Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Localization economies and establishment size: was Marshall right after all?

This article re-examines the relationship between industry localization and the employment size of establishments. To measure localization, we use an approach that builds on Ellison and Glaeser's (, Journal of Political Economy, 105: 889-927) dartboard location model. Our localization index is based on plant (establishment) counts and more closely reflects the firm externalities of Marshallian industrial districts, in contrast with broader measures of localization that include an establishment's internal economies, such as Holmes and Steven's (, The Review of Economics and Statistics, 84: 682-690) analysis based on employment location quotients. In line with Alfred Marshall's theory of external economies in industrial districts, we find evidence that plants located in areas where an industry exhibits localization, or excess concentration, are smaller than plants in the same industry outside such areas.
Farmers and Markets in Tanzania: How Policy Reforms Affect Rural Livelihoods in Africa

Introduction - African agriculture in the postadjustment era - The changing political economy of Tanzanian agriculture - Data politics: assessing agricultural adjustment in Tanzania - State & market failures: policy implications of agricultural input & credit liberalisation - The local politics of reform implementation - Fast crops, fast cash - Diversification, poverty & inequality - Farmers & markets in Africa: conclusions & policy implications
The information value of R&D alliances: The preference for local or distant ties

Using a Bayesian learning model, the authors provide a formal understanding of the strategic implications of a firm’s R&D alliance activity through its local or distant ties. A major advantage of the model is that it facilitates an explicit analysis of the factors that determine a firm’s potential to learn from its R&D alliances. The article’s theoretical approach shows how technological uncertainty, information redundancy and heterogeneity of information accuracy jointly affect the formation of inter-firm alliance ties.
Frontal Defects Contribute to the Genesis of Closing-in in Alzheimer's Disease Patients

Abstract Closing-in (CI) refers to copying drawings near to or superimposed on the original model, and is often observed in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. Contrasting hypotheses have been suggested to explain CI, but no prospective study has directly verified these interpretations. We evaluated the role of frontal/executive versus visuo-spatial impairments in a prospective sample of AD patients, and also explored whether different types of CI are related to specific neuropsychological tasks. We enrolled 64 AD patients who underwent copying tasks and an extensive neuropsychological assessment of visuo-spatial and visuo-constructional skills, frontal/executive abilities and anterograde memory. AD patients with CI showed more severe impairment on frontal/executive functions than AD patients without CI. Moreover, the tendency to produce copies superimposed on the model was selectively associated with poor inhibitory control for irrelevant responses. On this basis, we suggest that different CI phenomena could be ascribed to distinctive frontal/executive defects. (JINS, 2013, 19, 1–7)
The total asset growth anomaly: Is it incremental to the net operating asset growth anomaly?

This study documents that the total asset (TA) growth anomaly (Cooper et al. 2008) is a noisy manifestation of the net operating asset (NOA) growth anomaly documented in earlier accounting literature. To better understand the underlying causes of the growth anomalies, I decompose TA growth into NOA growth and two additional components. Out of the three components, the TA growth anomaly appears to be driven primarily by the market’s misunderstanding of NOA growth’s negative implications for future profitability. The two additional components fail to predict future abnormal returns and, in fact, substantially dilute the predictability of NOA growth. To demonstrate the economic significance of using the correct growth anomaly proxy, I show that TA growth and NOA growth have differential robustness to market-friction controls. This study suggests that not all asset growth components contribute to a ―growth anomaly‖ and that the financing sources of asset growth need to receive greater attention in studies of growth anomalies.
Conceptual Framework for Evaluating Intuitive Interaction Based on Image Schemas

Intuitive interaction is an important aspect of usability in interface design. This paper contributes to the research in this area by proposing a conceptual framework for evaluating intuitive interaction based on image schemas. The framework comprises four phases: goal identification, image schemas extraction, analysis and assessment. It quantifies intuitive interaction by comparing the image schemas envisaged by the designer of a product with those used by its users. The proposed framework is evaluated through a study involving 42 participants completing a set task with a product. The study identified the image schemas, which were correctly used in accordance with the designer's intent and those that were incorrectly used and contributed to the difficulties that many participants experienced. The inter-rater reliability and empirical validity were examined. The proposed framework provides a structured approach to usability testing by enabling both quantitative and qualitative evaluation of intuitive interaction.
Epithelial Barrier and Transport Function of the Colon in Ulcerative Colitis

H. SCHMITZ,a C. BARMEYER,a A. H. GITTER,b F. WULLSTEIN,a C. J. BENTZEL,c M. FROMM,b E. O. RIECKEN,a AND J. D. SCHULZKEa,d aMedizinische Klinik I, Gastroenterologie und Infektiologie, Universitätsklinikum Benjamin Franklin, Freie Universität Berlin, 12200 Berlin, Germany bInstitut für Klinische Physiologie, Universitätsklinikum Benjamin Franklin, Freie Universität Berlin, 12200 Berlin, Germany cDepartment of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina
Pathomechanisms of Sciatica in Lumbar Disc Herniation: Effect of Periradicular Adhesive Tissue on Electrophysiological Values by an Intraoperative Straight Leg Raising Test

Study Design. This study is aimed to investigate the changes of nerve root functions during the straight leg raising (SLR) test in vivo. Objective. To investigate the relationship between nerve root movement and the electrophysiological values during an intraoperative SLR test. Summary of Background Data. The SLR test is one of the most significant signs for making a clinical diagnosis of lumbar disc herniation. A recent study showed that intraradicular blood flow apparently decreased during the SLR test in patients with disc herniation. Methods. The study included 32 patients who underwent microdiscectomy. During the surgery, the nerve root motion affected by the hernia was observed during the SLR test. The patients' legs were allowed to hang down to the angle at which sciatica had occurred and the change of nerve root action potentials was measured. After removal of the hernia, a similar procedure was repeated. The periradicular specimens collected during surgery were examined by light and electron microscope. Results. In all patients intraoperative microscopy revealed that the hernia was adherent to the dura mater of the nerve roots. During the SLR test, the limitation of nerve root movement occurred by periradicular adhesive tissue and amplitude of action potential showed a sharp decrease at the angle that produced sciatica. After removal of the hernia, all the patients showed smooth gliding of the nerve roots during the test, and there was no marked decrease of amplitude. Our data suggest that temporary ischemic changes in the nerve root cause transient conduction disturbances. Pathologic examination showed that the periradicular tissue consisted of the granulation with vascularization and many inflammatory cell infiltrations. Conclusion. The presence of periradicular fibrosis will compound the nerve root pain by fixing the nerve in one position, thereby increasing the susceptibility of the nerve root to tension or compression.
NOD2/CARD15 gene mutations in North Algerian patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

AIM To analyse allelic frequency of NOD2 gene variants and to assess their correlation with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in Algeria. METHODS We studied 132 unrelated patients diagnosed with IBD, 86 with Crohn's disease (CD) and 46 with ulcerative colitis (UC). Data was prospectively collected between January 2011 and December 2013. The demographic and clinical characteristics were recorded for all the patients. A group of 114 healthy unrelated individuals were selected as controls. All groups studied originated from different regions of North Algeria and confirmed the Algerian origin of their parents and grandparents. Informed and written consent was obtained from each of the participants. All individuals were genotyped for the three CD-associated NOD2 variants (p.Arg(702)Trp, p.Gly908Arg and p.Leu(1007)fsinsC mutations) using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. Allele and genotype frequencies in patients and control subjects were compared by χ(2) test and Fisher's exact test where appropriate. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were also estimated. Association analyses were performed to study the influence of these variants on IBD and on clinical phenotypes. RESULTS The p.Arg(702)Trp mutation showed the highest frequency in CD patients (8%) compared to UC patients (2%) (P = 0.09, OR = 3.67, 95%CI: 0.48-4.87) and controls (5%) (P = 0.4, OR = 1.47, 95%CI: 0.65-3.31). In CD patients allelic frequencies of p.Gly908Arg and p.Leu(1007)fsinsC variants compared to HC were 3% vs 2% (P = 0.5, OR = 1.67, 95%CI: 0.44-6.34); 2% vs 1% (P = 0.4 OR = 2.69 95%CI: 0.48-14.87 respectively). In UC patients, allelic frequencies of p.Gly908Arg and p.Leu(1007)fsinsC variants compared to HC were 1% vs 2% (P = 1, OR = 1.62, 95%CI: 0.17-4.74) and 2% vs 1% (P = 0.32, OR = 0.39, 95%CI: 0.05-2.87). The total frequency of the mutated NOD2 chromosomes was higher in CD (13%), than in HC (8%) and UC (5%). In addition, NOD2 variants were linked to a particular clinical sub-phenotype in CD in this Algerian cohort. As expected, the three NOD2 variants showed a significant association with CD but did not reach statistical significance, despite the fact that the allele frequency of NOD2 variants was in the range found in most of the European populations. This might be due to the non-exposure of the NOD2 carriers to environmental factors, required for the expression of the disease. CONCLUSION Further analyses are necessary to study genetic and environmental factors in IBD in the Algerian population, using larger patient groups.
Seasonal Changes of Freshwater Ammonia-Oxidizing Archaeal Assemblages and Nitrogen Species in Oligotrophic Alpine Lakes

ABSTRACT The annual changes in the composition and abundance of ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) were analyzed monthly in surface waters of three high mountain lakes within the Limnological Observatory of the Pyrenees (LOOP; northeast Spain) using both 16S rRNA and functional (ammonia monooxygenase gene, amoA) gene sequencing as well as quantitative PCR amplification. The set of biological data was related to changes in nitrogen species and to other relevant environmental variables. The whole archaeal assemblage was dominated by phylotypes closely related to the crenarchaeal 1.1a group (58% ± 18% of total 16S rRNA gene sequences), and consistent structural changes were detected during the study. Water temperature was the environmental variable that better explained spring, summer, and winter (ice-covered lakes) archaeal assemblage structure. The amoA gene was detected year round, and seasonal changes in amoA gene composition were well correlated with changes in the archaeal 16S rRNA gene pool. In addition, copy numbers of both the specific 1.1a group 16 rRNA and archaeal amoA genes were well correlated, suggesting that most freshwater 1.1a Crenarchaeota had the potential to carry out ammonia oxidation. Seasonal changes in the diversity and abundance of AOA (i.e., amoA) were better explained by temporal changes in ammonium, the substrate for nitrification, and mostly nitrite, the product of ammonia oxidation. Lacustrine amoA gene sequences grouped in coherent freshwater phylogenetic clusters, suggesting that freshwater habitats harbor typical amoA-containing ecotypes, which is different from soils and seas. We observed within the freshwater amoA gene sequence pool a high genetic divergence (translating to up to 32% amino acid divergence) between the spring and the remaining AOA assemblages. This suggests that different AOA ecotypes are adapted to different temporal ecological niches in these lakes.
Property stigma: wind farms are just the latest fashion

Purpose – The Government's aim to curb CO2 emissions from energy production has resulted in the growth of a new environmental feature; the wind turbine. Whilst this may help tackle climate change, there is concern that the visual and aural presence of these turbines could have a negative impact on house prices. Opinion studies undertaken within the UK appear to show significant variations in attitudes towards wind farms in different locations (in particular between Scotland and southern England) and at different stages during the development process. However, to date, no research has established the actual impact on proximate house values. Therefore, the purpose of this study, sponsored by the RICS, is to develop a methodology to measure the likely impact of onshore wind farms on house prices in the UK.Design/methodology/approach – This study focused on residential property surrounding two wind farms in Cornwall. Transaction data for 1,052 house sales completed between 2000 and 2004 were obtained and anal.
Asymmetries in the Cyclical Effects of Monetary Policy on Output: Some European Evidence

In this paper, I present empirical evidence for …ve European countries (Germany, France, UK, Spain and Italy) and the Euro-zone on whether monetary policy shocks produce diferent ejects on real output growth depending on the phase of the business cycle that the economy is undergoing (the socalled ´state´ asymmetry). To do so, I apply a multivariate extension of the Hamilton(1989)´s Markov switching methodology. I …nd evidence in favour of ´state´ asymmetries at the aggregate level in all the countries whereby interest-rate shocks have larger e¤ects in recessions than in expansions. I also carry out the analysis at the sectorial level and observe that this asymmetric effect seems to be diferent in the analysed countries when I focus on a sectorial analysis.
Brain Responses During Robot-Error Observation

Brain-controlled robots are a promising new type of assistive device for severely impaired persons. Little is however known about how to optimize the interaction of humans and brain-controlled robots. Information about the human's perceived correctness of robot performance might provide a useful teaching signal for adaptive control algorithms and thus help enhancing robot control. Here, we studied whether watching robots perform erroneous vs. correct action elicits differential brain responses that can be decoded from single trials of electroencephalographic (EEG) recordings, and whether brain activity during human-robot interaction is modulated by the robot's visual similarity to a human. To address these topics, we designed two experiments. In experiment I, participants watched a robot arm pour liquid into a cup. The robot performed the action either erroneously or correctly, i.e. it either spilled some liquid or not. In experiment II, participants observed two different types of robots, humanoid and non-humanoid, grabbing a ball. The robots either managed to grab the ball or not. We recorded high-resolution EEG during the observation tasks in both experiments to train a Filter Bank Common Spatial Pattern (FBCSP) pipeline on the multivariate EEG signal and decode for the correctness of the observed action, and for the type of the observed robot. Our findings show that it was possible to decode both correctness and robot type for the majority of participants significantly, although often just slightly, above chance level. Our findings suggest that non-invasive recordings of brain responses elicited when observing robots indeed contain decodable information about the correctness of the robot's action and the type of observed robot.
Parametric Estimation of Technical and Allocative Inefficiency with Panel Data

The error-components approach to estimating allocative inefficiency imposes restrictive assumptions on the distributions of the errors and functional form. The parametric approach does not require special assumptions about the error distribution or technology but typically assumes technical efficiency or restrictive functional forms. The parametric approach also allows for systematic firm responses to shadow prices. The authors generalize the parametric approach to a panel data setting and show that input and firm-specific allocative inefficiency, as well as firm-specific technical inefficiency, can be identified and estimated using a flexible functional form. This is demonstrated empirically with an application to U.S. airlines. Copyright 1994 by Economics Department of the University of Pennsylvania and the Osaka University Institute of Social and Economic Research Association.
Bank Capital Regulation in the Early 1980s

First, additional capital can reduce the exposure of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the FDIC) to bank losses. When a bank fails and is liquidated, the FDIC's loss equals the bank's liabilities minus the liquidation (market) value of its assets. Thus, the greater proportion of assets funded with capital rather than liabilities (and therefore the largerare assets relative to liabilities), the smaller the FDIC's loss, all other things equal.
Do the Sentencing Guidelines Influence the Retirement Decisions of Federal Judges?

Many U.S. district court judges have expressed dissatisfaction with the sentencing guidelines. Such feelings are consistent with the assumption that judges care about power, not being overturned, and sentences being proportional to the offense. This paper shows that the sentencing guidelines lead judges to take senior status earlier. Specifically, under the sentencing guidelines, district court judges take senior status . 4 years after becoming eligible to do so. Without the sentencing guidelines, district court judges would select senior status 3 years after becoming eligible.
Development of a Creativity Scale for the Adjective Check List

Creativity scales for the Adjective Check List (ACL) were developed and cross-validated. First, through the use of item analyses, separate creativity scales were developed for each of 4 sex by specialty field groups in an initial sample of adolescents. Each of these scales successfully discriminated creative and control Ss in the cross-validation sample. Subsequently, 2 general creativity scales were formed from the data of the initial sample by selecting only those adjectives which differentiated creative and control Ss across sex and specialty field. The 2 general scales, an 8-item scale and a 27-item scale, also proved successful in discriminating creative and control Ss in the cross-validation sample. In general, the use of the ACL creativity scales developed in this study proved more effective in differentiating creative and control Ss than did a select group of currently available ACL scales. A comparison of the validity of these new creativity scales indicated that the 27-item scale appears to be most promising.
Lithium induces clearance of protease resistant prion protein in prion‐infected cells by induction of autophagy

Lithium is used for several decades to treat manic‐depressive illness (bipolar affective disorder). Recently, it was found that lithium induces autophagy, thereby promoting the clearance of mutant huntingtin and α‐synucleins in experimental systems. We show here for the first time that lithium significantly reduces the amount of pathological prion protein (PrPSc) in prion‐infected neuronal and non‐neuronal cultured cells by inducing autophagy. Treatment of prion‐infected cells with 3‐methyladenine, a potent inhibitor of autophagy, counteracted the anti‐prion effect of lithium, demonstrating that induction of autophagy mediates degradation of PrPSc. Co‐treatment with lithium and rapamycin, a drug widely used to induce autophagy, had an additive effect on PrPSc clearance compared to treatment with either drug alone. In addition, we provide evidence that the ability to reduce PrPSc and to induce autophagy is common for diverse lithium compounds, not only for the drug lithium chloride, usually administered in clinical therapy. Furthermore, we show here that besides reduction of PrPSc‐aggregates, lithium‐induced autophagy also slightly reduces the levels of cellular prion protein. Limiting the substrate available for conversion of cellular prion protein into PrPSc may provide an additional mechanism for reduction of PrPSc by lithium‐induced autophagy.
How are internally oriented HRM policies related to high-performance work practices? Evidence from Singapore

This examination of policies relating to the internal cultivation of human resources and high-performance work systems among a sample of Singapore-based organizations shows that the HRM practices under consideration reflect three distinct dimensions: internal staffing, employee development, and employment stability. Of the three dimensions, only employee development was significantly and positively related to high-performance work systems. Contrary to the arguments in the literature relating to internal labour markets, mutual commitment HRM, and high-performance work systems, policies involving internal staffing and employment stability were not found to be necessary components of the internally oriented HRM package.