Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
How Do Immigrants Spend Time?: The Process of Assimilation

Using 2004-2008 data from the American Time Use Survey, we show that sharp differences between the time use of immigrants and natives become noticeable when activities are distinguished by incidence and intensity. We develop a theory of the process of assimilation--what immigrants do with their time--based on the notion that assimilating activities entail fixed costs. The theory predicts that immigrants will be less likely than natives to undertake such activities, but conditional on undertaking them, immigrants will spend more time on them than natives. We identify several activities--purchasing, education and market work--as requiring the most interaction with the native world, and these activities more than others fit the theoretical predictions. Additional tests suggest that the costs of assimilating derive from the costs of learning English and from some immigrants' unfamiliarity with a high-income market economy. A replication using the 1992 Australian Time Use Survey yields remarkably similar results.
Comparative study for PMBOK & CMMI frameworks and identifying possibilities for integrating ITIL for addressing needs of IT service industry

This research paper presents an attempt to reviewing different frameworks being deployed and implemented in industry i.e. PMBOK, CMMI, ITIL, in order to realize their application for specific market segments and scenarios. Comparative study between PMBOK & CMMI frameworks was conducted and grey areas and areas where they can complement each other were identified. Also, an effort has been made to investigate possibilities to integrate ITIL with existing frameworks of PMBOK & CMMI in order to customize these technology neutral / platform neutral frameworks for addressing specific needs of IT industry.
Oil price shock and agricultural commodity prices in Nigeria: A Non-Linear Autoregressive Distributed Lag (NARDL) approach

This study analyzed the impact of oil price shocks on agricultural commodity prices in Nigeria using monthly data on oil prices, maize, wheat and soybean and exchange rate from 1997 to 2016. Data on oil price and exchange rate were obtained from the central bank statistical bulletin while those of agricultural commodities were obtained from Food Agricultural Organization (FAO) website. Dummy variables were used to capture periods of structural breaks in the selected agricultural commodity prices. Linear ARDL and Non-linear ARDL with and without breaks were estimated. Asymmetric test using Wald Statistics revealed evidence of asymmetries in all the cases implying that positive and negative shocks of the same magnitude did not have equal impact on agricultural commodity prices. The study found significant positive oil price changes in all cases with the expected positive sign, implying that increases in oil price lead to increases in agricultural commodities. Similarly, exchange rate (a control variable) showed positive significant relationship with agricultural commodities. It is concluded that oil price has overall positive relationship and significant effect on agricultural commodity prices. The study recommended that since oil price was important in agricultural commodities prices, efforts should be geared towards local development of the oil sector as this will bring about positive spillover effect on the agricultural sector and ensure food availability at affordable prices thereby improving standard of living and welfare.
Open and closed models for networks of queues

This paper investigates the relationship between open and closed models for networks of queues. In open models, jobs enter the network from outside, receive service at one or more service centers, and then depart. In closed models, jobs neither enter nor leave the network; instead, a fixed number of jobs circulate within the network. Open models are analytically more tractable, but closed models often seem more realistic. Hence, this paper investigates ways to use open models to approximate closed models. One approach is to use open models with specified expected equilibrium populations. This fixed-population-mean method is especially effective for approximately solving large closed models, where “large” may mean many nodes or many jobs. The success of these approximations is partly explained by limit theorems: Under appropriate conditions, the fixed-population-mean method is asymptotically correct. In some cases the open-model methods also yield bounds for the performance measures in the closed models.
Linguistic stability increases with population size, but only in stable learning environments

The effect of population size on linguistic stability and evolution has been investigated in different linguistic domains. The relationship among these factors, however, is not always clear. In this paper, we study a basic population-dynamical model of linguistic spread, derive measures of linguistic stability and fitness, and investigate the effect of population size on these measures. By allowing for stochasticity in the learning process of linguistic constituents, it is shown that a constituent’s stability and fitness increases with population size, but that high variability in the learning environment may cause constituent loss, also in large populations. The respective roles of learning and usability are also discussed.
Break induced replication in eukaryotes: mechanisms, functions, and consequences

Abstract Break-induced replication (BIR) is an important pathway specializing in repair of one-ended double-strand DNA breaks (DSBs). This type of DSB break typically arises at collapsed replication forks or at eroded telomeres. BIR initiates by invasion of a broken DNA end into a homologous template followed by initiation of DNA synthesis that can proceed for hundreds of kilobases. This synthesis is drastically different from S-phase replication in that instead of a replication fork, BIR proceeds via a migrating bubble and is associated with conservative inheritance of newly synthesized DNA. This unusual mode of DNA replication is responsible for frequent genetic instabilities associated with BIR, including hyper-mutagenesis, which can lead to the formation of mutation clusters, extensive loss of heterozygosity, chromosomal translocations, copy-number variations and complex genomic rearrangements. In addition to budding yeast experimental systems that were initially employed to investigate eukaryotic BIR, recent studies in different organisms including humans, have provided multiple examples of BIR initiated within different cellular contexts, including collapsed replication fork and telomere maintenance in the absence of telomerase. In addition, significant progress has been made towards understanding microhomology-mediated BIR (MMBIR) that can promote complex chromosomal rearrangements, including those associated with cancer and those leading to a number of neurological disorders in humans.
Reading between the lines: not all CSR is good CSR

Purpose This paper aims to investigate whether corporate social responsibility (CSR), as evidenced in annual financial reports, is associated with a firm’s financial performance in New Zealand. Design/methodology/approach A word count approach of several key CSR indicators found in the audited financial reports of NZX50 constituent firms is used. Several variables are constructed that measure the presence of CSR within the annual report such as sustainability, responsibility, social, environment, diversity, employee and community, and eight other variables within the annual report that measure the penetration of stakeholder engagement. Control variables and alternative measures of CSR are also included. Descriptive statistics and results of both univariate and multivariate tests are provided. Findings The findings establish a positive connection between CSR and financial performance. It is shown that firms that are unable to focus their attention on key stakeholders, but instead waste managerial capital on vague social policies and activities, are associated with weaker performance. Firms that consider the protected indigenous peoples as key stakeholders are associated with superior performance, especially when the firm is seeking regulatory approval. Social implications Evidence is provided that CSR and Maori stakeholder engagement is implied by financial reports that have a significant association with corporate financial performance. Originality/value The results provide one of the first analyses linking the interplay between CSR, Maori and corporate financial performance using information publicly observable in annual financial reports. Evidence of an association between firms that indicate awareness of their community and higher levels of return on assets (ROA) is provided.
Value-based Management and Merger & Acquisition Returns: A Multi-level Contingency Model

Abstract Whereas the performance effects of value-based management (VBM) have been intensively addressed in previous research, little is known regarding whether—and which—specific managerial decisions are improved by VBM. In this study, we take advantage of merger and acquisition (M&A) decisions that allow us to analyze a specific managerial decision with a direct assessment by the capital market. Moreover, to better grasp the underlying mechanisms of VBM, we consider potential contingency factors that may affect the relationship between VBM and M&As. Specifically, we examine the risk of managerial self-interest in M&A decisions that may be influenced by a firm's internal, industry- and country-specific contexts. We gather VBM data of firms from the Standard & Poor's 500 Index and the MSCI Europe Index between 2005 and 2011, and combine the data with deal data resulting in a sample of 2787 deals. Our empirical results do not indicate a positive direct effect from VBM on M&A returns. However, we find that VBM leads to superior M&A returns in the presence of contingency factors that increase the risk for self-interested managerial decisions.
Determinants of Colombian attitudes toward the peace process

A critical element that is often overlooked when studying negotiations in civil wars is popular support for the peace process itself. This is particularly important when agreements are subject to ratification by the broader population, as was the case in the Colombian conflict with the FARC. Using survey data from 2014, we find that attitudes toward this peace process were driven by political preferences more than conflict experiences. Some demographic traits (education, religion, and rural residency) were also important. Notably, these determinants of support for talks with the FARC map closely onto voting patterns in the October 2016 plebiscite.
(+)-Rumphiin and Polyalthurea, New Compounds from the Stems of Polyalthia Rumphii

Two new compounds, (+)-rumphiin (3) and polyalthurea (7), together with seven known ones, 3,4,5-trimethoxy benzoic acid (1), (-)-seselinone (2), cannabisin D (4), allantoin (5), oxostephanine (6) and a mixture of β-sitosterol (8) and stigmasterol (9) were isolated from the stems of Polyalthia rumphii. The chemical structures of 3 and 7 were elucidated by the combination of spectroscopic data, and the absolute configuration of 3 at C-2 was determined by the matrix method to be R. All compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxicity on four human cancer cell lines, which demonstrated that 3 was a moderate bioactive lignan, and 6 showed significant anticancer activity against SPC-A-1 and BEL-7402 cell lines with IC50 values of 1.47 and 1.73 μg/mL, respectively.
Teacher–child relationships in the context of poverty: the role of frequent school mobility

ABSTRACT Children's relationships with their teachers are critical for classroom-based learning, but children growing up in poverty may be at risk for lower-quality relationships with teachers. Little is known about how changing schools, one poverty-related risk, affects teacher–child relationships. Using growth curve models that control for a host of other poverty-related risks, this study explores the association between children changing schools frequently (defined as three or more school moves) between preschool and third grade and the quality of their relationships with their teachers over these five years in a low-income, ethnic-minority sample. Children who frequently moved schools were reported to be less close to their teachers in third grade and experienced steeper declines in closeness than children who did not change schools frequently. Moreover, the effects of frequent school mobility at third grade were robust to other poverty-related risks, including residential mobility, parental education risk, family income, and single-parent households. Changing schools was unrelated to children's conflict with teachers. We discuss these findings in the context of policies that support students’ transitions when changing schools.
Is Age Associated with Risk of Malignancy in Thyroid Cancer?

Objectives Many predictive models for risk of malignancy in well-differentiated thyroid cancer (WDTC) have been proposed, and many scoring systems for thyroid cancer prognosis have been established. Age is taken in consideration in all. Our main goal is to establish whether patients’ age has a correlation with the rate of malignancy, size, and aggressiveness of the tumor. Study Design Case series with chart review. Setting McGill University Thyroid Teaching Hospitals. Subjects and Methods A retrospective analysis of 1022 patients undergoing consecutive thyroidectomy was performed. The patients were divided based on age (<45 and ≥45 years). Data were gathered for the size of thyroid nodules, the presence of lymph node (LN) metastasis, and the final thyroid pathology, including the presence of extrathyroidal extension. Results There were 396 patients younger than 45 years and 626 patients 45 years or older. The rates of malignancy were 67.2% in the first group and 68.7% in the second group (P = .111). When patients were stratified according to different age cutoffs, WDTC and LN metastasis occurred more often in patients younger than 50 years (50.2% vs 43.2%, P = .031 and 18.9% vs 14.1%, P = .0496, respectively). Micropapillary carcinoma occurred more often in patients 50 years or older (23.6% vs 16.1%, P = .0035). Conclusions Tumor behavior and rates of WDTC were similar in patients aged <45 and ≥45 years. Well-differentiated thyroid cancer occurred more often in patients younger than 50 years, whereas the rate of micropapillary carcinoma occurred more often in patients 50 years or older.
Achieving successful change in conflict over afforestation: a comparative analysis

Tree plantations supply a rapidly growing proportion of global wood supplies, and rates of plantation establishment have risen rapidly in many countries in recent years. This afforestation has often been accompanied by conflict over the environmental, social and/or economic impacts of plantations, with disputes and concerns about afforestation documented in more than 3 5 countries. Theories of response to ·social conflict commonly suggest it can be successfully addressed through implementation of more co-operative communication between parties to conflict. However, the literature suggests a broader range of actions are often used to respond to conflict over afforestation. Few studies have examined whether particular responses to conflict are associated with successful change in conflict, and under what circumstances. This study examined two questions: • What responses are associated with successful change in different types of afforestation conflict? and • To what extent are current theories on responding to conflict applicable to conflict over afforestation? This study used narrative, discourse and media analysis within a comparative historical analysis framework to answer these questions. A medium-N comparative approach was chosen, comparing fourteen afforestation conflicts in two case study regions eight in the Great Southern region of Western Australia, and six in County Leitrim in the Republic of Ireland. This approach allowed an in-depth understanding to be developed of each conflict, while still enabling 1nultiple comparisons across and between the different conflicts and case study regions. The 14 conflicts were diverse in both their topics and the ways they were expressed and acted on, allowing comparison of the outcomes of particular conflict responses across different contexts. Multiple criteria ·were identified to evaluate whether conflicts had changed successfully or otherwise, allowing space for different definitions of ' success ' . The results of the study suggest that, although implementation of more co-operative communication between conflict paiiies does facilitate change, it is neither necessary nor sufficient for achieving successful change in conflict over afforestation. What is necessary and sufficient is the implementation of actions that address the substantive issues of conflict. This type of action was successful whether or not it was acco1npanied by improvement in cormnunication or relationships between those involved in conflicts. Additionally, the mechanism by which actions were implemented
Is Job Insecurity Higher in Leveraged Buyouts?

This article assesses whether job insecurity is higher in leveraged buyouts (LBOs) than elsewhere. It draws on matched employer‐employee data from the British 2011 Workplace Employment Relations Study linked to data from the Centre for Management Buyout Research. The analysis finds no consistent evidence of higher job insecurity in LBOs as measured by workforce reduction practices (redundancy rates, job security/no‐compulsory redundancies policies and redundancy consultation), dismissal rates, labour use practices (non‐permanent employment contracts and outsourcing) and employees’ job security perceptions. Job insecurity is no higher in either current or former LBOs than elsewhere. Contrary to what might be expected, it is also no higher in private equity (PE)‐backed LBOs, management buy‐ins or high‐debt LBOs and there is only partial and weak evidence of higher job insecurity in short‐hold LBOs. Job insecurity is also no higher in perfect storm LBOs (PE‐backed management buy‐ins that are short‐holds with high‐debt). Concerns over the negative implications of LBOs for job security thus appear misplaced.
Usefulness of ultrasonography-proven tenosynovitis to monitor disease activity of a patient with very early rheumatoid arthritis treated by abatacept

We introduced abatacept (ABT) in a very early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patient with active tenosynovitis of hands defined by musculoskeletal ultrasonography (MSKUS). MSKUS-proven tenosynovitis remarkably improved at 2 months in spite of clinical exacerbation, followed by clinical remission at 5 months. MSKUS abnormalities also disappeared. Although ABT was discontinued due to an adverse event after the sixth infusion, she remained in clinical remission as well as imaging remission by MSKUS at 13 months.
Is pretreatment hemoglobin level a predictor of complete response to salvage chemotherapy for recurrent platinum-pretreated ovarian carcinoma?

PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION The aim of this retrospective study was to correlate some patient characteristics at relapse, including also baseline hemoglobin levels, with complete response rate and survival following second-line chemotherapy for recurrent platinum-pretreated ovarian carcinoma. METHODS The investigation was conducted on 63 patients who received salvage chemotherapy with different agents for clinically detectable recurrent ovarian carcinoma following initial surgery and first-line platinum-based chemotherapy. Some patient characteristics at relapse (patient age, serum CA 125 level, baseline hemoglobin level, number of recurrence sites, ascites, platinum-free interval, and treatment-free interval) were related to complete response rate to salvage chemotherapy and survival after recurrence. Median baseline hemoglobin level was 11.6 g/dl (range, 7.5-15.0 g/dl). RESULTS Second-line chemotherapy obtained a complete response in 17 (27.0%) patients and a partial response in 11 (17.5%), whereas stable disease and progressive disease were detected in 19 (30.1%) and 16 (25.4%) patients, respectively. By univariate analysis, complete response rate was related to baseline hemoglobin level (p = 0.0019), platinum-free interval (p = 0.0012) and treatment-free interval (p = 0.0048). Multiple logistic regression showed that platinum-free interval (p = 0.0107) and baseline hemoglobin level (0.0312) were independent predictors of complete response. Patients with baseline hemoglobin levels >11.6 g/dl had a 5.338 higher chance of obtaining a complete response when compared to those with lower hemoglobin values. The platinum-free interval was the only independent prognostic variable for survival after recurrence (p = 0.0141), whereas baseline hemoglobin level was not related to survival at univariate nor at multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS Baseline hemoglobin level is an independent predictor of complete response to salvage chemotherapy in patients with recurrent platinum-pretreated ovarian carcinoma. Attention must be paid to anemia correction in these patients, with the aim of improving both the chance of response to salvage treatment and the quality of life.
Influences of palatal side design and finishing on the wearability and retention of mouthguards

Objectives: To examine the influences of design and finishing on mouthguard wearability and retention. Materials and methods: 17 students at the Dental Technician Institute at Osaka University School of Dentistry, Osaka, Japan, participated in this study after providing informed consent. For each student, a single-layer custom-made mouthguard was fabricated from a 3.8-mm-thick ethylene-vinyl acetate sheet using a standardised procedure to obtain a precise fit. Each mouthguard was modified by changing the margin location and shape through five consecutive steps. At each step, questionnaires with a visual analogue scale regarding wearability (comfort, breathing, speaking, swallowing, lip closure, temporomandibular joint fatigue and swallowing) and retention were completed by subjects after wearing the mouthguard for 5 min. Statistical analyses were carried out among the steps using Wilcoxon’s signed-rank test with a significance level of p<0.05. Results: Significant improvements were found for comfort, breathing, speaking and swallowing by trimming the palatal margin to the cervical area, smooth finishing and occlusal adjustment of the mouthguard (p<0.01). No significant differences were found for retention throughout the procedure. Conclusions: Within the limitations of this experimental study, design and finishing at the palatal side appear to have significant influences on mouthguard wearability, but not retention.