Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On Global Games in Social Networks of Information Exchange ∗

It is a common perception that information plays an important role in crises: in particular, exchange of local information about economic or political fundamentals is crucial in determining the outcomes of crisis events. Coordination games of incomplete information have been used as stylized models of crisis phenomena such as currency attacks (e.g., Morris and Shin (1998)), debt crises (e.g., Morris and Shin (2004)), bank runs (e.g., Goldstein and Pauzner (2005)), and political regime change (e.g., Edmond (2005)). To the best of our knowledge, all existing applications of such games to crises assume a continuum of agents and a private (and possibly, in addition, a public) noisy signal about the fundamentals at each agent; there are no complex patterns of communication among the agents. In this work we provide a model of local information sharing through a social network (involving a finite number of discrete agents) and its effect on the outcomes. We seek to answer the question of how do the outcomes depend on the network topology. We study a coordination game of incomplete information with a finite number of agents, in which each agent receives noisy signals concerning the strength of the status quo (i.e., the fundamentals) according to her position in a social network. The action space for each agent is binary: attack the ∗This research was partially supported by the Air Force Office of Special Research, under contract FA9550-09-1-0420. We are grateful to Daron Acemoglu, Marios Angeletos, George Mailath, and Antonio Penta for useful feedback and suggestions. We also thank participants at the Sixth Workshop on the Economics of Networks, Systems and Computation (NetEcon 2011), and participants at the Interdisciplinary Workshop on Information and Decision in Social Networks at MIT on May 31 and June 1, 2011. †To whom correspondence should be addressed. Email: szoumpou@mit.edu
Is the Large U.S. Current Account Deficit Sustainable

The U.S. current account deficit has grown steadily since 1991, hitting record levels of 3.6 percent of GDP in 1999 and 4.4 percent in 2000. In recent years, the growing deficits have increasingly raised concerns. For instance, most economists who took part in a recent Wall Street Journal forecasting survey agreed that the current account deficit is the major threat facing the U.S. economy. Some policymakers have also suggested that the large and growing U.S. current account deficit may be unsustainable and thus may create problems for the economy. > Holman examines the causes and consequences of the large current account deficits in the United States. She identifies the potential sources of the large deficits. Much of the rise in the current account deficit over the past decade can be attributed to two factors: accelerating U.S. productivity and a surge in household wealth driven by the stock market. She then examines whether the U.S. current account deficit is sustainable in the near term. In this analysis, an unsustainable deficit is defined as one that triggers a sharp hike in interest rates, a rapid depreciation of the dollar, or some other domestic or global economic disruption. She concludes that, over the near term, deficits of roughly the current magnitude are sustainable and therefore unlikely to disrupt the U.S. economy.
Aerobic Biodegradation of N-Nitrosodimethylamine by the Propanotroph Rhodococcus ruber ENV425

ABSTRACT The propanotroph Rhodococcus ruber ENV425 was observed to rapidly biodegrade N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) after growth on propane, tryptic soy broth, or glucose. The key degradation intermediates were methylamine, nitric oxide, nitrite, nitrate, and formate. Small quantities of formaldehyde and dimethylamine were also detected. A denitrosation reaction, initiated by hydrogen atom abstraction from one of the two methyl groups, is hypothesized to result in the formation of n-methylformaldimine and nitric oxide, the former of which decomposes in water to methylamine and formaldehyde and the latter of which is then oxidized further to nitrite and then nitrate. Although the strain mineralized more than 60% of the carbon in [14C]NDMA to 14CO2, growth of strain ENV425 on NDMA as a sole carbon and energy source could not be confirmed. The bacterium was capable of utilizing NDMA, as well as the degradation intermediates methylamine and nitrate, as sources of nitrogen during growth on propane. In addition, ENV425 reduced environmentally relevant microgram/liter concentrations of NDMA to <2 ng/liter in batch cultures, suggesting that the bacterium may have applications for groundwater remediation.
Pose estimation for a partially observable human body from RGB-D cameras

Human pose estimation in realistic world conditions raises multiple challenges such as foreground extraction, background update and occlusion by scene objects. Most of existing approaches were demonstrated in controlled environments. In this paper, we propose a framework to improve the performance of existing tracking methods to cope with these problems. To this end, a robust and scalable framework is provided composed of three main stages. In the first one, a probabilistic occupancy grid updated with a Hidden Markov Model used to maintain an up-to-date background and to extract moving persons. The second stage uses component labelling to identify and track persons in the scene. The last stage uses an hierarchical particle filter to estimate the body pose for each moving person. Occlusions are handled by querying the occupancy grid to identify hidden body parts so that they can be discarded from the pose estimation process. We provide a parallel implementation that runs on CPU and GPU at 4 frames per second. We also validate the approach on our own dataset that consists of synchronized motion capture with a single RGB-D camera data of a person performing actions in challenging situations with severe occlusions generated by scene objects. We make this dataset available online.
Characterization of the Initial Reactions during the Cometabolic Oxidation of Methyl tert-Butyl Ether by Propane-Grown Mycobacterium vaccae JOB5

ABSTRACT The initial reactions in the cometabolic oxidation of the gasoline oxygenate, methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), by Mycobacterium vaccae JOB5 have been characterized. Two products, tert-butyl formate (TBF) and tert-butyl alcohol (TBA), rapidly accumulated extracellularly when propane-grown cells were incubated with MTBE. Lower rates of TBF and TBA production from MTBE were also observed with cells grown on 1- or 2-propanol, while neither product was generated from MTBE by cells grown on casein-yeast extract-dextrose broth. Kinetic studies with propane-grown cells demonstrated that TBF is the dominant (≥80%) initial product of MTBE oxidation and that TBA accumulates from further biotic and abiotic hydrolysis of TBF. Our results suggest that the biotic hydrolysis of TBF is catalyzed by a heat-stable esterase with activity toward several other tert-butyl esters. Propane-grown cells also oxidized TBA, but no further oxidation products were detected. Like the oxidation of MTBE, TBA oxidation was fully inhibited by acetylene, an inactivator of short-chain alkane monooxygenase in M. vaccae JOB5. Oxidation of both MTBE and TBA was also inhibited by propane (Ki = 3.3 to 4.4 μM). Values for Ks of 1.36 and 1.18 mM and for Vmax of 24.4 and 10.4 nmol min−1 mg of protein−1 were derived for MTBE and TBA, respectively. We conclude that the initial steps in the pathway of MTBE oxidation by M. vaccae JOB5 involve two reactions catalyzed by the same monooxygenase (MTBE and TBA oxidation) that are temporally separated by an esterase-catalyzed hydrolysis of TBF to TBA. These results that suggest the initial reactions in MTBE oxidation by M. vaccae JOB5 are the same as those that we have previously characterized in gaseous alkane-utilizing fungi.
Ilizarov Treatment of Congenital Pseudarthrosis of the Tibia: A Multi-Targeted Approach Using the Ilizarov Technique

Congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia (CPT) is one of the most challenging problems in pediatric orthopaedics. The treatment goals are osteosynthesis, stabilization of the ankle mortise by fibular stabilization, and lower limb-length equalization. Each of these goals is difficult to accomplish but regardless of the surgical options, the basic biological considerations are the same: pseudarthrosis resection, biological bone bridging of the defect by stable fixation, and the correction of any angular deformity. The Ilizarov method is certainly valuable for the treatment of CPT because it can address not only pseudarthrosis but also all complex deformities associated with this condition. Leg-length discrepancy can be managed by proximal tibial lengthening using distraction osteogenesis combined with or without contralateral epiphysiodesis. However, treatment of CPT is fraught with complications due to the complex nature of the disease, and failure is common. Residual challenges, such as refracture, growth disturbance, and poor foot and ankle function with stiffness, are frequent and perplexing. Refracture is the most common and serious complication after primary healing and might result in the re-establishment of pseudarthrosis. Therefore, an effective, safe and practical treatment method that minimizes the residual challenges after healing and accomplishes the multiple goals of treatment is needed. This review describes a multi-targeted approach for tackling these challenges, which utilizes the Ilizarov technique in atrophic-type CPT.
An Economic Assessment of EC Merger Control: 1957-2007

This paper provides an assessment of EC merger policy from three perspectives. First, it places the evolution of merger policy alongside the evolution of economic ideas in relation to competition and industrial organisation. Second, it highlights recent developments in the practical economic appraisal of competition in four areas: unilateral (non-coordinated) effects, particularly the appropriate use of simulation techniques and the efficiency defence; coordinated effects (collective dominance), particularly the role of the Community Courts; non-horizontal effects, particularly the need for the new guidelines; and remedies, particularly weaknesses in current practice. Third, it develops a simple bargaining approach to merger policy evaluation to draw conclusions about the trend in overall effectiveness of EC merger policy since 1989.
Real-Time Stabilization of an Eight-Rotor UAV Using Optical Flow

An original configuration of a small aerial vehicle having eight rotors is presented. Four rotors are devoted to the stabilization of the orientation of the helicopter, and the other four are used to drive the lateral displacements. A precompensation on the roll and pitch angles has been introduced so that the attitude dynamics is practically independent of the translational dynamics. This compensation is directly related to the velocity of the lateral motors. The dynamical model is obtained using the Euler-Lagrange approach. The proposed configuration is particularly useful for image processing since the the camera orientation is held constant. The eight-rotor rotorcraft is simpler to pilot than other rotorcrafts. A control strategy is proposed that uses the optical flow measurements to achieve a hover flight that is robust with respect to perturbations like wind. The new aerial configuration and control strategy have been tested in real-time experiments.
Decreased Regulatory T Cells in Vulnerable Atherosclerotic Lesions: Imbalance between Pro- and Anti-Inflammatory Cells in Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the arterial wall in which presentation of autoantigens by dendritic cells (DCs) leads to the activation of T cells. Anti-inflammatory cells like Tregs counterbalance inflammation in atherogenesis. In our study, human carotid plaque specimens were classified as stable (14) and unstable (15) according to established morphological criteria. Vessel specimens (n = 12) without any signs of atherosclerosis were used as controls. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to detect different types of DCs (S100, fascin, CD83, CD209, CD304, and CD123), proinflammatory T cells (CD3, CD4, CD8, and CD161), and anti-inflammatory Tregs (FoxP3). The following results were observed: in unstable lesions, significantly higher numbers of proinflammatory cells like DCs, T helper cells, cytotoxic T cells, and natural killer cells were detected compared to stable plaques. Additionally, there was a significantly higher expression of HLA-DR and more T cell activation (CD25, CD69) in unstable lesions. On the contrary, unstable lesions contained significantly lower numbers of Tregs. Furthermore, a significant inverse correlation between myeloid DCs and Tregs was shown. These data suggest an increased inflammatory state in vulnerable plaques resulting from an imbalance of the frequency of local pro- and anti-inflammatory immune cells.
The Global Call Center Report: International Perspectives on Management and Employment

Excerpt] This report is the first large scale international study of call center management and employment practices across all regions of the globe – including Asia, Africa, South America, North America, and Europe. Covering almost 2,500 centers in 17 countries, this survey provides a detailed account of the similarities and differences in operations across widely diverse national contexts and cultures. The centers in the survey include a total of 475,000 call center employees.
Extreme climatic events drive mammal irruptions: regression analysis of 100-year trends in desert rainfall and temperature

Extreme climatic events, such as flooding rains, extended decadal droughts and heat waves have been identified increasingly as important regulators of natural populations. Climate models predict that global warming will drive changes in rainfall and increase the frequency and severity of extreme events. Consequently, to anticipate how organisms will respond we need to document how changes in extremes of temperature and rainfall compare to trends in the mean values of these variables and over what spatial scales the patterns are consistent. Using the longest historical weather records available for central Australia – 100 years – and quantile regression methods, we investigate if extreme climate events have changed at similar rates to median events, if annual rainfall has increased in variability, and if the frequency of large rainfall events has increased over this period. Specifically, we compared local (individual weather stations) and regional (Simpson Desert) spatial scales, and quantified trends in median (50th quantile) and extreme weather values (5th, 10th, 90th, and 95th quantiles). We found that median and extreme annual minimum and maximum temperatures have increased at both spatial scales over the past century. Rainfall changes have been inconsistent across the Simpson Desert; individual weather stations showed increases in annual rainfall, increased frequency of large rainfall events or more prolonged droughts, depending on the location. In contrast to our prediction, we found no evidence that intra-annual rainfall had become more variable over time. Using long-term live-trapping records (22 years) of desert small mammals as a case study, we demonstrate that irruptive events are driven by extreme rainfalls (>95th quantile) and that increases in the magnitude and frequency of extreme rainfall events are likely to drive changes in the populations of these species through direct and indirect changes in predation pressure and wildfires.
Effects of Service Quality, Innovation and Corporate Image on Customer's Satisfaction and Loyalty of Air Cargo Terminal

The air cargo terminals (ACTs) recently focus on developing relationship with customers to meet their requirements and enhance loyalty in the competitive environments in Taiwan. The purpose of this study is to explore the effects of service quality, innovation capability and corporate image on customer's satisfaction and loyalty of ACTs. After reviewing the literatures, the structural equation modeling (SEM) was conducted to test the research model. The data was collected from ACTs' customers by the questionnaire at Taoyuan International Airport in Taiwan. The results show that customer satisfaction has a statistical on loyalty, and service quality, innovation capability and corporate image have a positive effect on customer satisfaction respectively. Finally, this study discussed the managerial implications and offered suggestions for the future researches. Keywords-Air cargo terminal, service quality, innovation capability, corporate image, satisfaction, loyalty
Toward a modeling theory of physics instruction

An analysis of the conceptual structure of physics identifies essential factual and procedural knowledge which is not explicitly formulated and taught in physics courses. It leads to the conclusion that mathematical modeling of the physical world should be the central theme of physics instruction. There are reasons to believe that traditional methods for teaching physics are inefficient and substantial improvements in instruction can be achieved by a vigorous program of pedagogical research and development.
Active recognition: using uncertainty to reduce ambiguity

Scene ambiguity, due to noisy measurements and uncertain object models, can be quantified and actively used by an autonomous agent to efficiently gather new data and improve its information about the environment. In this work an information-based utility measure is used to derive from a learned classification of shape models an efficient data collection strategy, specifically aimed at increasing classification confidence when recognizing uncertain shapes.
Growth and gene expression profile analyses of endometrial cancer cells expressing exogenous PTEN.

The PTEN tumor suppressor gene encodes a multifunctional phosphatase that plays an important role in inhibiting the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase pathway and downstream functions that include activation of Akt/protein kinase B, cell survival, and cell proliferation. Enforced expression of PTEN in various cancer cell lines decreases cell proliferation through arrest of the cell cycle, accompanied in some cases by induction of apoptosis. We used cDNA microarrays containing 4009 cDNAs to examine changes in gene-expression profiles when exogenous PTEN was induced in PTEN-defective cells. The microarrays and subsequent semi-quantitative reverse transcription-PCR analysis revealed transcriptional stimulation of 99 genes and repression of 72 genes. Some of the differentially expressed genes already had been implicated in cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, or cell cycle control, e.g., overexpression of PTEN-induced transactivation of cyclin-dependent inhibitor 1B (p27Kip1) and 2B (p15INK4B), members of the TNF receptor family, tumor necrosis factor-associated genes, and members of the Notch-signaling and Mad families. To our knowledge this is the first report of transactivation of those genes by PTEN. The genes differentially expressed in our experiments also included many whose correlation with cancer development had not been recognized before. Our data should contribute to a greater understanding of the broad spectrum of ways in which PTEN affects intracellular signaling pathways. Analysis of expression profiles with microarrays appears to be a powerful approach for identifying anticancer genes and/or disease-specific targets for cancer therapy.
Rate maximization algorithm for uplink wireless cooperative cellular networks

Cooperative relaying is a promising technique for present wireless communication networks such as Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) to satisfy high throughput demand andquality-of-service (QoS) requirements. A suboptimal relay selection, power allocation and sub carrier assignment scheme under a total power constraint is proposed for a QoS aware resource allocation for a cooperative network. The power allocation and subcarrier assignment problem are formulated as a joint optimization problem with the objective of maximizing achievable rate and relay selection is addressed by taking the best gain in the corresponding link. Cell edge users and users under shadoware degraded by the signal quality; hence cooperative relaying is a very promising solution to provide better data rate and coverage extension. Combining wireless communication and cooperative relaying assures high data rate enhancement for users at cell edge. Throughput enhancement problem is solved by two level dual decomposition. To further reduce the computational cost, low complexity suboptimal schemes are also proposed in this work. Simulation result indicates that the proposed scheme will guarantee the users QoS requirement.
Is Inequality Inevitable ? A Survey Experiment on Demand for Redistribution in South Africa

Recent evidence has shown that demand for redistribution does not react to inequality as predicted by basic political economy models. High inequality countries tend to display low redistribution. Based on social psychology theories, this paper proposes a channel that could help explain this apparent contradiction: if citizens believe that high inequality is inevitable and cannot be changed, they may become resigned and demobilized, demanding little redistribution as a way to cope with such situation. We examine this argument with a survey experiment in South Africa. To communicate the idea that the inequality they experience need not be so high, we provide an “international” information treatment that shows inequality in South Africa together with much lower levels of inequality in other countries. A placebo “local” treatment shows inequality within the country alone. The international treatment (but not the local one) reduces perceptions that inequality is inevitable and, in turn, leads to higher demand for redistribution. The pattern is present in different relevant subsamples. We consider, and rule out, some alternative explanations
Kinematics of syllable structure in Tashlhiyt Berber: The case of vocalic and consonantal nuclei.

This study provides evidence from the coordination of articulatory gestures, using electromagnetic articulography (EMMA), in favour of a heterosyllabic analysis of word initial clusters in Tashlhiyt. Evidence from calculations of C-center and Rightmost C to a following anchor in the syllable as well as the stability index consistently supports the predominant analysis amongst phonologists of Tashlhiyt that this language permits only simple onsets. These timing patterns hold regardless of whether the syllable nucleus is vocalic or consonantal.
Arthur Lewis' Contribution to Development Thinking and Policy

Arthur Lewis' seminal 1954 paper and its emphasis on dualism appeared at a time when neither the work of Keynes or Harrod-Domar nor the later neoclassical production function of Solow seemed relevant for developing countries. As a consequence, his model, rooted in the classical tradition, plus its many extensions, generated an extensive literature at the center of development theory. The approach also encountered increasingly strong criticism, some of the red herring variety, but some, spearheaded by neoclassical microeconomists like Rosenzweig, also raised serious challenges, focused especially on its labor market assumptions. This paper reviews this landscape and asks what theoretical or policy relevance the Lewis model retains for today's developing countries.