Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Chapter 4 Linking Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Higher Education: A Study of Swedish Schools of Entrepreneurship

This chapter focuses on Swedish university students studying entrepreneurship and establishing new firms. It is well known that the establishment of new firms is important for economic growth, innovation and job creation. For quite some time, public debate and policy initiatives, as well as research, have focused on how to improve growth of new firms. More than 30 years of entrepreneurship research reveal, however, that differences in personality traits provide little explanation of why some entrepreneurs are more successful than others. Instead, it is suggested that it is the behaviour of individuals that make them entrepreneurial, and that this behaviour is influenced by experience and learning (Gustafsson, 2004; Politis, 2005). The question is thus whether entrepreneurship education will influence the entrepreneurial behaviour of students.
Multiphase Dynamics in Arbitrary Geometries on Fixed Cartesian Grids

In this work, a mixed Eulerian? Lagrangian algorithm, calledELAFINT(Eulerian Lagrangian algorithm for interface tracking) is developed further and applied to compute flows with solid? fluid and fluid? fluid interfaces. The method is capable of handling fluid flows in the presence of both irregularly shaped solid boundaries and moving boundaries on a fixed Cartesian grid. The field equations are solved on the underlying fixed grid using a collocated variable, pressure-based formulation. The moving boundary is tracked explicitly by the Lagrangian translation of marker particles. The moving boundary passes through the grid and the immersed boundary technique is used to handle its interaction with the underlying grid. The internal solid boundaries are dealt with by using a cut-cell technique. Particular attention is directed toward conservation and consistency in the vicinity of both phase boundaries. The complex geometry feature has been tested for a variety of flow problems. The performance of the immersed boundary representation is demonstrated in the simulation of Newtonian liquid drops. The combination of the two features is then employed in the simulation of motion of drops through constricted tubes. The capabilities developed here can be useful for solving flow problems involving moving and stationary complex boundaries.
Two-Person Bargaining Under Incomplete Information: An Experimental Study of New Mechanisms

Abstract : New theoretical developments and recent experimental studies involving the sealed-bid kappa-double auction mechanism for bilateral bargaining under incomplete information have raised new questions about procedures that induce efficient bargaining behavior and about the applicability of extant adaptive learning models. It is now generally accepted that a theory of bargaining behavior for individuals who typically do not meet the stringent assumptions about common knowledge of rationality cannot be complete without systematic empirical investigations of the properties of the various mechanisms that structure bargaining. The aim of this dissertation is to critically explore the extent to which efficient bargaining outcomes can be achieved while dynamically accounting for individual behavior across repeated play of the game. In the first study, an endogenous bonus is introduced into the baseline single-stage game. Although theoretically doing so induces truth-telling behavior for both players, the experimental data provide very limited support. In the second study, the baseline game is extended by incorporating an additional, costless period of bargaining, thereby giving players an increased opportunity to reveal information about their respective reservation values. The data show that subjects quickly learn not to reveal information about their private valuation despite the increased opportunity to bilaterally improve efficiency. Finally, the third study investigates behavior sensitivity to variation in the trading parameter, kappa. Instead of following the historical precedent of setting kappa = 1/2, extreme values of kappa are invoked in an asymmetric information environment endowing a player with exclusive price-setting power.
Endogenous Life-Cycle Portfolio Allocation in the Presence of both Housing Investment and Tax-Deferred Accounts

This paper develops a life-cycle model to address the joint effects of housing investment tax-deferred accounts on the portfolio allocation of households. Besides the distinction between the taxable accounts and tax-deferred accounts, the model employs a comprehensive housing investment structure and Epstein-Zin recursive preferences. The results of the model shows that both tax-deferred accounts and housing investment have sizable crowding out effect on the risky asset investment of households and the effect is found to be larger for housing investment than for tax-deferred accounts.
What do instrumental variable models deliver with discrete dependent variables

We study models with discrete endogenous variables and compare the use of two stage least squares (2SLS) in a linear probability model with bounds analysis using a nonparametric instrumental variable model. 2SLS has the advantage of providing an easy to compute point estimator of a slope coefficient which can be interpreted as a local average treatment effect (LATE). However, the 2SLS estimator does not measure the value of other useful treatment effect parameters without invoking untenable restrictions. The nonparametric instrumental variable (IV) model has the advantage of being weakly restrictive, so more generally applicable, but it usually delivers set identification. Nonetheless it can be used to consistently estimate bounds on many parameters of interest including, for example, average treatment effects. We illustrate using data from Angrist & Evans (1998) and study the effect of family size on female employment. This October 2015 version corrects an error in the paper, as explained in footnote 1. The original version of the working paper is available here.
How Board Diversity Affects Firm Performance in Emerging Markets: Evidence on Channels in Controlled Firms

Manuscript Type Empirical Research Question/Issue We investigate the indirect effect of a board's demographic diversity on firm performance via board monitoring in a context where boards are relatively homogeneous with respect to structural diversity, using data from Turkey. We contextualize our investigation by exploring the influence of ownership configurations on the effect of diversity. Research Findings/Insights We find a positive and non-linear relationship between demographic diversity and performance, mediated by the board's monitoring efforts. The effect of monitoring is found to be contingent upon (moderated by) the controlling shareholders’ propensity to expropriate, measured by the deviation of control rights from cash flow rights, i.e. the wedge. We report that demographic diversity enhances firm performance by mitigating the negative effect of the wedge on board monitoring. Theoretical/Academic Implications Our results provide empirical support for the importance of contextual factors in the relationship between diversity and performance. Our framework and the compound diversity and board-monitoring indices we construct may prove useful to researchers. Practitioner/Policy Implications Regulators can use our findings in formulating recommendations or regulations related to desirable characteristics of boards. Our results are also instructive for investors and proxy advisors and indicate that the mere existence of monitoring vehicles may be insufficient to prevent expropriation by dominant shareholders, but diverse boards may mitigate the propensity to expropriate. Board members and shareholders should also benefit from the findings in creating boards that are more diligent monitors.
Cross-border commuting and consuming: an empirical investigation

ABSTRACT This article contributes to our understanding of cross-border activity in general and the determinants of cross-border trade in particular by focusing on the part of cross-border sales that arise due to work-related cross-border crossings of households. We analyse empirically how cross-border consumption expenditures vary across product and services categories as well as household characteristics using representative household survey data of cross-border commuters to Luxembourg. In total, these households spend an estimated 17% of their gross annual income across the border, contributing about 10% to the total household final consumption expenditure (HFCE) in Luxembourg. Cross-border expenditure is linked to individual- and household-related characteristics and to distance between home and work. Cross-border commuters systematically exploit arbitrage opportunities that arise because of existing price level (index) differences between the country of work and the country of residence.
Estimates of Insulin Sensitivity Using Glucose and C-Peptide From the Hyperglycemia and Adverse Pregnancy Outcome Glucose Tolerance Test

OBJECTIVE To determine if glucose and C-peptide values obtained as part of the Hyperglycemia and Adverse Pregnancy Outcome (HAPO) study could be used to estimate insulin sensitivity during late pregnancy. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A total of 78 women enrolled in the HAPO study were recruited for this ancillary study. Venous plasma samples were drawn after an 8- to 10-h fast (time 0) and at 30, 60, 90, and 120 min after a 75-g glucose challenge, which was performed at 24–32 weeks' gestation. Samples were analyzed for plasma glucose, insulin, and C-peptide. Insulin sensitivity was estimated using the established Matsuda and DeFronzo insulin sensitivity index for oral glucose tolerance tests (ISOGTT). Insulin sensitivity was also calculated from two other commonly used indexes of insulin sensitivity (that for homeostasis model assessment [ISHOMA] and that for quantitative insulin sensitivity check index [ISQUICKI]). A new insulin sensitivity index was calculated using the glucose and C-peptide concentrations at 0 and 60 min to derive ISHOMA C-pep, ISQUICKI C-pep, and ISOGTT C-pep. These indexes were then correlated with insulin sensitivity estimated from the ISOGTT. RESULTS The strongest correlation with the ISOGTT was obtained for ISOGTT C-pep (r = 0.792, P < 0.001). Further, the correlations of ISHOMA C-pep and ISQUICKI C-pep with ISOGTT were also significant (r = 0.676, P < 0.001 and r = 0.707, P < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that calculated ISOGTT C-pep is an excellent predictor of insulin sensitivity in pregnancy and can be used to estimate insulin sensitivity in over 25,000 women participating in the HAPO study.
Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas of the colon.

BACKGROUND Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the colon is a rare and consequently poorly studied extranodal lymphoma. Most of the previous publications used old pathologic classifications and old diagnostic and treatment approaches. OBJECTIVE To examine the clinical presentation, pathologic classification, treatment and outcome of patients with NHL of the colon. METHODS A retrospective study was performed of all patients with NHL and involvement of the colon in two medical centers. The patient group consisted of 17 patients over a 13 year period. RESULTS Fourteen patients had primary involvement and 3 secondary. The ileocecal region and cecum were the most frequent sites of involvement, occurring in 76% of patients. Most patients had bulky disease: three had a diameter >5 cm and eight a diameter >10 cm. Aggressive histology was found in 12 patients: diffuse large B cell lymphoma in 11 and peripheral T cell lymphoma in 1. Three patients had mantle cell lymphoma and two had indolent lymphomas: mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (n=l) and small lymphocytic (n=l). Eleven patients underwent hemicolectomy: right sided in 9 and left sided in 2, and 5 DLBCL patients required emergency surgery for intestinal perforation. The median overall survival was 44 months (range 1-147). Disease stage influenced prognosis; six of seven patients with limited-stage DLBCL who received aggressive chemotherapy achieved complete remission and enjoyed prolonged survival, whereas patients with aggressive disseminated disease had resistant disease and poor survival (median 8 months). CONCLUSIONS Most colonic lymphomas are aggressive B cell lymphomas. Diagnosis is often delayed. Early diagnosis may prevent perforation. Those with limited-stage disease when treated with aggressive chemotherapy may enjoy prolonged survival. The role of elective hemicolectomy to prevent perforation should be examined in prospective trials.
STATISTICS-BASED METHODS FOR ERRORS DETECTION AND CORRECTION IN MODERN HEBREW

This work focuses on the problem of correcting errors in a modern Hebrew text. Even though they have existed for a long time, error correction systems for Hebrew su er from two main problems: They do not recognize all the valid words in our language and they fail to distinguish valid words in invalid contexts. This work includes the development of two types of methods, each designed to overcome one of the two principal problems. The rst method determines whether an unknown word is an error with a precision of 0.79 and a recall of 0.78. The samples that were used were extracted from the web and contained real errors in addition to valid words. Our method managed to distinguish between the two while achieving better results than other previous methods. The second method uses the context in which an error appears to determine which word out of a prede ned set of words was actually intended. The method was adapted from English with adjustments appropriate to a rich morphological language such as Hebrew. It achieves an accuracy of 96% over 9 di erent errors and 98.6% while covering 85% of the tested samples. In addition, the method was able to correct authentic common Hebrew errors in an unedited text with very high precision.
The Universal sl_2 Link Homology Theory

We explore the complex associated to a link in the geometric formalism of Khovanov's (n=2) link homology theory, determine its exact underlying algebraic structure and find its precise universality properties for link homology functors. We present new methods of extracting all known link homology theories directly from this universal complex, and determine its relative strength as a link invariant by specifying the amount of information held within the complex. We achieve these goals by finding a complex isomorphism which reduces the complex into one in a simpler category. We introduce few tools and methods, including surface classification modulo the 4TU/S/T relations and genus generating operators, and use them to explore the relation between the geometric complex and its underlying algebraic structure. We identify the universal topological quantum field theory (TQFT) that can be used to create link homology and find that it is ``smaller'' than what was previously reported by Khovanov. We find new homology theories that hold a controlled amount of information relative to the known ones. The universal complex is computable efficiently using our reduction theorem. This allows us to explore the phenomenological aspects of link homology theory through the eyes of the universal complex in order to explain and unify various phenomena (such as torsion and thickness). The universal theory also enables us to state results regarding specific link homology theories derived from it. The methods developed in this thesis can be combined with other known techniques (such as link homology spectral sequences) or used in the various extensions of Khovanov link homology (such as sl_3 link homology).
MicroRNA-146a modulates B-cell oncogenesis by regulating Egr1

miR-146a is a NF-κB induced microRNA that serves as a feedback regulator of this critical pathway. In mice, deficiency of miR-146a results in hematolymphoid cancer at advanced ages as a consequence of constitutive NF-κB activity. In this study, we queried whether the deficiency of miR-146a contributes to B-cell oncogenesis. Combining miR-146a deficiency with transgenic expression of c-Myc led to the development of highly aggressive B-cell malignancies. Mice transgenic for c-Myc and deficient for miR-146a were characterized by significantly shortened survival, increased lymph node involvement, differential involvement of the spleen and a mature B-cell phenotype. High-throughput sequencing of the tumors revealed significant dysregulation of approximately 250 genes. Amongst these, the transcription factor Egr1 was consistently upregulated in mice deficient for miR-146a. Interestingly, transcriptional targets of Egr1 were enriched in both the high-throughput dataset and in a larger set of miR-146a-deficient tumors. miR-146a overexpression led to downregulation of Egr1 and downstream targets with concomitant decrease in cell growth. Direct targeting of the human EGR1 by miR-146a was seen by luciferase assay. Together our findings illuminate a bona fide role for miR-146a in the modulation of B-cell oncogenesis and reveal the importance of understanding microRNA function in a cell- and disease-specific context.
The Repercussions of the Economic Recession in Greece on Adolescents and their Families

The impact of the economic crisis is reflected in the increase of parental unemployment, tensions and fights within the family, constraints on going on holidays, and in fewer private lessons. Student’s life satisfaction has fallen. Findings enhance our understanding of the impact of the economic crisis on adolescents and families in Greece. These data may aid the shaping of policies to protect families and their offspring from the repercussions of the current crisis.
Essays on the economics of the Colombian armed conflict and violence

This thesis uses microeconometric methods to study the armed conflict in Colombia. Chapter 2 uses geographical and temporal variation in potential drug trafficking networks to instrument for the prevalence of violent crime in different regions of Colombia. Using changes in the prices of different international cocaine markets I identify exogenous changes in violence at municipality level. I exploit the comparative advantage that different regions in Colombia have when they are serving either the cocaine market in the US or Europe. My results suggest that homicide rates increase according to the comparative advantage each municipality has in the drug trade. However, I do not find strong evidence of the influence of drug trade over the placement and actions of left wing guerrillas or right wing paramilitary groups. Thereafter, chapter 3 uses the exogenous variation from drug trafficking to analyse the effect of homicides on the prevalence of early motherhood. My results suggest the one standard deviation increase in the homicide rate induces 2.65 p.p. increase in the probability of early motherhood. Chapter 4 proposes a microeconomic framework to describe the features of an optimal reintegration contract. In my model, a Principal (government) collects taxes from the community in order to fund a reintegration contract with the Agents (illegal soldiers). This contract involves a set of threats and benefits. The shape of such threats and benefits depends on the relative productivity of the security technology and the level of absorption of the labour markets. Last chapter concludes.
Regional Specification of Neurosphere Cultures Derived from Subregions of the Embryonic Telencephalon

We have studied the molecular specification of precursor cells in expanded neurosphere cultures derived from distinct subregions of the embryonic mouse telencephalon. These regionally derived cultures exhibited differential responses to the mitogens EGF and bFGF, suggesting that the precursors in these cultures were differentially specified as is the case in situ. To examine this further, cultures from each of the telencephalic subregions were expanded in both EGF and bFGF before differentiation. The neurons produced displayed molecular phenotypes similar to those normally derived from each of these regions in vivo. Moreover, analysis of gene expression in the undifferentiated cultures showed that the regionally derived neurospheres express many of the same developmental control genes as their in vivo counterparts. Taken together, the present findings suggest that precursor cells in neurosphere cultures, derived from distinct subregions of the embryonic telencephalon, maintain at least certain aspects of their molecular specification, even after significant expansion in vitro.
Extracellular Signals That Regulate the Tangential Migration of Olfactory Bulb Neuronal Precursors: Inducers, Inhibitors, and Repellents

Neuronal migration is an essential developmental step in the construction of the vertebrate nervous system, but the extracellular signals involved in initiating and regulating neuronal movement remain unclear. Here we report the identification of a novel astrocyte-derived migration-inducing activity (MIA). Using an in vitroassay, we show that MIA induces the migration of olfactory bulb interneuron precursors, increasing the number of migrating cells and the distance they move. We established quantitative criteria to distinguish between the biological effects of inducers, inhibitors, repellents, and attractants on migrating cells and used them to compare the effects of MIA with those of Slit, a putative repulsive guidance cue. Our analysis demonstrates that, by themselves, MIA induces and Slit inhibits migration from subventricular zone explants. However, when presented together with MIA, Slit acts as a repellent. This study shows that glial cells play a critical role in initiating and modulating the movement of neuronal precursors through the release of a diffusible protein. Moreover, this study provides evidence that the guidance of migrating neuronal precursors is an integrative process, resulting from the cooperation of distinct extracellular factors, and that the function of Slit is context dependent.
The Failure of Competition in the Credit Card Market

The bank credit card market, containing 4,000 firms and lacking regulatory barriers, casually appears to be a hospitable environment for the model of perfect competition. Nevertheless, this article reports that credit card interest rates have been exceptionally sticky relative to the cost of funds. Moreover, major credit card issuers have persistently earned from three to five times the ordinary rate of return in banking during the periods 1983-88. The failure of the competitive model appears to be partly attributable to consumers making credit card choices without taking account of the very high probability that they will pay interest on their outstanding balances. Copyright 1991 by American Economic Association.