Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Development of consumption-based land use indicators

With this UFOPLAN project on land use indicators, the German Federal Environment Agency aimed at further developing indicators from a consumption perspective in support of Germany’s sustainability strategy, covering both area-based and impact-oriented land footprint indicators. The project also aimed at calculating selected land footprint indicators for Germany and the EU. These indicators should provide an improved understanding of the global teleconnections of consumption and land use relevant for policy making towards achieving sustainable land use. This synthesis report presents the key results from this project. First, we present a structured overview of existing approaches for estimating land footprints and describe their technical and structural characteristics as well as their strengths and weaknesses. This leads to the specification of a hybrid methodology as the preferred calculation approach. In the second part, we present the developed innovative hybrid land footprint method, consisting of a global land flow accounting and trade model capturing commodity flows in physical units to track embodied land along global supply chains. For non-food commodities the supply chains were complemented by an environmental input-output model. This method was used to calculate the cropland, grassland and forestland footprint of Germany and the EU. Finally, an overview of existing indicator systems for representing the environmental impacts of land use was provided and their complementary usage to extend area-based land footprints was discussed. A few of these complementary indicators were also quantified, most notably the deforestation footprint. The synthesis report closes with an overview of the thematic areas that need to be addressed in future research. Development of land use indicators on the macro and micro level – Synthesis report
The Impact of Exchange Rate on Nigeria Non-Oil Exports

The study examines the impact of exchange rate on non-oil export. We used time series data obtained from CBN for a period of 27 years that is 1986 to 2013. Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) test was used for the unit root test and Johansen’s co-integration test was also conducted to establish short and long run relationships between non-oil exports and independent variables. The result shows three co-integrating equations which establish the existence of long run relationship among the variables. Ordinary Least Square statistical technique was used to assess the determinants of non-oil export in Nigeria. The results show that effective exchange rate, money supply, credit to the private sector and economic performance have a significant impact on the growth of non-oil export in the Nigerian economy and appreciation of exchange rate has negative effect on non-oil export which is consistent with the economic theory. Following this, the study recommended among others that monetary authority should ensure exchange rate stability in order to stem inflationary tendencies in Nigeria which have adverse effect on the growth of non-oil export.
Uncertainty Modeling Without Subspace Methods For Text-Dependent Speaker Recognition

We present an effective, practical solution to the problem of uncertainty modeling in text-dependent speaker recognition where “uncertainty” refers to the fact that feature vectors used for speaker recognition are necessarily noisy in the statistical sense if they are extracted from utterances of short duration. The idea is to apply the I-Vector Backend probability model at the level of individual Gaussian mixture components rather than at the supervector level. We show that (unlike the I-Vector Back-end), this approach can be implemented in a way which makes reasonable computational demands at veriﬁcation time. Uncertainty modeling enables us to achieve error rate reductions of up to 25% on the RSR Part III speaker veriﬁcation task (compared to an implementation of the Joint Density Backend [8] which treats point estimates of supervector features as being reliable).
The Effects of Exchange Rate Volatility on Korea's Automotive Industry Exports: A Panel Cointegration Analysis

This paper investigated the impact of exchange rate volatility on the automotive industry exports of Korea using a traditional long-run export demand model. In measuring the exchange rate volatility this study employed the General Autoregressive Conditional Heteroscedasticity [GARCH(1,1)] model and the standard deviation approach. To this end, the panel cointegration analysis was applied to the monthly exports of Korea’s automotive products to 28 major trading partners for the period March 2001 to December 2014. The panel dynamic ordinary least squares (DOLS) and the panel fully modified ordinary squares (FMOLS) estimations were employed to verify the long-run relationships among the regression variables. The empirical results provided evidence that exchange rate volatility has negative effects on the automotive industry exports of Korea. However, such effects were found to have relatively smaller magnitude on the automotive parts exports compared to the motor vehicle product exports. This would seem to suggest that the differential effects of volatility on the magnitude can be due to the influences of production sharing across globe, which tends to weaken the sensitivity of exchange rate uncertainty on intermediate goods trade.
Vaginal misoprostol for induction of labor: 25 vs. 50 microg dose regimen.

OBJECTIVE To compare the efficacy and safety of two regimens of vaginal misoprostol for induction of labor. METHOD In a randomized study, 185 women undergoing induction of labor were allocated to Group A (n=93), to be given 25 microg misoprostol and Group B (n=92), to be given 50 microg misoprostol. Intravaginal misoprostol was given every 4 h until the onset of labor. A maximum of six doses was administered. RESULTS Abnormal uterine contractions were more common in Group B compared to Group A: 33 (35.86%) vs. 10 (10.75%) cases, and significantly more women in Group B required tocolysis (9.78 vs. 3.23%). The induction-delivery interval (mean+/-S.D.) was 17.18+/-8.48 h in Group A and 9.37+/-5.87 h in Group B (P<0.05). Oxytocin infusion was used in 37.63% of women in Group A and 26.08% in Group B (P>0.05). The cesarean section rate was 17.20% in Group A and 14.13% in Group B (P>0.05). Cesarean for failed IOL was more common in Group A: 7 of 16 (43.8%) vs. 3 of 13 (23.1%) cesarean deliveries (P<0.05). Postpartum hemorrhage occurred in 9.78% of women in Group B compared to 2.15% in Group A (P<0.05). There was a trend for more neonatal complications in Group B, but this did not reach significance. CONCLUSIONS Although a dose of 50 microg of misoprostol results in a significantly shorter induction-delivery interval with less need for labor augmentation, there was an increased risk of uterine contractile abnormalities and postpartum hemorrhage. A regime using 25 microg of misoprostol every 4 h can induce labor safely and effectively.
Biocompatibility Tests on Spray Coated Carbon Nanotube and PEDOT:PSS Thin Films

Thin films of semiconducting and unsorted carbon nanotubes (CNT) are prepared on a transparent and flexible cyclic olefin polymeric substrate. The CNT biocompatibility is analyzed using L929 mouse fibroblasts and Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells. Highly conductive poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) films are also tested on the same substrate as an alternative conductive polymer for electrode material. The cell morphology and viability are recorded on the different material systems. This leads to the possibility of integrating a complete solution-processable electronic sensor, combined with the benefit of a flexible substrate, which shows better response due to its soft interface to biological matter.
First Report of a Dominantly Inherited β-Thalassemia Caused by a Novel Elongated β-Globin Chain

Abstract A distinct set of mutations on the β-globin gene leads to dominantly inherited β-thalassemia (β-thal) that is associated with a disease phenotype in a single mutant copy. We described molecular and hematological characteristics of a novel elongated β-globin chain in combination with a known hemoglobin (Hb) variant (N-Baltimore or HBB: c.286A>G) in cis. The highly unstable Hb variant caused typical features of β-thal major (β-TM) or β-thal intermedia (β-TI) in two members of a family depending on their α-globin genotypes. The β mutant allele of the mother was transmitted in an autosomal dominant fashion to her daughter. They resemble severe forms of β-thal due to ineffective erythropoiesis. Taken together with previously published data, this result indicates that a dominant form of β-thal should be regarded as a phenotypic term of hemoglobinopathies caused by β chain variants that are highly unstable.
Pedometers and Text Messaging to Increase Physical Activity

OBJECTIVE To assess whether pedometers and text messaging increase physical activity in adolescents with type 1 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A 12-week randomized controlled trial was conducted. A total of 78 subjects participated in the trial (mean ± SD age 14.4 ± 2.37 years, 36 [47%] male). Intervention participants wore an open pedometer and received regular motivational text messages. Control participants received usual care. Primary outcomes were daily step count (4-day closed pedometer) and physical activity questionnaire. RESULTS Baseline median step count was 11,063 steps/day (range 1,541–20,158). At 12 weeks, mean daily step count reduced by 840 (95% CI −1,947 to 266) in the control group and by 22 (−1,407 to 1,364) in the intervention group (P = 0.4). Mean self-reported moderate or vigorous physical activity increased by 38.5 min/week in the control group and by 48.4 in the intervention group (P = 0.9). CONCLUSIONS A 12-week intervention using pedometers and text messaging as motivational tools in adolescents with type 1 diabetes did not increase physical activity.
Are green cities healthy and equitable? Unpacking the relationship between health, green space and gentrification

While access and exposure to green spaces has been shown to be beneficial for the health of urban residents, interventions focused on augmenting such access may also catalyse gentrification processes, also known as green gentrification. Drawing from the fields of public health, urban planning and environmental justice, we argue that public health and epidemiology researchers should rely on a more dynamic model of community that accounts for the potential unintended social consequences of upstream health interventions. In our example of green gentrification, the health benefits of greening can only be fully understood relative to the social and political environments in which inequities persist. We point to two key questions regarding the health benefits of newly added green space: Who benefits in the short and long term from greening interventions in lower income or minority neighbourhoods undergoing processes of revitalisation? And, can green cities be both healthy and just? We propose the Green Gentrification and Health Equity model which provides a framework for understanding and testing whether gentrification associated with green space may modify the effect of exposure to green space on health.
Mental Health Effects of Adolescent Trauma Exposure in a Female College Sample: Exploring Differential Outcomes Based on Experiences of Unique Trauma Types and Dimensions

Abstract Most studies on the psychological impact of trauma exposure focus on the response to a single type of trauma, with little or no attention paid to the contribution of prior traumatic experiences. The goal of this study was to disentangle some of the confounding effects of multiple trauma exposures by exploring the unique contribution to mental health outcomes made by specific types and dimensions of trauma. This report compares the psychological outcomes of college women who experienced different types of trauma during adolescence, including traumatic bereavement, sexual assault, and physical assault. Young women who had experienced a single event of one of these types were compared with peers who had experienced multiple single events, ongoing sexual and/or physical abuse, as well as those who had experienced no trauma. Results, based on structured clinical interviews, and self-report measures showed that there were some significant differences in mental health outcomes based on trauma type. However, trauma exposure versus no exposure and the cumulative effects of exposure versus one-time experiences played the key roles in differentiating the groups.
Updating the Canadian obesity maps: an epidemic in progress.

OBJECTIVES Obesity is a growing problem in Canada and worldwide. While obesity maps that convey changing rates over time and geography provide a useful way to convey such information, regional obesity surveillance maps for Canada have not been published since 1998. This research provides a summary of changing Canadian obesity rates since that time. METHODS We computed estimated obesity rates for provinces and territories across Canada from 2000 to 2011. Data were based on Canadian Community Health Survey and corrected for self-report bias. Data reporting the estimated percent of the adult population who are obese were mapped over time overall and by sex according to Canadian province and territory. RESULTS The data indicate that the estimated prevalence of obesity across Canada has continued to increase over the past 11 years. Current rates exceed 30% in the Maritime provinces (Newfoundland, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island) and in two territories (Northwest Territory, Nunavut). Data for men and women are generally consistent. The major increase in obesity appears to have occurred in the first part of this period, with relatively stable rates found from 2008 to 2011. However, obesity rates are still climbing, warranting continued surveillance efforts. CONCLUSION Maps showing changing regional obesity rates provide a compelling pan-Canadian portrait that can lead to an impetus for action for the public, health care providers, and decision makers. Such colour-coded maps offer an efficient way to convey complex data that transcends language differences and personalizes the data for the viewer.
Two domains of Nrf2 cooperatively bind CBP, a CREB binding protein, and synergistically activate transcription

Background Nrf2 belongs to the Cap‐N‐Collar (CNC) transcription factor family and is essential for the antioxidant responsive element (ARE)‐mediated expression of a group of detoxifying and antioxidant genes. The forced expression of Nrf2 in mammalian cells activates the expression of target genes through the ARE, with Nrf2 showing the highest transactivation activity among the CNC family of transcription factors. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms generating this potent transactivation activity, we examined the functions of the domains within Nrf2.
Human Parechovirus Type 3 and 4 Associated With Severe Infections in Young Children

Background: The symptoms observed in children with human parechovirus (HPeV) infection vary widely from asymptomatic or mild gastrointestinal infections to more severe central nervous system infections and sepsis-like disease. Many of the disease associations are, however, only suggestive. In this study, we examined the connection between HPeV and acute otitis media, lower respiratory infections and suspected central nervous system infections. Methods: An HPeV specific real-time reverese transcriptase polymerase chain reaction was used to detect HPeV RNA. We analyzed altogether 200 middle-ear fluid samples, 192 nasopharyngeal aspirates, 79 cerebrospinal fluid specimens and 50 serum and 5 fecal or fecal culture samples. Positive samples were typed by sequencing the VP1 region. Results: Seven (8%) of 85 children with suspected central nervous system infections were positive for HPeV. Of these, 4 (all in autumn 2012 and from children <3 months of age) were typed to be HPeV4, whereas 1 child had HPeV3. HPeV4 was detected from stool, serum and cerebrospinal fluid. The children with acute otitis media tested HPeV positive in 2.5% episodes. In the lower respiratory cases, HPeV was absent. Conclusions: The findings reported in this study suggest that HPeV4 can cause sepsis-like disease in young infants and be present in cerebrospinal fluid. Furthermore, this report shows that HPeV findings in children with more severe symptoms occur also in Finland.
Single odors differentially stimulate dual second messenger pathways in lobster olfactory receptor cells

Quench-flow measurements are used to determine the subsecond kinetics of odor-induced changes in second messenger concentrations in lobster olfactory receptor neurons. Individual odors transiently and differentially increase the production of both adenosine cAMP and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) within 50 msec of odor stimulation. The ability of two different odors to stimulate cAMP and IP3 correlates with the odors' ability to excite and inhibit receptor cells physiologically. These results strengthen the proposition, heretofore based largely on evidence from cultured cells, that dual second messenger pathways mediate excitatory and inhibitory input to lobster olfactory receptor cells.
Milk Versus No Milk in Rapid Refeeding After Acute Gastroenteritis

Summary: Sixty‐five infants (mean age 14.7 months, range 6‐34 months), hospitalized for acute gastroenteritis, were treated with oral rehydration and rapid reintroduction of full feedings appropriate for age. Cow's milk and milk products were eliminated from the diet of 27 infants, whereas the remaining 38 children continued to receive their usual milk and milk products as parts of the mixed diet. There was no difference between the groups in the clinical recovery from diarrhea. No child had prolonged diarrhea. No new cases of clinical atopy were observed at 1‐month follow‐up, and there were no significant increases in the total or milk‐specific IgE levels. Serum IgG and IgA antibodies to &bgr;‐lactoglobulin and &agr;‐casein were initially present in the majority of the children, but there were no appreciable changes in these cow's milk antibodies after gastroenteritis, regardless of the type of diet. It is concluded that cow's milk and milk products can be safely given in acute gastroenteritis as parts of the mixed diet for children over 6 months of age. Rapid reintroduction of feedings is beneficial for recovery from diarrhea, and there appears to be little need for dietary restrictions in this age group.
REFORM OF CHINA'S STATE-OWNED SECTOR: PARALLELS WITH THE U.S. REGULATORY EXPERIENCE

China's strategy to maintain state control of State-Owned Enterprises within the emerging competitive market economy raises questions that parallel the U.S. debate over traditionally regulated industries. Successful implementation of the current strategy to strengthen SOE incentives to maximize profit will place the SOEs in positions similar to U.S. regulated firms prior to deregulation. Despite the fact that these firms were privately owned, with management separated from ownership, and operated within a strong competitive infrastructure, they were unable to resolve the inherent contradiction between their roles as profit-maximizing entities and their government-mandated social responsibilities. U.S. experience dealing with this issue may provide helpful insights as China seeks to strengthen the SOE's incentive to maximize profit without removing the SOE social service responsibility.
p53 immunoreactivity in cutaneous PUVA tumors is similar to that in other non‐melanoma skin neoplasms

Expression of the p53 tumor suppressor gene product was determined in keratoses and skin cancers associated with psoralen photochemotherapy (PUVA). An immunocytochemical study was employed using CM‐1 (polyclonal) and Do‐1 (monoclonal) antibodies to human wild‐type p53. Thirty‐two cutaneous lesions and 20 perilesional PUVA‐irradiated skin biopsies were examined from 7 patients, all of whom had received more than 200 PUVA treatments and/or a cumulative UVA dose of greater than 1000J/cm2 as treatment for widespread plaque psoriasis. p53 immunoreactivily was seen in 7 of 15 squamous cell carcinomas (46.7%), 5 of 8 dysplastic keratoses (62.5%) and in no basal cell carcinomas or benign keratoses. The overall prevalence of p53 immunoreactivity in 46.2% of malignant or dysplastic PUVA‐associated skin tumors is similar to that previously found by our group in comparable skin tumors from the general population. Most patients with lesions showing positive p53 immunoreactivity had, however, been exposed to additional risk factors before receiving PUVA therapy. p53 gene sequencing of PUVA‐associated non‐melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) may clarify whether p53 mutation contributes to the development of these tumors and whether this relates to PUVA therapy or prior carcinogen exposure.
DNA methylation of cord blood cell types: Applications for mixed cell birth studies

ABSTRACT Epigenome-wide association studies of disease widely use DNA methylation measured in blood as a surrogate tissue. Cell proportions can vary between people and confound associations of exposure or outcome. An adequate reference panel for estimating cell proportions from adult whole blood for DNA methylation studies is available, but an analogous cord blood cell reference panel is not yet available. Cord blood has unique cell types and the epigenetic signatures of standard cell types may not be consistent throughout the life course. Using magnetic bead sorting, we isolated cord blood cell types (nucleated red blood cells, granulocytes, monocytes, natural killer cells, B cells, CD4+T cells, and CD8+T cells) from 17 live births at Johns Hopkins Hospital. We confirmed enrichment of the cell types using fluorescence assisted cell sorting and ran DNA from the separated cell types on the Illumina Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChip array. After filtering, the final analysis was on 104 samples at 429,794 probes. We compared cell type specific signatures in cord to each other and methylation at 49.2% of CpG sites on the array differed by cell type (F-test P < 10−8). Differences between nucleated red blood cells and the remainder of the cell types were most pronounced (36.9% of CpG sites at P < 10−8) and 99.5% of these sites were hypomethylated relative to the other cell types. We also compared the mean-centered sorted cord profiles to the available adult reference panel and observed high correlation between the overlapping cell types for granulocytes and monocytes (both r=0.74), and poor correlation for CD8+T cells and NK cells (both r=0.08). We further provide an algorithm for estimating cell proportions in cord blood using the newly developed cord reference panel, which estimates biologically plausible cell proportions in whole cord blood samples.
Essays on Connected Lending, Misallocation, and Aggregate Productivity

ii Acknowledgments. iv Vita . v List of Tables . ix List of Figures . xi Chapter 1: Introduction . 1 Chapter 2: Misallocation and Manufacturing TFP in Thailand . 5 Data . 7 Method . 10 Results . 12 Robustness . 26 Conclusion . 27 Chapter 3: Connected Lending and Aggregate Productivity . 29 Model . 35 Preferences. 37 vii Technology . 37 Credit market . 38 Individuals’ problem . 38 Stationary competitive equilibrium . 40 Special case. 42 Quantitative analysis . 44 Parameterization . 45 Results . 47 Alternative experiment . 48 Conclusion . 52 Chapter 4: Connected Lending and Concentrated Control . 53 Data and variables . 57 Need for special connections as a financing obstacle to firms . 57 Bank ownership . 57 Bank competition . 58 Bank supervision . 59 Shareholder rights . 60 Firm characteristics and additional country-level control variables . 60 Empirical results . 66 viii The empirical model . 66 Findings . 67 Robustness to controlling for other factors . 75 Interaction effects . 79 The distribution of responses and the sample . 82 Corruption of bank officials . 84 References . 90 Appendix A: Interaction effects in an ordered probit model . 93