to subsidize child care a second question arises. What is the best way to subsidize child care? There are several types of questions and answers. First, why might it be beneficial with care of children outside the home in child care centers? An obvious answer is that it
Semiparametric Bayesian Markov analysis of personalized benefit–risk assessment

The development of systematic and structured approaches to assess benefit–risk of medical products is a major challenge for regulatory decision makers. Existing benefit–risk methods depend only on the frequencies of mutually exclusive and exhaustive categories in which the subjects fall, and the responses of individuals are allowed to belong to any of the other categories during their postwithdrawal visits. In this article we introduce a semiparametric Bayesian Markov model (SBMM) that treats the withdrawal category as an absorbing state and analyzes subject-level data for multiple visits, accounting for any within-patient dependencies in the response profiles. A log-odds ratio model is used to model the subject-level effects by assuming a ratio of transition probabilities with respect to a “reference” category. A Dirichlet process is used as a semiparametric model for the subject-level effects to flexibly capture the underlying distributions of the personalized response profiles without making strong parametric assumptions. This also allows the borrowing of strength between the patients and achieves dimension reduction by allocating similar response profiles patterns into an unknown number of latent clusters. We analyze a motivating clinical trial dataset to assess the personalized benefit–risks in each arm and evaluate the aggregated benefits and risks associated with the drug Exalgo.
Competing for College by Human Capital Investment

Students face competition. They need to invest in pre-college human capital to compete for better opportunities to further invest in their human capital. We build a two-sector search and matching model where students, before going to the labor market, choose their pre-college human capital investment to increase their chances of being admitted by colleges, which further increases their productivity and allows them to search for skilled jobs. We then study how educational policies, such as subsidy, scholarship, and capacity expansion of colleges affect individual’s human capital investment and unemployment rate. We find that scholarship and subsidy always increase precollege education investment and lower unemployment for college graduates. Capacity expansion, when there is no heterogeneity in innate ability, increases pre-college human capital investment and lowers educational unemployment. This is an example of more human capital investment caused by less competition. Once heterogeneous innate ability is incorporated, its overall effects could reverse. JEL classification: I20; J21; J64
The Use of VHDL Models for Design Verification 1

– The correct and consistent design of computer hardware in a safety-critical system is extremely important. This feature necessitates a profound verification process related to the logic design of such a hardware. So far much work has been done on various verification methods, both formal and informal. This paper is intended to present an informal approach which can be used in the design process of digital networks. Our verification method relies on automatic test-pattern generation (ATPG), where the VHDL model of the actual digital circuit is taken into consideration. The test patterns of the circuit are generated in the earliest phase of the design process. The verification is done by means of test runs that are performed on the VHDL model. In a test run the circuit description to be verified is compared with a model verified in a previous test run, or with the original specification of the circuit. The VHDL models are simulated by a VHDL simulator and the tester compares the output of the simulated models. The
Gender Interactions in Firm Hierarchies: Evidence from Linked Employer-Employee Data.∗

In this paper we use a large linked employer-employee data set on German firms between 1993 and 2011 to investigate how the gender composition of the top layer of management, and its interaction with the gender composition of the second layer of management, affects a variety of firm and worker outcomes. We use three different measures to identify the gender composition of the top two layers of management: two based on direct survey data, and one based on the firm’s salary structure. We document the following facts: a) There is a strong negative association between the fraction of women in the top layer of management and several firm outcomes, among them business volume, investment and wage bill per worker, and total employment; most of these associations vanish when we include firm fixed effects and specific time trends, except for business volume and wage bill per worker; b) The fraction of women in the top layer of management is also negatively associated with both female and male employment and wages, both full-time and part-time; with the only exception of male part-time wages, all these associations are robust to the inclusion of firm fixed effects and specific time trends; c) Interestingly, the above relationships are heterogeneous in the gender composition of the second layer of management. Women in the top layer who are surrounded entirely by men reduce business volume per worker and raise employment and wages of both men and women, but these effects are reverted as the share of women in the second layer increases. Results are consistent with a simple model of employee-based taste discrimination in which male subordinates are resistant to women in leadership positions.
A SYSTEM TO CONTROL THE SPATIAL QUALITY OF ANALOGUE AND DIGITAL AERIAL IMAGES

The spatial quality of an image consists of the geometric accuracy and the spatial resolution. The Finnish Geodetic Institute (FGI) has a permanent test field to control the spatial quality of airborne images. The permanent test bar targets of the test field are constructed from different types of gravel with contrast ratios 1:2 and 1:10. The transportable test bar targets (contrast ratios 1:2 and 1:10) are useful in two scales: 1:3000 and 1:60000. The ground control points are signalised with round shaped white signals and they are located in an area of about 1 km. The geometric accuracy of an imaging system can be analysed by imaging a 1:3000 scale block over the permanent test field. Block adjustment with and without additional parameters can be carried out for determining internal and external accuracies. Film exposure can be checked using a known grey scale on the ground. The spatial resolution of the aerial images can be determined visually or numerically. We are developing a quality control system that takes into account different parts of the photogrammetric process. The spatial quality of the imaging and photogrammetric system must be controlled in the beginning of the season. More research and data are needed to get useful tolerances for the quality criteria and these have to be tested for several photogrammetric tasks at different scales before an operative system can be installed.
Promoting entrepreneurship in the Pakistan’s dairy industry: An empirical testing of two predictive models of entrepreneurial intentions

This study examined the factors influencing the intention of agribusinesses to start up dairy related business in Pakistan. Using both the “Entrepreneurial Event Model” and “Determinants of Entrepreneurial Intentions” model, an integrative model is proposed and tested using survey data collected from 174 entrepreneurs in Pakistan’s dairy industry. Results of partial least square structural equation modelling show entrepreneurial intentions are positively influenced by perceived desirability, perceived feasibility, perceived readiness, triggering event, and individual’s conviction. However, the effects of perceived feasibility and conviction were found more significant and substantially related to intentions. Theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed in the context of agricultural industries in developing countries like Pakistan’s dairy industry.
REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVES: A CRITICAL OVERVIEW Of THE EVIDENCE*

This paper surveys evaluations of regional development investment incentives in Canada and other OECD countries. The objective is to shed sorne light on the performance of such programs, with an emphasis on the Canadian Regional Development Incentive Program (RDIP) in effect between 1969 and 1983. A comprehensive assessment of regional incentive programs should, normally, examine ail dimen­ sions of effectiveness and operational efficiency. However, this paper focuses on a resource allocation perspective and examines two key issues: incrementality, and economic efficiency. In the first section, the incentive programs and their expected benefits and costs are described. The second examines incrementality, which is the share of subsidized investment or jobs that would not
L-Ergothioneine Supplement Protect Testicular Functions In Cisplatin-Treated Wistar Rats

The present study was designed to investigate the role of L-ergothioneine supplement against cisplatin-induced reproductive toxicity in male wistar rats, regarding the antioxidant and cytoprotectant property of this supplement, and redox indices generated by cisplatin administration during administration.Twenty adult male wistar rats randomly divided into four groups (n=5) were used in this study and subjected to treatment as follows; Group I (control) received 10mL/kg distilled water for 14days; Group II (Cis alone) received a single dose of 7 mg/kg IP of cisplatin on the 10th day. Group III (Erg alone) received 10mg/kg Erg orally for 14days and group IV (Cis+erg) received both Erg and Cis. Body and reproductive organ weight, Sperm analysis, serum level of reproductive hormones (Testosterone, FSH and LH), biochemical (CAT, MDA, SOD, GPx) and histological (H&E dye) evaluations of testis were performed. Treatment with Cisplatin shows a decrease in sperm count, serum testosterone concentration, SOD, GPx, CAT and increased abnormal sperm morphology, percentage dead sperm cells, MDA level and causes histopathological damage. However, L-ergothioneine supplement significantly prevent these deleterious effect of Cis. The result from this study shows that L-erg supplement has protective effects on Cisplatin-induced testicular dysfunction via its antioxidant and cyto-protectant activities. Thus, it has the potential for use as therapeutic adjuvants against reproductive toxicity in patients undergoing Cisplatin therapy.
Fiscal Policies to Promote Alternative Fuel Vehicles

Several alternative fuel vehicle technologies such as flex-fuel vehicles, hybrid vehicles, and plug-in electric vehicles have been introduced into the mass market during the past two decades amid the heightened concern over oil dependence and the dramatic run-up of gasoline prices. To promote the diffusion of these technologies, governments at various levels in the U.S. and elsewhere have provided incentives to both consumers and automakers such as tax incentives for consumer vehicle purchase and favorable treatment in the compliance of Corporate Average Fuel Economy Standards. There is a now a large body of literature that examines these policies. This article aims to provide a review of the recent findings on the impacts of the fiscal policies to promote alternative fuel vehicles with a focus on the U.S. but also drawing evidence from other regions. Particular attention is paid to questions regarding cost-effectiveness, policy design, and comparison with alternative polices such as the gasoline tax.
The effect of increasing the legal working age on women’s fertility and infant health

We use an exogenous variation in the Spanish legal working age from 14 to 16 to investigate the effect of education on fertility and infant health. We show that the reform increased educational attaintment, which led to a decrease in marriage and fertility. The reform is also detrimental for the health of the offspring at the moment of delivery. We document three channels contributing to this detrimental effect: the postponement in age of delivery, the change in the maternal marital status, and a higher probability of having a high skill job of more educated women, which increases the likelihood of engaging in unhealthy behaviors. JEL-CODES: J81, I25, I12, J13
Assessment of Occupational Burnout among Nurses Work at Critical Care Unites in Al Najaf Governorate

The current descriptive cross-sectional study aimed to assess Occupational Burnout among Nurses Work at Critical Care Unites. , as well as, to find any significant relation for Nurses socio-demographic characteristic with a state of physical fatigue and mental exhaustion result from the occupational Burnout Therefore, by using SPSS a simple Non-Probability (convenience Sample) of nurses who are working at the critical care units. , and then (270) nurseswere selected randomly. The findings of the present study indicated that the overall assessment of Nurses’ occupational Burnout are moderate to high. In addition, the overall assessment of the sources of nurses’ occupational burnout are partially affected. In addition, there is indicated a non-significant association between the nurses’ occupational burnout and their demographic data, except with their gender, years of experience, and visits to psychiatrist, there is a significant association.
Cost stickiness behavior and financial crisis: Evidence from the UK chemical industry

Traditional cost behavior assumes that variable costs vary symmetrically according to changes in the level of activity. This means that variable costs change proportionately with changes in the cost driver. The key notion in symmetric cost behavior is that variable costs change identically by the same percentage in the two directions (i.e., upward and downward in cost driver) regardless whether the response rate of variable costs is less, equal or more than the rate of change in cost driver (Balakrishnan & Gruca, 2008; Malik, 2012). However, fixed costs remain constant in total despite changes in the cost driver within the relevant range. On the other hand, some costs are neither precisely variable nor fixed; this type of cost known as mixed cost. According to traditional analysis of cost behavior, managerial decisions (i.e., pricing, cost planning, cost control, budgeting, cost variances, cost standardization, cost reduction and cost allocation) are, precisely, based on prior analysis of cost behavior (Novák et al., 2018). The recent stream of research in cost accounting has criticized prior thinking in terms of traditional cost behavior. More specifically, many researchers have provided empirical evidence that emphasize the asymmetric cost behavior throughout Abstract
The clinical investigation for determining the etiology of bronchial anthracofibrosis

Background : The bronchial anthracofibrosis has been thought to be a unique clinical syndrome caused by a fibrotic response to active or old tuberculous infection, but recent studies suggest that long-term exposure to woodsmoke may be the cause of the development of bronchial anthracofibrosis and the tuberculosis is thought to be a disease frequently associated with bronchial anthrocofibrosis, not the main etiology. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the relationship between the bronchial anthracofibrosis and the long-term exposure to woodsmoke and tuberculosis through analyses of the clinical features of patients with bronchial anthracofibrosis. Methods : 166 patients having bronchial anthracofibrosis confirmed by bronchoscopy were included in this study. They were 23 males and 143 females, having mean sge 72.4 years, ranging from 56 to 91. The epidemiologic features, distinctive clinical features, physiologic findings, radiologic findings and bronchoscopic findings were analyzed retrospectively. Results : All the patients living in rural area (129 of 166) had experienced long-term exposure to woodsmoke. The history of tuberculosis was obtained in 52 patients without history of occupational exposure to dust. The predominant chest CT findings were atelectasis, bronchial stenosis and calcified or noncalcified lymph node enlargements. The most common abnormality of pulmonary function was obstructive pattern, observed in 47.8%. The bronchoscopic examination disclosed multifocal anthracotic plaques mostly at the bifurcation of lobar or segmental bronchi, particularly in upper lobe. The bronchial stenosis was frequently observed in right middle and upper lobe. The associated diseases were obstructive airway disease in 56, obstructive pneumonia in 40, active tuberculosis in 36, and lung cancer in 11 patients. Conclusion : The bronchial anthracofibrosis, in the patient who has long-term experience to woodsmoke inhalation without any history of environmental exposure to dust, is one of the manifestation of lung disease related to woodsmoke inhalation, and is frequently associated with various pulmonary diseases, including tuberculosis.
Whole-Exome Sequencing in a Pediatric Patient with Relapsed/Refractory Burkitt Leukemia Resistant to Conventional Chemotherapy

Burkitt lymphoma/leukemia (BL) is one of the most frequent B-cell lymphoma types in children. The cure rate for pediatric BL has improved in the last 30 years; long-term event-free survival of patients has reached approximately 90%. However, novel treatment approaches are needed for a group of high-risk patients. Here, we report the case of a pediatric patient with relapsed/refractory BL who died despite undergoing multimodal treatment including clofarabine. To determine the reason for this resistance, we performed whole-exome sequencing using primary, relapsed, and complete remission samples, and identified 34 gene mutations including TP53, ID3, ARID1A, CCND3, DDX3X, MYC and CHD6. Relapsed BL seemed to evolve from one of the subclones observed at the initial phase and was accompanied by many additional mutations including the chromatin remodeling mutation that was absent or existed at a lower allele frequency in the diagnostic samples, indicating a multistep process of BL recurrence.