Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Internal, External and Extended Microbiomes of Hominins

The social structure of primates has recently been shown to influence the composition of their microbiomes. What is less clear is how primate microbiomes might in turn influence their social behavior, either in general or with particular reference to hominins. Here we use a comparative approach to understand how microbiomes of hominins have, or might have, changed since the last common ancestor (LCA) of chimpanzees and humans, roughly six million years ago. We focus on microbiomes associated with social evolution, namely those hosted or influenced by stomachs, intestines, armpits, and food fermentation. In doing so, we highlight the potential influence of microbiomes in hominin evolution while also offering a series of hypotheses and questions with regard to evolution of human stomach acidity, the factors structuring gut microbiomes, the functional consequences of changes in armpit ecology, and whether Homo erectus was engaged in fermentation. We conclude by briefly considering the possibility that hominin social behavior was influenced by prosocial microbes whose fitness was favored by social interactions among individual hominins.
The Aging Heart: Mitophagy at the Center of Rejuvenation

Aging is associated with structural and functional changes in the heart and is a major risk factor in developing cardiovascular disease. Many recent studies have focused on increasing our understanding of the basis of aging at the cellular and molecular levels in various tissues, including the heart. It is known that there is an age-related decline in cellular quality control pathways such as autophagy and mitophagy, which leads to accumulation of potentially harmful cellular components in cardiac myocytes. There is evidence that diminished autophagy and mitophagy accelerate the aging process, while enhancement preserves cardiac homeostasis and extends life span. Here, we review the current knowledge of autophagy and mitophagy in aging and discuss how age-associated alterations in these processes contribute to cardiac aging and age-related cardiovascular diseases.
Editorial: Polyamines in Plant Biotechnology, Food Nutrition, and Human Health

Polyamines are small polycations derived from arginine and/or ornithine. These compounds are present in all living organisms and play common and organism-specific functions. Polyamines are present in most food products of plant and animal origin, thus having an impact on human nutrition and health. In this Topic, we aimed to cover both basic and applied research on polyamines in the areas of plant biotechnology, food nutrition, and human health. In plants, the most abundant polyamines are putrescine (Put), spermidine (Spd), and spermine (Spm). The control of polyamine levels is achieved through regulation of their biosynthesis, catabolism, and transport, which are modulated by the environment. Past and current research on polyamines has investigated basic processes of polyamine homeostasis, as a mean to obtain crops better adapted to climate change. The discovery of polyamine signaling pathways will also help in reaching this major goal. In this Topic, Zhao et al. report on the characterization of the Ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) enzyme from Hyosciamus niger, involved in Put biosynthesis. The ODC enzyme exhibits higher catalytic efficiency than other plant ODCs reported so far, thus providing an ideal candidate gene for polyamine biosynthesis engineering. Sekula and Dauter report on the crystal structure of Agmatine iminohydrolase involved in Put biosynthesis from arginine and identify that the dimeric assembly of monomers is drastically different from the bacterial enzyme. The same authors also obtained crystals of spermidine synthase, involved in Spd formation, and characterized the structures of the two dimeric enzyme isoforms in Arabidopsis (Sekula and Dauter). Plants also contain thermospermine (tSpm), a less abundant but very relevant polyamine synthesized from Spd by thermospermine syntase (tSPM), in a reaction that is conserved throughout the plant kingdom (Solé-Gil et al.). According to these authors, tSPM might play developmental and/or stress-related roles in addition to the confirmed function in regulating xylem cells maturation, in both non-vascular and vascular plants. Ishitsuka et al. have shown that the response to tSpm is conserved in dicots and monocots and plays a role in translational enhancement that could be eventually applied as a biotechnological tool in animal and fungal systems. The work by Zarza et al. shows that Spm triggers a quick phosphatidic acid response in Arabidopsis, which is mainly mediated by phospholipase D. Their results suggest the participation of phosphatidic acid in Spm perception.
Term Structure of Interest Rates and Expectations of Economic Policy (Structure Par Terme Des Taux D'Interet Et Anticipations De La Politique Economique)

The thesis deals with the formation of expectations of economic policy in the term structure of interest rates. The first chapter studies the determination of the term structure of interest rates in a macroeconomic framework. The second chapter studies the Central banks' communication effects on interest rates. We explain why they refuse to unambiguously announce the future level of the funds rate. Then we distinguish the effect of decisions from the effect of future monetary policy announces on the term structure of interest rates in the Euro Zone and the United States. In the third chapter, we assess the fiscal policy effects on interest rates. According to us, fiscal policies would not have had any effect on the short term rate set by Central banks. Fiscal policies would also not have raised real long term interest rates over the studied period. The fourth chapter deals with explanations of the low level of the US long-term interest rate. We quantify the Conundrum, and we show that the strong rise in Foreigners' long-term Federal debt purchases can explain a part of the Conundrum. In the fifth chapter, we study the links between the equilibrium exchange rate, the long term rate and economic policy in a small open economy. We build up a theoretical model with time consistent economic policies. We show that the equilibrium real exchange rate and the equilibrium long term rate are contingent on policymakers' preferences.
One is Able Again to Speak of Performance Measures? (Peut-On Encore Parler des Mesures de Performance?)

The performance measurement of portfolio managers is a topic of major importance in finance. The utility of performance measures rests, indeed, on the hypothesis that funds whose performance is judged " good " (or " bad ") in the past, will continue to display of good (bad) performances in the future. Says otherwise, the persistence of performances would allow rational investors to choose to invest in the best " funds. It remains, nevertheless, to define a measure of performance that makes sense and numerous measures have been proposed in an abundant literature. We begin, so, this paper by bringing back expressions and interpretations of the traditional measures of performance to know those of Treynor [1965], Sharpe [1966] and Jensen [1968]. We will show that these are in mound to numerous critiques. They have, besides, the disadvantage to valorize the specific risk of a portfolio like its systematic risk. This remark led to several corrections of the classic measures of performance and made be born of news measures that take account of this failing to know those of Fama [1972], Moses, Cheney and Veit [1987] and finally the measure of Modigliani-Modigliani [1997]. However, these measures present the handicap to be based on the capital asset pricing model (CAPM).
Supervisory Systems, Fiscal Soundness and International Capital Movement: More Challenges for new EU Members

On May 1, 2004, ten countries in Central, Eastern and Southern Europe will become full members of the EU. The parliaments and monetary authorities of the ten accession countries have already to a large extent adapted their legal and institutional structures to the new Europe-wide environment. The papers in this SUERF Study analyse from different perspectives the challenges to regulators, supervisors, Governments and central bankers that are related to safeguarding financial stability in a large economic union with financial markets that are open to global competition. The papers were presented in March 2003 at a seminar jointly organised by SUERF and the Central Bank of Malta.
The Economics of Exchange Rates

In the last few decades exchange rate economics has seen a number of developments, with substantial contributions to both the theory and empirics of exchange rate determination. Important developments in econometrics and the increasingly large availability of high-quality data have also been responsible for stimulating the large amount of empirical work on exchange rates in this period. Nonetheless, while our understanding of exchange rates has significantly improved, a number of challenges and open questions remain in the exchange rate debate, enhanced by events including the launch of the Euro and the large number of recent currency crises. This volume provides a selective coverage of the literature on exchange rates, focusing on developments from within the last fifteen years. Clear explanations of theories are offered, alongside an appraisal of the literature and suggestions for further research and analysis.
Prevalence of ADHD in adult psychiatric outpatient clinic and comorbid psychiatric disorders in ADHD/Genel psikiyatri polikliniginde eriskin dikkat eksikligi-hiperaktivite bozuklugu sikligi ve dikkat eksikligi-hiperaktivite bozukluguna eslik eden diger psikiyatrik bozukluklar

Yaz›flma Adresi/Address for Correspondence: Dr. Filiz Özdemiro¤lu Alyanak, ‹stinye Devlet Hastanesi, Psikiyatri Bölümü, ‹stanbul, Türkiye Gsm: +90 505 359 27 70 E-posta: ozdemiroglu_filiz@yahoo.com. tr Gelifl tarihi/Received: 04.09. 2010 Kabul tarihi/Accepted: 31.10. 2010 © Nöropsikiyatri Arflivi Dergisi, Galenos Yay›nevi taraf›ndan bas›lm›flt›r. / © Archives of Neuropsychiatry, published by Galenos Publishing. ABSTRACT Objective: The objective of our study was to investigate the prevalence of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and comorbid psychiatric disorders in adults who presented to the psychiatric outpatient clinic, and the prevalence of ADHD-related clinical features described in the previous literature. Methods: The study was composed of two parts. We aimed to determine the prevalence in the first part. All patients who had presented to the Istanbul University Department of Psychiatry outpatient clinic during the period FebruaryMay 2005 had filled in the Adult ADD/ADHD DSM IV-Based Diagnostic Screening and Rating Scale. The patients scored above the cutoff value were evaluated with the Semi-structured Interview Form for ADHD and were diagnosed as having ADHD according to the DSM criteria by psychiatrist. The patients diagnosed with ADHD were reevaluated by consultant lecturer. In the second part of the study, comorbid diagnoses were investigated using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders (SCID-I) in the ADHD patients identified in the first part and the patients diagnosed with ADHD in the ADHD outpatient clinic, Department of Psychiatry, Istanbul Medical Faculty. Results: The patients diagnosed as having ADHD were mostly young men. Alcohol and substance abuse were very common problems inADHD patients. The prevalence of ADHD in adult psychiatric outpatient clinic was found to be at least 1.6 %. Conclusion: ADHD is represented less than the expected rate in the general population. ADHD symptoms should be inquired in adult patients who present to psychiatry departments with alcohol or drug problems. (Archives of Neuropsychiatry 2011; 48: 119-24)
Stock Index Arbitrage in the Turkish Market

For the first time in the Turkish stock market, the width of the zero arbitrage band for BIST 30 stock index arbitrage is measured and decomposed into distinct contributions arising from commissions, fees, bid/offer spreads and stock loan costs. This study also extends the literature of stock index arbitrage by utilizing intraday data to compute returns for forward and reverse BIST 30 arbitrage once per minute for 2014 and 2015 futures contracts. These returns enable identification of the frequency for profitable executions net of all costs. The absence of profitable trades and the unusual persistence of BIST 30 futures priced below their costless theoretical fair value are explained by their position within zero arbitrage band thresholds. Decomposition and measurement of arbitrage cost elements confirms the identification for regulators of the need for policies to encourage continuing development of domestic stock loan capabilities that ultimately should improve futures pricing efficiency. The relative attractiveness of present BIST 30 index arbitrage is compared with that occurring a decade ago thereby contributing to the growing literature on the evolution of futures pricing efficiency in global markets after introduction of index futures.
Does Market Experience Eliminate Market Anomalies? The Case of Exogenous Market Experience

A vibrant literature has emerged that suggests willingness to pay and willingness to accept measures of value are quite different for inexperienced consumers but that value differences erode with market experience. One potential shortcoming of this literature is that market experience is endogenous. This study presents a framed field experiment that exogenously induces market experience. Empirical findings support the premise that market experience, alone, can eliminate an important market anomaly.
Altruism and Beyond

How do altruistic links affect allocative behavior and wellbeing? Can the processes of transmission and probable acquisition of parental traits result in a stable equilibrium where all agents are altruists? Why do children furnish their parents with attention and care? Does the timing of the intergenerational transfer of the family's productive asset affect the recipient's incentive to acquire human capital? Why do migrants remit? Altruism and Beyond provides answers to these and related questions. In addition, it traces some of the market repercussions of the intrafamilial, intergenerational, and intragroup transfers and exchanges that it models.
MANAGEMENT EARNINGS FORECAST DISCLOSURE: A STUDY ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EBITDA FORECAST AND FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

The creation of overly optimistic information can compromise the decision-making process on part of shareholders and other stakeholders. Considering that this type of information can create problems and additional costs stemming from erroneous choices made by users, the present work sought to identify financial indicators associated with the disclosure of Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA) estimates in Management Earnings Forecasts (Guidance) reporting. The sample examined was composed of 42 companies and analyses were carried out using logistic and multiple linear regression techniques. The results showed that larger (as per total assets) and more-leveraged companies show a higher level of disclosure. Companies with higher return on equity (ROE) and Current Liquidity ratios, as well as lower Net Margins, present less precise earnings forecast. The companies providing more timely forecasts are also the ones that show higher ROE and Current Liquidity ratios, as well as lower Net Margins. These results indicate that users must take caution when basing decisions on such information, given that the possibility exists that companies bearing these characteristics are more likely to better-timed albeit less-accurate disclosure.
Keynes-Plus? Effective Demand and Changes in Firm-Level R&D: An Empirical Note

Analyzing changes over time in firm-level R&D efforts, the authors find that demand growth in a firm's sector of principal activity has a positive influence on changes in a firm's R&D effort, confirming J. Schmookler's (1966) 'demand-pull' hypothesis. This finding points to an aspect of effective demand which has never been directly noticed by Keynes or the Keynesians. Such findings are important because of evidence in the literature that a firm's innovation activities are positively related to employment growth, export intensity, and profits. Copyright 1999 by Oxford University Press.
Themes In Macroeconomic History

The period between the two World Wars was remarkable; mass unemployment, protectionism, diverse exchange rate regimes, the disintegration of world trade, poor growth prospects and high business cycle volatility. This comprehensive textbook surveys key questions arising from the British economy from 1919 to 1939: Why was unemployment so high? Did a fast transition to the pre-1913 gold parity lead to a low growth equilibrium? Why were interwar business cycles so volatile? Did tariffs stimulate economic recovery in the 1930s? A comparative approach is adopted throughout. For example, the question of gold parity is contrasted with countries that allowed their currencies to depreciate. The book is aimed primarily at students studying economic history. The book continually applies economic theory to historical examples enabling students to evaluate the relevance of competing theoretical frameworks.
Responses to Monetary Policy Shocks in the East and the West of Europe: A Comparison

This paper estimates responses to monetary shocks for several of the current members of the EMU (in the pre-EMU sample) and for the Central and East European (CEE) countries, along with the mean response in each of the groups. The problem of the short sample, especially acute in the case of the CEE, is mitigated by using a Bayesian estimation which combines information across countries. The estimated responses are similar across regions, but there is some evidence of more lagged and deeper price responses in the CEE economies. If this results from structural differences, premature entering the EMU would cause problems, but if from credibility issues, entering the EMU would be desirable. Also, with longer response lags, conducting a stabilizing monetary policy should be difficult in the CEE currently, and giving it up might not be a big loss after all.
Trends in severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia rates between 1994 and 2002

Objective: To examine temporal trends in the rates of severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) between 1994 and 2002. Study design: In a retrospective cohort study, all infants with a gestational age (GA) 33 weeks in a large managed car e organization were identified. Annual rates of BPD (defined as an oxygen requir ement at 36 weeks corrected GA), severe BPD (defined as respiratory support at 3 6 weeks corrected GA), and death before 36 weeks corrected GA were examined. Res ults: Of the 5115 infants in the study cohort, 603 (12% ) had BPD, including 24 6 (4.9% ) who had severe BPD. There were 481 (9.5% ) deaths before 36 weeks co rrected GA. Although the decline in BPD in this period was not significant, the rates of severe BPD declined from 9.7% in 1994 to 3.7% in 2002. Controlling for gestational age, the odds ratio (95% CI) for annual rate of decline in severe BPD was 0.890 (0.841- 0.941). Controlling for gestational ag e, deaths before 36 weeks corrected GA also declined, with the odds ratio (CI) f or the annual decline being 0.944 (0.896- 0.996). Conclusions: In this study po pulation, the odds of having of BPD remained constant after controlling for GA. However, the odds of having severe BPD declined on average 11% per year betwee n 1994 and 2002.
The Gravity Model in International Trade

How do borders affect trade? Are cultural and institutional differences important for trade? Is environmental policy relevant to trade? How does one's income or wage relate to the fact that trade partners are nearby or far away? These are just some of the important questions that can be answered using the gravity model of international trade. This model predicts and explains bilateral trade flows in terms of the economic size and distance between trading partners (e.g. states, regions, countries, trading blocs). In recent years, there has been a surge of interest in this model and it is now one of the most widely applied tools in applied international economics. This book traces the history of the gravity model and takes stock of recent methodological and theoretical advances, including new approximations for multilateral trade resistance, insightful analyses of the measurement of economic distance and analyses of foreign direct investment.
The preclinical development of novel treatment options for advanced prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is a major societal problem with 11.000 new cases every year in the Netherlands. The advanced stage of the disease, castration-resistant prostate cancer, is especially deadly and is often accompanied with (bone) metastases. In this PhD-thesis, we have explored several strategies to improve current therapeutics for advanced prostate cancer. These approaches encompass the use of targeted, nanomedicinal, drug delivery systems, the reversal of chemotherapy resistance and the selective inhibition of cancer stem cells. First, we have investigated the utility of a liposomal formulation of dexamethasone in a series of preclinical studies. Dexamethasone is regularly clinically-used in advanced prostate cancer patients. Liposomal dexamethasone was shown to exhibit potent antitumor efficacy, was well tolerated and significantly outperformed the administration of free dexamethasone. Second, we have identified an important role of the glucocorticoid receptor, the receptor for dexamethasone, in the acquisition of chemotherapy resistance in prostate cancer. The glucocorticoid receptor was shown to be functionally involved in chemotherapy resistance and therapeutic targeting of the glucocorticoid receptor was shown to restore sensitivity to chemotherapeutic drugs. Third, we evaluated the performance of a micellar formulation of docetaxel. Docetaxel is currently used as the first line treatment in advanced prostate cancer. Micellar docetaxel was shown to exhibit robust antitumor activity in a preclinical model for prostate cancer and, strikingly, the micellar formulation of docetaxel prevents side effects that are associated with conventional docetaxel administration. Finally, we demonstrate that depletion of cancer stem cells results in diminished tumorigenic and metastatic potential of prostate cancer cells, and may therefore provide a viable target for prostate cancer therapy.
Assessment of Professional Development by Teachers and Administrators: An Examination of the Literature in the Context of One Case Study.

The focus of this article is teacher professional development. The article examines literature related to teacher professional development and methods of measuring its impact. In order to ground the discussion, the article focuses on a case study that captures the perspectives of Ontario secondary school teachers and their administrators as they implement a literacy program targeted at improving student achievement.