Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Risk as a limit or an opportunity to mitigate GHG emissions? The case of fertilisation in agriculture

In this paper, we investigate how risk and risk aversion influence the fertilisation behavior of farmers. We show analytically that a decreasing variance of yield along with nitrogen inputs encourages risk averse farmers to apply larger quantities of fertilizers compared with risk neutral behavior. Then, we use data concerning three departments in France (Deux-Sevres, Seine-Maritime and Eure-et-Loir) to determine (i) crop yield response function to N fertilizers and (ii) risk aversion behavior of farmers on the basis of their actual fertilizers applications. We find that risk averse farmers represent 29,7% of farmers while risk seeking ones represent 35,5%. Risk aversion behavior is associated with an additional application of 29 kg/ha compared with risk neutral behavior which represents an average loss of 76 euros/ha. We show that the reduction of abatement linked to risk aversion behavior should appear only when crop yield variance is convex with respect to N fertilizers. Lastly, our results show that an insurance covering yield variability could be foreseen as an interesting tool to mitigate emissions.
DOES THE MODERN APPLICATION OF THE ISLAMIC FINANCIAL SYSTEM IS THE NEW RECOMMENDED ARCHITECTURE TO PROMOTE GROWTH AND PREVENT THE OUTBREAK AND SPREAD OF FUTURE CRISES

Purpose - There are sufficient theoretical and empirical studies on the nexus between conventional financial system and economic growth. However, only few theoretical and empirical studies have examined the relationship between Islamic financial system, in terms of banking sector and financial market, and economic development, in terms of economic growth and financial crisis. To fill this gap in literature, this study investigates importance of the modern application of the Islamic financial system in promoting growth and prevents the outbreak and spread of future crises, especially in Islamic countries. Design/methodology/approach - This work reviews the importance of Islamic finance on economic development, examines the real effect of conventional financial system on economic growth and compares it with Islamic financial system. Findings - The paper has three main results. First, Islamic finance system is the appropriate system to promoting economic development process, especially in Islamic countries. The second result, the international financial system has failed miserably in its mission to promote economic growth without creating financial crises. The third result, there are insufficient studies to provide theoretical and empirical evidences to support the modern applications of the Islamic financial system as the good alternative of conventional financial system in promoting economic growth without creating financial and economic crises.
Changes in contractile properties of motor units of the rat medial gastrocnemius muscle after spinal cord transection

The effects of complete transection of the spinal cord at the level of Th9/10 on contractile properties of the motor units (MUs) in the rat medial gastrocnemius (MG) muscle were investigated. Our results indicate that 1 month after injury the contraction time (time‐to‐peak) and half‐relaxation time were prolonged and the maximal tetanic force in most of the MUs in the MG muscle of spinal rats was reduced. The resistance to fatigue also decreased in most of the MUs in the MG of spinal animals. Moreover, the post‐tetanic potentiation of twitches in MUs diminished after spinal cord transection. Criteria for the division of MUs into three types, namely slow (S), fast fatigue resistant (FR) and fast fatigable (FF), applied in intact animals, could not be directly used in spinal animals owing to changes in contractile properties of MUs. The ‘sag’ phenomenon observed in unfused tetani of fast units in intact animals essentially disappeared in spinal rats and it was only detected in few units, at low frequencies of stimulation only. Therefore, the MUs in spinal rats were classified as fast or slow on the basis of an adjusted borderline of 20 ms, instead of 18 ms as in intact animals, owing to a slightly longer contraction time of those fast motor units with the ‘sag’. We conclude that all basic contractile properties of rat motor units in the medial gastrocnemius muscle are significantly changed 1 month after complete spinal cord transection, with the majority of motor units being more fatigable and slower than those of intact rats.
The Impact of Accounting Standards on Pension Investment Decisions

This study analyzes the ‘real’ effects of accounting standards in the context of defined benefit pension plans. Specifically, we examine IAS 19R, which increases expected pension-induced equity volatility by eliminating the so-called ‘corridor method’ of accounting for actuarial gains and losses. Supported by interview evidence, we predict that IAS 19R leads firms to reconsider their pension investment decisions. Using matched samples of treatment and control firms, results from difference-in-differences tests indicate that firms affected by IAS 19R adoption significantly shift their pension assets from equities into bonds, relative to control firms. This effect is attenuated in the cross-section for firms with larger and better funded pension plans. Supplementary analyses suggest that this shift in pension investment is mainly due to IAS 19R’s changes in the accounting for actuarial gains and losses (the ‘OCI method’). These results are robust to a number of sensitivity tests, although endogeneity concerns cannot be fully ruled out. Our study informs accounting standard setters of potential shifts in firms’ real economic activities due to concerns about pension-induced equity volatility.
Prevalence of Dyslipidemia in Iran: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Study

More than 80% cardiovascular disease (CVD) is preventable despite the fact that it is currently the ultimate cause of disability in the world. Assessment of the nationwide prevalence of dyslipidemia as a major CVD risk factor is essential to efficiently conduct prevention programs. We extracted data according to the cut-off points of dyslipidemia used in each study. All published papers on this topic in Iranian and international journals with affiliation of “Iran” were reviewed using standard keywords up to September 2011. We included all available population-based studies and national surveys conducted in individuals aged ≥ 15 years. We excluded studies with < 300 individuals, non-population-based studies, or duplicated citations. We analyzed by random effect method due to between-study heterogeneity. The estimated prevalence and 95% confidence intervals in 29 eligible articles and one un-published data for hypercholesterolemia (≥200 mg/dl), hypertriglyceridemia (≥150 mg/dl), high levels of low density lipoprotein cholesterol ([LDL-C] [≥ 130 mg/dl]) and low levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol ([HDL-C] <40 mg/dl in males, <50 mg/dl in females), in Iranian people were 41.6% (36.1-47.0), 46.0% (43.3-48.7), 35.5% (24.0-47.1) and 43.9% (33.4-54.4), respectively among both sexes and in both rural and urban areas. Hypercholesterolemia, high LDL-C and low HDL-C were more prevalent in women, whereas hypertriglyceridemia was more prevalent in men. All types of lipid component abnormalities were more prevalent in urban residents. Prevalence of dyslipidemia is considerable in Iran. It is necessary to enforce current measures of dyslipidemia control in the Iranian people to reduce CVD burden.
[Fungal peritonitis in patients on peritoneal dialysis].

UNLABELLED Fungal peritonitis is a serious complication causes significant morbidity and mortality for patients on peritoneal dialysis. We reviewed our fungal peritonitis cases to analyse clinical features, treatment and predisposing factors. METHODS Records of all peritonitis episodes were reviewed. Fungal peritonitis was diagnosed based on positive fungal culture in suitable media of the effluent. RESULTS Between January 2001 and June 2006, 98 patients were treated with peritoneal dialysis. During this period 102 peritonitis episodes was noticed, four of them (3,9%) was caused by fungi. The most common pathogen was Candida sp. Preceding treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics was revealed in all cases, three of them due to bacterial peritonitis. One patient died due to sepsis, three was moved to hemodialysis. CONCLUSIONS Fungal peritonitis is rare, but serious complication it patients treated with peritoneal dialysis. Preceding broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy is the main risk factor for the development of this complication. Early Tenckhoff catheter removal and prophylaxis (antifungal treatment, education, coexisting diseases treatment) may be beneficial for peritoneal dialysis patients with fungal peritonitis.
[Feasibility of complete mesocolic excision in elderly patients with colon cancer].

OBJECTIVE To explore the short-term outcomes and safety of complete mesocolic excision (CME) in elderly patients with colon cancer. METHODS The clinical pathological factors of 71 patients with colon cancer undergoing CME procedure by the same group of surgeons were analyzed retrospectively from November 2009 to February 2012. The elderly group(≥70 years) and the non-elderly group(<70 years) were compared regarding short-term outcomes and safety. RESULTS Similar extent of resection could be achieved in the elderly and non-elderly groups in terms of area of mesentery[(13 049±4332) vs. (13 163±4725) mm2, P=0.916], distance between the tumor and the high ligation site[(95±22) vs. (98±20) mm, P=0.516], distance between normal bowel and high ligation site [(130±25) vs. (128±25) mm, P=0.731], the length of colon [(262±60) vs. (245±49) mm, P=0.212], and lymph nodes retrieved(22.0±6.4 vs. 24.8±9.9, P=0.168). The mean operative time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative complications, time to first flatus, time to first bowel movement, drainage removal time, diet resumption, drainage volume in three days after surgery, and hospital deaths showed no statistical significances(all P>0.05), while hospital stay and expenses of the elderly group were significantly increased(both P<0.01). CONCLUSION Elderly patients undergoing elective CME operation can achieve similar operative extent and lymph nodes harvest, and the surgical risk is not increased.
Vitamin B1 (thiamine) uptake by human retinal pigment epithelial (ARPE‐19) cells: mechanism and regulation

Retinal abnormality and visual disturbances occur in thiamine‐responsive megaloblastic anaemia (TRMA), an autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in the human thiamine transporter‐1 (hTHTR‐1). Human retinal pigment epithelial cells play a pivotal role in supplying thiamine to the highly metabolically active retina but nothing is known about the mechanism, regulation or biological processes involved in thiamine transport in these cells. To address these issues, we used human‐derived retinal pigment epithelial ARPE‐19 cells to characterize the thiamine uptake process. Thiamine uptake is energy‐ and temperature‐dependent, pH‐sensitive, Na+‐independent, saturable at both the nanomolar (apparent Km, 30 ± 5 nm) and the micromolar (apparent Km, 1.72 ± 0.3 μm) concentration ranges, specific for thiamine and sensitive to sulfhydryl group inhibition. The diuretic amiloride caused a concentration‐dependent inhibition in thiamine uptake, whereas the anti‐trypanosomal drug, melarsoprol, failed to affect the uptake process. Both hTHTR‐1 and hTHTR‐2 are expressed in ARPE‐19 cells as well as in native human retinal tissue with expression of the former being significantly higher than that of the latter. Uptake of thiamine was adaptively regulated by extracellular substrate level via transcriptionally mediated mechanisms that involve both hTHTR‐1 and hTHTR‐2; it was also regulated by an intracellular Ca2+–calmodulin‐mediated pathway. Confocal imaging of living ARPE‐19 cells expressing TRMA‐associated hTHTR‐1 mutants (D93H, S143F and G172D) showed various expression phenotypes. These results demonstrate for the first time the existence of a specialized and regulated uptake process for thiamine in a cellular model of human retinal pigment epithelia that involves hTHTR‐1 and hTHTR‐2. Further, clinically relevant mutations in hTHTR‐1 lead to impaired cell surface expression or function of the transporter in retinal epithelial ARPE‐19 cells.
Chromosome polymorphism in Astyanax fasciatus (Teleostei, Characidae). 1. Karyotype analysis, Ag-NORs and mapping of the 18S and 5S ribosomal genes in sympatric karyotypes and their possible hybrid forms

Astyanax fasciatus may be characterized as a chromosomally diversified ‘species’ presenting distinct cytotypes, each with its specific variants. The sympatric and syntopic occurrence of different cytotypes reinforces the hypothesis in which A. fasciatus may represent a group of species currently placed under a single common designation. Specimens from three collection points spread along the Mogi-Guaçu River in southeast Brazil were examined in the present work: (1) near its headwaters (Ouro Fino – MG), (2) in the middle region of the river (Cachoeira de Emas, Pirassunun ga – SP) and (3) close to its confluence with the Pardo River (Barrinha – SP). The 2n = 48 chromosomes cytotype was found in all sampling points, while cytotype 2n = 46 was only encountered in Barrinha and Cachoeira de Emas. In the latter locality, cytotype 2n = 46 predominated; nevertheless, other karyotype forms with 2n = 45 and 47 chromosomes also occurred, besides a structural variant of cytotype 2n = 46. One specimen with 2n = 47 chromosomes was also found in Ouro Fino. The Ag-NOR analysis, as well as the location of the 18S and 5S ribosomal genes, were conserved in all cytotypes. The data indicate that the variant karyotypes are a consequence of interbreeding between the standard cytotypes (2n = 46 and 48) and/or its descendants. This suggests a karyotype plasticity for this species, where at least a few variant karyotypes would not have deleterious effects on their bearers.
Artwork securitisation: a Chinese style of artwork investment

Abstract A new artwork trading model emerged in China at the beginning of 2010s: the value of a piece of artwork was divided into equal shares, and investors could buy and sell these shares in the cultural artwork exchanges, in exactly the same way as investors trading stocks in the stock market. In China, this trading model, once available, was hotly pursued by investors. This rapid market growth quickly descended into trading market confusion and speculation, forcing the government to deal with this model and eventually putting a stop to it. In this paper, we take a closer look at the reasons for the artwork shares’ price booming and slumping, the disorder and speculation in the artwork share trading market, and the reasons why the Chinese government halted this kind of trade. Taking the Tianjin Cultural Artwork Exchange of China as an example, we found that artwork can be an alternative investment vehicle, but the share trading model, similar in function to the stocks and bonds market, is not fit for artwork. The lack of legal basis and supervision by governmental bodies, together with the changeable trading rules has also contributed to the failure of this artwork trading model in China.
The State, Academia and Poverty: Towards a Schema for Effective Poverty Reduction in Nigeria

The phenomenon of poverty has always occupied the central discourse of many organised polities especially given its attendant consequences in a society where it is dominant. Scholars and practitioners have in various ways debated profusely on what causes poverty and its reduction process. While some hold the profound view that the causes of poverty are largely exogenous, others submit that the causes of poverty are endogenous. They largely ascribe poverty to government corruption with limited attempt at isolating the elements of this corruption. The aim of this paper therefore, is to interrogate the contribution of the relationship between the state and academics to the accentuation of poverty and how such relationship can provide a vent for effective poverty reduction in Nigeria. It is a modest attempt at identifying a new approach towards understanding the poverty scourge and viable reduction schema. Data for the study was collected through primary and secondary sources with greater reliance on participant observation and interview methods. Data analysis was by qualitative method using simple qualitative analysis. The study submits that overlapping relationship of mutual interdependence between the state, academia and industries in stimulating research into science and technology development is a more sustainable poverty reduction strategy.
Plk1 Phosphorylates Sgt1 at the Kinetochores To Promote Timely Kinetochore-Microtubule Attachment

ABSTRACT Accurate chromosome segregation during cell division maintains genomic integrity and requires the proper establishment of kinetochore-microtubule attachment in mitosis. As a key regulator of mitosis, Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) is essential for this attachment process, but the molecular mechanism remains elusive. Here we identify Sgt1, a cochaperone for Hsp90, as a novel Plk1 substrate during mitosis. We show that Sgt1 dynamically localizes at the kinetochores, which lack microtubule attachments during prometaphase. Plk1 is required for the kinetochore localization of Sgt1 and phosphorylates serine 331 of Sgt1 at the kinetochores. This phosphorylation event enhances the association of the Hsp90-Sgt1 chaperone with the MIS12 complex to stabilize this complex at the kinetochores and thus coordinates the recruitment of the NDC80 complex to form efficient microtubule-binding sites. Disruption of Sgt1 phosphorylation reduces the MIS12 and NDC80 complexes at the kinetochores, impairs stable microtubule attachment, and eventually results in chromosome misalignment to delay the anaphase onset. Our results demonstrate a mechanism for Plk1 in promoting kinetochore-microtubule attachment to ensure chromosome stability.
Diagnostic accuracy of 18f-2-deoxy-fluoro-d-glucose positron emission tomography for pn1 lymph nodes in patients with lung cancer

Background: Nodal status has been reported to be one of the most important factors affecting survival in patients with lung cancer. For determining treatment strategy, accurate evaluation of nodal status is expected. Purpose: To evaluate the accuracy of 18F-2-deoxy-fluoro-D-glucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) for diagnosing nodal status in lung cancer patients with pathologically proven N1 (pN1) lymph node metastases, in comparison with that of computed tomography (CT). Material and Methods: Nineteen pN1 patients with primary lung cancer undergoing preoperative CT and FDG-PET were investigated. The diagnosis was confirmed by surgery in all patients. Lymph nodes were considered to be positive when uptake higher than the surrounding mediastinum level was visually observed. Radiological and pathological correlation was investigated, and the association between FDG uptake and the size of metastatic nodes was evaluated. Results: Of the 19 pN1 patients, nodal stage determined by FDG-PET was cN0 in eight, cN1 in four, cN2 in six, and cN3 in one. Thus, FDG-PET provided correct N-staging in 21%, under-staging in 42%, and over-staging in 37%. FDG-PET could not depict pN1 lymph node in six (32%) of 19 patients. In two patients (11%), mild symmetrical hilar and mediastinal accumulation was found and considered as benign physiological uptake. In six patients (32%), the ipsilateral mediastinal uptake was depicted and diagnosed as cN2. One patient was diagnosed as cN3 because of FDG accumulation at the supraclavicular fossa. On CT, nodal staging was cN0 in nine, cN1 in six, and cN2 in four. CT staging was therefore correct in 32%, underestimated in 47%, and overestimated in 21%. Conclusion: The diagnostic accuracy of FDG-PET (21%) was low and similar to that of CT (32%); under- and over-diagnosis were found in similar proportions. The limitation of FDG-PET should be recognized when nodal staging might alter the therapeutic strategy in patients with primary lung cancer.
Interest groups, lobbying and polarization in the United States

Most lobbying in the United States comes from business interests, but not all. Previous work has not paid sufficient attention to how non-business lobbying affects legislative behavior. Firms are more interested in particular goods than advocacy groups which pursue broad-based policy change. These citizen-based organizations often employ grassroots tactics and align with one of the major parties. Advocacy groups are also less likely to support maintaining the status quo. This dissertation argues that interest group lobbyists perform two functions. First, these groups set the agenda by engaging in positive promotion of legislation. Second, advocacy organizations push legislators to vote along party lines in roll-call voting. Using original data on lobbying registrations, bill introductions and rollcall records, I test this argument in Congress and the 50 state legislatures. Advocacy organization lobbying is increasingly prevalent, and the results help explain high levels of party polarization in Congress, and an uneven pattern of polarization in the American state legislatures. Degree Type Dissertation Degree Name Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Graduate Group Political Science First Advisor Marc N. Meredith
Genetic and environmental effects and characteristics of Japanese end‐stage renal disease patients

Few studies of end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) investigate genetic and environmental effects simultaneously in one racial/ethnic group. United States Renal Data System data show racial differences in primary causes of ESRD, survival rates, and causes of death. Comparing these with Japanese Society for Dialysis Therapy data, survival rates appear better for Japanese than for US patients. To explore genetic and environmental differences, we investigated incident and prevalent ESRD patient characteristics. The United States Renal Data System and Japanese Society for Dialysis Therapy databases were analyzed between 1983 and 2002 for the following patient subsets: Americans excluding Asian Americans (n=1,153,974); Asian Americans excluding Japanese Americans (n=35,983); Hawaiian and non‐Hawaiian Japanese Americans by state, race, and Japanese surname (n=3932); native Japanese living in Japan (n=450,593). Japanese Americans tended to be older, male, have more diabetes and hypertension and less glomerulonephritis, and to die more often of heart failure than the other US groups. Adjusted mortality hazard ratios were 0.70 for non‐Japanese Asian Americans and 0.75 for Japanese Americans vs. non‐Asian Americans (1.00). Hawaiian Japanese patients tended to be older, with more diabetes and hypertension and less glomerulonephritis than the other Japanese groups; their survival rates improved after adjustment for rate of diabetes. Japanese American ESRD patients differ from Asian and non‐Asian Americans, and from native Japanese, despite similar genetic make‐ups. Both genetic and environmental factors may affect patient outcomes.