Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Non-market valuation for environmental and health policy in Mexico

This thesis contains five studies that make use of non-market valuation techniques and of data collected in Mexico to make methodological and policy contributions to the field. In the order that they are presented in the thesis these are: * a contingent valuation study, based on data collected face-to-face of a representative sample of the population of Mexico City, to calculate a value of statistical life for Mexico and make an assessment of whether the benefit-transfer values that have been and continue to be used in the country are appropriate for policy-making; * a study that uses data collected online on whether the type of organisation sponsoring a contingent valuation survey affects the amount participants say they are willing to pay for the good being valued (in this case mortality risk reductions), all else equal; * a study that uses the same dataset to consider the relationship between trust in institutions and other forms of social capital and contingent valuation results; * an hedonic pricing analysis that makes use of several datasets (including high-resolution property data that is not in the public domain) and seeks to improve on previous attempts at applying this method in a developing country context (jointly using spatial econometrics and an instrumental variables approach); and * a short study on whether there is a relationship between air quality, social capital and subjective wellbeing in Mexico City.
Activation of c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase and subsequent CPP32/Yama during topoisomerase inhibitor beta-lapachone-induced apoptosis through an oxidation-dependent pathway.

Beta-lapachone (beta-Lap) has been found to inhibit DNA topoisomerases (Topos) by a mechanism distinct from that of other commonly known Topo inhibitors. Here, we demonstrated a pronounced elevation of H2O2 and O2- in human leukemia HL-60 cells treated with beta-Lap. Treatment with other Topo poisons, such as camptothecin (CPT), Vbeta-16, and GL331, did not have the same effect. On the other hand, antioxidant vitamin C (Vit C) treatment effectively antagonized beta-Lap-induced apoptosis. This suggested that a reactive oxygen species (ROS)-related pathway was involved in beta-Lap-induced apoptosis program. We also found that c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) but not p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase or extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 was persistently activated in apoptosis induced by beta-Lap. Overexpression of a dominant-negative mutant mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase 1 (MEKK1-DN) or treatment with JNK-specific antisense oligonucleotide or Vit C all prevented beta-Lap-induced JNK activation and the subsequent apoptosis. Only the expression of MEKK1-DN, not Vit C treatment, blocked the JNK activity induced by CPT, Vbeta-16, or GL331. These results confirm again that ROS acts as a mediator for JNK activation during beta-Lap-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, we found that beta-Lap can stimulate CPP32/Yama activity, which was, however, markedly inhibited by the MEKK1-DN expression or Vit C treatment. Again, CPT-induced CPP32/Yama activation can be abolished by MEKK1-DN but not by Vit C treatment. Taken together, these results indicate that beta-Lap but not other Topo inhibitors triggers apoptosis signaling, i.e., JNK and subsequent CPP32/Yama activation are mediated by the generation of ROS.
A Novel Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptor γ Isoform with Dominant Negative Activity Generated by Alternative Splicing*

We examined the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARG) locus in an attempt to identify expressed sequence tags and/or conserved non-coding sequences in the intron sequences containing open reading frames and potentially able to encode new proteins. We identified a new PPARG transcript, defined γORF4, which harbors a readthrough in intron 4. The expected translated protein lacks the ligand-binding domain encoded by exons 5 and 6. We identified the transcript in human tumor cell lines and tissues, synthesized the cDNA, and cloned it in expression vectors. Using transient transfections, we found that γORF4 cDNA is translated into a predominantly nuclear protein that does not transactivate a reporter gene. Moreover, the isoform is dominant negative versus PPARγ. Interestingly, γORF4 was expressed in vivo in a series of sporadic colorectal cancers. In some cases, it was expressed, albeit at lower levels, also in the mucosa adjacent to the tumors, suggesting that it may be related to tumorigenesis. A tumorigenic effect of γORF4 is in line with our finding that γORF4 has not only lost the capacity to restrain cell growth but has acquired the potential to stimulate it. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that γORF4 is expressed in vivo, that it has lost some PPARγ properties, and that it affects PPARγ functioning. The ability to counteract PPARγ suggests that γORF4 plays a role in the pathogenesis of colorectal cancers.
Studies on the adaptation of influenza viruses to MDCK cells.

The amino acid sequences and biological properties of the haemagglutinin of three variants of the influenza virus X‐31 (H3N2) selected for their capacity to grow in MDCK cells are reported. In two variants, amino acid substitutions at HA1 residues 8 and 144 correlated with the loss of a site for glycosylation and specific changes in antigenicity, respectively. In all three variants substitution of an arginine residue for histidine at HA1 position 17 was correlated with increased pH optima of haemolysis. The importance of this substitution for cleavage of the haemagglutinin precursor required to produce infectious virus is discussed in relation to the three‐dimensional structure of X‐31 haemagglutinin.
The Therapeutic Relationship in the Shadow: Nurses’ Experiences of Barriers to the Nurse–Patient Relationship in the Psychiatric Ward

The therapeutic relationship is widely accepted as the basic core and essence of the psychiatric nurse's role and is thus essential for providing quality mental health care. A detailed and clear perception of the issues that facilitate or obstruct this relationship is therefore important. The purpose of this study was to gain insights into the experiences of nurses working in psychiatry wards, of the barriers to the nurse–patient relationship. A qualitative content-analysis study was undertaken using a purpose-based sampling approach with the participation of 15 nurses employed in psychiatric wards in hospitals located in South Iran. Semi-structured interviews provided the source of data, and an inductive content-analysis approach was used for data analysis. The main concept extracted from the study was identified as ‘the therapeutic relationship in the shadow’, which captured the sense that this critical relationship is mostly unseen in the daily practice of the nurses interviewed. Factors that functioned as barriers to this relationship were classified into three main categories: nurse-related, patient-related and organization-related. The results of this study revealed that, despite the widely claimed importance of the nurse–patient relationship in psychiatric settings, this relationship is powerfully influenced by individual and organizational factors that have not been considered adequately in previous research. It is strongly recommended that greater consideration of these factors be given to care planning in psychiatric wards.
DETECTION OF DISSEMINATED TUMOR CELLS IN PERIPHERAL BLOOD

Metastases are the major cause of cancer-related deaths in patients with solid epithelial malignancies, such as breast, colorectal, and prostate carcinomas. Hematogenous spreading of tumor cells from a primary tumor can be considered as a crucial step in the metastasis cascade leading eventually to the formation of clinically manifest metastases. Consequently, as shown in recent studies, the detection of disseminated tumor cells in peripheral blood might be of clinical relevance with respect to individual patient prognosis and staging or monitoring of therapy. However, the rarity of disseminated tumor cells in peripheral blood renders the application of sensitive techniques mandatory for their detection. The emergence of highly sophisticated reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assays, combining a preanalytical enrichment step with the assessment of multiple molecular tumor markers expressed in disseminated tumor cells, provides a powerful tool in detecting disseminated tumor cells with high sensitivity and specificity. This review will discuss currently used tumor markers as well as experimental means to enhance the sensitivity and specificity of RT-PCR assays to detect disseminated tumor cells in the peripheral blood of patients with breast, colorectal, and prostate cancers, and their clinical relevance assessed in recent studies.
The Implementation of Article 12 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in China: Understanding and Reforming Relevant Law and Legal Culture

This thesis is centred on Article 12 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (the CRPD) - equal recognition before the law - and its implementation at the national level in China. Based on an in-depth understanding of Article 12 and the empirical research conducted in China regarding the relevant Chinese legal culture, this thesis closely examines the challenges concerning the implementation of Article 12 in China and the symbiotic relationship between the implementation of Article 12 in China and the relevant cultural context. It begins by developing a framework to theorize the implementation of Article 12, a piece of international human rights law, at the national level. Based on this theoretical framework, the full implementation of Article 12 at the national level necessitates an in-depth understanding of Article 12 and the relevant cultural context. The meaning, implications, and values of Article 12 should be fully rendered at the national level in a culturally sensitive way to ensure that they can be fully understood and effectively utilized by local people. By conducting analysis of both Article 12 and relevant Chinese law, this thesis identifies some of the fundamental gaps between the current Chinese law on legal capacity and adult guardianship and Article 12. By conducting and analyzing the empirical research of relevant legal culture in China, this thesis examines the legal culture-related challenges that should be taken into account in the implementation of Article 12 in China. Drawing on the analysis of Article 12 and relevant Chinese law and legal culture, this thesis reflects on reforming the domestic law to transpose Article 12 at the national level in a culturally sensitive way and the potential social changes that could be fostered by the implementation of Article 12.
Eigen/Capacity Analysis for Indoor Correlated MIMO Channels between 2 and 4 GHz

The space-time wireless communications systems will use the advantages of the MIMO (multiple input multiple output) channels. Precedent studies have focused less attention on the eigen/capacity analysis with correlated channels under different frequencies for indoor environments. The results derived from a frequency measurement campaign performed between 2 and 4 GHz, show frequency band dependence on the MIMO channel correlation matrix. Increasing the number of antenna elements under those correlated cases, we found that it does not offer linear increases at both the ergodic and the 10% outage capacities. In this paper, we assume that the channel is unknown at the transmitter and perfectly known at the receiver. Under the WSS (wide sense stationary) channel condition and guaranteeing a high SNR (signal to noise ratio) level, in LOS (line-of-sight) and N-LOS (non-LOS) conditions, remarkable changes on the capacity probability distribution function shape and on the cumulative distribution function of the MIMO system eigenvalues were observed.
Effects of language experience on the discrimination of the Portuguese palatal lateral by nonnative listeners

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to investigate (1) whether manner or place takes precedence over the other during a phonological category discrimination task and (2) whether this pattern of precedence persists during the early stages of acquisition of the L2. In doing so, we investigated the Portuguese palatal lateral approximant /ʎ/ since it differs from English /l/ only by the place of articulation, and from English /j/ only by the manner of articulation. Our results indicate that monolinguals’ perception of the non-native sound is dominated by manner while Portuguese learners show a different pattern of results. The results are interpreted as being consistent with evidence suggesting that manner may be neurophysiologically dominant over place of articulation. The study adds further details to the literature on the effects of experience on language acquisition, and has significant clinical implications for bilingualism in general, and foreign accent training, in particular.
Symptoms of depression and anxiety as predictors of physical functioning in breast cancer patients. A prospective study using path analysis

Abstract Background: Although symptoms of depression and anxiety are linked to health-related quality of life (HRQoL), the nature of this relationship remained unclear. We therefore aimed to examine, in a prospective study, both possible directions of impact in this relationship. To avoid conceptual and measurement overlap between depressive and anxiety symptoms, on the one hand, and HRQoL, on the other hand, we focused on the physical functioning component of HRQoL. Material and methods: We conducted a secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study with 436 female breast cancer patients (mean age 51 years). Both at baseline and after 12 months, we measured symptoms of depression and anxiety with the four-item Patient Heath Questionnaire (PHQ-4) and physical functioning with the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30). Using path analysis, we estimated (1) the predictive value of symptoms of depression/anxiety for subsequent physical functioning and (2) the predictive value of physical functioning for subsequent symptoms of depression/anxiety, in the same model. Results: Baseline symptoms of depression/anxiety predicted 1-year levels of physical functioning (depression: standardized β = −.09, p = .024; anxiety: standardized β = −.10, p = .009), while the reciprocal paths linking baseline physical functioning to subsequent depressive and anxiety symptoms were not significant, adjusting for the baseline scores of all outcome variables. Conclusions: Depressive and anxiety symptoms were predictors of the physical functioning component of HRQoL. Thus, if this relation is causal, treating breast cancer patients’ depressive and anxiety symptoms may have a favorable impact on their self-reported physical functioning.
Cataract and Pseudophakia in Elderly European Drivers

Purpose To evaluate the prevalence and association of different types and seventies of cataract or pseudophakia with visual impairments in older European drivers. Methods In this prospective European multicenter study, 2211 active drivers, 45 years of age and older, participated in an ophthalmologic examination, the measurement of visual functions, and were asked to fill in the NEI-VFQ-25 and another questionnaire about driving habits, driving difficulties, and self-reported accidents. Results Prevalence of moderate and severe forms of cataract in an active driving population is lower than that in the general population, but could be found in both eyes in 20% (95% confidence interval [CI] 16%–25%) and 17% (95% CI: 13%–21%) of subjects 75 years of age and older. In addition, there is a strong relationship between severity of cataract and parameters such as age, visual acuity, intraocular straylight, and contrast sensitivity. Conclusions Cataract is not as highly prevalent in the elderly active driving population as in the general population, but is frequently present in drivers over 65 years of age. Lower prevalence of severe bilateral cataracts in countries with mandatory tests of visual functions of drivers suggest that this could be a suitable measure to detect and to reduce the number of active drivers with severe bilateral cataracts.
Time dependency of craving and response inhibition during nicotine abstinence

Abstract Background: Nicotine withdrawal produces increased craving for cigarettes and deficits in response inhibition, and these withdrawal symptoms are predictive of relapse. Although it is well established that these symptoms emerge early during abstinence, there is mixed evidence regarding whether they occur simultaneously. Given the importance of the early withdrawal period, this study examined craving and response inhibition at 24 h and 72 h abstinence. Methods: Twenty-one non-treatment seeking adult smokers were evaluated at baseline, 24 h, and 72 h abstinence for craving (Questionnaire on Smoking Urges – Brief) and response inhibition (Stop Signal Task, Stroop Task, Continuous Performance Task). Generalised linear regression models were used for primary outcomes, and Pearson correlations for examining the association between craving and response inhibition. Results: Factor 2 craving (anticipated relief of negative affect) increased from baseline to 24 h abstinent (p = 0.004), which subsided by 72 h (p = 0.08). Deficits in response inhibition measured by the Stop Signal Task were observed at 72 h (p = 0.046), but not 24 h (p = 0.318). No correlation was found between response inhibition and craving at any time point (p values>0.19), except between the Stroop Task and the factor 1 craving at baseline (p = 0.025). Conclusions: Factor 2 craving peaked at 24 h, whereas deficits in response inhibition did not emerge until 72 h, indicating that need to target craving and cognitive function during early abstinence may not occur simultaneously. Further characterizing the time course of withdrawal symptoms may guide development of targeted treatments for smoking cessation.
Epithelial and Mesenchymal Cell Biology Epithelial Integrity Is Maintained by a Matriptase-Dependent Proteolytic Pathway

A pericellular proteolytic pathway initiated by the transmembrane serine protease matriptase plays a critical role in the terminal differentiation of epidermal tissues. Matriptase is constitutively expressed in multiple other epithelia, suggesting a putative role of this membrane serine protease in general epithelial homeostasis. Here we generated mice with conditional deletion of the St14 gene, encoding matriptase, and show that matriptase indeed is essential for the maintenance of multiple types of epithelia in the mouse. Thus, embryonic or postnatal ablation of St14 in epithelial tissues of diverse origin and function caused severe organ dysfunction, which was often associated with increased permeability, loss of tight junction function, mislocation of tight junction-associated proteins, and generalized epithelial demise. The study reveals that the homeostasis of multiple simple and stratified epithelia is matriptase-dependent, and provides an important animal model for the exploration of this membrane serine protease in a range of physiological and pathological processes. (Am J Pathol 2009, 175:1453–1463; DOI: 10.2353/ajpath.2009.090240)
Analysis of the incubation periods, induction of obesity and histopathological changes in senescence-prone and senescence-resistant mice infected with various scrapie strains.

The similarity in histopathological changes seen in scrapie-infected mice and in an uninfected senescence-accelerated mouse strain led to a study in which the mouse strain that is prone to senescence (SAMP8), a strain that is resistant to senescence (SAMR1) and a progenitor strain (AKR) of these two strains were infected with three different scrapie strains, ME7, 139A and 22L. For each scrapie strain, the incubation period was shortest in AKR mice and longest in SAMR1 mice. The induction of obesity was a function of scrapie strain and not mouse strain; ME7 caused obesity in all mouse strains, whereas the average weights of mice injected with 139A and 22L did not differ significantly from mice injected with homogenates of normal mouse brain. The pattern of vacuolation seen in the brain of each mouse strain was primarily dependent on the scrapie strain injected. There were, in general, similarities to the patterns induced in other inbred strains; e.g. ME7 caused extensive forebrain vacuolation, 22L caused prominent vacuolation in the cerebellum, and the 139A strain induced characteristic white matter vacuolation. Vacuolation was also seen in the medulla and midbrain of SAMP8 mice injected with normal mouse brain, which is consistent with the occurrence of accelerated ageing changes in the brain of this strain. Further analysis of the differences among these mouse strains should provide information relating to the observed differences in scrapie incubation periods.
The role of monitoring mechanisms towards company’s performance

Purpose Past studies show that companies’ connection with the government (or politically connected companies (PCCs)) contributed negatively to their financial performance. The grabbing hand theory suggests that political connection demand companies to serve political and social obligation that exhaust companies’ financial resources. The purpose of this paper is to extend the previous studies by examining the role of monitoring mechanisms, specifically corporate governance mechanism and institutional ownership (IO), whether they weaken or strengthen the financial performance of PCCs in Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach The sample consists of all companies listed on the Main Board of Bursa Malaysia (previously known as Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange) for the year of 2004-2007. The time periods were chosen because there were no significant economic and political events that could possibly distorted the financial and non-financial data. Findings The findings show that companies’ political connection (the presence of political figure or government representative as members of board of director) has consistently showing negative relationship with performance. The result is consistent with the grabbing hand theory that argues that companies’ connection with government would actually destroy companies’ value. The monitoring role of corporate governance as measured by the percentage of independent board members does not have any significant effect on firm’s performance. The monitoring role of corporate governance as measured by the composition of independent board members have shown a positive significant effect on the company’s performance. However the second monitoring mechanism, the percentage of institutional investors, have a tendency to weaken the company’s performance. Originality/value The findings of this study provide an additional understanding of the consequence of government intervention on companies’ performance. This study also highlights the role of monitoring mechanism (independence board members and IO) in strengthening or weakening the performance. The findings suggest that the proper appointment criteria for board members should be seriously considered to ensure better corporate governance structure. Therefore, the formation of the nomination committee as suggested by the current Malaysian Code of Corporate Governance play an important contribution to ensure candidates nominated as board members have proper credentials and qualifications to carry out responsibilities as board members.