Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Economic Distress and Farmer Suicides in India: An Econometric Investigation

This paper empirically analyzes sources of extreme economic distress in rural India. We use district-level data on farmers' suicides in two major states during the years 1998 to 2004 to estimate the effects of transitory economic shocks and structural change in agriculture on the incidence of suicides in farm households. To elicit the causal effect of transitory economic shocks on suicides, we use rainfall conditions as an instrumental variable. For the state of Karnataka, where rainfall and poverty were especially variable around the turn of the millennium, we find that transitory spikes in poverty caused by a lack of rainfall increase suicides among male and decrease suicides among female members of farm households. According to our point estimates, a poverty increase of one percent increases male suicide mortality by 0.57 and decreases female suicide mortality by 1.05 percent. Given that suicides among male farmers are four times as frequent as among females on average, the combined causal effect of a poverty shock on suicides in farm households is positive. We also find that a shift from subsistence crops to cash crops, especially cotton, is associated with a decrease in male suicides.
A review on the effects of sensory stimulation in shelter dogs

Millions of dogs enter public and private shelters every year. Shelters are often very stressful environments to dogs, which are kept in very limited space and are impeded to appease their social motivations. Furthermore, the environmental stimuli provided are generally quantitatively –hyper/hypo-stimulation- and qualitatively inadequate. In such conditions dogs are likely to develop abnormal behaviors as maladaptive coping strategies that are not only a symptom of low welfare but they also drastically decrease their chances of being permanently adopted. Environmental enrichment, such as training sessions, additional cage furniture and food-filled toys have been shown to decrease levels of stress in confined dogs. However, many of these programs require a noticeable financial and time commitment. Unfortunately, many shelter running institutions lack of necessary funds, personnel and time to provide their dogs with complex environmental enrichment programs. In this light, sensory stimulation may represent a scientifically valid, low-cost and no time-wasting instrument to enhance the average level of welfare of shelter dogs, limit the development of behavioral problems and increase dog adoptability.
Holistic word recognition for handwritten historical documents

Most offline handwriting recognition approaches proceed by segmenting words into smaller pieces (usually characters) which are recognized separately. The recognition result of a word is then the composition of the individually recognized parts. Inspired by results in cognitive psychology, researchers have begun to focus on holistic word recognition approaches. Here we present a holistic word recognition approach for single-author historical documents, which is motivated by the fact that for severely degraded documents a segmentation of words into characters will produce very poor results. The quality of the original documents does not allow us to recognize them with high accuracy - our goal here is to produce transcriptions that will allow successful retrieval of images, which has been shown to be feasible even in such noisy environments. We believe that this is the first systematic approach to recognizing words in historical manuscripts with extensive experiments. Our experiments show recognition accuracy of 65%, which exceeds performance of other systems which operate on non-degraded input images (nonhistorical documents).
A New Mint1 Isoform, but Not the Conventional Mint1, Interacts with the Small GTPase Rab6

Small GTPases of the Rab family are important regulators of a large variety of different cellular functions such as membrane organization and vesicle trafficking. They have been shown to play a role in several human diseases. One prominent member, Rab6, is thought to be involved in the development of Alzheimer’s Disease, the most prevalent mental disorder worldwide. Previous studies have shown that Rab6 impairs the processing of the amyloid precursor protein (APP), which is cleaved to β-amyloid in brains of patients suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease. Additionally, all three members of the Mint adaptor family are implied to participate in the amyloidogenic pathway. Here, we report the identification of a new Mint1 isoform in a yeast two-hybrid screening, Mint1 826, which lacks an eleven amino acid (aa) sequence in the conserved C-terminal region. Mint1 826, but not the conventional Mint1, interacts with Rab6 via the PTB domain. This interaction is nucleotide-dependent, Rab6-specific and influences the subcellular localization of Mint1 826. We were able to detect and sequence a corresponding proteolytic peptide derived from cellular Mint1 826 by mass spectrometry proving the absence of aa 495–505 and could show that the deletion does not influence the ability of this adaptor protein to interact with APP. Taking into account that APP interacts and co-localizes with Mint1 826 and is transported in Rab6 positive vesicles, our data suggest that Mint1 826 bridges APP to the small GTPase at distinct cellular sorting points, establishing Mint1 826 as an important player in regulation of APP trafficking and processing.
Broadcasting in Weighted-Vertex Graphs

In this paper a new model for information dissemination in communication network is presented. The model is defined on networks in which nodes are assigned some weights representing the internal delay they should pass before sending data to their neighbors. The new model, called weighted-vertex model, comes to have real world applications in parallel computation and satellite terrestrial networks. As a generalization of the classical model, optimum broadcasting in weighted-vertex model is NP_Hard. The problem remains NP_Hard in some classes of weighed-vertex graphs. We show existence of approximation algorithms for the broadcasting problem in weighted vertex model, as well as better approximations for specific subclasses of weighted graphs.
In vitro Culture of Human Testicular Stem Cells on Feeder-Free Condition

Background Spermatogonial stem cells are subpopulation of spermatogonial cells in testis tissue that support beginning and maintenance of spermatogenesis. Ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCHL1) could be a specific marker for identification of spermatogonial stem cells including spermatogonial sperm cells (SSCs) in testis tissue and during the culture; therefore we undertook this study to culture these human testicular stem cells (hTSCs) in vitro and approved the presence of human testicular stem cells (hTSCs) by UCHL1, also known as PGP9.5. Methods Enzymatic digestion of human testicular biopsies was done by collagenase IV (4 mg/ml) and trypsin (0.25%). Differential plating of testicular cells in DMEM/F12 and 10% FBS was applied for 16 hr. Floating cells were collected and transferred onto laminin-coated plates with Stem-Pro 34 media supplemented with growth factors of GDNF, bFGF, EGF and LIF to support self-renewal divisions; testicular stem cell clusters were passaged every 14 days for two months. Spermatogonial cells propagation was studied through Expression of UCHL1 in testis tissue and the entire testicular stem cell culture. Results Testicular stem cell clusters from 10 patients with obstructive azoospermia were cultured on laminin-coated plates and subsequently propagated for two months. The average of harvested viable cells was approximately 89.6%. UCHL1 was expressed as specific marker in testicular stem cells entire the culture. Conclusion Human testicular stem cells could be obtained from human testicular tissue by a simple digestion, culturing and propagation method for long-term in vitro conditions. Propagation of these cells approved by specific marker UCHL1, during the culture period.
Effect of doping method on the morphological and gas sensing properties of Pt: SnO2 pellets

Platinum doped tin oxide (SnO2: Pt) powders were obtained by employing novel methods, which are a mixture of chemical and physical synthesis methods. The powders were prepared from tin chloride and urea as precipitant agent. The resultant SnO2 powders are milled in a planetary ball mill. Finally, a noble metal, platinum (Pt), was added to the milled SnO2 powders via bulk and surface doping methods, and then pressed with a pressing machine to manufacture thin pellets. After several experimental trials, stable Pt: SnO2 pellets were formed. Later, silver contacts were manufactured on the pellets surface by the thermal evaporation technique. The effect of Pt adding methods on the morphological properties is presented in this work. The morphological study was developed by using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM) analysis. Additionally, the sensing properties of these pellets as a function of the gas concentration were measured in carbon monoxide (CO) atmosphere at different operation temperatures. Keywords—Pellets; Doping; Platinum; Bulk; Sensitivity; CO.
Regional differences in the Na+ reabsorption of sweat glands.

Sweat glands with a higher capacity for both sweat secretion and sodium reabsorption would contribute more effectively to thermoregulation, with less tendency to cause sodium depletion. The rate at which sweat glands reabsorb sodium and chloride does not increase proportionally as the rate of sweating increases, so that [Na+] and [Cl–] in sweat sampled on the skin surface increase with sweating. It has been reported that there is a significant positive correlation between sweat secretory capacity and the capacity of sweat to reabsorb Na+ (Sato and Dobson, 1970) and between sweat gland size and sweat secretory capacity (Sato and Sato, 1983). It has also been suggested that the sweat glands on the trunk may be larger than those on the limbs (Inoue and Shibasaki, 1996). Based on these findings, it is expected that the sweat glands on the trunk have a superior Na+ reabsorptive capacity than those on the limbs. We know little about the slope of the relation of sweat [Na+] to sweating rate at different body sites. Obtaining such information may be valuable to a better understanding of regional differences in sweat glands capacity for Na+ reabsorption. Therefore, we compared the relationship between sweating rate and [Na+] on the chest, back, forearm and thigh.
Initiates Autoimmunity Macrophage-Colony Stimulating Factor Local Transgenic Expression of Granulocyte

2 Mechanisms leading to breakdown of immunological tolerance and initiation of autoimmunity are poorly understood. Experimental autoimmune gastritis is a paradigm of organ-speciﬁc autoimmunity arising from a pathogenic autoimmune response to gastric H/K ATPase. The gastritis is accompanied by autoantibodies to the gastric H/K ATPase. The best characterized model of experimental autoimmune gastritis requires neonatal thymectomy. This procedure disrupts the immune repertoire, limiting its usefulness in understanding how autoimmunity arises in animals with intact immune systems. Here we tested whether local production of GM-CSF, a pro-inﬂammatory cytokine, is sufﬁcient to break tolerance and initiate autoimmunity. We generated transgenic mice expressing GM-CSF in the stomach. These transgenic mice spontaneously developed gastritis with an incidence of about 80% after six backcrosses to gastritis-susceptible BALBc/CrSlc mice. The gastritis is accompanied by mucosal hypertrophy, enlargement of draining lymph nodes and autoantibodies to gastric H/K ATPase. An inﬁltrate of dendritic cells and macrophages preceded CD4 T cells into the gastric mucosa. T cells from draining lymph nodes speciﬁcally proliferated to the gastric H/K ATPase. CD4 but not CD8 T cells transferred gastritis to nude mouse recipients. CD4 1 CD25 1 T cells from the spleen retained anergic suppressive properties that were reversed by IL-2. We conclude that local expression of GM-CSF is sufﬁcient to break tolerance and initiate autoimmunity mediated by CD4 T cells. This new mouse model should be useful for studies of organ-speciﬁc autoimmunity. Journal of Immunology, 2001, 166: 2090–2099.
Enculturation and Acculturation of television use among Asian Indians in the U.S.

Title of Document: ENCULTURATION AND ACCULTURATION OF TELEVISION USE AMONG ASIAN INDIANS IN THE U.S. Indira S. Somani, Doctor of Philosophy, 2008 Directed By: Dr. Don Heider Associate Professor, Associate Dean Philip Merrill College of Journalism University of Maryland, College Park This study explored how a cohort of Asian Indians who migrated to the U.S. nearly 40 years ago have become acculturated to watching Indian television via the satellite dish. The study used the integrative communication theory and how two concepts of the theory relate to adaptation: enculturation, the process of socialization individuals undergo in their native culture; and acculturation, the process in which newcomers acquire some, but not all, aspects of their new host culture (Kim, 2001). Oral history interviews were conducted with 10 couples who migrated to the U.S. between 1960 and 1972 in the Washington Metro area to understand their media use over the past 40 years and why they watch Indian television via the satellite dish. The study produced findings that described how these Asian Indians used American television to acculturate to the U.S.; as well as how this cohort learned the act of watching television. Another finding was that the portrayal of India and Indian culture in American media was stereotypical. The third finding showed described how these Asian Indians maintained their sense of Indian culture through using other forms of media and cultural practices. The fourth finding demonstrated how Asian Indians discovered a new way to stay connected to their culture, particularly in real time as they watched Indian programming via the satellite dish. The fifth finding was that this cohort used American television as a filter through which they judged Indian television. Overall, these Asian Indians were found to believe Indian programming was copying Western culture. The study concluded with analysis of how this cohort changed its media habits as media technology itself changed over time. The study showed how diasporic communities form through media use, as well as how audiences also become fragmented and individualized in their choice of media. It uncovered the ways how these Asian Indians became skilled television viewers and could distinguish between good and bad programming. ENCULTURATION AND ACCULTURATION OF TELEVISION USE AMONG ASIAN INDIANS IN THE U.S.
Expression of monocyte chemotactic protein and interleukin-8 by cytokine-activated human vascular smooth muscle cells.

The present study was designed to investigate the capacity of human vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) to produce a cytokine chemotactic for monocytes (monocyte chemotactic protein [MCP]) and by way of comparison, a related polypeptide activator of neutrophils (known as interleukin-8 [IL-8] or neutrophil activating protein-1 [NAP-1]. On exposure to IL-1, SMCs released high levels of chemotactic activity for monocytes, which could be removed by absorption with anti-MCP antibodies. MCP production by activated SMCs was comparable to that of IL-1-stimulated umbilical vein endothelial cells. Activated SMCs released appreciable levels of IL-8, as determined by a specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, but little chemotactic activity for neutrophils. IL-1-treated SMCs expressed high levels of both MCP and IL-8 mRNA transcripts, as assessed by Northern blot analysis. Tumor necrosis factor and bacterial lipopolysaccharide but not IL-6 also induced MCP and IL-8 gene expression in SMCs. Nuclear runoff analysis revealed that IL-1 augmented transcription of the MCP and IL-8 genes. The capacity of SMCs to produce a cytokine (MCP) that recruits and activates circulating mononuclear phagocytes may be of considerable importance in the pathogenesis of vascular diseases (e.g., vasculitis and atherosclerosis) that are characterized by monocyte infiltration of the vessel wall.
Validation of the SarQoL®, a specific health‐related quality of life questionnaire for Sarcopenia

A specific self‐administrated health‐related quality of life questionnaire for sarcopenia, the Sarcopenia and Quality Of Life (SarQoL®), has been recently developed. This questionnaire is composed of 55 items translated into 22 questions and organized into seven domains of quality of life. The objective of the present work is to evaluate the psychometric properties (discriminative power, validity, reliability, floor and ceiling effects) of the SarQoL® questionnaire.
Fokker-Planck equation in bounded domain

We study the existence and the uniqueness of a solution $\fy$ to the linear Fokker-Planck equation $-\Delta \fy + \div(\fy \F) = f$ in a bounded domain of $\R^d$ when $\F$ is a "confinement" vector field acting for instance like the inverse of the distance to the boundary. An illustration of the obtained results is given within the framework of fluid mechanics and polymer flows.
A Study of Language Anxiety among English Language Learners in Saudi Arabia

Classroom anxiety is a recurrent phenomenon for language learners. There are various factors that cause language anxiety, the most common of which include learners’ excessive self-consciousness and self-awareness concerning their oral reproduction and performance and their peculiar, and quite often misplaced and mistaken, views and beliefs regarding different approaches. Other potential reasons for this problem could include the fear, and the consequent deterrence occasioned thereof, of encountering difficulties in language learning, specifically learners’ individual problems regarding the culture of the target language and the varying social statuses of speakers. The most important fear is, perhaps, the deterrent fear of causing damage to one’s self-identity. Therefore, while needing to paying special attention to language learners’ anxiety reactions, language teachers have a crucial role in helping their students achieve the expected performance goals in the target language. Another factor that could potentially lead to language anxiety is simply the poor command of the target language. This problem could be attributed to linguistic barriers and obstacles language learners encounter in learning and using the target language. In the current study, using a qualitative, semi-structured interview and the focus-group discussion technique, the researcher aims to investigate the factors that contribute to language anxiety among Arab language learners. It focuses on learners both within the classroom setting and without, i.e. in the social context, and recommends a number of approaches to manage and overcome this problem.
Student Perceptions of Institutional Care: Making Sense of Hardship Funding as a Retention Tool

This article focuses on how a financial support initiative improved student persistence at an urban commuter institution. Existing research acknowledges that financial concerns of university students may keep them from feeling connected to their institution thereby increasing the likelihood of stopping out. There is less study of how recipients of just-in-timefinancial support make sense of the award—and how those perceptions may help institutions better understand recipients’ sense of belonging. Through an exploratory qualitative research study, we contribute to the retention literature broadly and specifically to the idea of student perceptions of institutional care. We also present guiding principles for creating a successful hardship initiative that supports students financially and emotionally at their most critical time.
Factors Influencing Funding Decisions by Elected Politicians at the State/Provincial Level: A Case Study of Public Libraries in Canada

The purpose of this study was to determine factors (internal and external) that influenced Canadian provincial (state) politicians when making funding decisions about public libraries. Using the case study methodology, Canadian provincial/state level funding for public libraries in the 2009-10 fiscal year was examined. After reviewing funding levels across the country, three jurisdictions were chosen for the case: British Columbia's budget revealed dramatically decreased funding, Alberta's budget showed dramatically increased funding, and Ontario's budget was unchanged from the previous year. The primary source of data for the case was a series of semi-structured interviews with elected officials and senior bureaucrats from the three jurisdictions. An examination of primary and secondary documents was also undertaken to help set the political and economic context as well as to provide triangulation for the case interviews. The data were analysed to determine whether Cialdini's theory of influence (2001) and specifically any of the six tactics of influence (i.e, commitment and consistency, authority, liking, social proof, scarcity and reciprocity) were instrumental in these budget processes. Findings show the principles of "authority", "consistency and commitment" and "liking" were relevant, and that "liking" were especially important to these decisions. When these decision makers were considering funding for public libraries, they most often used three distinct lenses: the consistency lens (what are my values? what would my party do? ), the authority lens (is someone with hierarchical power telling me to do this? are the requests legitimate? ), and most importantly, the liking lens (how much do I like and know about the requester? ). These findings are consistent with Cialdini's theory, which suggests the quality of some relationships is one of six factors that can most influence a decision maker. The small number of prior research studies exploring the reasons for increases or decreases in public library funding allocation decisions have given little insight into the factors that motivate those politicians involved in the process and the variables that contribute to these decisions. No prior studies have examined the construct of influence in decision making about funding for Canadian public libraries at any level of government. Additionally, no prior studies have examined the construct of influence in decision making within the context of Canadian provincial politics. While many public libraries are facing difficult decisions in the face of uncertain funding futures, the ability of the sector to obtain favourable responses to requests for increases may require a less simplistic approach than previously thought. The ability to create meaningful connections with individuals in many communities and across all levels of government should be emphasised as a key factor in influencing funding decisions.
A Two State Capital Asset Pricing Model

A famous model in nancial theory is the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM). In this paper we propose a two state CAPM in which we assume that excess returns for the market and for a particular security are bivariate normally distributed. The parameters of the distribution are determined by the state of an unobserved stationary Markov chain. Two states represent two business regimes that are characterized by low and high volatility. Maximum likelihood estimates for the parameters of the model are obtained via the Baum-Welch algorithm for local maximization of the likelihood function for Markov Regime Models (MRM), also known as Hidden Markov Models (HMM). We apply the model to monthly return data for three oil industry corporation securities. A comparison of the results with two simpler models, the independent switching regression model and the standard CAPM with one regime, shows a signi cant improvement in goodness of t obtained by the proposed two state MRM. Estimates of the periods of high volatility for each corporation depict a general e ect of the business cycles on all three processes combined with unique e ects steaming from corporation related events.