Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Impact of EMU on Inflation Expectations

This paper analyses the impact of the monetary regime change from the Bundesbank to the ECB on inflation expectations. In the theoretical part, the Barro-Gordon model is used to derive the potential effect of a new central bank on inflation and inflation expectations. The econometric investigation is based on a flexible specification of expectation formation which allows both for rational and adaptive elements. The results indicate that the monetary regime change did not have a strong and lasting impact on the formation of inflation expectations and that the credibility of both central banks is not perceived to differ significantly anymore.
Enterprise Architecture Security Assessment Framework (EASAF)

Many existing studies have shown that the causes of most of system attacks are not related to coding vulnerabilities that apply to individual systems, issues related to the run-time environment, or the technology in place. In fact, they are caused by issues associated with how systems within organizations are structured. Therefore, it is necessary to examine security with regard to all components that influence the organization’s systems, including data, processes and even employees. The most promising approach to achieving this goal is Enterprise Architecture (EA). The main goal of this project is to develop a framework based on the concepts of well-established EA frameworks such as TOGAF and Zachman and their compositional layers (e.g., application, information and process). This framework will be combined with a data flow analysis of the principles that trace the potential information flow between high- and low-security enterprise components. Therefore, this paper studies various enterprise architecture frameworks and shows how to develop an enterprise architecture framework that considers the organization’s information security from the perspective of information flow. This framework will have various layers, each with a set of security metrics that quantify the organization’s relative security based on the specifications of that layer. The defined framework will be capable of defining Enterprise Architecture security-related principles and metrics. These principles and metrics will eventually be used to define how to develop secure enterprise systems based on the enterprise architecture with regard to security-critical information flow within any given organization. The defined framework will also be capable of providing guidance for information security architects by recognizing certain parts of the organization that are less secure than others.
In/Exclusion in the Clinic: Down’s Syndrome, Dysmorphology and the Ethics of Everyday Medical Work

In this article, we draw on two clinical ethnographies to explore how mundane social practices, affective processes and cultural materials (re)produce divisions and forms of in/exclusion. By treating everyday life and routines as serious categories of analysis, we identify how power relations are accomplished and how persons/future persons – namely the ‘dysmorphic’ child or the foetus who has or may have Down’s syndrome – are constituted as un/valued or in/excluded. In relation to dysmorphology, we show how the living dysmorphic child is given shelter but future reproductions of such children are enacted negatively and as to be avoided. With reference to Down’s syndrome, we capture how the condition is made absent in the antenatal clinic and constituted as a negative outcome. In sum, we recognise how exploring the micro and everyday reveals who/what is valued and how particular ways of being in the world are threatened, denied or effaced.
Charity-based Voluntourism Versus ‘Lifestyle’ Voluntourism: Evidence from Nicaragua and Malaysia

Although conventional interna tional tourism to Less Developed Countries has a growing literature, volunteer tourism – or more recently ‘voluntourism’ – is currently under-researched. This Working Pa per examines this growing area using case studies from two Less Developed Countries, Malaysia and Nicaragua. Students and early career prof essionals from developed c ountries travel to the less developed world on tourist visas to work as volunteers on long-term placements with either non-profit or ganisations or commercial tourism businesses. Voluntourists have been obser v d in various charitable pr ojects ranging from rural electrification to indigen ous rights or ecotourism. In addition, as expected, individual participants’ motivations ar e varied. Some volunteers see it as an affordable way of travelling in a foreign country for a longer period, some need the field experience for later careers, some use it as a legitimate way of taking time out to reconsider career c hoices, and others simply want to do something useful during their university holidays. It is this last image that is often portrayed in commercial voluntourism experiences, and is a common public perception when individuals talk about their volunteering overseas. However, despite this image, a second group of longer-term voluntourists is le s visible: ‘lifestyle’ voluntourists.
DIRECCIONALIDAD Y EXPRESIÓN DE LA VIOLENCIA EN LAS RELACIONES DE NOVIAZGO DE LOS JÓVENES

Although dating violence frequently begins during adolescence and has been postulated as a risk factor for severe forms of adult partner violence, the body of research on this issue remains limited. In this paper, the directionality and behavioral expression of committed and sustained aggression (psychological and physical) in dating relationships is investigated in a sample (N=69) of students aged 16 to 27 years. The results showed a very frequent pattern of reciprocal psychological aggression. However, as the behavioral expression of violence worsens (e.g., slappings, threats and beatings), reciprocity decreases and directionality increases. Sex did not predict the directionality of violence and did not exert a significant effect on the study variables, committed aggression (perpetration) and assault (victimization). In addition, psychological/verbal violence was the most used by aggressors and the most suffered by victims. The work has practical implications since it can help to make this problematic visible and to raise the awareness of public authorities towards the development of violence prevention measures and intervention with victims.
Effects of probiotic drop containing Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium infantis, and Lactobacillus reuteri on salivary Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus levels

Aims: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of a probiotic drop containing Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium infantis, and Lactobacillus reuteri on salivary counts of Streptococcus mutans (SM) and Lactobacillus (LB) in children 3–6 years of age. Settings and Design: Sixty-one healthy children were randomly allocated into two parallel blocks in this double-blind, randomized controlled trial (IRCT2014120320202N1) from May to June 2015. Subjects and Methods: Finally 53 participants consumed five drops of placebo (n = 23) or probiotic (n = 30) every night for 2 weeks. Before intervention and 1 day after completion of the intervention, unstimulated salivary samples were collected, and microbiologic evaluations were carried out. Statistical Analysis: Data were analyzed with descriptive statistical methods Wilcoxon signed ranks, Mann–Whitney, and logistic regression. Results: SM level decreased significantly in probiotic group after intervention (P = 0.045), and there were significant differences in salivary SM counts after intervention between two groups (P = 0.04). In probiotic group, LB counts decreased significantly after intervention (P = 0.048); however, there were no significant differences between two groups (P = 0.216). Conclusions: Use of this probiotic drop decreased salivary counts of SM; however, LB counts did not change. In addition, use of the drop in children with higher salivary counts appeared to be more effective.
Cognitive Deficits in a Genetic Mouse Model of the Most Common Biochemical Cause of Human Mental Retardation

Phenylalanine hydroxylase (Pah)-deficient “PKU mice” have a mutation in the Pah gene that causes phenylketonuria (PKU) in humans. PKU produces cognitive deficits in humans if it is untreated. We report here the first evidence that the genetic mouse model of PKU (Pahenu2 ) also produces cognitive impairments. PKU mice were impaired on both odor discrimination reversal and latent learning compared with heterozygote littermates and with wild-type mice of the same BTBR strain. A small container of cinnamon-scented sand was presented on the right or left, and nutmeg-scented sand was presented on the other side; left–right location varied over trials. Digging in sand of the correct scent was rewarded by finding phenylalanine-free chocolate. To prevent scent cuing, new containers were used on every trial, and both containers always contained chocolate. Digging in the incorrect choice was stopped before the chocolate was uncovered. Once criterion was reached, the other scent was rewarded. PKU mice were impaired on reversals 2, 3, and 4. They were also impaired in latent learning. On day 1, half the mice were allowed to explore a maze and discover the location of water. On day 2, all mice were water-deprived and were placed in the maze. Whereas pre-exposed wild-type and heterozygous mice showed evidence that they remembered the location of the water and hence could find the water faster on day 2, pre-exposed PKU mice showed no significant benefit from their pre-exposure on day 1.
Microbial oceanography of the dark ocean's pelagic realm

The pelagic realm of the dark ocean represents a key site for remineralization of organic matter and long‐term carbon storage and burial in the biosphere. It contains the largest pool of microbes in aquatic systems, harboring nearly 75% and 50% of the prokaryotic biomass and production, respectively, of the global ocean. Genomic approaches continue to uncover the enormous and dynamic genetic variability at phylogenetic and functional levels. Deep‐sea prokaryotes have comparable or even higher cell‐specific extracellular enzymatic activity than do microbes in surface waters, with a high fraction of freely released exoenzymes, probably indicative of a life mode reliant on surface attachment to particles or colloids. Additionally, evidence increases that chemoautotrophy might represent a significant CO2 sink and source of primary production in the dark ocean. Recent advances challenge the paradigm of stable microbial food web structure and function and slow organic‐matter cycling. However, knowledge of deep‐ocean food webs is still rudimentary. Dynamics of particle transformation and fate of the exported material in deep waters are still largely unknown. Discrepancies exist between estimates of carbon fluxes and remineralization rates. Recent assessments, however, suggest that integrated respiration in the dark ocean's water column is comparable to that in the epipelagic zone, and that the dark ocean is a site of paramount importance for material cycling in the biosphere. The advent of new molecular tools and in situ sampling methodologies will improve knowledge of the dark ocean's microbial ecosystem and resolve current discrepancies between carbon sources and metabolic requirements of deep‐sea microbes.
Discriminant analysis for anaesthetic decision-making: an intelligent recognition system for epidural needle insertion.

BACKGROUND Incorrect placement of epidural catheters causes medical complications. We used linear discriminant analysis (LDA) to develop an intelligent recognition system (i-RS) in order to guide epidural placement and reduce physician error. METHODS We analysed real-time dual-wavelength fibreoptic data recorded from the end of an epidural needle in a live porcine model. Two categories of tissue layers were necessary for correct placement of catheter: epidural space and ligamentum flavum. The data were tested using linear, quadratic and logistic parametric analysis to identify which method could distinguish the two anatomical structures. RESULTS LDA was the best fit for our model. There was ∼80% sensitivity and specificity for correct anatomical identification. Error rates based on cross-validation were 17.0% for the epidural space and 18.6% for ligamentum flavum. Error rates were greater with the 532 nm compared with 650 nm wavelength. CONCLUSIONS The sensitivity and specificity of LDA for identifying the correct anatomical structure was similar to a physician who is an expert in epidural placement. Overall performance of an i-RS could be improved by expanding the database for decision-making and adding a category of uncertainty. This would reduce complications caused by incorrect epidural placement.
Learnability in the second language acquisition of semantics: a bidirectional study of a semantic parameter

The study investigates the relationship between input, UG (Universal Grammar) parameter values, and the native language in the acquisition of a purely semantic property that is superficially unrelated to its syntactic trigger, The Bare Noun/Proper Name parameter (Longobardi, 1991; 1994; 1996; 2001; 2005). On the one hand, English and Italian bare nouns have identical syntactic form and distribution, but differ in available interpretations. On the other hand, proper names display cross-linguistic constant meaning but variable word order. Variation in this respect can be accounted for by a parameter that is set to one value in English and another one in Italian. A bidirectional study of the two properties was conducted. Individual results calculated with the native speaker accuracy as the cut-off point for successful acquisition indicate that parametric restructuring is attested in both learning directions. In the English [. arrowright] Italian direction, the lack of one native interpretation in the target language (a contracting of the grammar) is achieved in the absence of negative evidence, in a Poverty of the Stimulus situation. In both directions, the semantic property is acquired based on input and/or positive evidence for the syntactic side of the parameter.
Thyroid dysfunction in a cohort of South African children with Down syndrome.

BACKGROUND While international studies show thyroid dysfunction occurs more commonly in individuals with Down syndrome (DS) than in the general population, there is a paucity of available data from sub-Saharan Africa. OBJECTIVES To document the range of thyroid function in a cohort of South African children with DS, and to assess referral and treatment practices when thyroid dysfunction was present. METHODS A retrospective file-based study of 391 children with DS seen at the genetic clinics at three Johannesburg hospitals from 2003 to 2008. Thyroid function test (TFT) results (thyroid-stimulating hormone and free thyroxine) and demographic details were collected for each child. Endocrine clinic files from two of the hospitals were reviewed for additional referral and treatment information. RESULTS The majority (83.6%) of children had at least one TFT, in most cases performed between the ages of 2 and 12 months. The most common form of thyroid dysfunction was subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) (28.7%). Up to one-third of the patients, including several neonates with abnormal results, were not referred for further evaluation and were therefore not receiving the necessary treatment. Inter- laboratory biochemical discrepancies and lack of population-specific reference ranges complicated the interpretation of results. The controversy surrounding whether, and how, to treat SCH influenced treatment practices. CONCLUSIONS Thyroid dysfunction is prevalent in South African children with DS. There is an urgent need to address the laboratory biochemical discrepancies, and to establish guidelines for surveillance and treatment to prevent further irreversible neurological and physical impairment.
Dutch children and their ‘God’: the development of the ‘God’ concept among indigenous and immigrant children in the Netherlands

In the 1980s and 1990s in the Netherlands, as a reaction to the growing number of non‐Christian pupils at Christian schools, religious education and religious development became issues for debate. At some schools, it was the exclusiveness of the Christian tradition that dominated, and at others it was the inclusiveness. Another group specialised in inter‐religious dialogue. Our research studied the religious development of pupils from two primary schools. One is the first and only inter‐religious primary school in the Netherlands, the Juliana van Stolberg primary school. The other is a Christian school, the Prinses Margriet primary school that educates pupils exclusively in the Christian tradition. The research questions focussed on the development of the ‘God’ concept of children confronted with stories from different religious traditions. The ‘God’ concept is seen in our research as a concept that develops in an inductive way from the data. This way of conceptualising ‘development’ is coined as the prospective perspective on development. The results of this comparative research led to the tentative conclusion that pupils in our research population who were involved in inter‐religious learning, demonstrate explorative behaviour concerning their own religion and that of others. Their ‘God’ concept shows hybrid characteristics. These pupils are rooted in their own tradition, and at the same time they are ‘on the move’. This offers points of departure for the development of citizens articulating their commitments and turning imminent conflicts into inter‐religious encounters.
Co-occurrence of depressive moods and delinquency in early adolescence: The role of failure expectations, manipulativeness, and social contexts

This study examined the co-occurrence of depression and delinquency in early adolescents, focusing on longitudinal associations with failure expectations and manipulativeness, and on perceptions of relationships with parents, school and teachers, and peers. Data were used from 1,059 Swedish adolescents aged 13 to 15, who participated in 2 waves (T1–1998; T2–2000) of an ongoing longitudinal research. Results showed that depression and delinquency co-occurred in about 9% of respondents, and that depression and delinquency followed separate developments throughout early adolescence. Development of co-occurring depression and delinquency was positively linked to a later constellation of high failure expectations and manipulativeness across a 2-year period. Additionally, the development of combined failure expectations and manipulativeness was positively linked to a later co-occurrence of depression and delinquency across a 2-year period. Further, the cooccurrence of depression and delinquency was predicted by lower-quality relationships with parents and negative attitudes towards school and teachers, whereas a constellation of high failure expectations and manipulativeness was linked to earlier negative interactions with parents and feeling isolated from peers.
Investigation of the in Vitro Metabolism of Evodiamine: Characterization of Metabolites and Involved Cytochrome P450 Isoforms

Evodiamine is the main active alkaloid of Evodia rutaecarpa (E. rutaecarpa) and has been demonstrated to exhibit many pharmacological activities including vasorelaxation, uterotonic action, anoxia and control of body temperature. The present study focused on the metabolism of evodiamine. Human and phenobarbital‐induced rat liver microsomal incubation of evodiamine in the presence of NADPH resulted in the formation of five major metabolites (M‐1, M‐2, M‐3, M‐4, M‐5). Four metabolites (M‐1, M‐2, M‐3 and M‐5) were identified to mono‐hydroxylated evodiamine and one metabolite (M‐4) was identified to be N‐demethylated evodiamine. CYP3A4, CYP2C9 and CYP1A2 were identified to be the main CYP isoforms involved in the metabolism of evodiamine in human liver microsomes. Finding new metabolites can help us decipher novel substance basis of efficiency and toxicity. Elucidation of drug metabolizing enzymes will facilitate explaining the individual difference for response to the same drugs or herbs and the potential drug–drug interaction or herb–drug interaction. Taken together, these results are of significance for better understanding the pharmacokinetic behaviour of evodiamine and helpful for clinical application of evodiamine and E. rutaecarpa. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Effects of Ketogenic Dieting on Body Composition, Strength, Power, and Hormonal Profiles in Resistance Training Males.

This study investigated the impact of an isocaloric and isonitrogenous ketogenic diet (KD) versus a traditional western diet (WD) on changes in body composition, performance, blood lipids, and hormonal profiles in resistance-trained athletes. METHODS Twenty-five college aged men were divided into a KD or traditional WD from weeks 1-10, with a reintroduction of carbohydrates from weeks 10-11, while participating in a resistance-training program. Body composition, strength, power, and blood lipid profiles were determined at week 0, 10 and 11. A comprehensive metabolic panel and testosterone levels were also measured at weeks 0 and 11. RESULTS Lean body mass (LBM) increased in both KD and WD groups (2.4% and 4.4%, p<0.01) at week 10. However, only the KD group showed an increase in LBM between weeks 10-11 (4.8%, p<0.0001). Finally, fat mass decreased in both the KD group (-2.2 kg ± 1.2 kg) and WD groups (- 1.5 ± 1.6 kg). Strength and power increased to the same extent in the WD and KD conditions from weeks 1-11. No changes in any serum lipid measures occurred from weeks 1-10, however a rapid reintroduction of carbohydrate from weeks 10-11 raised plasma TG levels in the KD group. Total testosterone increased significantly from Weeks 0-11 in the KD diet (118 ng/dl) as compared to the WD (-36 ng/dl) from pre to post while insulin did not change. CONCLUSIONS The KD can be used in combination with resistance training to cause favorable changes in body composition, performance and hormonal profiles in resistance-trained males.
Motivation in transition

This article explores the subject of motivation in young people’s transitions to work, which has become a crucial issue for youth and educational policies throughout Europe, in response to problems of young people leaving school early or later drop-out and withdrawal. While young people’s disengagement means that educational and career services have difficulty staying in contact with them, findings from a recent research project show, in an exemplary way, how disengaged young people can be re-motivated to develop a proactive attitude towards their transitional biographies. This research identifies various modes of (biographical) participation as a prerequisite for such motivational change.
İnformal İletişim Ölçeği: Geçerlik ve Güvenirlik Çalışması

Bu arastirma, okullarda informal iletisim duzeyini ve informal iletisimin hangi boyutlardan olustugunu belirlemeye yonelik bir olcek gelistirme calismasidir. Informal iletisim olcegi icin calisma grubu, Sivas il merkezindeki ilkogretim ve ortaogretim okullarindan seckisiz olmayan ornekleme yontemlerinden uygun ornekleme yoluyla 25 ilkogretim okulu ve 10 ortaogretim okulunda gorev yapan butun ogretmenlerdir. Okullarda gorev yapan 1120 ogretmenden geri donen ve islenmeye uygun olan 670 ogretmen uzerinden calisma yurutulmustur. Ogretmenlerin 360’i erkek, 310’u kadindir. Acimlayici faktor analizi sonucunda “informal iletisim olcegi” dort faktorlu bir olcek olarak kabul edilmistir. Dogrulayici faktor analizi sonucunda, olcegin alt faktorleri, birinci faktor “Arkadaslik” ikinci faktor “Eglenme” ucuncu faktor “Etkileme” dorduncu faktor “Bilgi” basliklariyla isimlendirilmistir. Bu calisma ile okullarda informal iletisim duzeylerini belirlemek ve bu duzeylerin hangi alanlarda yogunlastigini tespit etmek icin gecerli ve guvenilir bir olcek gelistirilmistir.