Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Use (and Abuse) of Meta-Analysis in Environmental and Natural Resource Economics: An Assessment

Motivated by the 2006 report of a Work Group appointed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), this paper examines the present state of meta-analysis in environmental economics and offers recommendations for its future use. To this end we summarize and assess 140 meta-analyses from 125 published and unpublished studies, covering 17 topical categories in environmental and resource economics. First, we provide several generic meta-analysis models as reference points and discuss major estimation issues. Five econometric issues are identified as part of a complete analysis: (1) sample selection criteria; (2) basic data summary; (3) primary data heterogeneity; (4) heteroskedasticity; and (5) non-independence of multiple observations from primary studies. Second, a tabular summary is presented for the 140 meta-analyses with respect to estimation methods. Third, a narrative summary is presented for 19 meta-analyses, including the three value-of-statistical-life studies examined by the EPA Work Group and one analysis from each of 16 other categories. Fourth, we offer a set of “best practice” guidelines for future meta-analyses in this and other areas of economics. Last, the paper comments on the use of meta-analytic methods for benefit transfers of environmental values.
Comprehensive Phylogenetic Diversity of [ FeFe ]-Hydrogenase Genes in Termite Gut Microbiota

Phylogenetic diversity of [FeFe]-hydrogenase (HydA) in termite guts was assessed by pyrosequencing PCR amplicons obtained using newly designed primers. Of 8,066 reads, 776 hydA phylotypes, defined with 97% nucleotide sequence identity, were recovered from the gut homogenates of three termite species, Hodotermopsis sjoestedti, Reticulitermes speratus, and Nasutitermes takasagoensis. The phylotype coverage was 92–98%, and the majority shared only low identity with database sequences. It was estimated that 194–745 hydA phylotypes existed in the gut of each termite species. Our results demonstrate that hydA gene diversity in the termite gut microbiota is much higher than previously estimated.
Upper Extremity Motor Impairments and Microstructural Changes in Bulbospinal Pathways in Chronic Hemiparetic Stroke

Following hemiparetic stroke, precise, individuated control of single joints is often replaced by highly stereotyped patterns of multi-joint movement, or abnormal limb synergies, which can negatively impact functional use of the paretic arm. One hypothesis for the expression of these synergies is an increased dependence on bulbospinal pathways such as the rubrospinal (RubST) tract and especially the reticulospinal (RetST) tracts, which co-activate multiple muscles of the shoulder, elbow, wrist, and fingers. Despite indirect evidence supporting this hypothesis in humans poststroke, it still remains unclear whether it is correct. Therefore, we used high-resolution diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to quantify white matter microstructure in relation to severity of arm synergy and hand-related motor impairments. DTI was performed on 19 moderately to severely impaired chronic stroke individuals and 15 healthy, age-matched controls. In stroke individuals, compared to controls, there was significantly decreased fractional anisotropy (FA) and significantly increased axial and radial diffusivity in bilateral corona radiata and body of the corpus callosum. Furthermore, poststroke, the contralesional (CL) RetST FA correlated significantly with both upper extremity (UE) synergy severity (r = −0.606, p = 0.003) and hand impairment (r = −0.609, p = 0.003). FA in the ipsilesional RubST significantly correlated with hand impairment severity (r = −0.590, p = 0.004). For the first time, we separately evaluate RetST and RubST microstructure in chronic stroke individuals with UE motor impairment. We demonstrate that individuals with the greatest UE synergy severity and hand impairments poststroke have the highest FA in the CL RetST a pattern consistent with increased myelination and suggestive of neuroplastic reorganization. Since the RetST pathway microstructure, in particular, is sensitive to abnormal joint coupling and hand-related motor impairment in chronic stroke, it could help test the effects of specific, and novel, anti-synergy neurorehabilitation interventions for recovery from hemiparesis.
Influence of fish smoking methods on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons content and possible risks to human health

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are widespread environmental contaminants representing an important group of carcinogens that have been detected in smoked fish. This work investigated the effect of fish smoking methods on dietary exposure to PAHs and potential risks to human health. The smoking methods considered accounted for differences in smoked catfish/solefish content of 16 PAHs. The results revealed traditional method of smoking had 7 genotoxic PAHs. Traditionally smoked catfish/solefish were 18 - 24 times higher than those measured by modern method. Risk assessment conducted using benzo[a]pyrene carcinogenic and mutagenic toxicity equivalency factors (TEF and MEF, respectively) showed low risk (2.01 x 10-8 - 2.86 x 10-8 and 1.09 x 10-8 - 1.83 x 10-8, respectively for carcinogenicity and mutagenicity) associated with consuming smoked catfish/solefish and below the USEPA guideline (1.0 × 10−5) for potential cancer risk. Mean hazard indexes were below 1 (below an acceptable cumulative threshold) ranging from 1.43 x 10-6 - 9.96 x 10-8. A significantly high accumulation of PAHs was found in the smoked fish as compared to the non-smoked fish control samples. This study indicates that there is no adverse health effect of PAHs content on consumers of smoked fish species but levels of PAHs present in smoked catfish/solefish prepared using traditional methods may pose elevated cancer risks if consumed at high consumption rates over many years. Key words: Smoked fish, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, mutagenic, carcinogenic, human health, hazard index.
Efficacy and safety of continuous intravenous infusion of remifentanil in preterm infants undergoing laser therapy in retinopathy of prematurity: clinical experience

Background: Preterm infants often require surgery. As experimental evidence suggests that premature infants may experience pain and this could even result in fatal complications, the anaesthesiologist must face problems related to lowbirth weight, high risk of hypothermia, concomitant pulmonary disease and metabolic and receptor immaturity. Recently remifentanil has been considered an optimal analgesic drug in a preterm infant undergoing mechanical ventilation and frequent surgical manoeuvres, but no clinical studies have been reported in the literature. The aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy of a continuous intravenous infusion of remifentanil in premature infants undergoing laser therapy for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).
Why do Patients Seek Care at Retail Clinics, and What Alternatives Did They Consider?

Retail clinics are an increasingly popular new model of ambulatory care. To understand why patients seek care at these clinics and what their experiences were like, the authors interviewed 61 patients at 6 retail clinics. Patients were satisfied with the overall experience and were attracted to retail clinics because of their convenient locations and fixed, transparent pricing. Patients who had a primary care physician (PCP) sought care at these clinics primarily because their PCPs were not available in a timely manner. If retail clinics had not been available, a quarter of patients report they would have gone to the emergency department. Retail clinics appear to be responding to the need for convenient, affordable, and consumer-centered care.
The Added Value of FM: Different Research Perspectives

Purpose: This paper aims to present and compare research perspectives and theoretical reflections from a variety of academic fields on the concept of Added Value of Facilities Management (FM). Theory: The starting point is the so-called FM Value Map, which was presented in a paper by Jensen (2009) at the research symposium at EFMC 2009 in Amsterdam. Methodology: Literature reviews of the most influential journals within the academic fields of FM, Corporate Real Estate Management and Business to Business Marketing; reflections on EFMC-presentations; discussions between participants of an EuroFM research collaboration group working on a further exploration and testing of the FM Value Map. Findings: The research shows a number of different definitions and focus points of Added Value of FM, dependent on the academic field and the area of application. The different research perspectives explored a holistic view on the added value of FM by the integration of an external market based view (with a focus on the aimed output) and the internal resource based view (with a focus on the input from FM and RE). Good relationship management and building on trust shows to be equally important as delivering the agreed services. In order to measure the multidimensional components of adding value both qualitative and quantitative approaches are needed. Originality/value: Usually the concept of Added Value is discussed from a mono-disciplinary point of view. Based on this international collaboration a more complete picture will arise. The different backgrounds of the authors add value to an increased understanding of the added value of FM by comparing and testing different ways of conceptualising this concept. This is of great importance to FM-research and evidence-based FM as a sound basis for the long term recognition of FM.
Phenotypic transformation of smooth muscle cells from porcine coronary arteries is associated with connexin 43

The current study aimed to investigate the relevance of the gap junction protein connexin Cx43 in coronary artery smooth muscle cell (SMC) heterogeneity and coronary artery restenosis. SMCs were isolated from the coronary artery of 3-month-old pigs using enzymatic digestion. Two distinct SMC populations were isolated: Rhomboid (R) and spindle-shaped (S) cells. S-SMCs exhibited relatively lower rates of proliferation, exhibiting a classic ''hills-and valleys'' growth pattern; R-SMCs displayed increased proliferation rates, growing as mono- or multi-layers. Immunofluorescent staining, polymerase chain reaction and western blotting were used to assess the expression of Cx40 and Cx43 in SMCs. For further evaluation, cultured SMCs were treated with 10 ng/ml platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB with or without the gap junction blocker 18α-glycyrrhetinic acid. Stent-induced restenosis was assessed in vivo. Different expression patterns were observed for Cx40 and Cx43 in R- and S-SMCs. Cx40 was the most abundant Cx in S-SMCs, whereas CX43 was identified at relatively higher levels than Cx40 in R-SMCs. Notably, PDGF-BB converted S-SMCs to R-SMCs, with increased Cx43 expression, while 18α-glycyrrhetinic acid inhibited the PDGF-BB-induced phenotypic alterations in S-SMCs. Additionally, restenosis was confirmed in pigs 1-month subsequent to stent placement. R-SMCs were the major cell population isolated from stent-induced restenosis artery tissues, and exhibited markedly increased Cx43 expression, in accordance with the in vitro data described above. In conclusion, the phenotypic transformation of coronary artery SMCs is closely associated with Cx43, which is involved in restenosis. These observations provide a basis for the use of Cx43 as a novel target in restenosis prevention.
Utilities Included: Split Incentives in Commercial Electricity Contracts

In absence of deposit insurance, underdeveloped financial systems can exhibit a coordination failure between banks, unable to commit on safe asset holding, and depositors, anticipating low deposit repayment in bad states. This paper shows conditions under which a government can solve this failure by imposing safe asset purchases, which boosts deposits by increasing depositor repayment in bad states. In so doing, financial regulation stimulates bank profits if subsequent deposit growth exceeds the intermediation margin decline. As a result, it also promotes loans and branch installation with deposits. Two empirical tests are presented: 1) a regulation change by the National Bank of Ethiopia in 2011; 2) the introduction of bank taxes in Antebellum USA (1800-1861). Analyzing bank balance sheets and long-term branch installation, the regulation effects are isolated exploiting heterogeneity in bank size and policies introduction respectively, and find increases in branches, deposits, loans, and safe assets, with no decline in overall profits.
The VIMOS VLT Deep Survey. Tracing the galaxy stellar mass assembly history over the last 8 Gyr

Aims. Our aim is to investigate the history of mass assembly for galaxies of different stellar masses and types. Methods: We selected a mass-limited sample of 4048 objects from the VIMOS VLT Deep Survey (VVDS) in the redshift interval 0.5 ≤ z ≤ 1.3. We then used an empirical criterion, based on the amplitude of the 4000 ABalmer break (D_n4000), to separate the galaxy population into spectroscopically early- and late-type systems. The equivalent width of the [OII]3727 line is used as proxy for the star formation activity. We also derived a type-dependent stellar mass function in three redshift bins. Results: We discuss to what extent stellar mass drives galaxy evolution, showing for the first time the interplay between stellar ages and stellar masses over the past 8 Gyr. Low-mass galaxies have small D_n4000 and at increasing stellar mass, the galaxy distribution moves to higher D_n4000 values as observed in the local Universe. As cosmic time goes by, we witness an increasing abundance of massive spectroscopically early-type systems at the expense of the late-type systems. This spectral transformation of late-type systems into old massive galaxies at lower redshift is a process started at early epochs (z > 1.3) and continuing efficiently down to the local Universe. This is also confirmed by the evolution of our type-dependent stellar mass function. The underlying stellar ages of late-type galaxies apparently do not show evolution, most likely as a result of a continuous and efficient formation of new stars. All star formation activity indicators consistently point towards a star formation history peaked in the past for massive galaxies, with little or no residual star formation taking place in the most recent epochs. In contrast, most of the low-mass systems show just the opposite characteristics, with significant star formation present at all epochs. The activity and efficiency of forming stars are mechanisms that depend on galaxy stellar mass, and the stellar mass assembly becomes progressively less efficient in massive systems as time elapses. The concepts of star formation downsizing and mass assembly downsizing describe a single scenario that has a top-down evolutionary pattern in how the star formation is quenched, as well as how the stellar mass is grown. The role of (dry) merging events seems to be only marginal at z < 1.3, as our estimated efficiency in stellar mass assembly can possibly account for the progressive accumulation of observed passively evolving galaxies. Based on data obtained with the European Southern Observatory Very Large Telescope, Paranal, Chile, program 070.A-9007(A), and on data obtained at the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope, operated by the CNRS in France, CNRC in Canada and the University of Hawaii.
5 – alcohol and Injuries : India

An examination of ‘years of potential life lost’ in India, indicated that injuries are the second most common cause of death after the age of 5 years (Mohan and Anderson 2000). Data estimated for the year 2005 suggested that injuries contributed to nearly 850 000 deaths, and nearly 17 000 000 persons were hospitalized. Further, nearly 42 500 000 persons had minor injuries, incapacitating them for shorter or longer periods. Nearly 70% of these deaths and injuries occurred among men 15–44 years of age. Eighty per cent of these deaths and injuries occurred in rural areas, where health care is poor and deficient. One-third of disabilities were due to injuries with an estimated 7 million persons suffering from various disabilities. If no systematic efforts are introduced and implemented, it is estimated that the number of deaths due to injuries is likely to increase to 1.1 million by 2010 and 1.2 million by 2015 (Gururaj, 2005).
Adaptive neural mechanism for Listing's law revealed in patients with sixth nerve palsy.

PURPOSE During fixation and saccades, human eye movements obey Listing's law, which specifies the torsional eye position for each combination of horizontal and vertical eye positions. To study the mechanisms that implement Listing's law, the authors measured whether the law was violated in peripheral and central unilateral sixth nerve palsy. METHODS Twenty patients with peripheral (13 chronic, 7 acute) sixth nerve palsy, 7 patients with central sixth nerve palsy caused by brainstem lesions, and 10 normal subjects were studied with scleral search coils. With the head immobile, subjects made saccades to a target that moved between straight ahead and eight eccentric positions. At each target position, fixation was maintained for 3 seconds before the next saccade. To quantify violations of Listing's law, we measured ocular torsion during fixation and during saccades, and compared it with the torsion predicted by the law. The SD of the differences between the predicted and measured torsion was called Listing deviation. RESULTS Patients with central sixth nerve palsy had abnormal ocular torsion in both the paretic and nonparetic eyes, which violated Listing's law. During fixation, Listing deviation averaged 2.4 degrees in the paretic eye and 1.7 degrees in the nonparetic eye, compared with 0.8 degrees in normal control subjects (P < 0.05). During saccades, the Listing deviation averaged 2.7 degrees in the paretic eye, and 1.6 degrees in the nonparetic eye, compared with 0.8 degrees in normal control eyes (P < 0.05). Donders' law was also violated in both eyes of patients with central sixth nerve palsy. They showed an abnormally wide range of ocular torsion in any given gaze direction. In contrast, patients with acute peripheral palsy had abnormal ocular torsion only in the paretic eye. Listing deviation of the paretic eye averaged 2.3 degrees during fixation and 3.2 degrees during saccades (P < 0.05). Donders' law was obeyed in acute peripheral palsy. Patients with chronic peripheral sixth nerve palsy obeyed Listing's and Donders' laws during both fixation and saccades. CONCLUSIONS Patients with central unilateral sixth nerve palsy have abnormal ocular torsion in both eyes, demonstrating that brainstem circuits normally participate in the maintenance of Listing's law. Eye movements in patients with acute peripheral sixth nerve palsy violate Listing's law, whereas those in patients with chronic peripheral palsy obey it, indicating that neural adaptation can restore Listing's law, even when the eye muscle remains abnormal.
Effect of an Acute Incremental Exercise on Plasma Peptide YY, Neuropeptide Y and IGF-1 Concentrations in Young Athletes

This study aims to determine the effect of a single exhausting exercise on plasma PYY, NPY and IGF-1 in young athletes. Thirty-one young athletes (aged 19.52±2.75 years, body mass 79.24±16.13 kg, height 173±6.49 cm, and body fat 16.37±5.92%) volunteered to participate in this study. The participations, in randomized crossover manner, performed a single exercise bout on a cycle ergometer at 50 watts (W) for five-minute, and the power output was increased by 30 W every 3 minute until voluntary exhaustion. Venous blood samples were collected before (Pre), immediately after (Post) and 1h after (1h Post) exercise to assess plasma PYY, NPY and IGF-1concentrations. Plasma PYY (p=0.042) and IGF-1 (p=0.001) significantly increased at Post exercise. Also, NPY was increased Post (p=0.001) and for 1h Post (p=0.021) exercise. The exhausting exercise increase plasma PYY concentration and this increase may relate to IGF-1 signals in young athletes. However, increased plasma NPY may not be related to stimulation food intake because it does not penetrate the blood-brain barrier.
Postlesional vestibular reorganization improves the gain but impairs the spatial tuning of the maculo-ocular reflex in frogs.

The ramus anterior (RA) of N.VIII was sectioned unilaterally. Two months later we analyzed in vivo responses of the ipsi- and of the contralesional abducens nerve during horizontal and vertical linear acceleration in darkness. The contralesional abducens nerve had become responsive again to linear acceleration either because of a synaptic reorganization in the vestibular nuclei on the operated side and/or because of a reinnervation of the utricular macula by regenerating afferent nerve fibers. Significant differences in the onset latencies and in the acceleration sensitivities allowed a separation of RA frogs in a group without and in a group with functional utricular reinnervation. Most important, the vector orientation for maximal abducens nerve responses was clearly altered: postlesional synaptic reorganization resulted in the emergence of abducens nerve responses to vertical linear acceleration, a response component that was barely detectable in RA frogs with utricular reinnervation and that was absent in controls. The ipsilesional abducens nerve, however, exhibited unaltered responses in either group of RA frogs. The altered spatial tuning properties of contralesional abducens nerve responses are a direct consequence of the postlesional expansion of signals from intact afferent nerve and excitatory commissural fibers onto disfacilitated 2nd-order vestibular neurons on the operated side. These results corroborate the notion that postlesional vestibular reorganization activates a basic neural reaction pattern with more beneficial results at the cellular than at the network level. However, given that the underlying mechanism is activity-related, rehabilitative training after vestibular nerve lesion can be expected to shape the ongoing reorganization.
Modeling, Control Strategy, and Power Conditioning for Direct-Drive Wave Energy Conversion to Operate With Power Grid

The direct-drive wave energy conversion (WEC) system adopts direct-drive power takeoff technique and the linear permanent magnet generate (LPMG) is coupled directly to the floater, which leads to simple configuration and high efficiency. This type of device usually has common features in term of structure, model, optimal control strategy, and power conditioning. Taking the AWS as the example, the models of the direct-drive WEC are first presented, and recommendations are also proposed for their applications. To extract maximum power from the wave, the AWS has to be regulated in resonance with the wave. Different types of control strategy using mechanical and electrical devices have been developed. Their features and applications are compared and discussed. An optimal control strategy, which enables AWS extracting maximum power from the irregular wave, is proposed. Since the floater reciprocates, not only the magnitude but also the direction of the translator motion speed changes. In this condition, the frequency, terminal voltage, and output active power of the LPMG vary. These features may not satisfy the requirements of the grid code for the integration of wave generation into power grid. Hence, the power conditioner is very important for the integration of the AWS into the power grid. The power conditioners are developed to integrate the AWS into the power grid, and the application of the energy storage in smoothing the output power of the AWS is also studied.