Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Validating faecal glucocorticoid metabolite analysis in the Virunga mountain gorilla using a natural biological stressor

The continued degradation of primate habitat worldwide is forcing many primate populations into small protected forest islands surrounded by high-density human populations. One well-studied example is the critically endangered mountain gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei). Decades of monitoring and research on Rwanda's mountain gorillas offer a unique opportunity to use non-invasive endocrine analysis to address pressing questions about the conservation of this endangered population. The aims of our study were as follows: (i) to validate field and laboratory methods for assessing stress through faecal glucocorticoid metabolite (FGM) analysis using inter-social unit interactions as a natural stressor; (ii) to determine the excretion lag times between interactions and detectable stress response in faeces; and (iii) to determine whether there are circadian patterns of FGM excretion. We collected ~6000 faecal samples from 127 known gorillas in 10 habituated groups, monitored by the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund's Karisoke Research Center over 21 months in 2011 and 2012. Extracted FGMs were measured using a cortisol enzyme immunoassay (R4866; C. J. Munro). Results revealed cause–effect relationships between inter-unit interactions and increased FGMs (relative to individual pre-event samples) between 20 and 140 h after interactions, with the peak most often occurring on day 3. There was no evidence of circadian patterns in FGM concentrations, as previously shown in many species with long gut passage times. However, baseline FGM concentrations were lower in adult males than in adult females, and variation was associated with the collection month, indicating possible seasonal variation. This study provides a biologically validated, field-friendly faecal hormone metabolite extraction and laboratory enzyme immunoassay analysis method for non-invasive monitoring of adrenocortical activity in Virunga mountain gorillas. The methods are useful for future evaluation of a variety of environmental and human-induced potential stressors in this critically endangered population.
R-CRDSA: Reservation-Contention Resolution Diversity Slotted ALOHA for Satellite Networks

In this letter, a reservation scheme with contention resolution diversity slotted ALOHA (CRDSA), called R-CRDSA, is proposed. Although CRDSA promises excellent performance compared to slotted ALOHA (SA), there are two barriers to be overcome for its use in satellite networks. The first is a low critical point of an offered load; i.e., at this point, as the offered load increases, the throughput will decrease. CRDSA has a lower critical point than that of SA. The second barrier is that CRDSA has a lower capacity efficiency compared to SA; i.e., on average, CRDSA requires more power or bandwidth than SA for transmission. R-CRDSA can overcome these barriers at the same cost as CRDSA, especially for multi-packet messages. The analytic performances are derived by the observation of the transition between two successive frames, and the average number of packets in a message. The simulation results show that the analytic derivations are valid, and they confirm that the barriers are resolved by R-CRDSA.
Phase I study of single-dose BMY-28100, a new oral cephalosporin

The objective of this Phase I study was to evaluate the safety, tolerance, and pharmacokinetics of BMY-28100 in 36 male subjects after the administration of single oral doses of 250, 500, and 1,000 mg. The subjects were divided into groups of 12 per dose group. All subjects completed the study, and BMY-28100 was well tolerated at all doses. The maximum concentration of the drug in plasma ranged from 6.2 to 17.7 micrograms/ml for the 250- and 1,000-mg doses, respectively, and the area under the curve increased in a dose-proportional manner. The elimination half-life and renal clearance averages were 1.2 h and 200 ml/min, respectively. The values for renal clearance suggest that BMY-28100 is excreted by glomerular filtration and tubular secretion. Mean concentrations of the drug in urine were highest during the first 4 h after the doses and ranged from 175 to 658 micrograms/ml following the 250- and 1,000-mg doses, respectively. The mean urinary recovery ranged from 57 to 70% of the dose. The results from this Phase I study indicate that BMY-28100 is well tolerated and exhibits linear pharmacokinetics.
Formation of the Catecholamine Release-inhibitory Peptide Catestatin from Chromogranin A

The catestatin fragment of chromogranin A is an inhibitor of catecholamine release, but its occurrence in vivo has not yet been verified, nor have its precise cleavage sites been established. Here we found extensive processing of catestatin in chromogranin A, as judged by catestatin radioimmunoassay of size-fractionated chromaffin granules. On mass spectrometry, a major catestatin form was bovine chromogranin A332–364; identity of the peptide was confirmed by diagnostic Met346oxidation. Further analysis revealed two additional forms: bovine chromogranin A333–364 and A343–362. Synthetic longer (chromogranin A332–364) and shorter (chromogranin A344–364) versions of catestatin each inhibited catecholamine release from chromaffin cells, with superior potency for the shorter version (IC50 ∼2.01 versus∼0.35 μm). Radioimmunoassay demonstrated catestatin release from the regulated secretory pathway in chromaffin cells. Human catestatin was cleaved in pheochromocytoma chromaffin granules, with the major form, human chromogranin A340–372, bounded by dibasic sites. We conclude that catestatin is cleaved extensivelyin vivo, and the peptide is released by exocytosis. In chromaffin granules, the major form of catestatin is cleaved at dibasic sites, while smaller carboxyl-terminal forms also occur. Knowledge of cleavage sites of catestatin from chromogranin A may provide a useful starting point in analysis of the relationship between structure and function for this peptide.
Nonlinearities in central and eastern European stock markets

In this article we use nonlinear tests to investigate the mean reverting properties of stock prices in a group of Central and East European (CEE) markets. We also test whether returns in our target group of countries demonstrate characteristics of persistence and cross-sectional dependence. Our results indicate that ignoring the nonlinearity in the stock prices of CEE countries could result in misleading inferences.
Competitive Search, Efficiency, and Multiworker Firms

I study competitive search equilibrium in an environment where firms operate a decreasing‐returns production technology and hire multiple workers simultaneously. Firms post wages, possibly several of them. The equilibrium can feature wage dispersion even though all firms and workers are ex ante identical. Unlike the benchmark where firms hire a single worker, hiring is constrained inefficient. Efficiency requires that firms commit to the number of hires, pay all applicants, or pay wages that depend on the number of applicants. Under wage‐posting, the inefficiency is highest at intermediate levels of labor market tightness.
Budgeting in the Netherlands

The budget formulation process in the Netherlands operates in two very distinct phases. The first phase occurs when a new government takes power and it establishes its overall budgetary policy for its term of office. This is done in explicit terms, rather than being a general statement of intent. The second phase then occurs annually, as the government’s overall budgetary policy is translated into operational terms for all of the government’s various activities.
Equilibrium in the Initial Public Offerings Market

In this review, I criticize the ability of popular asymmetric information-based models to explain the magnitude of the underpricing of initial public offerings (IPOs) that is observed. I suggest that the quantitative magnitude of underpricing can be explained with a market structure in which underwriters want to underprice excessively, issuers are focused on services bundled with underwriting rather than on maximizing the offer proceeds, and there is limited competition between underwriters. Since the technology bubble burst in 2000, U.S. IPO volume has been low. Although regulatory burdens undoubtedly account for some of the decline, I suggest that much of the decline may be due to a structural shift that has lessened the profitability of small independent companies relative to their value as part of a larger, more established organization that can realize economies of scope. I also discuss the long-run performance literature. My interpretation of the evidence is that except for the smallest companies going public, IPOs have long-run returns that are similar to those on seasoned stocks with the same characteristics.
Temporal Factors Alter Effects of Social Housing Conditions on Responses to Chemotherapy and Hormone Levels in a Shionogi Mammary Tumor Model

Objective: To identify possible hormonal factors involved in the differential responses to chemotherapy observed in our tumor model, we investigated if the timing among tumor cell injection, rehousing, and chemotherapy administration differentially affects levels of corticosterone (CORT), growth hormone (GH), and testosterone and tumor and host responses to chemotherapy. Methods: Mice were reared either individually (I) or in groups (G). At 2 to 4 months, mice were injected with tumor cells and retained in their original housing conditions or rehoused into different experimental groups (GG, IG, II, GI) either immediately (experiment 1) or 14 days later (experiment 2); chemotherapy was administered when tumors weighed approximately 0.8 g. Results: In experiment 1, IG and GG mice had better responses to chemotherapy than GI mice. Chemotherapy increased CORT levels in II mice and decreased GH levels in GI mice compared with those of their drug vehicle-treated counterparts. Under the temporal conditions of experiment 2, IG and GG mice lost the advantage seen in experiment 1 in terms of tumor and host responses to chemotherapy. Before chemotherapy administration, CORT levels in IG mice and GH levels in GI mice were higher than those in mice in all other housing conditions. At 1 day after chemotherapy, CORT levels were higher for chemotherapy-treated than for drug vehicle-treated IG mice, and at 5 days post chemotherapy, GH levels were higher in GI than in IG mice. Conclusions: Temporal relationships among tumor cell injection, rehousing, and chemotherapy administration critically influence responses to chemotherapy; these effects may be mediated, in part, by alterations in hormone levels. GG = from group to group housing; II = from individual to individual housing; IG = from individual to group housing; GI = from group to individual housing; CORT = corticosterone; GH = growth hormone; T = testosterone; AD = Adriamycin; CY = cyclophosphamide; TGD = tumor growth delay; SC115 = Shionogi carcinoma 115; C = tumor cell-injected, chemotherapy-treated mice; V = tumor cell- injected, drug vehicle-treated mice.
Key factors influencing HRM practices of overseas subsidiaries in China's transition economy

In seventy items measuring fourteen constructs of human resource management practices in 286 Chinese foreign subsidiaries headquartered in the United States, Japan and Germany, significant differences are related to financial control from the foreign parent, organizational form (joint venture, wholly owned foreign subsidiary or representative office) and time since entry into the Chinese market. The differences appear to be governed more by the push from parent-firm economic considerations and venture structure and the pull from specific Chinese HRM conditions than by the push related to home country of parent or factors associated with industry type. In addition, a fair number of HRM practices appear unaffected by any of these factors, and these may be more universal in form.
A comparison of two different bone-harvesting techniques for secondary alveolar bone grafting in patients with cleft lip and palate.

OBJECTIVE To compare the outcome of the trephine with open hip surgery for alveolar bone grafting in cleft lip and palate surgery. DESIGN The study was retrospective. The radiographs were assessed blindly and on two separate occasions 1 week apart. SETTING University Teaching Hospital. PATIENTS, PARTICIPANTS In one group (group A), a trephine was used; in the other (group B), open hip surgery was employed. Group A was comprised of 16 patients (nine with unilateral and seven with bilateral clefts of the lip and palate) and group B, 13 patients (eight unilateral and five bilateral). The prime entry criterion for inclusion in the study was that the canine tooth had erupted into the graft site. INTERVENTIONS A long cone periapical radiograph was taken of the erupted canine tooth in the graft site. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE The radiographs were graded from type I to type IV, as described by Bergland et al. (1986a). A comparison was also made of the eruption of the canine, postoperative morbidity, and length of stay in hospital for each group. RESULTS There was no statistically significant difference in the interdental bone height (p=.61, Mann-Whitney U test). In group A, all patients had a satisfactory clinical outcome (type I or II), and in group B, only one patient had an unsatisfactory result (type III). The spontaneous eruption of the canine and the number of nights spent in the hospital were also similar for both groups. However, no patients in group A suffered postoperative complications, whereas three patients in group B reported either a limp or postoperative infection of the hip. CONCLUSION Both techniques produced satisfactory repair of the bony defect, but the open hip surgery resulted in greater postoperative morbidity.
Internet-Based Evaluation of Tourism Web Site Effectiveness: Methodological Issues and Survey Results

There is growing reliance on the Internet and Web sites for promotion of tourism. Evaluation of Web site effectiveness is necessary because of the significant costs for setup, advertising, and maintenance. Research suggests there is a great need for evaluations to go beyond hits and page viewings. The objectives of this study were to develop and apply a low-cost, automated, Internet-based survey methodology to investigate effectiveness of a tourism promotional Web site. Both online and email surveys were used to gather data from visitors to a state Web site. Although responses were received from 833 persons, response rates were low. A check for nonresponse bias indicated that respondents were different from nonrespondents. Respondents primarily learned about the Web site through two sources and reported that the Web site significantly influenced their travel plans. However, study findings suggest that there are substantial methodological challenges in conducting Web-based surveys. Suggestions to improve evaluation methods are provided.
Clinical profiles of adult patients with single ventricular physiology.

BACKGROUND This study was performed to clarify the present global clinical status, including medication(s) and social abilities, of adult patients with single ventricular physiology (SVP). METHODS AND RESULTS Clinical charts were retrospectively reviewed to evaluate the global clinical status, including functional capacity, medication(s), complications, and social activities of 68 adult patients with SVP aged 20-53 years (41 males); 50 had undergone the Fontan operation and they were divided into the young adult (25 patients) and adult Fontan groups. The others were cyanotic patients without the Fontan operation (non-Fontan group). Although the Fontan groups showed better functional capacity, higher arterial oxygen saturation and brain natriuretic peptide levels, and a better renal function, there was no difference in the cardiovascular events during follow-up between the 3 groups. The most frequent complication was arrhythmia without a significant group difference, although the non-Fontan group showed a high percentage of heart failure. Only 41 patients (60%) had a job and 8 (12%) were married. CONCLUSIONS Although the Fontan groups had favorable pathophysiological conditions, the high rate of cardiovascular events, as well as unsatisfactory social situations, indicate the importance of meticulous life-long management of patients with SVP, regardless of the type of surgical intervention.
Consumer's Attitude Towards Labeled and Unlabeled GM Food Products in Italy

Based on survey data collected on a sample of 500 Italian consumers, this paper evaluates the consumer's attitude towards foods obtained from the application of biotechnologies and foods labeled as "GM free". Results from the application of probit models shows that the probability to purchase GM products is lower for individuals more adverse to risk, older, with higher education and less confident in institutional guarantees. Willingness to Pay for GM free products is positively related to information, risk aversion, age, trust in institutional environment, negatively to the degree of agreement with the application of biotechnologies.
Intra-governmental bargaining and political budget cycles in the European Union

Political fragmentation has been widely recognized by political economists as an important cause for fiscal profligacy in democratic market economies because of the common pool nature of fiscal resources. These predictions, however, sit uneasily with the notion of governmental veto players’ ability to block each other’s spending plans for electoral purposes. Applying the logic of a bargaining-game between veto players in a political budget cycle framework, I first model that multiple players in the budget game are in fact likely to moderate pre-electoral budget outcomes. Empirical results from a cross-section time-series analysis in EU member states provide corroborative evidence that fiscal electioneering is indeed more prevalent among cohesive, single-party settings. The findings are robust to alternative identification of elections, fiscal changes and sample selection.
A re-ranking model for accurate knowledge base completion with knowledge base schema and web statistic

Knowledge base completion aims to complete a knowledge base by filling up missing facts of the knowledge base. Neural knowledge base embeddings proposed to solve this task measure the plausibility of all candidate triples, and then select top-ranked triples by the plausibility as new facts for the knowledge base. The plausibility by neural embeddings allows true facts to be ranked at high positions, but not at top positions. This is because neural knowledge base embeddings are limited to using only the information within the knowledge base. Therefore, this paper proposes a re-ranking model for precise knowledge base completion. As a re-ranking model, a neural network which uses knowledge base schema and web statistic additionally is adopted. As a result, the proposed re-ranking model has an effect of using additional information for knowledge base completion. Thus, the candidate triples are first ranked by a neural knowledge base embedding, and then the result is re-ranked by the neural network. The experimental results show that the proposed re-ranking model improves the base neural embeddings up to 16% in Hits@1. This implies that the re-ranking model places true facts at top positions effectively.
COMPARATIVE REGIONAL POLICY IMPACT ANALYSIS: EX POST EVALUATION OF THE PERFORMANCE OF THE EUROPEAN REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT FUND*

This paper addresses the issue of ex post impact analysis of regional policies in the European Community. The analysis is both methodological and applied in nature. After a concise overview of existing impact assessment methods, a two-step approach by means of an exploratory frequency method and an explanatory rational expectations-based model is proposed in order to provide an empirical framework for cross-regional comparative evaluation of the performance of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The seope and applicability of the method is illustrated by means of a case study for Dutch regions.
The Impact of Strategic‐Positioning Information on Auditor Judgments about Business‐Process Performance

Strategic‐systems auditing (SSA) approaches require auditors to perform analyses of their clients at two levels (i.e., strategic and business‐process levels) when conducting audits (e.g., Bell et al. 2002; Lemon et al. 2000). One advantage of using SSA approaches is that through these analyses, auditors gain a complex systems understanding of the client. This understanding enhances decision making in part by recognizing that small actions can have big effects that increase overall business risk (Jacobson 2001; Richmond 2000). This study examines how the two levels of analysis in SSA impact auditor judgments regarding small changes in a business process that can have big (risk‐increasing) effects. Specifically, we predict that when strategic‐positioning information (contained within the strategic‐level analysis) indicates a client is typical of others in its industry, information at the business‐process level regarding a small problem in a business process will be weighted less than when the strategic‐posi.
A new EPQ model: integrating lower pricing, rework and reject situations

The economic production quantity (EPQ) is a well-known and commonly used inventory control technique. It has been used for well over 50 years to optimize lot sizes in transportation/production. The standard results are easy to apply but are based on a number of assumptions. A common assumption in the EPQ model is that all units produced are of perfect quality, this will underestimate the actual required quantity. Many researchers have studied the effects after relaxing this assumption on the EPQ model. The previous studies had considered that imperfect quality and defective items are either to be reworked instantaneously and kept in stock or rejected at a cost. The objective of this paper is to provide a framework to integrate lower pricing, rework and reject situations into a single EPQ model. A 100% inspection is performed in order to identify the amount of good quality items, imperfect quality items and defective items in each lot. This model assumes that items of imperfect quality, not necessarily defective, could be used in another production situation or sold to a particular purchaser at a lower price. The electronic and clothing industries give good examples for such situations. A mathematical model is developed and a numerical example is presented to illustrate the solution procedures. It is found that the time factor of when to sell the imperfect items is critical, as this decision will affect the inventory cost and the batch quantities.