Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gay Rights in the States: Public Opinion and Policy Responsiveness

We study the effects of policy-specific public opinion on state adoption of policies affecting gays and lesbians, and the factors that condition this relationship. Using national surveys and advances in opinion estimation, we create new estimates of state-level support for eight policies, including civil unions and nondiscrimination laws. We differentiate between responsiveness to opinion and congruence with opinion majorities. We find a high degree of responsiveness, controlling for interest group pressure and the ideology of voters and elected officials. Policy salience strongly increases the influence of policy-specific opinion (directly and relative to general voter ideology). There is, however, a surprising amount of noncongruence—for some policies, even clear supermajority support seems insufficient for adoption. When noncongruent, policy tends to be more conservative than desired by voters; that is, there is little progay policy bias. We find little to no evidence that state political institutions affect policy responsiveness or congruence.
Application of the TGx‐28.65 transcriptomic biomarker to classify genotoxic and non‐genotoxic chemicals in human TK6 cells in the presence of rat liver S9

In vitro transcriptional signatures that predict toxicities can facilitate chemical screening. We previously developed a transcriptomic biomarker (known as TGx‐28.65) for classifying agents as genotoxic (DNA damaging) and non‐genotoxic in human lymphoblastoid TK6 cells. Because TK6 cells do not express cytochrome P450s, we confirmed accurate classification by the biomarker in cells co‐exposed to 1% 5,6 benzoflavone/phenobarbital‐induced rat liver S9 for metabolic activation. However, chemicals may require different types of S9 for activation. Here we investigated the response of TK6 cells to higher percentages of Aroclor‐, benzoflavone/phenobarbital‐, or ethanol‐induced rat liver S9 to expand TGx‐28.65 biomarker applicability. Transcriptional profiles were derived 3 to 4 hr following a 4 hr co‐exposure of TK6 cells to test chemicals and S9. Preliminary studies established that 10% Aroclor‐ and 5% ethanol‐induced S9 alone did not induce the TGx‐28.65 biomarker genes. Seven genotoxic and two non‐genotoxic chemicals (and concurrent solvent and positive controls) were then tested with one of the S9s (selected based on cell survival and micronucleus induction). Relative survival and micronucleus frequency was assessed by flow cytometry in cells 20 hr post‐exposure. Genotoxic/non‐genotoxic chemicals were accurately classified using the different S9s. One technical replicate of cells co‐treated with dexamethasone and 10% Aroclor‐induced S9 was falsely classified as genotoxic, suggesting caution in using high S9 concentrations. Even low concentrations of genotoxic chemicals (those not causing cytotoxicity) were correctly classified, demonstrating that TGx‐28.65 is a sensitive biomarker of genotoxicity. A meta‐analysis of datasets from 13 chemicals supports that different S9s can be used in TK6 cells, without impairing classification using the TGx‐28.65 biomarker. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 57:243–260, 2016. © 2016 Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada. Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis © 2016 Environmental Mutagen Society
Pattern of Traditional Medicine Utilization among HIV/AIDS Patients on Antiretroviral Therapy at a University Hospital in Northwestern Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study

The objective of this study was to assess traditional, complementary, and alternative medicine (TCAM) utilization pattern among HIV/AIDS patients on antiretroviral therapy at University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital. Materials and Methods. Data on sociodemographic profile and clinical and TCAM utilization were collected using a structured, pretested questionnaire from April 01 to May 28, 2014, through interviews with patients. Data on CD4 count, HIV stage, and ART regimen were collected from patient records. Analysis was conducted descriptively using SPSS version 20. Results. Of the 300 participants, 43.7% reported using TCAM, with the largest proportion of them from religious institutions (churches/mosques) (41.22%), followed by home prepared (32.82%) and traditional healers (16.03%). The leading forms of TCAM used were spiritual and herbal therapies constituting 56.49% and 36.64% of the patients, respectively. The most frequently used herbal products included Nigella sativa (22.92%) and Moringa oleifera (20.83%). Most of the patients (73.30%) using TCAM reported improvement in their conditions. Conclusions. TCAM utilization among HIV/AIDS patients on ART was common and different sources and types were used alongside ART, with improvement reported by most. Further research is needed to identify CAM therapies which may be used as adjunct treatments among these patients.
Impact of Manufacturing Practices on Adoption of Plant Information Systems

Firms have invested over $15 billion in the past three years on new information technology and software in their manufacturing plants. In this study, we document how the implementation of new types of manufacturing practices has impacted the types of information technology investments in manufacturing plants. We present a conceptual model to develop hypotheses about relationships between manufacturing practices and the choice of information systems at the plant level. Analysis of cross-sectional survey data from 932 manufacturing plants provides strong empirical support for our hypotheses about how manufacturing practices influence decisions regarding adoption of plant-level IT applications.
Pneumonia Syndrome Graft-versus-Host Disease and Idiopathic Cell-Dependent Lethality during Endogenous Nitric Oxide Protects against T

The pathogenesis of idiopathic pneumonia syndrome (IPS), a noninfectious pulmonary complication of allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT), has not been fully elucidated. However, several contributing factors have been proposed, including lung injury caused by reactive oxygen and nitrogen intermediates during preconditioning and development of graft-vs-host disease (GVHD). Studies on the role of reactive oxygen and nitrogen intermediates in IPS have yielded conﬂicting results. We have described a murine model of IPS, in which the onset of lung inﬂammation was delayed by several weeks relative to GVHD. This study evaluated whether the delay in onset of IPS was due to slow turnover of NO-producing, immunosuppressive alveolar macrophages (AM) following BMT. The results indicated that AM were immunosuppressive due to synthesis of NO. However, NO production and immunosuppressive activity by AM did not decline after BMT, but rather remained elevated throughout the 12-wk development of GVHD and IPS. In a 14-day model of IPS, continuous inhibition of NO with aminoguanidine (AG) reduced signs of IPS/GVHD, but also led to higher mortality. When AG treatment was initiated after onset of IPS/GVHD, rapid mortality occurred that depended on the severity of IPS/GVHD. AG-enhanced mortality was not due to inhibition of marrow engraftment, elevated serum TNF- (cid:1) , liver injury, or hypertensive responses. In contrast, T cells were involved, because depletion of CD4 (cid:2) lymphocytes 24 h before AG treatment prevented mortality. Thus, NO production following allogeneic BMT affords a protective effect that helps down-regulate injury caused by T cells during GVHD and IPS. The Journal of Immunology, 2004, 173: 1744– 1756.
A Hubble Space Telescope Search for Lyman Continuum Emission from Galaxies at 1.1 < z < 1.4

If enough of their Lyman-limit continuum escapes, star-forming galaxies could be significant contributors to the cosmic background of ionizing photons. To investigate this possibility, we obtained the first deep imaging in the far-ultraviolet of 11 bright blue galaxies at intermediate redshift (1.1 < z < 1.4) with the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph Far-Ultraviolet Multianode Microchannel Array detector on the Hubble Space Telescope. No Lyman continuum emission was detected. Sensitive, model-independent, upper limits of typically less than 10-19 ergs cm-2 s-1 Å-1 were obtained for the ionizing flux escaping from these normal galaxies. This corresponds to lower limits on the observed ratio of 1500-700 Å flux of 150 up to 1000. On the basis of a wide range of stellar synthesis models, this suggests that less than 6%, down to less than 1%, of the available ionizing flux emitted by hot stars is escaping these galaxies. The magnitude of this spectral break at the Lyman limit confirms that the basic premise of "Lyman break" searches for galaxies at high redshift can also be applied at intermediate redshifts. This implies that the integrated contribution of galaxies to the UV cosmic background at z ~ 1.2 is less than 15% and may be less than 2%.
Enhancing Availability in Content Delivery Networks for Mobile Platforms

Ensuring high data availability is a vital prerogative for Content Delivery Networks (CDN), and as we look to deploy CDN mechanisms onto mobile platforms, this imperative becomes ever more challenging. In traditional CDNs, replication ensures high availability of data, with server-loads and content-popularity often used as parameters to tightly control the process. However, the highly transient properties of such wireless and mobile devices constitute a major hurdle for any replication algorithm, rendering most simplified methods inadequate. Our contribution begins with a unique message-pulsing mechanism operating within a wireless cluster, that detects devices and ascertains their reliability. Results show the viability of our pulsing algorithm in determining a base replication level. Next, a Markovian queueing model is introduced, allowing us to induce replication based on the required speed of service. This affords finer control over the replication process, creating a more effective replication strategy suited for mobile-based CDNs. Extensive analysis of the model were performed, with parameters derived from real-world conditions. Results indicate that the model is able to compute logical values for the expected waiting times in service and thus, control the speed of replication within the CDN.
Aging and the number sense: preserved basic non-symbolic numerical processing and enhanced basic symbolic processing

Aging often leads to general cognitive decline in domains such as memory and attention. The effect of aging on numerical cognition, particularly on foundational numerical skills known as the number sense, is not well-known. Early research focused on the effect of aging on arithmetic. Recent studies have begun to investigate the impact of healthy aging on basic numerical skills, but focused on non-symbolic quantity discrimination alone. Moreover, contradictory findings have emerged. The current study aimed to further investigate the impact of aging on basic non-symbolic and symbolic numerical skills. A group of 25 younger (18–25) and 25 older adults (60–77) participated in non-symbolic and symbolic numerical comparison tasks. Mathematical and spelling abilities were also measured. Results showed that aging had no effect on foundational non-symbolic numerical skills, as both groups performed similarly [RTs, accuracy and Weber fractions (w)]. All participants showed decreased non-symbolic acuity (accuracy and w) in trials requiring inhibition. However, aging appears to be associated with a greater decline in discrimination speed in such trials. Furthermore, aging seems to have a positive impact on mathematical ability and basic symbolic numerical processing, as older participants attained significantly higher mathematical achievement scores, and performed significantly better on the symbolic comparison task than younger participants. The findings suggest that aging and its lifetime exposure to numbers may lead to better mathematical achievement and stronger basic symbolic numerical skills. Our results further support the observation that basic non-symbolic numerical skills are resilient to aging, but that aging may exacerbate poorer performance on trials requiring inhibitory processes. These findings lend further support to the notion that preserved basic numerical skills in aging may reflect the preservation of an innate, primitive, and embedded number sense.
Frequency-Variation Based Method for Parameter Estimation of Transistor Amplifier

In this paper, a frequency-variation based method has been proposed for transistor parameter estimation in a commonemitter transistor amplifier circuit. We design an algorithm to estimate the transistor parameters, based on noisy measurements of the output voltage when the input voltage is a sine wave of variable frequency and constant amplitude. The common emitter amplifier circuit has been modelled using the transistor Ebers-Moll equations and the perturbation technique has been used for separating the linear and nonlinear parts of the Ebers-Moll equations. This model of the amplifier has been used to determine the amplitude of the output sinusoid as a function of the frequency and the parameter vector. Then, applying the proposed method to the frequency components, the transistor parameters have been estimated. As compared to the conventional time-domain least squares method, the proposed method requires much less data storage and it results in more accurate parameter estimation, as it exploits the information in the time and frequency domain, simultaneously. The proposed method can be utilized for parameter estimation of an analog device in its operating range of frequencies, as it uses data collected from different frequencies output signals for parameter estimation. Keywords—Perturbation Technique, Parameter estimation, frequency-variation based method.
CEP Discussion Paper No 707 November 2005 Superstars and Renaissance Men : Specialization , Market Size and the Income Distribution

A general equilibrium model of individual specialization is presented in which agents trade off the productivity and price implications of producing a narrower range of goods. Agents with highly specific skills turn out to benefit most from large markets. The model is able to replicate features of the long-term evolution of the US income distribution, with specialization-biased technical change and the increase in employed population playing key roles. Among the results is that, at least along one dimension of ability, the skill premium is increasing in the relative supply of skills.
Earth matter effects at very long baselines and the neutrino mass hierarchy

We study matter effects which arise in the muon neutrino oscillation and survival probabilities relevant to atmospheric neutrino and very long baseline (>4000 Km) beam experiments. The interrelations between the three probabilities P{sub {mu}}{sub e}, P{sub {mu}}{sub {tau}}, and P{sub {mu}}{sub {mu}} are examined. It is shown that large and observable sensitivity to the neutrino mass hierarchy can be present in P{sub {mu}}{sub {mu}} and P{sub {mu}}{sub {tau}}. We emphasize that at baselines >7000 Km, matter effects in P{sub {mu}}{sub {tau}} are important under certain conditions and can be large. The muon survival rates in experiments with very long baselines thus depend on matter effects in both P{sub {mu}}{sub {tau}} and P{sub {mu}}{sub e}. We also indicate where these effects provide sensitivity to {theta}{sub 13} and identify ranges of energies and baselines where this sensitivity is maximum. The effect of parameter degeneracies in the three probabilities at these baselines and energies is studied in detail and large parts of the parameter space are identified which are free from these degeneracies. In the second part of the paper, we focus on using the matter effects studied in the first part as a means of determining the mass hierarchy via atmospheric neutrinos.more » Realistic event rate calculations are performed for a charge discriminating 100 kT iron calorimeter which demonstrate the possibility of realizing this very important goal in neutrino physics. It is shown that for atmospheric neutrinos, a careful selection of energy and baseline ranges is necessary in order to obtain a statistically significant signal, and that the effects are largest in bins where matter effects in both P{sub {mu}}{sub e} and P{sub {mu}}{sub {tau}} combine constructively. Under these conditions, up to a 4{sigma} signal for matter effects is possible (for {delta}{sub 31}>0) within a time scale appreciably shorter than the one anticipated for neutrino factories. « less
A new solution for the time-space localization problem in wireless sensor network using UAV

Services such as localization and synchronization are crucial for many applications in Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs), given that it is commonly required to know the position and global time of the sensor nodes. Nevertheless, these tasks are often carried out after the sensor nodes have been deployed in the sensor location. Given that it is impractical to configure the sensor nodes manually, it is essential to rely on algorithms to overcome the problem of locating and synchronizing the clock of the sensor nodes. Hence, in this study we propose a joint solution for 3D localization and time synchronization in WSNs with the aid of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The UAV is geared with a GPS device and flies over the area covered by the sensor field where it broadcasts its geographical position. This means that the sensor nodes are able to estimate their geographical position without the need to be fitted with a GPS. By carrying out simulations, we show that our joint solution leads to a smaller number of errors in time-synchronization and localization than is the case with other proposals found in the literature.
PROTOSTELLAR OUTFLOW EVOLUTION IN TURBULENT ENVIRONMENTS

The link between turbulence in star-forming environments and protostellar jets remains controversial. To explore issues of turbulence and fossil cavities driven by young stellar outflows, we present a series of numerical simulations tracking the evolution of transient protostellar jets driven into a turbulent medium. Our simulations show both the effect of turbulence on outflow structures and, conversely, the effect of outflows on the ambient turbulence. We demonstrate how turbulence will lead to strong modifications in jet morphology. More importantly, we demonstrate that individual transient outflows have the capacity to re-energize decaying turbulence. Our simulations support a scenario in which the directed energy/momentum associated with cavities is randomized as the cavities are disrupted by dynamical instabilities seeded by the ambient turbulence. Consideration of the energy power spectra of the simulations reveals that the disruption of the cavities powers an energy cascade consistent with Burgers'-type turbulence and produces a driving scale length associated with the cavity propagation length. We conclude that fossil cavities interacting either with a turbulent medium or with other cavities have the capacity to sustain or create turbulent flows in star-forming environments. In the last section, we contrast our work and its conclusions with previous studies which claim that jets cannot be the source of turbulence.
Effect of Cadmium on Lipid Peroxidation and on Some Antioxidants in the Liver, Kidneys and Testes of Rats Given Diet Containing Cadmium-polluted Radish Bulbs

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of cadmium (Cd), incorporated in radish bulbs, on malondialdehyde and glutathione levels and on superoxide dismutase activity in the liver, kidneys and testes of male rats. The control animals were given diet containing ordinary radish bulbs for 4, 8 and 12 weeks, while contaminated animals were given diet containing Cd-polluted radish bulbs (1.1 mg Cd/g of diet) for the same periods as in the controls. At each time point, rats were euthanized and the liver, kidneys and testes were removed. The results indicated that the body weight gain of contaminated rats was identical to that of the control rats. Cd concentrations in the liver, kidneys and testes increased significantly and gradually from the 4th to 12th week of treatment. Malondialdehyde concentrations decreased significantly in the liver and increased significantly in the kidneys and testes after 12 weeks of treatment, while glutathione levels increased significantly in the liver, and decreased significantly in the kidneys and testes at the same time. No changes were observed in SOD activity in the liver, while in the kidneys and testes, this activity was increased after 12 weeks of treatment as compared with the control rats.
Plasma Homocysteine as a Risk Factor for Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease

Background In cross-sectional studies, elevated plasma homocysteine levels have been associated with poor cognition and dementia. Studies of newly diagnosed dementia are required in order to establish whether the elevated homocysteine levels precede the onset of dementia or result from dementia-related nutritional and vitamin deficiencies. Methods A total of 1092 subjects without dementia (667 women and 425 men; mean age, 76 years) from the Framingham Study constituted our study sample. We examined the relation of the plasma total homocysteine level measured at base line and that measured eight years earlier to the risk of newly diagnosed dementia on follow-up. We used multivariable proportional-hazards regression to adjust for age, sex, apolipoprotein E genotype, vascular risk factors other than homocysteine, and plasma levels of folate and vitamins B12 and B6. Results Over a median follow-up period of eight years, dementia developed in 111 subjects, including 83 given a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease.
Mixing Family with Business: A Study of Thai Business Groups and the Families Behind Them

Families run a large fraction of business groups around the world. In this paper, we analyze how the structure of the families behind these business groups affects the groups' organization, governance and performance. To address this question, we constructed a unique data set of family trees and business groups for nearly 100 of the largest business families in Thailand. We find a strong positive association between family size and family involvement in the ownership and control of the family business. The sons of the founders play a central role in both ownership and board membership, especially when the founder of the group is gone. The availability of more sons is also associated with lower firm-level performance, especially when the founder is no longer present. We identify a possible governance channel for this performance effect. Excess control by sons, but not other family members, is associated with lower firm performance. In addition, excess control by sons increases with the number of sons and with the death of the founder. One hypothesis that emerges from our analysis is that part of the decay of family-run groups over time may be due to a dilution of ownership and control across a set of equally powerful descendants of the founder, which creates a race to the bottom in tunneling resources out of the group firms.
ANTECEDENTS AND DISTINCTIONS BETWEEN ONLINE TRUST AND DISTRUST: PREDICTING HIGH- AND LOW-RISK INTERNET BEHAVIORS

While previous studies have investigated the determinants and consequences of online trust, online distrust has seldom been studied. Assuming that the positive antecedents of online trust are necessarily negative antecedents of online distrust or that positive consequences of online trust are necessarily negatively affected by online distrust is inappropriate. This study examines the different antecedents of online trust and distrust in relation to consumer and website characteristics. Moreover, this study further examines whether online trust and distrust asymmetrically affect behaviors with different risk levels. A model is developed and tested using a survey of 1,153 online consumers. LISREL was employed to test the proposed model. Overall, different consumer and website characteristics influence online trust and distrust, and online trust engenders different behavioral outcomes to online distrust. The authors also discuss the theoretical and managerial implications of the study findings.