Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Optimal Social Insurance and Redistribution: Incentives for Educational Investment, Work and Savings

Acknowledgement I am deeply indebted to my advisor Friedrich Breyer. He has been a true mentor for me since the second year of my undergraduate studies and supported and advised me throughout all the years. He has crucially influenced my way of thinking about economic questions. I also owe special thanks to my second advisor Leo Kaas. He has generously supported me and my work with a lot of valuable advice and feedback. My coauthors Sebastian Findeisen and Normann Lorenz – who are both also friends – deserve special gratitude. Working and interacting with Sebastian over the last three years has been truly inspiring and I am glad that I got infected by his enthusiasm. Sharing and developing ideas with him is a real privilege. Normann had the role of a mentor for me throughout all my studies, who always urged me to think twice. Conducting research together with him has been a fruitful experience. During my time in Konstanz, I have also interacted with many other faculty members and benefited from their comments: deserves special gratitude for having supported, motivated and advised me in pursuing research in public economics. I would also like to thank all my PhD-colleagues in Konstanz for great discussions and, more importantly, for making the time so enjoyable. who also became valuable friends. In 2011-12 I had the privilege to spend several months at Stanford University, where I got generous academic support from Florian Scheuer. His advice has not only been enormously valuable for my thesis but also for my way of thinking about problems in public economics and how to tackle them. In Spring 2013 I spent five weeks at Yale University under the supervision of Aleh Tsyvinski. I am deeply indebted to him for his intense and enormously valuable supervision and guidance as well as his optimism and motivation. Acknowledgement 3 Besides working on my thesis, my time as a PhD-student often involved writing research proposals and the like. All these proposals greatly benefited from comments of patient friends: Namely, reliably did the final proof reading. I would like to thank my family for supporting me my entire life and for always believing in me. Thanks also to all my friends for making life so enjoyable. Finally, I would like to thank Susi for her unyielding support throughout the last years, always believing in me and her honest and valuable advice. Discussing my …
Comparison of EKF, pseudomeasurement, and particle filters for a bearing-only target tracking problem

In this paper we consider a nonlinear bearing-only target tracking problem using three different methods and compare their performances. The study is motivated by a ground surveillance problem where a target is tracked from an airborne sensor at an approximately known altitude using depression angle observations. Two nonlinear suboptimal estimators, namely, the extended Kalman Filter (EKF) and the pseudomeasurement tracking filter are applied in a 2-D bearing-only tracking scenario. The EKF is based on the linearization of the nonlinearities in the dynamic and/or the measurement equations. The pseudomeasurement tracking filter manipulates the original nonlinear measurement algebraically to obtain the linear-like structures measurement. Finally, the particle filter, which is a Monte Carlo integration based optimal nonlinear filter and has been presented in the literature as a better alternative to linearization via EKF, is used on the same problem. The performances of these three different techniques in terms of accuracy and computational load are presented in this paper. The results demonstrate the limitations of these algorithms on this deceptively simple tracking problem.
New Evidences of Mitochondrial DNA Heteroplasmy by Putative Paternal Leakage between the Rock Partridge (Alectoris graeca) and the Chukar Partridge (Alectoris chukar)

The rock partridge, Alectoris graeca, is a polytypic species declining in Italy mostly due to anthropogenic causes, including the massive releases of the closely related allochthonous chukar partridge Alectoris chukar which produced the formation of hybrids. Molecular approaches are fundamental for the identification of evolutionary units in the perspective of conservation and management, and to correctly select individuals to be used in restocking campaigns. We analyzed a Cytochrome oxidase I (COI) fragment of contemporary and historical A. graeca and A. chukar samples, using duplicated analyses to confirm results and nuclear DNA microsatellites to exclude possible sample cross-contamination. In two contemporary specimens of A. graeca, collected from an anthropogenic hybrid zone, we found evidence of the presence of mtDNA heteroplasmy possibly associated to paternal leakage and suggesting hybridization with captive-bred exotic A. chukar. These results underline significant limitations in the reliability of mtDNA barcoding-based species identification and could have relevant evolutionary and ecological implications that should be accounted for when interpreting data aimed to support conservation actions.
Benefits of having friends in older ages: differential effects of informal social activities on well-being in middle-aged and older adults.

OBJECTIVES It has been considered a fact that informal social activities promote well-being in old age, irrespective of whether they are performed with friends or family members. Fundamental differences in the relationship quality between family members (obligatory) and friends (voluntary), however, suggest differential effects on well-being. Further, age-related changes in networks suggest age-differential effects of social activities on well-being, as older adults cease emotionally detrimental relationships. METHOD Longitudinal representative national survey study with middle-aged (n = 2,830) and older adults (n = 2,032). Age-differential effects of activities with family members and friends on changes in life satisfaction, positive affect (PA), and negative affect (NA) were examined in latent change score models. RESULTS In the middle-aged group, activities with friends and families increased PA and life satisfaction and were unrelated to NA. In the older age group, family activities increased both PA and NA and were unrelated to changes in life satisfaction, but activities with friends increased PA and life satisfaction and decreased NA. DISCUSSION Social activities differentially affect different facets of well-being. These associations change with age. In older adults, the effects of social activities with friends may become more important and may act as a buffer against negative effects of aging.
On the Optimal Monetary Policy Response to Noisy Indicators *

We describe a behavior of a central bank when its measures of current inflation and output are subject to measurement errors, in a framework of optimizing models with nominal price stickiness. In our model, a central bank sets the interest rate equal to its current estimate of the so-called Wicksellian natural rate of interest. This is shown to imply that the interest rate responds to the central bank's estimates of both current inflation and output gap, as advocated by Taylor (1993). It is also shown that the noise contained in the indicators justifies a degree of policy cautiousness. A reduced-form representation of optimal policy should exhibit interest-rate smoothing, which is often found in the empirical literature on monetary policy reaction functions.
On adaptive pinning consensus for dynamic multi-agent networks with general connected topology

This paper is concerned with pinning consensus control problem for multi-agent networks with general connected topology which neither needs to be strongly connected nor needs to contain a directed spanning tree. By adopting adaptive control laws, some promising criteria are proposed analytically, which can guarantee the networks to achieve consensus asymptotically. Meanwhile, a novel and effective pinning scheme is addressed as well. In addition, it is interesting to find out that the rule does not always hold, that is the more nodes are pinned, the faster the network converges. Finally, the validity and correctness of our theoretical findings are verified by several numerical simulated experiments.
Inflation targeting, debt, and the Brazilian experience, 1999 to 2003

How Brazil's monetary and fiscal policies survived a series of severe economic shocks and the policy lessons for other countries. Inflation targeting - when central bank policies set specific inflation rate objectives - is widely used by both developed and developing countries around the world (although not by the United States or the European Central Bank). This collection of original essays looks at how Brazil's policy of inflation targeting, coupled with a floating exchange rate, survived a series of severe economic shocks and examines the policy lessons that can be drawn from Brazil's experience. After a successful start in early 1999, Brazil's policy regime had to manage mounting difficulties, including a sudden reversal of capital flows and its effects on the exchange rate and public debt, the contagion of Argentina's severe economic problems, a domestic energy crisis, and the political uncertainty of the 2002 presidential campaign. The contributors, prominent Brazilian and international economists, draw important lessons from Brazil's experience, including the necessity of accompanying monetary policy with fiscal improvement, the trade-offs involved in dollar-linked debt, the importance of fiscal institutions in an emerging market economy, and the importance of keeping inflation under control.
Loading‐associated expression of TRIM72 and caveolin‐3 in antigravitational soleus muscle in mice

Effects of mechanical loading on the expression level of tripartite motif‐containing 72 (TRIM72) and caveolin‐3 (Cav‐3) in mouse soleus muscle were investigated. Mice were subjected to (1) continuous hindlimb suspension (HS) for 2 weeks followed by 1‐week ambulation recovery or (2) functional overloading (FO) on the soleus by cutting the distal tendons of the plantaris and gastrocnemius muscles. Soleus muscle atrophy was induced by 2‐week hindlimb suspension (HS). Reloading‐associated regrowth of atrophied soleus muscle was observed by 1‐week reloading following HS. HS also depressed the expression level of insulin receptor substrate‐1 (IRS‐1) mRNA, TRIM72, Cav‐3, and phosphorylated Akt (p‐Akt)/total Akt (t‐Akt), but increased the phosphorylated level of p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (p‐p38MAPK) in soleus muscle. Thereafter, the expression level of MyoD mRNA, TRIM72 (mRNA, and protein), and Cav‐3 was significantly increased and recovered to the basal level during 1‐week reloading after HS. Although IRS‐1 expression was also upregulated by reloading, the expression level was significantly lower than that before HS. Significant increase in p‐Akt and phosphorylated p70 S6 kinase (p‐p70S6K) was observed by 1‐day reloading. On the other hand, 1‐week functional overloading (FO) induced soleus muscle hypertrophy. In FO‐associated hypertrophied soleus muscle, the expression level of IRS‐1 mRNA, MyoD mRNA, TRIM72 mRNA, p‐Akt, and p‐p70S6K was increased, but the expression of Cav‐3 and p‐p38MAPK was decreased. FO had no effect on the protein expression level of TRIM72. These observations suggest that the loading‐associated upregulation of TRIM72 protein in skeletal muscle may depress the regrowth of atrophied muscle via a partial suppression of IRS‐1. In addition, downregulation of Cav‐3 in skeletal muscle may depress overloading‐induced muscle hypertrophy.
Efficacy of Resveratrol Supplementation against Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Meta-Analysis of Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trials

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease with rising prevalence. Increasing evidence has demonstrated that resveratrol, a dietary phytochemical, is capable of attenuating NAFLD development and progression; however, results from clinical studies are inconsistent and inconclusive. Here, we conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy of resveratrol on NAFLD, using several parameters to provide new insights for clinical application. We systematically searched EMBASE, PubMed, Science Citation Index, Elsevier, and Cochrane Library databases for studies published up to date (July 2016), in English, to identify and screen eligible, relevant studies. Either a fixed-effect model or random model was used to estimate mean difference (MD) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the effect of resveratrol on NAFLD. Four randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trials involving 156 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Levels of low-density lipoprotein (MD = 0.47, 95% CI: 0.21, 0.74, P < 0.05) and total cholesterol (MD = 0.49, 95% CI: 0.18, 0.80, P < 0.05) were higher in the resveratrol treatment groups than in placebo control groups, whereas other parameters were not altered. Overall, this study indicates that resveratrol treatment has negligible effects on attenuating NAFLD, given the small improvement in NAFLD features. More high-quality clinical trials of resveratrol for NAFLD are required to confirm these results.
Career Aspirations and Perceptions of Self-Efficacy of Fourth- and Fifth-Grade Students of Economic Disadvantage

1 CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 2 Research Problem 5 Research Purpose 6 Research Questions 7 Significance of the Study 8 Limitations 9 CHAPTER 2: REVIEW OF LITERATURE 11 Theoretical Framework Overview and Foci for the Current Investigation 11 Research Studies on Career Development and Aspirations 18 Research Studies on Issues of Poverty 27 Research Studies on Self-Efficacy 37 Summary 46 CHAPTER 3: METHOD 47 Regional Context 48 School District Context 49
Satellite RNAs interfere with the function of viral RNA silencing suppressors

Viral satellite RNAs (satRNAs) are small subviral RNAs and depend on the helper virus for replication and spread. satRNAs can attenuate helper virus-induced symptoms, the mechanism of which remains unclear. Here, we show that two virus-encoded suppressors of RNA silencing (VSRs), Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) 2b and Tombusvirus P19, suppress hairpin RNA (hpRNA)-induced silencing of a β-glucuronidase (GUS) gene in Nicotiana benthamiana. This suppression can be overcome by CMV Y-satellite RNA (Y-Sat) via the Y-Sat-derived small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), which bind to the VSRs and displace the bound hpGUS-derived siRNAs. We also show that microRNA target gene expression in N. tabacum was elevated by CMV infection, presumably due to function of the 2b VSR, but this upregulation of microRNA target genes was reversed in the presence of Y-Sat. These results suggest that satRNA infection minimizes the effect of VSRs on host siRNA and microRNA-directed silencing. Our results suggest that the high abundance of satRNA-derived siRNAs contributes to symptom attenuation by binding helper virus-encoded VSRs, minimizing the capacity of the VSRs to bind host siRNA and miRNA and interfere with their function.
Overview of 1-Wire Technology and Its Use

This article presents an overview of 1-Wire® technology and describes, in particular, its networking and measurement/sensing abilities, including measuring events, voltages, current, temperature, position, etc. The 1-Wire chips presented herein enable the construction of sensors that measure a host of environmental parameters on a single twisted-pair cable. Examples include humidity, barometric pressure, wind direction, solar radiance, and temperature through a thermocouple. The following 1-Wire chips are used for the above sensing circuits: DS2409, DS2406, DS2423, DS2438, DS2450, and the DS2760.
Enhanced levels of λ Red-mediated recombinants in mismatch repair mutants

Homologous recombination can be used to generate recombinants on episomes or directly on the Escherichia coli chromosome with PCR products or synthetic single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) oligonucleotides (oligos). Such recombination is possible because bacteriophage λ-encoded functions, called Red, efficiently recombine linear DNA with homologies as short as 20–70 bases. This technology, termed recombineering, provides ways to modify genes and segments of the chromosome as well as to study homologous recombination mechanisms. The Red Beta function, which binds and anneals ssDNA to complementary ssDNA, is able to recombine 70-base oligos with the chromosome. In E. coli, methyl-directed mismatch repair (MMR) can affect these ssDNA recombination events by eliminating the recombinant allele and restoring the original sequence. In so doing, MMR can reduce the apparent recombination frequency by >100-fold. In the absence of MMR, Red-mediated oligo recombination can incorporate a single base change into the chromosome in an unprecedented 25% of cells surviving electroporation. Our results show that Beta is the only bacteriophage function required for this level of recombination and suggest that Beta directs the ssDNA to the replication fork as it passes the target sequence.
Does Acquistion by Non-U.S. Shareholders Cause U.S. Firms to Pay Less Tax?

A battery includes a battery case, an electrode assembly, positive and negative electrode collectors, a sealing body, an external terminal, a conducting member, a deforming plate, and a first insulating member. The positive or negative electrode collector has a base portion facing the first insulating member, and a lead portion connected to the electrode assembly. A fixing portion fixing the base portion and the first insulating member to each other is provided in the first insulating member. The fixing portion is located nearer to the connection portion between the deforming plate and the positive or negative electrode collector than the sealing body side support position of the first insulating member. The outer peripheral edge of the electrode assembly side surface of the first insulating member is provided with a rib protruding to the electrode assembly side and extending along the outer peripheral edge of the base portion.
Innexins in the lobster stomatogastric nervous system: cloning, phylogenetic analysis, developmental changes and expression within adult identified dye and electrically coupled neurons

Gap junctions play a key role in the operation of neuronal networks by enabling direct electrical and metabolic communication between neurons. Suitable models to investigate their role in network operation and plasticity are invertebrate motor networks, which are built of comparatively few identified neurons, and can be examined throughout development; an excellent example is the lobster stomatogastric nervous system. In invertebrates, gap junctions are formed by proteins that belong to the innexin family. Here, we report the first molecular characterization of two crustacean innexins: the lobster Homarus gammarus innexin 1 (Hg‐inx1) and 2 (Hg‐inx2). Phylogenetic analysis reveals that innexin gene duplication occurred within the arthropod clade before the separation of insect and crustacean lineages. Using in situ hybridization, we find that each innexin is expressed within the adult and developing lobster stomatogastric nervous system and undergoes a marked down‐regulation throughout development within the stomatogastric ganglion (STG). The number of innexin expressing neurons is significantly higher in the embryo than in the adult. By combining in situ hybridization, dye and electrical coupling experiments on identified neurons, we demonstrate that adult neurons that express at least one innexin are dye and electrically coupled with at least one other STG neuron. Finally, two STG neurons display no detectable amount of either innexin mRNAs but may express weak electrical coupling with other STG neurons, suggesting the existence of other forms of innexins. Altogether, we provide evidence that innexins are expressed within small neuronal networks built of dye and electrically coupled neurons and may be developmentally regulated.
The mental health of Asians in Britain.

-particularly in that of the low density lipoprotein fraction. '5 Most of the evidence suggests that this increase in low density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration is short term, and the cholesterol concentration falls to baseline concentrations or below in the long term. 416 17 Thiazides cause other adverse effects, and a recent observation was that of impotence in men taking thiazides in the Medical Research Council trial.9 Perhaps as a result the quality of life in patients taking thiazide diuretics may be inferior to that of patients taking propranolol. '8 Sodium depletion is rarely a problem in patients taking thiazide diuretics alone but may be a problem in patients, particularly in elderly patients, if given together with amiloride-usually as Moduretic.56 A diabetogenic effect of thiazides was suspected soon after their first clinical use. '9 Worsening of glucose tolerance may occur with long term use of thiazides20 and seems to be greater with the longer acting members of the class-for example, clopamide.2' Diabetes may also occur in patients taking loop diuretics, but clinical problems are unusual with both groups of diuretics. Gout is, however, a common adverse effect of thiazides and other diuretics; but though half of all patients taking thiazides have hyperuricaemia, less than 2% of patients suffer from clinical gout.22 Rashes are occasionally a problem with thiazide diuretics, but only loop diuretics seem to cause ototoxicity.56 Clinical problems may arise when diuretics are given with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs as these drugs blunt the hypotensive effects of thiazides.29 This liturgy of side effects may persuade some clinicians to stop prescribing thiazides for patients with hypertension, but there are benefits besides the obvious diuretic or hypotensive effect. Thiazides reduce the urinary excretion of calcium (unlike loop diuretics, which increase it),56 and there are suggestions that thiazides reduce the rate of recurrence of urinary calculi.24 Nevertheless, further trials are needed. Two recent studies, however, have shown a reduced incidence of hip fracture in elderly patients receiving long term treatment with thiazides. '526 Overall, the risk:benefit ratio for thiazides still favours the drugs. We should aim at using the lowest possible dose, as there is a flat dose response curve.27 It should rarely be necessary to use more than 2 5 mg of bendrofluazide a day. We should be alert to the possibility ofhypokalaemia and take avoiding action either through the diet or the use of potassium sparing diuretics. Combined preparations of thiazide with potassium rarely help.56 Finally, we should remember that in large parts of the developing world thiazide diuretics offer the only cost effective way of treating hypertension.
A decade of sustainability reporting: developments and significance

Since the publication of the first separate environmental reports in 1989, the number of companies that has started to publish information on its environmental, social or sustainability policies and/or impacts has increased substantially. This article gives an overview of worldwide trends in the frequencies of reporting in the past decade, based on surveys carried out since the early 1990s. Although clear differences between countries and sectors can be noted, reporting continues to rise, and there is a clear tendency towards the inclusion of societal, and sometimes also financial, issues. The article also analyses the latest developments with regard to the contents of these sustainability reports, focusing on economic aspects and business drivers, stakeholder dialogue and feedback, and benchmarking of performance. The final section discusses the significance of reporting, introducing the concept of 'implementation likelihood', and the components of an analytical scheme to assess this for sustainability reports.