Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The three faces of international antitrust, and the paradox for international merger control

The term ‘international antitrust’ is a convenient yet inaccurate means of describing the national rules, bilateral agreements, and multilateral initiatives that attempt to fill the vacuum created by the failure to agree upon international antitrust rules. The ‘stillborn’ International Trade Organisation (ITO) would have integrated international antitrust rules into the multilateral trading system and provided a twin track to trade liberalisation, but was never ratified. The three faces of international antitrust – unilateralism, bilateralism and multilateralism – have developed in parallel to the increasing globalisation of trade, removal of state-imposed barriers and economic integration and interdependency. International cooperation and convergence efforts in antitrust are essential in order to safeguard the benefits that should flow from trade liberalisation. Cooperation and convergence also diminishes the risk of conflict between antitrust authorities, which would otherwise increase due to: the extraterritorial enforcement of national antitrust rules; the growing number of antitrust regimes; and ‘ripple effects’ due to globalisation of trade. In analysing the activities that comprise the international antitrust dialogue, this thesis suggests that the primary objective of the dialogue is to support and supplement trade liberalisation. There is doubt however, as to whether the operation of the international merger control framework (which consists of a plethora of national merger control regimes, bilateral engagement, and multilateral convergence efforts) is consistent with the primary objective. Mergers and acquisitions (M and A) are important means of foreign direct investment and can create cross-border synergies, which should help realise the benefits to be reaped from trade liberalisation. While anti-competitive M and A jeopardise those benefits, and are correctly scrutinised (and occasionally blocked), multi-jurisdictional merger review must balance the need to intervene in anti-competitive M and A, with the desire to facilitate all other M and A. A paradoxical position arises however, if multi-jurisdictional merger review unduly hinders those M and A which would further the cause of trade liberalisation, whilst attempting to control the anti-competitive mergers. Hence the operation of multi-jurisdictional merger review is potentially inconsistent with the primary objective of the international antitrust dialogue. This thesis focuses upon the international merger control framework in chapter 5, and evaluates whether reforms are needed to ensure greater consistency with the primary objective. This thesis concludes by offering several recommendations regarding the international antitrust dialogue, particularly with regard to the international merger control framework, but recommends against the creation of an international merger control regime (IMCR), or a common pre-merger notification system at the current time. This thesis is intended to be up to date as of 1 May 2007.
How Long Will We Live

One of the most notable achievements of modern societies is a large rise in human longevity. Since 1800 life expectancy at birth has doubled from about 40 years to nearly 80 years. Recent mortality trends are well established, but there is considerable disagreement among demographers and biologists about what lies ahead. Pessimists believe we are approaching limits to life expectancy, while optimists expect continued rapid improvements with no limits. Much is at stake: improvements in longevity are a key cause of sky rocketing costs of pensions and healthcare for the elderly. After a brief review of the controversy about future trends, this study examines past trends in the components of life expectancy at birth. The projection of these components provides the basis for assessing plausible future trends in longevity. The focus throughout is on high-income coun tries with low levels of mortality.
Water for an integrative climate paradigm

By the logic of the New Water Paradigm (NWP), it is deforestation, industrial agriculture, and urbanisation that determine climate by draining land, so that more solar energy re-enters the atmosphere as sensible heat, rather than latent heat of evaporation. Human-made 'hot plates' lead to irregular precipitation and other climate destabilisation effects, but these can be mitigated through rainwater conservation and re-vegetation. This integrative paradigm combines the management of climate, water, biodiversity, and land, with implications for agriculture, forestry, engineering, urban design and regional planning.
Institutional Ownership and Changes in the S&P 500

Several recent articles have provided new evidence for the existence of price pressures by examining the price and volume effects associated with changes in the S&P 500. The present study extends this work by examining actual changes in institutional holdings following both additions to, and deletions from, the S&P 500. The results show that changes in institutional holdings in response to additions to, or deletions from, the S&P 500 are positively correlated. In addition to providing further evidence for the existence of price pressure effects, the results also provide evidence of the very large institutional elasticities of demand for stock. Copyright 1989 by American Finance Association.
Liquidity, Information, and Infrequently Traded Stocks

This article investigates whether differences in information-based trading can explain observed differences in spreads for active and infrequently traded stocks. Using a new empirical technique, we estimate the risk of information-based trading for a sample of New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) listed stocks. The authors use the information in trade data to determine how frequently new information occurs, the composition of trading when it does, and the depth of the market for different volume-decile stocks. Their most important empirical result is that the probability of information-based trading is lower for high volume stocks. Using regressions, we provide evidence of the economic importance of information-based trading on spreads. Coauthors are Nicholas M. Kiefer, Maureen O'Hara, and Joseph B. Paperman. Copyright 1996 by American Finance Association.
Novel MC1R variants in Ligurian melanoma patients and controls

Several variant forms of the melanocortin‐1 receptor gene (MC1R) have been associated with red hair, fair skin and an increased risk for melanoma. Their involvement in melanoma susceptibility is apparently linked both to skin sensitivity and to non‐pigmentary pathways. We investigated the frequency of the MC1R variants in the Italian region of Liguria, where the occurrence and penetrance of melanoma are low and primary susceptibility is characterized by prevalence of the CDKN2A c.301G>T [p.G101W] founder mutation. Additionally, we attempted to establish the frequency of the red hair/fair skin phenotype in our region. As predicted by anecdotal evidence, the frequency of red hair/phototype I was very low (0.7%). Screening of 17 red‐haired individuals and their red‐haired relatives, 207 controls and 214 melanoma patients unselected for hair color but all of Ligurian descent, led to the detection of 8 novel substitutions (c.133T>C [p.F45L], c.248C>T [p.S83L], c.332C>T [p. A111V], c.479G>A [p.R160Q], c.637C>T [p.R213W], c.793G>A [p. V265I], c.923C>T [p. T308M], c.943T>C [p.C315R]), 1 novel deletion (c.520_523delGTC [p.V174del]) and 3 novel synonymous variants (c.366G>C [p. V122V], c.684G>A [p. Q228Q], c.726C>T [p.T241T]). Preliminary genotype/phenotype correlation seems to indicate that other genes involved in the regulation of human pigmentation may mask the recessive action of high‐penetrance MC1R alleles, thus determining the low frequency of at‐risk phototypes and of incidence and/or penetrance of melanoma in Liguria. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The family Coriobacteriaceae: reclassification of Eubacterium exiguum (Poco et al. 1996) and Peptostreptococcus heliotrinreducens (Lanigan 1976) as Slackia exigua gen. nov., comb. nov. and Slackia heliotrinireducens gen. nov., comb. nov., and Eubacterium lentum (Prevot 1938) as Eggerthella lenta gen

16S rRNA gene sequences were determined for Eubacterium exiguum and Peptostreptococcus heliotrinreducens. These species were found to be closely related and, together with Eubacterium lentum, to constitute a branch of the Coriobacteriaceae. Two new genera are proposed on the basis of phenotypic characteristics and 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons: Slackia to include the bile-sensitive species Eubacterium exiguum and P. heliotrinreducens, and Eggerthella to include the bile-resistant Eubacterium lentum. It is proposed that Eubacterium exiguum and Peptostreptococcus heliotrinreducens are transferred to the genus Slackia gen. nov. as Slackia exigua gen. nov., comb. nov. (type strain ATCC 700122T) and Slackia heliotrinireducens gen. nov., comb. nov. (type strain NTCC 11029T), respectively, and Eubacterium lentum is transferred to the genus Eggerthella gen. nov. as Eggerthella lenta gen. nov., comb. nov. with Eggerthella lenta as the type species.
Regulatory RNAs in photosynthetic cyanobacteria

Regulatory RNAs play versatile roles in bacteria in the coordination of gene expression during various physiological processes, especially during stress adaptation. Photosynthetic bacteria use sunlight as their major energy source. Therefore, they are particularly vulnerable to the damaging effects of excess light or UV irradiation. In addition, like all bacteria, photosynthetic bacteria must adapt to limiting nutrient concentrations and abiotic and biotic stress factors. Transcriptome analyses have identified hundreds of potential regulatory small RNAs (sRNAs) in model cyanobacteria such as Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 or Anabaena sp. PCC 7120, and in environmentally relevant genera such as Trichodesmium, Synechococcus and Prochlorococcus. Some sRNAs have been shown to actually contain μORFs and encode short proteins. Examples include the 40-amino-acid product of the sml0013 gene, which encodes the NdhP subunit of the NDH1 complex. In contrast, the functional characterization of the non-coding sRNA PsrR1 revealed that the 131 nt long sRNA controls photosynthetic functions by targeting multiple mRNAs, providing a paradigm for sRNA functions in photosynthetic bacteria. We suggest that actuatons comprise a new class of genetic elements in which an sRNA gene is inserted upstream of a coding region to modify or enable transcription of that region.
Fine Root Abundance and Dynamics of Stone Pine (Pinus cembra) at the Alpine Treeline Is Not Impaired by Self-shading

Low temperatures are crucial for the formation of the alpine treeline worldwide. Since soil temperature in the shade of tree canopies is lower than in open sites, it was assumed that self-shading may impair the trees’ root growth performance. While experiments with tree saplings demonstrate root growth impairment at soil temperatures below 5–7°C, field studies exploring the soil temperature – root growth relationship at the treeline are missing. We recorded soil temperature and fine root abundance and dynamics in shaded and sun-exposed areas under canopies of isolated Pinus cembra trees at the alpine treeline. In contrast to the mentioned assumption, we found more fine root biomass and higher fine root growth in colder than in warmer soil areas. Moreover, colder areas showed higher fine root turnover and thus lower root lifespan than warmer places. We conclude that P. cembra balances enhanced fine root mortality in cold soils with higher fine root activity and by maintaining higher fine root biomass, most likely as a response to shortage in soil resource supply. The results from our study highlight the importance of in situ measurements on mature trees to understand the fine root response and carbon allocation pattern to the thermal growth conditions at the alpine treeline.
The Role of Text Representation in Students’ Ability to Identify Fallacious Arguments

Informal reasoning fallacies are arguments that, though they may seem persuasive, are not valid. The psychological aspect of informal reasoning fallacies, specifically the identification of factors that influence students’ ability to identify fallacies, has not been the subject of empirical study. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that subjects’ ability to identify fallacious arguments is associated with the representation of the argumentative text in the cognitive system. In the first experiment, we tested the hypothesis through a recall task. In the second experiment, we tested the hypothesis through a classification task. The results of the experiments confirm the research hypothesis and point to the role of argumentative structures in argumentation tasks.
The vertical disintegration of ship management: choice criteria for third party selection and evaluation

An assessment of the rationale for the vertical disintegration of ship management suggests that there might be compelling economic benefits for the separation of ownership from management. In this context, as a means for developing effective marketing strategies, it is important for ship managers to know the criteria used by current and prospective clients for ship manager selection and evaluation. The aim of this paper is to empirically identify the dimensions for ship manager selection and performance evaluation and their relative importance and to discuss the implications for marketing emanating from such an assessment. The methodology adopted includes the collection of secondary and primary data, both from ship managers and their clients, using interviews and a mail survey. The results indicate the prevailing importance of certain dimensions in selection (e.g. technical ability, reputation, competency) and evaluation (responsiveness, trustworthiness, technical ability), whereas it also found that price alone is not perceived to be as important in ship manager selection. It is concluded that placing emphasis on such dimensions in the formulation of a marketing strategy will contribute towards the attraction and retention of clients, whereas cost-cutting measures to allow price reduction, as well as advertising, will be ineffective over the long term.
Structure and interactions of RecA: plasticity revealed by molecular dynamics simulations

Eleven independent simulations, each involving three consecutive molecules in the RecA filament, carried out on the protein from Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mycobacterium smegmatis and Escherichia coli and their Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) complexes, provide valuable information which is complementary to that obtained from crystal structures, in addition to confirming the robust common structural framework within which RecA molecules from different eubacteria function. Functionally important loops, which are largely disordered in crystal structures, appear to adopt in each simulation subsets of conformations from larger ensembles. The simulations indicate the possibility of additional interactions involving the P-loop which remains largely invariant. The phosphate tail of the ATP is firmly anchored on the loop while the nucleoside moiety exhibits substantial structural variability. The most important consequence of ATP binding is the movement of the ‘switch’ residue. The relevant simulations indicate the feasibility of a second nucleotide binding site, but the pathway between adjacent molecules in the filament involving the two nucleotide binding sites appears to be possible only in the mycobacterial proteins.
The Role of Analysts’ Forecasts in Accounting-Based Valuation: A Critical Evaluation

Abstract This paper critically evaluates the use of analysts’ forecasts in accounting-based valuation. Specifically, I assess the usefulness and the limitation of analysts’ forecasts in predicting future earnings and in explaining the market-to-book ratio, in light of a comprehensive set of 22 explicit information items, including: economic rent proxies, conservative accounting proxies, earnings quality signals, transitory earnings proxies, industry characteristics, and risk and growth proxies. While analysts’ forecasts capture 45–83% of the information from these sources depending on model specifications, they do not appear to fully incorporate certain information items. In particular, proxies for conservative accounting and transitory earnings are incrementally useful in predicting future earnings; proxies for economic rents, conservative accounting, and risk are incrementally useful in explaining the market-to-book ratio. Collectively, these results validate the use of analysts’ forecasts as a parsimonious proxy for forward-looking information in accounting-based valuation and suggest how to improve on their use.
Increased levels of neuronal thread protein in cerebrospinal fluid of patients with Alzheimer's disease

Neuronal thread protein is a recently characterized, ∼20‐kd protein that accumulates in brains with Alzheimer's disease (AD) lesions. This study examined whether concentrations of neuronal thread protein (NTP) were also increased in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of individuals with probable (clinically diagnosed) and definite (histopathologically proved) AD. Using a highly sensitive three‐site monoclonal antibody–based immunoradiometric assay, we measured NTP concentrations in CSF from 84 patients with probable AD and mild dementia (duration, 4.05 ± 0.36 years), 45 with Parkinson's disease and minimal or no dementia (duration, 4.73 ± 0.78 years), 73 with multiple sclerosis, and 73 nondemented control subjects. NTP concentrations were also measured in postmortem ventricular fluid and temporal lobe neocortex extracts from 31 subjects with histopathologically proved AD and 14 age‐matched control subjects. The mean concentration of NTP in the CSF was higher in AD (4.15 ± 0.25 ng/ml; 95% confidence interval [CI] limits, 3.65–4.65) than in Parkinson's disease (1.96 ± 0.16 ng/ml; 95% CI, 1.65–2.27), multiple sclerosis (1.6 0.14 ng/ml; 95% CI limits, 1.33–1.88), or control subjects (1.27 ± 0.06 ng/ml; 95% CI limits, 1.15–1.40) (p < 0.001). In addition, 70% of the patients with probable AD had concentrations of NTP in CSF that were higher than 2.5 ng/ml (> upper 99% CI limit in the control group), compared with 23%of Parkinson's disease patients, 11% of multiple sclerosis patients, and 40% of control subjects. The mean concentrations of NTP in the ventricular fluid and brain tissue from individuals with documented AD and end‐stage dementia were threefold higher than the levels detected in the CSF from the remaining patients with probable AD and mild dementia. Moreover, of 9 patients with AD, postmortem brain and CSF manifested 5‐ to 50‐fold higher levels of NTP compared with the CSF samples obtained an average of 6 years earlier. These findings demonstrate that NTP levels are elevated in the CSF of individuals with AD and that NTP levels in the CSF increase strikingly with progression of dementia and neuronal degeneration.
Analysis of surgical approaches for unstable thoracolumbar burst fracture: minimum of five year follow-up.

OBJECTIVES To evaluate and compare the long-term outcome of unstable thoracolumbar burst fractures treated using anterior, posterior or combined anterior and posterior approaches. METHODS The prospective randomised controlled study was conducted at the Tianjin 4th Centre Hospital, Tianjin, China, and comprised patients of unstable thoracolumbar burst fracture operated between July 2004 and July 2006 and followed up for five years. The patients were divided randomly into three groups of anterior, posterior and combined anterior and posterior approaches. Clinical data was analysed using SPSS 17. RESULTS Of the 66 cases in the study, 45 (68.18%) were male and 21 (31.8%) were female, with overall age ranging from 19 to 69 years. There were 22 (33.3%) patients in the anterior group, 23 (35%) in the posterior group, and 21 (32%) in the combined anterior and posterior group. Comparison was made between two respective groups. The combined group was found to have the longest operation time (p < 0.02; p < 0.01, respectively), larger blood loss (p < 0.006; p < 0.005, respectively), longer hospital stay (p < 0.01; p < 0.003, respectively) and higher hospitalisation costs (p < 0.004; p < 0.001, respectively). The postoperative kyphotic angle was significantly smaller than preoperative one in all groups (p < 0.01; p < 0.02; p < 0.01). CONCLUSION The anterior approach or combined anterior and posterior approach were better options in managing unstable thoracolumbar burst fracture, while the latter should be used only for the burst fracture with a significant posterior column injury.
Key issues for ICT applications: impacts and implications for hospitality operations

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to understand several key issues regarding technology strategies for the lodging industry, including the use and impact of technology, technology adoption and implementation, the role of organization technology environment in technology use, channel management strategies, as well as future trends of technology development.Design/methodology/approach – Qualitative interviews are conducted with hotel practitioners to gain knowledge in order to help explore issues and generate hypotheses for future research regarding information and communications technology (ICT) applications in the lodging industry.Findings – The research finds that technology will continue to impact guest service and customer relationship management in the lodging industry, and that companies vary in their implementation and use of the technology applications.Research limitations/implications – Using qualitative research limited the number of hotels that could be interviewed; as a result, the finding.
Prescribing Radiation Dose to Lung Cancer Patients Based on Personalized Toxicity Estimates

Introduction: The lung radiosensitivity of the most sensitive patients limits doses that can be given to the majority of lung cancer patients. The purpose of the current study was to illustrate the concept of personalizing prescription dose by performing a retrospective study in which the prescription is determined using an individualized dose-volume constraint that is calculated from a toxicity prediction model. We test whether using a model-generated personalized lung-dose limit results in a clinically significant change to the prescription. Methods: A model consisting of a dose-volume component and a genetic component (single-nucleotide polymorphism information) was used to determine iso-risk mean lung-dose (MLD) limits for each patient. The prescription dose for each patient was scaled according to the individualized MLD constraint and population-based constraints for the cord, esophagus, and heart. The difference between the model-determined prescription dose and the prescription the patient was originally treated with was evaluated. Results: For 59% of the patients the change in prescription using the model-determined limit was greater than 5 Gy (either dose escalation or de-escalation). For 96% of the patients who developed radiation pneumonitis the model predicted that the prescription should have been lowered. Conclusions: Our results indicate that using a model-generated personalized MLD results in a clinically different (≥ 5 Gy) prescription. A model used in the manner described by the study can help physicians further personalize radiation therapy and aid them in determining how much dose can safely be delivered to the tumor and normal tissues.