Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Manipulation of Voting Schemes: A General Result

It has been conjectured that no system of voting can preclude strategic voting-the securing by a voter of an outcome he prefers through misrepresentation of his preferences. In this paper, for all significant systems of voting in which chance plays no role, the conjecture is verified. To prove the conjecture, a more general theorem in game theory is proved: a gameform is a game without utilities attached to outcomes; only a trivial game form, it is shown, can guarantee that whatever the utilities of the players may be, each player will have a dominant pure strategy. I SHALL PROVE in this paper that any non-dictatorial voting scheme with at least three possible outcomes is subject to individual manipulation. By a "voting scheme," I mean any scheme which makes a community's choice depend entirely on individuals' professed preferences among the alternatives. An individual "manipulates" the voting scheme if, by misrepresenting his preferences, he secures an outcome he prefers to the "honest" outcome-the choice the community would make if he expressed his true preferences. The result on voting schemes follows from a theorem I shall prove which covers schemes of a more general kind. Let a gameform be any scheme which makes an outcome depend on individual actions of some specified sort, which I shall call strategies. A voting scheme, then, is a game form in which a strategy is a profession of preferences, but many game forms are not voting schemes. Call a strategy dominant for someone if, whatever anyone else does, it achieves his goals at least as well as would any alternative strategy. Only trivial game forms, I shall show, ensure that each individual, no matter what his preferences are, will have available a dominant strategy. Hence in particular, no non-trivial voting scheme guarantees that honest expression of preferences is a dominant strategy. These results are spelled out and proved in Section 3. The theorems in this paper should come as no surprise. It is well-known that many voting schemes in common use are subject to individual manipulation. Consider a "rank-order" voting scheme: each voter reports his preferences among the alternatives by ranking them on a ballot; first place on a ballot gives an alternative four votes, second place three, third place two, and fourth place one. The alternative with the greatest total number of votes wins. Here is a case in which an individual can manipulate the scheme. There are three voters and four alternatives; voter a ranks the alternatives in order xyzw on his ballot; voter b in order wxyz; and voter c's true preference ordering is wxyz. If c votes honestly, then, the winner is his second choice, x, with ten points. If c pretends that x is his last choice by giving his preference ordering as wyzx, then x gets only eight points, and c's first choice, w, wins with nine points. Thus c does best to misrepresent his
DIETARY RIBOFLAVIN RESTRICTION AND CHRONIC HEMIN ADMINISTRATION DOES NOT ALTER BRAIN FUNCTION IN RATS: THE IMPORTANCE OF VITAMIN HOMEOSTASIS IN THE BRAIN

Vitamin B2 deficiency associated with normal dietary intake has been reported in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), suggesting impaired absorption of this micronutrient. Elevated red meat consumption was thought to contribute as a triggering factor, as the catabolism of hemin (a neurotoxic substance) requires vitamin B2 (Coimbra & Junqueira, 2003). This study tested this hypothesis by verifying the effects of dietary riboflavin restriction associated with hemin administration on rat brain. After 8 months of riboflavin restriction, riboflavin deficiency with or without oral administration of hemin (assessed by erythrocyte glutathione reductase activity) did not impair motor function or spatial learning; neither altered the volume of substantia nigra or brain concentrations of total glutathione. Partial dietary restriction of riboflavin may failed to induce oxidative stress in the rat brain and dopaminergic degeneration in the rat substantia nigra as suggested to occur in humans by Coimbra & Junqueira, (2003), possibly due to an intact mechanism of nutritional privilege that preserves riboflavin content in the normal rat brain during deficiency states. Contrastingly, polymorphic enzymes or receptors involved in the human cellular uptake of riboflavin may conceivably impair the transport of this micronutrient not only through the intestinal wall and renal tubules, but also in the brain of PD patients, thereby annulling the nutritional privilege of the nervous system.
Human Mitochondrial Glutaredoxin Reduces S-Glutathionylated Proteins with High Affinity Accepting Electrons from Either Glutathione or Thioredoxin Reductase*

Glutaredoxins catalyze glutathione-dependent thiol disulfide oxidoreductions via a GSH-binding site and active cysteines. Recently a second human glutaredoxin (Grx2), which is targeted to either mitochondria or the nucleus, was cloned. Grx2 contains the active site sequence CSYC, which is different from the conserved CPYC motif present in the cytosolic Grx1. Here we have compared the activity of Grx2 and Grx1 using glutathionylated substrates and active site mutants. The kinetic studies showed that Grx2 catalyzes the reduction of glutathionylated substrates with a lower rate but higher affinity compared with Grx1, resulting in almost identical catalytic efficiencies (kcat/Km). Permutation of the active site motifs of Grx1 and Grx2 revealed that the CSYC sequence of Grx2 is a prerequisite for its high affinity toward glutathionylated proteins, which comes at the price of lower kcat. Furthermore Grx2 was a substrate for NADPH and thioredoxin reductase, which efficiently reduced both the active site disulfide and the GSH-glutaredoxin intermediate formed in the reduction of glutathionylated substrates. Using this novel electron donor pathway, Grx2 reduced low molecular weight disulfides such as CoA but with particular high efficiency glutathionylated substrates including GSSG. These results suggest an important role for Grx2 in protection and recovery from oxidative stress.
Winding tachyons in BTZ

Analysing closed string tachyon condensation will improve our understanding of spacetime in string theory. We study the string spectrum on a BTZ black hole spacetime supported by NS-NS flux, which provides a calculable example where we would expect to find a quasi-localised tachyon. We find that there is a winding tachyon when the black hole horizon is smaller than the string scale, as expected. However, due to effects of the NS-NS B field, this tachyon is not localised in the region where the spatial circle is string scale. We also discuss the relation to the Milne orbifold in the limit near the singularity. mukund.rangamani@durham.ac. uk s.f. ross@durham.ac. uk
Effects of Work Stress and Social Support on Information Systems Managers

This study investigates the sources or organizational stress among information systems (IS) managers, the resulting symptoms of strain, and whether social support can reduce symptoms of strain. A field study comprised of a survey questionnaire was chosen as the most appropriate design for this investigation. The respondents were IS managers, ranging in organizational hierarchy from vice president or director to project manager, in both governmental and private sector organizations of varying sizes. The study reveals that job stresses among IS managers are positively related to psychological and physiological strains. While all of the stressors included in this investigation are significantly related to strain symptoms, certain stressors emerge as having the greatest impact. Likewise, certain strains that result from these stressors are more prevalent than others. Concerning social support, the study reveals that the level of social support among IS managers is lower than among other managers. When social support exists, strain among these managers is significantly lower. The implications of the study's findings are considerable both for the health prognosis of IS managers and their job performance.
ANALYTIC STUDY OF MASS SEGREGATION AROUND A MASSIVE BLACK HOLE

We analyze the distribution of stars of arbitrary mass function ξ(m) around a massive black hole (MBH). Unless ξ is strongly dominated by light stars, the steady-state distribution function approaches a power law in specific energy x ≡ −E/mσ2 < xmax with index p = m/4M0, where E is the energy, σ is the typical velocity dispersion of unbound stars, and M0 is the mass averaged over mξxpmax. For light-dominated ξ, p can grow as large as 3/2—much steeper than previously thought. A simple prescription for the stellar density profile around MBHs is provided. We illustrate our results by applying them to stars around the MBH in the Milky Way.
Youth Reactions to Bullying: Exploring the Factors Associated with Students’ Willingness to Intervene

ABSTRACT The response patterns of youth who witness bullying have potential to influence future occurrence and persistence of bullying behaviors. Prevention efforts have included an increased focus on bystander interventions; however, the majority of adolescents rarely intervene in bullying situations. When they do, they often display of mixed pattern of behaviors. To better understand factors related to adolescent responses to witnessing bullying, the current study drew upon school climate survey data reported by 57,314 middle and high school students. Logistic regression analyses demonstrated higher odds of bully assisting behavior among those with higher externalizing symptoms and higher odds of defending the targets among those with elevated internalizing symptoms. Prior victimization was associated with higher odds of all bystander-behavior response types. These findings highlight the salient role of youth’s prior victimization and mental health in youth responses to witnessing bullying. Implications for bystander-focused bullying prevention efforts are considered.
Non–Dioxin-Like Polychlorinated Biphenyls and Risk of Endometriosis

Background Endometriosis, a gynecologic disorder affecting 8–10% of reproductive-age women in the United States, is defined as the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterus and is linked to pelvic pain and infertility. Environmental contaminants, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), are hypothesized to contribute to endometriosis risk through effects on steroid hormones. Objective We evaluated serum concentrations of certain noncoplanar PCBs, which have no or only weak dioxin-like properties, as risk factors for endometriosis. Methods In a case–control study of Group Health enrollees in western Washington State, 20 PCB congeners were measured in serum from surgically confirmed endometriosis cases that were newly diagnosed between 1996 and 2001 (n = 251) and from female controls matched for age and reference year (n = 538). Results Summed and estrogenic PCB concentrations were not associated with endometriosis risk [summed: odds ratio (OR) = 1.3; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.8–2.2; estrogenic: OR = 1.1; 95% CI, 0.8–1.4]. Although several congener-specific ORs were statistically above or below the null (PCB 170: third quartile vs. lowest: OR = 0.5; 95% CI, 0.3–0.9; PCB 196: third quartile vs. lowest: OR = 0.4; 95% CI, 0.2–0.7; PCB 201: second vs. lowest: OR = 0.5; 95% CI, 0.3–0.8; third quartile vs. lowest: OR = 0.4; 95% CI, 0.2–0.7), there were no overall consistent patterns of endometriosis risk. Conclusions Taken in context with other North American studies, our findings suggest that noncoplanar PCB concentrations consistent within the range of exposure currently observed in western Washington State do not contribute meaningfully to endometriosis risk.
Abundance Profiles in Cooling-Core Clusters: a Fossil Record of Past AGN-driven Convection?

Central peaks in the iron abundance of intracluster plasma are a common feature of cooling-core galaxy clusters. Although they are centrally localized, these abundance peaks have a broader profile than the stars of the brightest cluster galaxy (BCG) that produce the excess iron, indicating that metal-enriched plasma is transported out of the BCG by some process such as turbulent diffusion. The AGN-driven convection model of Chandran & Rasera predicts the turbulent velocity profile in a steady state cluster in which radiative cooling is balanced by heating from AGN-driven convection and thermal conduction. We use the velocity profiles from this model as input into an advection/diffusion model for the transport of metals in the intracluster medium. We compare the results of our model to XMM-Newton and Chandra observations of eight clusters. Assuming a constant turbulence level over a cluster's lifetime equal to the present value, the turbulent velocities in the model can explain the observed abundance profiles in only five of the eight clusters. However, we go on to develop an analytic fit of the turbulent velocity profile as a function of the AGN power. We then deduce for each cluster the average AGN power (during the past ~10 Gyr) required to match the abundance profiles. The required average values are between 1043 and 2 × 1044 erg s−1, while the present AGN powers span a much larger range. Our results suggest that AGN-driven convection can account for the observed abundance profiles if the AGN power varies in time with average values in the above-quoted range.
Lucky in Life, Unlucky in Love? The Effect of Random Income Shocks on Marriage and Divorce

Economists have long been interested in the extent to which economic resources affect decisions to marry and divorce. For married couples, an increase in resources can either provide a stabilization effect or, alternatively, can enable divorce by allowing the couple to overcome costs associated with divorce. Similarly, while economic theory predicts that an increase in income makes an unmarried person more attractive to potential marriage partners, it may also make single life more attractive. However, answering these questions empirically has been difficult due to a lack of exogenous income shocks. We overcome this problem by exploiting the randomness of the Florida Lottery and comparing recipients of large prizes to those of small prizes. Results indicate that while positive income shocks of $25,000 to $50,000 do not cause statistically significant or economically meaningful changes in divorce rates, single women are less likely to marry as a result of the additional income.
Unfolding through the web of recovery

Despite considerable research into depression and recovery from a treatment perspective, limited empirical attention has been given to exploring specific meanings and experiences from the perspective of those with the lived experience of recovery from depression. In relation to the current literature regarding recovery in the context of mental health, it can be argued that studies disproportionately focus on individuals with a diagnosis of schizophrenia and/or other diagnoses including, however not limited to, a diagnosis of depression. Therefore, it seems necessary to develop a deeper understanding of recovery in relation to experiences of depression as this could further enhance existing research and practice. Aim: To explore and gain an in-depth understanding about the experience of recovery from depression and the meanings attributed to recovery from the perspective of those who self-identify as recovered. Method: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven adults. The interviews were analysed using the Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Findings: Four themes emerged from the analysis: Difficulty moving forward; Plunging in for change alongside struggle; Reconnecting mind and body; and The blemished trophy. Overall, the findings conveyed a complex experience of voyage, change and insights. Recovery appeared to be a paradoxical experience of freeing oneself from the grips of depression, yet not escaping completely unscathed. Discussion: The findings provide an insight into salient and personal understandings about the complexities of the participants’ experiences and meanings of recovery in relation to depression. The current study highlights how we need to take recovery at the pace of the individual and provide support to help them reconnect and develop a new understanding of themselves.
High-Level Expression, Purification and Characterization of A Recombinant Plasmodium vivax Apical Membrane Antigen 1: Implication for vivax Malaria Vaccine Development

Objective The apical membrane antigen-1 (AMA-1) is considered as a promising candidate for development of a malaria vaccine against Plasmodium parasites. The correct conformation of this protein appears to be necessary for the stimulation of parasite-inhibitory responses, and these responses, in turn, seem to be antibody-mediated. Therefore, in the present investigation, we expressed the Plasmodium vivax AMA-1 (PvAMA-1) ectodomain in Escherichia coli (E. coli), purified it using standard procedures and characterized it to determine its biological activities for it to be used as a potential target for developing a protective and safe vivax malaria vaccine. Materials and Methods In this experimental investigation, the ectodomain of PvAMA-1 antigen (GenBank accession no. JX624741) was expressed in the E. coli M15pQE30 expression system and purified with immobilized-metal affinity chromatography. The correct conformation of the recombinant protein was evaluated by Western blotting and indirect immunofluorescence antibody (IFA) test. In addition, the immunogenic properties of PvAMA-1 were evaluated in BALB/c mice with the purified protein emulsified in Freund’s adjuvant. Results In the present study, the PvAMA-1 ectodomain was expressed at a high-level (65 mg/L) using a bacterial system. Reduced and non-reduced sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) as well as Western blot analysis confirmed the appropriate conformation and folding of PvAMA-1. The evaluation of immunogenic properties of PvAMA-1 showed that both T helper-1 and 2 cells (Th1 and Th2) responses were present in mice after three immunizations and persisted up to one year after the first immunization. Moreover, the antibodies raised against the recombinant PvAMA-1 in injected mice could recognize the native protein localized on P. vivax parasites. Conclusion We demonstrate that our recombinant protein had proper conformation and folding. Also, there were common epitopes in the recombinant forms corresponding to native proteins. These results; therefore, indicate that the expressed PvAMA-1 has the potential to be used as a vivax malaria vaccine.
Retention, Molecular Evolution, and Expression Divergence of the Auxin/Indole Acetic Acid and Auxin Response Factor Gene Families in Brassica Rapa Shed Light on Their Evolution Patterns in Plants

Auxin/indole acetic acids (Aux/IAAs) and auxin response factors (ARFs), major components of the Aux signaling network, are involved in many developmental processes in plants. Investigating their evolution will provide new sight on the relationship between the molecular evolution of these genes and the increasing morphotypes of plants. We constructed comparative analyses of the retention, structure, expansion, and expression patterns of Aux/IAAs and ARFs in Brassica rapa and their evolution in eight other plant species, including algae, bryophytes, lycophytes, and angiosperms. All 33 of the ARFs, including 1 ARF-like (AL) (a type of ARF-like protein) and 53 Aux/IAAs, were identified in the B. rapa genome. The genes mainly diverged approximately 13 Ma. After the split, no Aux/IAA was completely lost, and they were more preferentially retained than ARFs. In land plants, compared with ARFs, which increased in stability, Aux/IAAs expanded more rapidly and were under more relaxed selective pressure. Moreover, BraIAAs were expressed in a more tissue-specific fashion than BraARFs and demonstrated functional diversification during gene duplication under different treatments, which enhanced the cooperative interaction of homologs to help plants adapt to complex environments. In addition, ALs existed widely and had a closer relationship with ARFs, suggesting that ALs might be the initial structure of ARFs. Our results suggest that the rapid expansion and preferential retention of Aux/IAAs are likely paralleled by the increasingly complex morphotypes in Brassicas and even in land plants. Meanwhile, the data support the hypothesis that the PB1 domain plays a key role in the origin of both Aux/IAAs and ARFs.
Detection of an Iron K Emission Line from the LINER NGC 4579

We present the results of an ASCA observation of the LINER NGC 4579. A pointlike X-ray source is detected at the nucleus with a 2-10 keV luminosity of 1.5 × 1041 ergs s-1 assuming a distance of 16.8 Mpc. The X-ray spectrum is represented by a combination of a power law with a photon index of ~1.7 and a soft thermal component with kT ~ 0.9 keV. An iron K emission line is detected at 6.73 ± 0.13 keV (rest-frame) with an equivalent width of 490−190+180 eV, and it is statistically significant at greater than 99.9% confidence. The line center energy is consistent with helium-like iron and is significantly higher than 6.4 keV, which is expected from fluorescence by "cold" (or a lower ionization state of) iron. The iron line profile shows no significant red tail in contrast to Seyfert 1 galaxies, although the statistics are limited. The line center energy, the equivalent width, and the profile are consistent with an origin in an ionized accretion disk. However, the large mass accretion rate necessary to ionize the accretion disk is not consistent with the observed luminosity and the normal accretion models.
University selection in Singapore: a case study of students' past and intended decision-making

This research focussed Singaporean student decision-making when choosing an institution for university studies. It is contended that if a university does not understand the dimensions of how prospective students make decisions when choosing an institution it cannot meaningfully offer representation to these potential customers. Fittingly, this thesis drew on past research from buyer behaviour and college choice studies. Adapting an established model of consumer decision-making (Engel, Blackwell and Miniard, 1990), the study investigated the degree of compliance with the Extended Problem Solving concept (Howard, 1963), including what factors determined and influenced choices, and whether students learn from past decisions. To this end, an exploratory / descriptive study used mixed methods (Creswell, 1994) to map out the dimensions of student decision-making within an Australian University and Singaporean Association case. Results indicated students’ decision-making was closely aligned to simple models and their decision-making steps could be best described as (1) having a need, (2) searching and gathering information, (3) evaluating alternatives, (4) making choice/s, and (5) accepting an offer and enrolling in a university program. Further, respondents did not necessarily engage in extensive searching and gathering activities, as theorised, demonstrated limited learning and had few discernible influences on their choices. The implications for the University-Association case included the need to guide students through their decision-making processes by providing relevant data on which they could make informed choices, relative to career and income advancement. For those indicating that they would choose an institution for postgraduate studies, ensure undergraduate post-choice regret is minimised and offer more choices of management programs so that respondents would consider continuing their studies with the same institution. The study contended that, despite delimits and limitations, contributions to both theory and practise had been made and concluded with several ideas for future research, including proposing two alternative hypotheses.