Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dynamics and Predictability of Hemispheric-Scale Multidecadal Climate Variability in an Observationally Constrained Mechanistic Model

This paper addresses the dynamics of internal hemispheric-scale multidecadal climate variability by postulating an energy-balance (EBM) model comprising two deep-ocean oscillators in the Atlantic and Pacific basins, coupled through their surface mixed layers via atmospheric teleconnections. This system is linear and driven by the atmospheric noise. Two sets of the EBM model parameters are developed by fitting the EBM-based mixed-layer temperature covariance structure to best mimic basin-average North Atlantic/Pacific sea surface temperature (SST) covariability in either observations or control simulations of comprehensive climate models within the CMIP5 project. The differences between the dynamics underlying the observed and CMIP5-simulated multidecadal climate variability and predictability are encapsulated in the algebraic structure of the two EBM model versions so obtained: EBMCMIP5 and EBMOBS. The multidecadal variability in EBMCMIP5 is overall weaker and amounts to a smaller fraction of the total SST variability than in EBMOBS, pointing to a lower potential decadal predictability of virtual CMIP5 climates relative to that of the actual climate. The EBMCMIP5 decadal hemispheric teleconnections (and, by inference, those in CMIP5 models) are largely controlled by the variability of the Pacific, in which the ocean, due to its large thermal and dynamical memory, acts as a passive integrator of atmospheric noise. By contrast, EBMOBS features a stronger two-way coupling between the Atlantic and Pacific multidecadal oscillators, thereby suggesting the existence of a hemispheric-scale and, perhaps, global multidecadal mode associated with internal ocean dynamics. The inferred differences between the observed and CMIP5 simulated climate variability stem from a stronger communication between the deep ocean and surface processes implicit in the observational data.
PATHS TOWARDS DEMOCRACY-THE ROLE OF UNOBSERVED HETEROGENEITY TO ANALYZE THE EFFECT OF POLITICAL PROTESTS

There is a growing interest in understanding if and to what extent collective action affects the democratic process. Nevertheless, the empirical literature faces a main challenge: the role of elites in shaping countries’ paths towards democracy is intrinsically unobservable and is generally not adequately modeled. Ignoring such unobserved heterogeneity creates several problems if the empirical analysis aims at investigating the role of protests in driving countries towards more democracy. The present work proposes an empirical strategy that aims at correcting two types of biases created by unobserved heterogeneity, sample selection bias and endogeneity, while also offering the possibility to destructure unobserved heterogeneity into a finite number of types. The strategy relies on a multivariate finite mixture model that allows to estimate more efficiently our parameters of interests, but at the same time, it shows several paths towards democracy that are pursued by countries in their democratic process. In such a way, it is also possible to shed lights on the debate among theorists who support the transitions from below and those who support the transitions from above. JEL Classification: D72, D74, P16, P47 ∗ Dipartimento Scienze Politiche LUISS Guido Carli University of Rome, Viale Romania, 32, 00197 Roma, Italy ◦ Dipartimento di Scienze Economiche, Aziendali e Statistiche (SEAS), Università di Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, 90128 Palermo, Italy ∗ Corresponding author: mariasmarino@hotmail.com We wish to thank the several participants at the conference “The Political Economy of Democracy and Dictatorship” held at the University of Münster in 2017 and Barry Weingast for their useful comments.
A full-proteome, interaction-specific characterization of mutational hotspots across human cancers

Rapid accumulation of cancer genomic data has led to the identification of an increasing number of mutational hotspots with uncharacterized significance. Here we present a biologically-informed computational framework that characterizes the functional relevance of all 1,107 published mutational hotspots identified in ∼25,000 tumor samples across 41 cancer types in the context of a human 3D interactome network, in which the interface of each interaction is mapped at residue resolution. Hotspots reside in network hub proteins and are enriched on protein interaction interfaces, suggesting that alteration of specific protein-protein interactions is critical for the oncogenicity of many hotspot mutations. Our framework enables, for the first time, systematic identification of specific protein interactions affected by hotspot mutations at the full proteome scale. Furthermore, by constructing a hotspot-affected network that connects all hotspot-affected interactions throughout the whole human interactome, we uncover genome-wide relationships among hotspots and implicate novel cancer proteins that do not harbor hotspot mutations themselves. Moreover, applying our network-based framework to specific cancer types identifies clinically significant hotspots that can be used for prognosis and therapy targets. Overall, we demonstrate that our framework bridges the gap between the statistical significance of mutational hotspots and their biological and clinical significance in human cancers.
ACADEMIC MINDSETS AS PREDICTORS OF ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AMONG PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN NAIROBI COUNTY, KENYA

In spite of the importance attached to education, poor academic achievement has continued in Kenya especially in public secondary schools. It affects the life prospects of students and also poses a challenge to parents and the society. Therefore, this study sought to establish how academic mindsets predict academic achievement among public secondary school students in Nairobi County, Kenya. The study was guided by Social Cognitive Theory of Motivation and Personality. Explanatory sequential mixed methods design was adopted. A sample of 488 participants was selected from 10 public secondary schools. Quantitative data were collected through adapted scale for Academic Mindsets and analyzed using Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation Coefficient and multiple regression. Academic achievement was inferred from student’s academic records. Qualitative data were collected through interviews and analyzed thematically. Results revealed a non-significant positive correlation between students’ academic mindsets and academic achievement (r (486) = . 05, p = . 27). The individual subscales of academic mindsets were significant predictors of academic achievement (F (2, 485) = 241.08, p < 0.5). The qualitative findings confirmed the obtained quantitative findings. The study has implications for teachers, parents and all stakeholders in education in developing a malleable academic mindset in learners’ right from pre-school through primary to secondary school to enhance academic achievement.
Forecasting Stock Market Trends Using Rough Set

Predicting financial markets and trends is an important issue, either on the microeconomic level for enterprise managers, investors, creditors and supervisors, or on the macroeconomic level. Complexity of financial decisions has increased rapidly, thus highlighting the importance of developing and implementing sophisticated and efficient quantitative analysis techniques for supporting and aiding financial decision making. Rough Set Theory RST is an emerging Automatic Target Recognition (ATR) methodology for determining features and then classifiers from a training data set. RST guarantees that once the training data has been labeled all possible classifiers (based on that labeling) will be generated. Different investors groups present different investment behavior and of course their trades may relate to asset prices in different manners. This study examines whether some investors groups are associated with concurrent or subsequent market-wide price movements through the market trend using rough set theory as one of an artificial intelligence techniques, and comparing the result with that of applying econometric analysis. The experimental results of this study prove on the following (1) the ability of the rough set approach to discover facts hidden in data which represent the market trend. (2) The efficiency of the suggested classifying method to manage the discretization reaching to the general market trend. (3) Using the generalization to interpret the extracting trading rules which represent the market trend to proof with self evident on general known trading rules such as in case of selling the price is downward trend in the market and vice versa.
UvA-DARE (Digital Academic Repository) Underlying Mechanisms of Gene-Environment Interactions in Externalizing Behavior: A Systematic Review and Search for Theoretical Mechanisms Weeland,

Over the last decade, several candidate genes (i.e., MAOA, DRD4, DRD2, DAT1, 5-HTTLPR, and COMT) have been extensively studied as potential moderators of the detrimental effects of postnatal family adversity on child externalizing behaviors, such as aggression and conduct disorder. Many studies on such candidate gene by environment interactions (i.e., cG 9 E) have been published, and the first part of this paper offers a systematic review and integration of their findings (n = 53). The overview shows a set of heterogeneous findings. However, because of large differences between studies in terms of sample composition, conceptualizations, and power, it is difficult to determine if different findings indeed illustrate inconsistent cG 9 E findings or if findings are simply incomparable. In the second part of the paper, therefore, we argue that one way to help resolve this problem is the development of theory-driven a priori hypotheses on which biopsychosocial mechanisms might underlie cG 9 E. Such a theoretically based approach can help us specify our research strategies, create more comparable findings, and help us interpret different findings between studies. In accordance, we describe three possible explanatory mechanisms, based on extant literature on the concepts of (1) emotional reactivity, (2) reward sensitivity, and (3) punishment sensitivity. For each mechanism, we discuss the link between the putative mechanism and externalizing behaviors, the genetic polymorphism, and family adversity. Possible research strategies to test these mechanisms, and implications for interventions, are
A COMPARISON OF STRATIGRAPHY, STRUCTURE AND PALAEOGEOGRAPHY OF THE SOUTH PORTUGUESE ZONE AND SOUTH-WEST ENGLAND, EUROPEAN VARISCIDES

The outcrop exposure in the South Portuguese Zone, Iberia, and south-west England is restricted to the Upper Palaeozoic and the stratigraphic successions of both geological domains have several characteristics in common, such as the occurrence of : predominant terrigenous sedimentation; Early to Middle Devonian ophiolites and synsedimentary mélanges probably related to the ophiolite obduction during the Upper Devonian; diachronic, outward moving bimodal volcanism; Upper Devonian to Upper Westphalian synorogenic flysch sedimentation in a clear progradation towards the foreland; thin skinned type of tectonic deformation and late orogenic granitoids. It is suggested that both domains were in continuity and belonged to the same palaeogeographic and geodynamic realm, situated at the southern margin of Avalonia plate, which was docked to Laurussia after the Iapetus closure. During the Upper Devonian to the Lower Carboniferous both domains collided with the Gondwana (or the Armorica plate ? ) as a consequence of the Rheic Ocean closure, and this was followed by intracontinental extensional tectonism that gave way to an outward propagating thin skinned thrust and fold belt. The South Portuguese Zone and south-west England, together with the Rhenohercynian Zone in Germany constitute the North European Variscan foreland belt.
SOME ALGORITHMS FOR OPTIMAL STATE ESTIMATION AND OPTIMAL CONTROL CHOICE FOR STOCHASTIC SYSTEMS UDC: 681.5

In this paper some approaches to the control of stochastic systems have been considered. Algorithms for optimal state and parameters estimation for stochastic systems, with constant and changeable structure, have been presented. For systems with changeable structure it is assumed that change of structure is random and represents Markov’s process. On the basis of algorithms for optimal state variables and parameters estimation, corresponding algorithms for choice of the optimal control have been formed. Challenge for investigations in this field is to find adaptive algorithms for improving the accuracy of estimation, and thus of control, in cases when priors describing stochastic disturbances are not exact enough. In such cases alternative techniques based on application of fuzzy logic in control systems can be used. Performance and robustness of the fuzzy PI controller and stochastic LQG optimal controller have been compared for a pneumatic servo system, in case when random disturbances act upon the system.
Characterization of Subsynchronous Oscillation with Wind Farms Using Describing Function and Generalized Nyquist Criterion

Eigen-analysis is widely used in the studies of power system oscillation and small-signal stability. However, it may give inaccurate analyses on subsynchronous oscillation (SSO) when nonlinearity is not negligible. In this paper, a nonlinear analytical approach based on the describing function and generalized Nyquist criterion is proposed to analyze the characteristics of SSO with wind farms. The paper first presents describing function-based model reduction considering key nonlinear elements involved in SSO, and then uses a generalized Nyquist criterion for accurate estimation of SSO amplitude and frequency. The results are verified by time-domain simulations on a detailed model with different scenarios considering variations of the system condition and controller parameters.
Synergistic Effect of Helicobacter pylori, Epstein-Barr virus and Host susceptibility for the development of gastric cancer

Recently, advancement in surgical techniques and preoperative care conditions have had positive effects on the clinical course of gastric cancer. However, gastric cancer still constitutes a significant public health problem because of its high prevalence, poor prognosis. Therefore, gastric cancer screening strategy has received widespread attention because of its significantly increased cancer detection rate. In some developed countries such as Japan, due to the well-established strategy for gastric cancer prevention screening, most of the new cases are now diagnosed at early stage and the patient’s prognosis is extremely good with more than 90% could survive for 5 years or more. Globally Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) has been classified as a Class I carcinogen and the major cause of gastric cancer. H. pylori-specific genetic diversity has been proposed to
The Effectiveness of Training Program Based on Virtual Participation on Stress and Anxiety of Parents with Premature Infants Hospitalized in Neonatal Intensive Care Units

1.Non-Communicable Pediatric Disease Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, I.R. Iran 2.Nursing Care Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, I.R. Iran 3.Infertility and Reproductive Health Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, I.R. Iran 4.Department of Medical_Surgical Nursing & Basic Sciences, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran,
ANIMAL PRODUCTION SYMBIOTIC AND NATURAL EXTRACTS IN DIETS FOR JAPANESE QUAILS AT LAYING PERIOD

The objective of this study was to assess the performance, tonic immobility time (TIT), intensity of injuries (II) and heterophil to lymphocyte ratio (H:L) by the addition of the symbiotic and plant extract (Aloe vera and Symphytum officinale) to the diet of Japanese quails. Ninety quails were used, distributed in randomized blocks with 3 treatments (0 – control; 250 and 750 mg symbiotic and plant extract/kg of diet), five repetitions and six birds per cage. Feed intake, feed conversion, production and weight of eggs, viability, TIT, II and H:L were evaluated. Results showed that the addition of the product to the diet did not affect the performance, however, it decreased the TIT, II and the H:L of quails which received the highest level of the product in the diet. Thus, the use of symbiotic and plant extract in the diet has been promising regarding the behavioral and physiological parameters, decreasing the stress of the animals, mainly for the level of 750 mg/kg
Child Abuse & Neglect Peer victimization and internalizing problems in children: A meta-analysis of longitudinal studies

Objective: A recent meta-analytic review of cross-sectional studies examining correlations between peer victimization and indices of internalizing problems indicates that victims of bullying are highly distressed. However, the reliance on cross-sectional studies precludes interpretation of the direction of effects. The present study was designed to investigate if internalizing problems are antecedents of victimization, consequences of victimization, or both. Method: This paper provides a meta-analysis of 18 longitudinal studies examining prospective linkages between peer victimization and internalizing problems (n = 13,978). Two prospective paths were examined: the extent to which peer victimization at baseline predicts changes in internalizing problems, as well as the extent to which internalizing problems at baseline predict changes in peer victimization. Results: Results revealed significant associations between peer victimization and subsequent changes in internalizing problems, as well as significant associations between internalizing problems and subsequent changes in peer victimization. Several moderator effects were observed. Conclusions: Internalizing problems function as both antecedents and consequences of peer victimization. These reciprocal influences suggest a vicious cycle that contributes to the high stability of peer victimization. Practice implications: This study should further encourage steps to reduce bullying at schools. © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Impact of conversion from rice farms to oil palm plantations on socio-economic aspects of ex-migrants in Indonesia

This paper aims to investigate the impact of land conversion from rice farming to oil palm plantations on the socio-economic aspects of ex-migrants in the South Sumatra tidal swamp, Indonesia. Land conversion from rice farming to oil palm plantations is a form of adaptation for ex-migrant farmers and will increase food deficits in Indonesia. Ex-migrant farmers initially cultivated food crops with conventional technology. This pattern has been changing, which have led to the formation of two large groups of farms, namely rice-based farms implementing mechanisation, and oil palm-based plantations. The results showed that changes from rice farming to oil palm plantations did not make the economy of farm households better. Between the two groups of farmers, there is no difference in arable land, the labour allocation for agriculture and the farmers’ income. In addition, there is not much difference between farmers’ participation in on-farm and out-farm activities. The area of arable land owned, the husbands’age, and family size variables are determinants of farmers’ choice to participate in other jobs activities and influence farmers’ income. Thus, changes in crops from rice to oil palm have no impact on cultivation area, labour allocation, income, on-farm and out-farm activities.
The Current Understanding of Gestational Weight Gain Among Women with Obesity and the Need for Future Research.

In June 2018, the Roundtable on Obesity Solutions of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (the National Academies) held a webinar titled “The Current Understanding of Pre-Pregnancy Weight, Gestational Weight Gain, and the Impacts on Maternal and Child Health Among Women with Obesity” with the objective of focusing on women with class II and class III obesity and exploring new evidence that has emerged since the 2009 Institute of Medicine (IOM) and National Research Council (NRC) gestational weight gain (GWG) recommendations were released (as of March 2016, the National Academies’ Health and Medicine Division continues the consensus studies and convening activities previously undertaken by the IOM) [1]. Since the publication of that report, much has been published in the literature in regard to GWG patterns for women with overweight and obesity as well as interventions designed specifi cally to help women gain only within targeted ranges. In this paper, the authors, all speakers from that webinar, will present a summary of the how the 2009 IOM/NRC GWG recommendations were made and the major data gap that existed at that time, describe new GWG trends for women entering pregnancy with class II and class III obesity (body mass index [BMI] at or above 35), briefl y summarize the most promising interventions for women with overweight and obesity, and provide a discussion of the research gaps that will need to be addressed before new recommendations can be made for these groups of women.
Levels of Interleukin 17, Fas and Eosinophil Apoptosis in Bronchial Asthma Patients

Bronchial asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airway in which many cells and cellular elements play a role. The chronic inflammation causes an associated increase in airway hyperresponsiveness that leads to recurrent episodes of wheezing breathlessness, chest tightness and coughing particularly at night or in the early morning. These episodes are usually associated with widespread but variable airway obstruction that is often reversible either spontaneously or with treatment.IL-17 family members belong to a distinct category of cytokines that coordinate local tissue inflammation by inducing the release of pro-inflammatory and neutrophil-mobilizing cytokines. The importance of the IL-17 family in inflammatory and autoimmune disease is becoming increasingly apparent. In this prospective study, we measured sputum IL-17 and serum sFAS in bronchial asthma patients of various disease severity by ELISA technique and also detected sputum eosinophils apoptotic ratio(AR). This study was carried out at Mansoura University Hospitals, Medical Microbiology & Immunology and Thoracic Medicine Departments from August 2007 to August 2009. fifty bronchial asthma pateients and twenty healthy non smoker subjects were enrolled in the study after informed consent.sputum IL 17 and serum sFas were measured using ELISA technique and eosinophils apoptotic ratio was detected by identification the morphological features of apoptosis after staining by Giemsa stain. The levels of sputum IL 17 and serum sFAS were increased in bronchial asthma patients especially in severe asthma than control group with statistically significant difference, there is decrease in eosinophils apoptotic ratio in bronchial asthma patients than healthy controls. Bronchial asthma patients have higher levels of sputum IL 17, serum sFAS and decreased eosinophil apoptotic ratio,higher levels of IL 17 were associated with severity of the disease, high levels of serum sFAS inhibit the process of apoptosis and are associated with decrease in eosinophils apoptotic ratio.