Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Optimal Workforce Mix in Service Systems with Two Types of Customers

We consider a service system with two types of customers. In such an environment, the servers can either be specialists (or dedicated) who serve a specific customer type, or generalists (or flexible) who serve either type of customers. Cross‐trained workers are more flexible and help reduce system delay, but also contribute to increased service costs and reduced service efficiency. Our objective is to provide insights into the choice of an optimal workforce mix of flexible and dedicated servers. We assume Poisson arrivals and exponential service times, and use matrix‐analytic methods to investigate the impact of various system parameters such as the number of servers, server utilization, and server efficiency on the choice of server mix. We develop guidelines for managers that would help them to decide whether they should be either at one of the extremes, i.e., total flexibility or total specialization, or some combination. If it is the latter, we offer an analytical tool to optimize the server mix.
Trajectory modelling of longitudinal non-response in business surveys

Survey quality is an important goal for National Statistics Offices (NSOs) and non-response negatively affects this quality. Accordingly, it is important to understand the determinants and patterns of non-response, with the aim of providing recommendations as to how to reduce or mitigate non-response. This study looks to better categorise sampled firms based on their previous response behaviour, using trajectory modelling. Trajectory modelling is a tool for distinguishing patterns of behaviour over time, with dual trajectory modelling allowing us to analyse how outcomes in one time period are related to distinct outcomes in time two 6. Using dual trajectory modelling to examine longitudinal response patterns is a new application of this model. Statistics New Zealand’s Retail Trade Survey is used as a test case and the model is fitted across the response history 2003 to 2007.We were able to identify three response groups, the good-responders, the group whose likelihood of response improves over time and the non-respondents. These three groups then form the basis for four groups we identified in time two. This then informs some tentative recommendations as how to best target sample members, based on previous response behaviour.
On the Reversal of Return and Dividend Growth Predictability: A Tale of Two Periods

A disconcerting, albeit generally accepted, finding is that aggregate stock returns are predictable by dividend yield but dividend growth is unpredictable. I show that part of this lack of dividend growth predictability stems from how dividend growth is constructed. I then show a dramatic reversal of predictability in the 134 years during 1872-2005: stock returns are largely unpredictable in the first seven decades, but become predictable in the postwar period; dividend growth is strongly predictable in the prewar years but this predictability disappears in the postwar years. New evidence on the predictability of long-run returns and dividend growth is also shown.
Subjective Acceleration of Time with Aging

A quantitative theoretical model for the subjective acceleration of time with aging is presented. It is based on a new hypothesis, namely, that the subjective duration of an interval of real time decreases in mathematical proportion to total subjective time (rather than total real time). This gives a differential equation, the variables of which are separated and integrated to yield the result that the subjective duration of an interval of real time varies inversely with the square root of the total real time (age). This result was tested by polling college students and older adults as to their recollections regarding the relative apparent rate of the passage of time at various ages. Generally good agreement was obtained between the results of the poll and the results predicted by the theory.
A 'meta-analysis' of effects of post-hatch food and water deprivation on development, performance and welfare of chickens

A ‘meta-analysis’ was performed to determine effects of post-hatch food and water deprivation (PHFWD) on chicken development, performance and welfare (including health). Two types of meta-analysis were performed on peer-reviewed scientific publications: a quantitative ‘meta-analysis’ (MA) and a qualitative analysis (QA). Previously reported effects of PHFWD were quantified in the MA, for variables related to performance, mortality and relative yolk sac weight. The QA counted the number of studies reporting (non-)significant effects when five or more records were available in the data set (i.e. relative heart, liver and pancreas weight; plasma T3, T4 and glucose concentrations; relative duodenum, jejunum and ileum weight; duodenum, jejunum and ileum length; and villus height and crypt depth in duodenum, jejunum and ileum). MA results indicated that 24 hours of PHFWD (i.e. ≥12–36 hours) or more resulted in significantly lower body weights compared to early-fed chickens up to six weeks of age. Body weights and food intake were more reduced as durations of PHFWD (24, 48, 72, ≥84 hours) increased. Feed conversion rate increased in chickens up to 21 and 42 days of age after ≥84 hours PHFWD in comparison with chickens fed earlier. Total mortality at day 42 was higher in chickens after 48 hours PHFWD compared to early fed chickens or chickens after 24 hours PHFWD. First week mortality was higher in chickens after ≥84 hours PHFWD than in early fed chickens. The MA for relative yolk sac weight was inconclusive for PHFWD. The QA for plasma T3, T4 and glucose concentrations indicated mainly short-term decreases in T3 and glucose in PHFWD chickens compared to early fed chickens, and no effects of PHFWD on T4 concentrations. Relative weights of liver, pancreas and heart were lower after PHFWD, but only in the first week of life. A retarded development of gut segments (duodenum, jejunum and ileum) was found in the first week of life, measured as shorter, lower relative weight, and lower villus height and crypt depth. It is concluded that 48 hours (≥36–60 hours) PHFWD leads to lower body weights and higher total mortality in chickens up to six weeks of age, the latter suggesting compromised chicken welfare, but effects of PHFWD on organ development and physiological status appear to be mainly short-term.
Toward sustainable urban mobility: Investigating nonwork travel behavior in a sprawled Canadian city

ABSTRACT The prevalence of urban sprawl, amplified levels of auto dependency, and nonwork travel during the afternoon peak hours have resulted in a steady increase in unsustainable patterns of travel in Canadian cities. Active and green modes of transportation along with smart growth have been promoted as a panacea. This article investigates the efficacy of such sustainable urban mobility strategies in Windsor, Ontario, using data records from a Household Travel Survey. Multinomial and mixed-logit models are developed to identify the factors influencing nonwork mode choice travel behavior. Next, the models are used in a scenario-building and simulation exercise to illustrate the benefits attained from jointly improving public transit, encouraging smart growth development, and lowering vehicle ownership. Based on the obtained results, embracing single-policy instruments is not an effective approach for reducing auto dependency in the study area. However, adopting a multidimensional policy approach that integrates land use and transportation policy instruments is proven more effective for achieving sustainable outcomes. It is recommended that the service and facilities for transit and nonmotorized modes be improved, and easier access to commercial and recreational activities be enhanced through progressive improvements to the built environment. Adoption of smart-growth strategies should be also pursued by planners and decision makers to create an environment conducive to reducing the levels of auto ownership. Such a goal is of paramount importance for sustainability because the level of auto ownership emerged as the most important policy instrument for reducing auto dependency in the study area.
Anti‐angiogenic effects of novel cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitors with a pyrazolo[4,3‐d]pyrimidine scaffold

Cyclin‐dependent kinase 5 (CDK5) has recently emerged as an attractive target in several tumour entities. Inhibition of CDK5 has been shown to have anti‐angiogenic effects in vitro and in vivo. However, potent inhibitors of CDK5, which can be applied in vivo, are still scarce. We have recently developed a new series of 5‐substituted 3‐isopropyl‐7‐[4‐(2‐pyridyl)benzyl]amino‐1(2)H‐pyrazolo[4,3‐d]pyrimidines that show a preference for inhibiting CDK5 and tested them in vitro and in vivo in a murine model of hepatocellular carcinoma.
Collagen metabolism in human aqueous humor from primary open-angle glaucoma. Decreased degradation and increased biosynthesis play a role in its pathogenesis.

OBJECTIVE To explore the influence of aqueous humor from patients with glaucoma on collagen turnover. METHODS The aqueous humor of patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), chronic angle-closure glaucoma, congenital glaucoma, neovascular glaucoma, and senile cataract (control group) was analyzed for its capacity to induce fibroblast proliferation, collagen synthesis, collagenolytic activity, and production of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1. All data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS Aqueous humor derived from patients with POAG induced a significant decrease of functional collagenase activity (mean +/- SE, 9.12 +/- 1.33 microgram of degraded collagen per milligram of incubated protein vs 20.94 +/- 4.14 micrograms from the control group, P < .05). The enzymatic activity in the other types of glaucoma was similar to that of controls. The POAG samples had a significantly higher concentration of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (mean +/- SE, 3.11 +/- 0.58 vs 0.91 +/- 0.13 micrograms/mL from controls; P < .05). The amount of immunoreactive tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 found in the other three groups was not significantly different from the control. Aqueous humor stimulated fibroblast proliferation in all cases, but significant differences were not observed between the POAG samples (mean +/- SE, 20,285 +/- 4642 cpm/mg of incubated protein) and the control group samples (26,550 +/- 3688 cpm/mg of incubated protein). Primary open-angle glaucoma fluids increased collagen synthesis significantly compared with the control group (mean +/- SD, 3352 +/- 630 vs 985 +/- 285, P < .05), and the other groups. CONCLUSIONS An increase of collagen synthesis and a decrease of collagen degradation may contribute to an excessive deposit of collagen with loss of the trabecular cells during the development of POAG, and aqueous humor must be considered as a microenvironment that affects the metabolism or function of the trabecular meshwork or both.
TESTING LONG-RUN NEUTRALITY OF MONEY: EVIDENCE FROM MALAYSIAN STOCK MARKET

This paper presents the empirical evidence on the long-run neutrality (LRN) of money in the stock market in Malaysia using seasonal adjusted monthly data from 1978:1 to 1999:12 based on the bivariate ARIMA framework developed by Fisher and Seater (1993). Besides the main stock index, the sectoral stocks indexes also have been tested by different measurements of money supply, namely M1, M2, and M3. Generally, the findings support the LRN of money in Malaysia’s stock market and the results are robust to the sensitivity tests of different monetary aggregates. This would imply that the permanent stochastic changes in money supply do not have influential effect towards the real stock returns in Malaysia.
The President during the so-called Second Republic: from veto player to first in command?

The role of the head of state in parliamentary democracies is not taken into consideration by Lijphart even though it can be decisive when representative institutions are unstable or unable to make decisions. In the Italian case in particular, the President can become both a powerful veto player for the government and a sort of deputy chairman. From Scalfaro to Napolitano, presidents have had a great impact on the political scene, especially when governments and parties have seemed weak. So far, scholars have debated the systemic features that have caused the expansion of presidential powers, but there have been few attempts to consider presidential involvement in the decision-making process as an aspect of the questionable change from one model of democracy to the other. This article explains why the presidency can be considered as an institution in tension between the consensual and the majoritarian poles.
Bone marrow aspiration before bone marrow core biopsy using the same bone marrow biopsy needle: a good or bad practice?

A single-needle single-site technique for bone marrow aspiration and core biopsy has been compared with a two-needle technique, using 30 randomly selected patients who required these two investigations. In addition, two single-needle techniques were compared, aspirating immediately after penetrating the cortex or, alternatively, aspirating after the needle (without the stilette) had been advanced 20–25 mm. The two-needle technique was found to be superior to either of the single-needle techniques, which often resulted in a biopsy specimen that was denuded of bone marrow cells.
Group decision-making processes and group decision quality: moderation of mutual interest

Considering the existence of mutual interest in work groups within organisational context, we investigated three main decision-making processes: personal task participation, negative socio-emotional behaviour and information domination. To illustrate the relationship between group decision-making processes and decision quality, we developed and tested a process model in which the final group decision quality could be predicted by abovementioned decision-making processes. Testing the moderation effect of mutual interest is considered as focus of study and its implications are discussed. Further expansion of our model involves process satisfaction as an intervening variable. The overall assessment of the group decision-making process was captured in the process satisfaction construct and its association with decision quality was analysed. The findings suggested that our 1st model supported the moderation of mutual interest with one exception. The findings of the 2nd model suggested that satisfaction of the group members about decision processes is strongly associated with decision quality.
Orexin‐B‐saporin lesions in the lateral hypothalamus enhance photic masking of rapid eye movement sleep in the albino rat

The 24‐h distribution of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep is known to be deeply reshaped among albino rats with neurotoxic lesions in the lateral hypothalamus (LH) or among rodent models of human narcolepsy–cataplexy, with selective damage of orexinergic neurones. We explored the hypothesis that this phenomenon is explained by an enhancement of REM sleep photic masking, as a consequence of damage in the LH. Orexin‐B‐saporin neurotoxic lesions were induced in the LH of male Sprague–Dawley rats. LH‐lesioned and control rats were sleep‐recorded successively under 12 : 12 light/dark (LD) and skeleton photoperiod. Compared to controls, lesioned rats exhibited 50% less and 82% more REM sleep during rest and active phases, respectively, under the 12 : 12 LD schedule. After transference to a skeleton photoperiod, lesioned rats exhibited an 88% increase in REM sleep during the rest phase, recovering the characteristic rest phase preference of REM sleep observed among control rats. The increase in rest phase REM sleep during the skeleton photoperiod was correlated positively with the magnitude of the LH lesion. Our results suggest that changes in the temporal organization of sleep–wake states observed among rats with neurotoxic lesions in the lateral hypothalamus and rodent models of narcolepsy–cataplexy may be explained by the enhancement of photic masking.
The Economic Side Effects of Dangerous Drug Announcements

Immediately prior to the passage of the 1962 Food and Drug Administration Amendments, there were a number of drugs recalled from markets worldwide. Announcements about the dangerous side effects of these drugs were associated with lower share prices for their manufacturers and the industry as a whole. We perform several analyses to sort out alternative explanations for the observed declines. We find that dangerous drug announcements had no effect on the sales of other drugs and did not affect the share values of European drug makers doing little business in the United States. We also find that share price reductions associated with recalls in the 1970s and 1980s were confined to the manufacturers of the recalled drugs. These patterns are consistent with the hypothesis that drug company shareholders viewed the recalls in the early 1960s as signals of an increase in the cost of compliance with new (and more stringent) drug testing requirements.
Economics of the arts : selected essays

List of contributors. Introduction. Quantitative methods in the analysis of 17th century Dutch inventories (J.M. Montias). Pricing invention: "Originals," "Copies," and their relative value in seventeenth century Netherlandish art markets (N. De Marchi, H.J. Van Miegroet). How costly is the fall from fashion? Survivorship bias in the painting market (W. Goetzmann). On long--run price comovements between paintings and prints (C. Czujack, R. Floc res Jr., V. Ginsburgh). Price anomalies at auction: Evidence from the market for modern prints (J. Pesando, P.M. Shum). Auction theory and practice: Evidence from the market for jewellery (O. Chanel, L.--A G--Varet, S. Vincent. Experimental examination of the declining--price anomaly (C. Keser, M. Olson). The economics of legal disputes over the ownership of works of art and other collectibles (W. Landes, R. Posner). A colloquy about art museums: Economics engages museology (W. Grampp). Culture--economic analyses of art museums: a British curator's viewpoint (P. Cannon--Brookes). Special exhibitions and festivals: Culture's booming path to glory (B.S. Frey, I. Busenhart). Economics of training artists (R. Towse). Disaggregated earnings functions for artists (D. Throsby). Work and compensated unemployment in the performing arts. Exogenous and Endogenous uncertainty in artistic labour markets (P.--M. Menger, M. Gurgand).
A Point Mutation at F1737 of the Human Nav1.7 Sodium Channel Decreases Inhibition by Local Anesthetics

Abstract: Voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSC) contribute to the initiation and propagation of action potentials within the nervous system. These channels are important targets for inhibition by several classes of drugs, including antiarrhythmics and local anesthetics. Structural and pharmacological studies have localized the binding of these drugs to a common site near the channel's intracellular pore region. Point mutations within this region disrupt local anesthetic inhibition of cardiac, CNS, and skeletal muscle VGSC subtypes. This study was designed to test whether a similar structural requirement for drug binding exists on the peripheral neuronal VGSC subtype; Nav1.7. In support of this hypothesis, an alanine substitution for phenylalanine at position 1737 (F1737A) in the pore lining S6 segment of domain IV in human Nav1.7 reduced both use- and state- dependent inhibition of the local anesthetics, lidocaine and tetracaine, by 8–21-fold. We also saw a 2–3-fold reduction in tonic inhibition with the F1737A mutant. The voltage dependence of both activation and inactivation were unaffected by the F1737A mutation, however, fast inactivation kinetics were impaired, such that a significant portion of inward current remained at the end of a 20-ms depolarization. These data suggest that F1737 forms a part of the high affinity binding of local anesthetics as well as mediating inactivation processes of neuronal Nav1.7 channels.
Longitudinal Patterns of Compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration Health and Safety Regulations in the Manufacturing Sector

We examine the impact of Occupational Safety and Health Administration enforcement on compliance with agency regulations in the manufacturing sector, with a unique plant-level data set on inspections and compliance during 1972-83, the first 12 years of the agency. The analysis suggests that, for an individual plant, the effect of OSHA inspections during this period was to reduce the level of citations on average by 3.1-3.5, or approximately half of the first inspection average of 6.3 citations. The total effect on expected citations of OSHA inspections can be decomposed into two parts: evaluated at the mean of the sample predictions, half of the total reduction in citations occurred due to previous violators coming into compliance and half was due to a reduction in citations among plants that continued to violate the standards.
The Captured Retroviral Envelope syncytin-A and syncytin-B Genes Are Conserved in the Spalacidae Together with Hemotrichorial Placentation1

ABSTRACT Syncytins are fusogenic envelope (env) genes of retroviral origin that have been captured for a function in placentation. Multiple independent events of syncytin gene capture were found to have occurred in primates, rodents, lagomorphs, carnivores, and ruminants. In the mouse, two syncytin-A and -B genes are present, which trigger the formation of the two-layered placental syncytiotrophoblast at the maternal-fetal interface, a structure classified as hemotrichorial. Here, we identified syncytin-A and -B orthologous genes in the genome of all Muroidea species analyzed, thus dating their capture back to about at least 40 million years ago, with evidence that they evolved under strong purifying selection. We further show, in the divergent Spalacidae lineage (blind mole rats [Spalax]), that both syncytins have conserved placenta-specific expression, as revealed by RT-PCR analysis of a panel of Spalax galili tissues, and display fusogenic activity, using ex vivo cell-cell fusion assays. Refined analysis of the placental architecture and ultrastructure revealed that the Spalax placenta displays a hemotrichorial organization of the interhemal membranes, as similarly observed for other Muroidea species, yet with only one trophoblastic cell layer being clearly syncytialized. In situ hybridization experiments further localized syncytin transcripts at the level of these differentiated interhemal membranes. These findings argue for a role of syncytin gene capture in the establishment of the original hemotrichorial placenta of Muroidea, and more generally in the diversity of placental structures among mammals.