Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Earnings Functions and Nonpecuniary Benefits

Past empirical studies of earnings functions have used only pecuniary earnings measures. In this article, pecuniary, fringe, and certain nonpecuniary benefits are treated as additive components of a more comprehensive measure of labor market reward. The implications of including these additional benefits for estimates of earnings functions are assessed with two national sample data sets. It is found that the explanatory power of the simple human capital earnings model increases as the nonwage variables are added into the earnings measure. The importance of education clearly increases when fringe and nonpecuniary benefits are added; the change in the association between labor market experience and earnings is small. The increased importance of education is sustained even when measures of cognitive skills, motivation, and family background are taken into account.
Buzzwords

Electroencephalographic event-related brain potentials were recorded as subjects read, without further instruction, consecutively presented sequences of words. We varied the speed at which the sequences were presented (3 Hz and 1 Hz) and the words' emotional significance. Early event-related cortical responses during reading differentiated pleasant and unpleasant words from neutral words. Emotional words were associated with enhanced brain responses arising in predominantly left occipito-temporal areas 200 to 300 ms after presentation. Emotional words were also spontaneously better remembered than neutral words. The early cortical amplification was stable across 10 repetitions, providing evidence for robust enhancement of early visual processing of stimuli with learned emotional significance and underscoring the salience of emotional connotations during reading. During early processing stages, emotion-related enhancement of cortical activity along the dominant processing pathway is due to arousal, rather than valence of the stimuli. This enhancement may be driven by cortico-amygdaloid connections.
The dynamics of Family Language Policy in a trilingual family: A longitudinal case study

Family Language Policy (FLP) is a pioneering yet dynamically thriving interdisciplinary field of study, which successfully integrates language acquisition, multilingual studies, sociolinguistics and ecolinguistics. The present paper reports on the longitudinal case study of a Polish-Japanese family residing in the UK and the development of their family language policy. Through a specific focus on narrative data and observations, obtained in two cycles of research in 2014/15 and 2017, it illustrates the parents’ attitudes towards their minority languages (Polish and Japanese, respectively), the majority language (English) and their child’s multilingualism. Irrespective of the parents’ positive attitudes towards multilingualism and their declared efforts to raise a trilingual child, the original study (E. WąsikiewiczFirlej 2016) showed the dominance of the majority language in the family, and pointed to substantial difficulties in the maintenance of minority languages, which was mostly explicated by the child’s agency in shaping FLP. The results of the first stage of the study (2014/15) have been juxtaposed with the data obtained in 2017 in order to verify the parents’ declared vs. actual language management, as well as the dynamics of FLP over time. The findings have confirmed the assumed dynamic character of the family’s language policy, which is shaped by a range of constantly changing micro and macro factors, contributing to a better understanding of FLP sociolinguistic ecology.
Bidirectional Volatility Spillover Effect between the Exchange Rate and Stocks in the Presence of Structural Breaks in Selected Eastern European Economies

This paper investigates the second moment spillover effect between stock returns and exchange rate changes in both directions in four Eastern European emerging markets, assuming the presence of multiple structural breaks. The data sample consists of daily observations and the methodology is based on a two-step symmetric/asymmetric fractionally integrated generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity approach, with a rolling technique and structural breaks integration. The results indicate that the spillover effect has a much greater impact when spillover is from the exchange rate market toward the stock market than in the opposite case and it is time-varying. The inclusion of structural breaks in the model implies that the volatility spillover effect might be biased in stock markets. The applied models suggest that volatility persistence is overestimated in all asset markets if sudden changes are not recognized in the models.
Elevated D-dimer level in the differential diagnosis of venous malformations.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate if elevated D-dimer level is specific for venous malformations (VMs) and thus useful for differential diagnosis, which can be problematic even in specialized interdisciplinary centers. Localized intravascular coagulopathy, characterized by elevated D-dimer levels, has been observed in approximately 40% of patients with VMs. DESIGN Prospective convenience sample accrued from 2 interdisciplinary sites. SETTING Two interdisciplinary centers for vascular anomalies in Brussels, Belgium, and Caen, France PARTICIPANTS The study population comprised 280 patients with clinical data, Doppler ultrasonograms (for 251 patients), and coagulation parameter measurements. Main Outcome Measure Measurement of D-dimer levels. RESULTS A VM was diagnosed in 195 of 280 patients (69.6%), and 83 of them had elevated D-dimer levels; the sensitivity of D-dimer dosage was 42.6% (95% confidence interval, 35.6%-49.5%). Among the 85 patients without VM, D-dimer levels were elevated only in 3 patients; the specificity of the dosage was 96.5% (95% confidence interval, 92.5%-100%). CONCLUSIONS Elevated D-dimer level is highly specific for VMs (pure, combined, or syndromic), and therefore this easy and inexpensive biomarker test should become part of the clinical evaluation of vascular anomalies. It can detect hidden VMs and help differentiate glomuvenous malformation (normal D-dimer levels) from other multifocal venous lesions. Elevated D-dimer level also differentiates a VM from a lymphatic malformation. Moreover, slow-flow Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome (capillaro-lymphatico-venous malformation with limb hypertrophy) can be distinguished from fast-flow Parkes Weber syndrome (capillary malformation with underlying multiple microfistulas and limb hypertrophy). For these reasons, D-dimer level measurement is a useful complementary tool for diagnosing vascular anomalies in everyday practice.
Utilizing the Born and Rytov Inverse Scattering Approximations for Detecting Soft Faults in Lossless Transmission Lines

We apply and experimentally verify inverse scattering techniques based on the Born and Rytov approximations for detecting soft faults in lossless transmission lines. The advantages of these approximate approaches compared with exact formulations such as those based on the Zakharov–Shabat equations are that they are straightforward to apply and provide intuitive insight into the reconstruction process. The formulations are also well-posed so the effects of noise and measurement errors on the reconstructions are also well behaved. The approaches are well suited for the detection of soft faults since they are based on the assumption that the medium is weakly scattering. We demonstrate the techniques with both experimental and numerical results. In addition, the application to lossy transmission lines is also investigated to determine the approximations usefulness in realistic settings. These show that surprisingly accurate results can be obtained for a wide range of characteristic impedance distributions even when the transmission lines have loss.
Phenylalanine Alters the Mean Power Frequency of Electroencephalograms and Plasma L-DOPA in Treated Patients with Phenylketonuria

ABSTRACT: Phenylketonuria is a human model for the study of the effects of phenylalanine on brain function. We found previously a correlation between high blood phenylalanine, prolonged performance times on neuropsychological tests of higher integrative function, and decreased urinary dopamine in 10 patients. In this protocol we examine changes in triplicate of plasma dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) and the mean power frequency of the electroencephalogram in eight additional older patients with phenylketonuria using longer intervals in a blinded, cross-over design. Mean power frequency was obtained by Fourier transform of the power spectrum from traditional eight channel electroencephalograms. Plasma L-DOPA was quantitated by radioenzymatic methods. In all patients statistically significant decreases were found in the mean power frequency of the electroencephalogram and in plasma L-DOPA when plasma L-phenylalanine increased. These findings were reversible and correlated in the reverse direction when plasma L-phenylalanine was reduced. Thus changes in the mean power frequency of electroencephalograms and circulating L-DOPA offer sensitive parameters of human brain function in vivo. These findings indicate reversible effects of elevated plasma phenylalanine on electrical function of the brain which may be mediated in part through inhibition of catecholamine synthesis.
Design of well-behaved low-loss millimetre-wave CMOS transmission lines

It is a challenge to design single-mode transmission lines for above 100 GHz following strict design rules of modern CMOS processes. This paper reports characteristics of three types of microstrip lines in 65 nm CMOS up to 325 GHz, designed with or without using an auto-dummy exclusion layer. The lowest-loss design among the three is a shielded microstrip protected with an exclusion layer. The metal density requirement is met, as is commonly done, by placing sidewalls as far from the signal line as allowed by the design rules. The other two designs are microstrips without sidewalls or the exclusion layer. One of them has high-density auto dummy fill inserted by the foundry and shows significantly higher attenuation than the shielded microstrip. The other is filled with low-density fill that prevents auto dummy fill from being inserted. It is only marginally lossier than the shielded microstrip. The microstrips without sidewalls are found to exhibit more well-behaved attenuation especially above 100 GHz. The frequency dependence of the attenuation of the shielded microstrip, on the other hand, exhibits ripples, indicating possible presence of spurious modes. Attenuation constants estimated by multiline TRL (thru-reflect-line) from lines of various lengths indicate that the longest line measured should be very long, perhaps 2mm or longer, for the estimates to be reliable.
Valuing IKS in successive South African Physical Sciences Curricula

The valuing of Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) is one of the principles on which the South African school curriculum is supposed to be based. The purpose of this paper is to critique the treatment of indigenous knowledge in the South African secondary Physical Sciences curriculum against a backdrop of international debates on the relationship between IKS and science. Such debates usually take either an Inclusive perspective, where IKS are regarded as part of science, or an Exclusive perspective, where IKS and science are regarded as separate domains of knowledge. We identify a third perspective where IKS and science are viewed as intersecting domains. A document analysis of all national post-apartheid curriculum documents relevant to secondary Physical Sciences identifies only nine examples of IKS related to Physical Sciences in the latest curriculum documents (CAPS), although this is an improvement on the previous curricula. The curriculum documents reflect some confusion about the relationship between IKS and science, both in the wording and in the positioning of examples in relation to science content. Physical sciences curriculum development in South Africa appears to have gone through the stages of colonisation, decolonisation and neo-colonisation. We recommend the development of theory that addresses the role of valuing IKS in science classrooms. The Intersecting perspective offers promise as an approach to use in science classrooms, allowing the distinction to be made between pieces of indigenous knowledge that intersect with modern science knowledge and IKS as whole systems of thinking with distinctive worldviews.
The structure of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th edition, text revision) personality disorder symptoms in a large national sample.

We examined the latent structure underlying the criteria for DSM-IV-TR (American Psychiatric Association, 2000, Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th ed., text revision). Washington, DC: Author. ) personality disorders in a large nationally representative sample of U.S. adults. Personality disorder symptom data were collected using a structured diagnostic interview from approximately 35,000 adults assessed over two waves of data collection in the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions. Our analyses suggested that a seven-factor solution provided the best fit for the data, and these factors were marked primarily by one or at most two personality disorder criteria sets. A series of regression analyses that used external validators tapping Axis I psychopathology, treatment for mental health problems, functioning scores, interpersonal conflict, and suicidal ideation and behavior provided support for the seven-factor solution. We discuss these findings in the context of previous studies that have examined the structure underlying the personality disorder criteria as well as the current proposals for DSM-5 personality disorders.
Structure of the sporulation‐specific transcription factor Ndt80 bound to DNA

Progression through the middle phase of sporulation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is promoted by the successful completion of recombination at the end of prophase I. Completion of meiotic recombination allows the activation of the sporulation‐specific transcription factor Ndt80, which binds to a specific DNA sequence, the middle sporulation element (MSE), and activates ∼150 genes to enable progression through meiosis. Here, we isolate the DNA‐binding domain of Ndt80 and determine its crystal structure both free and in complex with an MSE‐containing DNA. The structure reveals that Ndt80 is a member of the Ig‐fold family of transcription factors. The structure of the DNA‐bound form, refined at 1.4 Å, reveals an unexpected mode of recognition of 5′‐pyrimidine–guanine‐3′ dinucleotide steps by arginine residues that simultaneously recognize the 3′‐guanine base through hydrogen bond interactions and the 5′‐pyrimidine through stacking/van der Waals interactions. Analysis of the DNA‐binding affinities of MSE mutants demonstrates the central importance of these interactions, and of the AT‐rich portion of the MSE. Functional similarities between Ndt80 and the Caenorhabditis elegans p53 homolog suggest an evolutionary link between Ndt80 and the p53 family.
NSF/SNAPs and p97/p47/VCIP135 are sequentially required for cell cycle‐dependent reformation of the ER network

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) has a characteristic polygonal structure with hallmark three‐way junctions. In a previous paper, we reconstituted the disruption of the pre‐existing ER network using mitotic cytosol from HeLa cells in streptolysin O (SLO)‐permeabilized CHO‐HSP cells (stably expressing GFP‐HSP47). In addition, we found that interphase cytosol induced reformation of the disrupted ER network into a continuous network structure. Here, we show that the reformation of the ER network is accomplished through two sequential fusion reactions. The first process is mediated by NSF/α and γ‐SNAPs, and involves the generation of typical membranous intermediate structures that connect the disrupted ER tubules. A subsequent fusion is mediated by p97/p47/VCIP135, which has been shown to be required for homotypic fusion events in Golgi cisternae regrowth after mitosis. In addition, we also found that both fusion processes involve the t‐SNARE, syntaxin 18.
Diabetes, Vestibular Dysfunction, and Falls: Analyses From the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Objective: Patients with diabetes are at increased risk both for falls and for vestibular dysfunction, a known risk factor for falls. Our aims were 1) to further characterize the vestibular dysfunction present in patients with diabetes and 2) to evaluate for an independent effect of vestibular dysfunction on fall risk among patients with diabetes. Study Design: National cross-sectional survey. Setting: Ambulatory examination centers. Patients: Adults from the United States aged 40 years and older who participated in the 2001-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (n = 5,86). Interventions: Diagnosis of diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, and retinopathy. Main Outcome Measures: Vestibular function measured by the modified Romberg Test of Standing Balance on Firm and Compliant Support Surfaces and history of falling in the previous 12 months. Results: We observed a higher prevalence of vestibular dysfunction in patients with diabetes with longer duration of disease, greater serum hemoglobin A1c levels and other diabetes-related complications, suggestive of a dose-response relationship between diabetes mellitus severity and vestibular dysfunction. We also noted that vestibular dysfunction independently increased the odds of falling more than 2-fold among patients with diabetes (odds ratio, 2.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-5.1), even after adjusting for peripheral neuropathy and retinopathy. Moreover, we found that including vestibular dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy, and retinopathy in multivariate models eliminated the significant association between diabetes and fall risk. Conclusion: Vestibular dysfunction may represent a newly recognized diabetes-related complication, which acts as a mediator of the effect of diabetes mellitus on fall risk.
The Effect of Learning Memory Strengthening Skills on Improving Dictation in Female Students with Learning Disabilities in Arak Education Area

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of training memory enhancement skills on improving the dictation of female students with learning disabilities (writing). Methodology : The present study was a semi experimental design with pre-test / post-test design with control group. The population of the study consisted of all female primary schoolchildren with dictation disorders who were studying in Arak district schools in the academic year of 1995-94. Among the referral students had problems with dictation by a teacher of 30 students who had diagnostic criteria for dysfunction disorder. They were randomly assigned to two experimental groups (15 people) and control (15 people). Information was collected by version 5 of Stanford / Binet's Intelligence Lab and a researcher-made spelling. The experimental group was trained in memory enhancement skills in 10 sessions while the control group did not receive any training at this time. Data analysis was performed using multivariate analysis of covariance using SPSS-22 software. Findings : The results indicated that there was a significant difference between the post test scores of the two experimental and control groups at the level of 0.05 and the students' writing scores improved after the training sessions. Discussion: The training method used in this study can be suggested as a desirable method for improving the dictation of dyslexic students.
Antigen binding and biological activities of engineered mutant chimeric antibodies with human tumor specificities.

The constant region of the human gamma 1 chain was mutated either by deleting the second domain (CH2) or by mutating the two hinge region cysteine residues, normally involved in the inter-heavy chain disulfide bond formation, to serines. The effects of these mutations on chain assembly, antigen binding, complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC), and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) were measured after expressing the human constant regions together with mouse variable regions encoding anti-tumor cell specificities. The CH2-deleted chimeric antibody was found to have increased antigen binding activity and little (ADCC) or no (CDC) biological activity. The cysteine to serine hinge region mutant antibody had normal or slightly reduced antigen binding activity, greatly reduced ADCC activity, and a reduced, but still significant, ability to mediate CDC. These results reflect the complexity of the interactions between the immunoglobulin domains and their role in balancing the antigen binding and effector functions of antibodies. They suggest further that such antibodies may be useful in applications, such as the in vivo imaging of tumors, where the loss of effector function (e.g., Fc receptor binding) is desired.
Protective role of macrophage-derived ceruloplasmin in inflammatory bowel disease

Objective Intestinal microflora and inflammatory cell infiltrates play critical roles in the pathogenesis of acute colitis. Ceruloplasmin is an acute-phase plasma protein produced by hepatocytes and activated macrophages, and has ferroxidase with bactericidal activities. The goal is to understand the role of ceruloplasmin in colitis progression in a genetically modified murine model. Design Experimental colitis was induced in ceruloplasmin null (Cp−/−) and wild-type (WT) mice by dextran sulphate sodium administration. The role of ceruloplasmin was further evaluated by transplantation of WT macrophages into Cp−/− mice. Results Cp−/− mice rapidly lost weight and were moribund by day 14, while WT mice survived at least 30 days. Colon culture supernatants from Cp−/− mice exhibited elevated levels of TNFα, KC and MCP-1, indicative of increased inflammation and neutrophil and macrophage infiltration. Elevated leucocytes and severe histopathology were observed in Cp−/− mice. Elevated protein carbonyl content was detected in colons from Cp−/− mice suggesting ceruloplasmin antioxidant activity might contribute to its protective function. Unexpectedly, intraperitoneal administration of human ceruloplasmin into Cp−/− mice did not afford protection. Bone marrow transplantation from WT mice or injection of isolated peripheral blood monocytes markedly reduced severity of colitis and morbidity in Cp−/− mice. Conclusion Macrophage-derived ceruloplasmin contributes importantly to protection against inflammation and tissue injury in acute and chronic experimental colitis. The findings suggest that defects in ceruloplasmin expression or processing may influence the onset or progression of inflammatory bowel disease in patients.
Hospital and Community Based Psychiatry: a Comparative Study Between a Danish and an Italian Psychiatric Service

A Danish (Aarhus) insitution-based and an Italian (South-Verona) community-based psychiatric service are compared. The incidence rates are 20/10,000 inhabitants in both areas with more psychotics and fewer neurotics in Aarhus. The admission rate as well as the one year rate of persons in in-patient care are about three times higher in Aarhus. Referrals to day and out-patient care, including home visits, are used 1.5 - 3.5 times as often in South-Verona, whereas the rates of persons in each of the three types of care are of similar size in the two centres. Geronto-psychiatric disorders are to a greater extent treated within the field of psychiatry in Aarhus. Compulsory admission rates are higher in Aarhus (3.7/10,000 inhabitants) than in South-Verona (1.3/10,000). Admission rates to private hospitals are 9.4/10,000 inhabitants in South-Verona against 3.0/10,000 in Aarhus.