Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Population and Health Policies

The program evaluation literature for population and health policies is in flux, with many disciplines documenting biological and behavioral linkages from fetal development to late life mortality, chronic disease, and disability, though their implications for policy remain uncertain. Both macro- and microeconomics seek to understand and incorporate connections between economic development and the demographic transition. The focus here is on research methods, findings, and questions that economists can clarify regarding the causal relationships between economic development, health outcomes, and reproductive behavior, which operate in many directions, posing problems for identifying causal pathways. The connection between conditions under which people live and their expected life span and health status refers to "health production functions. " The relationships between an individual's stock of health and productivity, well-being, and duration of life encompasses the "returns to health human capital. " The control of reproduction improves directly the well-being of women, and the economic opportunities of her offspring. The choice of population policies may be country specific and conditional on institutional setting, even though many advances in biomedical and public health knowledge, including modern methods of birth control, are now widely available. Evaluation of a policy intervention in terms of cost effectiveness is typically more than a question of technological efficiency, but also the motivation for adoption, and the behavioral responsiveness to the intervention of individuals, families, networks, and communities. Well-specified research strategies are required to address (1) the economic production of health capacities from conception to old age; (2) the wage returns to increasing health status attributable to policy interventions; (3) the conditions affecting fertility, family time allocation, and human capital investments; and (4) the consequences for women and their families of policies which change the timing as well as number of births.
Building a Strong Foothold in an Emerging Market: A Link between Resource Commitment and Environment Conditions

This study examines how MNEs align resource commitment with environmental conditions (challenges and opportunities) when they invest in a foreign emerging market. MNEs often face a dilemma in allocating resources to this environment: without this commitment, they cannot build a strong competitive foothold; yet with over-commitment, there is excessive economic exposure. Our analysis of MNEs in a major emerging market suggests that resource commitment is an inverse function of market uncertainty and this inverse link is stronger for less strategically proactive MNEs. Resource commitment is also an increasing function of market opportunities and this function is stronger for firms emphasizing demand-side (as opposed to cost-side) gains. In addition, in a highly volatile industry, resource commitment is negatively associated with cultural distance, but in a relatively stable industry, it is positively associated with cultural distance. And finally, as foreign subsidiaries become older, the influence of cultural distance on resource commitment is weakened.
Mutations in SURF1 are important genetic causes of Leigh syndrome in Slovak patients

Abstract Objectives. Leigh syndrome is a progressive early onset neurodegenerative disease typically presenting with psychomotor regression, signs of brainstem and/or basal ganglia disease, lactic acidosis, and characteristic magnetic resonance imaging findings. At molecular level, deficiency of respiratory complexes and/or pyruvate dehydrogenase complex is usually observed. Nuclear gene SURF1 encodes an assembly factor for cytochrome c-oxidase complex of the respiratory chain and autosomal recessive mutations in SURF1 are one of the most frequent causes of cytochrome c-oxidase-related Leigh syndrome cases. Here, we aimed to elucidate the genetic basis of Leigh syndrome in three Slovak families. Methods and results. Three probands presenting with Leigh syndrome were selected for DNA analysis. The first proband, presenting with atypical LS onset without abnormal basal ganglia magnetic resonance imaging findings, was analyzed with whole exome sequencing. In the two remaining probands, SURF1 was screened by Sanger sequencing. Four different heterozygous mutations were identified in SURF1: c. 312_321delinsAT:p.(Pro104Profs*1), c.588+1G>A, c. 823_833+7del:p. (? ) and c. 845_846del:p.(Ser282Cysfs*9). All the mutations are predicted to have a loss-of-function effect. Conclusions. We identified disease-causing mutations in all three probands, which points to the important role of SURF1 gene in etiology of Leigh syndrome in Slovakia. Our data showed that patients with atypical Leigh syndrome phenotype without lesions in basal ganglia may benefit from the whole exome sequencing method. In the case of probands presenting the typical phenotype, Sanger sequencing of the SURF1 gene seems to be an effective method of DNA analysis.
Three dimensional energy profile : A conceptual framework for assessing household energy use

The provision of adequate, reliable, and affordable energy has been considered as a cornerstone of development. More than one-third of the world’s population has a very limited access to modern energy services and suffers from its various negative consequences. Researchers have been exploring various dimensions of household energy use in order to design strategies to provide secure access to modern energy services. However, despite more than three decades of effort, our understanding of household energy use patterns is very limited, particularly in the context of rural regions of the developing world. Through this paper, the past and the current trends in the field of energy analysis are investigated. The literature on rural energy and energy transition in developing world has been explored and the factors affecting households’ decisions on energy use are listed. The and the factors affecting households’ decisions on energy use are listed. The gaps identified in the literature on rural household energy analysis provide a basis for developing an alternative model that can create a more realistic view of household energy use. The three dimensional energy profile is presented as a new conceptual model for assessment of household energy use. This framework acts as a basis for building new theoretical and empirical models of rural household energy use. & 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
High-throughput fluorescence-activated cell sorting for lipid hyperaccumulating Chlamydomonas reinhardtii mutants.

The genetically tractable microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii has many advantages as a model for renewable bioproducts and/or biofuels production. However, one limitation of C. reinhardtii is its relatively low-lipid content compared with some other algal species. To overcome this limitation, we combined ethane methyl sulfonate mutagenesis with fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) of cells stained with the lipophilic stain Nile Red to isolate lipid hyperaccumulating mutants of C. reinhardtii. By manipulating the FACS gates, we sorted mutagenized cells with extremely high Nile Red fluorescence signals that were rarely detected in nonmutagenized populations. This strategy successfully isolated several putative lipid hyperaccumulating mutants exhibiting 23% to 58% (dry weight basis) higher fatty acid contents than their progenitor strains. Significantly, for most mutants, nitrogen starvation was not required to attain high-lipid content nor was there a requirement for a deficiency in starch accumulation. Microscopy of Nile Red stained cells revealed that some mutants exhibit an increase in the number of lipid bodies, which correlated with TLC analysis of triacyglycerol content. Increased lipid content could also arise through increased biomass production. Collectively, our findings highlight the ability to enhance intracellular lipid accumulation in algae using random mutagenesis in conjunction with a robust FACS and lipid yield verification regime. Our lipid hyperaccumulating mutants could serve as a genetic resource for stacking additional desirable traits to further increase lipid production and for identifying genes contributing to lipid hyperaccumulation, without lengthy lipid-induction periods.
Asymptomatic Hyperuricemia: Impact of Ultrasonography

Thirty-five patients (23 males) with asymptomatic hyperuricemia for at least two years underwent two-dimensioal ultrasonography of knees and ankles. Urate deposits (tophi) in tendons, synovium, and other soft tissues were detected in 12 patients (34%). Increased vascularity (inflammation) was evident in 8 of these patients (23%). Tophi were more frequently found in knees than in ankles and were especially prevalent in the distal patellar tendon. The presence of tophi was unrelated to the known duration of hyperuricemia (mean, 5 years). Ultrasonography allows detection of tophi and inflammation in a third and in a fourth, respectively, of asymptomatic hyperuricemic patients.
Chitin Synthesis in a gas1 Mutant ofSaccharomyces cerevisiae

ABSTRACT The existence of a compensatory mechanism in response to cell wall damage has been proposed in yeast cells. The increase of chitin accumulation is part of this response. In order to study the mechanism of the stress-related chitin synthesis, we tested chitin synthase I (CSI), CSII, and CSIII in vitro activities in the cell-wall-defective mutant gas1Δ. CSI activity increased twofold with respect to the control, a finding in agreement with an increase in the expression of the CHS1 gene. However, deletion of theCHS1 gene did not affect the phenotype of thegas1Δ mutant and only slightly reduced the chitin content. Interestingly, in chs1 gas1 double mutants the lysed-bud phenotype, typical of chs1 null mutant, was suppressed, although in gas1 cells there was no reduction in chitinase activity. CHS3 expression was not affected in the gas1 mutant. Deletion of the CHS3 gene severely compromised the phenotype of gas1 cells, despite the fact that CSIII activity, assayed in membrane fractions, did not change. Furthermore, in chs3 gas1 cells the chitin level was about 10% that of gas1 cells. Thus, CSIII is the enzyme responsible for the hyperaccumulation of chitin in response to cell wall stress. However, the level of enzyme or the in vitro CSIII activity does not change. This result suggests that an interaction with a regulatory molecule or a posttranslational modification, which is not preserved during membrane fractionation, could be essential in vivo for the stress-induced synthesis of chitin.
Helminth–microparasite co‐infection in wildlife: lessons from ruminants, rodents and rabbits

Co‐infection is now recognized as the natural state of affairs in most hosts and co‐infecting parasites interact in a variety of ways that can impact host health and parasite fitness. Interactions between helminths and microparasites have captured particular attention in this regard owing to the ubiquity of helminth infections in many host populations. The mechanistic underpinnings and health implications of co‐infection are typically studied in laboratory and clinical settings, but recently studies of wild species have begun to tackle similar issues. Case studies from three wild mammal groups—ruminants, rodents and rabbits—serve to highlight how wild studies are contributing to the broader co‐infection literature. This work suggests that wildlife research can generate new and unique insights about helminth–microparasite co‐infection that are fostered in part by studying parasite interactions in a natural context. For this reason, increased integration of wild studies with research in human, laboratory and veterinary animal populations can help pave the way towards a more complete understanding of the issue of co‐infection.
Advanced Virgo: a second-generation interferometric gravitational wave detector

Advanced Virgo is the project to upgrade the Virgo interferometric detector of gravitational waves, with the aim of increasing the number of observable galaxies (and thus the detection rate) by three orders of magnitude. The project is now in an advanced construction phase and the assembly and integration will be completed by the end of 2015. Advanced Virgo will be part of a network, alongside the two Advanced LIGO detectors in the US and GEO HF in Germany, with the goal of contributing to the early detection of gravitational waves and to opening a new window of observation on the universe. In this paper we describe the main features of the Advanced Virgo detector and outline the status of the construction.
CLIMATE CHANGE AND CARBON REDUCTION INITIATIVES

Climate change is a global issue that needs to be tackled by every individual, groups, organization and nations. With our current path of development, climate change seems inevitable. Mitigation measures and adaptation strategies need to be set up just to avoid any further destruction. As IPCC reported that current CO2 level is around 380ppm and will increased to 450ppm under business as usual scenario, stabilization at this point will increased temperature by 2 0 C. Any increasing in temperature beyond this point will risk human life. This research promote one of mitigating measure, Carbon Reduction Strategies (CRI) that involved behavior changes on individual and using financial gains as selling point.
Expatriate performance management from MNEs of different national origins

Purpose – This study tries to explore through multiple case studies how expatriate performance management is conducted in multinational enterprises (MNEs) of different national origins.Design/methodology/approach – Multiple interviews were conducted with expatriate employees and human resource managers of five MNE subsidiaries operating in the information technology industry, namely, Applied Material (American), Philips (Dutch), Hitachi (Japanese), Samsung (Korean), and Winbond (Taiwan). Findings – The findings show that all of the firms surveyed use standardized performance forms set by headquarters, which are not tailored to local operating environments. Also, lack of on‐the‐job training for expatriates was found to be prevalent among the five MNE subsidiaries. Divergent practices in goal setting, performance appraisal, and performance‐related pay were largely attributed to the parent company's culture. The nature of the expatriate mission was another reason for different arrangements in expatriate perfo.
Prevalence and correlates of personality disorders in a community sample.

BACKGROUND Knowledge of the prevalence and correlates of personality disorders in the community is important for identifying treatment needs and for provision of psychiatric services. AIMS To estimate the prevalence of personality disorders in a community sample and to identify demographic subgroups with especially high prevalence. METHOD Clinical psychologists used the International Personality Disorder Examination to assess DSM-IV and ICD-10 personality disorders in a sample of 742 subjects, ages 34-94 years, residing in Baltimore, Maryland. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between demographic characteristics and DSM-IV personality disorder clusters. RESULTS The estimated overall prevalence of DSM-IV personality disorders was 9%. Cluster A disorders were most prevalent in men who had never married. Cluster B disorders were most prevalent in young men without a high school degree, and cluster C disorders in high school graduates who had never married. CONCLUSIONS Approximately 9% of this community sample has a DSM-IV personality disorder. Personality disorders are over-represented in certain demographic subgroups of the community.
Diamonds, Blood, and Taxes

This article addresses an important gap in research on the causes of civil war: the lack of a theory that explains why lootable resources like alluvial diamonds are linked to civil war in some cases and peace in others. To help fill this gap, we propose a revenue-centered theoretical framework that shifts the focus from rebels to rulers and states, situates rulers in the context of the institutional and economic constraints on their ability to earn revenue, and combines this focus on revenue with a focus on state spending. In countries rich in lootable resources, the ability of rulers to achieve political order depends on (1) the availability of nonlootable resources; (2) the mode of extraction of lootable resources, especially whether they are extracted by hard-to-tax artisans or, alternatively, by large, taxable industrial firms; and (3) patterns of state spending. This framework supplements widely used models of civil war that emphasize the state’s capacity to defeat an insurgency yet do not answer the important prior question of why state capacity varies so widely across resource-rich countries.
European Heritage Label

On December 16th 2010 the European Parliament adopted by 497 votes to 18 with 41 abstentions a Legislative Resolution on the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a European Union action for the European Heritage Label (COM(2010)0076 - C7-0071/2010 - 2010/0044(COD). The resolution was based on the European Commission proposal presented on March 9th, 2010, and discussed by the European Parliament Committee on Culture and Education on October 27th 2010 who voted unanimously on the proposal presented by the reporter Chrysouli Paliadeli.
The Balanced Scorecard versus quality award models as strategic frameworks

During the 1980s and 1990s, increasing criticism was mounted against the use of performance measures based on traditional financial management. Consequently, strategic frameworks were developed for managing organisational performance, among them the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (MBNQA), the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) and the Balanced Scorecard. This work compares the strategic framework of the Balanced Scorecard method to that of the quality award models. The comparison indicates that of the three frameworks, the Balanced Scorecard has important advantages, among them sequential objectives, capability of directing long-term programs, possibility of selecting relevant performance measures, measurement based on actual data and two levels of feedback. Nevertheless, the Balanced Scorecard has some limitations. This paper deals with two of these limitations: (1) no basic guidelines for selecting performance measures, and (2) complex feedback from the financial perspective to the customer and process perspectives. This paper proposes a structured methodological approach based on the Quality Function Deployment (QFD) to improve implementation of the Balanced Scorecard method in an individual organisation. A QFD Balanced Scorecard construction map shows the linkages among five QFD matrices. The map ensures that every financial performance defined by the enterprise strategy is linked to a set of performances measures in the relevant domains that may eventually influence future results.
Evaluating Platelet-Rich Therapy for Facial Aesthetics and Alopecia: A Critical Review of the Literature

Background: Despite the growing popularity of platelet-rich plasma, existing evidence supporting its efficacy remains controversial due to the lack of large-scale studies and standardized protocols for preparation and application. This article reviews its use in facial rejuvenation, fat grafting, acne scarring, and androgenic alopecia. Emphasis is placed on comparing methods of platelet-rich plasma preparation and application across studies. Methods: A systematic review was performed for articles published between 2006 and 2015. All clinical studies and case reports that addressed platelet-rich plasma alone and/or in combination with fat grafting for facial rejuvenation, acne scarring, or androgenic alopecia were included. Results: Of the 22 articles included in the analysis, seven studies used platelet-rich plasma alone for facial rejuvenation, seven in combination with fat grafting, two for treatment of acne scarring, and six for treatment of androgenic alopecia. Individual study procedures, means of evaluation, and significant results are summarized. Although the majority of studies in this review report positive results, significant variation exists in preparation protocols and in the number and frequency of clinical treatments. Conclusions: The majority of studies report positive results for all indications evaluated in this review, but the procedure is limited by the lack of a standardized method for preparation and application of platelet-rich plasma. The extent to which significant variability in platelet-rich plasma preparation and/or application methods may affect clinical outcomes is not completely clear. In the interim, we present a consolidation of platelet-rich plasma treatment techniques and outcomes currently in use to help guide physicians in their clinical practice.
Data sources for aging research on racial and ethnic groups.

This article reports the results of a survey of recent and ongoing aging-related data sources supported by U.S. federal agencies. The survey sought to obtain data on the sample sizes and topics covered within the data sets maintained and frequently used by the various federal agencies engaged in data collection and/or analysis. The objective of the study was to determine the suitability of these data sets to conduct research on minority elders. Formal tests of the adequacy of data set sample sizes to support analysis on various minority groups were performed. Each data set was found to be large enough to conduct research on white elders, and a majority of the data sets were large enough for research on African American elders. However, Hispanics, American Indians, Alaska Natives, Asian Americans, and Pacific Islanders were rarely included in sufficient numbers.
Evaluation of Feature Ranking and Regression Methods for Oceanic Chlorophyll-a Estimation

This paper evaluates two alternative regression techniques for oceanic chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) content estimation. One of the investigated methodologies is the recently introduced Gaussian process regression (GPR) model. We explore two feature ranking methods derived for the GPR model, namely sensitivity analysis (SA) and automatic relevance determination (ARD). We also investigate a second regression method, the partial least squares regression (PLSR) for oceanic Chl-a content estimation. Feature relevance in the PLSR model can be accessed through the variable importance in projection (VIP) feature ranking algorithm. This paper thus analyzes three feature ranking models, SA, ARD, and VIP, which are all derived from different fundamental principles, and uses the ranked features as inputs to the GPR and PLSR to assess regression strengths. We compare the regression performances using some common performance measures, and show how the feature ranking methods can be used to find the lowest number of features to estimate oceanic Chl-a content by using the GPR and PLSR models, while still producing comparable performance to the state-of-the-art algorithms. We evaluate the models on a global MEdium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer matchup dataset. Our results show that the GPR model has the best regression performance for most of the input feature sets we used, and our conclusion is this model can favorably be used for Chl-a content retrieval, already with two features, ranked by either the SA or ARD methods.