Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Visual lateralisation, form preferences, and secondary imprinting in the domestic chick

Newly hatched chicks (Exp. 1) were exposed to an imprinting object of a certain shape (sphere/cylinder) on Day 1 (primary imprinting) and then to a different-shaped object (cylinder/sphere) on Day 2 (secondary imprinting). They were tested on Day 3 for preferences between primary and secondary imprinting objects in binocular and monocular conditions. Right-eyed males, but not females, showed relatively stronger preferences for the primary imprinting object than left-eyed males; however, the asymmetry was modulated by a spontaneous preference for the sphere. In Experiment 2, a more traditional imprinting paradigm was used: chicks were exposed to the same object for the first 2 days, and on Day 3 underwent a free-choice test between the imprinting object (sphere/cylinder) and a novel one (cylinder/sphere). Results showed that no asymmetries in the use of eyes were apparent, only a general preference for the sphere. In Experiment 3 chicks were exposed, as in Experiment 1, to a primary (Day 1) and a secondary (Day 2) imprinting object; on Day 3 they were exposed to both objects simultaneously; they were also tested for preferences for the two stimuli on Day 4. Left- and right-eyed chicks showed different choice, with the latter preferring the cylinder, thus showing that the eye-asymmetry was in some way peculiar to the secondary imprinting procedure.
Urban Form and Household Activity‐Travel Behavior

Cities and metropolitan regions face several challenges including urban sprawl, auto dependence and congestion, and related environmental and human health effects. Examining the spatial characteristics of daily household activity-travel behavior holds important implications for understanding and addressing urban transportation issues. Research of this sort can inform development of urban land use policy that encourages the use of local opportunities, potentially leading to reduced motorized travel. This article examines the potential household activity-travel response to a planned metropolitan polycentric hierarchy of activity centers. Behavioral observations have been drawn from an activity-travel survey conducted in the Portland, Oregon, metropolitan area during the mid-1990s. Evidence presented from exploratory analysis indicates an urban/suburban differential, with less daily travel and smaller activity spaces for urban households. Investigation of the travel reduction potential of the proposed land-use strategy suggests that location effects could be offset by adjustments to household sociodemographic and mobility characteristics. Copyright 2006 Blackwell Publishing.
International linkages of the Chinese stock exchanges: a multivariate GARCH analysis

This paper examines the linkages between the two emerging stock exchanges in mainland China and the established markets in Hong Kong and in the US by a multivariate GARCH approach. We use a four-variable asymmetric GARCH in the line of the BEKK model proposed by Engle and Kroner (1995) to account for the regularities documented in the share price indices and test for the transmission of returns and volatility across the markets. While we do not find any evidence of a direct linkage between the stock exchanges in mainland China and the US market, we find evidence of uni-directional volatility spillovers from the stock exchange in Hong Kong to those in Shanghai and Shenzhen. However, the magnitude of the volatility linkages between the mainland and Hong Kong is small, indicating a weak integration of the Chinese stock exchanges with the regional developed market. The implication of the weak integration is that overseas investors will benefit from the reduction of diversifiable risk, and thus total portfolio risk, by adding the mainland Chinese stocks to their investment portfolio.
Delay in bargaining games with complete information

Abstract We examine two-person complete-information bargaining games in continuous time, with no restriction on the order of offers and fixed minimum delays both between offers of the same player and between offers of different players. If simultaneous offers are allowed then there exist multiple subgame-perfect equilibria that support substantially delayed agreements. Even as the minimum delays between offers go to zero there are multiple equilibria. These results counter the common view that bargaining models with complete information always yield immediate and efficient agreements. If simultaneous offers are excluded then there is a unique equilibrium, with immediate agreement. Therefore we conclude that the possibility of simultaneous offers is necessary in our formulation for delay and non-uniqueness. Journal of Economic Literature Classification Numbers: C78.
‘Comprehensive Campaigning’ in the NSW Transport Industry: Bridging the Divide Between Regulation and Union Organizing

The transport industry in New South Wales is characterized by widespread precarious employment in the form of a workforce of truck owner-drivers who largely fall outside the scope of common law protections for employee drivers. A sizeable proportion of these contingent owner-drivers have been successfully organized to become active members of the New South Wales Transport Workers Union (TWU). This article briefly examines the industry structure within which this contingent workforce of truck owner-drivers has arisen. It analyses the strategic campaign strategy that underpins the leading role of this trade union in its (so far) successful struggle to obtain and maintain innovative regulatory protections providing substantial material benefits to this workforce, in the form of enforceable minimum working conditions. In so doing, the article demonstrates the considerable potential for union involvement in diverse regulatory frameworks, which may expand existing approaches to organizing and building union capacity.
Postoperative concurrent chemotherapy and radiotherapy for high‐risk cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

Despite resection followed by adjuvant radiotherapy, high‐risk cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck region (SCCHN) often recur. Because adjuvant concurrent chemoradiation reduces recurrence among high‐risk mucosal SCCHN, we sought to understand its efficacy among high‐risk cutaneous SCCHN.
Racial Differences in Men's Unemployment

The author uses March 1990 Current Population Survey data to investigate the reasons for the long-standing gap between the unemployment levels of black and white men (which were about 11.8% and 4.8%, respectively, in 1990). An employment probability function that controls for labor force participation is estimated separately by race. The results indicate that only 20–40% of the differential can be explained by variables other than race that are typically associated with unemployment, such as educational level and local labor market conditions. The predicted differential appears to be greatest among younger, less-skilled men.
Observation of stochastic resonance in bistable electron-paramagnetic-resonance systems.

Evidence of noise-induced erects in electron-paramagnetic-resonance (EPR) experiments is reported. The first observation of a stochastic resonance phenomenon in an EPR system operating in bistable conditions has been obtained. Experimental results indicate unambiguous erects on the frequency and phase of the response of the modulated bistable system in the presence of noise. Possible new progressions in the treatment of both theoretical and experimental stochastic resonance phenomenon are perceived
Modelling jumps in electricity prices: theory and empirical evidence

Objective of this paper is to enhance the understanding of modelling jumps and to analyse the model risk based on the jump component in electricity markets. We provide a common modelling framework that allows to incorporate the main jump patterns observed in electricity spot prices and compare the effectiveness of different jump specifications. To this end, we calibrate the models to daily European Energy Exchange (EEX) market data through Markov Chain Monte Carlo based methods. To assess the quality of the estimated jump processes, we analyse their trajectorial and statistical properties. Moreover, even when the models are calibrated to a cross-section of derivative prices substantial model risk remains.
Do Business Students Make Good Citizens?

Business students are portrayed as behaving too egoistically. The critics call for more social responsibility and good citizenship behavior on the part of business students. We present evidence of pro-social behavior in business students. Every student at the University of Zurich has to decide each semester whether he/she wants to contribute to two social funds administrated by the University. With this large panel data set, we can analyze whether business students indeed behave less pro-socially than other students. Two specific hypotheses are tested: do students select into business studies or does the training in business studies indoctrinate students in a negative way? The evidence suggests that there may be a selection effect going on. Therefore, economics education does not change the citizenship behavior of business students.
Sustainable valley entrepreneurial ecosystems

This research examines the applicability of the entrepreneurial ecosystem literature to the development of a ‘ustainable valley’, whereby a community becomes a centre for entrepreneurial innovations. Specifically, this research explores how components of the formal and informal network, physical infrastructure and culture within a community could contribute to a sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystem. One community, Victoria, British Columbia, is utilized to lay out the framework for the infrastructure necessary to create such a system. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Genre, âge et participation politique: les élections fédérales de 1995 dans le canton de Genève

La presente contribution analyse la participation aux elections federales de 1995 dans le canton de Geneve selon le genre et l’âge, en utilisant des statistiques electorales disponibles pour la premiere fois. Les resultats montrent que le moindre taux de participation feminine est avant tout un fait de l’ancienne generation. En sus des effets presumes de l’obtention tardive du droit de vote, la sur-representation des etats matrimoniaux favorables a la desintegration sociale (separation, divorce et surtout le veuvage) dans ces tranches d’âge de la population feminine expliquent en partie la difference de participation electorale entre hommes et femmes. A l’inverse, le mariage, mais aussi le celibat, semblent constituer pour certaines categories d’electrices âgees des “ressources” qui attenuent la tendance a la “demobilisation”. Quelques pistes d'utilisation de ces donnees dans le futur sont suggerees.
Determinants of banks’ net interest margins in Central and Eastern Europe

This research analyzes the main determinants of the net interest margin of banks operating in Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries in the period from 1999 to 2010. The results reveal several main drivers of net interest margins in the CEE. Prior to 2008 the net interest margins declined primarily due to strong capital inflows and stable macroeconomic environment. In the crisis period, significant rise in government debt accompanied by the increase in macroeconomic risks and abating capital inflows were pushing margins up while other factors such as low credit demand, higher capitalization and significantly increased share of non-performing loans pressured banks’ margins down. The results also confirm the important contribution of higher efficiency to lowering banks’ margins.
Vascular rejection and its relationship to allograft coronary artery disease.

We have prospectively monitored 268 patients by our previously described method of routine immunofluorescence of endomyocardial biopsy specimens. We have classified these patients according to their rejection pattern: cellular, vascular, and mixed. The criteria for these designations have been previously described. In this study we retrospectively reviewed coronary angiograms of these patients to assess the presence and time-course of developing allograft coronary artery disease. All available explanted hearts and postmortem hearts were also assessed by light microscopic examination for acute coronary vasculitis and allograft coronary artery disease and by immunofluorescent microscopy for vascular immune complex deposition in a manner identical to immunofluorescent microscopic examination of endomyocardial biopsy specimens. Patients were also monitored for sensitization to immunoprophylactically administered murine monoclonal CD3 antibody (OKT3) and those demonstrated to be sensitized were separately analyzed. Clinical features and treatment of patients were retrospectively reviewed. We found that 141 patients could be classified as having cellular rejection, 76 as having vascular rejection, and 52 as having a mixed rejection pattern. The allograft survival in vascular rejection patients was significantly worse than in allografts of patients with cellular or mixed rejection, confirming our earlier results. Most importantly, we found a significant difference in the time to the development of allograft coronary artery disease based on the rejection pattern. This difference existed whether or not patients sensitized to OKT3 were excluded from evaluation. Patients with mixed rejection had an intermediate time to the development of allograft coronary artery disease between that of patients with cellular and vascular rejection. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Early usage of Bakri postpartum balloon in the management of postpartum hemorrhage: a large prospective, observational multicenter clinical study in South China

Abstract Aim: To evaluate the success rate and protocol of the Bakri balloon for postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) in the course of a prospective observational multicenter cohort study in South China. Methods: At 20 hospitals in South China, women with postpartum bleeding who failed to respond to the first-line conservative management and received the Bakri balloon were recruited for the study. Maternal characteristics, PPH characteristics, PPH management and outcomes in regard to the Bakri balloon use were recorded. Results: A total of 472 women had a Bakri balloon tamponade and 407 (86.23%) women were enrolled (67 after vaginal delivery and 340 either during or after cesarean delivery). The success rate of the Bakri balloon in this study was 91.65% (373/407 women). During vaginal deliveries, the group with a hemorrhage >2000 mL before balloon insertion had significantly more blood loss (551.67±635.17 mL vs. 242.06±313.69 mL, P=0.039) and lower maternal hemoglobin (73±21.77 g/L vs. 92.06±19.60 g/L, P=0.029) after using Bakri balloon than the group with a hemorrhage <1000 mL. Similar data were found during cesarean deliveries. The blood loss before and after balloon insertion were significantly higher in the Bakri balloon failure group (1700±1429.88 mL before and 1209.58±1139.72 mL after using the balloon) than those in the success group [918±493.92 mL before (P=0.002) and 266.57±361.60 mL after using the balloon (P=0.001)]. Conclusion: Rapid diagnosis or prognosis of PPH, in combination with early usage of the Bakri postpartum balloon is more effective for the management of PPH.
Hypoxia, alpha 2-adrenergic, and nitric oxide-dependent interactions on canine cerebral blood flow.

We tested the hypothesis that NO synthase inhibition with N omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) and alpha 2-adrenoreceptor stimulation with dexmedetomidine (Dex) decreases the cerebral blood flow (CBF) response to hypoxia. In isoflurane-anesthetized dogs, CBF was measured during two episodes of hypoxic hypoxia. In a control group (n = 6), CBF increased similarly from 83 +/- 4 to 210 +/- 30 ml.min-1 x 100 g-1 and from 88 +/- 7 to 205 +/- 27 (+/- SE) ml.min-1 x 100 g-1 during two hypoxic episodes. In a second group (n = 6), hypoxia increased CBF from 88 +/- 15 to 204 +/- 38 ml.min-1 x 100 g-1. Dex (10 micrograms/kg i.v.) reduced normoxic CBF to 54 +/- 8 ml.min-1 x 100 g-1, and subsequent hypoxia increased CBF to 97 +/- 14 ml.min-1 x 100 g-1. In a third group pretreated with L-NAME (40 mg/kg i.v.) 1 h before anesthesia (n = 6), normoxic CBF was less than in the control group (52 +/- 2 vs. 83 +/- 4 ml.min-1 x 100 g-1). Hypoxia increased CBF to 177 +/- 13 ml.min-1 x 100 g-1. Dex after L-NAME further decreased normoxic CBF to 37 +/- 3 ml.min-1 x 100 g-1, and subsequent hypoxia increased CBF to 106 +/- 18 ml.min-1 x 100 g-1. Dex, L-NAME, and Dex + L-NAME each reduced cerebral O2 transport (CBF x arterial O2 content) during normoxia, but the increase in CBF during hypoxia was sufficient to prevent further decreases in O2 transport. Thus the response to hypoxia remained proportional to normoxic levels of CBF. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Gaining ligand selectivity in thyroid hormone receptors via entropy

Nuclear receptors are important targets for pharmaceuticals, but similarities between family members cause difficulties in obtaining highly selective compounds. Synthetic ligands that are selective for thyroid hormone (TH) receptor β (TRβ) vs. TRα reduce cholesterol and fat without effects on heart rate; thus, it is important to understand TRβ-selective binding. Binding of 3 selective ligands (GC-1, KB141, and GC-24) is characterized at the atomic level; preferential binding depends on a nonconserved residue (Asn-331β) in the TRβ ligand-binding cavity (LBC), and GC-24 gains extra selectivity from insertion of a bulky side group into an extension of the LBC that only opens up with this ligand. Here we report that the natural TH 3,5,3′-triodothyroacetic acid (Triac) exhibits a previously unrecognized mechanism of TRβ selectivity. TR x-ray structures reveal better fit of ligand with the TRα LBC. The TRβ LBC, however, expands relative to TRα in the presence of Triac (549 Å3 vs. 461 Å3), and molecular dynamics simulations reveal that water occupies the extra space. Increased solvation compensates for weaker interactions of ligand with TRβ and permits greater flexibility of the Triac carboxylate group in TRβ than in TRα. We propose that this effect results in lower entropic restraint and decreases free energy of interactions between Triac and TRβ, explaining subtype-selective binding. Similar effects could potentially be exploited in nuclear receptor drug design.
Zn(O, S) Buffer Layers and Thickness Variations of CdS Buffer for Cu $_{2}$ZnSnS$_{4}$ Solar Cells

To improve the conduction band alignment and explore the influence of the buffer-absorber interface, we here investigate an alternative buffer for Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) solar cells. The Zn(O, S) system was chosen since the optimum conduction band alignment with CZTS is predicted to be achievable, by varying oxygen to sulfur ratio. Several sulfur to oxygen ratios were evaluated to find an appropriate conduction band offset. There is a clear trend in open-circuit voltage (Voc), with the highest values for the most sulfur rich buffer, before going to the blocking ZnS, whereas the fill factor peaks at a lower S content. The best alternative buffer cell in this series had an efficiency of 4.6% and the best CdS reference gave 7.3%. Extrapolating Voc values to 0 K gave activation energies well below the expected bandgap of 1.5 eV for CZTS, which indicate that recombination at the interface is dominating. However, it is clear that the values are affected by the change of buffer composition and that increasing sulfur content of the Zn(O, S) increases the activation energy for recombination. A series with varying CdS buffer thickness showed the expected behavior for short wavelengths in quantum efficiency measurements but the final variation in efficiency was small.
Conceptus-Induced Changes in the Endometrial Transcriptome: How Soon Does the Cow Know She Is Pregnant?1

This study sought to determine the earliest response of the bovine uterine endometrium to the presence of the conceptus at key developmental stages of early pregnancy. There were no detectable differences in gene expression in endometria from pregnant and cyclic heifers on Days 5, 7, and 13 postestrus, but the expression of 764 genes was altered due to the presence of the conceptus at maternal recognition of pregnancy (Day 16). Of these 514 genes, MX2, BST2, RSAD2, ISG15, OAS1, USP18, IFI44, ISG20, SAMD9, EIF4E, and IFIT2 increased to the greatest extent in pregnant endometria (>8-fold log2 fold change increase). The expression of OXTR, Bt.643 (unofficial symbol), and KCNMA1 was reduced the most, but short-term treatment with recombinant ovine interferon tau (IFNT) in vitro or in vivo did not alter their expression. In vivo intrauterine infusion of IFNT induced the expression of EIF4E, IFIT2, IFI44, ISG20, MX2, RSAD2, SAMD9, and USP18. These results revealed for the first time that changes that occur in the endometrial transcriptome are independent of the presence of a conceptus until pregnancy recognition. The differentially expressed genes (including MX2, BST2, RSAD2, ISG15, OAS1, USP18, IFI44, ISG20, SAMD, and EIF4E) are a consequence of IFNT production by the conceptus. The identified genes represent known and novel early markers of conceptus development and/or return to cyclicity and may be useful to identify the earliest stage at which the endometrial response to the conceptus is detectable.
Prehospital Indicators for Disaster Preparedness and Response: New York City Emergency Medical Services in Hurricane Sandy

Abstract Objective We aimed to evaluate emergency medical services (EMS) data as disaster metrics and to assess stress in surrounding hospitals and a municipal network after the closure of Bellevue Hospital during Hurricane Sandy in 2012. Methods We retrospectively reviewed EMS activity and call types within New York City’s 911 computer-assisted dispatch database from January 1, 2011, to December 31, 2013. We evaluated EMS ambulance transports to individual hospitals during Bellevue’s closure and incremental recovery from urgent care capacity, to freestanding emergency department (ED) capability, freestanding ED with 911-receiving designation, and return of inpatient services. Results A total of 2,877,087 patient transports were available for analysis; a total of 707,593 involved Manhattan hospitals. The 911 ambulance transports disproportionately increased at the 3 closest hospitals by 63.6%, 60.7%, and 37.2%. When Bellevue closed, transports to specific hospitals increased by 45% or more for the following call types: blunt traumatic injury, drugs and alcohol, cardiac conditions, difficulty breathing, “pedestrian struck,” unconsciousness, altered mental status, and emotionally disturbed persons. Conclusions EMS data identified hospitals with disproportionately increased patient loads after Hurricane Sandy. Loss of Bellevue, a public, safety net medical center, produced statistically significant increases in specific types of medical and trauma transports at surrounding hospitals. Focused redeployment of human, economic, and social capital across hospital systems may be required to expedite regional health care systems recovery. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2016;10:333–343)