Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Increased elastin turnover in diabetic patients with arterial hypertension

Introduction and aims: Antibodies against products of elastin degradation are found in sera of all people. presence of anti-elastin antibodies (AeAbs) and relevant antigens in circulation leads to the formation of circulating immune complexes (CiC). The aim of our study is to determine serum levels of anti-elastin antibodies unbound in CiC (free AeAbs). Material and methods: We used a method for detection Cif-elisA (complement-inhibiting fac- tor-enzyme linked immunosorbent assay) in combination with elis A to find A eAbs. The levels of free AeAbs igG were measured in sera of 93 patients with diabetes mellitus and hypertension (mean age 61.4 ±11.3, diabetes duration 9.88 ±3.12; hypertension duration 9.28 ±4.98). These levels were com- pared to 42 age- and sex-matched controls. Results: free AeAbs i gG in patients with T2 dM and A h are statistically significantly higher than these in healthy controls: 0.421 (0.328-0.572) vs. 0.240 (0.212-0.305), respectively (kW = 19.64; p < 0.0001). Group 1 (patients with microvascular complications) showed a significant increase in free AeAbs igG in comparison with controls: 0.428 (0.343-0.591) vs. 0.240 (0.212-0.305), respectively (kW = 20.14; p < 0.0001). Group 2 also shows higher levels of free AeAbs igG than the control group: 0.398 (0.312- 0.467) vs. 0.240 (0.212-0.305), respectively (kW = 8.88; p = 0.003). patients with microvascular com- plications showed the highest levels of free AeAbs igG. There were no significant differences between group 1 and group 2. Conclusions: our results show the association between the activity of elastin turnover and micro- vascular lesions in diabetic patients with arterial hypertension. We suggest that free AeAbs igG mark a later "secondary" step of the autoimmunization to elastin.
Edge effect on carabid assemblages along forest-grass transects

Abstract. During 1997 and 1998, we have tested the edge-effect for carabids along oak-hornbeam forest-grass transects using pitfall traps in Hungary. Our hypothesis was that the diversity of carabids will be higher in the forest edge than in the forest interior. We also focused on the characteristic species of the habitats along the transects and the relationships between their distribution and the biotic and abiotic factors. Our results proved that there was a significant edge effect on the studied carabid communities: the Shannon diversity increased significantly along the transects from the forest towards the grass. The diversity of the carabids were significantly higher in the forest edge and in the grass than in the forest interior. The carabids of the forest, the forest edge and the grass are separated from each other by principal coordinates analysis and by indicator species analysis (IndVal), suggesting that each of the three habitats has a distinct species assemblages. There were 5 distinctive groups of carabids: 1) habitat generalists, 2) forest generalists, 3) species of the open area, 4) forest edge species, and 5) forest specialists. It was demonstrated by multiple regression analyses, that the relative air moisture, temperature of the ground, the cover of leaf litter, herbs, shrubs and canopy cover, abundance of the carabids’ preys are the most important factors determining the diversity and spatial pattern of carabids along the studied transects.
Recognition and discrimination of unfamiliar male and female voices

The aim of this study was examined the ability to identify voices of unfamiliar people. In experiment 1, participants performed tried to recognize the voice of unfamiliar man or woman. Results showed that subjects generally matched 83.11% when the target voice was present and made 56.45% false alarms when it was not. Discrimination was different from chance and subjects used liberal response criteria. In experiment 2, men and women tried to identify the same voices of men and women as in previous experiment. Between stimulus presentation and the recognition task, subjects listened instrumental music for 2.38 minutes, with the aim of making it harder that the voice remain active in working memory. Results showed that ability of men and women to identify an unfamiliar voice was null, in both cases with liberal response criterion. Men matched 12.06%, with 65.51% false alarms, and women 25.80% and 56.45% respectively. There was no differences in the ability to identify male and female voices, although women tend to choose more than men, even when no target voice was present.
YOU DESCRIBE IT, I WILL NAME IT: AN APPROACH TO ALLEVIATE THE EFFECT OF USERS’ SEMANTICS IN ASSIGNING TAGS TO FEATURES IN VGI

As an important factor of VGI quality, this paper focuses on uncertainty arisen in assigning tags to features by VGI users. The VGI portals ask their users to assign (or tag) one or more data types to features, from a set of pre-defined types, whose meanings may be vague for the user, or distinctions between some of them are not clear, i.e. depend on the users’ semantics. This research believes such uncertainties are the results of perceptual issues arising in serial communication between the system and the user. We categorize the problem, and then utilize semantic modelling to reduce such uncertainties. A hierarchy of feature types is produced. At each step, users are asked a simple question with clear distinct answers, which gradually directs the user to the right type. We will describe the approach and present the initial results for the hierarchy produced for major linear features of OpenStreetMap.
Risk Factors of U.S. Real Estate Investments

This research investigates macroeconomic risk factors pertaining to the various types of real estate exposure, i.e. direct, listed and non-listed investments. We apply panel model techniques which make it possible to take advantage of both the cross-sectional and time series dimensions of our data. Much emphasis is placed on comparing sensitivities to risk factors across the types of real estate exposure. This is important in order to assess whether indirect (listed and non-listed) exposures react in the same way as direct investments to the macroeconomy and how well such investments replicate direct real estate behavior. The empirical analyses are conducted using U.S. data from 1984Q1 to 2016Q2. Allocations both by sector and geography are taken into account. For indirect exposures, we also control for size and leverage. Our results indicate that the GDP, money supply, construction costs, expected inflation and expected economic activity positively impact returns, while long-term interest rates, the term and credit spreads, unemployment and unexpected inflation negatively impact returns. The various types of real estate exposure generally respond similarly to risk factors.
When cognition turns vicious: Heuristics and biases in light of virtue epistemology

In this paper, we explore the literature on cognitive heuristics and biases in light of virtue epistemology, specifically highlighting the two major positions—agent-reliabilism and agent-responsibilism (or neo-Aristotelianism)—as they apply to dual systems theories of cognition and the role of motivation in biases. We investigate under which conditions heuristics and biases might be characterized as vicious and conclude that a certain kind of intellectual arrogance can be attributed to an inappropriate reliance on Type 1, or the improper function of Type 2, cognitive processes. By the same token, the proper intervention of Type 2 processes results in the virtuous functioning of our cognitive systems (agent-reliabilism). Moreover, the role of motivation in attenuating cognitive biases and the cultivation of certain epistemic habits (a search for accuracy, being accountable for one's judgments, the use of rules of analysis, and exposure to differing perspectives) points to the tenets of agent-responsibilism in epistemic virtue. We identify the proper use of Type 2 cognitive processes and the habits of mind that attenuate biases as demonstrations of the virtue of intellectual humility. We briefly explore the nature of these habits and the contribution of personality traits, situational pressures, and training in their cultivation.
Differentiated Durable Goods Monopoly: A Robust Coase Conjecture

The paper analyzes a durable goods monopoly problem in which multiple varieties can be sold. A robust Coase conjecture establishes that the market eventually clears, with profits exceeding static optimal market-clearing profits and converging to this lower bound in all stationary equilibria with instantaneous price revisions. Pricing need not be efficient, nor is it minimal (equal to the maximum of marginal cost and minimal value), and can lead to cross-subsidization. Conclusions nest both classical Coasian insights and modern Coasian failures. The option to scrap products does not affect results qualitatively, but delivers a novel motive for selling high cost products. (JEL C78, D42, L12)
Does the preferred learning style of those training for a career in Design and Technology differ depending upon age

Many universities now enrol students on their degree programmes from a broad age range with a variety of entry qualifications. This has caused a shift from an elite to a mass higher education system that has affected aspects of teaching and learning. Much research has been carried out into the relationship between preferred learning style (PLS) and effective learning. There is evidence to suggest that a large proportion of those in a specific profession have the same PLS and that there is no overall gender difference in respect of PLS. However, little seems to be known regarding age differences in the PLS of those studying for a given profession,
U.K. Stock Market Inefficiencies and the Risk Premium

The stock market predictability has been a favorite topic of scholars and practitioners alike. It seems that some small predictability is present in all major stock markets worldwide. This predictability can be attributed to the risk premium structure and/or to inefficiencies present in the markets. This paper investigates the predictability of returns of some major shares listed in the London Stock exchange, using economic as well as accounting variables. We first measure the predictability of these variables by regressing individual stock returns on their corresponding accounting variables and the economic ones. Second, we estimate for the returns a seasonal latent factor model with time varying volatility. Provided that our measure of risk is an adequate one, the residuals of this estimation are free of the predictability of risk premium, and consequently one expects that any accounting and factor economic variables would have no predictive power. An LM-type test is developed and employed to indicate that indeed the U.K. stock market predictability is due to the risk premium structure, and the explanatory power of the variables considered here is due to them being an approximation of risk. However, when we perform the test jointly for all assets, we reject the zero predictability hypothesis at 5% but not at 1%.
Effects of the workplace exercises in the morphologic, functional, lifestyle and absenteeism variables in workers of the pharmaceutical industry of Montes Claros - MG

Marcel Guimaraes da Silveira1,2 marcelsesi@hotmail.com Rodrigo Pereira da Silva2,3 rodrigopereira@hotmail.com Victor Machado Reis1 vreis@utad.pt Jefferson Silva Novaes4 jsnovaes@terra.com. br 1Universidade de Tras-os-Montes e Alto Douro Portugal 2Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros – UNIMONTES Brasil 3Faculdades Unidas do Norte de Minas FUNORTE Brasil 4Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro UFRJ Brasil
Eğitim Programı Kavramına İlişkin Öğretmen Adaylarının Metaforik Algıları

Bu calismanin amaci, ogretmen adaylarinin egitim programi kavramina iliskin algilarini metaforlar araciligiyla belirlemektir. Calisma grubunu Kirikkale Universitesi Egitim Fakultesinin cesitli bolumlerinde kayitli 302 ogretmen adayi olusturmustur. Veri toplamak icin acik uclu sorulardan yararlanilmistir ve verileri analiz etmede nitel islemler kullanilmistir. Calismanin bulgulari, katilimcilarin 8 farkli kategoride toplam 148 gecerli metafor gelistirdigini gostermistir. Bu kategoriler sunlardir: “Duzenli ve hiyerarsik olarak olusturulan/isleyen bir organizasyon/mekanizma olarak egitim programi, ”yol gosterici olarak egitim programi”, “bir surec olarak egitim programi”, “belli bir sonuca ulasmaya yonelik bir arac olarak egitim programi”, “bir kural, ilke ya da amac dogrultusunda hazirlanan tasari olarak egitim programi”, “vazgecilmez bir oge olarak egitim programi”, “bireyleri sekillendiren bir kalip olarak egitim programi”, “surekli degistirilen bir kavram olarak egitim programi”. En fazla gelistirilen metaforlar, “kilavuz/rehber, sistem, bir binanin plani veya projesi, insan yasami ve harita/yol haritasi” olmustur.
Inquiry, Criticism and Reasonableness: Socratic Dialogue as a Research Method?

The examined dialogue in this article is part of the authors’ current research on civilmilitary relations from an ethical perspective. The aim of this research is to facilitate a higher quality dialogue between the (inter)national military, (inter)national humanitarian organizations, and the local populations by identifying, clarifying and discussing the moral values underlying tensions in civil-military relations, in this case in Afghanistan. While the researcher introduced the central theme - civil-military relations in the Baghlan Province in Afghanistan - the fundamental question did not reflect the values, ideas and assumptions of the researcher but those of the participants, and it was exactly these values, ideas and assumptions that were investigated. The case shows how Socratic Dialogue can reveal the (moral) values of the participants through inquiry, criticism and reasonableness. What is considered to be reasonable may be regarded as objective, but it has to be borne in mind that decisions of this kind carry value judgments at every turn and few situations would be immune from their influence.
Expression of α and β oestrogen receptors within the claustrum in rabbit males

Abstract The aim of the study was to investigate the presence of α (Erα) and β (Erβ) oestrogen receptors in rabbit male’s claustrum, and thus to examine whether oestrogens may influence nerve cells’ functions of this structure. The material for the study was obtained from the brains of seven rabbits. To detect the presence of Erα and Erβ, specific monoclonal antibodies were used. The expression of Erα and Erβ was demonstrated in proper claustrum, as well as in the nucleus endopiriformis. For Erβ, the reaction occurred mainly in the cell nucleus, whereas Erα was localised predominantly in the neuron cytoplasm. For both Erα and Erβ, the nuclear and cytoplasmic localisation was observed in a small percentage of the examined cells. The obtained results may indicate oestrogen influence on the brain area and also suggest a further research on oestrogen-dependent pathways in males, which still remain greatly unexplored.
Orbital- and millennial-scale environmental changes between 64 and 20 ka BP recorded in Black Sea sediments

Abstract. High-resolution pollen and dinoflagellate cyst records from sediment core M72/5-25-GC1 were used to reconstruct vegetation dynamics in northern Anatolia and surface conditions of the Black Sea between 64 and 20 ka BP. During this period, the dominance of Artemisia in the pollen record indicates a steppe landscape and arid climate conditions. However, the concomitant presence of temperate arboreal pollen suggests the existence of glacial refugia in northern Anatolia. Long-term glacial vegetation dynamics reveal two major arid phases ~64–55 and 40–32 ka BP, and two major humid phases ~54–45 and 28–20 ka BP, correlating with higher and lower summer insolation, respectively. Dansgaard–Oeschger (D–O) cycles are clearly indicated by the 25-GC1 pollen record. Greenland interstadials are characterized by a marked increase in temperate tree pollen, indicating a spread of forests due to warm/wet conditions in northern Anatolia, whereas Greenland stadials reveal cold and arid conditions as indicated by spread of xerophytic biomes. There is evidence for a phase lag of ~500 to 1500 yr between initial warming and forest expansion, possibly due to successive changes in atmospheric circulation in the North Atlantic sector. The dominance of Pyxidinopsis psilata and Spiniferites cruciformis in the dinocyst record indicates brackish Black Sea conditions during the entire glacial period. The decrease of marine indicators (marine dinocysts, acritarchs) at ~54 ka BP and increase of freshwater algae (Pediastrum, Botryococcus) from 32 to 25 ka BP reveals freshening of the Black Sea surface water. This freshening is possibly related to humid phases in the region, to connection between Caspian Sea and Black Sea, to seasonal freshening by floating ice, and/or to closer position of river mouths due to low sea level. In the southern Black Sea, Greenland interstadials are clearly indicated by high dinocyst concentrations and calcium carbonate content, as a result of an increase in primary productivity. Heinrich events show a similar impact on the environment in the northern Anatolia/Black Sea region as Greenland stadials.
On the Invalidity of Strilloma Isaac (Copepoda: Monstrilloida): Observations from the Type Species

The genus Strilloma was erected by M.J. Isaac in 1974 to contain species of Monstrilloida with 4 abdominal somites instead of 3, as in Monstrilla and Monstrillopsis, or with 2, as in Cymbasoma. This genus was described based on a single specimen of its type species, S. longa Isaac, 1974, collected 95 years ago in Florida, USA, and deposited in the Museum fur Naturkunde in Berlin. Strilloma has been considered invalid by several authors, but the type species has not been reexamined since its description, and there are no concrete morphological data besides the roughly sketched original illustrations. A close examination of the holotype of S. longa allowed us to confirm that this species clearly belongs to Monstrilla. The partial suture around the genital double somite was misinterpreted as complete segmentation, a character state that is absent in the Monstrilloida; therefore, the 4 species previously assigned to Strilloma should be referred to Monstrilla, including Monstrilla scotti (Isaac, 1975), comb. nov. A complete, upgraded redescription of Monstrilla longa (comb. nov.) is presented along with a comparison to other closely related species possessing a relatively long distal antennular segment.
Strengthening health systems through improved reliability of health information: An evaluation of the expanded programme on immunisation data management in Eastern Cape, South Africa

Background: An initial review of District Health Information System (DHIS) data from Eastern Cape Province, South Africa, collected for the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI), identified wide variations in reported rates of immunisation between sub-districts, with some consistently exceeding 100%. These impossible figures signal significant issues with data quality. To investigate these variations, and identify potential interventions, we designed a mixed-methods evaluation of the accuracy of reported immunisation coverage and challenges in data management. Methods: The evaluation was carried out in June and July 2012. Data audits and semi-structured interviews with key staff were conducted in 16 purposively selected health facilities and two sub-district offices from two of Eastern Cape’s 24 sub-districts. Selected sub-districts were the ones reporting the lowest and highest coverage rates. The extent of the discrepancy between reported and verified data was calculated for each facilities. Multiple regression analysis identified factors related to these discrepancies. Content theme analysis of interviews was done to pinpoint recurring challenges in data quality assurance. Results: Reported immunisation coverage for the 24 sub-districts in Eastern Cape Province varied between 46.3% and 133.9%. Five of the sub-districts reported rates exceeding 100%. Results of audits in the two sub-districts reporting the lowest (SD1) and highest (SD2) figures showed that full immunisation was over-reported by 4% in SD1 and 85% in SD 2. When stratified by facility, significant over and under-reporting existed in all facilities, although errors were far larger in SD2. Content analysis of interviews revealed that audit discrepancies related mainly to: availability and use of registers; poor verification processes; inadequate training; and communication issues. These challenges were present in both sub-districts although more frequent in SD2 where greater discrepancies were identified. Conclusion: Ensuring data accuracy is a significant problem in Eastern Cape Province. There are some clear steps the Provincial Department of Health can take to reduce errors. Recommendations include a) the central procurement of materials required for data management, b) the formation of Data Audit Teams to verify data, c) integration between Maternal, Child and Women’s Health sub-programmes to improve communication, and d) the provision of training regarding data management processes.
Threshold Effects in Cigarette Addiction: An Application of the Threshold Model in Dynamic Panels

We adopt the threshold model of myopic cigarette addiction to US state-level panel data. The threshold model is used to identify the structural effects of cigarette demand determinants across the income stratification. Furthermore, we apply a bootstrap approach to correct for the small-sample bias that arises in the dynamic panel threshold model with fixed effects. Our empirical results indicate that there exists the heterogeneity of smoking dynamics across consumers.
Evaluating Primary School Student's Deep Learning Approach to Science Lessons.

This study examines the variables which help direct students to a deep learning approach to science lessons, with the aim of guiding programmers and teachers in primary education. The sample was composed of a total of 164 primary school students. The Learning Approaches to Science Scale developed by Unal (2005) for Science and Technology lessons as a four-point Likert scale was used in the research. It was found that the students who preferred a deep learning approach decreased in number with a higher grade level, enjoyed answering science questions and used the internet for research purpose. Moreover, a deep learning approach to science lessons is related to enjoyment of science lessons and the attitude of finding science lessons necessary. © 2012 IOJES. All rights reserved