Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Exporting and capital investment: On the strategic behavior of exporters

By exporting, firms sell in markets whose business cycles are not perfectly correlated, and so can be expected to have more stable cash flows. If companies are liquidity constrained, this stability of cash flows can provide exporters with certain advantages over firms that operate solely in a domestic market. For instance, under the existence of liquidity constraints, more stable cash flows should foster more stable capital investments. Moreover, the expectation of more stable future cash flows and the information signal from commencing exporting can lessen the severity of liquidity constraints for exporters compared to non-exporters. We test these arguments by examining a stratified representative sample of the Spanish manufacturing sector from 1990 to 1998. Our results suggest that exporters' cash flows and capital investments are more stable than non-exporters'. Moreover, we find that liquidity constraints are less binding for exporters than for non-exporters. The richness of our data allows us to examine alternative explanations for the results we present. We conclude by discussing the strategic implications of our findings for firms.
The cultural heritage shapes the pattern of tumour profiles in Europe: a correlation study

STUDY OBJECTIVE This study investigates the spatial pattern of tumours in Europe to check the feasibility of a large scale ecological epidemiology approach to cancer in Europe. SETTING The tumour types relative frequencies and cancer incidence (for men and women) reported in the European cancer registries were investigated by exploratory data analysis techniques. Socioeconomical descriptors of the female condition were considered as well. MAIN RESULTS The classification of the European regional areas covered by the cancer registries followed almost exactly the boundaries set by the long and intermingled European history in terms of life styles and cultural heritage. This result supports the notion of a predominant role of environmental factors in cancer induction. Further support to the above result was given by the finding of a correlation between differential male-female cancer incidence, and socioeconomic descriptors of the female condition. CONCLUSIONS From a methodological point of view, the consistency of these results pointed to the feasibility of an ecological approach to tumour epidemiology.
Distinctive clinical features of HPeV-3 infection in 2 neonates with a sepsis-like illness

We report a human parechovirus-3 (HPeV-3) infection in 2 neonates who had prolonged fever (>5 days) with palmar-plantar erythema. This distinctive rash was observed 4–5 days after fever onset, just before defervescence. Elevated aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, and ferritin levels were characteristic laboratory findings in the 2 cases, suggesting tissue damage caused by hypercytokinemia. Case 1 was treated with intravenous immunoglobulin, considering the possibility of severe systemic inflammatory responses. The initial ferritin level was 385 ng/mL (range, 0–400 ng/mL); however, the level increased to 2,581 ng/dL on day 5 after fever onset. Case 2 presented with milder clinical symptoms, and the patient recovered spontaneously. HPeV-3 was detected in cerebrospinal fluid and/or blood samples, but no other causative agents were detected. The findings from our cases, in accordance with recent studies, suggest that clinical features such as palmar-plantar erythema and/or hyperferritinemia might be indicators of HPeV-3 infection in neonates with sepsis-like illness. In clinical practice, where virology testing is not easily accessible, clinical features such as palmar-plantar erythema and/or hyperferritinemia might be helpful to diagnose HPeV-3 infection.
Synchrotron Radiation as the Source of Gamma-Ray Burst Spectra

We investigate synchrotron emission models as the source of gamma-ray burst (GRB) spectra. We show that including the possibility for synchrotron self-absorption, a "smooth cutoff" to the electron energy distribution, and an anisotropic distribution for the electron pitch angles produces a whole range of low-energy spectral behavior. In addition, we show that the procedure of spectral fitting to GRB data over a finite bandwidth can introduce a spurious correlation between spectral parameters—in particular, the value of the peak of the νFν spectrum, Ep, and the low-energy photon spectral index α (the lower Ep is, the lower [softer] the fitted value of α will be). From this correlation and knowledge of the Ep distribution, we show how to derive the expected distribution of α. We show that optically thin synchrotron models with an isotropic electron pitch angle distribution can explain the distribution of α below α = - . This agreement is achieved if we relax the unrealistic assumption of the presence of a sharp low-energy cutoff in the spectrum of accelerated electrons and allow for a more gradual break. We show that this low-energy portion of the electron spectrum can be at most flat. We also show that optically thin synchrotron models with an anisotropic electron pitch angle distribution can explain all bursts with - ≲ α ≲ 0. The very few bursts with low-energy spectral indices that fall above α = 0 may be due to the presence of a synchrotron self-absorption frequency entering the lower end of the BATSE window. Our results also predict a particular relationship between α and Ep during the temporal evolution of a GRB. We give examples of spectral evolution in GRBs and discuss how its behavior is consistent with the above models.
Reducing misinformation effects while maintaining accurate recall in eyewitness memory

Reducing Misinformation Effects While Maintaining Accurate Recall in Eyewitness Memory Irina Matsiyevskaya A witness to a crime may mistakenly recall the events and relay those misrepresentations to their co-witnesses. This becomes problematic when witnesses provide testimonies to police officers; witnesses are likely to include the misinformation obtained during the discussion in their report. Previous studies attempted to reduce the misinformation effect using warnings, however, this methodology also reduced the amount of accurate information recalled, causing a tainted truth effect. In this study, participants witnessed a simulated crime, received post-event information (PEI) in the form of a narrative, then the warning, followed by a memory test. Optimum testimony was achieved by providing non-discrediting warnings about possible inaccuracies in the co-witness’s report. The warning reduced the misinformation effect observed in participants who received misleading information. Participants who received all accurate PEI had similar accuracy rates in the warning and no warning conditions, displaying a reduced tainted truth effect.
Gaze gestures or dwell-based interaction?

The two cardinal problems recognized with gaze-based interaction techniques are: how to avoid unintentional commands, and how to overcome the limited accuracy of eye tracking. Gaze gestures are a relatively new technique for giving commands, which has the potential to overcome these problems. We present a study that compares gaze gestures with dwell selection as an interaction technique. The study involved 12 participants and was performed in the context of using an actual application. The participants gave commands to a 3D immersive game using gaze gestures and dwell icons. We found that gaze gestures are not only a feasible means of issuing commands in the course of game play, but they also exhibited performance that was at least as good as or better than dwell selections. The gesture condition produced less than half of the errors when compared with the dwell condition. The study shows that gestures provide a robust alternative to dwell-based interaction with the reliance on positional accuracy being substantially reduced.
Testing the Fidelity of English-Spanish Translations in Election Materials

The purpose of this research is to identify and test inconsistencies in language usage and meaning as they may appear in translated election material. Following amendments to the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the production of minority language election material became a federal requirement without clearcut federal oversight. Utilizing a 2 (Direction: Spanish-to-English or English-to-Spanish) x 2 (Formality: if the language was expected to be formal “voting language” or casual “everyday language”) Between study we sought to assess the quality of these translations. We analyze significant and recurring words used in ballots from Ballotpedia’s 2015 list of “Notable local measures” and their translations as provided by LA County’s Spanish Translation Glossary. While many of the words tested did not have a main effect of Direction or Formality, some words tested demonstrate deficiencies in translation or word usage that could jeopardize the fidelity of intended meaning. We examine these results alongside other important research, primarily concerning the use of plain-language on ballots. This paper encourages further study into the words chosen for ballots and the potential for non-American translations and computer learning programs to help resolve these issues moving forward.
Process Optimization Using Design of Experiments

queous film-coating processes can influence many quality aspects of the final coated product, including coated-tablet moisture content, surface roughness, gloss, coating efficiency, and coating uniformity. Colorcon’s aqueous tablet-coating formulations must be capable of meeting these and other customer requirements in different application environments around the world using various types of coating process equipment. Many different tablet coating machines are on the market, each with different configuration options and different controllable process parameters. Further, different configuration options can be non-numeric. For example, some machines can be configured with one or more spray guns. This situation can result in discontinuous effects on coatedproduct quality and performance. One critical consequence is that it is not possible to define one process operating specification that is optimal for all coating conditions. The wide range of coating conditions (operating parameters, equipment, and configuration options) also has a profound consequence in terms of the development of robust coating formulations. Such a robust formulation is one that is insensitive to “normal” coating process variation. The first level of normal variation is the operating tolerances of the controllable process parameters. However, normal variation should be extended to include the likely range of uncontrollable environmental factors known to affect product Stuart C. Porter, PhD, is vice-president, and Charles R. Cunningham is global technical manager, excipients, both in Global Technology Development at Colorcon, 415 Moyer Boulevard, West Point, PA 19486, tel. (215) 661-2517, fax (215) 661-2505, email (sporter@colorcon.com). Richard P. Verseput is president of S-Matrix Corporation in Cupertino, CA.
Collaborative Coaching With Early Head Start Teachers Using Responsive Communication Strategies

This study used a single-case, multiple baseline design to examine the effectiveness of collaborative coaching on three Early Head Start (EHS) teachers’ use of responsive communication strategies with toddlers with communication delays. Child communication targets and teacher communication strategies were measured as secondary outcomes. The coaching approach included a joint planning session in which the interventionist and teachers chose child targets and how to embed strategies within classroom routines. The teachers increased their use of the responsiveness strategies in play and caregiving routines during intervention and maintenance. Child participants also increased their rates of communication during intervention and maintenance. Implications for professional development and the social validity of the approach are discussed.
Population Genomics and Phylogeography of an Australian Dairy Factory Derived Lytic Bacteriophage

In this study, we present the full genomic sequences and evolutionary analyses of a serially sampled population of 28 Lactococcus lactis–infecting phage belonging to the 936-like group in Australia. Genome sizes were consistent with previously available genomes ranging in length from 30.9 to 32.1 Kbp and consisted of 55–65 open reading frames. We analyzed their genetic diversity and found that regions of high diversity are correlated with high recombination rate regions (P value = 0.01). Phylogenetic inference showed two major clades that correlate well with known host range. Using the extended Bayesian Skyline model, we found that population size has remained mostly constant through time. Moreover, the dispersion pattern of these genomes is in agreement with human-driven dispersion as suggested by phylogeographic analysis. In addition, selection analysis found evidence of positive selection on codon positions of the Receptor Binding Protein (RBP). Likewise, positively selected sites in the RBP were located within the neck and head region in the crystal structure, both known determinants of host range. Our study demonstrates the utility of phylogenetic methods applied to whole genome data collected from populations of phage for providing insights into applied microbiology.
In High Gear: A Case Study of the Hees-Edper Corporate Group

This study compares firms in the Hees-Edper Group with a number of other independent firms of similar size and in the same industries over a four-year period from 1988 to 1992, just prior to the first release of news that the Hees-Edper group was in financial trouble. During that period, HeesEdper firms recorded profitability levels comparable to (or below) those of the matched firms. The Hees-Edper firms were also shown to have been much higher risk investments well before the group's financial position began to deteriorate. They were more highly levered, but even after risk levels are adjusted for this, the risk levels of Hees-Edper firms remain much higher.Our study shows that the extreme incentive-based compensation schemes used by Hees-Edper firms encouraged managers to adopt high-risk strategies, and that the intercorporate co-insurance (allowed by the interlocking ownership structure of the firms) made this possible by increasing the group's apparent debt capacity. Since this higher risk did not improve overall performance, it was arguably at an economically inefficient higher level. The higher leverage of Hees-Edper companies should have produced a sizable tax advantage because of the deductibility of interest at the corporate level. The mediocre performance of the companies thus raises the possibility that abnormally poor performance was masked by tax breaks.
Adaptive Sequential Posterior Simulators for Massively Parallel Computing Environments

Massively parallel desktop computing capabilities now well within the reach of individual academics modify the environment for posterior simulation in fundamental and potentially quite advantageous ways. But to fully exploit these benfits algorithms that conform to parallel computing environments are needed. Sequential Monte Carlo comes very close to this ideal whereas other approaches like Markov chain Monte Carlo do not. This paper presents a sequential posterior simulator well suited to this computing environment. The simulator makes fewer analytical and programming demands on investigators, and is faster, more reliable and more complete than conventional posterior simulators. The paper extends existing sequential Monte Carlo methods and theory to provide a thorough and practical foundation for sequential posterior simulation that is well suited to massively parallel computing environments. It provides detailed recommendations on implementation, yielding an algorithm that requires only code for simulation from the prior and evaluation of prior and data densities and works well in a variety of applications representative of serious empirical work in economics and finance. The algorithm is robust to pathological posterior distributions, generates accurate marginal likelihood approximations, and provides estimates of numerical standard error and relative numerical efficiency intrinsically. The paper concludes with an application that illustrates the potential of these simulators for applied Bayesian inference.
Analysis of CO in the tropical troposphere using Aura satellite data and the GEOS-Chem model: insights into transport characteristics of the GEOS meteorological products

Abstract. We use the GEOS-Chem chemistry-transport model (CTM) to interpret the spatial and temporal variations of tropical tropospheric CO observed by the Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) and the Tropospheric Emission Spectrometer (TES). In so doing, we diagnose and evaluate transport in the GEOS-4 and GEOS-5 assimilated meteorological fields that drive the model, with a particular focus on vertical mixing at the end of the dry season when convection moves over the source regions. The results indicate that over South America, deep convection in both GEOS-4 and GEOS-5 decays at too low an altitude early in the wet season, and the source of CO from isoprene in the model (MEGAN v2.1) is too large, causing a lag in the model's seasonal maximum of CO compared to MLS CO in the upper troposphere (UT). TES and MLS data reveal problems with excessive transport of CO to the eastern equatorial Pacific and lofting in the ITCZ in August and September, particularly in GEOS-4. Over southern Africa, GEOS-4 and GEOS-5 simulations match the phase of the observed CO variation from the lower troposphere (LT) to the UT fairly well, although the magnitude of the seasonal maximum is underestimated considerably due to low emissions in the model. A sensitivity run with increased emissions leads to improved agreement with observed CO in the LT and middle troposphere (MT), but the amplitude of the seasonal variation is too high in the UT in GEOS-4. Difficulty in matching CO in the LT and UT implies there may be overly vigorous vertical mixing in GEOS-4 early in the wet season. Both simulations and observations show a time lag between the peak in fire emissions (July and August) and in CO (September and October). We argue that it is caused by the prevailing subsidence in the LT until convection moves south in September, as well as the low sensitivity of TES data in the LT over the African Plateau. The MLS data suggest that too much CO has been transported from fires in northern Africa to the UT in the model during the burning season, as does MOZAIC aircraft data, perhaps as a result of the combined influence of too strong Harmattan winds in the LT and too strong vertical mixing over the Gulf of Guinea in the model.
Disrupting the narrative: immersive journalism in virtual reality

ABSTRACT This paper conceptualises immersive journalism, and discusses the implications of the technology for users who then get a first-hand experience of being at a news event through wearing a virtual reality headset. The paper surveys current approaches to 360-degree immersive journalism films that were produced by early adopters in 2015, identifying the contrasting narrative forms and style of the stories. Focus group studies add new, significant understanding to the types of narratives that work and the impact that immersive storytelling has. The focus group is a study of 18–24 year olds in the UK who are being targeted by this new technology as a way for news broadcasters to reach a new audience. This first study into immersive journalism content produces a new understanding of the impact of the narratives. It identifies the value for news producers adopting this technology, whilst raising concerns over the production of filming 360 degrees. A framework is offered for further research studies into immersive technologies and storytelling in the field of news.
An inclusion theorem for defeasible logics

Defeasible reasoning is a computationally simple nonmonotonic reasoning approach that has attracted significant theoretical and practical attention. It comprises a family of logics that capture different intuitions, among them ambiguity propagation versus ambiguity blocking, and the adoption or rejection of team defeat. This article provides a compact presentation of the defeasible logic variants, and derives an inclusion theorem which shows that different notions of provability in defeasible logic form a chain of levels of proof.
DECAF: MEG-Based Multimodal Database for Decoding Affective Physiological Responses

In this work, we present DECAF-a multimodal data set for decoding user physiological responses to affective multimedia content. Different from data sets such as DEAP [15] and MAHNOB-HCI [31], DECAF contains (1) brain signals acquired using the Magnetoencephalogram (MEG) sensor, which requires little physical contact with the user's scalp and consequently facilitates naturalistic affective response, and (2) explicit and implicit emotional responses of 30 participants to 40 one-minute music video segments used in [15] and 36 movie clips, thereby enabling comparisons between the EEG versus MEG modalities as well as movie versus music stimuli for affect recognition. In addition to MEG data, DECAF comprises synchronously recorded near-infra-red (NIR) facial videos, horizontal Electrooculogram (hEOG), Electrocardiogram (ECG), and trapezius-Electromyogram (tEMG) peripheral physiological responses. To demonstrate DECAF's utility, we present (i) a detailed analysis of the correlations between participants' self-assessments and their physiological responses and (ii) single-trial classification results for valence, arousal and dominance, with performance evaluation against existing data sets. DECAF also contains time-continuous emotion annotations for movie clips from seven users, which we use to demonstrate dynamic emotion prediction.
Groups Reward Individual Sacrifice: The Status Solution to the Collective Action Problem

One of sociology's classic puzzles is how groups motivate their members to set aside self-interest and contribute to collective action. This article presents a solution to the problem based on status as a selective incentive motivating contribution. Contributors to collective action signal their motivation to help the group and consequently earn diverse benefits from group members–in particular, higher status–and these rewards encourage greater giving to the group in the future. In Study 1, high contributors to collective action earned higher status, exercised more interpersonal influence, were cooperated with more, and received gifts of greater value. Studies 2 and 3 replicated these findings while discounting alternative explanations. All three studies show that giving to the group mattered because it signaled an individual's motivation to help the group. Study 4 finds that participants who received status for their contributions subsequently contributed more and viewed the group more positively. These results demonstrate how the allocation of respect to contributors shapes group productivity and solidarity, offering a solution to the collective action problem.