| 1. |
- Ceschi, Andrea, et al.
(författare)
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A Simulation of Householders Recycling Attitudes Based on the Theory of Planned Behavior
- 2015
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Ingår i: TRENDS IN PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS OF AGENTS, MULTI-AGENT SYSTEMS AND SUSTAINABILITY: THE PAAMS COLLECTION. - Cham : SPRINGER-VERLAG BERLIN. - 9783319196299 - 9783319196282 ; , s. 177-184
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- What would induce householders to recycle their waste in a practicable way? This paper investigates the determinants of recycling behavior through the development of an Agent-Based Model (ABM) simulation. Specifically, this contribution examines the effectiveness of a simulation based on different recycling behaviors to better understand the phenomenon. The perspective used takes into consideration the recycling attitude and the sensitivity to social norms based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to predict recycling outcomes. As a whole, this paper highlights the dominance of dynamics and interacting aspects of waste management for the formulation of effective recycling public policies based on behavioral aspects. In addition, it illustrates how it is possible to use such empirical models as the Structural Equation Models (SEM) as a starting point for developing ABM simulations that are closer to both theory and reality.
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| 2. |
- Ceschi, Andrea, et al.
(författare)
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Compassion and Prosocial Behavior. Is it Possible to Simulate them Virtually?
- 2015
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Ingår i: TRENDS IN PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS OF AGENTS, MULTI-AGENT SYSTEMS AND SUSTAINABILITY: THE PAAMS COLLECTION. - Cham : SPRINGER-VERLAG BERLIN. - 9783319196299 - 9783319196282 ; , s. 207-214
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- In the field of artificial intelligence, a question dealing with computer and cognitive science is arising and becoming more and more crucial: Can we design agents so sophisticated that they are capable of mimicking emotional behaviors in general as well as specific emotions like compassion or empathy? Despite the production of different computational models, their integration with cognitive and psychological theories remains a central problem. Reasons are both methodological and theoretical. Primarily, it is difficult to quantify the impact of such factors as individual differences, inclinations and personality traits. In addition, Agent-Based Models (ABMs) often use linear dynamics, even in describing emotions, without considering the basis of psychophysics. Bearing in mind this and focusing on compassion as a particular emotion, the paper aims to present a "Decalogue" for those interested in designing agents capable of mimicking human emotional behaviors. In the paper, compassion will be translated as prosocial behavior.
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| 3. |
- Cerqua, Cristina, et al.
(författare)
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COX16 is required for assembly of cytochrome c oxidase in human cells and is involved in copper delivery to COX2
- 2018
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Ingår i: Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - Bioenergetics. - : Elsevier. - 0005-2728 .- 1879-2650. ; 1859:4, s. 244-252
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Cytochrome c oxidase (COX), complex IV of the mitochondrial respiratory chain, is comprised of 14 structural subunits, several prosthetic groups and metal cofactors, among which copper. Its biosynthesis involves a number of ancillary proteins, encoded by the COX-assembly genes that are required for the stabilization and membrane insertion of the nascent polypeptides, the synthesis of the prosthetic groups, and the delivery of the metal cofactors, in particular of copper. Recently, a modular model for COX assembly has been proposed, based on the sequential incorporation of different assembly modules formed by specific subunits.We have cloned and characterized the human homologue of yeast COX16. We show that human COX16 encodes a small mitochondrial transmembrane protein that faces the intermembrane space and is highly expressed in skeletal and cardiac muscle. Its knockdown in C. elegans produces COX deficiency, and its ablation in HEK293 cells impairs COX assembly. Interestingly, COX16 knockout cells retain significant COX activity, suggesting that the function of COX16 is partially redundant.Analysis of steady-state levels of COX subunits and of assembly intermediates by Blue-Native gels shows a pattern similar to that reported in cells lacking COX18, suggesting that COX16 is required for the formation of the COX2 subassembly module. Moreover, COX16 co-immunoprecipitates with COX2. Finally, we found that copper supplementation increases COX activity and restores normal steady state levels of COX subunits in COX16 knockout cells, indicating that, even in the absence of a canonical copper binding motif, COX16 could be involved in copper delivery to COX2.
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| 4. |
- Crowe, Michael, et al.
(författare)
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Diabetes and cognitive decline : investigating the potential influence of factors related to health disparities
- 2010
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Ingår i: Journal of Aging and Health. - Newbury Park, CA ; Thousand Oaks, CA : Sage Publications. - 0898-2643 .- 1552-6887. ; 22:3, s. 292-306
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: The authors investigated whether factors related to health disparities--race, rural residence, education, perceived racial discrimination, vascular disease, and health care access and utilization--may moderate the association between diabetes and cognitive decline.METHOD: Participants were 624 community-dwelling older adults (49% African American and 49% rural) who completed in-home mini-mental state examination at baseline and 4-year follow-up.RESULTS: Diabetes at baseline predicted four-year cognitive decline in regression models adjusted for a number of possible confounds. Only perceived discrimination and health utilization showed significant interaction effects with diabetes. Among African Americans who reported experiencing racial discrimination, there was a stronger relationship between diabetes and cognitive decline. Among participants who reported absence of visiting a physician within the past 6 months, the association between diabetes and cognitive decline was substantially larger.DISCUSSION: Findings suggest that factors related to health disparities may influence cognitive outcomes among older adults with diabetes.
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| 5. |
- Fonseca, Luis Vazquez, et al.
(författare)
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Mutations in COQ8B (ADCK4) found in patients with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome alter COQ8B function
- 2018
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Ingår i: Human Mutation. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 1059-7794 .- 1098-1004. ; 39:3, s. 406-414
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Mutations in COQ8B cause steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome with variable neurological involvement. In yeast, COQ8 encodes a protein required for coenzyme Q (CoQ) biosynthesis, whose precise role is not clear. Humans harbor two paralog genes: COQ8A and COQ8B (previously termed ADCK3 and ADCK4). We have found that COQ8B is a mitochondrial matrix protein peripherally associated with the inner membrane. COQ8B can complement a Delta COQ8 yeast strain when its mitochondrial targeting sequence (MTS) is replaced by a yeast MTS. This model was employed to validate COQ8B mutations, and to establish genotype-phenotype correlations. All mutations affected respiratory growth, but there was no correlation between mutation type and the severity of the phenotype. In fact, contrary to the case of COQ2, where residual CoQ biosynthesis correlates with clinical severity, patients harboring hypomorphic COQ8B alleles did not display a different phenotype compared with those with null mutations. These data also suggest that the system is redundant, and that other proteins (probably COQ8A) may partially compensate for the absence of COQ8B. Finally, a COQ8B polymorphism, present in 50% of the European population (NM_024876.3:c.521A > G, p.His174Arg), affects stability of the protein and could represent a risk factor for secondary CoQ deficiencies or for other complex traits.
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