Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Early-Life Events, Including Mode of Delivery and Type of Feeding, Siblings and Gender, Shape the Developing Gut Microbiota

Colonization of the infant gut is believed to be critically important for a healthy growth as it influences gut maturation, metabolic, immune and brain development in early life. Understanding factors that influence this process is important, since an altered colonization has been associated with a higher risk of diseases later in life. Fecal samples were collected from 108 healthy neonates in the first half year of life. The composition and functionality of the microbiota was characterized by measuring 33 different bacterial taxa by qPCR/RT qPCR, and 8 bacterial metabolites. Information regarding gender, place and mode of birth, presence of siblings or pets; feeding pattern and antibiotic use was collected by using questionnaires. Regression analysis techniques were used to study associations between microbiota parameters and confounding factors over time. Bacterial DNA was detected in most meconium samples, suggesting bacterial exposure occurs in utero. After birth, colonization by species of Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus and Bacteroides was influenced by mode of delivery, type of feeding and presence of siblings, with differences found at species level and over time. Interestingly, infant-type bifidobacterial species such as B. breve or B. longum subsp infantis were confirmed as early colonizers apparently independent of the factors studied here, while B. animalis subsp. lactis presence was found to be dependent solely on the type of feeding, indicating that it might not be a common infant gut inhabitant. One interesting and rather unexpected confounding factor was gender. This study contributes to our understanding of the composition of the microbiota in early life and the succession process and the evolution of the microbial community as a function of time and events occurring during the first 6 months of life. Our results provide new insights that could be taken into consideration when selecting nutritional supplementation strategies to support the developing infant gut microbiome.
Research on dynamic response testing of electronic current transformer based on rogowski coil

This paper focuses on the dynamic response testing method of Rogowski coil electronic current transformer, the causes and generating conditions of dynamic additional component in secondary signal was discussed, then the electromagnetic transient (EMT) model of Rogowski coil was set up, and the model parameter calculation method considering the leakage flux was put forward, a new testing method based on electromagnetic transient simulation and analog signal playback technology was put forward, a novel system for dynamic response testing of electronic current transformer based on Rogowski coil was developed, which can complete the power frequency, harmonic and the traveling wave signal response characteristics measurement. Testing of electronic current transformers in an intelligent substation was carried out, the additional component got from the testing was in accordance with the actual record data.
Ceilings on Interest Rates and Investment: The Example of Greece

This paper examines the influence of credit conditions on private investment under financial repression in Greece. Three flexible accelerator investment specifications are estimated. Alternative measures are tried for the dependent and independent variables. The reported equations are selected by a simple sequential specialization procedure. The empirical results confirm the existence of an important, but lagged, effect of bank finance on investment. This reflects credit rationing, due to interest rate controls, in the Greek banking system. Various arguments from the financial repression literature are invoked to justify the finding of a positive sign on the user cost variables in the investment equations. Copyright 1993 by MIT Press.
Effects of College Educational Debt on Graduate School Attendance and Early Career and Life Choices

This paper examines how college educational debt affects various post-baccalaureate decisions of bachelor’s degree recipients. I employ the Baccalaureate and Beyond 93/97 survey data. Using college-aid policies as instrumental variables to correct for the endogeneity of student college debt level, I find that for public college graduates, college debt has a negative and significant effect on graduate school attendance. This negative effect is concentrated on more costly programs associated with doctoral, MBA, and first professional (FP) degrees, and debt has no effect on the choice of a master’s program. For private college students, debt does not have an effect on the overall graduate school attendance, but this absence of effect conceals the differential effects of debt on different graduate programs -- debt has a positive and significant effect on the choice of an MBA or an FP program, and a zero effect on other programs. For both public and private college students, debt has no effects on early career choices such as salary, sector of occupation, marital status, and homeownership.
Surveillance of antimicrobial resistancean international perspective

Surveillance is essential for containing antimicrobial resistance.1 Information on resistance is needed at local, national, and international levels to guide decision making and responses. Local information should be used in clinical management and to update treatment guidelines, educate prescribers, and guide infection control policies. At national level, information is required to guide policy, update lists of essential drugs and national guidelines for treatment, and evaluate the effect of intervention strategies. There is an added value to gathering surveillance data internationally for sharing of information on the emergence of resistance in key pathogens, analysis of the impact of resistance and of policies for control, stimulating dialogue and engaging policy makers, developing advocacy and educational programmes, and stimulating research. Surveillance of antimicrobial resistance requires laboratory facilities organised in a network within which data on patterns of resistance can be shared for analysis and …
Development of a Screening System for the Evaluation of Soybean Volatiles

Flavor properties are important factors of soybean seeds in their utilization as food materials. In order to isolate novel varieties and mutants of soybean having preferable flavor properties, a simple and efficient screening system was established using an automated headspace sampler coupled to gas chromatography. With this system, five major volatile compounds were analyzed within 12 min. By applying this screening system to 626 soybean varieties collected worldwide, we isolated four soybean varieties that showed unique compositions of volatile compounds. Through biochemical analysis, it was found that the uniqueness of three of them was possibly independent of lipoxygenase enzyme, and thus perhaps this screening system can expand the subject of flavor properties beyond lipoxygenase and thus be useful in discovering new types of soybeans.
Put-Call Parity: Evidence From the Australian Options Market

This study tests the relative prices of exchange traded puts and calls. Some evidence of violation of the parity conditions are found, particularly in the period immediately prior to expiry of the options and in instances where the exercise price exceeds the market price of the underlying stock. But violations of this type are difficult to exploit after allowing for possible transaction costs. Although transaction costs cannot explain the existence of these violations, they do provide a rationale for their non-exploitation.
Evaluation of drug-induced sleep endoscopy as a patient selection tool for implanted upper airway stimulation for obstructive sleep apnea.

STUDY OBJECTIVES To study the possible predictive value of drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) in assessing therapeutic response to implanted upper airway stimulation (UAS) for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). METHODS During DISE, artificial sleep is induced by midazolam and/or propofol, and the pharyngeal collapse patterns are visualized using a flexible fiberoptic nasopharyngoscope. The level (palate, oropharynx, tongue base, hypopharynx/epiglottis), the direction (anteroposterior, concentric, lateral), and the degree of collapse (none, partial, or complete) were scored in a standard fashion. RESULTS We report on the correlation between DISE results and therapy response in 21 OSA patients (apnea-hypopnea index [AHI] 38.5 ± 11.8/h; body mass index [BMI] 28 ± 2 kg/m(2), age 55 ± 11 y, 20 male/1 female) who underwent DISE before implantation of a UAS system. Statistical analysis revealed a significantly better outcome with UAS in patients (n = 16) without palatal complete concentric collapse (CCC), reducing AHI from 37.6 ± 11.4/h at baseline to 11.1 ± 12.0/h with UAS (p < 0.001). No statistical difference was noted in AHI or BMI at baseline between the patients with and without palatal CCC. In addition, no predictive value was found for the other DISE collapse patterns documented. CONCLUSIONS The absence of palatal CCC during DISE may predict therapeutic success with implanted UAS therapy. DISE can be recommended as a patient selection tool for implanted UAS to treat OSA.
Pesticide Contamination in Groundwater and Streams Draining Vegetable Plantations in the Ofinso District, Ghana

1.1 Ghana’s geographical location and climate Ghana, officially the Republic of Ghana and formerly the Gold Coast, is a West African country with a geographical location of 5°36′ N, 0°10′ E. It shares borders with Cote d’Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north and Togo to the east. To the south of the country is the Gulf of Guinea of the Atlantic Ocean. The climate is tropical equatorial ranging from the bimodal rainfall equatorial type in the south to the tropical unimodal monsoon type in the north. It is influenced by the hot, dry and dusty-laden air mass that moves from the northeast across the Sahara and by the tropical maritime air mass that moves from the south-west across the southern Atlantic ocean. The annual rainfall ranges from 1015 to 2300 mm with annual mean temperature and relative humidity of 30°C and 80% respectively (Ntow & Botwe, 2011). Ghana has a total land area of about 23,853, 900 ha and a population of about 24.2 million. The arable land covers an area of about 13,628,179 ha (approx. 57% of total land area) of which approximately 44% is under cultivation.
An Analysis of the Probability of Default on Federally Guaranteed Student Loans

Federally insured student loans constitute an area that is almost completely unexplored by researchers despite intense scrutiny that federally insured loans are receiving after the savings and loan collapse. Based on a probit model of default for two thousand guaranteed student loans, the authors find that individual characteristics (including parents' income, presence of two parents at home, student's graduation, and student's race) have a significant impact on default rates, while institutional characteristics (four year vs. two year college, private vs. public, school size, and individual school dummies) have little significant effect. The results imply that proposals to penalize colleges with "high" default rates are premature. Copyright 1992 by MIT Press.
Moth flame optimization for land cover feature extraction in remote sensing images

Nature inspired meta heuristics are inspired from the phenomenon which occur in nature. Wide range bio-inspired algorithms provide good results when applied to various kind of applications. In our research we focus on a new nature-inspired algorithm called Moth Flame Optimization(MFO) and adopt it for efficient land cover feature extraction. MFO is based upon the navigation technique of Moths to move in straight line called transverse orientation. Remote sensing is an area which provides enormous benefits for the mankind and a lot of classification techniques have been applied to produce good results. The results are compared to the existing algorithms for the satellite data of Alwar region. We therefore present a model to adopt the MFO algorithm for Image Classification.
Hepatitis C recurrence: the Achilles heel of liver transplantation

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is the most common indication for liver transplantation worldwide; however, recurrence post transplant is almost universal and follows an accelerated course. Around 30% of patients develop aggressive HCV recurrence, leading to rapid fibrosis progression (RFP) and culminating in liver failure and either death or retransplantation. Despite many advances in our knowledge of clinical risks for HCV RFP, we are still unable to accurately predict those most at risk of adverse outcomes, and no clear consensus exists on the best approach to management. This review presents a critical overview of clinical factors shown to influence the course of HCV recurrence post transplant, with particular focus on recent data identifying the important role of metabolic factors, such as insulin resistance, in HCV recurrence. Emerging data for genetic markers of HCV recurrence and their usefulness for predicting adverse outcomes will also be explored.
Consumption Growth Parallels Income Growth: Some New Evidence

This paper argues that the versions of both permanent income and life-cycle theories which have recently become fashionable are inconsistent with the grossest features of cross-country and cross-section data on consumption and income. There is clear evidence that consumption and income growth are much more closely linked than would be predicted by these theories. it appears that consumption smoothing takes place over periods of several years not several decades. These results confirm Milton Friedman's (1957) initial view that: "The permanent income component is not to be regarded as expected lifetime earnings. It is to be interpreted as the mean income at any age regarded as permanent by the consumer unit in question, which in turn depends on its horizon and foresightedness. " They call into question the usefulness of standard representative Consumer approaches to the analysis of saving behavior. And they call for increased emphasis on liquidity constraints and short run precautionary saving as determinants of consumption behavior.
Direct Energy Measurement Systems for Rotary Biomass Grinder - Hammermill

Understanding the energy requirement for biomass size reduction would be very significant for the process of converting the biomass to bioenergy. A hammermill was used for size reduction operations. One 12.7 mm size screen was applied to hammer mill for different particle size reduction. Torque Sensor was connected to the engine shaft to measure the transfer of torque and engine rotational speed RPM. Oak wood chips was the tested material. New surface generated by the cuts was evaluated. The research results will be used in practical applications, which are designing an ideal biomass size reduction apparatus for energy efficiency and better economics.
Role of Chemoembolization in Synchronous Liver Metastases from Pancreatic Endocrine Tumours

Endocrine tumours of the pancreas, even in case of liver involvement, are generally characterized by a slower evolution and a better prognosis, if compared with ductal carcinoma. This fact gives reason to a radical surgical approach, whenever possible, and to the research of any effective adjuvant treatment. For this purpose, hepatic transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) has been proposed in recent years for the treatment of metastatic endocrine tumours. Out of 80 patients suffering from endocrine tumours of the pancreas, observed between January 1985 and December 1996, 28 (35%) presented liver metastases at the time of diagnosis. Twelve of these patients were submitted to palliative resection of pancreatic tumour and one or more cycles of TACE. Overall survival was 50% (6/12); median survival was 35.4 months (range 4–75). These results suggest that chemoembolization, combined with surgical resection of primary malignancy, appears to be able to control the disease for a certain time and to increase the survival rate.
Cognitive-Behavioral Theories of Eating Disorders

This article presents an integrated cognitive-behavioral theory of eating disorders that is based on hypotheses developed over the past 30 years. The theory is evaluated using a selected review of the eating disorder literature pertaining to cognitive biases, negative emotional reactions, binge eating, compensatory behaviors, and risk factors for eating disorders. In general, hypotheses derived from cognitive-behavioral theories have been supported by a variety of research studies. The implications of these findings for treatment and prevention of eating disorders are discussed. This review of the literature serves as a conceptual base for some of the other articles that are included in this special issue of Behavior Modification. The article concludes with an introduction to six articles that discuss issues related to psychiatric classification, assessment, treatment, and prevention of eating disorders.
Development-induced impoverishment among involuntarily displaced populations

Over the past few years, involuntary resettlement has incurred adverse social and economic consequences for those displaced due to the shortcomings of resettlement and rehabilitation policies. Poor planning, implementation, and monitoring during the involuntary resettlement process resulted in unnecessary resettlement that interrupted provision of basic necessities to the people affected. This article attempts to address the severity and scope of this problem by comparatively reviewing past development projects that were accompanied with involuntary resettlement. The article proposes alternative models of development and resettlement that can potentially inform an internationally viable set of standards to be used as an evaluation tool for domestic policies surrounding displacement.
Evaluación de los efectos del financiamiento del déficit fiscal en la inflación. Los casos de Chile, México y Colombia

Este articulo pretende determinar si las diferentes formas de financiar el deficit presupuestario de los gobiernos de Chile, Mexico y Colombia tienen efectos en la inflacion. Para ello se realizo una descripcion de las variables que financian el deficit fiscal como lo son el senoreaje, el financiamiento interno y externo y su respectiva relacion con la inflacion; ademas, se estimo un modelo econometrico utilizando la metodologia de datos panel. Los resultados permiten inferir que el senoreaje, el financiamiento interno y externo del deficit fiscal no generan inflacion en las tres economias. En este sentido, se puede argumentar que la politica monetaria de los bancos centrales de los paises en mencion tienen como prioridad lograr y mantener niveles de inflaciones bajos, permitiendo que sus poblaciones no pierdan poder adquisitivo en el tiempo.
Back to the Future? Assessing the Deflation Record

The rhetoric of deflation has become more prevalent in policy circles and in the press despite the fact that deflation has been a rare phenomenon in modern fiat currency economies. To better understand the nature of deflation, this paper looks back to a period when deflation was a regular feature of the economic environment, across both time and a wide set of countries. One feature of the deflation record stands clear. During the 19th century and early 20th century, deflation was not generally associated with persistent and deep economic malaise. Most periods of deflation also appear to have been largely unanticipated, with interest rates rarely approaching their zero lower bound. One notable exception to this typical pattern was the Great Depression of the early 1930s, the event that nowadays colours current general perceptions of what deflationary episodes might look like. At the risk of oversimplification, one way to think about this broad sweep of history is that deflations come in three basic types: the good, the bad and the ugly. The paper then jumps forward in time, seeking to draw lessons from the past about the possibility of future episodes of deflation and their characteristics. In doing so, it pays particular attention to the similarities and differences in the monetary and financial regimes prevailing now and in the past. While great care should be taken in any such exercise, the paper concludes that certain features of the past can help to shed some light on the policy challenges that policymakers might face in the future.
Predestined to save the earth : the environment committee of the European Parliament

Despite an increase in the influence of the European Parliament in the decision making process of the European Communities in recent years some commentators still maintain that the EP's impact on EC legislation remains marginal. Taking the Environment Committee of the European Parliament as its focus this article assesses the contribution made by the EP to EC environmental policy. While it is often asserted that the EP's legislative role in relation to environmental policy began with the Single European Act, in fact the EP performed a legislative role, including the right of initiative, before 1987; a role subsequently enhanced by the SEA. Tracing the decision making process through the various stages of initiation, consultation, cooperation and implementation, and using case studies to illustrate the Committee's contribution to this process, the variable impact of the EP upon EC environmental policy is revealed. The role of the Environment Committee as a promoter of ‘environmentalism’ within EC policy an.
The Role of Residential Location in Conditioning the Effect of Metropolitan Economic Structure on Male Youth Employment

Youths have increasingly experienced labor market problems over the last several decades. One fruitful line of explanation focuses on structural changes in the demand for labor stemming from deindustrialization, changing skill requirements for employees, and increasing supply competition from women and recent immigrants. While these explanations merit attention, they have not adequately considered facts that condition their impact. This paper considers the argument that intra-metropolitan residential location conditions the effects of metropolitan labor market structure on black and white male youths' employment probabilities. Using a sample of individual-level data drawn from the 1990 census combined with metropolitan-level indicators of economic structure, it was found that some structural effects varied between central-city and suburban male youths. The conditioning role of residential location, and the subsequent nature of the structural effects, varied considerably between black and white male youths.
La retirada de automóviles en España: Un aplicación de modelos de duración

Este trabajo estudia la retirada de automoviles en Espana entre 1980-95 y 1971-95, con datos de la evolucion del parque y de las bajas registradas. La tasa de retirada o probabilidad de dar de baja un coche si se posee uno con t anos (funcion de riesgo) se modeliza en funcion de la antiguedad, de factores tendenciales y ciclicos, de los precios de los automoviles y de los combustibles, del riesgo a sufrir accidentes y de disposiciones legales (ITV y Planes Renove). Los resultados confirman que:I) a mayor duracion mayor es la probabilidad de retirada, II) el impacto de las variables consideradas depende de la antiguedad, III) las semielasticidades estimadas mas importantes son las asociadas al precio de los automoviles y la renta y IV) los Planes Renove han provocado un incremento significativo en las retiradas.