Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Tempospect Theory of Intertemporal Choice

Anomalies in intertemporal choice (e.g. hyperbolic discounting, subadditive discounting, a sign effect, a magnitude effect, and a delay-speedup asymmetry) have been investigated in neuroeconomics and behavioral neuroeconomics. In this study we propose a “tempospect” theory of intertemporal choice which can account for these anomalies in intertemporal choice. The key features of the present theory are: 1) decision over time is made with psychological time; and 2) psychological time is determined by a change in delay until receipt (i.e., positive or negative time-interval between options); 3) psychological time is less sensitive to a decrease in delay in comparison to an increase in delay; and 4) psychological time is influenced by the sign and magnitude of the delayed outcomes. Implications of the present theory for neuroeconomics are discussed.
DNA supercoiling and suppression of the leu-500 promoter mutation

top mutations (formerly supX) eliminate DNA topoisomerase I activity and suppress the leu-500 promoter mutation in Salmonella typhimurium (K. M. Overbye, S. K. Basu, and P. Margolin, Cold Spring Harbor Symp. Quant. Biol. 47:785-791, 1983). Sublethal doses of coumermycin which reduce intracellular levels of supercoiling activity in a top mutant eliminated suppression of the leu-500 mutation. This result provides evidence that increased DNA supercoiling suppresses the leu-500 promoter mutation in top mutants.
Fructose Uptake in Sinorhizobium meliloti Is Mediated by a High-Affinity ATP-Binding Cassette Transport System

ABSTRACT By transposon mutagenesis, we have isolated a mutant ofSinorhizobium meliloti which is totally unable to grow on fructose as sole carbon source as a consequence of its inability to transport this sugar. The cloning and sequencing analysis of the chromosomal DNA region flanking the TnphoA insertion revealed the presence of six open reading frames (ORFs) organized in two loci, frcRS and frcBCAK, transcribed divergently. The frcBCA genes encode the characteristic components of an ATP-binding cassette transporter (FrcB, a periplasmic substrate binding protein, FrcC, an integral membrane permease, and FrcA, an ATP-binding cytoplasmic protein), which is the unique high-affinity (Km of 6 μM) fructose uptake system in S. meliloti. The FrcK protein shows homology with some kinases, while FrcR is probably a transcriptional regulator of the repressor-ORF-kinase family. The expression of S. meliloti frcBCAK in Escherichia coli, which transports fructose only via the phosphotransferase system, resulted in the detection of a periplasmic fructose binding activity, demonstrating that FrcB is the binding protein of the Frc transporter. The analysis of substrate specificities revealed that the Frc system is also a high-affinity transporter for ribose and mannose, which are both fructose competitors for the binding to the periplasmic FrcB protein. However, the Frc mutant was still able to grow on these sugars as sole carbon source, demonstrating the presence of at least one other uptake system for mannose and ribose in S. meliloti. The expression of the frcBC genes as determined by measurements of alkaline phosphatase activity was shown to be induced by mannitol and fructose, but not by mannose, ribose, glucose, or succinate, suggesting that the Frc system is primarily targeted towards fructose. Neither Nod nor Fix phenotypes were impared in the TnphoAmutant, demonstrating that fructose uptake is not essential for nodulation and nitrogen fixation, although FrcB protein is expressed in bacteroids isolated from alfalfa nodulated by S. melilotiwild-type strains.
Acromegaly and gastrointestinal cancer

A cohort of 1041 men who were discharged from the hospital with a diagnosis of acromegaly were examined for subsequent cancer. With a mean follow‐up time of 8.3 years, an increased rate of cancers of the digestive organs was observed (27 cases; standard incidence ratio [SIR], 2.0; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3 to 2.9). Rates were elevated for cancers of the esophagus (7 cases; SIR, 3.1), stomach (4 cases; SIR, 2.5), and colon (13 cases; SIR, 3.1). The increased risk of colon cancer in acromegaly is consistent with previous clinical reports and suggests opportunities for etiologic research and early cancer detection. It would seem prudent to also evaluate this risk in current research on the use of growth hormone in older individuals to increase muscle mass and reduce body fat.
Factors influencing treatment failure in HIV positive adult patients on first line antiretroviral therapy.

BACKGROUND Risk factors for treatment failure in HIV positive adults have not been studied extensively in Zimbabwe. AIM To investigate socio-demographic, psychosocial and antiretroviral drug related factors as possible risk factors for treatment failure. OBJECTIVE To compare the accuracy and reliability of CD4 count results in diagnosing treatment failure versus viral load results. DESIGN A descriptive cross-sectional survey. SETTING Harare Central Hospital adult opportunistic infections clinic. PARTICIPANTS One hundred and eighteen (118) HIV positive participants on 1st line antiretroviral therapy (any 1 of stavudine, tenofovir or zidovudine combined with lamivudine and nevirapine or efavirenz) for at least 1 year. Participants were conveniently sampled. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES First line treatment failure as defined according to World Health Organisation (WHO) 2010 guidelines. RESULTS Factors associated with higher odds of treatment failure were severe depression [OR 3.7; p-value 0.002; 95% CI 1.6-8.5] and discontinuing ART [OR 4.4; p-value 0.02; 95% CI 1.3-14.7]. Factors associated with lower odds of treatment failure were age = 42 [OR 0.3; p-value 0.007; 95% CI 0.1-0.7], taking ART on time [OR 0.2; p-value 0.02; 95% CI 0.05-0.8], time on ART > 4 years [OR 0.6; p-value 0.02; 95% CI 0.3-0.9] and female sex [OR 0.4; p-value 0.02; 95% CI 0.2-0.8]. There was statistically significant difference between CD4 count and viral load results in diagnosing treatment failure [OR 8.7; p-value 0.0005; 95% CI 3.6-21.2]. CONCLUSION Severe depression and discontinuing ART predisposed to treatment failure. CD4 counts were not as reliable as viral load measurements in diagnosing treatment failure.
The power to choose: Gender balance of power and intra-household educational spending in India

We assess the effect of female bargaining power on the share of educational expenditures in the household budget in India. We augment the collective household model by endogenizing female bargaining power and use a three-stage least squares approach to simultaneously estimate female bargaining power, per capita household expenditure and budget share of education.Our key results are: (i) female bargaining power has a positive and significant effect on the household budget share of educational spending; (ii) this bargaining power is associated positively (negatively) with education spending in urban (rural) areas; (iii) female bargaining power has a uniformly positive effect on educational expenditure of girls in urban areas among all caste groups, but the observed negative association in rural areas appears to be driven by one of the lower caste groups; and (iv) a pro-male bias exists in educational spending for all age groups, with some differentiation by location and caste.
Contraceptive discontinuation and switching among couples receiving integrated HIV and family planning services in Lusaka, Zambia

Objective:To describe predictors of contraceptive method discontinuation and switching behaviours among HIV-positive couples receiving couples’ voluntary HIV counselling and testing services in Lusaka, Zambia. Design:Couples were randomized in a factorial design to two-family planning educational intervention videos, received comprehensive family planning services and were assessed every 3 months for contraceptive initiation, discontinuation and switching. Methods:We modelled factors associated with contraceptive method upgrading and downgrading via multivariate Andersen–Gill models. Results:Most women continued the initial method selected after randomization. The highest rates of discontinuation/switching were observed for injectable contraceptive and intrauterine device users. Time to discontinuing the more effective contraceptive methods or downgrading to oral contraceptives or condoms was associated with the women's younger age, desire for more children within the next year, heavy menstrual bleeding, bleeding between periods and cystitis/dysuria. Health concerns among women about contraceptive implants and male partners not wanting more children were associated with upgrading from oral contraceptives or condoms. HIV status of the woman or the couple was not predictive of switching or stopping. Conclusion:We found complicated patterns of contraceptive use. The predictors of contraception switching indicate that interventions targeted to younger couples that address common contraception-related misconceptions could improve effective family planning utilization. We recommend these findings be used to increase the uptake and continuation of contraception, especially long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) methods, and that fertility goal based, LARC-focused family planning be offered as an integral part of HIV prevention services.
BIOLEACHING AS A BIOREMEDIATION STRATEGY FOR DREDGED SEDIMENTS POLLUTED BY HEAVY METALS

The present work deals with the bioremediation of a sediment sample contaminated by heavy metals, collected in the Ancona harbour, Italian Adriatic Sea, Mediterranean Sea. Bioleaching of the sediment was performed with a mixed culture of acidophilic, chemi-autotrophic Fe/S oxidising bacteria, in the presence of elemental sulphur as substrate. Such element resulted to be fundamental both for cell growth and for metal dissolution. The effect of an anaerobic biostimulation pre-treatment on the extent of Cd, Cu, Zn, Ni, Pb, Hg, As, Cr extraction by bioleaching was also evaluated: the activity of the Fe/S oxidising bacteria resulted to be significantly enhanced after an anaerobic pretreatment of the sediment. The main advantage of this two-step (anaerobic-aerobic) bioremediation approach is that microbial activity, and the consequent metal mobilisation, is independent from the availability of sulphur. These results open new perspectives for bioleaching applied as a bioremediation strategy for sediment contaminated by heavy metals.
Analysis and assessment of the electrification of urban road transport based on real-life mobility data

Assessing the potential of electric vehicles against actual user needs is a key-issue to integrate individual e-mobility in sustainable transport. An extensive analysis of real-life mobility has been carried out, in view of deriving and quantifying the potential of introducing electric vehicles in urban environment. A large activity data set collected with GPS black boxes mounted on approximately 16,000 vehicles monitored for a one-month period in the Italian province and city of Modena has been purchased and post-processed in order to characterise vehicles' driving patterns. The ability of different types of electric vehicles to cover the real mobility needs of the users has been then investigated, estimating the percentage of individual trips which might be suitable to be performed by electric vehicles, as well as their potential impact on the electric energy distribution grid depending on different recharging behavioural models. The results show that more than 80% of these trips might be driven electric and that a fleet share lying between 10% and 25% can be immediately converted to battery electric vehicles, being not affected by their limited range. The quantitative key-insights based on real-life mobility data enable to address several issues, ranging from technological aspects, policy impacts and interoperability possibilities offered by the integration of electromobility with the energy distribution grid.
Efficacy of crude extract of Emblica officinalis (amla) in arsenic-induced oxidative damage and apoptosis in splenocytes of mice

Introduction: Arsenic, an environmental contaminant naturally occurred in groundwater and has been found to be associated with immune-related health problems in humans. Objective: In view of increasing risk of arsenic exposure due to occupational and non-occupational settings, the present study has been focused to investigate the protective efficacy of amla against arsenic-induced spleenomegaly in mice. Results: Arsenic exposures (3 mg/kg body weight p.o for 30 days) in mice caused an increase production of ROS (76%), lipid peroxidation (84%) and decrease in the levels of superoxide dismutase (53%) and catalase (54%) in spleen as compared to controls. Arsenic exposure to mice also caused a significant increase in caspases-3 activity (2.8 fold) and decreases cell viability (44%), mitochondrial membrane potential (47%) linked with apoptosis assessed by the cell cycle analysis (subG1-28.72%) and annexin V/PI binding in spleen as compared to controls. Simultaneous treatment of arsenic and amla (500 mg/kg body weight p.o for 30 days) in mice decreased the levels of lipid peroxidation (33%), ROS production (24%), activity of caspase-3 (1.4 fold), apoptosis (subG 1 12.72%) and increased cell viability (63%), levels superoxide dismutase (80%), catalase (77%) and mitochondrial membrane potential (66%) as compared to mice treated with arsenic alone. Conclusions: Results of the present study indicate that the effect of arsenic is mainly due to the depletion of glutathione in liver associated with enhanced oxidative stress that has been found to be protected following simultaneous treatment of arsenic and amla.
Asymmetric impact of public debt on economic growth in selected EU countries

The paper explores the asymmetric relation between public debt and economic growth in 13 EU countries in the period 1993–2013. A panel data model uncovers a linear relation between debt-toGDP decrease and GDP growth, while the relation between the debt-to-GDP increase and GDP growth is defined by an inverted U-shaped curve (parabola) with the peak at a 64% debt-to-GDP ratio. We identified two main patterns in relations between debt-to-GDP and GDP growth: (i.) hysteresis loop – country data trace the closed circle defined within the debt interval [53%,113%] (Austria, Finland, Denmark) and (ii.) debt trap – country debt-to-GDP ratio breaks the 113% level and indebtedness increase followed by the GDP fall is tracing the diverging tail of parabola (debt trap in Greece, Italy, Portugal)
Lumbar lordosis in female collegiate dancers and gymnasts.

OBJECTIVE Postural deviations can predispose an individual to increased injury risk. Specifically, lumbar deviations are related to increased low back pain and injury. Dancers and gymnasts are anecdotally suggested to have exaggerated lumbar lordosis and subsequently may be at increased risk of lumbar pathologies. Our objective was to examine lumbar lordosis levels in dancers and gymnasts. METHODS We examined lumbar lordosis in 47 healthy collegiate females (17 dancers, 29 gymnasts; mean age 20.2 ± 1.6 yrs) using 2-dimensional sagittal plane photographs and the Watson MacDonncha Posture Analysis instrument. Participants' lordosis levels were cross-tabulated and a Mann-Whitney U-test compared lumbar lordosis between groups (p<0.05). RESULTS Most participants (89.4%, n=42) exhibited either marked (dancers 50%, n=9; gymnasts 62.1%, n=18; combined 57.4%, n=27) or moderate (dancers 27.8%, n=5; gymnasts 34.5%, n=10; combined 31.9%, n=15) lumbar lordosis deviations. The distribution of lordosis was similar across groups (p=0.22). CONCLUSIONS Most dancers and gymnasts had moderate or marked lumbar lordosis. The extreme ranges of motion required during dancing and gymnastics may contribute to the participants' high lumbar lordosis. Instructors should be aware that there may be links between repetitive hyperextension activities and lumbar lordosis levels in dancers and gymnasts. Thus, they should proactively examine lumbar lordosis in their dancers and gymnasts. How much age of training onset, regimens, survivor bias, or other factors influence lumbar lordosis requires study. Longitudinal studies are also needed to determine if lumbar lordosis levels influence lumbar injury incidence in dancers and gymnasts.
A Critical Examination of Oil Wealth Management Strategies and Their Effects on Economic Growth in the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries

Despite their natural resources, the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, and Oman) have failed to live up to their economic potential, primarily due to their dependence on a revenue source with volatile prices and political significance in an unstable region. This thesis argues that the best way to convert oil wealth into consistent long term growth is through diversification, both by investing in foreign assets and by growing domestic sectors that are independent from oil and gas prices. The research further investigates the primary tool these countries have used to do so – sovereign wealth funds – and how their implementation and structures have impacted their effectiveness in achieving economic diversification and growth. Acknowledgements This thesis would not have been possible without the constant guidance of my clever and caring thesis reader, Professor William Ascher. Bill’s guidance helped me combine my passions for international relations, finance, and the Middle East in a way I did not think possible, and his wit made me laugh even after staying up all night, scrambling to write something that would be presentable at our weekly meetings. Your dedication to your students is truly remarkable and I am blessed to have been able to get to know you so well over the past year. I would also like to thank the CMS Athenas Golf team for bringing me snacks in Ryal, my roommates for putting up with me, my mom for answering my call every time I needed to rant about this project, and my dad for instilling an authentic passion for knowledge and discovery. I love you all and am so grateful to have your support. Table of
Interleukin‐29 uses a type 1 interferon‐like program to promote antiviral responses in human hepatocytes

Interleukin‐28A (IL‐28A), IL‐28B and IL‐29 are a family of class II cytokines that stimulate antiviral responses through a heterodimeric receptor that is distinct from the type I interferon (IFN) receptor. To better understand how this newly described family of cytokines regulates the antiviral state, we compared various cellular responses elicited by IL‐29 and IFN‐α. Here we show that these cytokines stimulate similar patterns of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT‐1), ‐2, ‐3, and ‐5 phosphorylation and nearly identical patterns of gene expression when analyzed in two distinct cell types by microarray analysis. Interestingly, the IL‐29 receptor is preferentially expressed on primary hepatocytes within normal liver and pegylated forms of IL‐29 and IFN‐α induced equivalent 2′5′ oligoadenylate synthetase (OAS) and MX1 gene expression in this cell type. Pegylated IL‐29 also produced a significant reduction in human hepatitis B and hepatitis C viral load in vitro and reduced the cytopathic effect caused by the fully replicating flavivirus, West Nile virus. In conclusion, IL‐29 and IFN‐α stimulate identical antiviral responses despite their utilization of different receptors. This fact, combined with significant receptor expression in hepatitis virus‐infected livers, suggests that IL‐29 may have therapeutic value against chronic viral hepatitis in human patients. (HEPATOLOGY 2006;44:896–906.)
Symmetrical Components and Space-Vector Transformations for Four-Phase Networks

In recent years, literature has presented an increasing number of contributions showing a rising interest in four-phase symmetric networks with reference to power electrical systems and electromechanic conversion and drivers. In this paper, a complete methodological analysis of four-phase systems, based on the phasorial and instantaneous sequence components, is presented for sinusoidal and dynamic conditions. This approach allows for the formalization of the theoretical and applicative methodologies necessary for the development of four-phase systems in a systematic and unified way.
Tooth-to-Tail Impact Analysis: Combining Econometric Modeling and Bayesian Networks to Assess Support Cost Consequences Due to Changes in Force Structure

Current constraints in the fiscal environment are forcing the Air Force, and its sister services, to assess force reduction considerations. With significant force reduction comes the need to model and assess the potential impact that these changes may have on support resources. Previous research has remained heavily focused on a ratio approach for linking the tooth and tail ends of the Air Force cost spectrum and, although recent research has augmented this literature stream by providing more statistical rigor behind tooth-to-tail relationships, an adequate decision support tool has yet to be explored to aid decision-makers. The authors of this research directly address this concern by introducing a systematic approach to perform tooth-to-tail policy impact analysis. First, multivariate linear regression is applied to identify relationships between the tooth and tail. Then, a novel decision support system with Bayesian networks is introduced to model the tooth-to-tail cost consequences while capturing the uncertainty that often comes with such policy considerations. Through scenario analysis, the authors illustrate how a Bayesian network can provide decision-makers with (i) the ability to model uncertainty in the decision environment, (ii) a visual illustration of cause-and-effect impacts, and (iii) the ability to perform multi-directional reasoning in light of new information available to decision-makers.
Exercise effects on cardiac size and left ventricular diastolic function: relationships to changes in fitness, fatness, blood pressure and insulin resistance

Objectives: To determine exercise training effects on cardiac size and left ventricular (LV) diastolic function and relationships of exercise induced changes in physiological and body composition parameters with cardiac parameters. Design: Prospective, randomised controlled trial. Subjects: Men and women (63.6 (5.7) years, body mass index 29.5 (4.4) kg/m2) with untreated hypertension (systolic blood pressure (BP) 130–159 or diastolic BP 85–99 mm Hg). Main outcome measures: Cardiac size and LV diastolic function, peak oxygen uptake (Vo2), muscle strength, general and abdominal fatness, and insulin resistance. Interventions: 6 months of exercise training versus usual care. Results: When analysed by group at six months, cardiac size and LV diastolic function did not differ between exercisers (n = 51) and controls (n = 53), whereas exercisers had significantly higher peak Vo2 (28 v 24 ml/kg/min) and strength (383 v 329 kg), and lower fatness (34% v 37%), diastolic BP (73 v 75 mm Hg) and insulin resistance (quantitative insulin sensitivity check index 0.35 v 0.34) versus controls (all p ⩽ 0.05). By regression analysis, among six month changes, increased peak Vo2 and reduced abdominal fat were associated with increased cardiac size. Increased peak Vo2 and reduced abdominal fat, BP and insulin resistance were associated with improved LV diastolic function. r Values ranged from 0.20 to 0.32 (p ⩽ 0.05). Conclusions: When examined by group assignment, exercise had no effect on cardiac size or LV diastolic function. When individual variations in six month changes were examined, participants attaining the greatest increases in fitness and reductions in abdominal fatness, insulin resistance and BP showed a modest trend towards physiological hypertrophy characterised by increased cardiac size and improved LV diastolic function. These results suggest that decreased abdominal fatness may have a role in improving cardiovascular health.