Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Invariant measures for stochastic evolution equations with Hilbert space valued Lévy noise

Existence of invariant measures for semi-linear stochastic evolution equations in separable real Hilbert spaces is considered, where the noise is generated by Hilbert space valued Lévy processes. It is shown that if the Lévy process has locally bounded second moments, if the semigroup generated by the linear part is hyperbolic, and if the Lipschitz constants of the nonlinearities are sufficiently small, then existence of a mean square bounded solution implies existence of an invariant measure. In case the semigroup is exponentially stable, each solution is mean square bounded and there exists a unique invariant measure with finite second moment whenever the Lipschitz constants of the nonlinearities are sufficiently small. The stochastic integral with respect to the Hilbert space valued Lévy process is constructed as a series by means of a decomposition of the process into scalar processes. The existence of the invariant measure is proved by a coupling argument, which depends on weak uniqueness of solutions of the equation
Rheumatic Diseases and Obesity: Adipocytokines as Potential Comorbidity Biomarkers for Cardiovascular Diseases

Inflammation has been recognized as a common trait in the pathogenesis of multifactorial diseases including obesity, where a low-grade inflammation has been established and may be responsible for the cardiovascular risk related to the disease. Obesity has also been associated with the increased incidence and a worse outcome of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA). RA is characterized by systemic inflammation, which is thought to play a key role in accelerated atherosclerosis and in the increased incidence of cardiovascular disease, an important comorbidity in patients with RA. The inflammatory process underlying the cardiovascular risk both in obesity and RA may be mediated by adipocytokines, a heterogeneous group of soluble proteins mainly secreted by the adipocytes. Many adipocytokines are mainly produced by white adipose tissue. Adipocytokines may also be involved in the pathogenesis of OA since a positive association with obesity has been found for weight-bearing and nonweight-bearing joints, suggesting that, in addition to local overload, systemic factors may contribute to joint damage. In this review we summarize the current knowledge on experimental models and clinical studies in which adipocytokines were examined in obesity, RA, and OA and discuss the potential of adipocytokines as comorbidity biomarkers for cardiovascular risk.
Sosyal Bilgiler Dersinde Gazete Kullanımına İlişkin Öğrenci Görüşleri

Bu arastirmanin amaci ilkogretim dorduncu sinifta Sosyal Bilgiler dersinde gazete kullanimina iliskin ogrencilerin goruslerini belirlemektir. Arastirma probleminin cozumu icin gazete kullanimindan sonra ogrenci goruslerini almak uzere yari yapilandirilmis gorusme formu kullanilmistir. Arastirma sonucunda, Sosyal Bilgiler dersinde gazete kullanilarak ogretim yapilan deney grubundaki ogrencilerin ogretimde gazete kullanilmasina iliskin gorusleri genelde olumlu yondedir. Kendileriyle gorusme yapilan ogrencilerin tumu derste gazete kullaniminin okuma ve okudugunu anlama becerisini artirdigini belirtmistir. Gorusmeye katilan ogrencilerin tumu Sosyal Bilgiler dersinde gazete kullanimiyla dersi sevdigini, tumune yakini derste gazete kullaniminda gucluklerle karsilasmadigini ve tum derslerde gazetenin kullanilabilecegini bildirmistir
Asthma and atopy in schoolchildren in a defined population

We investigated the frequency of allergic disorders, the pattern of allergen sensitization and serum total IgE concentration in a population‐based sample of schoolchildren screened on the basis of respiratory symptoms (A= 244). The children were classified on clinical grounds into three groups, asthma (N= 43), other symptoms from lower airways (OSLA; N= 34) and control children (N= 167). The frequency of allergic disorders (allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis or dermatitis) differed significantly between children with asthma (81%), children with OSLA (62%) and in control children (48%) (p < 0.001). The presence of at least one positive skin prick test result was equally common in children with asthma or OSLA (77%), but lower in control children (40%) (p < 0.001). Serum total IgE concentrations did not differ between the three groups. Two conclusions can be drawn: (i) there is a strong association between clinical allergy, skin reactivity and asthma in school age children, and (ii) a similar association is present between allergy and asthma‐like conditions.
Serotypes and Antimicrobial Resistance of Human Nontyphoidal Isolates of Salmonella enterica from Crete, Greece

We report on the serotype distribution and the antimicrobial resistance patterns to 20 different antimicrobials of 150 Salmonella enterica strains isolated from stools of diarrhoeal patients on the island of Crete over the period January 2011-December 2012. Among the S. enterica serotypes recovered, Enteritidis was the most prevalent (37.3%), followed by Typhimurium (28.7%) and Newport (8.7%). No resistance was detected to extended-spectrum cephalosporins and carbapenems. Rates of resistance to ampicillin, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, chloramphenicol, tetracycline, and cotrimoxazole were 9.3%, 4%, 2%, 15.3%, and 8.7%, respectively. Resistance to ≥4 antibiotics was primarily observed for serotypes Typhimurium and Hadar. Enteritidis remains the predominant serotype in Crete. Although low resistance to most antimicrobials was detected, continued surveillance of susceptibility is needed due to the risk of resistance.
Assessment of laboratory assays to measure rivaroxaban – an oral, direct factor Xa inhibitor

Summary Although there is no need for routine coagulation monitoring with rivaroxaban – an oral, direct factor Xa inhibitor – a haemostasis assay might be valuable to measure its pharmacodynamic effects. This study aimed to find assays, among those commercially available, to measure rivaroxaban pharmacodynamics. Several global conventional clotting tests, as well as clotting or chromogenic assays to measure anti-factor Xa activity, were studied. A thrombin generation test using calibrated automated thrombogram was also done. Tests were performed with the indirect factor Xa inhibitor fondaparinux for comparison. A concentration-dependent prolongation of prothrombin time (PT), dilute PT, and activated partial thromboplastin time was observed with rivaroxaban. The results varied depending on the reagents. This variability cannot be standardised with the international normalised ratio system commonly used for vitamin K antagonists. Using a standard calibration curve, PT test results can be expressed in plasma concentrations of rivaroxaban rather than PT seconds or ratio. Standard methods for HepTest and two-step prothrombinase-induced clotting time (PiCT) resulted in a paradoxical response, with low concentrations of rivaroxaban reducing clotting times. This was not observed with shorter incubation times, or when antithrombin-deficient (immunodepleted) plasma was used. The chromogenic tests found a dose-dependent relationship between anti-factor Xa activity and rivaroxaban concentration. Modified specific factor Xa chromogenic assays are being further investigated. One-step PiCT and HepTest with shortened incubation times, as well as the widely available PT assay (using a rivaroxaban calibrator) could be useful to monitor the pharmacodynamic effects of rivaroxaban accurately. Finally, all clotting and chromogenic assays showed a concentration-dependent effect induced by rivaroxaban.
Comparative assessment of working memory among patients with parkinson disease and healthy adults with WMCT

Background: Patients with Parkinson have working memory changes, so they need assessment and rehabilitation and treatment is required for them. The purpose of current study is to determine the effect of neuro-cognitive assessment and rehabilitation computerized test on these impairments. Methods: A cross-sectional study was done on a sample of 40 to 70 years old of 120 patients with PD and 120 healthy Iranians. Participants of both groups were physically and mentally examined and approved by neurologists and psychiatrists and they all entered the study after completing the questionnaires by being referred and introduced to the neuroscientist for performing the working memory computerized test (WMCT). Results: a significant difference was identified in neuro-cognitive assessment and rehabilitation computerized test' scores (P<0.000) between patients with PD and healthy Iranians. Conclusions: This technique can rehab in Parkinson with working memory disorders associated with neurological conditions to facilitate the acquisition.
Ancient Machu Picchu Drainage Engineering

The drainage infrastructure constructed by the Inca at ancient Machu Picchu represents a significant public works achievement. The difficult site constraints associated with the nearly 2,000 mm per year of rainfall, steep slopes, landslides, and inaccessibility posed drainage challenges that were met successfully by the Inca. The technical analysis of the Inca drainage works demonstrates that the drainage criteria used were reasonable and the implementation exceptional, and that the Inca were good engineers even though they labored without the benefit of a written language or the use of a wheel. Proof of the Inca success with drainage rests with the fact that Machu Picchu lay in the rainforest for 400 years without failure. There is no better example of successful ancient civil engineering than Machu Picchu. It was built by Native Americans before the arrival of the Spanish Conquistadors, was essentially abandoned in 1540 A.D., and endured for 4 1/2 centuries under a thick rainforest until the 20th centur.
Synergy of TLR2 and H1R on Cox-2 Activation in Pulpal Cells

Although pulp fibroblasts are a major cell type in dental pulp, their roles in microbial recognition and pulpal inflammation are not well-understood. Considering the pivotal role of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in the recognition of micro-organisms, we hypothesized that TLRs on pulp fibroblasts may induce inflammatory signals in dental pulp. In human pulp fibroblasts, TLR2, 3, 4, and 5 were constitutively expressed. Stimulation of TLR2 and 3 induced the expression of pro-inflammatory genes such as CXCL10, CCL5, and/or Cox-2 in pulp fibroblasts. Interestingly, histamine synergistically activated TLR2-mediated Cox-2 expression and PGE2 production. The synergistic effect of histamine is mediated by histamine receptor-1 (H1R). Studies on the intra-cellular signaling pathways revealed that p38 activation is required for the synergistic activation of Cox-2 by TLR2 and histamine. Analysis of these data suggests that TLR2 on pulp fibroblasts, in concert with H1R, can induce an inflammatory response during microbial infection in dental pulp.
More than Just Contrarians: Insider Trading in Glamour and Value Firms

This study examines the patterns of, and long‐run returns to, directors’ (insiders’) trades along the value‐glamour continuum in all stocks listed on the main London Stock Exchange and analyses what these directors’ trades add to a naive value‐glamour strategy. We consider alternative definitions of value in defining trades and in the construction of our benchmark portfolios so that directors’ trades are evaluated net of any value‐glamour effect, variously defined. We find that directors consistently trade in a contrarian fashion, buying more value stocks and selling more glamour stocks, with purchases following price falls and sales following price rises. Directors’ buy signals in value stocks generate significant positive abnormal returns while the sell signals in glamour stocks generate smaller and generally insignificant negative returns. In contrast to the results from US studies, we find that the positive abnormal returns in value stocks persist for up to two‐years after the initial directors’ trading signal. Abnormal returns are particularly concentrated in smaller value stocks, and are robust to alternative definitions of value.
Moral distress questionnaire for clinical nurses: instrument development.

AIM This paper is a report of a study to develop and test the psychometric properties of a culture-sensitive moral distress questionnaire among nurses employed in a variety of work settings. BACKGROUND In the course of the last decade, there has been increased interest in capturing healthcare professionals' experiences of stress associated with ethical dilemmas. Ethical issues emerge in grey areas and are often blurred, and have thus received insufficient attention. METHOD The study comprised two phases: a qualitative phase to elicit the culture-specific themes and a quantitative phase, comprising the design of a 15-item questionnaire. The questionnaire was then completed by a convenience sample of 179 nurses from a variety of work settings. The data were collected in 2006. RESULTS Factor analysis resulted in three factors representing moral distress: (1) problems caused by work relationships among staff; (2) problems due to lack of resources; and (3) problems caused by time pressure. With regard to the construct validity of the questionnaire, differences between community and hospital nurses were tested, and a statistically significant difference was found between them in two among the three factors (relationships and time). The stability of the measures was examined by test-retest reliability and revealed statistically significant results. CONCLUSIONS The instrument exhibits acceptable reliability and validity in the Israeli cultural context. Further research is needed to evaluate the measure in other cultural settings.
Self‐determined motivation and social achievement goals in children’s emotions

In this cross‐sectional study we investigated to what extent autonomous and controlled motivation and social achievement goals are associated with students’ emotional experiences at school. We found in a sample of 426 elementary school students, aged from 10 to 12 years, autonomous motivation (i.e. students’ engagement in class activities because they find such activities enjoying or personally important) and social development goals (i.e. students’ focus on developing meaningful social relationships) to be positively associated with positive emotions. In contrast, controlled motivation (i.e. students’ engagement in class activities because they feel coerced to do so) and social demonstration‐approach goals (i.e. students’ focus on demonstrating popularity) were positively associated with negative emotions. These associations remained significant even after controlling for perceived competence. Cluster analysis further showed that students high in autonomous motivation and social development goals and low in controlled motivation and social demonstration‐approach goals exhibited a better motivational profile compared to students high or low in all the above motivational variables. Results are discussed within the self‐determination theory and the social achievement goal perspective.
Agenesis of paranasal sinuses and nasal nitric oxide in primary ciliary dyskinesia

Agenesis of paranasal sinuses has only been described in case reports of patients with primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD). As agenesis of paranasal sinuses may contribute to low nasal nitric oxide levels, a common finding in PCD, we speculated that this condition might frequently occur in PCD patients. Patients referred for PCD evaluation were consecutively recruited for 30 months. In addition to standard diagnostic testing for PCD, a computed tomography (CT) scan of paranasal sinuses was performed in all subjects. 86 patients (46 children aged 8–17 yrs) were studied. PCD was diagnosed in 41 subjects and secondary ciliary dyskinesia (SCD) was diagnosed in the remaining 45 subjects. Frontal and/or sphenoidal sinuses were either aplastic or hypoplastic on CT scans in 30 (73%) out of 41 PCD patients, but in only 17 (38%) out of 45 with SCD (p = 0.002). There was a significant inverse correlation between the score for aplasia/hypoplasia of each paranasal sinus and nasal NO values in the PCD patients (p = 0.008, r = −0.432) but not in SCD (p = 0.07, r = −0.271). The findings of aplasia/hypoplasia of the frontal and or sphenoidal sinuses may be part of the spectrum of PCD and this finding should prompt exclusion of this condition.
The fallacy of tightening the reins

Im gegenwartigen Diskurs uber die Reformbedurftigkeit demokratischer Systeme wird versucht, der Unzufriedenheit der BurgerInnen mit Vorschlagen zur starkeren Kontrolle der ReprasentantInnen zu begegnen. Dies soll auf der einen Seite durch eine Betonung der elektoralen Verbindung, auf der anderen Seite durch eine bessere Kontrolle der Burokratie durch die gewahlten ReprasentantInnen erfolgen. Die Uberbetonung der Wahl stost jedoch auf Schwierigkeiten: Wahlen konnen Quelle von Desinformation und Ausloser fur populistische Politik sein, deren einziges Ziel der Wahlerfolg ist. Daruberhinaus ist im verbreiteten Modell der „gyroskopischen“ Reprasentation die Verweigerung der Wahlunterstutzung eine leere Drohung. Vielmehr muss eine Form der „narrativen“ und deliberativen Accountability und eine Betonung der non-elektoralen Mechanismen angewandt werden, um die Responsivitat des politischen Systems zu erhohen und das demokratische Defizit zu verringern. Kommunikation und politische Bildung werden als Erganzungen elektoraler Kontrolle prasentiert.
Viscous Hyperstabilization of Detonation Waves in One Space Dimension

It is a standard practice to neglect diffusive effects in stability analyses of detonation waves. Here, with the aim of quantifying the impact of these oft-neglected effects on the stability characteristics of such waves, we use numerical Evans-function techniques to study the (spectral) stability of viscous strong detonation waves---particularly traveling-wave solutions of the Navier--Stokes equations modeling a mixture of reacting gases. Our results show a surprising synergy between the high-activation-energy limit typically studied in stability analyses of detonation waves and the presence of small but nonzero diffusive effects. While our calculations do show a modest delay in the onset of instability in agreement with recently reported calculations by direct numerical simulation of the physical equations, our Evans-function-based approach provides additional spectral information. In particular, for each of the families of detonation waves in our computational domain, we find an unexpected kind of hyst.
Proximal myotonic myopathy: clinical and molecular investigation of a Norwegian family with PROMM

Proximal myotonic myopathy (PROMM) was first described in 1994 as a multisystem disorder with similarity to myotonic dystrophy (DM), but without the abnormal (CTG)n expansion in the DM protein kinase (DMPK) gene. The inheritance is autosomal dominant and the clinical features include myotonia, proximal muscle weakness and cataract. Linkage analysis in nine German PROMM families has indicated the possibility of linkage to DM2 locus on chromosome 3. We report a Norwegian PROMM family in which the proband was clinically diagnosed as DM but without the (CTG)n expansion. Using an intragenic marker we showed that the DMPK gene did not segregate with the disease in this family. All family members are heterozygous for the R894X mutation in CLCN1 gene. Linkage analysis could not be performed, but haplotyping probably excludes the DM2 locus as the disease locus in this family. The present family emphasises that myalgia is a prominent symptom in PROMM and the clinical differences may be explained by genetic heterogeneity. This family will be reinvestigated along with the identification of candidate genes or regions in larger PROMM families.
Continuous time noisy signalling

Most real-life signalling is noisy and in many cases takes time. Information may be revealed gradually (many online customer reviews of a gadget) or by discrete events at random times (scientific breakthrough, oil spill, exposure of a corrupt politician). Both settings lead to behaviour different from noiseless or one-shot signalling situations. Signalling may occur in multiple disjoint intervals of beliefs. There may be no ‘most informative’ equilibrium with a signalling region that contains the signalling regions of all other equilibria. A higher prior may raise the payoff to the high type from separation relative to pooling. In noisy one-shot or repeated signalling, no signalling occurs at extreme priors, unlike in the noiseless case.
Interpersonal Relations: Mixed-Motive Interaction

CONTENTS INTRODUCTION 184 BARGAINING 185 The Economic Approach to Bargaining 185 Ultimatum Bargaining 185 Disagreements 186 COALITION FORMATION 187 Simple Games 188 Types of Coalition Theories 188 Critique of Coalition Research . 189 SOCIAL DILEMMAS 190 Prisoner's Dilemma 191 Public Goods 192 Resource Dilemmas 195 Other Factors in Cooperation 197 Intergroup Relations 198 CRITIQUE OF MIXED-MOTIVE RESEARCH 199 SOME CONCLUDING COMMENTS 200 A Final Comment 200
On intergenerational differences in highbrow cultural participation. Is the Internet at home an explanatory factor in understanding lower highbrow participation among younger cohorts?

This article uses a series of cross-sectional data sets from 2001 to 2010 to study differences in highbrow cultural participation among subsequent generations in Belgium. Using an Age-Period-Cohort model, we first assess whether and to what degree highbrow cultural participation differs between birth cohorts, age groups, and periods. Second, we examine whether or not having Internet access at home is a contributing factor in understanding intergenerational differences. We assess whether Internet access at home enhances or displaces highbrow cultural participation and look into the different effects of Internet access on different generations. Results suggest that highbrow cultural participation is indeed declining among younger cohorts, indicating a weakening position of highbrow culture in the lives of young people. But, having Internet access at home cannot be regarded as a competitive force for highbrow participation. On the contrary, Internet access is associated with higher levels of highbrow cultural participation. Moreover, this positive association is most pronounced in the youngest birth cohorts.
Estimating the incidence of fly myiases in Australian sheep flocks: development of a weather‐driven regression model

Abstract The blowfly, Lucilia cuprina Wiedemann (Diptera: Calliphoridae), is the primary myiasis (strike) fly of sheep in Australia. Most strike occurs in the anal−perineum area (crutch), but strike to the neck, shoulders, back and withers (body) is also important. Regression analysis was used to determine the extent to which the weekly incidence of flystrike can be explained by variations in fly abundance and/or recent changes in weather, pasture conditions or flock management. Strike and flock management data were collected by questionnaire surveys of 30–60 sheep properties in each of three major sheep‐producing areas in southeastern Australia, namely, Gunning (southern New South Wales), Inverell (northern New South Wales) and Flinders Island (Bass Strait). After using simulation modelling to remove effects due to shearing, crutching and/or insecticide treatment, pasture growth index was found to be the most important explanatory variable affecting the incidence of all forms of myiasis. Others were average weekly air temperature, the amount and frequency of rainfall, relative humidity, dung quality index and a factor denoting seasonal effects. Together, these variables accounted for 48.4% of the variation in body strike, 56.8% of that in crutch strike and 51.9% of that in other forms of strike. Prediction was improved by the inclusion of additional lagged variables describing previous strike, fly abundance and fly activity. With these additions, the variation explained increased to 60.4% for body strike, 68.0% for crutch strike and 58.3% for other strikes.