Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mechanisms contributing to central excitability changes during hearing loss

Exposure to loud sound causes cochlear damage resulting in hearing loss and tinnitus. Tinnitus has been related to hyperactivity in the central auditory pathway occurring weeks after loud sound exposure. However, central excitability changes concomitant to hearing loss and preceding those periods of hyperactivity, remain poorly explored. Here we investigate mechanisms contributing to excitability changes in the dorsal cochlear nucleus (DCN) shortly after exposure to loud sound that produces hearing loss. We show that acoustic overexposure alters synaptic transmission originating from the auditory and the multisensory pathway within the DCN in different ways. A reduction in the number of myelinated auditory nerve fibers leads to a reduced maximal firing rate of DCN principal cells, which cannot be restored by increasing auditory nerve fiber recruitment. In contrast, a decreased membrane resistance of DCN granule cells (multisensory inputs) leads to a reduced maximal firing rate of DCN principal cells that is overcome when additional multisensory fibers are recruited. Furthermore, gain modulation by inhibitory synaptic transmission is disabled in both auditory and multisensory pathways. These cellular mechanisms that contribute to decreased cellular excitability in the central auditory pathway are likely to represent early neurobiological markers of hearing loss and may suggest interventions to delay or stop the development of hyperactivity that has been associated with tinnitus.
Modeling and Pricing in Financial Markets for Weather Derivatives

Weather derivatives provide a tool for weather risk management, and the markets for these exotic financial products are gradually emerging in size and importance. This unique monograph presents a unified approach to the modeling and analysis of such weather derivatives, including financial contracts on temperature, wind and rain. Based on a deep statistical analysis of weather factors, sophisticated stochastic processes are introduced modeling the time and space dynamics. Applying ideas from the modern theory of mathematical finance, weather derivatives are priced, and questions of hedging analyzed. The treatise contains an in-depth analysis of typical weather contracts traded at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME), including so-called CDD and HDD futures. The statistical analysis of weather variables is based on a large data set from Lithuania. The monograph includes the research done by the authors over the last decade on weather markets. Their work has gained considerable attention, and has been applied in many contexts. Contents: Financial Markets for Weather Statistics of Weather: Data Description and Exploratory Analysis Spatial-Temporal Modelling Weather Derivatives: Continuous-Time Models for Temperature and Wind Speed Pricing of Forward Contracts on Temperature and Wind Speed Extensions of Temperature and Wind Speed Models Options on Temperature and Wind Precipitation Derivatives Utility-Based Approaches to Pricing Weather Derivatives Readership: Researchers in mathematical/quantitative finance, environmental/energy economics. Key Features: A rigorous stochastic modeling of weather factors like temperature, wind and rain based on continuous-time autoregressive processes and L¨¦vy processes Pricing of weather derivatives like futures and options based on modern mathematical finance theory This book is unique in combining sophisticated stochastic models with the modern theory of mathematical finance to weather derivatives. It provides a unified approach to weather markets
Behavior of Chlorpyrifos-methyl in Soil and Sediment

Abstract This research was carried out with the aim of obtaining information regarding the possible environmental impact of Chlorpyrifos-methyl, an organophosphoric insecticide used in agriculture for its phytoiatric action against Hemiptera, Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, and Diptera. Studies relating to the degradation kinetics of the insecticide in two soils and one sediment have shown a rapid degradation process in all three. The prevalent form of degradation would appear to be the chemical type, because the degradation kinetics in a sterile soil have not demonstrated that micro-organisms play a significant part. The adsorption isotherms showed that the insecticide has a greater affinity for the sediment (Kf = 143) as opposed to the soils (Kf = 65) and that the adsorption process is practically irreversible. Moreover, hydrolysis tests in buffered solutions at pH 4, 7, and 9 revealed that the molecule is particularly unstable with a basic pH.
‘May the ovens never grow cold’: regional resilience and industrial policy in the North Staffordshire ceramics industrial district – with lessons from Sassoulo and Castellon

In the aftermath of the recent global recession, the concept of regional resilience is becoming increasingly important in regional policy circles. This paper seeks to add to the debate by exploring resilience and recent policy initiatives in the context of the North Staffordshire ceramics district. A key issue here has been the economic governance of the district, which has had a significant impact upon its current trajectory. Drawing upon a series of interviews with local actors, we examine the district's ‘adaptive capacity’ to move onto a new trajectory. In particular, we note the importance of district firms developing wider networking opportunities, particularly external ties; insights here are garnered from the relatively successful links between Castellon and Sassoulo ceramics districts.
Wage bargaining in industries with market power

In this paper we develop a game-theoretic version of the right-to-manage model of firm-level bargaining where strategic interactions among firms are explicitly recognized. Our main aim is to investigate how equilibrium wages and employment react to changes in various labor and product market variables. We show that our comparative statics results hinge crucially on the strategic nature of the game, which in turn is determined by the relative bargaining power of unions and managers.
Meta-Analysis Evaluating the Impact of Site of Metastasis on Overall Survival in Men With Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer.

PURPOSE Reports have suggested that metastatic site is an important predictor of overall survival (OS) in men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), but these were based on a limited number of patients. We investigate the impact of site of metastases on OS of a substantial sample of men with mCRPC who received docetaxel chemotherapy in nine phase III trials. PATIENTS AND METHODS Individual patient data from 8,820 men with mCRPC enrolled onto nine phase III trials were combined. Site of metastases was categorized as lymph node (LN) only, bone with or without LN (with no visceral metastases), any lung metastases (but no liver), and any liver metastases. RESULTS Most patients had bone with or without LN metastases (72.8%), followed by visceral disease (20.8%) and LN-only disease (6.4%). Men with liver metastases had the worst median OS (13.5 months). Although men with lung metastases had better median OS (19.4 months) compared with men with liver metastases, they had significantly worse median survival duration than men with nonvisceral bone metastases (21.3 months). Men with LN-only disease had a median OS of 31.6 months. The pooled hazard ratios for death in men with lung metastases compared with men with bone with or without LN metastases and in men with any liver metastases compared with men with lung metastases were 1.14 (95% CI, 1.04 to 1.25; P = .007) and 1.52 (95% CI, 1.35 to 1.73; P < .0001), respectively. CONCLUSION Specific sites of metastases in men with mCRPC are associated with differential OS, with successive increased lethality for lung and liver metastases compared with bone and nonvisceral involvement. These data may help in treatment decisions, the design of future clinical trials, and understanding the variation in biology of different sites of metastases in men with mCRPC.
Release characteristics of pectin microspheres prepared by an emulsification technique

The potential application of pectin as a matrix polymer for making microspheres by an emulsification technique was explored, and the drug release property of these pectinate microspheres containing drug cores of varying aqueous solubilities: sulphanilamide, sulphaguanidine and sulphathiazole, was investigated using different dissolution media. The size and size distribution, specific surface area, drug content and drug release property of the pectinate microspheres were determined. The solubility and solution pH of drugs and their propensity to interact with pectin were characterized. Pectinate microspheres were successfully prepared by external gelation, using a modified emulsification technique. The kinetics of drug release from the microspheres best fitted Higuchi's model. Interestingly, the lowest percentage of drug released was produced by microspheres which were smallest in size and, therefore, largest in specific surface area, and containing sulphanilamide, the most aqueous soluble and the lowest molecular weight drug. Mathematical correlation study indicated that the drug release profile of pectinate microspheres was notably affected by the drug content and the extent of drug-pectin interaction in the microspheres. Generally, a higher percentage of drug was released from the microspheres with a higher drug content and/or lower extent of drug-pectin interaction. The extent of drug-pectin interaction was highest in microspheres containing sulphanilamide, followed by sulphaguanidine and sulphathiazole, opposite to that of drug content.
INTRODUCTION TO A STUDY OF INTRAHOUSEHOLD RESOURCE ALLOCATION AND GENDER DISCRIMINATION IN RURAL ANDHRA PRADESH, INDIA

In this special issue, we use unique household data which was collected exclusively for our study in Andhra Pradesh, India, with the help of an NGO. We estimate and test the intrahousehold resource allocation rules, incidence of child labor, and the effects of credit constraints on time allocation among household members. Three empirical papers of this issue indicate the overall support for the collective model against the unitary model of households, clarified the role of household structure, and show the nature of mother-child labor substitution under a binding credit constraint. In addition, a survey paper discussing the recent trends on educational attainment and the empirical strategies in identifyng the policy effects are included.
Use of Phadiatop® Infant in diagnosis of specific sensitization in young children with wheeze or eczema

Wheezing and eczema are common symptoms in young children and it is important to disclose sensitization for correct management. The objective of this study was to assess the diagnostic values of Phadiatop Infant, an in vitro test for graded determination of immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies to food and inhalant allergens. One‐hundred and forty‐nine children (median age 1.4 yr) with symptoms of wheezing (51%) eczema (28%) or a combination of both (21%) were classified as atopic or non‐atopic based on case history, atopic history, physical examination and determination of IgE antibodies. The clinical performance of Phadiatop Infant was evaluated for 145 children against this classification in a blinded manner to the allergist. Fifty‐one children were classified as atopic of which Phadiatop Infant identified 49. Ninety‐four were non‐atopic of which the test identified 90. This resulted in a sensitivity of 96%, a specificity of 96%, a positive and a negative predictive value of 94% and 98%, respectively. Logistic regression showed that probability had to be assessed as atopic increased with increasing Phadiatop Infant values. These results suggest that Phadiatop Infant can be recommended as an adjunct to the clinical information in the differential diagnosis on IgE‐mediated allergy in young children. The test thus provides an opportunity for early correct diagnosis and identification of subjects at risk for whom intervention may be necessary.
Challenging the popular wisdom. New estimates of the unobserved economy

We estimate the unrecorded economy in 49 economies from 1981 to 2005. Our study is based on electricity consumption series which are fil- tered to account for technological change and for the changing weight of the energy-intensive industrial sector. In contrast with studies based on the MIMIC method, we obtain a reduction in the weight of the unobserved economy. Unlike La Porta and Shleifer (2008), we identify measures of institutional quality which are significantly related to the shadow econ- omy even after controlling for per-capita GDP. Thus the shadow economy should not be dismissed as the unpleasant side e¤ect of underdevelopment. Instead it is related to some specific institutional aspects that may well survive even when the economy reaches higher development stages. We identify strong substitution effects between official and unofficial sectors both in the long run and over the business cycle. This has important impli- cations for income convergence and for the relationship between volatility and growth.
AFTA, Income Growth, and Income Convergence in ASEAN

The rapid economic growth experienced by the core ASEAN members (comprised of Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Indonesia) since the 70s was generally attributed to openness policies adopted by the respective governments. Despite this contention, however, there is little evidence to suggest that greater openness will eventually lead to a convergence of the member countries, particularly with the present of external shocks. The introduction of ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) in 1992 was also partly an attempt to hedge the region from external shock, while possibly further promoting economic development in the region. This study, therefore, is an attempt at examining in greater detail the impact of AFTA and openness on ASEAN economic growth, in the present of external shock. The results indicate that convergence in ASEAN is conditional upon several control variables taking place, in addition to openness. Additionally, while AFTA has a positive effect on economic growth, its impact on convergence is somewhat ambiguous in the presence of external shocks.
Cross-national differences in the labour force attachment of mothers in Western and Eastern Europe

This paper examines cross-national differences in the labour force attachment of two specific subgroups of mothers: the stay-at-home mothers (homemakers) and those on maternity or parental leave. The justification for focusing on homemakers is that these women constitute an untapped source of labour and are among those who would need to join the labour market in order to reach the EU employment target. As to those on leave, their temporary absence from work means that they will soon be facing a time when they have to decide whether or not to return to the labour market. They are therefore also a key group to consider. In this paper, the characteristics and labour market intentions of these two subgroups of women are analysed using data from the Generations and Gender Survey (GGS) for ten countries: five Western European countries (Austria, Belgium, France, Germany and Italy), and five Eastern European countries (Bulgaria, Georgia, Lithuania, Romania and the Russian Federation). This paper is structured as follows. It first reviews the literature on women’s employment by focusing on both individual and macro-level factors, including values, education and family circumstances. It then moves on to a presentation of the data and methods, followed by the results of the data analysis. The paper concludes with a discussion of the results and their policy implications.
Participation in Export Markets and Productivity of Plants in Los Angeles, 1987-1997

Abstract This article investigates the relationship between the productivity of plants and participation in export markets in the greater Los Angeles area using unpublished plant-level data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Longitudinal Research Database. Two key questions are examined: (1) do plants that export learn in foreign markets and become more efficient, or (2) do more efficient plants self-select into export markets? The results support previous claims that more productive plants tend to self-select into export markets. Little support is found for the learning-by-exporting argument. The policy implications of these findings are discussed.
Clinical Assessment of Standard and Generalized Autocalibrating Partially Parallel Acquisition Diffusion Imaging: Effects of Reduction Factor and Spatial Resolution

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: PI improves routine EPI-based DWI by enabling higher spatial resolution and reducing geometric distortion, though it remains unclear which of these is most important. We evaluated the relative contribution of these factors and assessed their ability to increase lesion conspicuity and diagnostic confidence by using a GRAPPA technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four separate DWI scans were obtained at 1.5T in 48 patients with independent variation of in-plane spatial resolution (1.88 mm2 versus 1.25 mm2) and/or reduction factor (R = 1 versus R = 3). A neuroradiologist with access to clinical history and additional imaging sequences provided a reference standard diagnosis for each case. Three blinded neuroradiologists assessed scans for abnormalities and also evaluated multiple imaging-quality metrics by using a 5-point ordinal scale. Logistic regression was used to determine the impact of each factor on subjective image quality and confidence. RESULTS: Reference standard diagnoses in the patient cohort were acute ischemic stroke (n = 30), ischemic stroke with hemorrhagic conversion (n = 4), intraparenchymal hemorrhage (n = 9), or no acute lesion (n = 5). While readers preferred both a higher reduction factor and a higher spatial resolution, the largest effect was due to an increased reduction factor (odds ratio, 47 ± 16). Small lesions were more confidently discriminated from artifacts on R = 3 images. The diagnosis changed in 5 of 48 scans, always toward the reference standard reading and exclusively for posterior fossa lesions. CONCLUSIONS: PI improves DWI primarily by reducing geometric distortion rather than by increasing spatial resolution. This outcome leads to a more accurate and confident diagnosis of small lesions.
Government Regulation, Corporate Board, and Firm Value: Evidence from China

This paper investigates the determinants of board composition and its consequences on firm value in China by focusing on the impact of ultimate owner type and financial needs under the institution environment with government intervention and weak investor protection. We find that State‐Owned Enterprises (SOEs) are more likely to choose politically connected directors without professional backgrounds, but non‐SOEs are more likely to have independent directors, or politically connected directors with professional business backgrounds. Appointment of independent directors has no effect on firm value. Due to weak legal investor protection in China, a dominant shareholder can easily remove independent directors, as there is no mature market for directors. Politically connected directors without professional business backgrounds are negatively associated with a firm's value. Although such directors can help a company establish relationships with the government, their firms may suffer due to inferior professionalism.
Poverty Reduction Through Growth and Redistribution Policies - A Panel Analysis for 59 Developing Countries

In this paper, we empirically test the determinants of growth, as derived from a semi-endogenous growth model, in terms of its poverty-reducing effects. We base our empirical analysis of the growth and distribution effect of economic policies on a panel data set of 59 developing countries, divided into two subgroups, and a sample period ranging from 1960 to 2004. For purposes of estimation we make use of the generalized methods of moments (GMM) system estimator. The estimations reveal a poverty-reducing effect of investment. In contrast population growth induces higher poverty. The import of knowledge is growth enhancing only for countries at a higher stage of development—meanwhile the positive growth effect of an increasing democratization is limited to the poor developing countries.
EMPLOYER SEARCH, TRAINING, AND VACANCY DURATION

The authors develop a model of optimal employer search strategy when information about match quality is endogenous. The model is tested using four data sets, two of which have not previously been used. As theory predicts, the authors find that, when filling positions requiring more training, employers search more intensively and extensively. Employers also search more extensively when hiring workers with more education and with prior experience. These findings provide strong evidence of systematic variation in search strategies based on the characteristics of the positions and job applicants. Factors that influence employer search also affect the duration of a vacancy. Copyright 1997 by Oxford University Press.
Tubular carcinoma of the breast. Predicting axillary nodal metastases and recurrence.

BACKGROUND Tubular carcinoma of the breast, a well-differentiated variant of infiltrating ductal carcinoma, has been regarded as a very favorable histologic subtype. The infrequency of nodal metastases and low recurrence rates have led to questions about the value of axillary dissection. OBJECTIVE The authors evaluated the frequency of axillary nodal metastases, the prognostic value of histologic features of the primary tumor, and treatment outcome in patients with tubular carcinoma of the breast. METHODS This retrospective analysis evaluated 50 patients who received diagnoses of tubular carcinoma from The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center between 1944 and 1992. Medical records were reviewed for information about the patient, the tumor, treatment, and outcome. Hematoxylin-eosin stained sections were reviewed to confirm the diagnosis and assess histologic features. RESULTS The median tumor diameter was 1.0 cm. Nine (20%) of 44 axilla had histologically confirmed lymph node involvement. Lymph node involvement was neither infrequent nor predicted by features of the primary tumor. Recurrences developed in 4 patients, and 1 patient died of tubular carcinoma. The 5-year disease-free survival rate was 88%. The local therapy used, mastectomy or breast preservation, did not affect disease-free survival. Contralateral cancer was noted in 26% of the patients. CONCLUSIONS Axillary metastases occur in 20% of patients and are not predicted by features of the primary tumor. Breast preservation is a safe treatment option for tubular carcinoma of the breast.