Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Public, Tax, and Health Policies and Institutional Performance

PUBLIC, TAX, AND HEALTH POLICIES AND INSTITUTIONAL PERFORMANCE By ANTONIOS MARIOS KOUMPIAS AUGUST 2017 Committee Chair: Dr. Jorge L. Martinez-Vazquez Major Department: Economics This dissertation evaluates the effectiveness of public interventions in tax policy (such as a tax compliance campaign in Greece), the performance of public institutions that dictate land zoning (corruption of zoning officials in Greece and Spain) and public health (publicly-provided health insurance; namely, Medicaid). The common underlying theme of the dissertation is the public nature of the policies examines with an empirical emphasis. The ultimate goal of this research body is to provide credible policy solutions for the improvement of public administration. PUBLIC, TAX, AND HEALTH POLICIES AND INSTITUTIONAL PERFORMANCE BY ANTONIOS MARIOS KOUMPIAS A Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Economics in the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies of Georgia State University GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY 2017 Copyright by Antonios Marios Koumpias 2017 ACCEPTANCE This dissertation was prepared under the direction of Antonios M. Koumpias’s Dissertation Committee. It has been approved and accepted by all members of that committee, and it has been accepted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Economics in the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies of Georgia State University. Electronic Version Approved: Sally Wallace, Dean Andrew Young School of Policy Studies Georgia State University August, 2017 Dissertation Chair: Dr. Jorge L. Martinez-Vazquez Committee: Dr. Charles M. Becker Dr. Charles Courtemanche Dr. Thomas A. Mroz Dr. Frank A. Sloan DEDICATION PAGE To my parents, Socrates Koumpias (DDS, Ph.D.) and Eugenia Koliniotou-Koumpia (DDS, Ph.D.).
Analysis of the Regulation of Target Genes by an Arabidopsis Heat Shock Transcription Factor, HsfA2

We have isolated a high-light and heat-shock inducible gene, Arabidopsis heat shock transcription factor (HsfA2), which induces expression of various types of target gene such as heat shock protein 18.2-CI (Hsp18.1-CI), galactinol synthase 1 (GolS1), and Bcl-2-associated athanogene 6 (Bag6). Here we investigated the regulatory system of target genes operating via HsfA2. A transient reporter assay using a luciferase reporter construct with different fragments of the Hsp18.1-CI, the GolS1, or the Bag6 promoter showed that two modules of a TATA-proximal heat shock element (HSE) are essential for transcriptional activation by HsfA2. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay demonstrated that the increase in protein complex formation onto the HSE was markedly suppressed during high-light stress and recovery from the stress in knockout HsfA2 plants. HsfA2 appears to function not only in the triggering of response to environmental stress, but also in the amplification of the signal in the response.
Toxoiding of snake venom and evaluation of immunogenicity of the toxoids.

The venom of Pakistan species of snakes (Naja naja, Vipera russelli and Echis carinatus) and lethal fractions of Cobra (Naja naja) venom were converted to toxoid with formalin. Detoxification of the crude venoms and toxic fraction was attained by addition of formalin in several steps and incubation at 37°C maintaining the pH 7.0. Relationship of formalin concentration and incubation period was studied. The detoxified product retained immunogenicity as revealed by titrating the circulating antitoxin and response of the animals immunized with the crude venom toxoids when challenged with homologous venoms. Vipera russelli and Echis carinatus anti sera neutralized 10 and 15 M.H. D. respectively and on challenging immunized animals with homologous venoms of Naja naja, vipera russelli and Echis carinatus survived 5-10 MLD of the respective venoms. The lethal fraction toxoid of cobra showed lesser immunogenicity (JPMA 30: 9, 1980).
NON-AUTISTIC PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS OF CHIlDHOOD AND ADOlESCENCE

The presence of Theory of Mind (ToM) deficits in autistic children clearly shows that alterations of neurodevelopment may affect the normal development of ToM abilities. From this perspective, other clinical conditions of childhood and adolescence with less-severe alterations of neurodevelopment in comparison to autism could also be associated with ToM impairment. This hypothesis has been scarcely investigated, considering that apart from studies on autism and other pervasive developmental disorders, empirical research on ToM impairment is mostly focused on adult clinical populations. This paper reviews empirical studies on ToM abilities in non-autistic developmental psychiatric disorders. Preliminary findings derived from this weak empirical evidence suggest that in comparison to typically developing subjects, the following may have altered ToM: (1) patients with disorders with typical onset in childhood or adolescence, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, and conduct disorder, and (2) patients with psychiatric disorders typical of adult subjects but with childhood or adolescent onset, such as psychotic disorders, mood disorders, and personality disorders. Findings are discussed, and limitations of these studies as regards sample selection, controls, settings, and ToM assessment are identified. Directions for further studies on this topic are suggested.
Non-Linear Similarity Learning for Compositionality

Many NLP applications rely on the existence ofsimilarity measures over text data.Although word vector space modelsprovide good similarity measures between words,phrasal and sentential similarities derived from compositionof individual words remain as a difficult problem.In this paper, we propose a new method of ofnon-linear similarity learning for semantic compositionality.In this method, word representations are learnedthrough the similarity learning of sentencesin a high-dimensional space with kernel functions.On the task of predicting the semantic similarity oftwo sentences (SemEval 2014, Task 1),our method outperforms linear baselines,feature engineering approaches,recursive neural networks,and achieve competitive results with long short-term memory models.
Inventory management in the presence of inventory inaccuracies: an economic analysis by discrete-event simulation

Today, inventory management is almost entirely based on information systems. However, inventory records can always be prone to errors, leading to underestimated or overestimated inventory. In this study, the effect generated by inventory record inaccuracies on the economic performance of a warehouse of fast moving consumer goods is analysed. A simulation model is developed under Microsoft Excel™ to reproduce the inbound and outbound flows of product at the warehouse, together with the generation of errors in these flows. Different types of errors, correction mechanisms and reorder policies are taken into account in the analysis. As output, the simulation model returns the total cost of the inventory management as a function of the error level, the reorder policy and the correction mechanism adopted. The results of the study provide useful guidelines for warehouse managers. More specifically, outcomes can support strategic decisions, such as the choice among different correction mechanisms, the opportunity to adopt them (or not) or the opportunity to modify (or not) the operating leverages of the reorder policy to adapt them to the presence of errors in inventory records.
Practical motives are prominent in test-ordering in the Emergency Department

Abstract Background: Laboratory test ordering under time pressure may impact test-ordering behavior. Methods: To investigate the test-ordering behavior of doctors working under such pressure, we designed a questionnaire for trainees and staff in the Emergency Department (ED). This questionnaire addressed topics such as necessity of requested tests, time spent on ordering, costs and availability of tests, and the time of the day. We hypothesized that ordering behavior would be guided predominantly by the medical need of tests and aimed at identifying practical motives that also have an effect. Results: Remarkably, two-third of the respondents (67%) admitted that tests were ordered that would not influence treatment policy directly and 48% of the doctors stated that tests were ordered that do not impact treatment at all. The frequency of such orders was “sometimes” and “frequent” in a 50:50 ratio. Interestingly, tests that could prove relevant at a later stage are often ordered simultaneously to reduce burden on the patient. None of the respondents spent more than 3 min on the ordering process and very few (8%) desired more time for ordering. Most respondents (81%) declared to have limited knowledge of the costs of laboratory tests. A random survey covering four tests confirmed this. Generally, turnaround time did influence ordering behavior while time of the day did not. Conclusions: In conclusion, doctors in an ED – besides first of all medical motives – heavily exploit practical (non-medical) reasoning for laboratory test ordering, e.g. taking availability of tests into account and ordering non-immediate tests.
Action potential conduction block of nerves in vitro by potassium citrate, potassium tartrate and potassium oxalate.

OBJECTIVES Potassium salts in desensitising formulations are believed to act by blocking nerve conduction. The aim of this study was to assess the ability of some organic potassium salts to block action potential conduction and to compare their effects with potassium chloride and potassium nitrate. MATERIALS AND METHOD Potassium citrate, oxalate or tartrate were added to Krebs' solutions to raise the potassium concentration to 8-64 mM. The test solutions were applied to rat spinal nerves in a bath while monitoring the compound action potentials evoked by electrical stimulation. RESULTS All potassium salts attenuated the compound action potential in a dose-dependent manner. There were no significant differences between the effects of potassium tartrate and potassium citrate solutions (p>0.1) which caused significantly greater compound action potential attenuation than the same concentrations of potassium oxalate (p<0.05). On the basis of the potassium ion concentration required to cause 50% attenuation of the compound nerve action potential, the relative potencies of the potassium salts were: citrate = tartrate> oxalate>chloride =nitrate. CONCLUSION Potassium citrate and potassium tartrate were more effective than other potassium salts in blocking nerve conduction and may be more effective dentinal desensitising agents.
Handheld real-time volumetric imaging of the spine: technology development

Abstract Technical difficulties, poor image quality and reliance on pattern identifications represent some of the drawbacks of two-dimensional ultrasound imaging of spinal bone anatomy. To overcome these limitations, this study sought to develop real-time volumetric imaging of the spine using a portable handheld device. The device measured 19.2 cm × 9.2 cm × 9.0 cm and imaged at 5 MHz centre frequency. 2D imaging under conventional ultrasound and volumetric (3D) imaging in real time was achieved and verified by inspection using a custom spine phantom. Further device performance was assessed and revealed a 75-min battery life and an average frame rate of 17.7 Hz in volumetric imaging mode. The results suggest that real-time volumetric imaging of the spine is a feasible technique for more intuitive visualization of the spine. These results may have important ramifications for a large array of neuraxial procedures.
Effect of DDT or Parathion on Open-Field Behavior of Offspring from DDT- or Parathion-Treated Mothers

Mice offspring were prepared and raised from DDT-, Parathion-, or corn oil-treated mothers during the first, second, and third trimesters of pregnancy. All Ss were subjected to the open-field test when 60 to 66 days old. The offspring of DDT- and Parathion-treated mothers did not behave differently from the offspring of corn oil-treated mothers (control).
Seed-to-seed growth of Arabidopsis thaliana on the International Space Station.

The assembly of the International Space Station (ISS) as a permanent experimental outpost has provided the opportunity for quality plant research in space. To take advantage of this orbital laboratory, engineers and scientists at the Wisconsin Center for Space Automation and Robotics (WCSAR), University of Wisconsin-Madison, developed a plant growth facility capable of supporting plant growth in the microgravity environment. Utilizing this Advanced Astroculture (ADVASC) plant growth facility, an experiment was conducted with the objective to grow Arabidopsis thaliana plants from seed-to-seed on the ISS. Dry Arabidopsis seeds were anchored in the root tray of the ADVASC growth chamber. These seeds were successfully germinated from May 10 until the end of June 2001. Arabidopsis plants grew and completed a full life cycle in microgravity. This experiment demonstrated that ADVASC is capable of providing environment conditions suitable for plant growth and development in microgravity. The normal progression through the life cycle, as well as the postflight morphometric analyses, demonstrate that Arabidopsis thaliana does not require the presence of gravity for growth and development.
The effectiveness of anxiety treatment on alcohol-dependent patients with a comorbid phobic disorder: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE Evidence has emerged which indicates that the post-treatment relapse rate for alcohol-dependent patients with a comorbid anxiety disorder is higher than for alcohol-dependent patients without a comorbid anxiety disorder. The question raised by this evidence is whether the relapse rate in these dually diagnosed patients could be reduced if they were given additional treatment for the comorbid anxiety disorder. We attempted to answer this question by conducting a trial among patients with a double diagnosis of alcohol dependence and agoraphobia or social phobia. METHOD We conducted a 32-week randomized controlled trial among 96 abstinent patients with a primary diagnosis of alcohol dependence and a comorbid anxiety disorder involving agoraphobia or social phobia. The patients were randomly assigned to an intensive psychosocial relapse-prevention program on its own (n = 49) or in combination with an anxiety treatment program comprising cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and optional pharmacotherapy consisting of an SSRI (n = 47). The primary outcome measure was the percentage of patients who suffered an alcohol relapse during a 32-week period. The secondary outcome measures were total abstinence, a reduction in the days of heavy drinking, and less severe anxiety symptoms. RESULTS Although the additional therapy clearly reduced the anxiety symptoms, it had no significant effect on the alcohol relapse rates. CONCLUSION Anxiety treatment for alcohol-dependent patients with a comorbid anxiety disorder can alleviate anxiety symptoms, but it has no significant effect on the outcome of alcohol treatment programs.
AUTOFLUORESCENCE FROM THE OUTER RETINA AND SUBRETINAL SPACE: Hypothesis and Review

Purpose: To review the pathophysiologic principles underlying increased autofluorescence from the outer retina and subretinal space using selected diseases as examples. Methods: The ocular imaging information and histopathologic features, when known, were integrated for diseases causing increased autofluorescence from the outer retina and subretinal space. Inferences were taken from this information and used to create a classification scheme. Results: These diseases are principally those that cause separation of the outer retina from the retinal pigment epithelium, thereby preventing proper phagocytosis of photoreceptor outer segments. The separation can arise from increased exudation into the subretinal space or inadequate removal of fluid from the subretinal space. Lack of normal outer segment processing initially leads to increased accumulation of outer segments on the outer retina and subretinal space. Over time, this material is visible as an increasingly thick coating on the outer retina, is yellow, and is autofluorescent. Over time, atrophy develops with thinning of the deposited material and decreasing autofluorescence. The accumulated material is ultimately capable of inducing damage to the retinal pigment epithelium. Diseases causing accumulation of the material include central serous chorioretinopathy, vitelliform macular dystrophy, acute exudative polymorphous vitelliform maculopathy, choroidal tumors, and vitreomacular traction syndrome. Conclusion: The physical separation of the retinal outer segments from the retinal pigment epithelium hinders proper phagocytosis of the outer segments. Accumulation of the shed but not phagocytized outer segments plays a role in disease manifestations for a number of macular diseases.
Quantum percolation and plateau transitions in the quantum Hall effect.

We introduce a simple model of quantum percolation and analyze it numerically using transfer matrix methods. A central point of this paper is that 3 both integer and fractional plateau transitions in the quantum Hall effect are due to quantum percolation. Within this model, we obtained the localization length exponent [nu]=2.4[plus minus]0.2, the dynamical exponent [ital z]=1, and the scaling functions for the conductivity tensor for both the integer and the fractional transitions. We show that our results agree extremely well with the experimental results for the integer plateau transition obtained by McEuen [ital et] [ital al].
Attainment of Metabolic Goals in the Integrated UK Islet Transplant Program With Locally Isolated and Transported Preparations

The objective was to determine whether metabolic goals have been achieved with locally isolated and transported preparations over the first 3 years of the UK's nationally funded integrated islet transplant program. Twenty islet recipients with C‐peptide negative type 1 diabetes and recurrent severe hypoglycemia consented to the study, including standardized meal tolerance tests. Participants received a total of 35 infusions (seven recipients: single graft; 11 recipients: two grafts: two recipients: three grafts). Graft function was maintained in 80% at [median (interquartile range)] 24 (13.5–36) months postfirst transplant. Severe hypoglycemia was reduced from 20 (7–50) episodes/patient‐year pretransplant to 0.3 (0–1.6) episodes/patient‐year posttransplant (p < 0.001). Resolution of impaired hypoglycemia awareness was confirmed [pretransplant: Gold score 6 (5–7); 24 (13.5–36) months: 3 (1.5–4.5); p < 0.03]. Target HbA1c of <7.0% was attained/maintained in 70% of recipients [pretransplant: 8.0 (7.0–9.6)%; 24 (13.5–36) months: 6.2 (5.7–8.4)%; p < 0.001], with 60% reduction in insulin dose [pretransplant: 0.51 (0.41–0.62) units/kg; 24 (13.5–36) months: 0.20 (0–0.37) units/kg; p < 0.001]. Metabolic outcomes were comparable 12 months posttransplant in those receiving transported versus only locally isolated islets [12 month stimulated C‐peptide: transported 788 (114–1764) pmol/L (n = 9); locally isolated 407 (126–830) pmol/L (n = 11); p = 0.32]. Metabolic goals have been attained within the equitably available, fully integrated UK islet transplant program with both transported and locally isolated preparations.
Iron Parameters Determine the Prognosis of Critically Ill Patients: Facts and Fiction.

REFERENCES 1. Höllig A1, Weinandy A, Liu J, et al: Beneficial Properties of Argon After Experimental Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: Early Treatment Reduces Mortality and Influences Hippocampal Protein Expression. Crit Care Med 2016; 44:e520-e529 2. Wang GL, Jiang BH, Rue EA, et al: Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 is a basic-helix-loop-helix-PAS heterodimer regulated by cellular O2 tension. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 1995; 92:5510–5514 3. Lee PJ, Jiang BH, Chin BY, et al: Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 mediates transcriptional activation of the heme oxygenase-1 gene in response to hypoxia. J Biol Chem 1997; 272:5375–5381 4. Park S, Yamaguchi M, Zhou C, et al: Neurovascular protection reduces early brain injury after subarachnoid hemorrhage. Stroke 2004; 35:2412–2417 further studies, functional outcome has to be assessed in a more sophisticated manner or other endpoints should be chosen (7). Altogether, we appreciate the interest and look forward to further studies on innovative therapeutic strategies after SAH. Dr. Coburn’s institution received funding from the “Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft” (DFG CO799/6-1), from the RWTH Aachen (START) and a travel grant from Airliquide Santé International. Dr. Höllig’s institution received funding from the RWTH Aachen (START) and a travel grant from Airliquide Santé International.
Stock markets, banks and economic growth

This thesis investigates the relationship between economic growth and financial development in developing countries over 1988-2001. Previous studies have generally used averaged data, for both developing and developed countries, and inappropriate estimation methods. In an attempt to reach some definitive conclusions, Generalised Method of Moments dynamic estimation is used with a newly collected panel of annual data to assess the relationship. The results show that while banks performance has a negative impact on growth, stock markets positively promote growth. To reach an overall conclusion about the impact of finance on growth and to solve the problems associated with the existence of multicollinearity among the different measures of financial development, principal components analysis is used to generate new, comprehensive measures of financial development. In assessing the link between the new measures and financial development and growth, the results support the existence of an overall positive relationship. The thesis also examines the behaviour of interest rates in developing and industrialised countries using individual and panel unit root tests. The results are sensitive to the choice of the test, country and time unit.
Diagnosing Rejection in Renal Transplants: A Comparison of Molecular‐ and Histopathology‐Based Approaches

The transcriptome has considerable potential for improving biopsy diagnoses. However, to realize this potential the relationship between the molecular phenotype of disease and histopathology must be established. We assessed 186 consecutive clinically indicated kidney transplant biopsies using microarrays, and built a classifier to distinguish rejection from nonrejection using predictive analysis of microarrays (PAM). Most genes selected by PAM were interferon‐γ—inducible or cytotoxic T‐cell associated, for example, CXCL9, CXCL11, GBP1 and INDO. We then compared the PAM diagnoses to those from histopathology, which are based on the Banff diagnostic criteria. Disagreement occurred in approximately 20% of diagnoses, principally because of idiosyncratic limitations in the histopathology scoring system. The problematic diagnosis of ‘borderline rejection’ was resolved by PAM into two distinct classes, rejection and nonrejection. The diagnostic discrepancies between Banff and PAM in these cases were largely due to the Banff system's requirement for a tubulitis threshold in defining rejection. By examining the discrepancies between gene expression and histopathology, we provide external validation of the main features of the histopathology diagnostic criteria (the Banff consensus system), recommend improvements and outline a pathway for introducing molecular measurements.