Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
High Sucrose Intake Is Associated With Poor Quality of Diet and Growth Between 13 Months and 9 Years of Age: The Special Turku Coronary Risk Factor Intervention Project

BACKGROUND. Previous studies have suggested that interventions to lower dietary fat content and improved fat quality lead to a compensatory increase in sucrose content. OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this work was to determine what associations exist between sucrose intake and intake of nutrients, intake of specific foods, and growth in children aged 13 months to 9 years of age in the prospective, randomized Special Turku Coronary Risk Factor Intervention Project. SUBJECTS AND METHODS. Nutrient intake and food consumption were evaluated annually at ages 13 months through 9 years by using food records. Altogether, 543 children were divided into 3 groups according to mean sucrose intake: constantly high sucrose intake (highest 10%), constantly low sucrose intake (lowest 10%), and average sucrose intake (80%). Absolute and relative weights and heights were recorded at 7, 13, and 24 months of age and annually thereafter until 9 years old. RESULTS. The high sucrose-intake group exceeded the recommended sucrose intake (<10% of energy intake, World Health Organization) already at the age of 2 years. Energy and total fat intake did not differ between the sucrose-intake groups. Children with low and average sucrose intake consumed more protein and had a better dietary fat quality than children with high sucrose intake. They also tended to receive more vitamin E, niacin, calcium, iron, zinc, and dietary fiber than children who consumed a high sucrose diet. Children in the low sucrose-intake group consumed more grains, vegetables, and dairy products than the other children. Sugar intake had no direct association with obesity, but weight, height, and BMI of children differed between the sucrose-intake groups between 7 months and 9 years of age. CONCLUSIONS. In children aged 13 months to 9 years, long-term low sucrose intake is associated with better nutrient intake and growth than high sucrose intake.
Effective T-Cell Responses Select Human Immunodeficiency Virus Mutants and Slow Disease Progression

ABSTRACT The possession of some HLA class I molecules is associated with delayed progression to AIDS. The mechanism behind this beneficial effect is unclear. We tested the idea that cytotoxic T-cell responses restricted by advantageous HLA class I molecules impose stronger selection pressures than those restricted by other HLA class I alleles. As a measure of the selection pressure imposed by HLA class I alleles, we determined the extent of HLA class I-associated epitope variation in a cohort of European human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive individuals (n = 84). We validated our findings in a second, distinct cohort of African patients (n = 516). We found that key HIV epitopes restricted by advantageous HLA molecules (B27, B57, and B51 in European patients and B5703, B5801, and B8101 in African patients) were more frequently mutated in individuals bearing the restricting HLA than in those who lacked the restricting HLA class I molecule. HLA alleles associated with clinical benefit restricted certain epitopes for which the consensus peptides were frequently recognized by the immune response despite the circulating virus's being highly polymorphic. We found a significant inverse correlation between the HLA-associated hazard of disease progression and the mean HLA-associated prevalence of mutations within epitopes (P = 0.028; R2 = 0.34). We conclude that beneficial HLA class I alleles impose strong selection at key epitopes. This is revealed by the frequent association between effective T-cell responses and circulating viral escape mutants and the rarity of these variants in patients who lack these favorable HLA class I molecules, suggesting a significant pressure to revert.
Influence of thrombopoietin on platelet activation in myeloproliferative disorders

Although thrombopoietin itself does not influence platelet aggregation, it enhances platelet activation in response to certain agonists. We evaluated the effects of thrombopoietin on platelet activation using platelet‐rich plasma from 16 patients with myeloproliferative disorders (MPD group) and 16 healthy volunteers (control group). Preincubation with thrombopoietin significantly enhanced platelet aggregation stimulated by ADP, collagen, or epinephrine in the MPD group as well as the control group. However, aggregation induced by 3 μM ADP or 16 μM epinephrine showed significantly less augmentation by thrombopoietin in the MPD group than in the control group. Thrombopoietin significantly shortened the lag time between the addition of 3 μM ADP or 16 μM epinephrine and initiation of secondary aggregation and the lag time between addition of 2 μg/ml collagen and initiation of aggregation in both groups. When platelet‐rich plasma was used without adjustment of the platelet count, thrombopoietin itself induced aggregation in two patients. Hypoaggregation after addition of 0.5 μg/ml collagen was observed in seven out of nine patients with normal thrombopoietin levels and only one of six patients with high levels (P=0.04). Enhancement of 0.5 μg/ml collagen‐induced aggregation by thrombopoietin was seen in five out of nine patients with normal thrombopoietin levels and none of the six patients with elevated levels (P=0.04). These results indicate that platelet activation by certain agonists is enhanced by thrombopoietin in patients with these diseases as well as in normal controls and that the serum thrombopoietin level may regulate the function of circulating platelets in vivo.
Voting after the change: A natural experiment on the effect of electoral reform on party system fragmentation

This article analyses the causal effect of the 1993 electoral reform in New Zealand on party system fragmentation using the ‘synthetic’ control method. Previous studies using cross-national evidence suggest that electoral reforms change the number of parties. However, they do not take into account possible endogeneity problems and usually focus on their short-term effects. Since the electoral system in use in this country before the change was first past the post (FPTP), I can create a ‘synthetic’ control democracy that had the same institutional framework but did not modify the rules of the game. The results indicate that the electoral reform produced the expected effects on party system size at the electoral level, but that these effects tended to disappear in the long run. In contrast, electoral system effects at the legislative level were larger and stickier over time.
Rationalizing (Non-)Equilibrium Bidding in Maximum-Value Auctions Without Beliefs About Others’ Behavior

We propose a novel approach to the modelling of second-price Maximum-Value auctions that assumes no belief about others’ behavior and no expected profit maximization. This individual decision-making model, naive Impulse Balance Equilibrium or nIBE, deals with bidders’ anticipated regrets from winning and from losing the auction. It exploits the stochastic properties of the auction format and rationalizes: (i) Nash equilibrium bidding, (ii) (non-)monotone overbidding and (iii) fully cursed equilibrium bidding. We fit this model to the available data and find that it explains median bids better than the Nash equilibrium prediction and, overall, as well as cursed-equilibrium. Furthermore, nIBE and the noise-free variant of cursed equilibrium typically outperform HQRE models with level-k or cursed equilibrium beliefs in terms of in- and out-of-sample quartile predictions.
Differential Evolutionary Rates of Neuronal Transcriptome in Aplysia kurodai and Aplysia californica as a Tool for Gene Mining

Abstract: The marine mollusk Aplysia is a fascinating model organism for studying molecular mechanisms underlying learning and memory. However, evolutionary studies about Aplysia have been limited by the lack of its genomic information. Recently, large-scale expressed sequence tag (EST) databases have been acquired by sequencing cDNA libraries from A. californica and A. kurodai. The closeness between the two species allowed us to investigate rapidly evolving genes by comparing their orthologs. Using this method, we found that a subset of signal transduction genes in neurons showed rates of protein evolution higher than those of housekeeping genes. Moreover, we were also able to find several candidate genes that may be involved in learning and memory or synaptic plasticity among genes showing relatively higher Ka/Ks ratios. We also investigated the relationship between evolutionary rates and tissue distribution of Aplysia genes. They propose that the estimation of evolutionary rates cannot be a good marker to assess neuronal expression; however, it still can be an efficient way to narrow down the pool of candidate genes involved in neuronal functions for the further studies.
Examining the Validity of Wagner’s Law versus Keynesian Hypothesis: Evidence from Turkey’s Economy

Abstract The direction of the causality relationship between public expenditures and economic growth is one of the most controversial issues of the literature, which also causes great disagreements in the design process of economic policies. There are two approaches to this subject, which are opposite each other and called “Wagner’s Law” and “Keynesian Hypothesis”. This paper aims to examine the validity of Wagner’s law and Keynesian proposition in Turkey using Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model over the period of 1998-2016. The findings supported the “Keynesian Hypothesis”, which advocates a one-way causality relationship from public spending to national output. More specifically, the results of the study showed that the effect of public expenditures on economic growth was positive in the short term and negative in the long term. From an economic policy standpoint, it can be argued that policymakers can promote Turkish economic growth through expansionary fiscal policies in the short run.
Mind the Floor: Enhance Portfolio Insurance without Borrowing

Legal borrowing restrictions are generally claimed to limit portfolio insurance performance. We explore two alternative rebalancing rules that aim to pick up excess return subject to a borrowing constraint. One set of rules manages a volatility target for the risky assets, a second set of rules manages the floor. Considering real life trading conditions, our simulation results confirm that the borrowing constraint lowers average returns. The risk-adjusted performance however increases, so there is essentially nothing wrong with the legal prohibition to borrow. Still, managing the floor enhances risk-adjusted performance even more. Tweaking the volatility of the risky assets does not. TOPICS: Legal/regulatory/public policy, portfolio construction, risk management, performance measurement
Application of nonlinear methods in tracking failure test of printed circuit boards under reduced pressure

In high-altitude regions, printed circuit boards are affected by both low pressure and contamination, which may lead to discharge and even the failure of electrical devices. From the viewpoint of safety and reliability, it is necessary to investigate the effects of the pressure on tracking failure of contaminated printed circuit boards. However, the tracking failure is a nonlinear and indeterminate process which results in the dispersity of experimental results. This paper proposes two nonlinear methods, including fractal dimension of tracking pattern and recurrence plots of discharge current, to analyze the phenomena and mechanism of tracking failure under reduced pressures. The experiments were carried out in a decompression chamber, with the pressure reducing from 102.74 kPa to 0.6 kPa. The test sample was made by printing a pair of copper foil electrodes onto a glass-cloth-base epoxy resin laminate with the insulation distance from 500 ¿m to 100 ¿m. The contamination was simulated by a droplet of NH4Cl electrolyte with the resistivity of 4 ¿·m. The time to tracking failure, the fractal dimension of tracking patterns and the recurrent plot of discharge currents were obtained as functions of the pressure and the insulation distance. The results reveal that the nonlinear methods can give a good identification of the surface morphology and the underlying mechanism in the tracking test. Effects of the pressure and insulation distance on the tracking failure were quantitatively reflected with the fractal dimension of tracking patterns and the recurrent plot of discharge currents.
Literacy transition and female nuptiality: implications for fertility in Pakistan.

"This paper is an attempt to examine trends and differentials in education and age at marriage of males and females [in Pakistan] and then relate the two variables to one important aspect of demographic behaviour, namely fertility, and evaluate the implication of these relationships on reduction of fertility in Pakistan. " The data are from the 1981 census and the 1979-1980 Population, Labour Force and Migration (PLM) Survey. "Given the limitations of the survey data which pertain to a sample of ever-married women between the ages of 15 and 49 years, the main conclusions of the study are that a rise in female age at marriage and education at secondary and higher levels are important in affecting fertility levels. " Policy implications of the findings are discussed. Comments by Akhtar Hasan Khan are included (pp. 601-3).
Maternal Ube3a Loss Disrupts Sleep Homeostasis But Leaves Circadian Rhythmicity Largely Intact

Individuals with Angelman syndrome (AS) suffer sleep disturbances that severely impair quality of life. Whether these disturbances arise from sleep or circadian clock dysfunction is currently unknown. Here, we explored the mechanistic basis for these sleep disorders in a mouse model of Angelman syndrome (Ube3am−/p+ mice). Genetic deletion of the maternal Ube3a allele practically eliminates UBE3A protein from the brain of Ube3am−/p+ mice, because the paternal allele is epigenetically silenced in most neurons. However, we found that UBE3A protein was present in many neurons of the suprachiasmatic nucleus—the site of the mammalian circadian clock—indicating that Ube3a can be expressed from both parental alleles in this brain region in adult mice. We found that while Ube3am−/p+ mice maintained relatively normal circadian rhythms of behavior and light-resetting, these mice exhibited consolidated locomotor activity and skipped the timed rest period (siesta) present in wild-type (Ube3am+/p+) mice. Electroencephalographic analysis revealed that alterations in sleep regulation were responsible for these overt changes in activity. Specifically, Ube3am−/p+ mice have a markedly reduced capacity to accumulate sleep pressure, both during their active period and in response to forced sleep deprivation. Thus, our data indicate that the siesta is governed by sleep pressure, and that Ube3a is an important regulator of sleep homeostasis. These preclinical findings suggest that therapeutic interventions that target mechanisms of sleep homeostasis may improve sleep quality in individuals with AS. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Angelman syndrome (AS) is a severe neurodevelopmental disorder caused by loss of expression of the maternal copy of the UBE3A gene. Individuals with AS have severe sleep dysfunction that affects their cognition and presents challenges to their caregivers. Unfortunately, current treatment strategies have limited efficacy due to a poor understanding of the mechanisms underlying sleep disruptions in AS. Here we demonstrate that abnormal sleep patterns arise from a deficit in accumulation of sleep drive, uncovering the Ube3a gene as a novel genetic regulator of sleep homeostasis. Our findings encourage a re-evaluation of current treatment strategies for sleep dysfunction in AS, and suggest that interventions that promote increased sleep drive may alleviate sleep disturbances in individuals with AS.
The Introduction of Insect Meal into Fish Diet: The First Economic Analysis on European Sea Bass Farming

The economic and environmental sustainability of aquaculture depends significantly on the nature and quality of the fish feed used. One of the main criticisms of aquaculture is the need to use significant amounts of fish meal, and other marine protein sources, in such feed. Unfortunately, the availability of the oceanic resources, typically used to produce fish feed, cannot be utilized indefinitely to cover the worldwide feed demand caused by ever-increasing aquaculture production. In light of these considerations, this study estimates how aquaculture farm economic outcomes can change by introducing insect meal into the diet of cultivated fish. Several possible economic effects are simulated, based on various scenarios, with different percentages of insect flour in the feed and varying meal prices using a case study of a specialized off-shore sea bass farm in Italy. The findings indicate that the introduction of insect meal—composed of Tenebrio molitor—would increase feeding costs due to the high market prices of this flour and its less convenient feed conversion ratio than that of fish meal. Therefore, the expected environmental benefits of using this highly promising insect meal in fish feed do not align with the current economic interests of the aquaculture industry. To our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate this theme, and it must be noted that our findings cannot be generalized widely because a specific case study was used. Nevertheless, our findings suggest that efforts should be made—at least at the farm level—to find profitable ways to encourage the introduction of this attractive alternative to guarantee both economic and environmental sustainability in the near future.
Risk of superficial squamous cell carcinoma developing in the head and neck region in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Multicentric squamous dysplasia in the esophagus can be visualized by Lugol chromoendoscopy as multiple Lugol‐voiding lesions (LVLs). Narrow‐band imaging combined with magnifying endoscopy (NBI‐ME) facilitates the detection of superficial squamous cell carcinoma within the head and neck region (HNSCC). We investigated risk factors for superficial HNSCC in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).
Regulation of cytokine and chemokine transcription in a human TH2 type T‐cell clone during the induction phase of anergy

Background Selected cytokines produced by allergen specific CD4+ T cells from atopic individuals contribute to both the specific and non‐specific effector mechanisms of the allergic itnmune response. The chemokine family of cytokines and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α are leucocyte regulatory and proinflanimatory molecules. The chemokines include interleukin (IL)‐8 and the RANTES/SIS cytokines.
Blame for unemployment and support for unemployment benefits

ABSTRACT It is necessary to expand the literature on social insurance preferences and examine how perceptions on the causes of staying unemployed influence preferences for unemployment benefits. First, this paper argues that people have lower support for unemployment benefits if they attribute unemployment to individual characteristics. Second, it is argued that the effect of individual attribution of unemployment on support for unemployment benefits is larger for people with low risk of unemployment. People who are less likely to receive future benefits are more sensitive to the possibility that receivers are free-riders who do not deserve benefits. Supporting individual level evidence is provided by statistical analysis using the European Social Survey (ESS).
Use of inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers for discrimination between and within species of blackflies (Diptera: Simuliidae)

The present study is the first report of fingerprinting in blackflies (Diptera: Simuliidae), using inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers. Among five primers tested, three tetranucleotide repeat primers ((GACA)4, (ACTG)4, (ACAG)4) generated a high proportion of polymorphic bands. Seven species representing various genera, subgenera or species groups were compared. No similar profiles were found. Intraspecific and interspecific banding patterns were analysed for two species in the Prosimulium hirtipes (Fries, 1824) species group and four species in the Simulium variegatum (Meigen, 1818) species group. The UPGMA cluster analysis based on Jaccard’s coefficient demonstrated the intraspecific and interspecific diversity and the resolving power of the ISSR markers to differentiate blackfly species and populations. In Simulium maximum (Knoz, 1961), geographically defined populations were successfully discriminated.
Comparative tolerances of riparian willows and cottonwoods to water-table decline

Cottonwoods (Populus sp.) and willows (Salix sp.) generally dominate riparian landscapes across western North America. To investigate their relative tolerances to water-table decline, rooted shoot cuttings (saplings) of two willows, Salix exigua and S. drummondiana, and two cottonwoods, Populus angustifolia, and P. balsamifera, were grown in rhizopods, controlled growth devices that allow water-table manipulation. Water-table-decline rates of 0 to 12 cm/d were applied and plant growth and survival were monitored. In a second study, seedlings of S. exigua, S. lutea, P. balsamifera, and P. deltoides were grown in rhizopods and exposed to water-table-decline rates of 0 to 8 cm/d. For saplings and seedlings of both genera, gradual declines of 1 or 2 cm/d promoted root elongation and often promoted shoot growth relative to the constant water-table treatment (0 cm/d). More abrupt declines (> 2 cm/d) reduced growth and survival, and there were some differences in sensitivity within as well as across the two genera. Thus, the willow and cottonwood saplings were similarly affected by abrupt water-table decline, but willow seedlings were slightly more vulnerable than cottonwood seedlings. It is recommended that gradual stream stage recession along regulated rivers of about 2.5 cm/d in the late spring would encourage the recruitment of cottonwood seedlings, but subsequently, more gradual recession of about 1 cm/d through the lower elevational streamside zones would enable recruitment of S. exigua and other willows.
Multiplicative video watermarking with semi-blind maximum likelihood decoding for copyright protection

This paper presents a new watermarking technique for uncompressed video. The video signal is first divided into non-overlapping pixel cubes. The spatial and temporal characteristic of each cube are analyzed and used as a criterion for data insertion. The 2-D wavelet transform is applied on each plane of the selected cubes. Data are multiplicatively embedded in the low band wavelet coefficients. To extract the watermark, a semi-blind maximum likelihood decoder is employed. For this purpose, the statistics of the cube's first principal component are used at the decoder as side information. Results show that this scheme is robust against linear collusion, frame swapping, frame dropping, noise insertion, median filtering, and several compression attacks.
Excitatory synaptic ensemble properties in the visual cortex of the macaque monkey: A current source density analysis of electrically evoked potentials

The spatio‐temporal distributions of excitatory synaptic ensemble activities in A17 and A18 of the visual cortex of the macaque monkey have been investigated. The synaptic activities were elicited by electrical stimulation of the primary afferents and were localized by applying the current source density analysis to the intracortically recorded field potentials. The principal results are as follows.