Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Terrorism as Breaking News: Attack on America

Terrorism's efficacy, like beauty, is in the eyes of the beholder in that those who commit political violence deliberately directed against civilians believe in the success of their deeds. In one respect, most if not all terrorists do achieve an important goal. Whenever they strike, especially if they stage socalled terrorist spectaculars, their deeds assure them massive news coverage and the attention of the general public and governmental decision makers in their particular target societies. Moreover, given the global nature of the communication system, the perpetrators of international and domestic terrorism also tap into the international media and thereby receive the attention of publics and governments beyond their immediate target countries. Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher once said that publicity is the oxygen of terrorism. Without publicity, terrorism would be like the proverbial tree that falls in the forest and the press is not there to report-it would be as if the incident never happened. The term "mass-mediated terrorism" signifies the centrality of media considerations in the calculus of political violence that is committed by nonstate actors against civilians. ' While publicity is not the ultimate objective, terrorists recognize that it is the means to advertise and further their larger political ends. This article examines whether and how the architects of the horrific events of September 11 succeeded in achieving their media goals.
Transcendental Meditation and Mirror-Tracing Skill

Learning, performance and patterns of inter- and intra-individual variability of 32 experienced Transcendental Meditators were compared to those of 32 non-meditators. The data indicated that certain effects attributed to the practice of Transcendental Meditation (such as increased alertness and maintenance of attention, greater consistency and less anxiety) are not manifested in terms of learning and performance of a novel perceptual-motor skill.
Divergent co‐transmitter actions underlie motor pattern activation by a modulatory projection neuron

Co‐transmission is a common means of neuronal communication, but its consequences for neuronal signaling within a defined neuronal circuit remain unknown in most systems. We are addressing this issue in the crab stomatogastric nervous system by characterizing how the identified modulatory commissural neuron (MCN)1 uses its co‐transmitters to activate the gastric mill (chewing) rhythm in the stomatogastric ganglion (STG). MCN1 contains γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) plus the peptides proctolin and Cancer borealis tachykinin‐related peptide Ia (CabTRP Ia), which it co‐releases during the retractor phase of the gastric mill rhythm to influence both retractor and protractor neurons. By focally applying each MCN1 co‐transmitter and pharmacologically manipulating each co‐transmitter action during MCN1 stimulation, we found that MCN1 has divergent co‐transmitter actions on the gastric mill central pattern generator (CPG), which includes the neurons lateral gastric (LG) and interneuron 1 (Int1), plus the STG terminals of MCN1 (MCN1STG). MCN1 used only CabTRP Ia to influence LG, while it used only GABA to influence Int1 and the contralateral MCN1STG. These MCN1 actions caused a slow excitation of LG, a fast excitation of Int1 and a fast inhibition of MCN1STG. MCN1‐released proctolin had no direct influence on the gastric mill CPG, although it likely indirectly regulates this CPG via its influence on the pyloric rhythm. MCN1 appeared to have no ionotropic actions on the gastric mill follower motor neurons, but it did use proctolin and/or CabTRP Ia to excite them. Thus, a modulatory projection neuron can elicit rhythmic motor activity by using distinct co‐transmitters, with different time courses of action, to simultaneously influence different CPG neurons.
Specificity of regulatory CD4+CD25+ T cells for self‐T cell receptor determinants

Although the phenotypic and regulatory properties of the CD4+CD25+ T cell lineage (Treg cells) have been well described, the specificities remain largely unknown. We demonstrate here that the CD4+CD25+ Treg population includes the recognition of a broad spectrum of human TCR CDR2 determinants found in the germline V gene repertoire as well as that of a clonotypic nongermline‐encoded CDR3β sequence present in a recombinant soluble T cell receptor (TCR) protein. Regulatory activity was demonstrated in T cell lines responsive to TCR but not in T cell lines responsive to control antigens. Inhibitory activity of TCR‐reactive T cells required cell–cell contact and involved CTLA‐4, GITR, IL‐10, and IL‐17. Thus, the T–T regulatory network includes Treg cells with specificity directed toward self‐TCR determinants. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Understanding risky bidding: a prospect‐contingent perspective

A descriptive research school of thought provides the context for an examination of contractors’ risky bid mark-up decisions in a competitive bidding setting. Grounded in prospect theory and the one‐reason decision model, a contingency‐based theoretical model was developed to explain and to predict bid mark‐up decisions in light of four identified determinants, namely: perceived ‘rate of returns’, ‘revenues’, ‘project backlogs’ and ‘project strategic importance’. Three scenarios according to this model were verified by means of a self‐administered survey in the Singapore construction industry. By using cluster analysis, five groups of bidders with distinctive bid profiles were identified and the associated bid mark‐ups were calculated. The emerging groups provide an empirical illustration on how the theoretical model is utilized. For instance, one group of bidders (n = 16) demonstrates a scenario of the model in which participating bidders had considered the reported project bid as having high strategic importance to their organizations and hence made aggressive, low bid mark‐ups. The theoretically grounded framework could be used by contractors to improve their own bidding strategy in anticipating the likely behaviour of the competitors.
Variance Spillover and Skewness in Financial Asset Returns

Bond and stock returns have been observed in the literature to exhibit unconditional skewness and temporal persistence in conditional skewness. We demonstrate that observed persistence in conditional third central moments can be due to the spillover of conditional variance dynamics. The confounding of true skewness and a variance spillover effect is problematic for financial modeling. Using market data, we empirically demonstrate that a simple standardization approach removes the variance-induced skewness persistence. An important implication is that more parsimonious return and asset pricing models result if skewness persistence need not be modeled.
Spaces of Priority: The Geography of Soviet Housing Construction in Daugavpils, Latvia

As a result of the absence of a land market, socialist-era cities tended to look different from their market-economy equivalents. The difference was made more pronounced by the fact that the command economy also favored industrial investment over infrastructure and housing. Yet, with an increasing appetite for additional labor, needed by production units to ensure plan fulfillment, housing became a means to recruit and retain employees. Not all employers could afford to put resources into such “nonproductive” investment, however, and the literature suggests that the notion of priorities allows for discriminating between those enterprises that enjoyed soft budget constraints, and therefore could afford to spend money on worker welfare, and those that could not. As a heuristic framework based on the economics of shortage, the priority model is compelling, but as yet it lacks empirical substantiation. Setting out to test the landscapes of priority model of urban development, this article details the developments of housing construction in Daugavpils, Latvia, during the Soviet period. Based on extensive archive and field research covering all newly constructed or converted housing projects over the period from 1951 to 1991, it yields considerable, if not unqualified, support for the model that until now has not been made subject to systematic empirical tests.
Human capital, value creation and disclosure

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore, empirically, the contribution of human capital (HC) to value creation and the external disclosure of HC. The specific aims are to: investigate the relative contribution of HC to the generation of firm value; compare the differences in the perceptions of human resource (HR) directors and finance directors (FDs) in relation to this contribution; examine the relationship between the internal collation and external disclosure of HC information; investigate incentives and disincentives to the external disclosure of HC information; and investigate the most appropriate medium to externally disclose HC information. Design/methodology/approach – A questionnaire survey of (HR) directors of UK listed companies was conducted. Responses are compared to those from FDs obtained from a previous survey on the broader concept of intellectual capital disclosure. In total, 13 follow-up interviews were conducted. The matched views of the (HR) specialist and the FD are compared for eight case companies. Findings – Employee skills and education, employee commitment, positive employee attitudes and behaviour, and employee motivation are considered to contribute to value creation the most. Information on employee turnover, employee training and development, and workplace safety is frequently collated. There also appears to be attempts to capture information on aspects such as employee satisfaction, motivation, and commitment. Marked differences exist between the extent to which information is internally collated and externally disclosed. External disclosure appears to be a valuable recruitment tool. However, giving away information which may harm competitive advantage is a serious concern. The annual report was considered the most effective written form of communication for disclosing HC externally. Despite some disparity in views, there is evidence to suggest recognition by FDs of the value of human capital and commitment to its external disclosure. Contrary to prior research, evidence from the small matched sample indicates no significant difference in views between the two functional specialists regarding the importance to value creation of four key HC components. Research limitations/implications – A comparison across the full range of HC issues is not possible as the FD IC survey was unable to address HC in as much detail as the HC survey. Originality/value – This paper contributes to the understanding of HC and its disclosure by comprehensively investigating such issues for a large sample of UK companies.
Laser Doppler flowmetry measurement of changes in human optic nerve head blood flow in response to blood gas perturbations.

PURPOSE The objective of this study was to establish the ability of laser Doppler flowmetry to detect relative changes in human optic nerve head hemodynamics caused by physiologic blood gas perturbations. METHODS Laser Doppler flowmetry permits the noninvasive assessment of relative blood velocity, volume, and flow (flux) in a sample volume of the nerve head. Such measurements were performed in two groups of healthy subjects. The first group (n = 11) was tested during normal room air breathing and then while breathing 100% oxygen (isocapnic hyperoxia). The second group (n = 10) was also tested under normal conditions as well as during isoxic hypercapnia (+ 15% end-tidal carbon dioxide). Results were analyzed by paired t tests. RESULTS Hyperoxia created a significant 25% (p = 0.002) decrease in optic nerve head blood flow, with blood volume decreased by 9% (p = 0.095) and blood velocity reduced by 13% (p = 0.154) compared to the room air condition. During hypercapnia, optic nerve head blood flow was increased by 28% (p = 0.012), with blood volume increased by 22% (p = 0.017) and blood velocity increased by 9% (p = 0.218) as compared to the normal room air condition. CONCLUSION Blood flow in the optic nerve head capillaries changes in response to hyperoxia and hypercapnia as demonstrated in the brain and retina. Laser Doppler flowmetry permits the noninvasive assessment of these responses in humans under conditions within the physiologic range.
Regulation of Expression of Fibroblast Growth Factor 7 in the Pig Uterus by Progesterone and Estradiol1

Abstract Fibroblast growth factor 7 (FGF7) stimulates cell proliferation, differentiation, migration and angiogenesis. The consensus is that FGF7, expressed by mesenchymal cells, binds FGF receptor 2IIIb (FGFR2) on epithelia, thereby mediating epithelial-mesenchymal interactions. The pig uterus is unique in that FGF7 is expressed by the luminal epithelium (LE) and FGFR2 is expressed by the LE, glandular epithelium (GE), and trophectoderm to effect proliferation and differentiated cell functions during conceptus development and implantation. FGF7 expression by the uterine LE of pigs increases between Days 9 and 12 of the estrus cycle and pregnancy, as circulating concentrations of progesterone increase, progesterone receptors (PGR) in the uterine epithelia decrease, and the conceptuses secrete estradiol-17beta (E2), for pregnancy recognition. Furthermore, E2 increases the expression of FGF7 in pig uterine explants. The present study investigates the relationships between progesterone, E2, and their receptors and the expression of FGF7 in the pig uterus in vivo. Pigs were ovariectomized on Day 4 of the estrus cycle and injected i.m. daily from Day 4 to Day 12 with either corn oil (CO), progesterone (P4), P4 and ZK317,316 (PZK), E2, P4 and E2 (PE), or P4 and ZK and E2 (PZKE). All gilts (n = 5/treatment) were hysterectomized on Day 12. The results suggest that: 1) P4 is permissive to FGF7 expression by down-regulating PGR in LE; 2) P4 stimulates PGR-positive uterine stromal cells to release an unidentified progestamedin that induces FGF7 expression by LE; 3) E2 and P4 can induce FGF7 when PGR are rendered nonfunctional by ZK; and 4) E2 from conceptuses interacts via estrogen receptor alpha, but not estrogen receptor beta in LE to induce maximal expression of FGF7 in LE on Day 12 of pregnancy in pigs.
Are bank mergers procyclical or countercyclical? Theory and evidence from Taiwan

This work develops a theory of countercyclical bank mergers and finds supported empirical evidence in Taiwan. Procyclical (countercyclical) mergers tend to involve higher (lower) measures of merger activities during economic booms than downturns. Several previous studies suggest that bank mergers are procyclical in developed countries, possibly driven by the higher capital liquidity that accompanies an economic expansion. Alternatively, this work emphasizes the role of economic situation and the government in bank mergers. Our results suggest that the depressed industrial situation, which leads to severe competitive market and impoverished revenue basis, drives banks to increase their market share for reducing competition through merger with the merger cost as low as possible by utilizing government's offering and the beneficial condition of stock market. Merger activities may be explained by the motivation of generating higher profit and able to survive, whereas the banks with insufficient competitiveness are more likely to suffer serious loss and thus forced to be merged.
Are All Inside Directors the Same? Evidence from the External Directorship Market.

Agency theory and optimal contracting theory posit opposing roles and shareholder wealth effects for corporate inside directors. We evaluate these competing theories using the labor market for outside directorships to differentiate inside directors. Firms with inside directors holding outside directorships have better operating performance and market-to-book ratios, especially when board monitoring is more difficult. These boards make better acquisition decisions, have greater cash-holdings and overstate earnings less often. Announcements of outside board appointments improve shareholder wealth, while departure announcements reduce it, consistent with these inside directors improving board performance and outside directorships being an important source of inside director incentives.
The Work–Life Balance from the Perspective of Economic Policy Actors

This article reviews the burgeoning literature on work–life balance and family-friendly policies in European countries, noting the new interdisciplinary dialogue between traditional ‘work’ and ‘family’ disciplines. It examines the findings from interviews with economic actors, suggesting that, while work–life balance and family-friendly policies are an issue everywhere, progress is very uneven. Overall, strong traditional family policies have not contributed to work–life balance, since they are predicated on a traditional male breadwinner model. A combination of strong demand for female labour in the service sector and equal opportunities policies is, however, causing employers and government to address the issue.
Tourism in the Face of Environmental Risks: Sunbathing under the Ozone Hole, and Strolling through Polluted Air

Numerous regions suffer from serious environmental risks, such as air pollution or ozone depletion. These regions are still attractive for many tourists, but little is known about how tourists perceive and respond to environmental risks that they encounter at their travel destination. In this study, we propose a theoretical framework that emphasizes the role of anticipated emotions and of evaluations of life quality to elucidate travel decisions concerning destinations that involve environmental risks. For illustrative purposes, two destinations, each with a prevalent environmental risk, were examined: Australia with ozone depletion and Bangkok with severe air pollution. Tourists who actually traveled to these locations were compared with non-travelers, who imagined a hypothetical journey. We find that travelers generally perceive lower risks and report less negative emotions than non-travelers. Air pollution in Bangkok is seen as posing higher risks to nature than ozone depletion in Australia. Travelers indicate higher satisfaction with life, but these judgments are modified by the travel experience. Having returned from their journey, travelers are particularly more satisfied with health, freedom, and social justice, and evaluate experience with nature as more important than do non-travelers. We conclude that decisions to travel to environmentally-afflicted destinations are related to people's anticipated emotional responses, and that the actual experience of environmental problems during the journey may influence travelers' evaluation of their life quality.
Local and Systemic Entrepreneurship: Solving the Puzzle of Entrepreneurship and Economic Development

Most economists agree that entrepreneurship has a positive effect on growth in developed countries. However, no evidence of this has been found in the case of developing countries. Rather, in many low–income countries, one can observe productive entrepreneurship but little corresponding development. This is the puzzle of entrepreneurship and development. To solve this puzzle, we propose to look at the notions of local and systemic entrepreneurship. Using recent research on the mechanisms of social cooperation, as well as network and firm theories, we offer an explanation of why entrepreneurship has a limited impact on growth in developing countries.
Acquisitions and Real Options: The Greenfield Alternative

Although acquisitions are a popular way to enter new markets, empirical evidence tends to indicate few benefits accrue to acquiring firms. This might be the case because firms use acquisitions when they should be employing an alternative mode of expansion. Applying real options theory to this issue, we suggest that greenfield start-up ventures provide a real option alternative to acquisitions for firms establishing new international subsidiary units. To test this notion we examine a sample of Western European firms entering the emerging economies of Eastern Europe. The evidence suggests that acquisitions are a good choice only when firms enter markets containing low demand uncertainty and when these firms possess acquisition-based strategic flexibility. Overall, our analysis indicates that greenfield ventures appear to provide firms with a real option when making the acquisition decision.
Management Buyouts and Human Resource Management

This paper reports the findings from a survey of the effects of management buyouts on human resource management (HRM). Buyouts resulted in increased employment, the adoption of new reward systems, and expanded employee involvement. These developments support the resource-based view that buyouts develop internal assets over agency theory predictions that managers will adopt a cost reduction approach. The type of buyout influences the subsequent development of HRM. Buyouts report more commitment-orientated employment policies where employees own shares, and where the buyout pursues a 'buy and build' corporate strategy and adopts a business strategy of enhancing customer service and developing markets.
Political Culture Versus Rational Choice: Explaining Responses to Transition in the Czech Republic and Slovakia

There has been considerable disagreement among political scientists over the relative merits of political culture versus rational choice explanations of democratic and liberal norms and commitments. However, empirical tests of their relative explanatory power using quantitative evidence have been in short supply. This article employs national probability sample surveys conducted in 1994 to assess differences between Czechs and Slovaks in the expression of democratic norms and liberal attitudes with respect to economic, political, social and ethnic issues. The applicability of an explanation focusing on long-standing cultural differences between the two countries is compared with a rational choice explanation based on national differences in their recent experiences of political and economic transition. It is shown that differences in the expression of support for marketization and democracy in the two countries can be explained relatively parsimoniously in rational choice terms. The explanatory contribution of political culture appears to relate only to a narrow range of attitudes and values.
Inside the EU, outside NATO: Paradoxes of Finland's and Sweden's post‐neutrality

This article examines Finland's and Sweden's security policy in order to explain what the ‘post‐neutrality’ of these countries is and what it is not. Why do Finland and Sweden appear to be willing to accept almost everything else in the field of security cooperation except collective defence? We focus on both the similarities and differences between the Swedish and Finnish policy by analysing their policies in general and the attitudes towards NATO and the EU in particular. We argue that geopolitics and historical memories still separate the countries, but they have more in common now than during the Cold War. Despite their participation in the European Security and Defence Policy and cooperation with NATO, neither of them feels any need to give up their policy of military non‐alignment. In the future, changes in policy are more likely to happen because of development within the EU than because of any external threat posed by Russia.
Ill Adults: A Meta-analysis Benefits and Risks of Tight Glucose Control in Critically

Searching MEDLINE (1950 to June 2008), the Cochrane Library (Issue I, 2008) and multiple trial registries (in August 2007) were searched: the search terms were reported. In addition, conference proceedings of the American Thoracic Society (2001 to 2008) and the Society of Critical Care Medicine (2004 to 2008) were handsearched and the reference lists of relevant articles were checked. There were no language restrictions.