Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Essays in Directed Technical Change

This dissertation takes the position that a scientific theory ought to be general and parsimonious and apply this rule to Daron Acemoglu’s theory of directed technical change to show that the theory provides useful structure for our knowledge of human capital and wages. The first chapter estimates the shape of labor demand and the strength of technical bias by age group in the US while taking account of changes in directed technology that shift relative demand for worker age groups. The data are consistent with demand shifts produced from the theory of directed technical change when the elasticity of substitution between worker age groups in the United States is slightly above 2, the threshold for strong technical bias. Instrumenting for labor supplies with lagged populations gives similar results. The report illustrates how ignoring technical bias can produce higher estimates seen in past work. The second chapter proposes a new macroeconomic mechanism for generating concavity in age-earnings profiles based on directed technical change. The mechanism does not depend on changes in the human capital of the individual as proposed by Ben-Porath and Mincer; rather changes in the relative human capital of age groups affect the profitability of age-specific technologies, biasing innovation toward improving the productivity of younger workers. Using new data, I estimate that on average a worker at the beginning of the career can expect a yearly wage increase of 6.2% while a worker at the end of a career with 40 years of experience can can expect a yearly wage increase of 2.1%. The theory generates maximal earnings at a later age than observed by some past work with macroeconomic data but is consistent with some micro estimates. The theory should be taken as supplemental to—rather than replacing—human capital-based theories of age-earnings profiles.
Near-Field Pattern of Large Aperture Higher Order Mode Generator Using Backpropagated Fields in Free Space

This paper reports the estimation of the electric field from a large aperture cavity that generates a higher order mode by backpropagation of fields measured in free space. A higher order mode of a TE6,2 mode at 94 GHz is designed and fabricated using a quasi-optical manner for the analysis. The backpropagating field at the aperture is compared with the measured field. The field estimated at the aperture is used to analyze the mode information, such as the amount of mode mixture of two different rotating fields and the phase difference between two modes. This paper provides a quantitative way to analyze the rotating cylindrical modes generated from an oversized cavity.
A Novel Approach for Deriving Nutrient Criteria to Support Good Ecological Status: Application to Coastal and Transitional Waters and Indications for Use

A huge variability exists in nutrient concentrations boundaries set for the Water (WFD) and the Marine Strategy (MSFD) Framework Directives, as revealed by a survey to EU Member States. Such wide variation poses challenges when checking policy objectives compliance and for setting coherent management goals across European waters. To help Member States achieve Good Ecological Status (GES) in surface waters, different statistical approaches have been proposed in a Best Practice Guide (CIS Nutrients Standards Guidance) for establishing suitable nutrient boundaries. Here we used the intercalibrated results from the WFD for the biological quality element phytoplankton to test the applicability of this Best Practice Guide for deriving nutrient boundaries in coastal and transitional waters. Overall, the statistical approaches proved adequate for coastal lagoons, but are not always robust to allow deriving nutrient boundaries in other water categories such as estuaries, in transitional waters, or some coastal water types. The datasets available for analysis provided good examples of the most common problems that might be encountered in these water categories. Similar issues have been found in freshwater environments, for which solutions are proposed in the Best Practice Guide and which are demonstrated here for coastal and transitional waters. The different approaches available and problems identified can be useful for supporting the derivation of nutrient concentrations boundaries both for the Water (WFD) and the Marine Strategy (MSFD) Framework Directives implementation.
Autonomic Dysfunction Increases Cardiovascular Risk in the Presence of Sleep Apnea

The high prevalence of sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) and its direct relationship with an augmented risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) have raised SAS as a primary public health problem. For this reason, extensive research aiming to understand the interaction between both conditions has been conducted. The advances in non-invasive autonomic nervous system (ANS) monitoring through heart rate variability (HRV) analysis have revealed an increased sympathetic dominance in subjects suffering from SAS when compared with controls. Similarly, HRV analysis of subjects with CVD suggests altered autonomic activity. In this work, we investigated the altered autonomic control in subjects suffering from SAS and CVD simultaneously when compared with SAS patients, as well as the possibility that ANS assessment may be useful for the early stage identification of cardiovascular risk in subjects with SAS. The analysis was performed over 199 subjects from two independent datasets during night-time, and the effects of the physiological response following an apneic episode, sleep stages, and respiration on HRV were taken into account. Results, as measured by HRV, suggest a decreased sympathetic dominance in those subjects suffering from both conditions, as well as in subjects with SAS that will develop CVDs, which was reflected in a significantly reduced sympathovagal balance (p < 0.05). In this way, ANS monitoring could contribute to improve screening and diagnosis, and eventually aid in the phenotyping of patients, as an altered response might have direct implications on cardiovascular health.
Bacterial species to be considered in quality assurance of mice and rats

Bacteria are relevant in rodent quality assurance programmes if (a) the animals are at risk and (b) presence in the animals makes a difference for animal research or welfare, for example because the agent regulates clinical disease progression or impacts its host in other ways. Furthermore, zoonoses are relevant. Some bacterial species internationally recommended for the health monitoring of rats and mice, that is, Citrobacter rodentium, Corynebacterium kutscheri, Salmonella spp. and Streptococcus pneumonia, are no longer found in either laboratory or pet shop rats or mice, while there is still a real risk of impact on animal research and welfare from Filobacterium rodentium, Clostridium piliforme, Mycoplasma spp. , Helicobacter spp. and Rodentibacter spp. , while Streptobacillus moniliformis may be considered a serious zoonotic agent in spite of a very low risk. Modern molecular techniques have revealed that there may, depending on the research type, be equally good reasons for knowing the colony status of some commensal bacteria that are essential for the induction of specific rodent models, such as Alistipes spp. , Akkermansia muciniphila, Bifidobacterium spp. , Bacteroides fragilis, Bacteroides vulgatus, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Prevotella copri and segmented filamentous bacteria. In future, research groups should therefore consider the presence or absence of a short list of defined bacterial species relevant for their models. This list can be tested by cost-effective sequencing or even a simple multiple polymerase chain reaction approach, which is likely to be cost-neutral compared to more traditional screening methods.
Physical Activity of Polish and Norwegian Local Communities in the Context of Self-Government Authorities’ Projects

The aim of this paper is to evaluate the relationship between the physical activity (PA) undertaken by two groups of residents living in Poland and Norway, and projects run by their respective local authorities. A secondary goal is to determine PA levels in the studied social groups. Two representative groups (one from each country) were examined using a diagnostic survey, supported by questionnaires and interviews. The Polish cohort consisted of 382 respondents who were residents of 11 municipalities in the Kalisz district of the Greater Poland voivodship. The Norwegian cohort was made up of 378 residents of 8 Indre Sogn municipalities from the Sogn og Fjordane region. Norwegians are twice as physically active as Poles and assess their municipal sport and recreation facilities to be much better. There is no statistically significant relationship between Polish and Norwegian PA levels in the two studied groups and their positive views on the impact of their local governments’ projects to promote PA. Statistically significant correlations occurred between the frequency of PA undertaken, the time pattern of class unit, MET level (metabolic equivalent) and the declared use of the sport and recreation facilities of the two communities. Both groups are more willing to be active outdoors than indoors and thus municipal authorities should take particular care about the state of outdoor sports and recreation infrastructure. An innovative and original action model is presented to assist local authorities in their attempts to raise PA levels in their communities.
Distinct roles of the two VPS33 proteins in the endolysosomal system in Caenorhabditis elegans

Sec1/Munc‐18 (SM) family proteins are essential regulators in intracellular transport in eukaryotic cells. The SM protein Vps33 functions as a core subunit of two tethering complexes, class C core vacuole/endosome tethering (CORVET) and homotypic fusion and vacuole protein sorting (HOPS) in the endocytic pathway in yeast. Metazoan cells possess two Vps33 proteins, VPS33A and VPS33B, but their precise roles remain unknown. Here, we present a comparative analysis of Caenorhabditis elegans null mutants for these proteins. We found that the vps‐33.1 (VPS33A) mutants exhibited severe defects in both endocytic function and endolysosomal biogenesis in scavenger cells. Furthermore, vps‐33.1 mutations caused endocytosis defects in other tissues, and the loss of maternal and zygotic VPS‐33.1 resulted in embryonic lethality. By contrast, vps‐33.2 mutants were viable but sterile, with terminally arrested spermatocytes. The spermatogenesis phenotype suggests that VPS33.2 is involved in the formation of a sperm‐specific organelle. The endocytosis defect in the vps‐33.1 mutant was not restored by the expression of VPS‐33.2, which indicates that these proteins have nonredundant functions. Together, our data suggest that VPS‐33.1 shares most of the general functions of yeast Vps33 in terms of tethering complexes in the endolysosomal system, whereas VPS‐33.2 has tissue/organelle specific functions in C. elegans.
Prevalence and factors associated with fertility desires/intentions among individuals in HIV‐serodiscordant relationships: a systematic review of empirical studies

Better knowledge about fertility desires/intentions among HIV‐serodiscordant partners who face unique challenges when considering childbearing may be helpful in the development of targeted reproductive interventions. The aim of this systematic review was to synthesize the published literature regarding the prevalence of fertility desires/intentions and its associated factors among individuals in HIV‐serodiscordant relationships while distinguishing low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMIC) from high‐income countries (HIC).
Identification and Characterization of Novel Fusion Genes with Potential Clinical Applications in Mexican Children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia is the most common type of childhood cancer worldwide. Mexico City has one of the highest incidences and mortality rates of this cancer. It has previously been recognized that chromosomal translocations are important in cancer etiology. Specific fusion genes have been considered as important treatment targets in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The present research aimed at the identification and characterization of novel fusion genes with potential clinical implications in Mexican children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The RNA-sequencing approach was used. Four fusion genes not previously reported were identified: CREBBP-SRGAP2B, DNAH14-IKZF1, ETV6-SNUPN, ETV6-NUFIP1. Although a fusion gene is not sufficient to cause leukemia, it could be involved in the pathogenesis of the disease. Notably, these new translocations were found in genes encoding for hematopoietic transcription factors which are known to play an important role in leukemogenesis and disease prognosis such as IKZF1, CREBBP, and ETV6. In addition, they may have an impact on the prognosis of Mexican pediatric patients with ALL, with the potential to be included in the current risk stratification schemes or used as therapeutic targets.
Epithelial ovarian cancer: Evolution of management in the era of precision medicine

Ovarian cancer is the second most common cause of gynecologic cancer death in women around the world. The outcomes are complicated, because the disease is often diagnosed late and composed of several subtypes with distinct biological and molecular properties (even within the same histological subtype), and there is inconsistency in availability of and access to treatment. Upfront treatment largely relies on debulking surgery to no residual disease and platinum‐based chemotherapy, with the addition of antiangiogenic agents in patients who have suboptimally debulked and stage IV disease. Major improvement in maintenance therapy has been seen by incorporating inhibitors against poly (ADP‐ribose) polymerase (PARP) molecules involved in the DNA damage‐repair process, which have been approved in a recurrent setting and recently in a first‐line setting among women with BRCA1/BRCA2 mutations. In recognizing the challenges facing the treatment of ovarian cancer, current investigations are enlaced with deep molecular and cellular profiling. To improve survival in this aggressive disease, access to appropriate evidence‐based care is requisite. In concert, realizing individualized precision medicine will require prioritizing clinical trials of innovative treatments and refining predictive biomarkers that will enable selection of patients who would benefit from chemotherapy, targeted agents, or immunotherapy. Together, a coordinated and structured approach will accelerate significant clinical and academic advancements in ovarian cancer and meaningfully change the paradigm of care.
CSF neurogranin as a neuronal damage marker in CJD: a comparative study with AD

Objective To investigate whether cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) neurogranin concentrations are altered in sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), comparatively with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and associated with neuronal degeneration in brain tissue. Methods CSF neurogranin, total tau, neurofilament light (NFL) and 14-3-3 protein were measured in neurological controls (NCs, n=64), AD (n=46) and CJD (n=81). The accuracy of neurogranin discriminating the three diagnostic groups was evaluated. Correlations between neurogranin and neurodegeneration biomarkers, demographic, genetic and clinical data were assessed. Additionally, neurogranin expression in postmortem brain tissue was studied. Results Compared with NC, CSF neurogranin concentrations were increased in CJD (4.75 times of NC; p<0.001, area under curve (AUC), 0.96 (95% CI 0.93 to 0.99) and AD (1.94 times of NC; p<0.01, AUC 0.73, 95% CI 0.62 to 0.82), and were able to differentiate CJD from AD (p<0.001, AUC 0.85, 95% CI 0.78 to 0.92). CSF tau was increased in CJD (41 times of NC) and in AD (3.1 times of NC), both at p<0.001. In CJD, neurogranin positively correlated with tau (r=0.55, p<0.001) and was higher in 14-3-3-positivity (p<0.05), but showed no association with NFL (r=0.08, p=0.46). CJD-MM1/MV1 cases displayed higher neurogranin levels than VV2 cases. Neurogranin was increased at early CJD disease stages and was a good prognostic marker of survival time in CJD. In brain tissue, neurogranin was detected in the cytoplasm, membrane and postsynaptic density fractions of neurons, with reduced levels in AD, and more significantly in CJD, where they correlated with synaptic and axonal markers. Conclusions Neurogranin is a new biomarker of prion pathogenesis with diagnostic and prognostic abilities, which reflects the degree of neuronal damage in brain tissue in a CJD subtype manner.
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Comorbid Anxiety and Depression: Case Report and Clinical Considerations

Abstract Growing research literature has documented the effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions for anxiety and depressive disorders. Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) teaches a series of mindfulness meditation and yoga practices, delivered in a group format during eight weekly sessions plus one full-day session. This case report demonstrates how MBSR was associated with dramatic clinical improvement of an individual with symptoms of panic, generalized anxiety, and depression. Scores on clinical assessment measures suggested clinically severe levels of anxious arousal, generalized anxiety, worry, fear of negative evaluation, and depression at the beginning of the intervention. The scores on all these measures fell well within normal limits 7 weeks later at the end of the intervention, and no remaining symptoms were reported afterward. Increased life satisfaction and quality of life were documented as well. This case illustrates the potential benefit of MBSR as an alternative or adjunctive treatment for comorbid anxiety and depressive disorder symptoms.
Vibrational echo spectroscopy of aqueous sodium bromide solutions from first principles simulations

A theoretical study of the time‐dependent vibrational echo spectroscopy of sodium bromide solutions in deuterated water at two different concentrations of 0.5 and 5.0 M and at temperatures of 300 and 350 K is presented using the method of ab initio molecular dynamics simulations. The instantaneous fluctuations in frequencies of local OD stretch modes are calculated using time‐series analysis of the simulated trajectories. The third‐order polarization and intensities of three pulse photon‐echo are calculated from ab initio simulations. The timescales of vibrational spectral diffusion are determined from the frequency time correlation functions (FTCF) and short‐time slope of three pulse photon echo (S3PE) calculated within the second‐order cumulant and Condon approximations. It is found that under ambient conditions, the rate of vibrational spectral diffusion becomes slower with increase in ionic concentration. Decay of S3PE calculated for different systems give timescales, which are in close agreement with those of FTCF and also with the results of experimental time‐dependent vibrational spectroscopic experiments. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Lessons from Canadian Courts for All Expert Witnesses

Expert witnesses have a special place in court, bringing their knowledge and skills in the form of opinion evidence to educate the court. This allows the fact-finder to make legal decisions more effectively. Although experts are often allowed a role in civil and criminal matters, this brings certain risks to the court process. Admissibility of expert witness testimony in Canada has generally paralleled American law, including the standards enunciated in Daubert v Merrell Dow Pharmaceutical, Inc. (1993). Recently, there has been a series of decisions in Canadian law that has focused on the role of the expert witness in the court. Although only having precedence in Canada, these cases highlight important legal principles that all expert witnesses must navigate, regardless of their jurisdiction. We review these significant cases to assist forensic psychiatrists in recognizing and professionally navigating potential pitfalls in giving expert opinions.
Regulation of Neuronal Survival and Axon Growth by a Perinuclear cAMP Compartment

cAMP signaling is known to be critical in neuronal survival and axon growth. Increasingly the subcellular compartmentation of cAMP signaling has been appreciated, but outside of dendritic synaptic regulation, few cAMP compartments have been defined in terms of molecular composition or function in neurons. Specificity in cAMP signaling is conferred in large part by A-kinase anchoring proteins (AKAPs) that localize protein kinase A and other signaling enzymes to discrete intracellular compartments. We now reveal that cAMP signaling within a perinuclear neuronal compartment organized by the large multivalent scaffold protein mAKAPα promotes neuronal survival and axon growth. mAKAPα signalosome function is explored using new molecular tools designed to specifically alter local cAMP levels as studied by live-cell FRET imaging. In addition, enhancement of mAKAPα-associated cAMP signaling by isoform-specific displacement of bound phosphodiesterase is demonstrated to increase retinal ganglion cell survival in vivo in mice of both sexes following optic nerve crush injury. These findings define a novel neuronal compartment that confers cAMP regulation of neuroprotection and axon growth and that may be therapeutically targeted in disease. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT cAMP is a second messenger responsible for the regulation of diverse cellular processes including neuronal neurite extension and survival following injury. Signal transduction by cAMP is highly compartmentalized in large part because of the formation of discrete, localized multimolecular signaling complexes by A-kinase anchoring proteins. Although the concept of cAMP compartmentation is well established, the function and identity of these compartments remain poorly understood in neurons. In this study, we provide evidence for a neuronal perinuclear cAMP compartment organized by the scaffold protein mAKAPα that is necessary and sufficient for the induction of neurite outgrowth in vitro and for the survival of retinal ganglion cells in vivo following optic nerve injury.
WaSCO: A Hybrid Enterprise Desktop Wake-Up System Based on Cloud Infrastructure

Enterprises can save a significant energy by letting idle desktops sleep and awake them only when needed. Though existing mechanisms based on centralized or distributed sleep proxy scheme address this issue with good availability, which means that a sleeping machine can always be awoken when needed, they still feature some drawbacks, such as dedicated per-subnet servers, additional per-desktop CPU resource utilization, and extra energy consumption. This seriously impedes their widespread deployment in enterprises. We, thus, propose an improved scheme called wake-up system based on cloud (WaSCO). WaSCO not only provides high availability but also consumes low CPU resource and energy, as it does not need any specific server to help achieve high availability. This system offloads heavy computation from desktops to a stable cloud, which is responsible for managing agents in various subnets by using our proposed algorithm called choosing-and-guaranteeing (CGA) algorithm. When a remote user wakes up a desktop with WaSCO, the cloud sends a message to the selected agents in the subnet, which then send wake-on-LAN packets to wake up the target desktop. In essence, CGA algorithm ensures running agents in each subnet, dynamically adjusts the number of agents, and selects a few desktops, rather than all the desktops, as agents. Experimental results show that WaSCO outperforms centralized and distributed sleep proxy mechanisms in terms of deployment cost, CPU resource cost, and energy consumption, while still maintains high availability.