Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of Institutional History and Leniency on Collusive Corruption and Tax Evasion

We investigate the effects of an institutional mechanism that incentivizes taxpayers to blow the whistle on collusive corruption and tax compliance. We explore this through a formal leniency program. In our experiment, we nest collusive corruption within a tax evasion framework. We not only study the effect of the presence of such a mechanism on behavior, but also the dynamic effect caused by the introduction and the removal of leniency. We find that in the presence of a leniency mechanism, subjects collude and accept bribes less often while paying more taxes, but there is no increase in bribe offers. Our results show that the introduction of the opportunity to blow the whistle decreases the collusion and bribe acceptance rate, and increases the collected tax yield. It also does not encourage bribe offers. In contrast, the removal of the institutional mechanism does not induce negative effects, suggesting a positive spillover effect of leniency that persists even after the mechanism has been removed.
A Model of Asset Trading under the Assumption of Sequential Information Arrival

SUPPOSE AN ASSET MARKET exists where individuals receive information sequentially and in random order. Start with an initial equilibrium where they all possess an identical set of information. Then allow a single piece of news to be generated. As each individual receives it, he reacts by shifting his demand curve. Finally, when all individuals have received the news, they once again possess an identical set of information and a new equilibrium is established. This paper analyzes asset trading in a world with sequential information arrival. The equilibrium adjustment process is unlike t&tonnement because it examines the many possible incomplete equilibria between the initial and final equilibria where individuals have identical sets of information. It is unlike stochastic demand analysis because the magnitude and direction of demand curve shifts are known. Only the order of shifting is unknown. If there are N people, each with a different shift, then there are N factorial possible orderings of sequential information arrival. In a world with sequential information arrival the price change between the initial and final equilibria is known with certainty (The same is true with tatonnement). However, the price adjustment paths as well as the total volume of trading are shown to be random variables. In particular, the model which is developed uses probability theory (see section IIIC) to express the expected number of trades generated by a given piece of new information. The expected number of trades is related to the absolute value of price changes. ' It is shown to depend on the number of individuals in the market, the number of shares of the asset, the strength of the new information, and the percentage of individuals who react by shifting their demand curves upward. Not much literature has focused on the volume of asset trading. However, a theory of the determinants of volume can help to give a better understanding of operational efficiency in asset markets. For example, volume plays an important role in the concept of liquidity, and brokerage fees are affected by volume. Section II gives the assumptions while section III develops the sequential
Is Fatigue an Inflammatory Variable in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)? Analyses of Fatigue in RA, Osteoarthritis, and Fibromyalgia

Objective. To investigate whether fatigue is an inflammatory (rheumatoid arthritis; RA) variable, the contributions of RA variables to fatigue, and the levels of fatigue in RA compared with osteoarthritis (OA) and fibromyalgia (FM). Methods. We studied 2096 RA patients, 1440 with OA, and 1073 with FM in a clinical setting, and 14,607 RA, 3173 OA, and 2487 patients with FM in survey research. We partitioned variables into inflammatory and noninflammatory factors and examined variable contribution to fatigue (0–10 visual analog scale). Results. Factor analysis identified Disease Activity Score-28 (DAS28) and swollen (SJC) and tender joint count (TJC) as a physician-inflammation factor, and patient global assessment, pain, Health Assessment Questionnaire, and fatigue as patient components. Fatigue demonstrated weak correlations with erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR; r = 0.071) and SJC (r = 0.112), weak to fair correlations with TJC (r = 0.294), physician global assessment of RA activity (r = 0.384), and DAS28 (r = 0.399), but strong correlation with patient global assessment of severity (r = 0.567). In hierarchical regression analysis, patient global explained 43.1% of DAS28 fatigue variance; when SJC, TJC, and ESR were entered, the explained variance increased to 43.7%. In reverse order, SJC, TJC, and ESR explained 9.2% of the variance, but explained variance increased to 43.7% when patient global was added. The mean clinic fatigue scores were RA 4.9, OA 4.8, FM 7.6; mean survey scores were RA 4.5, OA 4.4, FM 6.3. Adjusted for age and sex, RA and OA fatigue scores were not significantly different. Conclusion. Inflammatory components of the DAS28 contribute minimally to fatigue. RA and OA fatigue levels do not differ. Fatigue is not an inflammatory variable and has no unique association with RA or RA therapy.
Rainfall-runoff modelling of water resources in the upper Senegal River basin

The streamflow series for the upstream basin of the Senegal River is marked by considerable gaps. The objective of this article is to simulate and extend hydrological data, using the GR2M rainfall-runoff model. A sensitivity analysis of the model to rainfall and water holding capacity input data was performed. This analysis was performed after calculating catchment rainfall, mean potential evapotranspiration, and maximum, minimum and mean water holding capacity. The best combination of input data was chosen by catchment based on the Nash-Sutcliffe criterion. Then cross calibration-validation tests were performed, using the selected input data to choose model parameter sets.
Role of Serology in Diagnosis of Human Hydatidosis: Experience from a Tertiary Care Hospital

Hydatid disease, caused by larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus is a commonly seen parasitic zoonosis in Mediterranean countries, Eastern Europe, North and East Africa, Central Asia, Australia and South America (Grosso et al., 2012). In India, the International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 5 Number 12 (2016) pp. 195-202 Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas. com
Influence of Active Nitrogen Species on the Nitridation Rate of Sapphire

The operating regimes of two rf-plasma sources, an Oxford CARS-25 and an EPI Unibulb, have been extensively characterized. By changing the exit aperture configuration and using an electrostatic deflector, the Oxford source could produce either primarily atomic nitrogen, atomic nitrogen mixed with low energy ions, or a large flux of higher energy ions (>65eV) as the active species in a background of neutral molecular nitrogen. The EPI source produced a significant flux of metastable molecular nitrogen as the active species with a smaller atomic nitrogen component. Nitridation of sapphire using each source under the various operating conditions indicate that the reactivity was different for each type of active nitrogen. Boron contamination originating from the pyrolytic boron nitride plasma cell liner was observed.
Youth Unemployment and Intergenerational Immobility

The personal and family characteristics of those teenage workers and unemployed teenagers who were living with one or both parents at the time of the 1981 census are described and analysed. The 1 per cent sample of household records released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics was the data source. Unemployment rates were much higher among teenagers of sole-parent families than among other teenagers. However, in the case of teenagers who lived with their mothers only, this could be attributed to their low family incomes rather than their family structures. Teenagers who lived with both parents also had high unemployment rates when family incomes were low. Among youth who lived with both parents, high unemployment probabilities were associated with parental disadvantages, even when the personal characteristics of the youth, such as their education levels, were controlled. It was concluded that unemployment distribution among 15- to 19-year-olds reflects intergenerational rigidities with respect to labour market status.
Deterministic Approach for Spatial Diversity Analysis of Radar Systems Using Near-Field Radar Cross Section of a Metallic Plate

A deterministic analysis of spatial diversity is presented in connection with radar systems. A numerical technique based on physical optics is used for our analysis. Contrary to statistical models, the proposed technique takes into account accurate near-field radar cross section of the target, and radiation characteristics of transmitting and receiving antennas. The power scattered by the target and received by multiple antennas as a function of the target aspect angle and distance is analyzed. Two combining methods of received powers are tested and statistical analysis is performed showing that, using spatial diversity, the angular range can be increased significantly and the standard deviation of the target response can be reduced. In order to validate our analysis and proposed scheme, experimental measurements were carried out using a metallic plate and a car as targets. This work has potential applications in automotive collision warning/avoidance radar systems.
The German Model and the European Crisis

The large current account imbalances in the eurozone reflect persistent diverging trends between core and periphery countries, also fed by low interest rates and abundant capital flows brought about by the introduction of the euro. With the global financial crisis, the market sentiment has changed, and capital has left the periphery countries suffering from debt and growth problems due to their failure to bring price–wage dynamics into uniformity with those of the more disciplined countries. Germany is called upon to provide financial assistance and additional external demand; however, though the euro is at stake, Germans are recalcitrant. This article investigates the rationale of the German stance in light of the (corporatist-etatist, neo-mercantilist) German socio-economic model and the widespread concern about losing the competitiveness that Germany regained through painful reforms and changes in the last two decades.
The effect of vapour pressure deficit on stomatal conductance, sap pH and leaf-specific hydraulic conductance in Eucalyptus globulus clones grown under two watering regimes.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Stomatal conductance has long been considered of key interest in the study of plant adaptation to water stress. The expected increase in extreme meteorological events under a climate change scenario may compromise survival in Eucalyptus globulus plantations established in south-western Spain. We investigated to what extent changes in stomatal conductance in response to high vapour pressure deficits and water shortage are mediated by hydraulic and chemical signals in greenhouse-grown E. globulus clones. METHODS Rooted cuttings were grown in pots and submitted to two watering regimes. Stomatal conductance, shoot water potential, sap pH and hydraulic conductance were measured consecutively in each plant over 4 weeks under vapour pressure deficits ranging 0·42 to 2·25 kPa. Evapotranspiration, growth in leaf area and shoot biomass were also determined. KEY RESULTS There was a significant effect of both clone and watering regime in stomatal conductance and leaf-specific hydraulic conductance, but not in sap pH. Sap pH decreased as water potential and stomatal conductance decreased under increasing vapour pressure deficit. There was no significant relationship between stomatal conductance and leaf-specific hydraulic conductance. Stomata closure precluded shoot water potential from falling below -1·8 MPa. The percentage loss of hydraulic conductance ranged from 40 to 85 %. The highest and lowest leaf-specific hydraulic conductances were measured in clones from the same half-sib families. Water shortage reduced growth and evapotranspiration, decreases in evapotranspiration ranging from 14 to 32 % in the five clones tested. CONCLUSIONS Changes in sap pH seemed to be a response to changes in atmospheric conditions rather than soil water in the species. Stomata closed after a considerable amount of hydraulic conductance was lost, although intraspecific differences in leaf-specific hydraulic conductance suggest the possibility of selection for improved productivity under water-limiting conditions combined with high temperatures in the early stages of growth.
Probabilistic imaging of tsunamigenic seafloor deformation during the 2011 Tohoku‐oki Earthquake

Diverse observations from the 2011 Mw 9.0 Tohoku‐oki earthquake pointed to large coseismic fault slip proximal to the Japan Trench. This seismic failure prompted a reevaluation of the conventional view that the outer forearc is generally aseismic. However, the nature of near‐trench fault slip during this event remains debated, without consensus on whether slip peaked at the trench or at greater depths. Here we develop a probabilistic approach to image the spatiotemporal evolution of coseismic seafloor displacement from near‐field tsunami observations. In a Bayesian framework, we sample ensembles of nonlinear source models parameterized to focus on near‐trench features, incorporating the uncertainty in modeling dispersive tsunami waves in addition to nominal observational errors. Our models indicate that seafloor in the region of the earthquake was broadly uplifted and tilted seaward approaching the deep‐ocean trench. Over length scales of ~40 km, seafloor uplift peaks at 5 ± 0.6 m near the inner‐outer forearc transition and decreases to 2 m at the trench axis over a distance of 50 km, corresponding to a seafloor tilt of 0.06 ± 0.02 m/km. Over length scales of ~20 km, peak uplift reaches 7 ± 2 m at the similar location, but uplift at the trench is less constrained. Elastic modeling that reproduces the observed tilt requires a coseismic slip deficit at the trench. Such a deficit is effectively consistent with a metastable frictional model for the shallowest megathrust. While large shallow earthquakes in the region cannot be completely ruled out, aseismic deformation is the most likely mode for satisfying the long‐term slip budget.
CD4+ T Cells from IPEX Patients Convert into Functional and Stable Regulatory T Cells by FOXP3 Gene Transfer

FOXP3 gene transfer in FOXP3-mutated CD4+ T cells is feasible and converts IPEX conventional T cells into regulatory T cells. FOXy Genes Immune dysregulation, polyendocrinopathy, enteropathy, X-linked (IPEX) syndrome is a severe genetic autoimmune disease linked to dysfunction of FOXP3 in regulatory T (Treg) cells. FOXP3 is thought to be a master transcriptional regulator in these cells, which suppress immune responses in other immune cells. The only current way to cure IPEX syndrome in affected patients is hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Now, Passerini et al. use FOXP3 gene therapy to stabilize Treg cells and restore tolerance in IPEX syndrome. The authors transfer nonmutated FOXP3 into CD4+ T cells and demonstrate that these cells become Treg cells both phenotypically and functionally. These cells are stable in inflammatory conditions both in vitro and in vivo in a model of graft-versus-host disease. Transfer of nonmutated FOXP3 into CD4+ T cells from IPEX patients resulted in similarly suppressive cells. These data suggest that gene transfer of FOXP3 could be a new therapeutic approach for patients with IPEX syndrome. In humans, mutations in the gene encoding for forkhead box P3 (FOXP3), a critically important transcription factor for CD4+CD25+ regulatory T (Treg) cell function, lead to a life-threatening systemic poly-autoimmune disease, known as immune dysregulation, polyendocrinopathy, enteropathy, X-linked (IPEX) syndrome. Severe autoimmunity results from the inborn dysfunction and instability of FOXP3-mutated Treg cells. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is the only current curative option for affected patients. We show here that when CD4+ T cells are converted into Treg cells after lentivirus-mediated FOXP3 gene transfer, the resulting CD4FOXP3 T cell population displays stable phenotype and suppressive function, especially when naïve T cells are converted. We further demonstrate that CD4FOXP3 T cells are stable in inflammatory conditions not only in vitro but also in vivo in a model of xenogeneic graft-versus-host disease. We therefore applied this FOXP3 gene transfer strategy for the development of a Treg cell–based therapeutic approach to restore tolerance in IPEX syndrome. IPEX-derived CD4FOXP3 T cells mirrored Treg cells from healthy donors in terms of cellular markers, anergic phenotype, cytokine production, and suppressive function. These findings pave the way for the treatment of IPEX patients by adoptive cell therapy with genetically engineered Treg cells and are seminal for future potential application in patients with autoimmune disorders of different origin.
A novel type of complex ganglion cell in rabbit retina

The 15–20 physiological types of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) can be grouped according to whether they fire to increased illumination in the receptive‐field center (ON cells), decreased illumination (OFF cells), or both (ON‐OFF cells). The diversity of RGCs has been best described in the rabbit retina, which has three types of ON‐OFF RGCs with complex receptive‐field properties: the ON‐OFF direction‐selective ganglion cells (DSGCs), the local edge detectors, and the uniformity detectors. Here we describe a novel type of bistratified ON‐OFF RGC that has not been described in either physiological or morphological studies of rabbit RGCs. These cells stratify in the ON and OFF sublaminae of the inner plexiform layer, branching at about 30% and 60% depth, between the ON and OFF arbors of the bistratified DSGCs. Similar to the ON‐OFF DSGCs, these cells respond with transient firing to both bright and dark spots flashed in the receptive field but, unlike the DSGCs, they show no directional preference for moving stimuli. We have termed these cells “transient ON‐OFF” RGCs. Area‐response measurements show that both the ON and the OFF spike responses have an antagonistic receptive‐field organization, but with different spatial extents. Voltage‐clamp recordings reveal transient excitatory inputs at light ON and light OFF; this excitation is strongly suppressed by surround stimulation, which also elicits direct inhibitory inputs to the cells at light ON and light OFF. Thus the receptive‐field organization is mediated both within the presynaptic circuitry and by direct feed‐forward inhibition. J. Comp. Neurol. 519:3128–3138, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effects of Plasma Lipid Levels on Blood Distribution and Pharmacokinetics of Cyclosporin A

The present study attempted to characterize the distribution of cyclosporin A (CsA) among the lipoprotein fractions, very-low-, intermediate-, low-, and high-density (VLDL, IDL, LDL, and HDL, respectively) in the plasma of patients awaiting heart transplantation and the influence of plasma lipid constituents on the pharmacokinetics of CsA. Major fractions of a therapeutic concentration of CsA were found in HDL and in LDL. In addition, plasma lipid concentrations (total cholesterol, triglycerides, phospholipids, VLDL-cholesterol—TC, TG, PL, VLDLc, respectively) are positively correlated with the CsA distribution within the LDL fraction, and negatively correlated with the CsA distribution within the HDL fraction. Thus, the percentage of CsA in each type of lipoproteins was shown to vary with the lipid levels among individuals. A significant negative correlation was found between apparent distribution volume at steady state (Vss) in plasma and TC, PL, and LDLc and between the area under the curve measured in blood (AUCB) for whole blood and PL.
Internal contextual factors influencing the extent of environmental disclosure

The purpose of this study is to examine whether internal contextual factors such as the presence of an environmental committee and an Environmental Management Systems (EMS) enhances the extent of companies' environmental communication. One hundred sixty–three sustainability reports of large companies for the year ending 2009 are analysed by using an unweigthed disclosure index. Our results show that the presence of an environmental committee and an EMS is directly related to the disclosure of a greater amount of environmental information. The findings of this study offer insight into the establishment of governance standards concerning the role of an environmental committee and the presence of an EMS in enhancing the credibility of environmental reporting. This study contributes valuable further development of insight into environmental disclosure practices. The results offer the business and accounting professions a better understanding of environmental communication.
The Rural Planning Perspective at an Opportune Time

An integrated, community-based perspective of “rural planning” is slowly emerging, and other fields, such as rural development, are showing interest. This review of over 240 references presents a current view of rural planning at this opportune time to propel the field to new heights. After summarizing literature statistics, the review synthesizes the rural planning perspective, knowledge from “rural studies,” and the practices of rural planning and development, and makes recommendations for the planning profession. Key findings include the diversity and dynamics of rural areas, advantages, and challenges of rural planning, cutting-edge techniques and designs, and the relationship with institutions.
Extended Working Hours In Australia

Abstract Average working hours of full-time employees in Australia are long, and since the early 1980s they have been steadily getting longer. This is a peculiar trend, at odds with both the long-term historical experience in Australia and the contemporaneous experiences in most other OECD societies. It constitutes a major issue for public policy. This article begins by summarising the evidence of extended working hours and the distinctive position of Australia in cross-national perspective. It then aims to push forward the discussion of possible policy responses. In response to the important question of why Australia seems distinctive, the article points to the pivotal role played by working-time regulation. Working-time regulation in Australia has been particularly porous, and it has provided rich opportunities for employer pressures on employees to spill over into extremely extended hours. Just as part of the problem is the inadequacy of the regulatory system, part of the solution must be sought in new regulatory initiatives. The article reviews a recent regulatory initiative in the United Kingdom that may offer some lessons.