Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Top-down solar modulation of climate: evidence for centennial-scale change

During the descent into the recent ‘exceptionally’ low solar minimum, observations have revealed a larger change in solar UV emissions than seen at the same phase of previous solar cycles. This is particularly true at wavelengths responsible for stratospheric ozone production and heating. This implies that ‘top-down’ solar modulation could be a larger factor in long-term tropospheric change than previously believed, many climate models allowing only for the ‘bottom-up’ effect of the less-variable visible and infrared solar emissions. We present evidence for long-term drift in solar UV irradiance, which is not found in its commonly used proxies. In addition, we find that both stratospheric and tropospheric winds and temperatures show stronger regional variations with those solar indices that do show long-term trends. A top-down climate effect that shows long-term drift (and may also be out of phase with the bottom-up solar forcing) would change the spatial response patterns and would mean that climate-chemistry models that have sufficient resolution in the stratosphere would become very important for making accurate regional/seasonal climate predictions. Our results also provide a potential explanation of persistent palaeoclimate results showing solar influence on regional or local climate indicators.
Ethnic group size, linguistic isolation, and immigrant entrepreneurship in the USA

Using a sample of immigrant men in US census data from the early and late 1900s and available in the Integrated Public Use Microdata Series (IPUMS), this study explores: (1) whether immigrant entrepreneurship is positively affected by ethnic group size and linguistic isolation; (2) how sensitive these relationships are to English-language proficiency; and (3) if these relationships have remained stable over time. The empirical results indicate that the size of the local ethnic population does not enhance immigrant self-employment for either English-proficient or limited-English-proficient (LEP) men in the USA. In addition, while linguistic isolation in the local labour pool seems to promote entrepreneurship among English-fluent immigrants in certain cases, it appears to hinder business formation among the LEP. Finally, comparing the results across time-periods is consistent with the premise that rising xenophobia pushes a disproportionate share of the LEP into self-employment.
Why sanctions against Iran are counterproductive: Conflict resolution and state–society relations

This article critically examines the ramifications of the international sanctions regime against Iran on two fronts: the conflict pitting Iran against the West, and the impact of the sanctions on state–society relations. On both accounts, it finds the dominant narrative, according to which sanctions would facilitate conflict resolution while weakening the authoritarian state, to be misleading. Instead, it demonstrates, on the one hand, how sanctions have hardened the opposing fronts and therefore prolonged the conflict between Iran and the West, and on the other, how they have cemented the domestic power structure in the Islamic Republic and weakened Iran’s civil society.
Patterns of failure associated with involved field radiotherapy in patients with clinical stage I thoracic esophageal cancer.

OBJECTIVE To analyze the patterns of the first sites of failure in patients with clinical stage I thoracic esophageal cancer after involved field radiotherapy and to determine whether elective nodal irradiation is necessary for these patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS Between 2000 and 2007, 68 patients aged 43-84 years with clinical stage I thoracic esophageal cancer received definitive radiotherapy. The radiation field included the primary tumor with a 3-cm margin in the cranio-caudal direction. Patterns of lymph node failure were classified according to the first sites of failure. In-field, regional and distant lymph node failures were defined as lymph node failures within the irradiated area, within the mediastinum or perigastric area beyond the irradiated area, and outside the regional lymph nodes, respectively. RESULTS The 3 year overall and disease-free survival rates were 76 and 66%, respectively (median follow-up: 42 months). Twenty-two of the 68 patients exhibited treatment failure. Local failure with or without recurrence in other sites was observed in 11 patients, lymph node failure in 10 patients, and distant metastasis in 1. Of the 10 patients with lymph node failure, sites of failure were in-field in 1 patient, in-field and distant in 1, regional in 3, distant in 2 and distant and regional in 3. CONCLUSIONS Involved field radiotherapy did not result in significant incidence of regional lymph node failure in clinical stage I thoracic esophageal cancer patients. However, further investigation is needed to establish the optimal radiotherapy field for clinical stage I thoracic esophageal cancer.
Household Work in the UK: An Analysis of the British Household Panel Survey 1994

This paper examines the organisation and performance of household work among dual earner couples of working age. Utilising data from the British Household Panel Survey (BHPS) 1994 the research employs linear modelling techniques in order to model the variables associated with both the time spent on household work and the sharing of household work between men and women living together. In particular, household circumstances and characteristics of partners are considered as independent variables. The findings show that the time men and women spend in paid employment, their partners' time in paid employment, economic power, attitudes, social class and presence of children emerge as variables significantly associated with the two measures of household work performance. The explained variation for time spent on household work is also much higher for women than men. The results show that women continue to carry a `dual burden' of paid and unpaid work which disadvantages them in terms of employment, income and welfare.
Optical-Beat-Induced Multi-User-Interference Reduction in Single Wavelength OFDMA PON Upstream Multiple Access Systems With Self-Homodyne Coherent Detection

We propose a novel technique for mitigating the optical-beat-induced multi-user-interference (MUI) between the upstream multiple access signals in an orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) passive optical network (PON). To provide upstream multiple access on a single-wavelength orthogonal frequency division multiplexing optical access network, optical beating interference and polarization diverseness are critical issues that severely degrade system performance. By using the proposed total intensity aggregation with self-homodyne coherent detection, we experimentally demonstrated stable transmission performance by reducing MUI in OFDMA PON upstream multiple access transmission.
Morphological studies on a vitamin A-storing cell and its complex with macrophage observed in mouse pancreatic tissues following excess vitamin A administration.

In this experiment, mouse pancreatic connective tissues were examined following excess vitamin A administration, and a new cell type and a new cell complex were found. In the normal state, several cell species and structures are observed in the intralobular and interlobular connective tissues such as fibroblasts, fixed macrophages (one of mononuclear phagocytes), blood capilleries with pericytes, secretory ducts, myelinated or unmyelinated nerve fibers and collagenous fibers. On the other hand, following hypervitaminosis, a special cell type occurred, thatis, a lipid-storing cell. Its lipid droplets might contain vitamin A. This cell is quite similar to the fat-storing cell (Ito's cell) in the liver or vitamin A-storing cell in other tissues, and its lipid droplets revealed a special vitamin A fluorescence under fluorescence microscopy. Thus this cell was named as a "vitamin A-storing cell", and it may be included in the category of the vitamin A-storing cell system (Yamada and Hirosawa, 1976). The localization of this cell is as follows : Some of them were observed randamly in the connective tissues, but others were observed at the periphery of the blood capillaries. The latter was in close contact with the endothelial cells, and surrounded with the thin film of the basal lamina. The origins of these vitamin A-storing cells are of at least two kinds. Some may have originated from fibroblasts (vitamin A-storing cell of fibroblast type) , but others derived from pericytes of the blood capillaries (vitamin A-soring cell of pericyte type) . In the connective tissues of the mouse pancreas following excess vitamin A administration, some activated macrophages were also observed to contain a number of peculiar vacuolar phagosomes, and the cell sometimes showed intimate contact with the vitamin A-storing cell, especially the fibroblast type. The macrophage and vitamin A-storing cell formed a complex, which the authors tentatively named a "phagocyte and vitamin A-storing cell complex". The significances of the vitamin A-storing cells and the complex is also discussed.
Magnetic resonance spectroscopy of neurotransmitters in human brain

Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) is a noninvasive method that permits measurement of the concentration of specific biochemical compounds in the brain and other organ systems in precisely defined regions guided by MR imaging (MRI). Recently, MRS methods have been developed to measure specific neurotransmitters in the brain. More advanced MRS methods have been developed to measure the synthesis rates and turnover of specific neurotransmitters. These turnover rates can provide measures of brain metabolism similar to radioisotope techniques. Also, investigations of the relationship of brain metabolism and specific neurotransmitter systems are now possible using MRS. Here, we review the MRS techniques and studies of neurotransmitters in the human brain. A discussion of the potential use of these techniques in the context of certain pediatric neurotransmitter disorders will be presented. Ann Neurol 2003;54 (Suppl 6):S25–S31
Valuation of Commodity Futures and Options under Stochastic Convenience Yields, Interest Rates, and Jump Diffusions in the Spot

Abstract This paper investigates the effects of stochastic convenience yields, stochastic interest rates, and jumps in the spot price on the pricing of commodity futures, forwards, and futures options. Numerical examples show that one-factor prices differ materially from the stochastic convenience yield two-factor prices when convenience yield is considerably above its long-term average. The extension to a three-factor model with stochastic interest rates leads to a different futures price but the forward price is unchanged. The extension of the three-factor model to include jumps in the spot price process does not affect forward or futures prices but it can have an impact on options prices. The model is applied to price the present value of future cash flows from a real asset.
An evaluation of the impact of a school nutrition programme in Vietnam

Abstract Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of a school nutrition programme on the weight gain and growth of Vietnamese schoolchildren. Design A proximate cluster evaluation of children in seven schools, in which fortified milk and biscuits supplying 300 kcal of energy were being given on school days, compared with children in 14 nearby schools with no feeding. All children were dewormed. Setting Twenty-one primary schools in Dong Thap Province, Vietnam. Subjects A cohort of 1080 children in grade 1 of 21 primary schools, and a cross-sectional interview of 400 children in grade 3. Results The programme gave children the equivalent of 90 kcal day− 1 over 17 months. t-Tests showed a small but statistically significant difference between groups in their average gain in weight and height: 3.19 versus 2.95 kg (P < 0.001) and 8.15 versus 7.88 cm (P = 0.008). A multiple-level model showed that the programme was statistically significant after controlling for clustering of children in schools, sex, age and initial underweight (P = 0.024). A significant impact on height was also seen in a regression model, but not when controlling for school. The most undernourished children tended to gain the least weight. There was no evidence of substitution. Conclusion The programme had a small but significant effect on weight gain, but the most undernourished children benefited the least. Methods need to be developed to target them. This design may offer a means of estimating the impact of school feeding on growth in other programme settings.
Greece in 2010: A Tragedy Without(?) Catharsis

The Greek crisis in 2010 was a tragedy waiting to happen. However, and contrary to the impression created by the stabilization program’s immediate focus on restoring fiscal balance, its roots lie in the erosion of international competitiveness over the past three decades and the attendant de-industrialization of the country. Catharsis, i.e., the creation of the conditions for sustainable long-run growth, requires a coherent, medium-term strategy, bolstered by wide social consensus, to improve competitiveness and redeploy labor and other production factors to the tradeable sector. Nevertheless, owing to the accumulated imbalances, catharsis is fraught with risks. Yet, the proposed alternatives, such as, government debt rescheduling with possible discount and a temporary or permanent exit from EMU, are even worse. They are not likely to succeed, for they do not adequately address the dramatic erosion of competitiveness and have severe potential repercussions.
Why the Two Won't Tango! Explaining the Lack of Integrated Policies for Sport and Tourism in the UK

The findings of a 4-year research project that examined the potential for greater integration of sport and tourism policy in the UK are reported. The study is based on in-depth interviews and consultations with various agencies and identifies a number of tensions that exist within the sport-tourism policy process. An analysis of such tensions is used to review the five influences on sport-tourism policy proposed by Weed and Bull (1998). Six influences are now suggested: ideology, definitions, regional contexts, government policy, organizational culture and structure, and individuals. Using these revised influences, an assessment is made of the potential for a sustainable sport-tourism policy network in the UK. It is argued that such a network is not sustainable at the national level but may be possible at the regional level. The author suggests a need to empirically validate the international relevance of the concepts discussed utilizing Weed's (2001) model.
Organization types and corporate social responsibility reporting in Finnish forest industry

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to contribute to literature on corporate social responsibility by comparing CSR reporting between co-operative organizations and listed companies. The authors aim to illustrate whether the different values and principles of co-operatives and public limited companies result in differences in CSR reporting between these organization types. Design/methodology/approach - First, the authors introduce the concept of CSR reporting. Second, they extend their framework with some previous literature on co-operation. Using qualitative methodology, they compare values and objectives as well as communication and reporting of the co-operative to those of the listed companies. The analyses and the synthesis of CSR reporting and co-operation literatures provides academics and practitioners with ideas on how to move towards a model of co-operative CSR reporting. Findings - Values and principles of co-operation do not significantly guide the CSR reporting of our case co-operative. Instead, the issues emphasized in CSR reporting of our case co-operative and the two investor-owned companies are mostly related to common concern and the latest course of events throughout the world and the current issues in general. The study also indicates that the case co-operative (Metsaliitto) falls behind in its CSR reporting to those of the listed companies (Stora Enso and UPM-Kymmene). Research limitations/implications - While the study helps to understand the role of organization type in CSR reporting, as such the findings are limited to the context of the study. Practical implications - The paper provides a good point of departure for students and practitioners interested in CSR reporting and co-operatives. Originality/value - To the authors' knowledge, so far the role of organization type (and the related differences in business objectives, values etc.) in CSR reporting has not received much of scholarly attention.
Prognostic significance of serum S100B protein in high-risk surgically resected melanoma patients participating in Intergroup Trial ECOG 1694.

PURPOSE We evaluated adjuvant trial E1694 to more precisely define the prognostic significance of serum S100B in patients with high-risk resected melanoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS Sera from 670 E1694 patients banked at baseline and three additional time points were tested for S100B protein using chemiluminescence. RESULTS S100B testing results showed that the higher the S100B level is, the higher the risk of relapse and death, regardless of the cutoff value. Univariate analysis showed that baseline S100B > or = 0.15 microg/L is significantly correlated with overall survival (OS; P = .01). Multivariate analysis was performed adjusting for significant prognostic factors (ulceration and lymph node status) and treatment. Baseline S100B was a significant prognostic factor for survival (hazard ratio = 1.39; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.92; P = .043). S100B values measured at later time points over 1 year were also demonstrated to be significant prognostic factors for relapse-free survival (RFS) and OS. Lower S100B values at baseline and during follow-up were associated with longer survival. A changing S100B from low at baseline to high on follow-up seemed to be associated with the worst RFS and OS. CONCLUSION For patients with high-risk surgically resected melanoma, a high baseline or increasing serum S100B is an independent prognostic marker of risk for mortality that may allow us to refine the application of adjuvant therapy in the future.
Small Sample Properties of Three Tests for Granger-Causal Ordering in a Bivariate Stochastic System

T HE purpose of this paper is to study the small sample performance of tests for causal ordering of time series in the sense of Granger (1969). Versions of three tests are studied: that based directly on Granger's definition of causality and suggested by Sargent (1976); that suggested by Sims (1972); and the modification of Sims suggested by Geweke, Meese, and Dent (1982). Tests for causal orderings of time series have been applied often in recent econometric work. Sims (1972) introduced his version of a causal ordering test to inquire whether money was exogenous (as monetarists might suggest) in the money income relationship. Sargent (1976) used Granger and Sims procedures to test the validity of the natural-rate hypothesis inherent in his model. Salemi (1980) employed the Granger test as a test of specification of a money demand equation in hyperinflation. A goal of our research is to conduct our study with data that closely resemble the types of quarterly time series that arise in applied research. The cost of this approach is a research design for which finitely parameterized versions of the tests are never exactly correct. It is our view that users of these tests are likely to encounter this potential source of bias. Indeed, the problem of "truncation" (of leading and lagging coefficients in the causality test regressions) arises whenever the vector ARMA representation of the time series studied has, in reality, a nontrivial moving average component. To our knowledge, this feature of our research design has not been used before, and is a major difference between our work and the work of Geweke et al. and Nelson and Schwert (1980). Answers to the following research questions interest us. First, how likely is a user of each version of the test to reach a correct decision regarding the causal ordering of the time series? Second, how accurately does each test procedure recover population values of the test regression coefficients? Third, how sensitive are answers to the first and second questions to sample size, contemporaneous correlation of the exogenous errors, and the strength of the causal interrelationship? Fourth, how important a source of bias is the finite parameterization of the test regressions that is required in small samples? Section II of the paper describes the versions of the tests studied. Section III describes the experimental design. The results of the experiments are in section IV, and conclusions are presented in section V.
Donor site wound protein synthesis correlates with length of acute hospitalization in severely burned children

Autografting of burn wounds results in generation of donor site wounds. Here we measured donor site wound protein fractional synthesis rate (FSR) in a burn pediatric population and showed that FSR increases over time postsurgery and correlates with the length of hospital stay (LOS) normalized for total body surface area (TBSA) burn size. 3.9 ± 1.1 days after the grafting surgery patients participated in a metabolic study consisting of continuous infusion of l‐[ring‐2H5]‐phenylalanine and donor site wound punch biopsies. Donor site wound protein FSR was 10.4 ± 7.5%/day. Wound FSR demonstrated linear correlation with the time postsurgery (p<0.05). Multiple regression analysis showed that LOS/TBSA correlated with donor site wound protein FSR and time postsurgery (p<0.001) and the following equation describes the relationship: estimated LOS/TBSA=(FSR−12.95−1.414 × postsurgery day)/(−17.8). This equation predicted that FSR corrected for the postsurgery day when the metabolic study was conducted accounted for 67% of the variability (r2=0.673) in the LOS/TBSA. Donor site wound protein FSR correlated to LOS/TBSA of burn patients admitted to the intensive care unit. Measurement of protein deposition in regenerating donor site wound using stable isotope technique provides a quantitative measure of wound healing.
Measuring Attitudes towards Inequality

Individuals' attitudes to inequality aversion are measured using survey data, based on the leaky-bucket experiment, for several groups of students in Australia and Israel. Three forms of social welfare function are estimated. It is found that measures of inequality aversion can be obtained with some precision and that these estimates are substantially lower than the values typically used by those measuring inequality and examining optimal tax structures. Furthermore, a welfare function based on the Gini inequality measure is generally found to give a better fit than forms based on constant relative or constant absolute inequality aversion. Copyright 1999 by The editors of the Scandinavian Journal of Economics.