Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
THE STATE AND THE THREAT OF CASCADING FAILURE ACROSS CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURES: THE IMPLICATIONS OF EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE FROM MEDIA INCIDENT REPORTS

The threat of cascading failures across critical infrastructures has been identified as a key challenge for governments. Cascading failure is seen as potentially catastrophic, extremely difficult to predict and increasingly likely to happen. Infrastructures are largely privately operated and private actors are thought to under-invest in mitigating this threat. Consequently, experts have demanded a more dominant role for government, including the use of regulation. Empirical evidence on cascading failure is, however, extremely scarce. This paper analyses new data drawn from news reports on incidents. We find that, contrary to current thinking, cascades are not rare. Neither do they indicate a wide array of unknown dependencies across infrastructures. Rather, we find a small number of focused, unidirectional pathways around two infrastructures: energy and telecommunications. We also found that most cascades were stopped quickly, in contrast to the oft-cited ‘domino effect’. These findings undermine the case for more intrusive public oversight of critical infrastructures
Primary treatment of acromegaly with octreotide LAR: a long-term (up to nine years) prospective study of its efficacy in the control of disease activity and tumor shrinkage.

CONTEXT Neurosurgery is regarded as the first-line treatment of acromegaly. Because of its low cure rate in macro and invasive adenoma, the role of primary medical treatment is debated. OBJECTIVE Our objective was to evaluate primary pharmacological treatment in acromegaly. DESIGN AND SETTING We conducted an open prospective study at two Italian tertiary level centers. PATIENTS We studied 67 consecutive patients (36 women; age, 54.9 +/- 14.2 yr; 72% bearing macroadenoma). INTERVENTION Individually tailored octreotide LAR (OCLAR) was administered. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Outcomes included safe GH (<2.5 mug/liter), normal age-matched IGF-I levels, and tumor shrinkage. RESULTS After a median follow-up of 48 months (range, 6-108 months), safe GH levels and normal age-matched IGF-I values were obtained by 68.7 and 70.1% of patients, respectively. Hormonal endpoints were achieved regardless of basal levels, and early results were predictive of outcome. Tumor shrank in 82.1% of patients by 62 +/- 31% (range, 0-100%), decreasing from 2101 +/- 2912 to 1010 +/- 2196 mm(3) (P < 0.0001). The higher the basal GH values and the greater the GH/IGF-I changes on treatment, the greater the tumor shrinkage. Tumor disappeared in three patients and was progressively reduced to empty sella in five patients; apparent magnetic resonance imaging cavernous sinus invasion disappeared in three. In males, testosterone increased, restoring eugonadism in 64% of hypogonadal patients. CONCLUSIONS The efficacy on GH/IGF-I levels in unselected patients and the outstanding volumetric control indicate that treatment with OCLAR may be the first therapeutic approach to all acromegalic patients not amenable to surgical cure. Tumor shrinkage might also encourage the evaluation of primary OCLAR adoption in patients with initial visual field defects.
Managerial Sharing, Mutual Fund Connections, and Performance

In this study, we examine the effect of mutual fund connections, through managerial sharing, on performance and stock holding commonalities. Our analysis of return correlations and portfolio holdings indicates that more interconnected funds tend to buy and sell similar stocks, hence increasing the similarity of portfolio holdings and undermining the distinctiveness of their investment strategy. Our results also indicate that highly connected funds significantly underperform weakly connected funds by about 1.4% on a yearly risk-adjusted basis. We show that fund family performance is unaffected by the intensity of fund connections, and that greater fund connections could significantly enhance family-level profit margins.
Predictive Value of P53, BCL-2, and BAX in Advanced Head and Neck Carcinoma

Because the apoptotic process appears to be involved in the response-to-treatment of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, we investigated the prognostic value of the expression of three apoptosis-associated genes (p53, Bax, and Bcl-2) in tumor biopsies from patients with locally advanced head and neck carcinoma. Using specific monoclonal antibodies, immunohistochemical staining for p53, Bax, and Bcl-2 was performed on tumor material from 43 patients before their scheduled adjuvant chemoradiotherapy. Results indicated that the response to treatment was 83.7% (36 of 43 patients). Bax staining was positive in 8 cases (19.5%), p53 in 19 (47.5%), and Bcl-2 in 4 patients (10.8%). There were no statistically significant correlations between any of the apoptosis genes assayed and the patients’ response to treatment or to overall survival. In the univariate statistical analysis, response-to-treatment was the only significant variable (p = 0.013) predictive of survival rate. These results suggest that p53, Bax, and Bcl-2 expression are not significant predictive factors of response to induction treatment in locally advanced head and neck carcinoma and that their routine use as prognostic markers cannot be recommended.
A Prospective Multicenter Study of Systemic Reactions in Standardized Specific Immunotherapy for Allergic Rhinitis in China

Background Standardized allergen-specific immunotherapy (SIT) has been used in China for years. However, there is no extensive study of the safety of standardized SIT in Chinese patients until now. The aim of the current study is to perform a prospective and multicenter study to evaluate the systemic reactions (SRs) of standardized SIT in Chinese patients. Methods The study was performed in 13 allergy centers in China, using the same vaccine and practice procedure. The length of observation period was 2 years. SRs were recorded and analyzed. Results There were 666 patients included (261 children and 405 adults). All patients finished the initial phase and 47 patients withdrew during the maintenance phase. There were 0.47% (94/19,963) SRs in all injections (0.72 in children and 0.31% in adults); 8.26% (55/666) patients experienced SRs (12.26% children and 5.68% adults). The occurrence of SRs was significantly higher in children than that in adults (p < 0.01). A higher ratio of SRs was found among patients accompanied with asthma. There were 74.47% SRs of grade I, 15.96% SRs of grade II, 7.45% SRs of grade III, and 2.13% SRs of grade IV. There were 90.43% of SRs associated with the discomfort of lower respiratory tract. Conclusion This multicenter study showed that properly conducted standardized SIT was a safe treatment for allergic rhinitis in China. The incidence of SRs was higher in children than that in adults.
Biogeography of cryoconite bacterial communities on glaciers of the Tibetan Plateau

ABSTRACT Cryoconite holes, water‐filled pockets containing biological and mineralogical deposits that form on glacier surfaces, play important roles in glacier mass balance, glacial geochemistry and carbon cycling. The presence of cryoconite material decreases surface albedo and accelerates glacier mass loss, a problem of particular importance in the rapidly melting Tibetan Plateau. No studies have addressed the microbial community composition of cryoconite holes and their associated ecosystem processes on Tibetan glaciers. To further enhance our understanding of these glacial ecosystems on the Tibetan Plateau and to examine their role in carbon cycling as the glaciers respond to climate change, we explored the bacterial communities within cryoconite holes associated with three climatically distinct Tibetan Plateau glaciers using Illumina sequencing of the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene. Cryoconite bacterial communities were dominated by Cyanobacteria, Chloroflexi, Betaproteobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Actinobacteria. Cryoconite bacterial community composition varied according to their geographical locations, exhibiting significant differences among glaciers studied. Regional beta diversity was driven by the interaction between geographic distance and environmental variables; the latter contributed more than geographic distance to the variation in cryoconite microbial communities. Our study is the first to describe the regional‐scale spatial variability and to identify the factors that drive regional variability of cryoconite bacterial communities on the Tibetan Plateau. &NA; Graphical Abstract Figure. Cryoconite bacterial community exhibited significant differences among glaciers on the Tibetan Plateau, interaction between geographic distance and environmental variables driven regional beta‐ diversity, environmental variables contributed more than geographic distance.
HYPERLIPIDEMIA, FATTY LIVER, AND BROMSULFOPHTHALEIN RETENTION IN RABBITS INJECTED INTRAVENOUSLY WITH BACTERIAL ENDOTOXINS.

Endotoxin derived from Serratia marcescens (Shear’s polysaccharide) or Eschrichia coli was injected intravenously into rabbits. A transitory rise in plasma free fatty acids (FFA) occurred from 1 to 3 hr after the injection; the bromsulfophthalein excretion (BSP) test was abnormal from 2 to 24 hr after the injection. In 24 hr there was a 4to %fold increase in the average plasma triglyceride concentration, with a 2to %fold rise in the average serum cholesterol and phospholipid levels. The plasma FFA concentration rose again after a second injection ; serum triglycerides remained elevated or increased still further. Fatty livers were found in 25% of animals given two doses of Shear’s polysaccharide and in all animalsgiven two doses of E. coli endotoxin. No direct correlation could be established between the serum lipid levels and the extent and distribution of intravascular thrombosis and necrosis in the lungs, liver, and spleen, or the production of the generalized Shwartzman phenomenon in the kidney. However, there appeared to be a direct correlation between the elevated serum triglyceride levels and the mortality rates of the animals.
Facilitating the Quest: A Case Study of Three Technologies in an EAPP Writing Classroom

As the web continues to morph, creating a more interlinked, connected, and hybridized human experience, educators are experiencing a generational shift in terms of comfort with technology. The number of technologies becoming available to students and teachers is dizzying. Within the array of possibility, this research considers three technological applications that facilitate the teaching and learning of writing: a writing blog, a word-ofthe-day forum, and a storytelling grammar/style iMovie. In this exploratory research in a single graduate-level English for Academic and Professional Purposes (EAPP) classroom, pre- and postactivity surveys seem to suggest that students found technological tools helpful in gaining and retaining writing skills.
Socio-economic Impacts: Are They Still the Poor Relations in UK Environmental Statements?

This paper discusses the treatment of social and economic impacts within UK environmental impact assessment (EIA). Socio-economic effects have an uncertain status in EIA, guidance on their assessment is limited and their treatment is often partial and of poor quality. This has led some commentators to view socio-economic impacts as the 'poor relations' in EIA. The paper presents the results of a recent review of the socio-economic component of UK environmental statements (ESs), which provides information on the extent, scope, balance and quality of socio-economic impact treatment. The review reveals that, although most ESs include some information on socio-economic issues, coverage tends to be narrowly focused on a small number of--primarily beneficial economic--impact types. Quantification of socio-economic impacts is also rarely attempted. The review findings are compared with those of similar studies undertaken in the mid-1990s, and the paper concludes with some recommendations for EIA practitioners relating to the treatment of socio-economic impacts.
Income Elasticity of Housing Demand in China: micro-data evidence from Shanghai

Since 1998, the Chinese housing market has played a fundamental role in driving macroeconomic stability and economic growth. This paper attempts to estimate the income elasticity of housing demand in Shanghai based on a household survey conducted by the National Bureau of Statistics of China in 2007. We utilize a two-stage model, which integrates analysis of both tenure choice and housing demand. Our findings indicate that both permanent and current income has significant influence on tenure choice in Shanghai, and that owner-occupiers' permanent income elasticity of housing demand in Shanghai is between 0.375 and 0.447. Our research also suggests that migrant homeowners have higher permanent income elasticity than Shanghai natives and that most Chinese households are liquidity constrained with regards to obtaining homeownership. We also find that permanent income elasticity increases with age. Finally, the existence of an urban–rural and regional difference is shown.
The Swedish East India trade and international markets: Re-exports of teas, 1731–1813

Abstract The Swedish East India Company (SEIC) has been traditionally seen as nothing but a peculiar and exotic adventure in Sweden's eighteenth-century history. Hence, only limited attention has been paid to the SEIC's international role, its relationship with other chartered companies, and to the development of international markets for colonial goods. The paper focuses on this unexplored chapter in the company's history. More specifically, it looks into the SEIC's re-exports of Chinese commodities to Western European markets. Although the Swedish operation was limited compared to that of the other East India companies, the SEIC was an important tea trader on the world markets. The major part of the tea imports was re-exported through merchant networks to other European countries, especially to the Austrian Netherlands and Holland. Through illicit trade, part of the SEIC's tea went to Great Britain. The paper shows in detail how the transactions between Gothenburg, Ostend, Gent and Antwerp were organized. The examples are mainly drawn from the business correspondence of the Flemish merchants.
Information Content, Audit Reports and Going-Concern: An Australian Study

Research conducted on the information content of going concern 'modified' reports in the USA and UK indicates that a modified audit report does not appear to have information content to users if the going concern contingency is disclosed in the notes to the financial statements. In the present study, we provide evidence from Australia. We examine whether modification/qualification by an auditor in Australia (an 'Emphasis of Matter' and an 'Except for' report, respectively) has information content to a user. The results indicate that for a company in a state of financial distress, the modification, in either form, does not appear to significantly enhance either perceptions of risk or decision-making.
Endoscopic ultrasound-guided endoscopic transmural drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts.

BACKGROUND Surgery is the traditional treatment for symptomatic pancreatic pseudocysts, but the morbidity is still too high. Minimally invasive endoscopic approaches have been encouraged. AIMS To evaluate the efficacy of endoscopic ultrasound-guided endoscopic transmural drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts. METHODS From January, 2003 to August, 2006, 31 consecutive symptomatic patients submitted to 37 procedures at the same endoscopic unit were retrospectively analysed. Chronic and acute pancreatitis were found in, respectively, 17 (54.8%) and 10 (32.3%) cases. Bulging was present in 14 (37.8%) cases. Cystogastrostomy or cystoduodenostomy were created with an interventional linear echoendoscope under endosonographic and fluoroscopic control. By protocol, only a single plastic stent, without nasocystic drain, was used. Straight or double pigtail stents were used in, respectively, 22 (59.5%) and 15 (40.5%) procedures. RESULTS Endoscopic ultrasound-guided transmural drainage was successful in 29 (93.5%) patients. Two cases needed surgery, both due to procedure-related complications. There was no mortality related to the procedure. Twenty-four patients were followed-up longer than 4 weeks. During a mean follow-up of 12.6 months, there were six (25%) symptomatic recurrences due to stent clogging or migration, with two secondary infections. Median time for developing complications and recurrence of the collections was 3 weeks. These cases were successfully managed with new stents. Complications were more frequent in patients treated with straight stents and in those with a recent episode of acute pancreatitis. CONCLUSIONS Endoscopic transmural drainage provides an effective approach to the management of pancreatic pseudocysts.
Socioemotional Wealth as a Mixed Gamble: Revisiting Family Firm R&D Investments with the Behavioral Agency Model

Theoretical explanations for family firm underinvestment in R&D relative to nonfamily firms remain nascent. We revisit this question using a refinement to the behavioral agency model (BAM)—the mixed gamble—that allows us to examine the socioemotional trade–offs that R&D represents for the family firm and how this differentiates their R&D investment decision from nonfamily firms. We do so in an empirical context where R&D investment is of greatest importance—high–technology industries. Moreover, we examine three contingencies that allow us to explore heterogeneity across family firms in their R&D decisions due to their effect upon the family's socioemotional wealth mixed gamble: institutional investor ownership, related diversification, and performance hazard.
An entrepreneurial perspective on the firm‐environment relationship

In the organizational theory literature, two perspectives to explain the firm-environment relationship—the ecology view and the adaptation view—are dominant. We review these perspectives and present a third, less recognized perspective—the entrepreneurial view. The entrepreneurial view recognizes the potential for top managers and firms to, on occasion, proactively shape and influence their environment. Purposeful individual top managers with their variable belief systems take primacy in the entrepreneurial model as they are motivated to engage in aspirational search and take entrepreneurial actions. Entrepreneurial actions potentially disrupt the existing belief systems of market participants by disseminating new information that causes dissonance. This dissonance and debate as part of the market process can lead to a revision in the belief systems of market participants. We show that although the multilevel entrepreneurial perspective is distinct from the ecology and adaptation perspectives, they are, in fact, complementary. Copyright © 2008 Strategic Management Society.
Is the investment-cash flow sensitivity still useful to gauge financing constraints?

Most of the papers in corporate finance use the investment-cash flow sensitivity as a key metric to gauge financing constraints. However, it has been documented in the theoretical and empirical literature that this metric is not necessarily symptomatic of financing constraints. In this paper, we revisit the debate among authors regarding the usefulness of the so-called sensitivity in the context of the moral hazard literature. We theoretically show that the interpretation of this metric as an indicator of financing constraints is sceptical.
Low-Wage Youth Employment: A Permanent or Transitory State?*

One of the striking features of the youth wage distribution in the extent to which an individual's relative position in the distribution changes between contiguous years. Formal modelling of these changes using a bivatiate probit model suggests that low-wage employment should not, in general be viewed as a permanent state. Individuals in low-wage jobs in adjacent years are characteried by u lack of human capital Accordingly. remedical action might be directed towards augmenting their skills through supplementary schooling or labour market training.
Do reductions in tick sizes influence liquidity

On 4 December 1995, the Australian Stock Exchange reduced the minimum tick size for stocks priced below $A0.50 and stocks priced above $A10. We use this natural experiment to examine the impact of tick size reductions on liquidity. The present paper reports that although lower tick sizes generally lead to increased liquidity, this result is not universal. Stocks with larger relative tick sizes experience the greatest improvement in liquidity, while stocks with small relative tick sizes and low trading volume experience reduced liquidity. There is no change in order exposure as a result of the reduced tick sizes.
Patient expectations of benefit from interventions for neck pain and resulting influence on outcomes.

STUDY DESIGN Retrospective cohort. OBJECTIVES The objectives of this study were (1) to examine patients' general expectations for treatment by physical therapists and specific expectations for common interventions in patients with neck pain, and (2) to assess the extent to which the patients' general and specific expectations for treatment, particularly spinal manipulation, affect clinical outcomes. BACKGROUND Patient expectations can have a profound influence on the magnitude of treatment outcome across a broad variety of patient conditions. METHODS We performed a secondary analysis of data from a clinical trial of interventions for neck pain. Prior to beginning treatment for neck pain, 140 patients were asked about their general expectations of benefit as well as their specific expectations for individual interventions. Next, we examined how these expectations related to the patients' ratings of the success of treatment at 1 and 6 months after treatment. RESULTS Patients had positive expectations for treatment by a physical therapist, with more than 80% of patients expecting moderate relief of symptoms, prevention of disability, the ability to do more activity, and to sleep better. The manual therapy interventions of massage (87%) and manipulation (75%) had the highest proportion of patients who expected these interventions to significantly improve neck pain. These were followed by strengthening (70%) and range-of-motion (54%) exercises. Very few patients thought surgery would improve their neck pain (less than 1%). At 1 month, patients who were unsure of experiencing complete pain relief had lower odds of reporting a successful outcome than patients expecting complete relief (odds ratio [OR] = 0.33; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.11, 0.99). Believing that manipulation would help and not receiving manipulation lowered the odds of success (OR = 0.16; 95% CI: 0.04, 0.72) compared to believing manipulation would help and receiving manipulation. Six months after treatment, having unsure expectations for complete pain relief lowered the odds of success (OR = 0.19; 95% CI: 0.05, 0.7), whereas definitely expecting to do more exercise increased the odds of success (OR = 11.4; 95% CI: 1.7, 74.7). Regarding self-reported disability assessed with the Neck Disability Index, patients who believed manipulation would help and received manipulation reported less disability than those who did not believe manipulation would help and both received manipulation (mean difference, -3.8; 95% CI: -5.9, -1.5; P = .006) and did not receive manipulation (mean difference, -5.7; 95% CI: -9.3, -2.1; P = .014). There was also an interaction between time and the expectation for complete relief. CONCLUSION General expectations of benefit have a strong influence on clinical outcomes for patients with neck pain. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Prognosis, level 2b-.