Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genomic and proteomic characterization of “Candidatus Nitrosopelagicus brevis”: An ammonia-oxidizing archaeon from the open ocean

Significance Thaumarchaeota are among the most abundant microbial cells in the ocean, but to date, complete genome sequences for marine Thaumarchaeota are lacking. Here, we report the 1.23-Mbp genome of the pelagic ammonia-oxidizing thaumarchaeon “Candidatus Nitrosopelagicus brevis” str. CN25. We present the first proteomic data, to our knowledge, from this phylum, which show a high proportion of proteins translated in oligotrophic conditions. Metagenomic fragment recruitment using data from the open ocean indicate the ubiquitous presence of Ca. N. brevis-like sequences in the surface ocean and suggest Ca. N. brevis as a model system for understanding the ecology and evolution of pelagic marine Thaumarchaeota. Thaumarchaeota are among the most abundant microbial cells in the ocean, but difficulty in cultivating marine Thaumarchaeota has hindered investigation into the physiological and evolutionary basis of their success. We report here a closed genome assembled from a highly enriched culture of the ammonia-oxidizing pelagic thaumarchaeon CN25, originating from the open ocean. The CN25 genome exhibits strong evidence of genome streamlining, including a 1.23-Mbp genome, a high coding density, and a low number of paralogous genes. Proteomic analysis recovered nearly 70% of the predicted proteins encoded by the genome, demonstrating that a high fraction of the genome is translated. In contrast to other minimal marine microbes that acquire, rather than synthesize, cofactors, CN25 encodes and expresses near-complete biosynthetic pathways for multiple vitamins. Metagenomic fragment recruitment indicated the presence of DNA sequences >90% identical to the CN25 genome throughout the oligotrophic ocean. We propose the provisional name “Candidatus Nitrosopelagicus brevis” str. CN25 for this minimalist marine thaumarchaeon and suggest it as a potential model system for understanding archaeal adaptation to the open ocean.
Dynamic Monotonicity and Comparative Statics for Real Options

Abstract We analyze the relationship between complementarities and monotonicity in dynamic programs. While complementarities (supermodularity and nondecreasing differences) are sufficient for monotonic statics in stochastic dynamic programs, they are only “robustly” necessary in a limited way under heavy discounting. Monotonicity of the decision rule doesnotin general imply monotonicity of the optimal path. In fact, optimal paths in such models may exhibit extremely complex behavior. For convex adjustment costs many real option models have monotone decision rules, while for fixed costs they typically do not. We also strengthen a well known characterization of complementarities due to Milgrom and Shannon [19]. Journal of Economic LiteratureClassification Numbers: C61, D92, E22.
What Can CIS Data Tell Us about Technological Regimes and Persistence of Innovation?

This paper analyses the link between technological regimes and persistence in innovation at the firm level. It reviews the literature on persistence of innovation, measurement issues and technological regimes. It weighs up the advantages and disadvantages of using Community Innovation Survey (CIS) data in this debate. Technological regimes and innovation persistence are analysed with a balanced panel of around 4,000 firms that responded to the latest three waves of the UK version of the CIS. Key explanatory variables include measures of appropriability, cumulativeness, technological opportunity and closeness to the science base. We find that certain links between type of industry and characteristics of technological regime are more appropriate for analysis using CIS data, whereas others remain problematic.
A strategy of innovation through the development of a portfolio of innovation capabilities

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to introduce the value in developing a portfolio of capabilities to fuel innovation. The author's experience suggests that a disciplined focus developing a portfolio of innovation capabilities is critical in the global competitive landscape. Traditionally, the business world has always been focussed on developing sustainable competitive advantage. This is optimal, but we find more and more situations where this notion of building a sustainable competitive advantage is no longer possible. In 2013 it is rare for a company to maintain a truly lasting advantage. Many times, the very success of the initiative drives competition, which in turn weakens the advantage. Innovation as a portfolio of capabilities that can continuously morph based on the traditional forces of the market can prove much more powerful. This paper discusses what is needed in developing a strategy for developing a portfolio of capabilities and the challenges that companies face in undertaking this goa.
Effect of Adding Cholesterol to Bull Sperm Membranes on Sperm Capacitation, the Acrosome Reaction, and Fertility1

Abstract When cholesterol is added to sperm membranes before cryopreservation, higher percentages of motile and viable cells are recovered after thawing. However, because one of the first steps in sperm capacitation is cholesterol efflux from the sperm plasma membrane, adding cholesterol to enhance cryosurvival may retard sperm capacitation. These studies evaluated the ability of sperm treated with cholesterol-loaded cyclodextrins (CLC) to capacitate, acrosome react, and fertilize oocytes. Control (non-CLC-treated) and CLC-treated sperm were treated with heparin, dilauroylphosphatidylcholine (PC12), or calcium ionophore A23187 (A23187) to capacitate and induce the acrosome reaction. Sperm capacitation, assessed by an increase in intracellular calcium level, and acrosome-reacted sperm were measured using flow cytometry. Fresh CLC-treated sperm cells underwent capacitation and/or the acrosome reaction at rates different from control samples, and the differences detected were dependent on the method used to induce sperm capacitation and the acrosome reaction. After cryopreservation, however, CLC-treated and control sperm underwent capacitation and the acrosome reaction at similar rates regardless of the method used to induce capacitation and the acrosome reaction. The primary concern for CLC-treated sperm, however, is whether this treatment would affect in vitro or in vivo fertility. Adding either control or CLC-treated cryopreserved sperm to bovine oocytes in vitro resulted in similar oocyte cleavage rates and blastocyst formation rates. In addition, when inseminated into heifers, pregnancy rates for control and CLC-treated sperm were also similar. Therefore, treating bull sperm with CLC permits greater numbers of sperm to survive cryopreservation while preserving the fertilizing potential of each individual sperm.
Citizen Input in the Budget Process

Citizen participation in public budgeting processes has been widely advocated by both theorists and practitioners of public administration. Yet there is less agreement on when the public should be brought into the process and how the timing of citizen inclusion affects the outcomes of public agencies. Using survey data about citizen involvement practices utilized by the state departments of transportation (DOTs) across the country, the authors construct citizen input indices for different stages of the budget process and examine the impact of participation on the overall organizational effectiveness. The study results show that citizen participation in the budget process has greatest positive effect on organizational performance at both the early and ending stages of the budget process, namely, the stages of information sharing and program assessment.
The Status of Women in Sport-Talk Radio: A Survey of Directors

Sport-talk radio has been recognized, along with other forms of sports media, as a masculine space where women’s value as athletes and fans is diminished. Little is known, however, about the gendered dynamics of sport-talk-radio production. This study used a survey of programming directors from across the United States to explore issues around the employment of women and coverage of women’s sport by local stations. Results suggest that many stations do not employ any women, although more than half do. Still, leadership positions belong primarily to men. Programming directors see little value in women’s sport for their listeners and make decisions that reinforce their vision of an audience that also sees little value in women’s sport. Using a feminist lens, the authors speculate on the impact that women in positions of power could have on programming if their representation moved beyond token status, while acknowledging the realities of the sport-media workplace.
Linking Regional Land Use and Payments for Forest Hydrological Services: A Case Study of Hoa Binh Reservoir in Vietnam

We have calculated the economic value of forest hydrological services for Hoa Binh Hydroelectric Plant in Vietnam, which is a major power supplier for the capital Hanoi. Our valuation is based on measurements over a six-year period from 2001 to 2006 in 240 permanent sample plots in different vegetation types distributed throughout the watershed. We have synthesized the information with GIS, and carried out simulations with derived empirical models for different land use, electricity price and payment proportion scenarios. Our findings indicate that the economic value of forest hydrological services for electricity production ranges from 26.3 million USD to 85.5 million USD per year; and that the longevity of the hydroelectric plant can be prolonged by about 35-80 years, depending on the state of forest cover in the watershed.
Forecasting with Bayesian Vector Autoregressions-Five Years of Experience

The results obtained in five years of forecasting with Bayesian vector autoregressions (BVAR's) demonstrate that this inexpensive, reproducible statistical technique is as accurate, on average, as those used by the best known commercial forecasting services. This article considers the problem of economic forecasting, the justification for the Bayesian approach, its implementation, and the performance of one small BVAR model over the past five years.
Enhancing Plan Quality: Evaluating the Role of State Planning Mandates for Natural Hazard Mitigation

Traditionally, responsibility for land planning in the United States lies with local governments. However, a growing number of states over the past several decades have attempted to exert more influence on how local governments plan for development. This paper uses empirical data from natural hazard elements of 139 community plans in five states to assess whether such state mandates actually result in better local plans. We find that a state mandate not only achieves plans from communities that otherwise would not make a plan, but in addition those plans are of higher quality than plans made voluntarily in communities not under a mandate to plan. W e find that a state mandate substitutes for the absence of any positive political forces for planning and overcomes local political, economic and physical obstacles to planning. Further, the form of the mandate and the state level implementation effort makes a difference, so that some states' mandates achieve local plans of higher quality than those created in .
A Qualitative Assessment of Teacher and School Influences on African American Enrollments in Secondary Agricultural Science Courses.

The purpose of this study was to determine factors related to enrollment of African Americans in secondary agricultural science programs. Eleven agricultural science programs in Mississippi, North Carolina, and Virginia were studied during site visits. Also, one agricultural science teacher in each of the high schools was interviewed. Based on the observations and other data that were collected, the researchers found that agricultural science teachers’ attitudes toward teaching and students had a significant impact on African American enrollments in agricultural science courses. Those teachers who could relate well to all students and were enthusiastic about their programs had the highest number of African American students in their courses. In addition, programs that had high technology, science-based curricula enrolled more African American students than traditional production oriented programs. Also, schools with an African American agricultural science teacher had higher percentages of African American students in the agricultural science program. African Americans have been and continue to be
Un'analisi critica delle definizioni di disoccupazione e partecipazione in Italia

One of the most widely cited labour market indicators, the unemployment rate, is based on a conventional definition of unemployment. In Italy, following the ILO recommendations, the i? ½unemployedi? ½ category comprises all persons who state to look for a job, to be immediately available for work and to have undertaken specific search steps within the month before the interview. Because of this last requirement, about one third of Italian job seekers are not classified as unemployed; these individuals are generally named i? ½potential labour forcei? ½. A test on the transition probabilities estimated using the Italian Labour Force Survey suggests that in the Southern part of Italy the unemployed and the potential labour force categories are not behaviourally distinct labour market groups. The standardised ILO definition of unemployment is then too rigid for a relevant part of the Italian labour market.
Arms and Aggression in the Middle East

The authors' understanding of the relationship between the cold war and enduring rivalry in the Third World has been hampered by a tendency to view international conflicts as relatively isolated phenomena. The authors address this question by analyzing the impact of superpower arms transfers on armed interventions in the Middle East from 1948 to 1991. The evidence suggests that arms transfers from the United States to Israel restrained the level of military aggression in the region, on the part of both Israel and its Arab rivals. Soviet arms transfers, however, had the opposite effect. This latter pattern is attributed more to the Soviet Union's inability to restrain its clients than to its active promotion of regional conflict. The authors' conclusions are based on a Poisson regression analysis of time-series data derived from the Overt Military Interventions database and the arms trade registers compiled by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.
LEARNING FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN TOURISM NETWORKS

The present study investigates learning toward sustainable development in multi-stakeholder public–private networks. The evidence is grounded in the data from six tourism networks in four European countries. The process of cooperation appears more important vis-a-vis achievements regarding sustainable tourism than the structure of networks. This process will determine the network's ability to become adept at explicating tacit knowledge among its actors, and to develop the network so it can facilitate the creation of sustainability outcomes. A leading public actor may assume a ‘teacher's’ role in the network. In these instances, the network runs a risk of becoming merely an information dissemination tool. This involves a trap of one-way communication and under-used knowledge utilization opportunities. Receptivity of the teacher actor is low and the partners do not really collaborate. The teacher actor should make a special effort to create feedback loops leading to two-way communication, so that a learning strategy of collaboration can take place. The findings also imply that in some networks with a public leader there is an overly high belief in the ability of information dissemination and classroom education to promote learning about sustainable development although learning about sustainability in the practical level requires concrete results and joint action. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Intergenerational Trade, Longevity, and Economic Growth

We develop an overlapping-generations model of endogenous growth in which human capital is the engine of growth and the generations are linked through material and emotional interdependencies within the family. Parents invest in their children to achieve both old-age support (care) and emotional gratification, and material support from children is determined through self-enforcing implicit contracts. We show that optimal intergenerational trade can then lead to maximization of growth opportunities. Our model produces a theory of the "demographic transition" linking longevity, fertility, and economic growth. We also show that while population aging may raise the growth rate, an increase in young-age longevity is likely to produce a greater increase in the growth rate and a reduction in the fertility rate in a growth equilibrium. These predictions and the model's implications concerning the behavior of private savings during the takeoff period appear consistent with empirical evidence.
Decentralization and agrarian transformation in Ethiopia: extending the power of the federal state

A controversial aspect of the Ethiopian ‘developmental state’ lies in the peculiar relationship between local administrative structures and farmers. This article discusses this local interface in light of the implementation of recent reforms establishing a decentralized system of land administration. The aim is to explore the discursive repertoire behind the implementation of decentralization so as to understand its significance in relation to the broader project of rural development. The article describes the local administrative structure, its agents, and how it reconfigures the relationship between the state and farmers in the rural milieu. The article presents empirical evidence from the case of Siraro wereda in Oromiya region, and makes a detailed analysis of how local officials and farmers experience decentralization on the ground. The main conclusion is that, by legitimizing and laying the technical foundation of a rural development project that relies on two main political narratives (‘equity and fairness’ and ‘efficiency and productivity’), decentralization in Ethiopia has the effect of strengthening the already hierarchical system of local administration and thereby serves to further extend the power of the Ethiopian state.
Do Political Budget Cycles Differ in Latin American Democracies?

We test for political budget cycles in a panel of eighteen Latin American democracies from 1973 to 2008. Recent studies have argued that the pattern of deficit cycles in a large cross-section of countries is driven by the experience of ``new democracies. As a large share of the countries that underwent democratization during this period are in Latin America, we seek to verify if these patterns are robust using an updated data set on fiscal expenditures, democratization and elections. Our results confirm that elections provoke increases in the fiscal deficit for Latin American democracies, but that this pattern is not contingent on a country being in the early phase of its democratic transition. We argue that these findings suggest that greater attention should be directed at the selection criteria utilized to define democracy and competitive elections when testing for political budget cycles. "
Private consumption and sector price behaviour in the Spanish economy: a business cycle approach

In this article we examine the consequences of introducing tradable, nontradable and investment goods in a small open economy business cycle model in the case of Spain. The stochastic simulation of the model and its comparison to the Spanish economic data show that the model is able to mimic two prominent features of the Spanish cycle: (1) the dual inflation phenomenon, that is, the cyclical properties of the divergent behaviour between nontradable and tradable prices; and (2) the high volatility of private consumption relative to the volatility of output, a feature known as the Dolado et al. puzzle.
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) serum level in women with first-episode depression, correlation with clinical and metabolic parameters

Abstract Background: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) influences neuron differentiation during development, as well as the synaptic plasticity and neuron survival in adulthood. BDNF has been implicated in the pathogenesis of psychiatric disorders and its serum level is a potential biomarker for depression. The aim of this study was to examine serum levels of BDNF in first-episode depression and its correlation with clinical and metabolic parameters. Materials and methods: The study was performed on a group of 60 women: 30 diagnosed with a first-episode of depression and 30 healthy controls. 17-Item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS-17) was used to assess the severity of depression. Patients were randomly chosen for treatment with sertraline or venlafaxine. BDNF serum levels and metabolic parameters: fasting serum glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) were measured at baseline and week 8 of treatment. Results: There were no differences between BDNF level in depressed patients compared with the healthy controls. Lack of differences in medication effect of sertraline or venlafaxine on HDRS-17 scores during 8 weeks of treatment was observed. Correlation of BDNF at baseline and fasting serum glucose at baseline and week 8 was detected. Conclusions: Correlations of BDNF serum levels with metabolic parameters were observed.
MOBILE DEMOCRACY: TEXT MESSAGES, VOTER TURNOUT AND THE 2004 SPANISH GENERAL ELECTION

Mobile phones have the potential to foster political mobilisation. Like the Internet, mobile phones facilitate communication and rapid access to information. Compared to the Internet, however, mobile phone diffusion has reached a larger proportion of the population in most countries, and thus the impact of this new medium is conceivably greater. The Spanish general election of 2004 occurred in the wake of an unprecedented terrorist attack, but its outcome reflects the potential that mobile phones have to provide the user with independent information and bring about voter mobilisation. The impression – whether true or not – that the government was withholding information about the attack outraged a small number of voters who, empowered with mobile phones, sent text messages (known as SMS), resulting in unprecedented flash demonstrations on election day eve. Traditional media outlets contributed further to a growing chorus of citizens who felt misled. Those who tend not to vote, young voters and new voters, were galvanised to go to the polls, and they disproportionately favoured the opposition party. While it is too early to determine the political effects of mobile phone diffusion, the events in Spain suggest that mobile technology may come to play an important role in political participation and democracy.