Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Distribution of gene segments of the pandemic A(H1N1) 2009 virus lineage in pig populations

Swine influenza viruses (SIVs) are important not only for pig farming, but also for public health. In fact, pandemic A(H1N1) 2009 viruses [A(H1N1)pdm09] were derived from SIVs. Therefore, timely characterization of locally circulating SIVs is necessary for understanding the global status of SIVs. To genetically characterize SIVs circulating in Japanese pig populations, we isolated 24 SIVs of three subtypes (17 H1N1, four H1N2 and three H3N2 strains) from 14 pig farms in Japan from 2013 to 2016. Genetic analyses revealed that the haemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) genes of the 17 H1N1 and the HA gene of one H1N2, A/swine/Aichi/02/2016 (H1N2), SIVs belonged to the A(H1N1)pdm09 lineage. More importantly, all of the remaining six gene segments (i.e., PB1, PB1, PA, NP, M and NS) of the 24 SIVs, regardless of the HA and NA subtype, were also classified as belonging to the A(H1N1)pdm09 lineage. These results indicate that gene segments of A(H1N1)pdm09 lineage are widely distributed in SIVs circulating in Japanese pig populations In addition, the NA gene of A/swine/Aichi/02/2016 (H1N2) shared less than 88.5% nucleotide identity with that of the closest relative A/swine/Miyagi/5/2003 (H1N2), which was isolated in Japan in 2003. These results indicate the sustained circulation of classical H1N2-derived SIVs with remarkable diversity in the NA genes in Japanese pig populations. These findings highlight the necessity of both intensive biosecurity systems and active SIV surveillance in pig populations worldwide for both animal and public health.
International Studies Of Factor Inputs And Total Factor Productivity: A Brief Survey

This paper summarizes the results of several studies on total factor productivity of twenty‐five countries over the period 1950–1965. Some methodological issues which underlie the derivation and calculation of the familiar partial and total factor productivity indices are discussed. Though evidence on labor productivity for a large number of countries is presented and discussed, the main thrust of the discussion is in terms of the determinants of total factor productivity. The quantitative and qualitative contributions of labor and capital to growth of income are assessed with special attention to the contrasting patterns of these contributions among developed and developing economies. The problems of acceleration and retardation of the growth rate of some economies are considered and possible explanations are offered. Variations in the magnitude and sectoral distribution of the growth rates in several countries over this period are examined. Finally, areas for further research in comparative economic growth are suggested.
The Creation of National Programmes of School Leadership Development in England and New Zealand: A Comparative Study

Introduction Comparing education systems is generally a problematic task given the historical, political, cultural and ideological differences which exist between nations. In particular, education reform is initiated and implemented within a national context that has its own distinctive traditions that are ‘sometimes overlapping but ultimately unique’ (McLean, 1995:v). The authors would suggest, however, that a comparison between England and New Zealand is somewhat less problematic at this historical point, particularly as the pace, rhetoric and theoretical underpinnings of educational reform show marked similarities (Dale & Ozga, 1993; Thrupp, 2001). The key difference between the two countries is the continued existence and direct influence of local education authorities (LEAs) in England as compared to New Zealand, where no similar organisations exists. The single largest change in the administration of education, in both contexts, has been the introduction of site-based management and increasing accountability by schools for teacher performance and student outcomes. More specifically, headteachers (or principals, as they are called in New Zealand) are positioned as the public face of the school (Fitzgerald, Youngs and Grootenboer, 2003). Whilst teachers undergo training as a prerequisite for entry into the profession, until recently training for leadership in schools has not been a focus of government policy and provision in either country.
Extensive IgE Cross-Reactivity towards the Pooideae Grasses Substantiated for a Large Number of Grass-Pollen-Sensitized Subjects

Background: Allergy to taxonomically related species is a common phenomenon caused by the same immunological receptor cross-reacting to homologous allergens from different species. Knowledge of patterns of cross-reactivity is crucial for the selection of optimal products for diagnosis and for specific immunotherapy. The objective of this study was to investigate patterns of serum IgE cross-reactivity towards pollens from various grass species. Methods: With grass group 1 allergens as the representative group, amino acid sequence alignment, structural modelling and comparison of 3D surface characteristics were performed to exemplify the molecular basis of IgE cross-reactivity. IgE binding to extracts from ten different grass species was determined (total number of data pairs >19,000), and IgE inhibition experiments using Phleum pratense were performed. Results: Analysis of surface topography for group 1 grass allergens demonstrated ample space for IgE binding epitopes in surface areas conserved among Pooideae grasses. Significant correlation was observed between the serum IgE response to P. pratense extract and extracts from the other Pooideae grasses analyzed. P. pratense extract was demonstrated to inhibit the binding of IgE to the allergens in all of the extracts included in the investigation, indicating patient IgE to be primarily directed towards common epitopes. Conclusion: Extensive IgE cross-reactivity was observed towards the allergens of the Pooideae grasses, meaning that the immune system does not appear to distinguish based on the IgE level between the different species of this subfamily. The data suggest equal effect upon use of any of the Pooideae species for diagnostic as well as therapeutic purposes.
Source processes of three aftershocks of the 1983 Goodnow, New York, earthquake: High-resolution images of small, symmetric ruptures

Broadband, large dynamic range GEOS data from four aftershocks (M_L ∼ 2 to 3) of the 1983 Goodnow, New York, earthquake, recorded at hard-rock sites 2 to 7 km away from the epicentral area, are used to study rupture processes of three larger events, with an M_L = 1.6 event as the Green's function event. We analyze the spectra and spectral ratios of ground velocity at frequencies up to 100 Hz, and conclude that (1) there are resolvable P-wave f_(max) (51 and 57 Hz) at two sites; (2) there is abundant information on sources of larger events up to frequencies of 50 to 60 Hz; and (3) there is an unstable, nonlinear instrument resonance at about 90 Hz. We analyze the artifacts of low-pass filters in the deconvolved rupture process, including the limited time resolution and biases in the rise-time measurement. Some extensions of the empirical Green's function (EGF) method are proposed to reduce these artifacts and to precisely estimate the relative locations of events that are close both in time and in space. Applying the EGF method to three aftershocks, we find that these events have ruptures that are simple crack-like, characterized by small fault radii (∼ 70 to 120 m) and static stress drops that vary, depending on the size of the events, between about 5 to 16 bars. We also find that two of the events, with origin times differing by 0.60 sec, are separated by 190 ± 110 meters. Assuming a causal relationship between the two would result in a slow propagation velocity (0.05 ± 0.03 time of the local shear-wave velocity). We therefore interpret the corresponding ruptures as being distinct, the area between the rupturing patches having a characteristic length much smaller than those of the rupturing patches. Comparison of the results of this study with those obtained for the Goodnow main shock and microearthquakes in California and Hawaii suggests that the stress drops of the Goodnow aftershocks decrease considerably (by up to a factor of 25 or more) from those estimated for the main shock, even after the estimated large uncertainty in the latter estimates is considered. This decrease is similar to those reported for the Nahanni earthquakes (m_b = 5.0 to 6.5) in Northwest Territories and for the North Palm Springs earthquake (M_L = 5.9) sequence in California. The stress drops of the simple, crack like microearthquakes are significantly variable (by factors between 3 and 27) within the single source areas. The median of stress drops of the intraplate Goodnow aftershocks is lower (by factors of 2 to 4) than the medians calculated for the other, interplate microearthquake sequences.
On Wealth, Unemployment Benefits and Unemployment Duration: some Evidence from Italy

We analyse the role that wealth and unemployment benefits have on unemployment duration and try to tackle the different mechanisms through which they may interact. In particular, we investigated on whether liquidity constraints (which are influenced both by wealth and benefits) are affecting negatively search effort and thus unemployment duration and whether the benefits eligibility criteria, requiring active search could produce incentives to find a job. Using a sample of newly unemployed from Italy in 2007, we perform estimations of Cox hazard models and as- sess what variables are important in determining unemployment duration. Our analysis highlights three relevant features. 1) Benefits have a mixed effect on duration: initially they provide incentives to actively search and increase re-employment probability, as the eligibility criteria impose certain search requirements and benefits are associated to re-employment services and counseling. However, with time, the mitigation of liquidity constraints takes over and they increase duration. 2) Household wealth, reducing liquidity constraints, seems to increase duration. 3) We find interactions between benefits and wealth: individuals from richer house- holds have less liquidity constraints and therefore the mitigating effect of benefits on liquidity constraints is less relevant and, in fact, we do not find evidence that, for these individuals, benefits increase unemployment duration.
Diagnosing Major Depressive Disorder I: A Psychometric Evaluation of the DSM-IV Symptom Criteria

The diagnostic criteria for depression were developed on the basis of clinical experience rather than empirical study. Although they have been available and widely used for many years, few studies have examined the psychometric properties of the DSM criteria for major depression. In the present report from the Rhode Island Methods to Improve Diagnostic Assessment and Services project, we examined whether criteria such as insomnia, fatigue, and impaired concentration that are also diagnostic criteria for other disorders are less specific than the other DSM-IV depression symptom criteria. We also conducted a regression analysis to determine whether all criteria are independently associated with the diagnosis of major depressive disorder. A total of 1538 psychiatric outpatients were administered a semistructured diagnostic interview. We inquired about all of the symptoms of depression for all patients. All of the DSM-IV symptom criteria for major depressive disorder were significantly associated with the diagnosis. Contrary to our prediction, symptoms such as insomnia, fatigue, and impaired concentration, which are also criteria of other disorders, generally performed as well as the criteria that are unique to depression such as suicidality, worthlessness, and guilt. The results of the regression analysis, which controlled for symptom covariation, indicated that five symptoms (increased weight, decreased weight, psychomotor retardation, indecisiveness, and suicidal thoughts) were not independently associated with the diagnosis of depression. The implications of these results for revising the diagnostic criteria for major depression are discussed.
Team roster turnover and attendance in major league baseball.

Empirical support is shown for the propositionthat sports fans prefer the composition of their home team to remain the same from season to season. Controlling for price, income, population, team quality, league, year, the stadium effects, the regression results indicate that for each percentage point increase in the turnover of the composition of the team, attendance will fall by about 0.7%. The implications of this heretofore ignored tendency are briefly discussed.
Hybrid dynamical system Identification: geometry, sparsity, and nonlinearities. (Identification de systèmes dynamiques hybrides : géométrie, parcimonie, et non-linéarités)

In automatic control, obtaining a model is always the cornerstone of the synthesis procedures such as controller design, fault detection or prediction. This thesis deals with the identification of a class of complex systems, hybrid dynamical systems. These systems involve the interaction of continuous and discrete behaviors. The goal is to build a model from experimental measurements of the system inputs and outputs. A new approach for the identification of linear hybrid systems based on the geometric properties of hybrid systems in the parameter space is proposed. A new algorithm is then proposed to recover the sparsest solutions of underdetermined systems of linear equations. This allows us to improve an identification approach based on the error sparsification. In addition, new approaches based on kernel models are proposed for the identification of nonlinear hybrid systems and piecewise smooth systems.
The processes of defining corporate responsibility: a study of Swedish garment retailers' responsibility

Despite extensive research on corporate responsibility, little research exists on how the inter-organizational processes of defining corporate responsibility develop. In this paper, we present a framework based on actor-network theory (ANT) for analysing these processes. The developed framework is illustrated in a study of the redefinition of Swedish garment retailers' responsibilities for workers' rights at suppliers' factories between 1996 and 2004. We show that definition processes can be characterized as battles for the right to interpretation, and that traditionally non-dominant actors can, at least temporarily, win these battles and dictate the development of the processes for defining corporate responsibility. We also show that definition processes can take an exclusionary form prohibiting certain actors from participating. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Crackle analysis for chest auscultation and comparison with high-resolution CT findings.

PURPOSE The purpose of our study was to clarify the correlation between respiratory sounds and the high-resolution CT (HRCT) findings of lung diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS Respiratory sounds were recorded using a stethoscope in 41 patients with crackles. All had undergone inspiratory and expiratory CT. Subjects included 18 patients with interstitial pneumonia and 23 without interstitial pneumonia. Two parameters, two-cycle duration (2CD) and initial deflection width (IDW) of the "crackle," were induced by time-expanded waveform analysis. Two radiologists independently assessed 11 HRCT findings. An evaluation was carried out to determine whether there was a significant difference in the two parameters between the presence and absence of each HRCT finding. RESULTS The two parameters of crackles were significantly shorter in the interstitial pneumonia group than the non-interstitial pneumonia group. Ground-glass opacity, honeycombing, lung volume reduction, traction bronchiectasis, centrilobular nodules, emphysematous change, and attenuation and volume change between inspiratory and expiratory CT were correlated with one or two parameters in all patients, whereas the other three findings were not. Among the interstitial pneumonia group, traction bronchiectasis, emphysematous change, and attenuation and volume change between inspiratory and expiratory CT were significantly correlated with one or two parameters. CONCLUSION Abnormal respiratory sounds were correlated with some HRCT findings.
Decomposing the Bid-Ask Spread in a Segmented Equity Market: Analyzing Chinese A Shares Versus B Shares

Because of a regulatory policy change in February 2001, the segmentation of the Chinese stock market significantly decreased. Using this event, we show that the Chinese A-share market is more informationally efficient than the B-share market, both before and after the opening of the B-share market. Furthermore, after the event, both the adverse selection and the order-processing component of B shares decreased, as a result of a larger investor base and possibly a lower proportion of informed investors. This study thus sheds new light on the market segmentation and its effect on transaction costs.
Long-term effects of footshock and social defeat on anxiety-like behaviours in rats: Relationships to pre-stressor plasma corticosterone concentration

We compared the consequences of two stressors, ‘unnatural’ inescapable footshocks (IFSs) and ‘natural’ social defeat (SD), on behaviours typically sensitive to stress [sucrose preference, open field (OF), elevated plus maze (EPM) and acoustic startle responses (ASRs)] and the association with pre-stressor plasma corticosterone concentration. After initial blood sampling, rats (n = 20 per group) were exposed to either 10 IFSs (1 mA intensity, 5 s duration each) or to 1 h SD (defeat by an aggressive resident male rat and further exposure but separated in a small cage) or to control procedures (handling). Rats were tested once for ASR (day 19), while the other behavioural tests were applied once weekly for 3 weeks. Both stress groups showed short-lasting lowered sucrose preference, and in the EPM they showed shorter total distance moved, shorter distance moved on open arms and less time on open arms compared to controls. In the OF test, IFS rats showed shorter total distance moved up to 2 weeks after stress. The SD group showed shorter total distance moved in the OF, which was only significant 2 weeks after stress. Low pre-stressor plasma corticosterone concentration was only associated with defecation (IFS rats) and latency to enter open arms in the EPM (all low corticosterone subgroups, n = 10 per subgroup). SD rats with high initial plasma corticosterone concentration showed enhanced ASR compared to the other subgroups with high initial plasma corticosterone concentration (n = 9 per subgroup). The results indicate that footshock and SD, while generally leading to an increase in anxiety behaviours, represent qualitatively different stressors.
The Economics of Tropical Deforestation and Land Use: An Introduction to the Special Issue

This paper both introduces the special issue on the economics of tropical deforestation and land use and conducts a synthesis crosscountry analysis of tropical agricultural land expansion. Agricultural development is the main factor determining land expansion, but institutional factors have an important influence. Income effects vary from region to region, and do not always display an EKC relationship. The case studies comprising this special issue provide further case study insights into tropical deforestation and land use, through spatial analysis of locational factors, CGE modeling of policy scenarios, assessing external market impacts on land clearing, and modelling state interventions and taxation. (JEL Q2, Q23)
Non-compliance in Executive Compensation Disclosure: The Brazilian Experience

We examine the determinants and consequences of firms’ choice not to comply with a new executive compensation disclosure regulation. We exploit a unique feature of Brazilian markets, where a change in the regulation of executive compensation disclosure could arguably lead to personal security-related costs for executives. This major reform in executive compensation disclosure in Brazil became effective in December 2009. While some firms complied with the change in regulation, other firms explicitly refused to comply fully with the regulation by using a court injunction. After controlling for firm-specific characteristics and both social and economic inequality measures, we find that the degree of criminality in the state in which the firm is headquartered (a proxy for security-related costs) and the level of CEO compensation are important determinants of a firm's decision not to fully disclose executive compensation information. We also show that firms which do not fully comply with the regulation face costs in the form of higher bid-ask spreads, suggesting investors are leery of the decision not to comply with the regulation. We discuss the potential implications of our results in the context of executive compensation disclosure reform.
Reflective liberals and intuitive conservatives: A look at the Cognitive Reflection Test and ideology

Prior research finds that liberals and conservatives process information differently. Predispositions toward intuitive versus reflective thinking may help explain this individual level variation. There have been few direct tests of this hypothesis and the results from the handful of studies that do exist are contradictory. Here we report the results of a series of studies using the Cognitive Reflection Test (CRT) to investigate inclinations to be reflective and political orientation. We find a relationship between thinking style and political orientation and that these effects are particularly concentrated on social attitudes. We also find it harder to manipulate intuitive and reflective thinking than a number of prominent studies suggest. Priming manipulations used to induce reflection and intuition in published articles repeatedly fail in our studies. We conclude that conservatives—more specifically, social conservatives—tend to be dispositionally less reflective, social liberals tend to be dispositionally more reflective, and that the relationship between reflection and intuition and political attitudes may be more resistant to easy manipulation than existing research would suggest.
Prepayment penalties in residential mortgage contracts: A cost‐benefit analysis

Abstract Prepayment penalties are ubiquitous in the commercial mortgage market yet reviled and highly restricted by law and regulation in the residential mortgage market. Considering the perspectives of both the borrower and the lender, we attempt a balanced cost‐benefit analysis of this controversial contract feature for residential mortgage loans. We will address the following questions: What is the economic value of the prepayment penalty feature? Why is it more prevalent in the subprime than the prime market segment? Do borrowers obtain an offsetting economic benefit when they contract for a loan containing a prepayment penalty? What is the average cost of a prepayment penalty to borrowers, and how often is this cost actually incurred? In general, although we find a significant reduction in interest rates for loans containing a prepayment penalty, the expected costs outweigh the benefits by a considerable margin.
Corruption and social grants in South Africa

Th is study is a historico-contemporary descriptive analysis - or critical reflection - into anti-corruption efforts and activities employed in the DSD, with a specific focus on social grants. The attempt is to highlight the department as a sector where corruption problems in the delivery of social grants are now being systematically addressed. In particular, it focuses on understanding how the national department identified the corruption problem, and how it involved corruption agencies like the SIU and other law enforcement agencies in dealing with it. It also includes a focus on the establishment of new agencies - including the SASSA - and an explanation of how these new systems are being put in place.