Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Research paper: firm dynamics and productivity growth in Australian manufacturing and business services, Oct 2014

This paper examines the productivity of firms in manufacturing and business services, particularly the contribution of entry and exit to aggregate productivity growth. Abstract Competitive markets foster the reallocation of inputs where resources are channelled from less competitive to more competitive firms, and hence increase aggregate productivity. The turnover of firms entering and exiting industries is part of this competitive process as entrants vie for market shares and exiters cease consuming inputs. There is a large body of theoretical and empirical work on firm dynamics, yet to date very few large scale studies have been conducted in Australia due to limited access to firm-level data. This study uses a large panel of businesses, drawn from administrative data provided to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), which allows us to track firms over the nine years from 2002–03 to 2010–11. Using this comprehensive panel we examine the productivity of firms in manufacturing and business services and, in particular measure the contribution of entry and exit to aggregate productivity growth. We find that exiting firms not only have low productivity relative to established firms in the year prior to exit, but the productivity gap is observed many years before they depart the market. Entrants grow most rapidly in their second year of operation, but after five years are still ten per cent below the productivity level of established firms. At the division level, the main driver of productivity growth is continuing firms, and the net impact of firm turnover is relatively modest. However, among the studied industries, net entry can be significant – a fact masked by the higher level of aggregation. Over the nine year period, entry lowered aggregate productivity growth by 13 per cent in manufacturing and 23 per cent in business services as entrants were less productive than continuing firms. In contrast, exiting firms raised productivity by 12 per cent in manufacturing, and 23 per cent in business services.
Theoretical studies and experimental results of a SMES used in a pulsed current supply

A superconducting magnet energy storage (SMES) can be used as a pulsed power supply. A superconducting coil stores energy without electrical losses and this energy can be recovered through a second wire on which the charge (electromagnetic launcher, for example) is linked. The design of such an apparatus needs to solve simultaneously thermal, magnetic, and electric equations. We proposed a three-dimensional finite difference method to solve these coupled problems. This tool enables us to describe resistive zones of expansion in thick coils during a quench and to predict the duration and the efficiency of the discharge. Moreover, it indicates if the coil is prevented from an excessive temperature increase. Then, a probative device is described and experimental results are compared with theoretical ones.
Pharmacokinetics of native Escherichia coli asparaginase (Asparaginase medac) and hypersensitivity reactions in ALL‐BFM 95 reinduction treatment

Repeated asparaginase treatment has been associated with hypersensitivity reactions against the bacterial macromolecule in a considerable number of patients. Immunological reactions may range from anaphylaxis without impairment of serum asparaginase activity to a very fast decline in enzyme activity without any clinical symptoms. Previous investigations on a limited number of patients have shown high interindividual variability of asparaginase activity time courses and hypersensitivity reactions in about 30% of patients during reinduction treatment. Therefore, monitoring of reinduction treatment was performed prospectively in 76 children with newly diagnosed acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). According to the ALL‐Berlin–Frankfurt–Münster (BFM) 95 protocol, 10 000 U/m2 body surface area of native Escherichia coli asparaginase (Asparaginase medac) was given on d 8, 11, 15 and 18. In 45/76 children, trough and peak activities were determined with every dose, and also on d 4 and d 11 after the last administration. Data on asparaginase activity were not available from the remaining 31 patients, but information with regard to hypersensitivity reactions only was given. Eighteen out of 76 patients (24%) suffered a clinical hypersensitivity reaction; however, no silent inactivation was observed. Activity in the therapeutic range of greater than 100 U/l for at least 14 d was determined in 43 of the 45 patients who were analysed for enzyme activity.
The Changing Nature of Trading Volume Reactions to Earnings Announcements: Further Evidence of an Increase in Pre-Announcement Private Information

We document a change in the nature of trading volume reactions to quarterly earnings announcements over the time period 1976-2005. Consistent with Landsman and Maydew (2002), we find that the magnitude of abnormal trading volume around quarterly earnings announcements has increased over time and that this increase is greater for large firms than small firms. We show, however, that this trend has reversed the negative relation between firm size and trading volume documented by Bamber (1987). Applying insights from recent trading volume theory, we predict and provide evidence that the increase in abnormal trading volume across time and firm size is due to increases in pre-announcement private information. Specifically, we show that the component of abnormal trading volume associated with price change, which theory suggests reflects pre-announcement private information, is increasing across time and firm size. Our results suggest that investors are motivated to acquire private information prior to earnings announcements about firms that have relatively high quality information environments. Thus, our results have implications for policies aimed at reducing information asymmetry between investors by increasing public disclosure.
Genome-Wide Identification of Chalcone Reductase Gene Family in Soybean: Insight into Root-Specific GmCHRs and Phytophthora sojae Resistance

Soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr) is one of the main grain legumes worldwide. Soybean farmers lose billions of dollars’ worth of yield annually due to root and stem rot disease caused by the oomycete Phytophthora sojae. Many strategies have been developed to combat the disease, however, these methods have proven ineffective in the long term. A more cost effective and durable approach is to select a trait naturally found in soybean that can increase resistance. One such trait is the increased production of phytoalexin glyceollins in soybean. Glyceollins are isoflavonoids, synthesized via the legume-specific branch of general phenylpropanoid pathway. The first key enzyme exclusively involved in glyceollin synthesis is chalcone reductase (CHR) which coacts with chalcone synthase for the production of isoliquiritigenin, the precursor for glyceollin biosynthesis. Here we report the identification of 14 putative CHR genes in soybean where 11 of them are predicted to be functional. Our results show that GmCHRs display tissue-specific gene expression, and that only root-specific GmCHRs are induced upon P. sojae infection. Among 4 root-specific GmCHRs, GmCHR2A is located near a QTL that is linked to P. sojae resistance suggesting GmCHR2A as a novel locus for partial resistance that can be utilized for resistance breeding.
Relationship Between Travoprost and Central Corneal Thickness in Ocular Hypertension and Open-Angle Glaucoma

Purpose: To evaluate whether treatment with travoprost, an F2a prostaglandin analog, affects central corneal thickness (CCT) and whether intraocular pressure (IOP) response to the medication is related to baseline CCT. Methods: This was a prospective, interventional, nonrandomized, nonconsecutive, clinical trial. In this multicenter study, 379 total patients, 220 with newly or previously diagnosed open-angle glaucoma (OAG), 141 with ocular hypertension (OHT), and 18 unspecified, were recruited from 15 Canadian sites. IOP and CCT assessments were performed at baseline and 6 weeks after treatment with travoprost. Patients on IOP-lowering therapy at the time of enrollment were washed out for 4 weeks before baseline examinations. IOP was measured with Goldmann tonometers and CCT with Accutome IV pachymeters. Statistical analysis was performed with S-PLUS software. Results: Posttherapy mean IOP decreased by 6.31 mm Hg or 24.4% (P < 0.001), and regression analysis indicated relatively greater IOP reduction in patients with higher pretherapy IOP (slope = 0.64; 95% CI, 0.54-0.76). Mean CCT decreased by 6.9 μm (P < 0.001). IOP reduction was not related to CCT reduction (slope = 0.253; 95% CI, −0.232 to 0.739; P = 0.305). Percent IOP decrease was not related to baseline CCT (slope = −0.02; 95% CI, -0.06 to 00.02; P = 0.33) in the total study sample. When OHT and OAG groups were considered separately, the OAG patients had less percent IOP decrease with thicker baseline CCT (slope = −0.067; 95% CI, −0.13 to −0.004; P = 0.037). Conclusions: Treatment with travoprost decreased IOP significantly and was associated with CCT thinning, which had little or no effect on actual IOP decrease. In the OAG group, IOP decrease was found to be statistically smaller in patients with thicker corneas.
Entry, Innovation and Exit from LAN Switch Industry

We investigate whether the form of exit is triggered by the form of entry and technical expertise, an exercise which has been persistently missing in the literature, for a sample of 121 firms in the LAN switch industry. We find that pre-entry experience, technical expertise, and intangible assets are important determinants of firm survival. Extending the analysis to the case of heterogeneous exit, we find that firms with high pre-entry experience and higher technical expertise are more likely to exit by acquisition than by failure. Conversely, possessing a larger intangible capital and previous experience in related markets does not lead to a higher probability of being acquired.
Optimality of Mixed Policies for Average Continuous-Time Markov Decision Processes with Constraints

This article concerns the average criteria for continuous-time Markov decision processes with N constraints. We show the following; (a) every extreme point of the space of performance vectors corresponding to the set of stable measures is generated by a deterministic stationary policy; and (b) there exists a mixed optimal policy, where the mixture is over no more than N + 1 deterministic stationary policies.
Risk Factors for the Increased Seizure Frequency during Pregnancy and Puerperium

Abstract: Possible factors affecting the seizure frequency during pregnancy and puerperium were prospectively studied on 125 cases, paying particular attention to the drug compliance and the antiepileptic drug disposition. Of the subjects, 27% were under the poor compliance category. As the reasons for the poor compliance, anxiety about the side effects of antiepileptic drugs including teratogenecity and the harmful effects on their newborns by breast feeding were found in about half of them. In the cases with regular drug taking, 80% showed no change in the seizure frequency whereas only 16% exhibited an increase and 4% a decrease. The apparent serum clearance of phenytoin, primidone, phenobarbitone derived from primidone and valproic acid increased during pregnancy and puerperium. In some cases, the lowering of the serum level of drugs was associated with the aggravation of seizures.
Examining content validity and reliability of the Assessment of Children's Hand Skills (ACHS): a preliminary study.

OBJECTIVE We developed the Assessment of Children's Hand Skills (ACHS) to evaluate hand skills using naturalistic observation and examined the assessment's interrater and test-retest reliability. METHOD We developed the hand skill framework, performed expert review, and pilot tested the ACHS. The ACHS's reliability was examined by recruiting 54 children (30 typically developing children and 24 children with disabilities). RESULTS The test-retest reliability for the ACHS was satisfactory at the individual item level (0.42 < or = kappa < or = 0.79) and the total scale level (Spearman's p = 0.78, p < .01). Moderate interrater agreement of the total scale scores was demonstrated (p = 0.63, p < .01), but individual items exhibited varied interrater agreement. CONCLUSION The ACHS demonstrated adequate content validity and preliminary reliability evidence and could be used to quantify children's hand skill use. Construct validity should be established in a clinical setting.
Fluconazole Susceptibilities of Bloodstream Candidasp. Isolates as Determined by National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards Method M27-A and Two Other Methods

ABSTRACT The in vitro activity of fluconazole against 143Candida spp. obtained from the bloodstreams of 143 hospitalized patients from 1995 to 1997 was studied. Susceptibility tests were carried out by two macrodilution methods, the M27-A and a modified M27-A method (0.165 M, pH 7/morpholinepropanesulfonic acid-buffered RPMI 1640 medium supplemented with 20 g ofd-dextrose per liter), and by the agar diffusion method (with 15-μg fluconazole [Neo-Sensitab] tablets). With 2 μg of fluconazole per ml, 96.92% of 65 C. albicans isolates, 86.2% of 58 C. parapsilosis isolates 7 of 8 C. tropicalis isolates, and 1 of 6 C. glabrata isolates were inhibited. Only one strain of C. albicans and one strain of C. tropicalis were resistant. The agreement between the two macrodilution methods was greater than 90% within ±2 log2 dilutions for all strains except C. glabrata (83.3%) and C. tropicalis(87.5%). Generally, MICs were 1 log2 dilution lower in glucose-supplemented RPMI 1640 medium. No correlation between zone sizes and MICs was found. All strains susceptible by the diffusion test were susceptible by the dilution method, but the converse was not necessarily true. Interestingly, inhibition zones were smaller forC. albicans, for which the geometric mean MIC was 0.29 μg/ml and the mean inhibition zone diameter was 25.7 mm, while for C. parapsilosis the geometric mean MIC was 0.96 μg/ml and the mean inhibition zone diameter was 31.52 mm. In conclusion, the two macrodilution methods give similar results. The modified M27-A method with 2% dextrose has the advantage of shortening the incubation time and simplifying the endpoint determination.
Mental Disorder & Homicide in Australia

Adam Graycar Director A review of international literature examining the link between mental disorder and violent criminal behaviour suggests that, although a small number of mentally disordered individuals engage in violent criminal behaviour, the vast majority is unlikely to commit homicide. This study, based on available information in police reports, found that only 4.4 per cent of Australian homicide offenders were recorded as suffering from a mental disorder. This would seem to indicate that the prevalence of mental disorder amongst homicide offenders is significantly less than amongst the general population, although a more rigorous clinical assessment of the offenders might have identified more cases of this nature. Contrary to public perceptions of mentally disordered persons, the present study has found no evidence to support the notion that mentally disordered offenders are more likely to kill strangers in public places for no apparent reason. In reality, this study has found that mentally disordered offenders who commit a homicide are more likely to victimise a family member in or at some private residence.
Variation at the lipoprotein lipase and apolipoprotein AI‐CIII gene loci are associated with fasting lipid and lipoprotein traits in a population sample from Iceland: Interaction between genotype, gender, and smoking status

The effects of polymorphisms in the lipoprotein lipase (LPL) gene (HindIII and S447X) and in the apolipoprotein (apo) AI‐CIII gene cluster (G75A and C1100T) on levels of fasting plasma triglycerides, apoCIII, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C), and apoAI were examined in 315 healthy men and women from Iceland. Non‐smoking and smoking men and women were examined separately because of the strong effects of smoking status and gender on lipoproteins. For the LPL gene, there were no significant associations between plasma traits and genotypes of the S447X polymorphism, but the LPL‐HindIII polymorphism was associated with significant effects on levels of all traits, with the effect of genotype on triglycerides and apoAI being modulated by smoking status, (genotype × smoking interaction, P < .02). The H‐ allele was generally associated with slightly lower levels of apoCIII, with a lowering effect on triglycerides only in smokers and with a raising effect on ApoAI in non‐smoking and smoking men and in non‐smoking women. For the apoCIII C1100T polymorphism, smoking and non‐smoking men with one or more T alleles had levels of triglycerides roughly 10% higher than those with only the C allele (P = .004 overall). In the non‐smoking men, nonlinear additive effects were observed with combinations of genotypes at the LPL and apoAI‐CIII loci, with the HDL‐C and apoAI raising effect associated with the A75 allele and H‐ allele seen only in those men with both alleles, and the apoCIII raising effect associated with the H+ and T alleles seen only in those with both alleles. Thus, variations at both of the LPL and apoAI‐apoCIII loci influence levels of triglycerides, apoCIII, HDL‐C, and apoAI, but these effects are strongly modulated by smoking and are different between men and women. The mechanisms for these interactions between smoking or gender and genes are unknown, but future studies should take such interactions into account. Genet. Epidemiol. 14:265–282,1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Validation and Inter-Comparison of Spaceborne Derived Global and Continental Land Cover Products for the Mediterranean Region: The Case of Thessaly

Space agencies, international and national organisations and institutions recognize the importance of regularly updated and homogenized land cover information, in the context of both nomenclature and spatial resolution. Moreover, ensuring credibility to the users through validated products with transparent procedures is similarly of great importance. To this end, this study contributes with a systematic accuracy performance evaluation of continental and global land cover layers. Confidence levels during validation and a weighted accuracy assessment were designed and applied. Google Earth imagery were employed to assess the accuracy of three land cover products for the years 2010 and 2012. Results indicate high weighted overall accuracy rates of 89, 90, and 86% for CORINE Land Cover 2012, GIO High Resolution Layers, and Globeland30 datasets, respectively. Moreover, their inter-comparison highlights notable differences especially for classes Artificial Surfaces and Water. The deviation of specific classes from the general producer’s and user’s accuracy trends were identified. It is concluded that the different aspects of the employed land cover products can be highlighted more transparently and objectively by integrating confidence levels during the reference data annotation, by employing a stratified sampling based on the several Corine Level-3 subclasses and by applying a weighted overall accuracy procedure.
Wireless networks in non-ergodic multipath fading : capacity and relaying performance analysis

Wireless channels experience random multipath fading. Reliable and efficient communication in slow-varying channel fading conditions may be challenging due to limited time diversity. This problem may be alleviated by leveraging network path diversity, which is a form of distributed spatial diversity. Utilization of relays and node cooperation in wireless communication have been proposed in recent years to achieve a certain level of spatial diversity. Cooperative diversity is mostly needed when other sources of diversity, namely frequency diversity, time diversity and conventional spatial diversity, are limited. Under such conditions, the coherence time of the channel is likely to be sufficiently large to allow local channel state information to be obtained. In the first part of this dissertation, we consider the problem of two-hop path selection, namely relay selection. We show that with limited channel gain information at the source a relay can be selected such that improved outage performance and dramatic energy savings are obtained while utilizing a simple packet forwarding scheme that resembles store-and-forward routing in wired networks. Performance is evaluated at practical SNR levels, using mutual information outage for both limited relay diversity, and in the limit of large relay diversity. Compared to this simple scheme, under relay selection, the advantage of more sophisticated relaying schemes is shown to be rather limited. In the second part, we consider a large wireless network. The problem is to find a way to systematically utilize network path diversity to overcome the added uncertainty due to random multipath fading, and assure each node in the network a certain throughput. Also, by upper bounding the achievable throughput, we prove the efficiency of the construction. We find the exact per-node capacity scaling in an extended, distributed wireless network where the node locations are random, the channel attenuation between pairs of nodes exhibits independent random multipath fading, and data forwarding is restricted to multihop delivery. The lower bound is mainly motivated by a bond-percolation-based protocol construction that was recently introduced. The key to the upper bound is to bound the total network transport capacity
Looking Forward to Financial Risk Disclosure Practices by Malaysian Firms

This study examined the financial risk disclosure practices in Malaysia and content analysis is employed to analyze the level of financial risk disclosure. In order to reduce the information asymmetry with more disclosures in annual report, the financial risk disclosure practices can be subject to investigate. The importance of financial risk disclosure Include mandatory and discretionary is revealed after the Asian financial crisis in 1997 in order to reduce uncertainties for investors. The main element of focus is on financial risk disclosure which is foreign exchange rate risk, interest rate risk, commodity risk, credit risk, and liquidity risk. It was found that the level of financial risk management disclosure has a score of 38 out of one hundred. There is potential to provide proposals which can explain and introduce how the firms can manage and disclose financial risks in their annual reports as a guideline in Malaysia. Another important reason is due to the regulations that cover all the elements of financial risk in mandatory disclosure in detail at the end of 2010 by accounting standards in Malaysia (FRS 132, FRS 139and FRS 7). There is no proposal to provide a detailed guideline on all the elements of financial risk disclosure even voluntarily until the end of 2011 such as (AICPA, 1994; ASB, 2003; CICA, 2002; ICAEW, 1997, 1999b, 2002) which explains the narrative of risks and good practices in annual reports in Malaysia.