Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
High-Performance Work Practices and Core Employee Wages

Past research has provided mixed evidence on the relationship between High-Performance Work Practices (HPWPs) and wages. Drawing from more than 1,800 interviews with the HR managers in a stratified sample of Italian manufacturing plants collected in 2008, the authors argue that the results are inconclusive unless the configurations of the HPWPs and the mechanisms underpinning employee involvement are taken into account. Their results show that HPWPs are associated with higher wages for core employees only when they align with an ideal type, and they result in higher wage equality only when they emphasize training, competence enhancement, and power delegation.
Asset Allocation in the Chinese Stock Market: The Role of Return Predictability

In this article the authors investigate asset allocation in the Chinese stock market from the perspective of incorporating return predictability. Based on a host of return predictors, they find significant out-of-sample return predictability in the Chinese stock market. They then examine the performance of active portfolio strategies—such as aggregate market timing as well as industry, size, and value-rotation strategies—designed to profitably exploit return predictability. Strong evidence is found by the authors that these portfolio strategies incorporating return predictability can deliver superior performance—up to 600 basis points per annum and almost double the Sharpe ratios—compared with the passive buy-and-hold benchmarks that ignore return predictability.
Modified Audit Reports in the Case of Joint Municipal Authorities: Empirical Evidence from Finland

This paper explores the determinants of modified audit reports among joint municipal authorities (JMAs) in Finland. Research in this area has traditionally focused on private‐sector corporations, and surprisingly little is known about the practice in municipalities, let alone JMAs. Here is a clear research gap. This study takes the first steps in identifying the determinants of such modifications in Finnish municipal administration. The focus of the analysis is on whether some traditional determinants found among corporations also apply to JMAs. A long audit report lag, audit firm size, and a large organizational size seem to increase the likelihood of a modified audit opinion, whereas high leverage, a large organizational size, and the male gender of the principal auditor increase the likelihood of modified results of the audit.
Exosome-mediated transfer of microRNAs within the tumor microenvironment and neuroblastoma resistance to chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND How exosomic microRNAs (miRNAs) contribute to the development of drug resistance in the context of the tumor microenvironment has not been previously described in neuroblastoma (NBL). METHODS Coculture experiments were performed to assess exosomic transfer of miR-21 from NBL cells to human monocytes and miR-155 from human monocytes to NBL cells. Luciferase reporter assays were performed to assess miR-155 targeting of TERF1 in NBL cells. Tumor growth was measured in NBL xenografts treated with Cisplatin and peritumoral exosomic miR-155 (n = 6 mice per group) CD163, miR-155, and TERF1 levels were assessed in 20 NBL primary tissues by Human Exon Arrays and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Student's t test was used to evaluate the differences between treatment groups. All statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS miR-21 mean fold change (f.c.) was 12.08±0.30 (P < .001) in human monocytes treated with NBL derived exosomes for 48 hours, and miR-155 mean f.c. was 4.51±0.25 (P < .001) in NBL cells cocultured with human monocytes for 48 hours. TERF1 mean luciferase activity in miR-155 transfected NBL cells normalized to scrambled was 0.36 ± 0.05 (P <.001). Mean tumor volumes in Dotap-miR-155 compared with Dotap-scrambled were 322.80±120mm(3) and 76.00±39.3mm(3), P = . 002 at day 24, respectively. Patients with high CD163 infiltrating NBLs had statistically significantly higher intratumoral levels of miR-155 (P = .04) and lower levels of TERF1 mRNA (P = .02). CONCLUSIONS These data indicate a unique role of exosomic miR-21 and miR-155 in the cross-talk between NBL cells and human monocytes in the resistance to chemotherapy, through a novel exosomic miR-21/TLR8-NF-кB/exosomic miR-155/TERF1 signaling pathway.
Anti-Inflammatory Strategies in Intrahepatic Islet Transplantation: A Comparative Study in Preclinical Models

Background The identification of pathway(s) playing a pivotal role in peritransplant detrimental inflammatory events represents the crucial step toward a better management and outcome of pancreatic islet transplanted patients. Recently, we selected the CXCR1/2 inhibition as a relevant strategy in enhancing pancreatic islet survival after transplantation. Methods Here, the most clinically used anti-inflammatory compounds (IL1-receptor antagonist, steroids, and TNF-&agr; inhibitor) alone or in combination with a CXCR1/2 inhibitor were evaluated in their ability to improve engraftment or delay graft rejection. To rule out bias related to transplantation site, we used well-established preclinical syngeneic (250 C57BL/6 equivalent islets in C57BL/6) and allogeneic (400 Balb/c equivalent islets in C57BL6) intrahepatic islet transplantation platforms. Results In mice, we confirmed that targeting the CXCR1/2 pathway is crucial in preserving islet function and improving engraftment. In the allogeneic setting, CXCR1/2 inhibitor alone could reduce the overall recruitment of transplant-induced leukocytes and significantly prolong the time to graft rejection both as a single agent and in combination with immunosuppression. No other anti-inflammatory compounds tested (IL1-receptor antagonist, steroids, and TNF-&agr; inhibitor) alone or in combination with CXCR1/2 inhibitor improve islet engraftment and significantly delay graft rejection in the presence of MMF + FK-506 immunosuppressive treatment. Conclusions These findings indicate that only the CXCR1/2-mediated axis plays a crucial role in controlling the islet damage and should be a target for intervention to improve the efficiency of islet transplantation.
Analysis and Extension of the Ponomarenko et al. Method, Estimating a Noise Curve from a Single Image

In the article An Automatic Approach to Lossy Compression of AVIRIS Images N.N. Ponomarenko et al. propose a new method to specifically compress AVIRIS (Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer) images. As part of the compression algorithm, a noise estimation is performed with a proposed new algorithm based on the computation of the variance of overlapping 8× 8 blocks. The noise is estimated on the high-frequency orthonormal DCT-II coefficients of the blocks. To avoid the effect of edges and textures, the blocks are sorted according to their energy measured on a set of low-frequency coefficients. The final noise estimation is obtained by computing the median of the variances measured on the high-frequency part of the spectrum of the blocks using only those whose energy (measured on the low-frequencies) is low. A small percentile of the total set of blocks (typically the 0.5%) is used to select those blocks with the lower energy at the low-frequencies. Although the method measures uniform Gaussian noise, it can be easily adapted to deal with signal-dependent noise, which is realistic with the Poisson noise model obtained by a CCD device in a digital camera. Source Code The C++ implementation of the Ponomarenko et al. noise estimator version 3.0 is the one which has been peer reviewed and accepted by IPOL. The source code, the code documentation, and the online demo are available in the IPOL web page of this article1.
Dietary intake in Swedish medical students during 2007–2012

Background: The dietary intake in Swedish medical students has been reported for the periods 1987–1993 and 1994–2006. Objective: To analyse dietary intake in medical students between 2007 and 2012, in relation to Nordic Nutrition Recommendations, to previous surveys and to a contemporary Swedish population. Design: Nutrient intake was calculated from 3-day food records conducted by 698 medical students. The differences between surveys were evaluated using a t-test and the changes over time by linear regression. Results: The energy intake in valid female and male reporters was 8.7 and 11.9 MJ respectively. The intake of protein, fat and alcohol, as proportions of energy (E%) and dietary fibre, was within recommendations. The intake of most micronutrients was above recommendations, except for vitamin D, and in women, iron and folate. In women, E% fat increased between 2007 and 2012, while E% carbohydrate decreased. Compared to the 1994–2006 period, medical students in the present survey consumed less carbohydrates and more fat, more folate and more vitamin E. The students were more compliant with the dietary recommendations than the same age group of the Swedish population. Conclusions: Energy intake in medical students, and dietary intake with some exceptions, remained stable during 1987–2012, and close to the Nordic Nutrition Recommendations for most nutrients. Between 2007 and 2012, fat intake increased and carbohydrate intake decreased significantly in women and also tended to do so in men. Similar trends were seen in the Swedish population, possibly indicating the impact of diet trends such as the Low-Carb/High-Fat diet.
Monetary Integration in the Ex-Soviet Union: Some Preliminary Findings from Generalized PPP Theory

In 2003, four Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries established the Single Economic Space, and discussed the opportunity of forming a currency union. Recently, three of those countries took a step forward and adopted the Customs Union. The issue regarding monetary unification was discussed again at a Moscow conference. To examine the economic viability of this union, this paper applies the Generalized Purchasing Power Parity (G-PPP) theory and shows that due to the presence of asymmetric shocks and the possible surge of the Dutch disease in Ukraine and Belarus, the union might reveal to be expensive. However, when Ukraine is excluded, the three countries exhibit no asymmetric shocks.
On Monotonicity of Difference Schemes for Computational Physics

Criteria are developed for monotonicity of linear as well as nonlinear difference schemes associated with the numerical analysis of systems of partial differential equations, integrodifferential equations, etc. Difference schemes are converted into variational forms that satisfy the boundary maximum principle and also allow the investigation of monotonicity for nonlinear operators using linear patterns. Sufficient conditions are provided to review the monotonicity of single and coupled difference schemes. Necessary as well as necessary and sufficient conditions for monotonicity of explicit schemes are also developed. The notion of submonotone difference schemes is considered and the associated criteria are developed. We discuss the interrelationship between monotonicity, submonotonicity, and stability. Some known schemes serve as examples demonstrating the implementation of the developed approaches. Among these examples, we describe the possibility that stable schemes such as total variation diminishing (TVD) as well as monotonicity preserving can produce spurious oscillations.
Central Limit Theorem for Mutual Information of Large MIMO Systems With Elliptically Correlated Channels

By considering elliptical correlations in the channel matrix of a large MIMO system, this paper investigates how the non-linear dependency affects the asymptotic behaviors of Shannon’s mutual information, as the numbers of antennas at transmitter and receiver both tend to infinity at the same rate. Beyond the almost sure convergence of the information per transmit antenna, we also propose several central limit theorems for the information statistics under various scenarios. The results show that the non-linear correlation has a little impact on the almost sure convergence but has a tremendous effect on the fluctuation of the information statistics. In particular, the centralized information statistics could experience a phase transition in convergence rate when the strength of the non-linear correlation increases. As extensions, several central limit theorems are established as well for general linear spectral statistics of large sample covariance matrices in elliptical distributions.
What accounts for Portuguese regional differences in students’ performance? Evidence from OECD PISA

This paper studies regional differences in students’ educational performance and inequality in Portugal. Despite the centralized nature of the Portuguese educational system, there are signifi cant differences across regions. We consider fi rstly the role of school and family factors. Results suggest that individual and family backgrounds play an important role in explaining both achievement and inequality. School characteristics are also important but only in terms of performance, while the role of “pure” regional effects is limited. From a policy perspective there is scope for school intervention, namely regarding school organization and teachers’ responsibilities. Nevertheless, to target educational inequality, educational policy needs to take into account the schoolfamily-community context and should not focus exclusively on schools.
Bone graft translation of four upper cervical spine fixation techniques in a cadaveric model

The goal of spinal fixation is to promote bony fusion by restricting motion at the site of the bone graft. In order to evaluate the efficiency of various cervical fixation techniques, the authors determined the translations at the posterior arch of C1 for four C1 -C2 posterior techniques: Gallie, Brooks, Mageri, and Halifax. The authors assumed that translational laxity is the critical motion parameter and evaluated this parameter, quantified herein as the neutral zone, at seven points at the graft site. The authors found that there was no significant difference with the fixation techniques in the average axial translation. In shear, the Mageri averaged 1 mm which was significantly less than the Gallie (2.1 mm). The authors propose that evaluation by translational laxity (neutral zone) at the graft site is a noteworthy concept in biomechanical analysis. <<ETX>>
[Management of pregnancies after adjustable gastric banding].

OBJECTIVES To report our experience of the association adjustable gastric banding and pregnancy. To define a management for a such association. MATERIALS AND METHODS Retrospective and descriptive study on two centers over a 3-year follow-up of pregnancies begun with a Lap-Band gastric banding placed by laparoscopic way. RESULTS Twenty-one pregnancies, 22 newborns resulting from 18 women were identified. Eleven patients were hospitalized. The motive of the hospitalization was severe epigastralgia for four patients requiring three deflations for mechanical complication. No case of preeclampsia was identified. Seven bands were deflated. In the group of the deflated bands, the mean maternal weight gain was 19 vs 10 kg (P=0.008), the mean birth weight was 3700 vs 3204 g (P=0.09) with a rate of fetal macrosomia increased, 50 vs 29% (P=0.038). The difference between the rates of cesarean delivery was not significant (NS) between the two groups. The childbirth term was appreciably the same, 39.4 vs 38.6 weeks of gestation (NS). The only case of gestational diabetes was found in the deflated band group. Three intrauterine growth restrictions whose one fetal death occurred in the not deflated band group. CONCLUSION Results obtained were comparable to those of the literature. This series confirms that adjustable gastric banding limits the usual complications of the morbid obesity during pregnancy. It is generally well tolerated and must not be thus deflated by principle, but only on symptoms. That will be a total dysphagia, severe epigastric pains, vomiting after the first trimester of pregnancy or an intrauterine growth restriction.
Microwave Heating in the Management of Postmastectomy Upper Limb Lymphedema

The results of treating chronic lymphedema using microwave heating are described in 45 patients with postmastectomy lymphedema of the upper extremity. Forty-five patients showed a significant (p < 0.01) reduction in the amount of peripheral edema after two courses of treatment. The incidence and severity of secondary acute inflammation (erysipelas) were also sharply reduced (p < 0.01). The elasticity of the soft tissue was restored.
The relationship of personal and professional teacher diversity belief typologies to average student mathematics achievement in middle schools serving the diverse populations of north Georgia

I am submitting a dissertation written by Xiomara Reid Romine entitled “The Relationship of Personal and Professional Teacher Diversity Belief Typologi es to Average Student Mathematics Achievement in Middle Schools Serving the Diverse Populations of North Georgia. ” I have examined the final electronic copy of this dissertation and recommend that it be accepted in partial fulfillment of the requi rements for the degree of Doctor of Education, with a major in Learning and Leadership.
Modeling the Integrated Natural Gas and Electricity Optimal Power Flow

This paper integrates the natural gas and electricity networks in terms of power and gas optimal dispatch. It shows the fundamentals of natural gas network modeling including pipelines and compression stations. It also describes the equality constraint that models the energy transformation between gas and electric networks. A mathematical model of this problem is formulated as an optimization problem where the objective function is to minimize the integrated gas-electricity system operation cost and the constraints are the power system and natural gas pipeline equations and capacities. Case studies are presented integrating the IEEE-14 test system and Belgian calorific gas network. The integrated electricity-gas optimal power flow problem is solved using an hybrid approach which combines evolutionary strategy algorithm with Newton's and Interior point method. It hybrid approach fully takes the advantages of both evolutionary strategy optimization and classical methods (such as Newton's and interior point method) which the former is able to jump out of the local optimal point and the latter boats the local exploration ability within the neighborhood of the optimal. It increases the precision and quickens the convergence. The proposed model shows the importance of the integration of the two systems in terms of operation, planning, security and reliability.
Economic development, cultural differences and FDI

ABSTRACT The literature has long analysed the effects of national cultural distance on the volume of cross-border FDIs. Considering the increase in significance of FDI originating from developing countries, this study compares the effect of cultural differences on the stock of FDI from and to countries of various levels of economic development to explain how economic development affects the impact of cultural distance on FDI. Results suggest that the cultural differences tend to be bigger barriers for multinationals from developing countries, but they also learn quickly how to deal with such differences.
Relationships of Chemical Concentrations in Maternal and Cord Blood: A Review of Available Data

The developing fetus is likely to be exposed to the same environmental chemicals as the mother during critical periods of growth and development. The degree of maternal–fetal transfer of chemical compounds will be affected by chemical and physical properties such as lipophilicity, protein binding, and active transport mechanisms that influence absorption and distribution in maternal tissues. However, these transfer processes are not fully understood for most environmental chemicals. This review summarizes reported data from more than 100 studies on the ratios of cord:maternal blood concentrations for a range of chemicals including brominated flame-retardant compounds, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), polychlorinated dibenzodioxins and dibenzofurans, organochlorine pesticides, perfluorinated compounds, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, metals, and tobacco smoke components. The studies for the chemical classes represented suggest that chemicals frequently detected in maternal blood will also be detectable in cord blood. For most chemical classes, cord blood concentrations were found to be similar to or lower than those in maternal blood, with reported cord:maternal ratios generally between 0.1 and 1. Exceptions were observed for selected brominated flame-retardant compounds, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, and some metals, for which reported ratios were consistently greater than 1. Careful interpretation of the data in a risk assessment context is required because measured concentrations of environmental chemicals in cord blood (and thus the fetus) do not necessarily imply adverse effects or risk. Guidelines and recommendations for future cord:maternal blood biomonitoring studies are discussed.
Energy-Efficient D2D Discovery for Proximity Services in 3GPP LTE-Advanced Networks: ProSe Discovery Mechanisms

Device-to-device (D2D) communications facilitate promising solutions for service optimization and spectrum/capacity efficiency in the Third-Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) networks. A key enabler for D2D communications and proximity services (ProSe) is the device discovery process. Currently, many aggressive peer discovery methods discussed in 3GPP could induce high energy consumption. Therefore, a critical objective in efficient D2D proximity service deployments is how to prolong the battery life time of user equipments (UEs) by managing discovery cycles intelligently. In this article, D2D discovery mechanisms discussed in the 3GPP are studied in terms of energy consumption aspects. In particular, we consider an efficient D2D discovery mechanism that takes advantage of the concept of proximity area (P-Area), a dynamic geographical region wherein UEs activate their D2D capabilities. The mechanism enables UEs to perform D2D discovery procedures only when there is a high probability to find other UEs subscribed to the same service. The energy consumption profiles of various discovery mechanisms are evaluated using simulations, and the results indicate that significant energy savings can be obtained using the considered discovery mechanism.
Broadening technical understanding and enhancing non-technical skills in doctoral students

The traditional way to obtain a doctoral degree in Germany is mostly a training-onthe-job kind of education, following a typical master-apprentice model. In 1985, a more structured form of doctoral studies was promoted by the Fritz-Thyssen-Stiftung at the University of Cologne [1]. Several different types of structured Ph.D. programmes have since been designed after the Anglo-American example, typically aiming for a correction of assumed weaknesses in the traditional approach [2]. Specific goals were: higher-quality dissertations, shorter graduation times, improved mentoring, better integration in interdisciplinary research environments and in the respective scientific communities, explicit training in non-technical skills, promoting independence and individual responsibility, stronger international orientation, and attention to competences that are helpful for obtaining employment within and outside of academia [3, 4]. Despite the presumed benefits of structured programmes,