Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Trade Dependence or Size Dependence?

The gravity model of trade states that the volume of trade between two countries is proportional to the product of the sizes of the two countries and the inverse of the distance between them. The gravity model, however, was initially suggested for other types of social interactions, and it also predicts well the probability of militarized disputes. This raises a concern about omitted-variable bias in the literature on trade and conflict: if the gravity model is correlated with both trade and conflict, it is necessary to control for the size of both countries in the dyad. In this article, I analyze the nature of this bias both empirically and theoretically. I find that a correct model specification leads to a stronger relationship between trade and conflict than in the traditional models. However, the empirical finding must be reinterpreted: what is crucial is not the relationship between the value of the bilateral trade and the size of the larger economy in the dyad (`trade dependence'), but rather `trade efficiency'—the extent to which the two countries trade more than expected from the gravity model.
Natural course of Fabry disease: changing pattern of causes of death in FOS – Fabry Outcome Survey

Background: Fabry disease is a rare X-linked lysosomal storage disorder characterised by severe multisystemic involvement that leads to major organ failure and premature death in affected men and women. Over the past 7 years, the Fabry Outcome Survey (FOS) has collected data on the natural history of Fabry disease, and the long-term efficacy and safety of enzyme-replacement therapy. This paper provides an update on the first analysis of FOS data. Design: Baseline data on clinical manifestations and causes of death in a cohort of 1453 patients (699 male, 754 female) from 19 countries worldwide were analysed. Causes of death of affected relatives were analysed separately. Results: The most frequently reported signs and symptoms of Fabry disease were neurological. Cardiac, ocular, gastrointestinal, dermatological, auditory and renal manifestations were also common. The principal causes of death among 181 affected relatives of patients in FOS (most of whom had died before 2001) were renal failure in males (42%) and cerebrovascular disease in females (25%). In contrast, of the 42 patients enrolled in FOS whose deaths were reported between 2001 and 2007, cardiac disease was the main cause of death in both male (34%) and female (57%) patients. Conclusion: These data suggest that the importance of renal disease as a cause of death in patients with Fabry disease is decreasing while the importance of cardiac disease is increasing. This pattern probably reflects improvements in the management of renal disease in patients with Fabry disease.
Paradigm shift

This paper analyses the consequences of young researchers’ scientiﬁc choice on the dynamics of sciences. We develop a simple two state mean ﬁeld game model to analyze the competition between two paradigms based on Kuhn’s theory of scientiﬁc revolutions. At the beginning of their career, young researchers choose the paradigm in which they want to work according to social and personal motivations. Despite the possibility of multiple equilibria the model exhibits at least one stable solution in which both paradigms always coexist. The occurrence of shocks on the parameters may induce the shift from one dominant paradigm to the other. During this shift, researchers’ choice is proved to have a great impact on the evolution of sciences.
The influence of corporate social responsibility disclosure on share prices: Evidence from the United Kingdom

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the association between share prices and the level of corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure of large UK companies, using CSR data from an independent firm and a time period and setting (the UK) that coincides with increased legislation and increased public awareness of corporate social and environmental issues. Against a background of increased interest by investors in CSR disclosure, prior mixed results on the association between CSR disclosure and share prices suggest the need for further research that overcome some of the identified limitations of the extant literature. Design/methodology/approach – A modified Ohlson (1995) model is used to examine the relationship between CSR disclosure and share prices among the 100 largest UK companies. Three different measures of CSR disclosure are used to ensure robustness of results. Findings – The paper finds that higher levels of CSR disclosure are associated with higher share prices. Furthermore, the.
Message framing effects on price discounting

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to report the results of two experiments designed to examine the effect on consumers of the way in which price discount messages are expressed, or “framed”. Design/methodology/approach – Both studies involved stated‐preference choice modelling experiments. The aim of the first experiment was to test the hypothesis that a price reduction framed in dollar terms is more effective for high‐priced items, whereas a price reduction framed as a percent discount is more effective for lower‐priced items. The aim of the second experiment was to determine which of four alternative ways of expressing the same 33 per cent price discount – cents off, percent discount, or one of two volume discounts – is most effective.Findings – For two “low‐priced” items, potato chips and cola drinks, the framing of a price discount had little or no effect. However, for two ”high‐priced” items, stereos and computers, framing a discount in dollar terms was significantly more effective than expressin.
Transcriptional Suppression of miR-181c by Hepatitis C Virus Enhances Homeobox A1 Expression

ABSTRACT Hepatitis C virus (HCV)-induced chronic liver disease is one of the leading causes of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The molecular events leading to HCC following chronic HCV infection remain poorly defined. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been implicated in the control of many biological processes, and their deregulation is associated with different viral infections. In this study, we observed that HCV infection of hepatocytes transcriptionally downregulates miR-181c expression by modulating CCAAT/enhancer binding protein β (C/EBP-β). Reduced expression of the pri-miR-181c transcript was noted following HCV infection. In silico prediction suggests that homeobox A1 (HOXA1) is a direct target of miR-181c. HOXA1 is a member of the homeodomain-containing transcription factor family and possesses pivotal roles in normal growth, development, and differentiation of mammalian tissues. Our results demonstrated that HOXA1 expression is enhanced in HCV-infected hepatocytes. Exogenous expression of the miR-181c mimic inhibits HOXA1 and its downstream molecules STAT3 and STAT5, which are involved in cell growth regulation. Interestingly, overexpression of miR-181c inhibited HCV replication by direct binding with E1 and NS5A sequences. Furthermore, accumulation of HCV genotype 2a RNA with miR-181c was observed in an RNA-induced silencing complex in Huh7.5 cells. Our results provide new mechanistic insights into the role of miR-181c in HCV-hepatocyte interactions, and miR-181c may act as a target for therapeutic intervention. IMPORTANCE Chronic HCV infection is one of the major causes of end-stage liver disease, including hepatocellular carcinoma. An understanding of the molecular mechanisms of HCV-mediated hepatocyte growth promotion is necessary for therapeutic intervention against HCC. In this study, we have provided evidence of HCV-mediated transcriptional downregulation of miR-181c. HCV-infected liver biopsy specimens also displayed lower expression levels of miR-181c. We have further demonstrated that inhibition of miR-181c upregulates homeobox A1 (HOXA1), which is important for hepatocyte growth promotion. Exogenous expression of miR-181c inhibited HCV replication by directly binding with HCV E1 and NS5A sequences. Taken together, our results provided new mechanistic insights for an understanding of the role of miR-181c in HCV-hepatocyte interactions and revealed miR-181c as a potential target for therapeutic intervention.
Les déterminants du comportement d'innovation des entreprises : facteurs internes et externes

Dans un contexte ou la necessite d'innover est au cœur des preoccupations des entreprises et des pouvoirs publics, cette these contribue a la comprehension des determinants des comportements d'innovation des entreprises et des conditions d'efficacite des interventions publiques en la matiere. les quatre contributions proposees, essentiellement empiriques, montrent l’importance de considerer deux dimensions jusqu'ici souvent ignorees : l'organisation ou la structure des incitations internes, et l'heterogeneite entre entreprises, en particulier selon leur niveau technologique. le premier chapitre montre que les organisations centralisees ou decentralisees induisent des processus de gestion de l'information differents, qui les rendent plus ou moins favorables a l'innovation selon l’age de l’entreprise, son niveau technologique ou le degre d’heterogeneite de son environnement. le second chapitre montre que la concurrence des pays a bas couts est un determinant significatif des reorganisations des portefeuilles de produits des entreprises industrielles ; mais que seules les plus productives y associent un veritable effort d'innovation. le troisieme chapitre examine la nature des incitations conferees par le systeme des brevets en adoptant une approche structurelle. ils affectent l'intensite, mais aussi la direction des efforts d'innovation des entreprises, davantage incitees a innover en produits qu’en procedes. enfin, le dernier chapitre propose une analyse conjointe de deux dispositifs visant a promouvoir l'effort d'innovation des jeunes entreprises. nous mettons en evidence leur differentiel d’attractivite au sein de cette population d’entreprises.
The Forgotten Cleavage? Religion and Politics in Australia

Abstract In Australia, religion historically has been seen as a secondary but nonetheless significant sociopolitical cleavage, in part cutting across the class divide. In recent times, Australian scholars, like those elsewhere, have been inclined to argue that the political significance of religion is a legacy of the past and that religion no longer plays an important role in shaping mass political behaviour. Although class is also said to have declined in political significance, it is still treated as being of some importance as a cornerstone of the party system. However, many scholars seem more willing to dismiss the relevance of religion altogether. Using sample survey data collected over more than 25 years, this article examines the role of religion in modern Australian electoral politics and assesses the adequacy of such arguments. Résumé En Australie la religion a longtemps été perçue comme un facteur secondaire mais néanmoins significatif des clivages socio-politiques. Désormais, les chercheurs australiens, comme ceux de d'autres pays, ont tendance à soutenir que la religion est un leg du passé et qu'elle ne joue plus, par conséquent, un rôle important dans le façonnement des comportements politiques des citoyens. Quoique l'appartenance de classe soit considéréd comme un déterminant politique de moins en moins significatif, on continue néanmoins à lui accorder une certaine importance en tant que pierre angulaire du système politique. Plusieurs chercheurs par contre sont enclins a nier toute pertinence au facteur religieux. Cet article vérifie la validity de ces thèses par une analyse de l'impact de la religion sur les pratiques électorates de l'Australie moderne, à l'aide d'un échantillon de données qui couvre une période de plus de 25 années.
A prospective 5-year study of two cast framework alloys for fixed implant-supported mandibular prostheses.

PURPOSE A longitudinal 5-year clinical investigation was carried out to compare screw-retained frameworks constructed from two alloys with different mechanical properties, either gold or silver-palladium, supported in the mandible by the Astra Tech implant system. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty-six edentulous patients with mandibular implants were divided into two groups: group A was provided with Chicago IV gold alloy superstructures, and group B was provided with Palliag M silver-palladium alloy superstructures. The surgical procedures for placing the mandibular bone implants and the prosthodontic and laboratory techniques for constructing the prostheses were carried out according to standard, well-documented practices. All patients wore conventional maxillary complete dentures. The integrity of prostheses and health of supporting tissues were compared over a 5-year period. RESULTS Both materials had similar accuracy of fit and resistance to functional stress, although silver-palladium was technique sensitive and necessitated meticulous laboratory practice to achieve accuracy of casting. Clinical performance of both prostheses was similar, and radiographic assessment showed no statistically significant differences in periimplant bone changes. CONCLUSION There were no differences in clinical performance and radiographic changes between the two materials. Therefore, silver-palladium alloy may be considered a suitable low-cost substitute for gold alloy for fixed implant-supported prostheses.
An Empirical Analysis of Sales-Force Compensation Plans

Among the array of direct and indirect methods of motivation and control available to the sales manager is sales-force compensation. In this article, the authors summarize theoretical predictions from the economics, marketing, finance, and accounting literatures on the structure of optimal sales-force compensation plans. Guided by these insights, they then construct empirical models to quantify the effect of various sales-force factors, firm and product factors, and market factors on compensation. Using data from 286 firms in 39 industries, the authors examine determinants of incentive components and total pay and the optimal horizon for incentive pay. Copyright 1992 by University of Chicago Press.
High Prevalence of Factor V Leiden in Healthy Jordanian Arabs

Summary The prevalence of APC resistance in healthy Jordanian Arabs was studied. Between October 1996 through September 1997 a total of 400 healthy subjects were studied. There were 212 males and 188 females. APC resistance was studied by functional and DNA methods. There were a total of 52 subjects (13%) who were APC resistant by the functional test. There were 49 subjects (12.25%) who had FV Q506 by DNA test. Of these there were 42 heterozygous and 7 homozygous (allele frequency 0.07). None of the subjects had clinical thrombosis. It is concluded that the prevalence of APC resistance due to FV Q506 is high in Jordanian Arabs.
Issues in Accountability and Assessment for Adult ESL Instruction. ERIC Q & A.

This question and answer sheet describes the legislative background of current accountability requirements for . English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) programs, the issues involved in testing level gain, and critical questions whose answers can lead the field forward. It focuses on the following: what the legislation requires; how states are meeting these requirements; issues in testing level gain (NRS level descriptors, standardized testing, and performance assessment); what attempts at standardizing performance assessment are being undertaken (e.g., Ohio is developing a uniform portfolio system of performance assessment, and Colorado developed a certificate system based on performance assessments that was discarded in favor of a standardized test for NRS reporting); and critical issues that need to be addressed (e.g., what should be counted as success and how it should be measured; how well the NRS scale facilitates the reporting of learner progress; what the cost is in time, staffing, and funds to effectively assess and document learning outcomes; and what changes are needed in program design and staff development to ensure that assessment tools are reliably used). (Contains 10 references.) Adjunct ERIC Clearinghouse for ESL Literacy Education) (SM) E& Q & A February 2002 Issues in Accountability and Assessment for Adult ESL Instruction Carol Van Duzer, National Center for ESL Literacy Education
Volunteering as a predictor of all-cause mortality: what aspects of volunteering really matter?

ABSTRACT Background: This study evaluates the predictive effects of different aspects of volunteering (e.g. volunteering status, number of hours, number of years, and type of volunteering activity) on all-cause mortality. Methods: A seven-year follow-up dataset of a nationally representative sample of Israelis, 60 years and older was used. Results: As expected, volunteering was associated with a reduced mortality risk even after adjusting for age, gender, education, baseline mental health and physical health, activity level, and social engagement. Those who volunteered for 10 to 14 years had a reduced mortality risk relative to non-volunteers. In addition, those who volunteered privately, not as part of an official organization, also had a reduced mortality risk compared to non-volunteers. The number of hours of volunteering was not a significant predictor of all-cause mortality in the fully adjusted model. In additional sensitivity analyses limited to those who volunteered, none of the various aspects of volunteering was associated with a reduced mortality risk. Conclusions: Results suggest that not all aspects of volunteering have the same predictive value and that the protective effects of length of volunteering time and type of volunteering are particularly important. However, whether or not volunteering is the most consistent predictor of mortality and whether once a person volunteers the various aspects of volunteering are no longer associated with mortality risk.
High Idiosyncratic Volatility and Low Returns: A Prospect Theory Explanation

type="main"> The well-documented negative relationship between idiosyncratic volatility and stock returns is puzzling if investors are risk-averse. However, under prospect theory, while investors are risk-averse in the domain of gains, they exhibit risk-seeking behavior in the domain of losses. Consistent with risk-seeking investors’ preference for high-volatility stocks in the loss domain, we find that the negative relationship between idiosyncratic volatility and stock returns is concentrated in stocks with unrealized capital losses, but is nonexistent in stocks with unrealized capital gains. This finding is robust to control for short-term return reversals and maximum daily return, among other variables.
The Market for Reputations as an Incentive Mechanism

Reputational career concerns provide incentives for short‐lived agents to work hard, but it is well known that these incentives disappear as an agent reaches retirement. This paper investigates the effects of a market for firm reputations on the life cycle incentives of firm owners to exert effort. A dynamic general equilibrium model with moral hazard and adverse selection generates two main results. First, incentives of young and old agents are quantitatively equal, implying that incentives are “ageless” with a market for reputations. Second, good reputations cannot act as effective sorting devices: in equilibrium, more able agents cannot outbid lesser ones in the market for good reputations. In addition, welfare analysis shows that social surplus can fall if clients observe trade in firm reputations.
Resident and Nonresident Tuition and Enrollment at Flagship State Universities

We address the determinants of resident and nonresident tuition and enrollment at public universities. A key explanatory variable is the share of out-of-state students enrolled under reciprocity agreements. We find that public universities use out-of-state enrollments primarily to augment student quality, not to make up for losses in state appropriations.In the main out-of-state enrollment levels are relatively insensitive to out-of-state tuition levels charged by institutions. Finally, we find no evidence that public universities increase their in-state or out-of-state tuition levels in response to increased federal or state financial aid for students.
Effects of the Minimum Wage on the Employment Status of Youths. An Update.

The large decline in the relative value of the minimum wage during the 1980s makes that period a valuable one for identifying the impact of variation in the minimum wage on youth employment. This study produces the robust finding that, when the experience of the 1980s is included, a 10 percent increase in the minimum wage is estimated to reduce teen employment by less than 1 percent-the lower end of the range of previous estimates. Because this small employment effect is offset by a labor force withdrawal effect, the study finds no discernible effect on measured unemployment. The study also finds no apparent effect of the minimum wage on the employment of young adults aged 20-24.
Contentious Care: Foster Care Grants and the Caregiver–Orphan Relationship in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa

It is widely recognized that HIV/AIDS has devastating but also uneven effects on afflicted communities. While much research has rightly focused on the impact of HIV/AIDS on families, communities and countries, less attention has been paid to foster carers' experiences and to the network of care. Based on qualitative fieldwork carried out over a 3-month period in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa, this study analyses the experiences of those caring for orphans who receive a state-funded Foster Care Grant. Conversations with caregivers suggest the contentious nature of care; this is worth exploring further, as it can cast light on how such macro-level interventions are shifting what it means to be an orphan at the community level. The main reason for bringing these issues to the fore is to make development interventions better informed and therefore better able to address those factors giving rise to the challenges faced by caregivers.
Evidence and Clinical Judgment: Vena cava filters

Davide Imberti1; Francesco Dentali2; Walter Ageno2; Mark Crowther3; David Garcia4; Menno Huisman5; Francesco Rodeghiero6; Armando D’Angelo7; Gualtiero Palareti 8 1Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital of Piacenza, Piacenza, Italy; 2Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy; 3Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada; 4Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA; 5Department of Thrombosis and Hemostasis, Leiden, University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands; 6Department of Cell Therapy and Hematology, San Bortolo Hospital, Vicenza, Italy; 7Coagulation Service and Thrombosis Research Unit, Scientific Institute Ospedale San Raffaele, Milano, Italy; 8Department of Angiology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy