Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Usefulness of serum carboxy-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP) as a marker of bone metastasis from lung cancer.

BACKGROUND Serum pyridinoline cross-linked carboxy-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP) is a metabolite of type I collagen comprising 90% or more of organic substances in bone. Its usefulness as a marker of bone metastasis from malignant tumors is expected. METHOD We measured ICTP to evaluate its clinical usefulness for diagnosis of bone metastasis in 140 patients with lung cancer. For comparison, serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), cytokeratin 19 fragment (CYFRA 21-1), gastrin-releasing peptide precursor (ProGRP), alkaline phosphatase and calcium were simultaneously measured. ICTP was measured by double-antibody radioimmunoassay. RESULTS ICTP was significantly higher in patients with bone metastasis from lung cancer than in the group without bone metastasis, patients with other pulmonary diseases or healthy control subjects and showed excellent sensitivity and specificity, indicating that this marker is highly useful for complementary diagnosis of bone metastasis from lung cancer. Moreover, the survival duration was significantly shorter in the ICTP-positive group than in the ICTP-negative group, suggesting that ICTP can be a prognostic factor in lung cancer. CONCLUSION It is suggested that measurement of ICTP is worthwhile as a serological diagnostic method of bone metastasis from lung cancer. Moreover, since repeated measurements are possible, this measure was considered very helpful in complementary diagnosis of bone metastasis and also as a standard to determine the timing of examinations such as bone scintigraphy.
Fast head-shoulder proposal for deformable part model based pedestrian detection

In this paper we propose a fast head-shoulder detector as a means to facilitating faster pedestrian detection. The proposed approach is based on the observation that human head-shoulder regions share relatively robust features. The purpose is to address the problem of high computational speed of the deformable part model (DPM) detector by selecting candidate regions with higher likelihood to contain pedestrians. The proposed head-shoulder detector is based on the simple, yet effective normed gradient features. Head-shoulder detector outputs regions which are strong candidates for the presence of pedestrians and therefore, pedestrian detection processes are performed only within these regions, avoiding exhaustive sliding window search across the entire test image. Additionally, a two-pedestrian detector is applied to reinforce the detection accuracy especially in scenarios where pedestrians are close to each other. Our experiments on the INRIA dataset indicate that the proposed pedestrian detection method achieves comparable detection rate to the DPM detector, with improved speed of implementation.
The shadow of empire : Christian missions, colonial policy, and democracy in postcolonial societies

ROBERT D. WOODBERRY: The Shadow of Empire: Christian Missions, Colonial Policy, and Democracy in Postcolonial Societies. (under the direction of Kenneth A. Bollen and Christian S. Smith) Cross-national empirical research consistently suggests that, on average, former British colonies are both more democratic and have more stable democratic transitions. I argue that former British colonies are distinct not because Great Britain was a democracy – so were France and Belgium during the late 19 and early 20 century. Nor were the British more altruistic. However, British colonial elites were more divided and thus more constrained. In particular, religious groups were more independent from state control in British colonies than in historically-Catholic colonies (i.e., colonies of France, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, and Italy). Initially the British restricted missions in their colonies, but Evangelical Protestants forced the British to allow religious liberty in 1813. Protestants were not able to win religious liberty in most other European colonizers during the entire period of colonization. Protestant missionaries were central to expanding formal education in the colonies because they wanted people to read the Bible in their own language. Governments wanted a small educated elite that they could control. Other religious groups invested in mass vernacular education primarily when competing with Protestants. Missionaries also constrained colonial abuses when they were independent from state control (i.e., chose their own leaders and raised their own funds). If colonial exploitation was
Debt as a (Credible) Collusive Device

The paper presents a theory of the anti-competitive effects of debt finance based on the interaction between capital structure, managerial incentives, and firms' ability to sustain collusive agreements. It shows that shareholders' commitments that reduce conflicts with debtholders - such as hiring managers with valuable reputations or "conservative" incentives - besides reducing the agency costs of debt finance also greatly facilitate tacit collusion in product markets. Concentrated or collusive credit markets, interlinked banking groups, or simply large banks can ensure the credibility of such commitments (renegotiation-proofness), thereby "exporting" collusion through leverage in otherwise competitive downstream product markets. The results appear relevant to the debate on the relative efficiency of "Anglo-Saxon" vs. "Continental-Japanese" financial practices. Implications for competition policy in the credit market and the regulation of the banking industry are discussed.
Spain: From Immigration to Emigration?

Since the start of the Great Recession the unemployment rate in Spain has risen by almost 18 percentage points. The unemployment crisis is affecting all population groups, including the more highly educated; but it is even more acute for the foreign population, whose unemployment rate is close to 40%. This situation follows a period of very high immigration flows (1995-2007) that set the number of foreigners living in Spain at 11% of the population. This paper documents the characteristics of recent migration flows to Spain and compares how foreign and Spanish nationals are moving abroad and across Spanish regions in response to the unemployment crisis. Building on this comparison, we shed some light on the selection of migrants by educational level and offer conjecture as to the implications of the migration outflows observed in recent years.
Inclusive Education: International Policy & Practice

PART ONE: HISTORY, SOCIAL CONTEXT AND KEY IDEAS Inclusive Education: Key Themes The Social History of Inclusion The Current State of Inclusive Education: Contradictions and Concerns PART TWO: POLICY CASE STUDIES Globalization: Internationalization of Inclusive Education The Impact of International Agencies on Inclusive Policies The European Union: A Common Policy on Inclusion? PART THREE: FROM POLICY TO PRACTICE Making Inclusion Special: A Case Study of English Policy Contradictions From Policy to Practice: Defining Inclusion in Schools Exporting Inclusion to the Developing World PART FOUR: CONCLUSIONS AND REFLECTIONS A conclusion or a Starting Point for the Future? An Epilogue on Reflection
Optimization of critical oscillations within a boost converter based on an analytical model

Oscillations in power electronic circuits with fast switching semiconductors are commonly known and the corresponding parasitic elements have been investigated in multiple literature. However, this paper investigates the triggering of these electromagnetic interference (EMI)-critical oscillations. An analytical description is derived using a boost converter circuit. Based on this description an optimization strategy is presented to reduce the oscillation amplitude and therefore the amplitude of the EMI spectrum without necessarily reducing the switching speed.
Commodity Index Investing: Investigating the Relationship between Commodity Index Investment Flows and Futures Prices Using a Non-linear Granger Causality Approach

The appearance in the late 1990s of commodity index investing funds and the increasing popularity of commodities as an asset class has led numerous market participants and academics to blame index investing for creating an artificial demand for commodities and thus to inflate commodity prices. While the issue has been widely discussed and attracted a lot of attention from academics, previous research focused on correlation analysis and linear Granger causality tests to investigate whether commodity index investing had a significant impact on commodity prices. While linear Granger causality tests have been widely used in empirical finance and econometrics and are standard tools in an econometrician 19s toolbox, most recent research has focused on developing non-linear, non parametric tests. In this study I take a new approach to testing the hypothesis that commodity index investing Granger caused commodity futures prices to increase by using the test proposed by Diks and Panchenko (2006) which uses a non-linear non-parametric framework. I perform both the linear Granger causality and the Diks and Panchenko tests for 12 agricultural markets for which index commodity investing data is available from the CFTC, for the period 2006 to 2012. Overall, the empirical results provide limited evidence to support the hypothesis that index commodity investing caused a spike in commodity prices but highlight the importance of considering non-linear effects in empirical studies with financial time series.
Calibration of multivariate generalized hyperbolic distributions using the em algorithm, with applications in risk management, portfolio optimization and portfolio credit risk

The distributions of many financial quantities are well-known to have heavy tails, exhibit skewness, and have other non-Gaussian characteristics. In this dissertation we study an especially promising family: the multivariate generalized hyperbolic distributions (GH). This family includes and generalizes the familiar Gaussian and Student t distributions, and the so-called skewed t distributions, among many others. The primary obstacle to the applications of such distributions is the numerical difficulty of calibrating the distributional parameters to the data. In this dissertation we describe a way to stably calibrate GH distributions for a wider range of parameters than has previously been reported. In particular, we develop a version of the EM algorithm for calibrating GH distributions. This is a modification of methods proposed in McNeil, Frey, and Embrechts (2005), and generalizes the algorithm of Protassov (2004). Our algorithm extends the stability of the calibration procedure to a wide range of parameters, now including parameter values that maximize log-likelihood for our real market data sets. This allows for the first time certain GH distributions to be used in modeling contexts when previously they have been numerically intractable. Our algorithm enables us to make new uses of GH distributions in three financial applications. First, we forecast univariate Value-at-Risk (VaR) for stock index returns, and we show in out-of-sample backtesting that the GH distributions outperform the Gaussian distribution. Second, we calculate an efficient frontier for equity portfolio optimization under the skewed-t distribution and using Expected Shortfall as the risk measure. Here, we show that the Gaussian efficient frontier is actually unreachable if returns are skewed t distributed. Third, we build an intensity-based model to price Basket Credit Default Swaps by calibrating the skewed t distribution directly, without the need to separately calibrate the skewed t copula. To our knowledge this is the first use of the skewed t distribution in portfolio optimization and in portfolio credit risk.
Aminosilanes derived from 1H-benzimidazole-2(3H)-thione

In two trimethylsilyl-substituted 1H-benzimidazole-2(3H)-thiones, noncovalent C—H⋯π interactions between the centroid of the benzmidazole system and the SiMe3 groups form helicoidal arrangements in one, and dimerization results in the formation of (8) rings via N—H⋯S interactions, along with parallel π–π interactions between imidazole and benzene rings, in the second compound.
Postcards from the Edge: A Review of the Business and Environment Literature

Environmental issues, while of growing interest, have been outside the main focus of business scholarship. This position on the periphery may have been a good thing. It allowed scholars of business and the environment to consider unusual theories and evaluate overlooked phenomenon. In doing so, they created a body of research that provides new insights on two topics of mainstream interest -- the sources of competitive advantage and the origin and function of self-regulatory institutions.
Con fl ict-induced displacement and labour market outcomes : evidence from post-war Bosnia & Herzegovina ∗

This study uses a longitudinal data source to investigate the effects of conflict-induced displacement on labour market outcomes for men and women aged 18-64 in post-war Bosnia and Herzegovina. We argue that the informal nature of the labour market makes it harder for the displaced to participate in the labour force, as refugees are not part of an informal network. We offer a measure of the impact of displacement on labour market outcome, and test for assimilation of the displaced into the labour-market over-time. We find that displaced Bosnians, men and women, are faring worse than their stayer counterparts, despite evidence of assimilation into the labour market over-time. Our results for Serbs are contrasted across gender, as we find no effect of displacement on men, while displacement increases the probability to for Serb women to be unemployed. In all ethnic and gender groups, we find no additional effect of education on labour market outcomes for the displaced.
Tax Effects on Work Activity, Industry Mix and Shadow Economy Size: Evidence from Rich-Country Comparisons

We investigate the long run total response among rich countries to differences in tax rates on labor income, payrolls and consumption. To guide our investigation, we rely on a simple theory of time allocation and task assignment between market and nonmarket production sectors. The theory implies that higher tax rates reduce work time in the market sector, increase the size of the shadow economy, shift the industry mix of market activity, and twist labor demand in a way that amplifies negative effects on market work time and concentrates the effects on the less skilled. In OLS regressions on rich-country samples in the mid 1990s, a unit standard deviation tax rate difference of 12.8 percentage points is associated with 122 fewer market work hours per adult per year, a 4.9 percentage point reduction in the employment-population ratio and an increase in the size of the shadow economy amounting to 3.8 percent of GDP. A unit standard deviation tax difference also involves 10 to 30 percent lower employment and value added shares in (a) retail trade and repairs, (b) eating, drinking and lodging and (c) a broader industry group that also includes wholesale trade and motor trade and services, confirming a key prediction of the theory. We describe conditions under which these OLS results yield unbiased estimates of the total response to observed tax rate differences, inclusive of indirect effects that work through government spending responses to available tax revenues.
The endogenous dynamics of markets: price impact and feedback loops

We review the evidence that the erratic dynamics of markets is to a large extent of endogenous origin, i.e. determined by the trading activity itself and not due to the rational processing of exogenous news. In order to understand why and how prices move, the joint fluctuations of order flow and liquidity - and the way these impact prices - become the key ingredients. Impact is necessary for private information to be reflected in prices, but by the same token, random fluctuations in order flow necessarily contribute to the volatility of markets. Our thesis is that the latter contribution is in fact dominant, resulting in a decoupling between prices and fundamental values, at least on short to medium time scales. We argue that markets operate in a regime of vanishing revealed liquidity, but large latent liquidity, which would explain their hyper-sensitivity to fluctuations. More precisely, we identify a dangerous feedback loop between bid-ask spread and volatility that may lead to micro-liquidity crises and price jumps. We discuss several other unstable feedback loops that should be relevant to account for market crises: imitation, unwarranted quantitative models, pro-cyclical regulation, etc.
Farmland Values at the Urban Fringe: An Analysis of Sale Prices

Several researchers have statistically explored the importance of various factors in determining urban land values or agricultural land values (e.g., Downing 1973; Richardson, Vipond, and Furbey 1974; eiss and Kensil 1979; Jennings and Kletke 1977). Few empirical analyses, however, have concentrated on land values in urban fringe areas, where agricultural and urban forces interact and complicate the estimation and understanding of values. ' The rural-urban fringe generally includes those areas bordering central cities, surrounding close-in suburbs and noncontiguous nearby towns, and extending into the adjacent, open countryside. It is in these areas that urban demands for farmland are substantial; present and expected shifts from agricultural to urban uses are a major market phenomenon. Generally, the interaction of agricultural and urban market forces in fringe areas results in increased values accruing to farmland owners. But because of uncertainties of actual urban conversion and the usual intermix of land uses, conflicts often emerge. Property taxes become burdensome for profitable agricultural use. Tax burdens and benefits may become unbalanced, and agricultural investments are often prematurely foregone. Various forms of preferential assessment of agricultural lands and growth management policies have been discussed or adopted in many states and localities in response to public concern for fringe area land-use probSeveral r searchers have statistically explored the importance of va ious factors in determining urban land values or agricultural land values (e.g., Downing 1973; Richardson, Vipond, and Furbey 1974; Reiss and Kensil 1979; Jennings lems (Regional Science Research Institute 1976). The purpose of this paper is to explore the natu al and man-made factors that affect t e price of farmland in an urban fringe market, including factors not reported in previous studies. This is accomplished by the development and empirical estimation of a hedonic price model for an urban fringe farmland market near Chicago, Illinois. First, the model is presented with expectations about the impacts of land characteristics and institutional factors on urban fringe farmland prices. The study area and data are then briefly described, followed by the presentation of the model estimates. Finally, some implications are discussed.
What is a Good?

Definitions of goods and services (goods) in standard economic text-books are criticised. Clearer definitions are made by linking the concept of intrinsic properties of goods to consumer utility theory and to the reality of the market place by using Lancaster’s “characteristics space”, the beliefs and attitudes of economic agents, and the “rights to use” which are the basis of property rights. All classes of goods are defined and a consistent explanation of advertising and branding is offered.
Fiscal policy in models of economic growth: theory and evidence

Growth models contain strong predictions regarding the effect of fiscal policy on the steady state growth path. Fiscal policies have no effect on the steady state growth rate in the neoclassical model whereas fiscal policy does feature in the steady state of endogenous growth models. The number of alternative policies which have been found to effect growth in the endogenous growth models is large as one of the few restrictions placed upon policy in the models is which sector of the model is affected, demand or supply. Only policies that are included in the supply side of the model affect the growth rate. Despite the strength of the growth predictions regarding fiscal policy in growth models the empirical relationship between the two has proved more difficult establish. Even when comparisons are made between studies that purport to correct for many of the statistical biasesp resent in the data, non- robustnesss till abounds. We believe that this non-robustnessc an in part be explained by a failure to adequately account for the predictions from the theoretical models. We use four conclusions from our review of the theoretical literature (the method of financing changes in policy, differences between the transition and the steady state, the assumption of homogeneity of expenditures, and the direct versus indirect effects of policy) to provide the shape for new empirical tests. We find that once done, the strength of the empirical relationship is increased and matches the predictions from the basic public policy endogenous growth model of Barro (1990).
Stock Market Liquidity and the Business Cycle

In the recent financial crisis we saw the liquidity in the stock market drying up as a precursor to the crisis in the real economy. We show that such effects are not new, in fact we find a strong relation between stock market liquidity and the business cycle. Stock market liquidity worsens when the economy is slowing down, and this effect is most pronounced for small firms. Using data for both the US and Norway, we show that stock market liquidity predicts the current and future state of the economy both in and out of sample. We also show some evidence that can shed light on the link between stock markets and the real economy. Using stock ownership data from Norway, we find that the portfolio compositions of investors change with the business cycle and that investor participation is correlated with market liquidity, especially for the smallest firms. This suggests a "flight to quality" during economic downturns where traders seek to move away from equity investments in general, and within their equity portfolios, move from smaller/less liquid stocks to large/liquid stocks. Overall, our results provide an new explanation for the observed commonality in liquidity.
Beverage Consumption: Are Alcoholic and Sugary Drinks Tipping the Balance towards Overweight and Obesity?

The role that energy-containing beverages may play in the development of overweight and obesity remains highly controversial, in particular the alcoholic and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB). Both of these beverage formats have been increasing as a percentage of the westernized diet over the past 20 years, and both have contributed significantly to an increase in energy consumed in liquid form. Data from epidemiology and intervention studies however have long been contradictory, despite mechanistic evidence pointing towards poor compensation for addition of “liquid” energy from these two sources into the diet providing a strong rational for the balance to be tipped towards weight gain. Regulatory and government intervention has been increasing globally, particularly with respect to intake of SSBs in children. This narrative review presents evidence which both supports and refutes the link between alcohol and carbohydrate-containing liquids and the regulation of body weight, and investigates mechanisms which may underpin any relationship between increased beverage consumption and increased energy intake, body weight and adiposity.