Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ageing Fxr Deficient Mice Develop Increased Energy Expenditure, Improved Glucose Control and Liver Damage Resembling NASH

Nuclear receptor subfamily 1, group H, member 4 (Nr1h4, FXR) is a bile acid activated nuclear receptor mainly expressed in the liver, intestine, kidney and adrenal glands. Upon activation, the primary function is to suppress cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase (Cyp7a1), the rate-limiting enzyme in the classic or neutral bile acid synthesis pathway. In the present study, a novel Fxr deficient mouse line was created and studied with respect to metabolism and liver function in ageing mice fed chow diet. The Fxr deficient mice were similar to wild type mice in terms of body weight, body composition, energy intake and expenditure as well as behaviours at a young age. However, from 15 weeks of age and onwards, the Fxr deficient mice had almost no body weight increase up to 39 weeks of age mainly because of lower body fat mass. The lower body weight gain was associated with increased energy expenditure that was not compensated by increased food intake. Fasting levels of glucose and insulin were lower and glucose tolerance was improved in old and lean Fxr deficient mice. However, the Fxr deficient mice displayed significantly increased liver weight, steatosis, hepatocyte ballooning degeneration and lobular inflammation together with elevated plasma levels of ALT, bilirubin and bile acids, findings compatible with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and cholestasis. In conclusion, ageing Fxr deficient mice display late onset leanness associated with elevated energy expenditure and improved glucose control but develop severe NASH-like liver pathology.
International Dependence and Contagion across Asset Classes: The Case of Poland

We investigate the linkages between international financial markets and Poland, including stocks, bonds and foreign exchange. We work in a static copula framework, allow for asymmetry of tail behavior and use tail dependence as a measure of contagion. Even though we find the overall dependence to be strong, Polish assets are to a certain extent immune to contagion from global and emerging markets. Equities are prone to only mild contagion, foreign exchange and long-term bonds are even less affected, and short-term bonds appear insulated.
Overcoming child malnutrition in developing countries: past achievements and future choices

"About 167 million children under five years of age —almost one-third of the developing world's children —are malnourished. If they survive childhood, many of these children will suffer from poorer cognitive development and lower productivity. As adults, their ability to assure good nutrition for their children could be compromised, perpetuating a vicious cycle. What will it take to eradicate child malnutrition in developing countries? As Lisa Smith and Lawrence Haddad point out in this 2020 Vision discussion paper, Overcoming Child Malnutrition in Developing Countries: Past Achievements and Future Choices, we must first understand the causes of malnutrition and delineate which are the most important before we can identify and act upon those areas of intervention that will be most successful in reducing malnutrition. Toward that end, their path-breaking research identifies and assesses the contribution of each key determinant to reductions in child malnutrition over the past quarter century. The most startling and important finding is that improvements in women's education have contributed by far the most, accounting for 43 percent of the reduction in child malnutrition between 1970 and 1995, while improvements in per capita food availability con tributed about 26 percent. In a signal service to policymakers, Smith and Haddad also evaluate the potential of these factors to further reduce malnutrition durng the next two decades to 2020 and lay out the key policy priorities for each major developing region. By shedding light on which areas of intervention will be most successful in overcoming child malnutrition in developing countries, this research will contribute to realizing the 2020 Vision of a world where hunger and malnutrition are absent. " (Forward by Per Pinstrup-Andersen)
And the Us: a Literature Review

Background. Although the burden of stroke in terms of mortality and disability has been well documented in previous years, data after 2000 are limited. Therefore, the aim of this paper was to identify the epidemiology of stroke in the US and EU5 nations from data published in 2000 and later. Methods. Data from literature databases and online sources were collated to identify information relating to the incidence, prevalence, and mortality of stroke from the year 2000 onwards. Results and Conclusions. Twenty-three data sources were identified. The incidence of and mortality due to stroke both increase with age and are greater in males compared to females. Stroke is a common problem and likely to worsen in the US and EU5 as their populations age. However, pre-2000 trends of decreasing stroke mortality over time have continued after 2000, reflecting a consistent improvement in the treatment and care of patients with stroke.
The Dollarization Debate

This book takes a global approach, with an emphasis on North and Latin America respectfully, by discussing one of today's most controversial topics in business; Dollarization. With the collapse of the former Soviet Union, and the formation of the Euro in Europe, many countries and debating whether or not a common currency is in their best interest. This intriguing volume brings together the leading participants in the current dollarization debates. Many advocate the notion of a common currency, while others feel that in doing so will create financial costs for all that take part, with the severity varying from country to country. Available in OSO: http://www.oxfordscholarship. com/oso/public/content/economicsfinance/0195155351/toc.html
Evaluation of critical current density of Nb/Al/AlO/sub x//Nb Josephson junctions using test structures at 300 K

We have designed and fabricated test structures that allow the determination of the critical current density and processing run-out of low T/sub c/ Josephson junctions based only on room-temperature measurements. We demonstrated that the 300 K tunneling conductance of a junction barrier is proportional to the critical current at 4.2 K. This testing technique greatly reduced the time required to characterize a process wafer. In one demonstration we tested hundreds of devices across a 150-mm-diameter wafer in less than an hour. In another we used a selective niobium anodization process with only two mask levels to determine the critical current density of a Nb/AlO/sub x//Nb trilayer within a day of its deposition. We have also used automated probing stations to decrease testing delays further and thus to improve process cycle time.
On-Going Board Reforms: One-Size-Fits-All and Regulatory Capture

Proponents of board reforms assume that corporate structures and director-specific provisions matter. This paper argues that reformers have set minimum standards, but failed to take into account various trade-offs and regulatory capture effects. It is thus suggested that the flexibility of existing provisions be increased and that this new approach be used to improve shareholder protection against board failures in general and failures of institutional investor boards in particular. Copyright 2005, Oxford University Press.
The Outcome Effect and Professional Skepticism

Despite the importance placed on professional skepticism by the accounting profession and regulators, the failure of auditors to exercise an appropriate level of skepticism continues to be a global issue. This article summarizes a recent study by Brazel, Jackson, Schaefer, and Stewart (2016) that examines a potential barrier to skepticism: that outcome knowledge biases supervisors' evaluations of skeptical behavior. Holding a staff member's skeptical judgments and acts constant, Brazel et al. (2016) find that superiors on engagement teams evaluate the staff's skeptical behavior based on whether the staff's investigation of an issue ultimately identifies a misstatement. The evidence suggests that evaluators penalize auditors who employ an appropriate level of skepticism, but do not identify a misstatement. Collectively, Brazel et al. (2016) depict an evaluation system that may inadvertently discourage skepticism amongst auditors in the field.
A statistical framework for the analysis of productivity and sustainable development

To analyse the consequences of the changing economic structure of the UK, we need a set of statistics broken down by industry that are consistent with the whole economy measures available from the national accounts. The theory of growth accounting then provides a framework in which the contribution of each industry to the national economy can be measured and assessed. This paper identifies the obstacles currently facing a researcher trying to implement this approach. It makes a number of recommendations for the improvement of official statistics.
Caries risk profiles in 2- to 6-year-old Greek children using the Cariogram

Objective: To assess the caries risk profiles in 2- to 6-year-old Greek children using a computer-based program and to evaluate the contribution of various risk factors. Methods: The study group consisted of 814 preschool children. A questionnaire on family, demographic and socioeconomic factors, general health, oral hygiene and dietary behavior was completed by the parents. Children were examined for cavitated and white-spot lesions (WSL). Salivary mutans streptococci (MS) and buffer capacity were estimated. Caries risk profiles were assessed with Cariogram. Results: Cavitated lesions were found in 30% of the children; WSL were found in 26% of those included. MS and low buffer capacity were detected in 28% and 26% of the children, respectively. The majority (70%) displayed neglected oral hygiene. Based on the questionnaires, 83% of the children had a cariogenic diet, and 17% did not use any form of fluoride. The Cariogram revealed that 26% of the children had high caries risk, while only 9% exhibited low caries risk. The most significant caries risk variables, determined by regression analysis (R2=0.88), were insufficient fluoride exposure (ß=0.160) and the presence of WSL (ß= 0.159). Conclusions: One-fourth of the children were categorised as high caries risk. The presence of WSL and lack of fluoride exposure were the most significant caries risk determinants.
What makes a gatekeeper? Insights from the Finnish nano-community

In the process of transferring scientific knowledge to industry the role of individual academics has received less attention than the other actors in this process. This paper aims to identify the characteristics of these key individuals, or gatekeepers, by analysing them within the context of technology transfer in a science and technology community. The estimation results show that individuals who are able to provide firms with relevant research information and results are connected to the firms informally and formally. They have commercial motivations in their research and are more likely to act as gatekeepers in social networks. On the other hand, some of the a priori assumptions of these characteristics fail to have significant influence.
The periodontal status of pre-dialysis chronic kidney disease and maintenance dialysis patients.

BACKGROUND Periodontitis contributes to generalized inflammation and development of systemic diseases, including atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. Its extent in maintenance haemodialysis (HD) patients is disputable and not known in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and pre-dialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. METHODS One hundred and six patients (35 on HD, mean age, 56 years; 33 on CAPD, mean age 51 years; and 38 pre-dialysis CKD stage 2-5, mean age 51 years) from north-eastern Poland were enrolled. Dialysis subjects were recruited from a cohort of 141 HD and 61 CAPD patients. Two control groups comprised 26 generally healthy individuals with advanced periodontitis requiring specialized treatment, and 30 subjects from general population. Gingival index (GI), papillary bleeding index (PBI), plaque index (PI), loss of clinical attachment level (CAL) and community periodontal index of treatment needs (CPITN) were determined according to WHO recommendations. RESULTS Average values of the indices in HD, CAPD, pre-dialysis CKD, advanced periodontitis and general population subjects were as follows: GI-1.37, 0.95, 1, 2 and 1; PBI-1.45, 0, 0, 2.20 and 1; PI-2.05, 1.59, 1, 2 and 1; and CAL loss-5.11, 3.47, 2.50, 4.68 and 1.40 mm, respectively. CPITN, analysed separately as community periodontal index and periodontal treatment needs, further indicated a high severity of periodontitis in all renal failure groups as compared with general population subjects. The disease was most advanced in maintenance HD patients-comparable to the full-symptomatic form of periodontitis; then it was successively diminished in CAPD and pre-dialysis CKD subjects. CONCLUSIONS Periodontal disease is prevalent, severe and under recognized in renal failure patients. Prophylaxis and early dental treatment should be intensified in these subjects, and may be of interdisciplinary importance.
Nonlinear temperature sensitivity of enzyme kinetics explains canceling effect—a case study on loamy haplic Luvisol

The temperature sensitivity of enzymes responsible for organic matter decomposition in soil is crucial for predicting the effects of global warming on the carbon cycle and sequestration. We tested the hypothesis that differences in temperature sensitivity of enzyme kinetic parameters Vmax and Km will lead to a canceling effect: strong reduction of temperature response of catalytic reactions. Short-term temperature response of Vmax and Km of three hydrolytic enzymes responsible for decomposition of cellulose (β-glucosidase, cellobiohydrolase) and hemicelluloses (xylanase) were analyzed in situ from 0 to 40°C. The apparent activation energy varied between enzymes from 20.7 to 35.2 kJ mol−1 corresponding to the Q10 values of the enzyme activities of 1.4–1.9 (with Vmax-Q10 1.0–2.5 and Km-Q10 0.94–2.3). Temperature response of all tested enzymes fitted well to the Arrhenius equation. Despite that, the fitting of Arrhenius model revealed the non-linear increase of two cellulolytic enzymes activities with two distinct thresholds at 10–15°C and 25–30°C, which were less pronounced for xylanase. The nonlinearity between 10 and 15°C was explained by 30–80% increase in Vmax. At 25–30°C, however, the abrupt decrease of enzyme-substrate affinity was responsible for non-linear increase of enzyme activities. Our study is the first demonstrating nonlinear response of Vmax and Km to temperature causing canceling effect, which was most strongly pronounced at low substrate concentrations and at temperatures above 15°C. Under cold climate, however, the regulation of hydrolytic activity by canceling in response to warming is negligible because canceling was never observed below 10°C. The canceling, therefore, can be considered as natural mechanism reducing the effects of global warming on decomposition of soil organics at moderate temperatures. The non-linearity of enzyme responses to warming and the respective thresholds should therefore be investigated for other enzymes, and incorporated into Earth system models to improve the predictions at regional and global levels.
Rebuilding Canadian Party Politics

Figures and Tables Acknowledgments 1. Party Politics at Century's End 2. The Party Question in Canada 3. Challenging the Consensus: Two New Parties 4. Struggling to Survive: Three Old Parties 5. Representing Interests 6. Remaking Party Democracy 7. Paying for Parties 8. On the Ground: The Local Campaign 9. In the Air: National Campaign Communication 10. Rebuilding the Canadian Party System Appendix: Formal Interview Schedule Notes Bibliography Index
Incorporating measurement error in n = 1 psychological autoregressive modeling

Measurement error is omnipresent in psychological data. However, the vast majority of applications of autoregressive time series analyses in psychology do not take measurement error into account. Disregarding measurement error when it is present in the data results in a bias of the autoregressive parameters. We discuss two models that take measurement error into account: An autoregressive model with a white noise term (AR+WN), and an autoregressive moving average (ARMA) model. In a simulation study we compare the parameter recovery performance of these models, and compare this performance for both a Bayesian and frequentist approach. We find that overall, the AR+WN model performs better. Furthermore, we find that for realistic (i.e., small) sample sizes, psychological research would benefit from a Bayesian approach in fitting these models. Finally, we illustrate the effect of disregarding measurement error in an AR(1) model by means of an empirical application on mood data in women. We find that, depending on the person, approximately 30–50% of the total variance was due to measurement error, and that disregarding this measurement error results in a substantial underestimation of the autoregressive parameters.
Immune-Pineal Axis: Nuclear Factor κB (NF-κB) Mediates the Shift in the Melatonin Source from Pinealocytes to Immune Competent Cells

Pineal gland melatonin is the darkness hormone, while extra-pineal melatonin produced by the gonads, gut, retina, and immune competent cells acts as a paracrine or autocrine mediator. The well-known immunomodulatory effect of melatonin is observed either as an endocrine, a paracrine or an autocrine response. In mammals, nuclear translocation of nuclear factor κ-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) blocks noradrenaline-induced melatonin synthesis in pinealocytes, which induces melatonin synthesis in macrophages. In addition, melatonin reduces NF-κB activation in pinealocytes and immune competent cells. Therefore, pathogen- or danger-associated molecular patterns transiently switch the synthesis of melatonin from pinealocytes to immune competent cells, and as the response progresses melatonin inhibition of NF-κB activity leads these cells to a more quiescent state. The opposite effect of NF-κB in pinealocytes and immune competent cells is due to different NF-κB dimers recruited in each phase of the defense response. This coordinated shift of the source of melatonin driven by NF-κB is called the immune-pineal axis. Finally, we discuss how this concept might be relevant to a better understanding of pathological conditions with impaired melatonin rhythms and hope it opens new horizons for the research of side effects of melatonin-based therapies.
Essays on competition in the pharmaceutical industry

OF THE DISSERTATION ESSAYS ON COMPETITION IN THE PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY by Jiangyun Wan Florida International University, 2015 Miami, Florida Professor Kaz Miyagiwa, Major Professor Chapter 1: Patents and Entry Competition in the Pharmaceutical Industry: The Role of Marketing Exclusivity E↵ective patent length for innovation drugs is severely curtailed because of extensive e cacy and safety tests required for FDA approval, raising concern over adequacy of incentives for new drug development. The Hatch-Waxman Act extends patent length for new drugs by five years, but also promotes generic entry by simplifying approval procedures and granting 180-day marketing exclusivity to a first generic entrant before the patent expires. In this paper we present a dynamic model to examine the e↵ect of marketing exclusivity. We find that marketing exclusivity may be redundant and its removal may increase generic firms’ profits and social welfare. Chapter 2: Why Authorized Generics? : Theoretical and Empirical Investigations Facing generic competition, the brand-name companies some-times launch generic versions themselves called authorized generics. This practice is puzzling. If it is cannibalization, it cannot be profitable. If it is divisionalization (Baye et al., 1996), it should be practiced always instead of sometimes. I explain this phenomenon in terms of switching costs in a model in which the incumbent first develops a customer base to ready itself against generic competition later. I show that only su ciently low switching costs or large market size justifies launch of AGs. I then use prescription drug data to test those results and find support.
Validation of the Self-Compassion Scale: Correlations with the Beck Depression Inventory-II

VALIDATION OF THE SELF-COMPASSION SCALE: CORRELATIONS WITH THE BECK DEPRESSION INVENTORY-II Pär Daniel Andréasson Self-compassion denotes a compassionate and empathic attitude toward oneself (Neff, 2003b). In the past decade, the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS) has been used to measure self-compassion in individuals and its effects on social, psychological, and physiological functioning. While many studies have found positive effects of high selfcompassion showing promise for the use of the construct in clinical and empirical applications, there is a dearth of literature regarding the psychometric properties of the SCS. Furthermore, previous studies have not evaluated the individual subscales of the SCS as they relate to other inventories. This study evaluated the SCS and its subscales in relation the to the well-established Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II). The study included 142 undergraduate Cal Poly students who completed both the SCS and the BDIII. As predicted, a statistically significant negative correlation was found between total SCS and BDI-II scores (r = -.57). Statistically significant negative correlations were also found between BDI-II total scores and the Self-Kindness (r = -.35), Common Humanity (r = -.37), and Mindfulness (r = -.35) subscales of the SCS. Statistically significant positive correlations were found with BDI-II total scores and the Self-Judgment (r = .49), Isolation (r = .59) and Over-Identified (r = .43) subscales of the SCS. This study evaluated the convergent and discriminant validity of the SCS and its subscales as compared to the BDI-II.
The growth of the infinite long-range percolation cluster

We consider long-range percolation on Z(d), where the probability that two vertices at distance r are connected by an edge is given by p(r) = 1 - exp[-lambda(r)] is an element of (0, 1) and the presence or absence of different edges are independent Here, lambda(r) is a strictly positive, nonincreasing, regularly varying function We investigate the asymptotic growth of the size of the k-ball around the origin, vertical bar B-k vertical bar, that is, the number of vertices that ale within graphdistance k of the origin, for K -> infinity, for different lambda(r) We show that conditioned on the origin being in the (unique) infinite cluster, nonempty classes of nonmereasimi regularly varying lambda(r) exist, for which, respectively vertical bar B-k vertical bar(1/k) -> infinity almost surely, there exist 1 infinity)P(a(1) 1 almost surely. This result can be applied to spatial SIR epidemics. In particular. regimes are identified for which the basic reproduction number. R-0, which is an important quantity for epidemics in unstructured populations, has a useful counterpart in spatial epidemics.