Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Laying Down the Ladder: A Typology of Public Participation in Australian Natural Resource Management

The most influential attempts to classify forms of public participation are based on the ‘ladder’ of public participation (after Arnstein 1969), which orders approaches from those in which government dominates decision-making to ones in which its power is shared equally with the public or communities. Such unidimensional classifications can no longer reflect the realities and complexities of role-sharing between governments, communities and other parties in natural resource management. Initiative may come from nongovernment sources, and other dimensions besides power are relevant in designing participatory processes. This article describes a typology of public participation in Australian natural resource management, commissioned by Land and Water Australia as part of a comprehensive project to enhance the information base on participatory approaches in Australian natural resource management (Buchy, Ross and Proctor 2002). Besides power sharing, it incorporates differences in agency (which parties carry the initiative), tenure (the nature of the parties' control over the resources), the nature of the participants, the nature of the task, and its duration. The typology distinguishes forms of participation based on voluntary action such as stewardship groups, from formal collaborations between stakeholder groups, and other forms of environmental management. The typology is intended as a guide to those designing or participating in such processes. The types should be considered in terms of their suitability for different circumstances, not as a hierarchy of desirability. Further, effective participatory processes should be customised to suit their circumstances, and can combine aspects of different types successfully to achieve greater advantages than single types may offer.
Long term aging of selenide glasses: evidence of sub-Tg endotherms and pre-Tg exotherms

Long term aging, extending from months to several years, is studied on several families of chalcogenide glasses including the Ge–Se, As–Se, and Ge–As–Se systems. Special attention is given to the As–Se binary, a system that displays a rich variety of aging behavior intimately tied to sample synthesis conditions and the ambient environment in which samples are aged. Calorimetric (modulated DSC) and Raman scattering experiments are undertaken. Our results show all samples display a sub-Tg endotherm typically 10–70 °C below Tg in glassy networks possessing a mean coordination number r in the 2.25 < r < 2.45 range. Two sets of AsxSe100−x samples aged for eight years were compared, set A consisted of slow cooled samples aged in the dark, and set B consisted of melt-quenched samples aged at laboratory environment. Samples of set B in the As concentration range, 35% < x < 60%, display a pre-Tg exotherm, but the feature is not observed in samples of set A. The aging behavior of set A presumably represents intrinsic aging in these glasses, while that of set B is extrinsic due to the presence of light. The reversibility window persists in both sets of samples, but is less well defined in set B. These findings contrast with a recent study by Golovchak et al (2008 Phys. Rev. B 78 014202), which finds the onset of the reversibility window moved up to the stoichiometric composition (x = 40%). Here we show that the up-shifted window is better understood as resulting due to demixing of As4Se4 and As4Se3 molecules from the backbone, i.e., nanoscale phase separation (NSPS). We attribute sub-Tg endotherms to compaction of the flexible part of the networks upon long term aging, while the pre-Tg exotherm is to NSPS. The narrowing and sharpening of the reversibility window upon aging is interpreted as the slow ‘self-organizing’ stress relaxation of the phases just outside the intermediate phase, which itself is stress free and displays little aging.
Extensional, thickness-stretch and symmetric thickness-shear vibrations of piezoceramic disks

A set of two-dimensional (2-D), second-order approximate equations for extensional, thickness-stretch and symmetric thickness-shear vibrations of piezoelectric ceramic plates with electroded faces is extracted from the infinite system of 2-D equations deduced previously. The new truncation procedure developed recently is used for it improves the accuracy of calculated dispersion curves. Closed-form solutions are obtained for free vibrations of circular disks of barium titanate. Dispersion curves calculated from the present approximate 2-D equations are compared with those obtained from the 3-D equations, and the predicted resonance frequencies are compared with experimental data. Both comparisons show good agreement without any corrections. The frequencies of the edge modes calculated from the present 2-D equations are very close to the experimental data. Furthermore, mode shapes at various frequencies are calculated in order to identify the frequency segments of the spectrum at which one of the coupled modes-i.e., the radial extension (R), edge mode (Eg), thickness-stretch (TSt), and symmetric thickness-shear (s.TSh)-is predominant.
Interferon-inducible IFI 16 protein in human cancers and autoimmune diseases

1. Abstract 2. Introduction 3. Regulation of IFI16 expression 3.1. Expression of IFI16 varies among individuals and may depend on the race 3.2. Transcriptional as well as post-transcriptional mechanisms regulate the IFI16 protein levels 3.3. Interferon-independent regulation of IFI16 expression 4. The IFI16 protein as a scaffold protein 5. Role of IFI16 in cell growth regulation 5.1. Role of IFI16 in cellular senescence 5.2. How does IFI16 protein inhibit cell proliferation? 5.3. Modulation of cell survival by IFI16 5.4. Regulation of cell differentiation 5.5. How expression or function of IFI16 is lost in cancer cells? 6. IFI16 in human cancers 7. Does IFI16 have a role in autoimmune diseases? 8. Role of IFI16 in other human diseases 9. Future perspectives 10. Acknowledgements 11. References
Evaluation of the antiparkinsonism and neuroprotective effects of hydrogen sulfide in acute 6-hydroxydopamine-induced animal model of Parkinson’s disease: behavioral, histological and biochemical studies

Abstract Introduction: Studies have shown that hydrogen sulfide (H2S), a gaseous neurotransmitter, has neuroprotective effect. Here, we evaluated the neuroprotective activity of H2S in acute 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) animal model of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Methods: 6-OHDA was injected through stereotaxic surgery into medial forebrain bundle (MFB) of the right hemisphere to induce severe and fast degeneration in dopaminergic neurons of substantia nigra (SN). NaHS, as donor of H2S, was daily injected at doses of 3 and 5.6 mg/kg for seven days starting a few hours before the surgery. A series of behavioral tests were carried out and then, remaining tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-positive neurons in substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) was determined using immunohistfluresance staining. Striatal dopamine level and oxidative stress markers were also measured in the brain homogenates using immunosorbent assay kits. Results: NaHS attenuated apomorphine-induced rotational activity, decreased bias swings in elevated body swing test and increased falling time in rotarod test. Our histological and biochemical data demonstrated that NaHS treatment increases the survival of TH-positive neurons in SNc and also reduces the decreasing effect of 6-OHDA on striatal dopamine level. NaHS also reduced 6-OHDA-induced malondialdehyde overproduction but had no effect on the superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activity. Conclusion: Our results show that H2S produces significant antiparkinsonism and neuroprotective effects against 6-OHDA neurotoxicity. Since injection of 6-OHDA into MFB produces severe lesion in SN dopaminergic neurons similar to this lesion in the onset of PD in human being, our data recommend H2S as potential therapeutic target for treatment of this disease.
Multiphase Power Converter Integration in Si: Dual-Chip and Ultimate Monolithic Integrations

This paper deals with the monolithic integration of a multiphase generic static power converter (dc/ac or ac/dc). The integration aims at minimizing wire bonds in order to improve the electrical performance as well as the reliability of power converters. To that end, three multiterminal monolithic power Si chips are devised and extensively studied by 2-D simulations. The first power chip integrates the reverse-conducting IGBT devices that compose the high-side part of the converter circuit. This chip is called the common anode and is validated through experimental realizations. The second power chip integrates the reverse-conducting IGBT devices that compose the low-side part of the converter. This chip is called the common cathode chip. The common anode and cathode power chips are judiciously packaged on a Printed Circuit Board substrate over which an insulating Kapton film is laid and through which window openings are realized. The partial flip-chip packaging, of the two power chips, enables the realization of a compact power H-bridge converter with the lowest stray inductance. The third chip integrates the power converter within a single silicon chip and, consequently, eliminates wire bonds. It is considered as the ultimate integration approach. The latter is validated on a monolithic H-bridge inverter by using Sentaurus mixed-mode 2-D numerical simulations.
Antihistamines are superior to topical steroids in managing Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)‐associated papular pruritic eruption

Papular pruritic eruption (PPE) is a frequent HIV‐comorbidity in tropical countries. Because of constant itching and social stigma, effective treatment is highly valued. In our HIV cohort in rural Tanzania with 12% prevalence of PPE, we have retrospectively analyzed responses to available treatments. Oral promethazine improved itching (P < 0.0058) and clinical scores (P < 0.032) significantly more than topical steroids. Disease activity did not correlate with CD4+ and CD8+ T cell counts and was independent of anti‐retroviral medication. Therefore, oral antihistamines are an effective first‐line treatment for PPE.
Time Charters with Purchase Options in Shipping: Valuation and Risk Management

Abstract The article studies the valuation and optimal management of Time Charters with Purchase Options (T/C–POPs), which is a specific type of asset lease with embedded options that is common in shipping markets. T/C–POPs are economically significant and sometimes account for more than half of the stock market value of listed shipping companies. The main source of risk in markets for maritime transportation is the freight rate, and we therefore specify a single-factor continuous time model for the dynamic evolution of freight rates that allows us to price a wide variety of freight rate-related derivatives including various forms of T/C–POPs using contingent claims valuation techniques. Our model allows for the derivation of closed valuation formulas for some simple freight rate derivatives, whereas the more complex ones are analysed using numerical (finite difference) procedures. We accompany our theoretical results with illustrative numerical examples as we proceed.
Rural Poverty, Risk and Development

This book investigates the relationships between rural poverty, risk, and development. Building upon the author’s work in the area, it summarises the contributions of recent theoretical and empirical work to our understanding of how risk affects rural poverty levels in developing countries. In particular the book examines what we do and do not know about risk coping strategies among today’s poor rural societies. Ways in which these strategies may be re-examined and improved by governments and international organisations are proposed.
Growth Hormone Receptor Gene Polymorphism and its Associations with Some Growth traits in West-Azarbaijan Native chicken

The chicken growth hormone (GHR) gene has an important function in chicken growth and reproduction. Polymorphisms (are the most frequently found DNA sequence variations in the animal genome and can be used as genetic markers for association analysis with economic traits. The primary aim of this study was to identify polymorphisms in GHR as potential candidate genes for growth and production traits in Iranian chicken. In this study 200 blood samples were collected form West-Azarbaijan Native chicken (100 hens and 100 roosters) to investigate GHR gene polymorphism using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). According to the data, HindIII was able to produce 2 final alleles: A and B. the A allele was in 290 and 428 bases while B allele located in 170, 258 and 290 bases. Also, AA genotype was in 290 and 428 bases whereas BB founded in 170, 258 and 290 bases, respectably. Furthermore, in this study no heterozygote identified. Mutation on AA genotype was in the 294 nucleotide. Also, the observed mutation for BB genotype located in the 541 nucleotide. In both genotypes the mutation
Wage Discrimination Against Natives

This paper examines wage discrimination facing native paid employees working both full-time and part-time, living on and off reserves, using the 1991 census data. It finds that the native-white wage differential is mainly attributable to endowment differences, which implies that potential discrimination is relatively minor. It also finds that, contrary to a priori expectations, native workers of exclusively aboriginal origin do not always experience less potential discrimination than native workers of mixed ethnicity.
Privatization, insider control and managerial entrenchment in Russia

This paper provides new survey evidence on managerial entrenchment and the role of outsiders in the post-privatization restructuring of Russian enterprises. The major findings are that managers are hostile towards outside ownership, and they effectively collude with other employees to preserve insider control. The paper also provides empirical evidence that the gradual accumulation of shares by managers is not based only on a profit motive, but is also driven by their efforts to preserve insider control. The issues raised have relevance to other transition economies where the privatization process has encouraged insider control, such as Ukraine and Belarus.
Factors influencing survival in 242 cases of primary gastric carcinoma

Two hundred and forty‐two patients who underwent curative surgery for primary gastric cancer between 1965 and 1979 were reviewed, and the influence on survival of the type of surgical treatment, primary tumor location, operative mortality, and stage of disease was analyzed. Operative mortality was significantly increased in patients with multicentric primaries compared to all other sites (P < 0.001) and in patients undergoing total gastrectomy versus subtotal gastric resection (P < 0.001). Stage III‐IV lesions had a significantly worse prognosis than stage I–II tumors (P < 0.001). Our data confirm that early diagnosis could lead to increased survival.
Optimal Design of Securities under Asymmetric Information

A firm must decide what security to sell to raise external capital to finance a profitable investment opportunity. There is ex ante asymmetry of information regarding the probability distribution of cash flow generated by the investment. In this setting, we derive necessary and sufficient conditions for a security to be optimal (uniquely optimal, that is, for pooling at this security to be an (the unique) equilibrium outcome. Using these conditions we show that the debt contract is (uniquely) optimal if and only if cash flows are ordered by (strict conditional stochastic dominance. Finally, we derive an equivalence relationship between optimal security designs and designs that minimize mispricing. Article published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Financial Studies in its journal, The Review of Financial Studies.
Correlation of Cerebrospinal Fluid Sialic Acid with Various Enzymes in Patients with Meningitis

Meningitis is often associated with cerebral compromise which may be responsible for neurological squeal in nearly half of the survivors. Little is known about the mechanisms of Central Nervous System (CNS) involvement in bacterial meningitis. The present study was undertaken to assess the changes in biochemical parameters including glucose, protein, Sialic Acid (SA) and various enzymes like Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT), Creatine Kinase (CK), Gamma Glutamyltranspeptidase γ (GGTP) and Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) have been determined in the Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) of the meningitis patients (n = 26) and compared with control subjects (n = 26). Total Protein, CK, SA (P < 0.02), AST (P < 0.001) and ALT (P < 0.0001) of meningitis patients were significantly higher, whereas, glucose (P < 0.05) and Gamma Glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT) (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively) were significantly lower than those of the controls. This study suggests that loss of integrity of brain-CSF barriers, sialic acid and enzyme profiles may contribute to the severity and neurological complications of meningitis.
Online privacy concerns and consumer reactions: insights for future strategies

Purpose – The present study aims to identify and study the online privacy concerns, its explanatory variables and their affect on reactions and online purchasing behavior of Indian consumers. Globalization means that companies are setting manufacturing units where their cost dynamics are most attractive and then servicing the customers in different markets. Therefore, today, most of the globalized firms are using technology to overcome physical barriers with the customer. The value chains are being reorganized to come up with innovative strategies for sales, delivery and service channels. These strategies use Internet as a competitive tool, thereby providing marketers with a completely new landscape to work with. This channel means that now even the tangibles (products) are being sold on the basis of intangibles (services). In this landscape, the success of an online business depends on its capability to think globally and act locally. Sensitivity displayed by a company to effects of cultural nuances on a.
Investor sentiment and stock prices in the subprime mortgage crisis

As evidence from existing literature contradicts classical finance suggesting that there is room for investor sentiment in stock prices, and there is evidence that indicates a possible change in this relationship in the subprime mortgage crisis (since 2007), this article uses several methods to measure investor sentiment for both individual and institutional investors in the US, and then frees it from macroeconomic trends. The Granger-causality test is used to ensure that it is investor sentiment causing stock market price changes, and not vice versa. Changes in stock market prices are then regressed on changes in the investor sentiment data freed of macroeconomic trends. The resulting regression coefficients from before and during the crisis are compared to determine the impact the subprime mortgage crisis has had on the relationship between investor sentiment and stock market prices. Out of the five investor sentiment indexes used, only two exhibit significant causality in the desired direction (the Individual One-Year Confidence Index and the Individual Valuation Confidence Index, both from Yale). For the Individual One-Year Confidence Index, strong statistical evidence is found that the predictive power of investor sentiment over stock market prices has increased in the subprime mortgage crisis.
Determinants of carotid atherosclerosis in the general Mongolian population.

OBJECTIVE Atherosclerotic risk factors contribute to carotid atherosclerosis. Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), as assessed using a non-invasive high-resolution ultrasound, can predict cardiovascular disease (CVD). Whereas the control of CVD is crucial for the Mongolian people, the studies on carotid atherosclerosis are lacking. The present population-based survey was a cross-sectional investigation of the determinants of carotid IMT in the general Mongolian population. METHODS A total of 344 Mongolian volunteers, aged 18 to 69 years, without CVD and on no medication, were recruited from a health screening setting. The current smoking habits, body mass index, mean blood pressure (MBP), blood total cholesterol (TC), glucose, insulin and carotid IMT (maximum level) were measured. RESULTS Mongolian males had a significantly higher prevalence of current smoking and a higher level of IMT than females (average = .58 mm in males vs .46 in females). Both a single and multiple regression analysis adjusted for all the measures revealed that IMT was significantly and positively correlated with age, male sex, MBP, TC and glucose among all of the participants. IMT was significantly and positively correlated with age, followed by MBP, TC and glucose among males, while among females, IMT was significantly and positively correlated with age, followed by MBP and TC. CONCLUSIONS Age was the strongest determinant of carotid atherosclerosis, and the increases in blood pressure and cholesterol levels were also important measures in both sexes as well as glucose levels in males in particular, thus suggesting a preventive strategy for CVD in the general Mongolian population.
From the great illusion to the Great War: Military spending behaviour of the Great Powers, 1870 1913

The purpose of this article is to re-evaluate the military spending dynamics leading to the First World War, namely to explore the impact of the declining military and economic leadership of the UK and the economic emergence of the USA. Individual countries responded to threats from perceived enemies and spillovers from potential allies rationally, yet often going beyond the bounds of traditional alliances. In a sixteen-country system, the military reticence of the UK and USA encouraged higher military spending by other states, which suggests that Germany was not responsible for the arms race alone. Aggregate systemic military spending also incurred higher individual spending levels, whereas alliance impacts were not consistent.
Fiscal Rules in Recessions

This study explores the impact of balanced-budget rules on states’ fiscal policy outcomes and tests whether this impact depends on the political and economic environments in light of the American states’ experience from 2004 to 2010. The findings suggest that (1) budget rules are more binding in recessions as compared with “normal” times; (2) the impact of the rule depends on the political environment, especially on the party identity of the governor; (3) a divided government influences the rule’s impact, particularly when one party controls the governorship and another controls the legislature; and (4) states’ responses, as measured by total budget cuts, to unexpected revenue shocks (such as unexpected decreases in tax revenue) tend to be larger than states’ responses to unexpected expenditure shocks.