Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Visual Motion Processing Subserves Faster Visuomotor Reaction in Badminton Players

Introduction Athletes participating in ball or racquet sports have to respond to visual stimuli under critical time pressure. Previous studies used visual contrast stimuli to determine visual perception and visuomotor reaction in athletes and nonathletes; however, ball and racquet sports are characterized by motion rather than contrast visual cues. Because visual contrast and motion signals are processed in different cortical regions, this study aimed to determine differences in perception and processing of visual motion between athletes and nonathletes. Methods Twenty-five skilled badminton players and 28 age-matched nonathletic controls participated in this study. Using a 64-channel EEG system, we investigated visual motion perception/processing in the motion-sensitive middle temporal (MT) cortical area in response to radial motion of different velocities. In a simple visuomotor reaction task, visuomotor transformation in Brodmann area 6 (BA6) and BA4 as well as muscular activation (EMG onset) and visuomotor reaction time (VMRT) were investigated. Stimulus- and response-locked potentials were determined to differentiate between perceptual and motor-related processes. Results As compared with nonathletes, athletes showed earlier EMG onset times (217 vs 178 ms, P < 0.001), accompanied by a faster VMRT (274 vs 243 ms, P < 0.001). Furthermore, athletes showed an earlier stimulus-locked peak activation of MT (200 vs 182 ms, P = 0.002) and BA6 (161 vs 137 ms, P = 0.009). Response-locked peak activation in MT was later in athletes (−7 vs 26 ms, P < 0.001), whereas no group differences were observed in BA6 and BA4. Multiple regression analyses with stimulus- and response-locked cortical potentials predicted EMG onset (r = 0.83) and VMRT (r = 0.77). Conclusion The athletes' superior visuomotor performance in response to visual motion is primarily related to visual perception and, to a minor degree, to motor-related processes.
The Price-Concentration Relationship in Banking: A Comment

Brent, Richard P., "Algorithm 488: A Gaussian Pseudo-Random Number Generator," Communications of the ACM 17 (Dec. 1974), 1704-1706. Durbin, James, and Geoffrey S. Watson, "Testing for Serial Correlation in Least Squares Regression I, II, III," Biometrika 37 (1950), 409-428; 38 (1951), 159-178; 58 (1971), 1-42. Godfrey, Lester G. , Misspecification Tests in Econometrics (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1988). Imhof, J. P., "Computing the Distribution of Quadratic Forms in Normal Variables," Biometrika 48 (1961), 419-426. Judge, George G. , R. Carter Hill, William Griffiths, Helmut Lutkepohl, and Tsoung-Chao Lee, Introduction to the Theory and Practice of Econometrics (New York: Wiley, first edition, 1982; second edition, 1988). White, Kenneth J., S. Donna Wong, Diana Whistler, and Shirley Haun, SHAZAM User's Reference Manual, Version 6.2 (New York: McGraw-Hill, 1990).
Formation and deformation of the environmental Kuznets curve for CO2 emissions

Following Roberts and Grimes (1997), we study the temporal instability of the environmental Kuznets curve for a panel of 51 countries over the period 1970-2008. Our results show that: (1) an inverted U-shape curve appears in the early 1980s; (2) the environmental efficiency increases over time as the coefficient of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions per unit of primary energy consumption decreases; (3) there is a rising trend of the turning point income that goes from 10,000 USD in the early 1980s to almost 20,000 USD in 2008.
Efficient Use of Conditioning Information: A Sharpe Ratio Based Test of Return Predictability

In this paper we propose a new Sharpe ratio based test of asset return predictability. Intuitively, a variable that predicts returns is of value to an investor if it allows the construction of 'managed' portfolios that expand the unconditional mean-variance efficient frontier, and thus the investor's opportunity set. The maximum Sharpe ratio achievable using the predictive information efficiently therefore provides a convenient measure of the extent to which predictability matters. We build on the conditional asset pricing theory of Hansen and Richard (1987) to explicitly characterize the difference in maximum squared Sharpe ratios with and without conditioning information. We show that this difference is directly related to the R^2 of a predictive regression. Our test statistic is closely related to the Wald test for the regression coefficient. Under the null hypothesis of no predictability, the difference in squared Sharpe ratios is zero. Rejection of the null hypothesis thus implies that the presence of return predictability significantly expands the mean-variance frontier. Using our test, we find that at short (monthly) horizon, using the consumption-wealth ratio as predictor variable, (Lettau and Ludvigson, 2001), we clearly reject the null hypothesis of no predictability. In contrast, dividend yield has at most marginal effect. However, at longer horizons the effect of dividend yield becomes more pronounced. An important implication of our results is that neither the fixed-weight three-factor Fama-French (1988) model, nor the Carhart (1996) model, can be viable conditional asset pricing models when consumption-wealth ratio is chosen as the conditioning variable. Our analysis is closely related to, and extends the work of Ferson and Siegel (2001), Bekaert and Liu (2001), and Kirby (1998).
Firm Networks and Korean Subsidiaries in the United States

This article examines the role of intra-, inter-, and extra-firm networks in influencing the location and investment of Korean firms and their subsidiaries in the U.S. Based on a survey of Korean subsidiaries in the U.S. in 2004, this article finds that inter-firm relations with customers and suppliers, as well as intra-firm relations in the form of parent firms' knowledge of the U.S. play an important role in locational decision. Korean subsidiaries' relationships with U.S. places are strongly influenced by home-based practices that favor hierarchical intra-firm organization and embedded sociopolitical extra-firm relationships that emphasize blood, school, and regional ties. Location in U.S. industrial clusters does not increase Korean subsidiaries' level of autonomy from parent firm's control that could help facilitate the sourcing of local knowledge and resources. Only improved intra-firm network positionality positively contributes to increased subsidiary autonomy. Overall, the findings indicate that while inter-firm relations may be important in locational selection among Korean firms, network norms are largely maintained through intra-firm and, to a lesser extent, extra-firm relations. Copyright 2007 Blackwell Publishing.
Initial clinical evaluation of a handheld device for detecting retained surgical gauze sponges using radiofrequency identification technology.

HYPOTHESIS A handheld wand-scanning device (1.5 lb, battery powered, 10 x 10 x 1.5 in) has been developed to detect commonly used surgical gauze sponges, which have been tagged with a radiofrequency identification (RFID) chip. We tested the hypothesis that this wand device has a successful detection rate of 100%, with 100% specificity and 100% sensitivity. DESIGN Prospective, blinded, experimental clinical trial. SETTING Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, Calif. PATIENTS Eight patients undergoing abdominal or pelvic surgery. INTERVENTIONS Eight untagged sponges (1 control per patient) and 28 RFID sponges were placed in the patients. Just before closure, the first surgeon placed 1 RFID sponge (adult laparotomy tape; 18 x 18 in, 4-ply) in the surgical site, while the second surgeon looked away so as to be blinded to sponge placement. The edges of the wound were pulled together so that the inside of the cavity was not exposed during the detection experiments. The second (blinded) surgeon used the wand-scanning device to try to detect the RFID sponge. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES A successful detection was defined as detection of an RFID sponge within 1 minute. We also administered a questionnaire to the surgeon and nurse involved in the detections to assess ease of use. RESULTS The RFID wand device detected all sponges correctly, in less than 3 seconds on average. There were no false-positive or false-negative results. CONCLUSIONS We found a detection accuracy of 100% for the RFID wand device. Despite this engineering success, the possibility of human error and retained sponges remains because handheld scanning can be performed incorrectly.
The interprovincial migration of Canadian physicians: does income matter?

This study applies a multinomial logit model of human-capital migration to examine the factors influencing the movement of physicians within Canadian provinces between 1976 and 1992. The empirical investigation covers general practitioners and specialists (it excludes interns/residents) between seven regions (Atlantic Canada, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia). The results suggest that differences in real income have a positive and significant effect on a physician's decision to migrate form one province to another. Provinces with the highest after tax income, highest expenditure per physician, and highest fee-per-service rates have the highest net rate of in-migration. Income differences are however, not the only factor influencing a physician's choice to move. Working conditions within a province, which we proxy with the number of hospitals beds and health expenditures per capita, are also important factors. Likewise, the ratio of rural to urban population, distance between the major city in each province and provincial population all have a negative impact on a physician's migration choice. Finally, a dummy variable is used to allow for language differences between Quebec and the rest of the provinces and find that language differences have a significant and negative impact on a physician decision to migrate.
Comparative toxicology of monensin sodium in laboratory animals.

The toxicology of monensin has been studied in several laboratory animal species. There was considerable species variation in acute oral LD50 values. The consistent signs of acute toxicity were: anorexia, hypoactivity, skeletal muscle weakness, ataxia, diarrhea, decreased weight gain and delayed deaths. The 3-mo study in rats fed diets containing 0, 50, 150 or 500 ppm monensin resulted in no effects at the lowest dose level, slight reduction of body weight gain in the middle-dose group and severe depression in body weight gain, skeletal and cardiac lesions, and deaths in the highest dose group. The 3-mo study in dogs given daily oral doses of 0, 5, 15 or 50 mg/kg monensin resulted in no effects at the lowest dose level. Dogs in the 15 and 50 mg/kg groups developed, during test wk 1 to 4, anorexia, weakness, ataxia, labored respiration, body weight loss, increased serum muscle enzyme values, severe skeletal muscle degeneration and necrosis with less severe heart lesions and deaths. Mice fed diets containing 0, 37.5, 75, 150 or 300 ppm monensin for 3 mo had reduced body weight gain in all test groups but no other physical signs. Serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK) values were increased in mice in the two highest dose groups and minimal heart lesions were found in the highest dose group. Dogs given daily oral doses of 0, 1.25, 2.5, 5 or 7.5 mg/kg monensin for 1 yr survived with no evidence of toxicity in the two lowest dose groups. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Human Anti-IgG1 Hinge Autoantibodies Reconstitute the Effector Functions of Proteolytically Inactivated IgGs1

A number of proteases of potential importance to human physiology possess the ability to selectively degrade and inactivate Igs. Proteolytic cleavage within and near the hinge domain of human IgG1 yielded products including Fab and F(ab′)2 possessing full Ag binding capability but absent several functions needed for immune destruction of cellular pathogens. In parallel experiments, we showed that the same proteolytically generated Fabs and F(ab′)2s become self-Ags that were widely recognized by autoantibodies in the human population. Binding analyses using various Fab and F(ab′)2, as well as single-chain peptide analogues, indicated that the autoantibodies targeted the newly exposed sequences where proteases cleave the hinge. The point of cleavage may be less of a determinant for autoantibody binding than the exposure of an otherwise cryptic stretch of hinge sequence. It was noted that the autoantibodies possessed an unusually high proportion of the IgG3 isotype in contrast to Abs induced against foreign immunogens in the same human subjects. In light of the recognized potency of IgG3 effector mechanisms, we adopted a functional approach to determine whether human anti-hinge (HAH) autoantibodies could reconstitute the (missing) Fc region effector functions to Fab and F(ab′)2. Indeed, in in vitro cellular assays, purified HAH autoantibodies restored effector functions to F(ab′)2 in both Ab-dependent cellular cytotoxicity and complement-dependent cytotoxicity assays. The results indicate that HAH autoantibodies selectively bind to proteolytically cleaved IgGs and can thereby provide a surrogate Fc domain to reconstitute cell lytic functions.
Outsourcing Household Production: Foreign Domestic Workers and Native Labor Supply in Hong Kong

We explore how the availability of affordable live-in help provided by foreign domestic workers (FDWs) in Hong Kong affected native women’s labor supply and welfare. First, we exploit differences in the FDW program between Hong Kong and Taiwan. Second, we use cross-sectional variation in the cost of a FDW to estimate a model of labor force participation and FDW hire. FDWs increased the participation of mothers with a young child (relative to older children) by 10–14 percentage points and have generated a monthly consumer surplus of US$130–US$200. By reducing child care costs through immigration, this is a market-based alternative to child care subsidies.
Characterization of diffusing capacity and perfusion of the rat lung in a lipopolysaccaride disease model using hyperpolarized 129Xe

The ability to quantify pulmonary diffusing capacity and perfusion using dynamic hyperpolarized 129Xe NMR spectroscopy is demonstrated. A model of alveolar gas exchange was developed, which, in conjunction with 129Xe NMR, enables quantification of average alveolar wall thickness, pulmonary perfusion, capillary diffusion length, and mean transit time. The technique was employed to compare a group of naïve rats (n = 10) with a group of rats with acute inflammatory lung injury (n = 10), caused by instillation of lipopolysaccaride (LPS). The measured structural and perfusion‐related parameters were in agreement with reported values from studies using non‐NMR methods. Significant differences between the groups were found in total diffusion length (control 8.5 ± 0.5 μm, LPS 9.9 ± 0.6 μm, P < 0.001), in capillary diffusion length (control 2.9 ± 0.4 μm, LPS 3.9 ± 1.0 μm, P < 0.05), and in pulmonary hematocrit (control 0.55 ± 0.06, LPS 0.43 ± 0.08, P < 0.01), whereas no differences were observed in alveolar wall thickness, pulmonary perfusion, and mean transit time. These results demonstrate the ability of the method to distinguish two main aspects of lung function, namely, diffusing capacity and pulmonary perfusion. Magn Reson Med 50:1170–1179, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Implementation with Incomplete Information in Exchange Economies

This paper studies the problem of implementation of allocation rules in economic environments when agents are incompletely informed about the environment. The concept of equilibrium used is that of Bayesian Nash equilibrium. The authors show that a condition called Bayesian monotonicity is necessary for implementation, as is an incentive compatibility condition. They also show that, when there are at least three agents, Bayesian monotonicity and a slightly stronger incentive compatibility condition are jointly sufficient for implementation. They present several examples to illustrate the result. Copyright 1989 by The Econometric Society.
Factors that hinder quality improvement programs’ implementation in SME : Definition of a taxonomy

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to focus on the following purposes: first, to identify/analyze the main factors that hinder quality improvement programs’ implementation in SMEs, and second, to test if the level of importance attributed to those factors differ according to firms’ dimension. Design/methodology/approach – A survey was mailed to 600 Portuguese SME randomly selected. Out of the sample, a total of 95 questionnaires were completed and returned, performing a final response rate around 16 per cent. Findings – Findings reached from this research, highlighted seven different factors affecting quality programs: top management's education/training level and priorities, costs and actual performance, lack of support from external agents, human resources’ overload, aversion to change, lack of resources, and culture and training. Furthermore, results suggest that these factors assume greater importance in medium-sized firms, compared to smaller ones. Research limitations/implications – The research.
12-Month safety and effectiveness of once-daily hydrocodone tablets formulated with abuse-deterrent properties in patients with moderate to severe chronic pain.

OBJECTIVE To characterize the long-term safety and effectiveness of Hysingla™ ER, single-entity, once-daily, extended-release hydrocodone bitartrate tablets formulated with abuse-deterrent properties (HYD), offering a new treatment option for appropriate patients with chronic pain. DESIGN An open-label study with a dose-titration period (up to 45 days) and a maintenance period (12 months). PATIENTS, PARTICIPANTS A total of 922 patients with chronic nonmalignant and non-neuropathic moderate to severe pain received open-label HYD tablets 20-120 mg; 728 of these achieved a stabilized dose of HYD at the end of dose-titration and entered the maintenance period. RESULTS The safety profile was similar to that of other oral opioid analgesics, without new or unexpected safety concerns. The most frequent treatment-emergent adverse events (AEs; ≥ 5 percent) were those commonly associated with the use of systemic µ-opioid analgesics, including nausea, constipation, vomiting, fatigue, dizziness, somnolence, and headache. There were 77 (8 percent) patients with a total of 109 nonfatal treatment-emergent serious AEs. Few patients discontinued due to lack of therapeutic effect overall (6 percent), especially during the 12-month maintenance period (4 percent). Pain relief, sleep, functional health, and activities of daily living all improved at the end of the dose-titration period with HYD. These improvements were maintained through the 12-month maintenance period with stable HYD doses and without increase in concomitant supplemental analgesic medications. CONCLUSIONS This long-term study demonstrated the safety and long-term maintenance of analgesic effect of HYD without continued need for dose increase.
An Empirical Study of the Influences of Recreational Park Visitation: The Case of US National Park Service Sites

The authors examine which variables influence recreational visitation at 353 US National Park Service (NPS) sites. The paper provides evidence that variables other than lagged visitation, including various site designators, various regional dummies, lagged RDPI (inferior), alternative sites (complementary effect), the regional 9/11 terrorist attacks variable and the regional terrorism threat level variable (increase in threat level decreases visitation) are statistically and economically significant. Generally, the statistical significance and magnitude of the variable's influence increases as site visitation increases. These results should be of interest to planners and policy makers in general, and specifically to NPS planners in charge of a US$2.2 billion budget.
Augmentation of diabetes-associated renal hyperfiltration and nitric oxide production by pregnancy in rats.

We tested the hypothesis that pregnancy might increase diabetes-associated nitric oxide (NO) production and renal hyperfiltration. Two weeks following i.v. streptozotocin (40 mg/kg), mean arterial pressure (MAP) was not modified by diabetes; glomerular filtration rate (GFR), renal plasma flow (RPF) and filtration fraction (FF) were higher in pregnant than in virgin controls and increased by diabetes to a greater extent in pregnant than in virgin rats. Urinary volume (UV), creatinine, albumin and sodium (UNaV) were significantly increased by diabetes. Diabetes led to an increase in renal, cardiac, aortic and uterine but not in placental NO synthase activities. Infusion of NG-nitro-l-arginine (l-NA) caused a dose-dependent reduction in GFR, RPF, plasma NO2-/NO3-, UV and UNaV; in general, diabetes increased these effects to a greater extent in pregnant than in virgin rats. l-NA increased MAP in all groups of rats but did not alter FF. Diabetes did not alter responses of thoracic aorta rings to vasoconstrictor effects of phenylephrine and the vasorelaxant effects of sodium nitroprusside but increased endothelium-dependent relaxant effects of acetylcholine. In general the effects of diabetes of 7 days duration were similar to those described above for diabetes of 14 days duration. These data suggest that diabetes-associated renal hyperfiltration and NO production are augmented by pregnancy.
Compensating Wage Differentials for Mandatory Overtime

Our paper estimates the extent to which employees are compensated for an unfavorable job characteristic, being required to accept mandatory assignment of overtime, by receiving higher straight-time wages. Our estimating equations are derived from a model in which wage rates and the existence of mandatory assignment of overtime are jointly determined in the market by the interaction of employee and employer preferences. While - on average, we do not observe the existence of a compensating wage differential for mandatory overtime, we do observe the existence of such differentials for unionized workers and workers with only a few years experience at a firm. Given any estimated compensating wage differential for an unfavorable working condition, one must decide whether its magnitude is sufficiently large to allow one to conclude that the differential fully compensates workers for the disutility of being subject to the unfavorable working condition. We develop and illustrate a methodology that can be used to answer this question, at least for the case of mandatory overtime provisions and other rules that restrict employees' choice of hours.