Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Stimulus Dependence of Correlated Variability across Cortical Areas

The way that correlated trial-to-trial variability between pairs of neurons in the same brain area (termed spike count or noise correlation, rSC) depends on stimulus or task conditions can constrain models of cortical circuits and of the computations performed by networks of neurons (Cohen and Kohn, 2011). In visual cortex, rSC tends not to depend on stimulus properties (Kohn and Smith, 2005; Huang and Lisberger, 2009) but does depend on cognitive factors like visual attention (Cohen and Maunsell, 2009; Mitchell et al., 2009). However, neurons across visual areas respond to any visual stimulus or contribute to any perceptual decision, and the way that information from multiple areas is combined to guide perception is unknown. To gain insight into these issues, we recorded simultaneously from neurons in two areas of visual cortex (primary visual cortex, V1, and the middle temporal area, MT) while rhesus monkeys viewed different visual stimuli in different attention conditions. We found that correlations between neurons in different areas depend on stimulus and attention conditions in very different ways than do correlations within an area. Correlations across, but not within, areas depend on stimulus direction and the presence of a second stimulus, and attention has opposite effects on correlations within and across areas. This observed pattern of cross-area correlations is predicted by a normalization model where MT units sum V1 inputs that are passed through a divisive nonlinearity. Together, our results provide insight into how neurons in different areas interact and constrain models of the neural computations performed across cortical areas. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Correlations in the responses of pairs of neurons within the same cortical area have been a subject of growing interest in systems neuroscience. However, correlated variability between different cortical areas is likely just as important. We recorded simultaneously from neurons in primary visual cortex and the middle temporal area while rhesus monkeys viewed different visual stimuli in different attention conditions. We found that correlations between neurons in different areas depend on stimulus and attention conditions in very different ways than do correlations within an area. The observed pattern of cross-area correlations was predicted by a simple normalization model. Our results provide insight into how neurons in different areas interact and constrain models of the neural computations performed across cortical areas.
Privatization of Prisons

The number of state and federal prisoners has increased dramatically over the past 30 years, but public willingness to finance prisons has not kept pace. One response has been a renewed interest in privately managed prisons. Proponents of privatization contend that private contractors, unencumbered by government procurement and personnel procedures, can provide better quality prison services at lower costs. This article uses the 1995 Census of State and Federal Adult Correctional Facilities to examine claims of improved quality. The authors find that privately managed prisons perform better on some, but not all, measures of quality of confinement. Specifically, bivariate comparisons suggest that private facilities outperform both state and federal facilities in terms of the proportion of institutions that are able to avoid inmate assaults on staff members or other inmates. Even when the authors controlled for other causal variables, private prisons remained significantly less likely than federal prisons to experience violence.
Institutional shrinkage: The deviant case of Swiss banking secrecy

Using the Mahoney–Thelen causal model one would expect “layering” to be the dominant kind of institutional change affecting Swiss banking secrecy. Our research into governance in Swiss banking shows that it does not fit this theoretical model. Applying deviant case analysis we have refined our understanding of institutional change. We argue that the removal of rules and the momentum of pressure should be acknowledged when explaining variations of institutional change and we suggest that the processes of shrinkage should not be ignored.
THE USE OF VARIANCE COMPONENTS MODELS IN POOLING CROSS SECTION AND TIME SERIES DATA

The paper argues that variance components models are very useful in pooling cross section and time series data because they enable us to extract some information about the regression parameters from the between group and between time-period variation-a source that is often completely eliminated in the commonly used dummy variable techniques. The paper studies the applicability and usefulness of the maximum likelihood method and analysis of covariance techniques in the analysis of this type of model, particularly when one of the covariates used is a lagged dependent variable.
Time-Varying Risk Premia and the Cross Section of Stock Returns

This paper develops and estimates a heteroskedastic variant of Campbell’s (1993) ICAPM, in which risk factors include a stock market return and variables forecasting stock market returns or variance. Our main innovation is the use of a new set of predictive variables, which not only have superior forecasting abilities for stock returns and variance, but also are theoretically motivated. In contrast with the early authors, we find that Campbell’s ICAPM performs significantly better than the CAPM. That is, the additional factors account for a substantial portion of the two CAPM-related anomalies, namely, the value premium and the momentum profit.
The Exchange Rate Risk of Turkish Tourism Firms

In this study, exchange rate exposures of tourism firms, whose shares are traded in Borsa İstanbul (BIST), were investigated. In this manner, the data pertaining to eight tourism firms, whose shares are traded in BIST, were included in analyses for July 2002–June 2010. A regression model, which was developed by adding the exchange rate factor to the Fama-French three-factor model, was used in the study. Analysis results revealed that exchange rate risk is a crucial risk factor for three tourism firms. However, it was determined that the three tourism firms that are negatively affected by exchange rate risk have considerably larger open foreign currency positions than other tourism firms.
Developing a communication supporting classrooms observation tool

This research report was commissioned before the new UK Government took office on 11 May 2010. As a result the content may not reflect current Government policy and may make reference to the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) which has now been replaced by the Department for Education (DfE). The views expressed in this report are the authors’ and do not necessarily reflect those of the Department for Education.
Th1 and Th2 CD4+ T Cells Provide Help for B Cell Clonal Expansion and Antibody Synthesis in a Similar Manner In Vivo1

The relative ability of Th1 and Th2 T cells to help B cells remains controversial as do the mechanisms by which both T cell subsets provide help in vivo. Whether this help affects the clonal expansion and/or differentiation of B cells has been difficult to assess due to the low frequency of Ag-specific T and B lymphocytes. We have employed a novel technique to directly monitor the clonal expansion of Ag-specific T and B lymphocytes in vivo. OVA-specific TCR transgenic T lymphocytes were polarized toward a Th1 or Th2 phenotype in vitro. These cells were then transferred into syngeneic recipients, along with B cell receptor transgenic hen egg lysozyme-specific B lymphocytes. Our results indicate that Th1 and Th2 cells support B cell responses to a similar extent in vivo and that they achieve this in the same manner by migrating into B cell follicles to promote CD154-dependent B cell clonal expansion and Ab production.
Firm Debt Renegotiation, Reorganization Filing and Bank Relationships

In this paper, we investigate the determinants of the firm's decision between informal or formal debt restructuring using a sample of Taiwanese listed firms. Our main results are as follows. First, bank shareholders fare significantly better with successful debt renegotiation by borrower firms than with the filing of a reorganization petition. Second, the stock market differentiates between reorganizations filed for opportunistic purposes and those reflecting formal financial resolutions. Third, the initial choice between debt renegotiation and reorganization filing is closely associated with the firm's bank relationships. However, this varies according to the relative bargaining power of firms and their banks, with the likelihood of successful debt renegotiation increasing with the bargaining power of the distressed firm. This suggests that a debtor-friendly bankruptcy system does not necessarily enhance the efficiency of the resolution of financial distress in a financial system where banks are the dominant providers of capital.
Investment deposits, risk‐taking and capital decisions in Islamic banks

Purpose - This paper aims to examine the relationship between the volume of investment deposits and capitalization of Islamic commercial banks. Design/methodology/approach - Unlike current accounts holders, investment accounts holders may support part or all of the losses on assets value, which could be a source of moral hazard among bank managers and shareholders. To test these assumptions, the authors use the system generalized method of moments (system GMM) on a dynamic panel of 59 Islamic banks observed during the period 2005-2009. Findings - After controlling for a set of variables that may influence capital level, the results show a significant negative relationship between PSIA and regulatory capital ratio. This may indicate that the specific nature of PSIA can be a source of excessive risk-taking in Islamic banks. This behavior is likely to threaten the solvency of Islamic banks and shows that some deficiencies may exist in their risk management and governance system. Practical implications - This paper suggests some recommendations to better implement the principle of profit and loss sharing and to curb excessive risk-taking in Islamic banks. Originality/value - The originality of this paper is to give empirical responses to theoretical assumptions of a relationship between PSIA and moral hazard in Islamic banks.
For Love or Money? Motivating Workers

We conducted a field experiment and tested how employers can use socioemotional resources, such as appreciation and recognition, in order to signal intentions and create positive reciprocal relationships with employees. Results showed that these resources led to a significant gain in productivity. The study was extended to account for relative wage concerns both with and without appreciation treatment. Efficiency gains with appreciation appeared to be robust even after including information regarding relatively disadvantageous wage discrimination. However, workers’ without socioemotional resources exhibited strong resentment toward relatively lower wages by showing a significant systematic decrease in their labour supply. Our results suggest that workers not only compare their wages, as pointed out in previous literature, but also compare the socioemotional resources provided by their employer. This provides important evidence against one-dimensional comparisons of relative wages relevant to worker productivity.
The Salient and Organic Images of Taiwan as Perceived by Mainland Chinese Tourists

This research investigates the salient and organic images of Taiwan as perceived by Mainland Chinese tourists. Using the method of free elicitation to ask respondents to describe freely their holistic, psychological and unique images of Taiwan, this research obtained abundant marketing information from 57 potential visitors and 59 actual visitors. The results show that Taiwan is perceived to be a beautiful island with attractive nature and culture. The results also reveal that cultural proximity makes Taiwan a sentimental destination for the Mainland Chinese. The above results provide evidence that free elicitation is an effective method of measuring destination image.
Co-ingestion of leucine with protein does not further augment post-exercise muscle protein synthesis rates in elderly men

Leucine has been suggested to have the potential to modulate muscle protein metabolism by increasing muscle protein synthesis. The objective of this study was to investigate the surplus value of the co-ingestion of free leucine with protein hydrolysate and carbohydrate following physical activity in elderly men. Eight elderly men (mean age 73 ± 1 years) were randomly assigned to two cross-over treatments consuming either carbohydrate and protein hydrolysate (CHO+PRO) or carbohydrate, protein hydrolysate with additional leucine (CHO+PRO+leu) after performing 30 min of standardized physical activity. Primed, continuous infusions with l-[ring-13C6]phenylalanine and l-[ring-2H2]tyrosine were applied, and blood and muscle samples were collected to assess whole-body protein turnover as well as protein fractional synthetic rate in the vastus lateralis muscle over a 6 h period. Whole-body protein breakdown and synthesis rates were not different between treatments. Phenylalanine oxidation rates were significantly lower in the CHO+PRO+leu v. CHO+PRO treatment. As a result, whole-body protein balance was significantly greater in the CHO+PRO+leu compared to the CHO+PRO treatment (23·8 (sem 0·3) v. 23·2 (sem 0·3) μmol/kg per h, respectively; P < 0·05). Mixed muscle fractional synthetic rate averaged 0·081 (sem 0·003) and 0·082 (sem 0·006) %/h in the CHO+PRO+leu and CHO+PRO treatment, respectively (NS). Co-ingestion of leucine with carbohydrate and protein following physical activity does not further elevate muscle protein fractional synthetic rate in elderly men when ample protein is ingested.
The Assessment of the Environmental Performance of an International Multi-Sport Event

ABSTRACT Despite recent calls to reduce the environmental impact of major sporting events, comprehensive measurements, evaluations, and reports on environmental sustainability (ES) within the sport sector are rare. Consequently, the purpose of this multi-method case study was to assess the environmental performance (EP) of an international multi-sport event. Survey and interview data were collected from 15 event managers and executive volunteers (N=15). The findings indicated the event organization demonstrated a high level of effort towards initiating an ES movement within the Games but ultimately achieved a weak to moderate level of EP. Further, structural, systemic and cultural organization barriers prevented the implementation of many ES policies and programs. Sport event EP success is contingent upon organizers understanding both the operational reality in which they must stage the event, and their strategic capability to fulfill this goal.
Optimal Monetary Responses to Asset Price Levels and Fluctuations: The Ramsey Problem and A Primal Approach

Should monetary policy react to asset prices levels and changes? In answering this question, we provide a tractable monetary Ramsey approach for a heterogeneous agents model with conventional policy (interest rate or money growth target) and unconventional policy (purchase of private illiquid assets) as instruments, in which heterogeneous agents' interaction is summarized in one implementability condition. We show that entrepreneurs hold too much liquid asset in a model with equity issuance and resale (liquidity) constraints. In the steady state, optimal policy involves paying interest on liquid assets or reducing the money supply available, leading to an equivalent increase of . 40% in permanent consumption compared to the economy with no policy. In responding to liquidity shocks, the paths of macroeconomic variables under no policy and optimal policy are sharply different and suggest the need for policy on changing the rate of return on liquid assets. Finally, we prove that the unconventional policy dominates the conventional counterpart, but, quantitatively, the welfare difference of them is negligible.
Impact of IPO grading on earnings management

Purpose - – This paper aims to examine the impact of initial public offering (IPO) grading on earnings management by Indian companies in their IPOs. Specifically, it investigates whether earnings management significantly differs in the pre-IPO grading regime and post-IPO grading regime. Further, it examines whether earnings management significantly differs between high-graded and low-graded IPOs. Design/methodology/approach - – The cross-sectional modified Jones model is used to obtain the discretionary accruals, a proxy for earnings management. The impact of IPO grading on earnings management is assessed using multiple regression analysis. Findings - – Earnings management is significantly lower in graded IPOs as compared to the ones that are not graded. Further, among the graded IPOs, the high-graded IPOs exhibit lower earnings management as compared to the low-graded IPOs. The findings are robust to the use of an alternative measure for discretionary accruals. Originality/value - – IPO grading in India is a unique certification mechanism, introduced for the first time in any market. This paper establishes the efficacy of this mandatory certification mechanism in reducing earnings management. The findings could be valuable to issuer companies, investors and market regulators.
Metformin in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A randomized, controlled trial

Objective. The antidiabetic agent metformin is regularly discussed as a promising treatment for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which is characterized by insulin resistance. However, the evidence for its beneficial effects is limited, and conflicting reports have been published. The purpose of this study was to conduct a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to test whether metformin improves liver histology in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Material and methods. Forty-eight patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD were randomized to treatment with metformin (n=24) or placebo (n=24) for 6 months. A second liver biopsy was obtained in all subjects who completed the trial (n=44). Data analyses are restricted to this group (per-protocol analyses). The primary outcome was changes in histologically assessed liver steatosis. Secondary outcomes were changes in NAFLD activity (NAS)-score, liver steatosis assessed by computed tomography (CT), liver transaminases, body-weight, metabolic variables and inflammatory markers. Results. No significant differences between treatment with metformin or placebo were observed for changes in liver steatosis, assessed either histologically or by CT, NAS-score, liver transaminases or on markers of insulin resistance or inflammation. In contrast, beneficial effects of metformin were observed on changes in body-weight (p<0.001), serum levels of cholesterol (p=0.004), LDL-cholesterol (p<0.001), glucose (p=0.032) and on HbA1c (p=0.020). Conclusions. Treatment with metformin for 6 months was no better than placebo in terms of improvement in liver histology in patients with NAFLD. Nevertheless, the use of metformin could still be beneficial in this group as it is associated with a reduction in serum levels of lipids and glucose. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00303537)
Social capital as a heuristic device to explore sociocultural sustainability: a case study of mountain resort tourism in the community of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, USA

While many social theories and concepts have been used within the sustainable tourism literature to identify key elements, stakeholders, and relationships that are central to sustainable tourism development and the tourism–community relationship, there has been limited use of the social capital concept for examining the sociocultural dimension of sustainability, despite its growing appeal within the social sciences as an analytical tool. Based on ethnographic case study research within the mountain resort community of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, this paper adopts social capital as a heuristic device for examining tourism development's sociocultural sustainability. It explains the foundations of the social capital concept with networks, norms, and resources as key components, and the existence of bonding, bridging, and linking social capital. Findings suggest that mountain resort tourism has affected such social capital outcomes and sociocultural sustainability indicators as quality of life, community participation, and the associated notions of democracy, equity, and empowerment, in both positive and negative ways, leading to a spirit of community cooperation, friendliness, grass-roots initiatives and community action group development running alongside social exclusion, transience, and political powerlessness. These findings give empirical weight to using social capital as a guiding construct for the qualitative examination of socioculturally sustainable tourism.
Monitoring Motoring: A Study of Tourists' Viewpoints of Environmental Performance and Protection Practices

This paper contributes to research on sustainable tourism development by utilizing an empirical approach to clarify visitors' subjective perceptions and assessments of tourism supplies and tourism‐related amenities and infrastructure with respect to environmental performance and protection practices. These aspects are analysed mainly with regard to tourists' self‐reported environmental concerns and their country of residence. Disclosing such tourist perspectives and opinions is not only interesting in its own right but might also act as a supplement and a corrective to local viewpoints. This study of international motor tourists should additionally be regarded as a basis for further monitoring and as a building block for a knowledge‐based platform serving aspirations towards more sustainable tourism and improved environmental performance.