Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Innovation and Reallocation

This paper considers an improvement in capital embodied technology which only production units that adapt to new knowledge can utilize. This innovation is distinct from a decline in capital goods price which can be utilized by all production units. A simple firm dynamics model is used to show that such an innovation shock enhances reallocation, whereas a shock lowering capital goods price reduces reallocation. This implication is used in structural vector autoregressions to identify innovation shocks as one that explain most of the fluctuations in reallocation measures. By showing the innovation shock and the investmentspecific shock identified by a standard long-run restriction are closely related, the paper provides evidence supporting Schumpeterian creative destruction: technological breakthroughs resulting in an on-going reallocation is a major driver of economic growth and fluctuation. ∗Department of Economics, Emory University, 1602 Fishburne Drive, Atlanta, GA 30322. Email: junghoon.lee@emory.edu
Tight Bounds for Two-Hop Delivery in Homogeneous P2P Video Streaming Systems

In Peer-to-Peer (P2P) video streaming systems, a stream of chunks is delivered from the source to all participant peers by utilizing upload bandwidth of the participants. The given stream is generally divided into several sub-streams and those sub-streams are delivered through different spanning trees. In this paper, we consider the delivery of a sub-streams to n subscribers through a spanning trees of depth two each. We call such a delivery of sub-streams a 2-hop delivery of the given video stream. The main contribution of the current paper is that it completely identifies a function Θ(a,n) such that the 2-hop delivery of a sub-streams to n subscribers is possible if and only if the upload bandwidth of each peer is at least Θ(a,n).
Nutrient Synchrony: Is it a Suitable Strategy to Improve Nitrogen Utilization and Animal Performance?

The objective of this paper was to review recent studies on nutrient synchrony and the effects of synchronization of energy and N supply in the rumen on nitrogen utilization and animal performance. Theoretically, synchronization of energy and N supply in the rumen should allow more efficient use of nutrients by rumen microbes, increase microbial protein and fermentation end products, and thus increase available nutrients in the small intestine. Efficient use of nutrients possibly improves animal performance and reduces nutrient excretion to the environment. However, a number of studies showed contradictory results in microbial protein synthesis, nitrogen retention and animal production performance. Since there are additional challenges to nutrient synchrony that must be addressed, further research is required to apply the nutrient synchrony concept directly to the field situation.
Is There a Relationship between Corporate Governance and Value-Based Financial Performance Measures? A Study on Turkey as an Emerging Market

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship of value-based performance measures – economic value added (EVA), market value added (MVA) and cash value added (CVA) – with corporate governance using data on 41 corporations listed on the Istanbul Stock Exchange-100 Index. Multiple panel regression is used covering the 1998–2007 period. The findings indicate that EVA, MVA, and CVA increase if the CEO is a member of the board at the same time, and board size does not significantly affect performance. Ownership concentration is significantly related to all performance measures except for MVA, while manager ownership is not a significant variable in increasing corporate performance. Foreign ownership is found to increase EVA but decrease MVA.
Global value chains in a changing world

A collection of papers by some of the world's leading specialists on global value chains (GVCs). It examines how GVCs have evolved and the challenges they face in a rapidly changing world. The approach is multi-disciplinary, with contributions from economists, political scientists, supply chain management specialists, practitioners and policy-makers. Co-published with the Fung Global Institute and the Temasek
Cleavage of proBDNF to BDNF by a Tolloid-Like Metalloproteinase Is Required for Acquisition of In Vitro Eyeblink Classical Conditioning

The tolloid/bone morphogenetic protein-1 family of metalloproteinases have an important role in the regulation of embryonic pattern formation and tissue morphogenesis. Studies suggest that they participate in mechanisms of synaptic plasticity in adults, but very little is known about their function. Recently, we isolated a reptilian ortholog of the tolloid gene family designated turtle tolloid-like gene (tTll). Here, we examined the role of tTLL in an in vitro model of eyeblink classical conditioning using an isolated brainstem preparation to assess its role in synaptic plasticity during conditioning. Analysis by real-time reverse transcription-PCR shows that an extracellularly secreted form of tTLL, tTLLs, is transiently expressed in the early stages of conditioning during conditioned response acquisition, whereas a cytosolic form, tTLLc, is not. Short interfering RNA (siRNA)-directed gene knockdown and rescue of tTLL expression demonstrate that it is required for conditioning. Significantly, we show that tTLLs cleaves the precursor proBDNF into mature BDNF in cleavage assay studies, and application of recombinant tTLLs protein alone to preparations results in induction of mature BDNF expression. The mature form of BDNF is minimally expressed in preparations treated with anti-tTLL siRNA, and the synaptic incorporation of both GluR1- and GluR4-containing AMPA receptors is significantly reduced, resulting in suppression of conditioning. This is the first study to demonstrate that expression of an extracellularly secreted tolloid-like metalloproteinase is regulated in the early stages of classical conditioning and functions in the conversion of proBDNF to mature BDNF. The mature form of BDNF is required for synaptic delivery of AMPA receptors and acquisition of conditioned responses.
Indirect estimation of α-stable stochastic volatility models

The α-stable family of distributions constitutes a generalization of the Gaussian distribution, allowing for asymmetry and thicker tails. Its many useful properties, including a central limit theorem, are especially appreciated in the financial field. However, estimation difficulties have up to now hindered its diffusion among practitioners. In this paper we propose an indirect estimation approach to stochastic volatility models with α-stable innovations that exploits, as auxiliary model, a GARCH(1,1) with t-distributed innovations. We consider both cases of heavytailed noise in the returns or in the volatility. The approach is illustrated by means of a detailed simulation study and an application to currency crises.
Intrinsic Functional Plasticity of the Sensorimotor Network in Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis: Evidence from a Centrality Analysis

Background and Purpose Advanced MRI studies have revealed regional alterations in the sensorimotor cortex of patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). However, the organizational features underlying the relapsing phase and the subsequent remitting phase have not been directly shown at the functional network or the connectome level. Therefore, this study aimed to characterize MS-related centrality disturbances of the sensorimotor network (SMN) and to assess network integrity and connectedness. Methods Thirty-four patients with clinically definite RRMS and well-matched healthy controls participated in the study. Twenty-three patients in the remitting phase underwent one resting-state functional MRI, and 11 patients in the relapsing-remitting phase underwent two different MRIs. We measured voxel-wise centrality metrics to determine direct (degree centrality, DC) and global (eigenvector centrality, EC) functional relationships across the entire SMN. Results In the relapsing phase, DC was significantly decreased in the bilateral primary motor and somatosensory cortex (M1/S1), left dorsal premotor (PMd), and operculum-integrated regions. However, DC was increased in the peripheral SMN areas. The decrease in DC in the bilateral M1/S1 was associated with the expanded disability status scale (EDSS) and total white matter lesion loads (TWMLLs), suggesting that this adaptive response is related to the extent of brain damage in the rapid-onset attack stage. During the remission process, these alterations in centrality were restored in the bilateral M1/S1 and peripheral SMN areas. In the remitting phase, DC was reduced in the premotor, supplementary motor, and operculum-integrated regions, reflecting an adaptive response due to brain atrophy. However, DC was enhanced in the right M1 and left parietal-integrated regions, indicating chronic reorganization. In both the relapsing and remitting phases, the changes in EC and DC were similar. Conclusions The alterations in centrality within the SMN indicate rapid plasticity and chronic reorganization with a biased impairment of specific functional areas in RRMS patients.
Effects of Resveratrol on Memory Performance, Hippocampal Functional Connectivity, and Glucose Metabolism in Healthy Older Adults

Dietary habits such as caloric restriction or nutrients that mimic these effects may exert beneficial effects on brain aging. The plant-derived polyphenol resveratrol has been shown to increase memory performance in primates; however, interventional studies in older humans are lacking. Here, we tested whether supplementation of resveratrol would enhance memory performance in older adults and addressed potential mechanisms underlying this effect. Twenty-three healthy overweight older individuals that successfully completed 26 weeks of resveratrol intake (200 mg/d) were pairwise matched to 23 participants that received placebo (total n = 46, 18 females, 50–75 years). Before and after the intervention/control period, subjects underwent memory tasks and neuroimaging to assess volume, microstructure, and functional connectivity (FC) of the hippocampus, a key region implicated in memory functions. In addition, anthropometry, glucose and lipid metabolism, inflammation, neurotrophic factors, and vascular parameters were assayed. We observed a significant effect of resveratrol on retention of words over 30 min compared with placebo (p = 0.038). In addition, resveratrol led to significant increases in hippocampal FC, decreases in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and body fat, and increases in leptin compared with placebo (all p < 0.05). Increases in FC between the left posterior hippocampus and the medial prefrontal cortex correlated with increases in retention scores and with decreases in HbA1c (all p < 0.05). This study provides initial evidence that supplementary resveratrol improves memory performance in association with improved glucose metabolism and increased hippocampal FC in older adults. Our findings offer the basis for novel strategies to maintain brain health during aging.
Effect of Customer-Centric Structure on Long-Term Financial Performance

Firms with a customer-centric structure-an organizational design that aligns each business unit with a distinct customer group-are expected to exhibit superior performance compared to firms that are internally structured. Top executives invoke these customer-centric beliefs when initiating corporate reorganizations. However, a lack of empirical evidence linking these customer-centric structures to better long-term financial performance raises doubts if corporate structure can truly foster customer centricity and better position a firm to satisfy customers and hence exhibit superior performance. The current research addresses this question by using longitudinal data 1998-2010 that links Fortune 500 firms' corporate-level structure to performance. Utilizing a dueling mediator model with allowance for endogeneity in a firm's organizational structure choice, the study reveals that a corporate-level customer-centric structure translates to greater customer satisfaction, but simultaneously adds coordinating costs. Further explaining customer-centric structure's record of mixed success, the benefits of increased customer satisfaction diminish 1 as competitors have already adopted customer-centric structures, 2 in fragmented markets where competitors leave few unique customer needs unaddressed, and 3 in less profitable industries. Ultimately, we show that aligning corporate structure around customers pays off only in specific competitive environments. Data, as supplemental material, are available at http://dx.doi. org/10.1287/mksc.2014. 0878 .
A Novel Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) F Subunit Vaccine Adjuvanted with GLA-SE Elicits Robust Protective TH1-Type Humoral and Cellular Immunity In Rodent Models

Background Illness associated with Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) remains an unmet medical need in both full-term infants and older adults. The fusion glycoprotein (F) of RSV, which plays a key role in RSV infection and is a target of neutralizing antibodies, is an attractive vaccine target for inducing RSV-specific immunity. Methodology and Principal Findings BALB/c mice and cotton rats, two well-characterized rodent models of RSV infection, were used to evaluate the immunogenicity of intramuscularly administered RSV vaccine candidates consisting of purified soluble F (sF) protein formulated with TLR4 agonist glucopyranosyl lipid A (GLA), stable emulsion (SE), GLA-SE, or alum adjuvants. Protection from RSV challenge, serum RSV neutralizing responses, and anti-F IgG responses were induced by all of the tested adjuvanted RSV sF vaccine formulations. However, only RSV sF + GLA-SE induced robust F-specific TH1-biased humoral and cellular responses. In mice, these F-specific cellular responses include both CD4 and CD8 T cells, with F-specific polyfunctional CD8 T cells that traffic to the mouse lung following RSV challenge. This RSV sF + GLA-SE vaccine formulation can also induce robust RSV neutralizing titers and prime IFNγ-producing T cell responses in Sprague Dawley rats. Conclusions/Significance These studies indicate that a protein subunit vaccine consisting of RSV sF + GLA-SE can induce robust neutralizing antibody and T cell responses to RSV, enhancing viral clearance via a TH1 immune-mediated mechanism. This vaccine may benefit older populations at risk for RSV disease.
Outcome of sub-acute insulin administration on long-term visuo- spatial and short-term working memory in mice

Background: In the past, insulin was considered a peripheral hormone, unable to affect the central nervous system. Now, it is well established that insulin occurs in the brain where it exerts regulatory and trophic effects. This study was undertaken to determine the effect of subacute insulin administration on long-term visuo-spatial and short-term working memory. Methods: Twenty four mice, weighing between 18 – 22 g, were used. Two groups of six mice each were used during elevated plus maze and Y-maze, to determine long-term visuo-spatial and short-term spatial working memory, respectively. Control group received deionized water, while insulin group received insulin at 10 I.U. /kg/day, subcutaneously. Results: In the elevated plus maze, acquisition and retention latencies were the same (P > 0.05) when compared between the groups. In the Y-maze test, number of entries into arms was similar (P > 0.05) within and between groups. Time spent in the novel arm by mice in the insulin (103.83 ±7.4 seconds) and control (108.00 ± 13.6 seconds) groups was higher (P 0.05) when compared between the groups. Conclusion: It was concluded, that sub-acute insulin administration did not affect long-term visuo-spatial memory and short-term working memory in mice.
Experimental evaluation of reverse direction transmissions in WLAN using the WARP platform

This paper describes an experimental implementation of a variation of the Reverse Direction (RD) Medium Access Control (MAC) Protocol (RDP) defined in the IEEE 802.11n using the Wireless Open-Access Research Platform (WARP). The proposed approach, named Bidirectional MAC (BidMAC), allows the receiver of a valid data sequence to perform an RD transmission to the transmitter without contending for tAhe channel. Whereas in RDP the RD transmission must be initiated by the transmitter, in BidMAC it can be dynamically initiated by the receiver according to its traffic requirements. Previous results based on mathematical analyses and computer-based simulations have shown that BidMAC can better balance downlink and uplink transmission opportunities in a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) where the Access Point (AP) handles bidirectional data flows for some of its wireless stations (STAs). This paper aims at going one step further and demonstrating that such superior performance can be attained in real environments. Towards this end, an implementation of BidMAC has been carried out in a reference design of WARP compatible with the IEEE 802.11a/g and tested in a proof-of-concept network formed by an AP and two STAs. Experimental results confirm the superior performance of BidMAC when compared to the legacy Distributed Coordination Function (DCF) of the IEEE 802.11 versus the traffic load, packet length, and data rate, yielding gains of up to 60%*.
The role of contextual haptic and visual constraints on object manipulation in virtual environments

An experiment was conducted to investigate the role of surrounding haptic and visual information on object manipulation in a virtual environment. The contextual haptic constraints were implemented with a physical table and the contextual visual constraints included a checkerboard background (“virtual table”). It was found that the contextual haptic constraints (the physical table surface) dramatically increased object manipulation speed, but slightly reduced spatial accuracy, compared to free space. The contextual visual constraints (presence of the checkerboard) actually showed detrimental effects on both object manipulation speed and accuracy. Implications of these findings for human-computer interaction design are discussed.
What is the sports product and who buys it? The marketing of professional sports leagues

Keywords Consumer behaviour, Corporate ownership, Global marketing, Marketing strategy,Sponsorship, SportAbstract Professional sports have emerged as a lucrative business, with many opportunities forsports marketers to flourish. As this paper will show, professional sports teams unite to produce aleague product that, while initially is produced to provide entertainment for spectators, is now soldto four distinct groups: first, fans who support leagues by attending games, following games ontelevision and other media, and purchasing league- and team-related merchandise; second,television and other media companies which purchase the right to show games as a programmingoption; third, communities which build facilities and support local clubs; and fourth, corporationswhich support leagues and clubs by increasing gate moneys, purchasing teams outright, orproviding revenues through sponsorships or other associations. As a result, professional sportsleagues provide a unique environment for marketing decisions and processes to occur, in anumber of markets and at a number of levels, and should continue to be a growing segmentwithin the broader, global, entertainment industry.
Secrecy in Ohio Environmental Law

Ohio audit privilege and immunity laws authorize private industry to withhold environmental compliance information from the public. By authorizing secrecy of environmental information, Ohio audit privilege and immunity laws come at a great cost to the public. This study examines how these laws serve to undermine federal citizen right to know guarantees, avenues in place for citizen participation and enforcement of environmental law. The purpose of this research is to shed light on how Ohio audit privilege fundamentally conflicts with principles of environmental law. This study also highlights how the secrecy authorized by Ohio audit privilege challenges our conception of democracy and the way in which democratic participation and personal liberty are exercised in the United States. In conclusion, the findings of this research and analysis suggest that Ohio audit privilege should be abolished based on the tenants of environmental law and democratic theory. Document Type Thesis Degree Name Bachelor of Arts (BA) Department or Program Politics First Advisor Chad McCracken Second Advisor Evan Oxman Third Advisor James Marquardt
Serum amyloid a as an independent prognostic factor for renal cell carcinoma--a hospital based study from the Western region of Nepal.

OBJECTIVE The objective of our present study was to assess the role of serum amyloid A (SAA) in stages and prognosis of renal cell carcinoma. MATERIAL AND METHODS It was a hospital based retrospective study carried out in the Department of Medicine and Biochemistry of Manipal Teaching Hospital, Pokhara, Nepal between 1st January 2008 and 31st December 2011. The variables collected were SAA, CRP. Approval for the study was obtained from the institutional research ethical committee. Quantitative analysis of human SAA and C-reactive protein (CRP) was performed by radial immune diffusion (RID) assay for all cases. RESULTS Of the 422 total cases of renal cell carcinoma, 218 patients had normal and 204 abnormal SAA. SAA levels were grossly elevated in T3 stage (122.3±SD35.7) when compared to the mean for the T2 stage (84.2±SD24.4) (p value: 0.0001). Similarly, SAA levels were grossly elevated in M1 stage (190.0±SD12.7) when compared to the M0 stage (160.9±SD24.8) (p: 0.0001). There was no significant association with elevated CRP levels (209.1±SD22.7, normal 199.0±SD19.5) . CONCLUSION The validity of SAA in serum as being of independent prognostic significance in RCC was demonstrated with higher levels in advanced stage disease.
Robust factor graph optimization - a comparison for sensor fusion applications

While many applications of sensor fusion suffer from the occurrence of outliers, a broad range of outlier robust graph optimization techniques has been developed for simultaneous localization and mapping. In this paper we investigate the performance of some of the most advanced algorithms for a simulated wireless localization setting affected by non-Gaussian errors. With this first analysis we can show some of the advantages and disadvantages that are connected with the different concepts behind Max-Mixture, Generalized iSAM, Switchable Constraints and Dynamic Covariance Scaling.
Non-tariff Barriers to Trade Caused by SPS Measures and Customs Procedures with Product Quality Changes

This study develops a methodology to quantify the combined effects of two major nontariff barriers (NTBs), sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures and customs and administrative procedures. We employ a constant elasticity of substitution (CES) utility function with factor-augmenting technical progress to incorporate changes in the quality of goods. We then estimate the effects of these two NTBs in the Japanese cut flower market. Results show that estimates of SPS are biased without considering product quality changes caused by the customs and administrative procedures for highly perishable agricultural products. If these Japanese NTBs were removed, findings suggest there would be a significant increase in cut flower imports by Japan.