Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
www.econstor.eu Horizontal Mergers and Product Quality

We study the effects of horizontal mergers when firms compete on quality and price. Two key factors are identified: (i) the magnitude of variable quality costs, and (ii) the relative magnitudes of cross-quality and cross-price effects on demand. The merging firms will increase (reduce) both quality and price if the degree of competition is sufficiently stronger (weaker) on price than on quality. If variable quality costs are sufficiently small, non-merging firms will respond to a merger by either reducing or increasing both price and quality. Welfare implications are not clear-cut and mergers might improve welfare through endogenous fixed-cost savings. JEL-Code: L130, L150, L410.
Inferring evolutionary processes from phylogenies

Evolutionary processes shape the regular trends of evolution and are responsible for the diversity and distribution of contemporary species. They include correlated evolutionary change and trajectories of trait evolution, convergent and parallel evolution, differential rates of evolution, speciation and extinction, the order and direction of change in characters, and the nature of the evolutionary process itself—does change accumulate gradually, episodically, or in punctuational bursts. Phylogenies, in combination with information on species, contain the imprint of these historical evolutionary processes. By applying comparative methods based upon statistical models of evolution to well resolved phylogenies, it is possible to infer the historical evolutionary processes that must have existed in the past, given the patterns of diversity seen in the present. I describe a set of maximum likelihood statistical methods for inferring such processes. The methods estimate parameters of statistical models for inferring correlated evolutionary change in continuously varying characters, for detecting correlated evolution in discrete characters, for estimating rates of evolution, and for investigating the nature of the evolutionary process itself. They also anticipate the wealth of information becoming available to biological scientists from genetic studies that pin down relationships among organisms with unprecedented accuracy.
Surface and deep ocean circulation in the subpolar North Atlantic during the mid-Pleistocene revolution

[1] We investigated surface and deep ocean variability in the subpolar North Atlantic from 1000 to 500 thousand years ago (ka) based on two Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) sites, Feni drift site 980 (55°29′N, 14°42′W) and Bjorn drift site 984 (61°25′N, 24°04′W). Benthic foraminiferal stable isotope data, planktic foraminiferal faunas, ice-rafted debris data, and faunally based sea-surface temperature estimates help test the hypothesis that oceanographic changes in the North Atlantic region were associated with the onset of the 100-kyr world during the mid-Pleistocene revolution. Based on percentage of Neogloboquadrina pachyderma (s) records from both sites, surface waters during interglacials and glacials were cooler in the mid-Pleistocene than during marine isotope stages (MIS) 5 and 6. In particular, interglaciations at Bjorn drift site 984 were significantly cooler. Faunal evidence suggests that the interglacial Arctic front shifted from a position between the two sites to a position northwest of Bjorn drift site 984 after ca. 610 ka. As during the late Pleistocene, we find faunal evidence for lagging surface warmth at most of the glacial initiations during the mid-Pleistocene. Each initiation is associated with high benthic δ13C values that are maintained into the succeeding glaciation, which we term “lagging NADW production. ” These findings indicate that lagging warmth and lagging NADW production are robust features of the regional climate system that persist in the middle to late Pleistocene.
Pseudo-Social Network Targeting from Consumer Transaction Data

This design science paper presents a method for targeting consumers based on a 'pseudo-social network' (PSN): consumers are linked if they transfer money to the same entities. A marketer can target those individuals that are strongly connected to key individuals. We present the PSN design and a large-scale empirical study using data from a major bank. For two different product offerings, consumers that are close to existing customers in the PSN have significantly higher take rates thanthe 'most likely' candidates identified by state-of-the-artsocio-demographic (SD) predictive modeling. Interestingly, the PSN targeting only does better for the closest neighbors. However, the different models capture different information: combining the two does significantly better than either alone. The results demonstrate that social targeting can be applied broadly, to settings where the network among consumers is unlikely to be a true social network, but nonetheless captures inherent similarity.
Sleeve lobectomy for non-small cell lung cancer and carcinoids: results in 160 cases q

Objective : To assess operative mortality (OM), morbidity and long-term results of sleeve lobectomies performed for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and carcinoids during a 35-year period. Methods : A retrospective review of patients who underwent a sleeve lobectomy for NSCLC and carcinoids was undertaken, univariate and multivariate analyses offactors inﬂuencing early mortality in NSCLC were performed and for this purpose the series was split into an early and a contemporary phase, the Kaplan–Meier method was used to calculate the cumulative survival rate, and statistical signiﬁcance was calculated with the log–rank test. Causes of death were evaluated in relation to the stage of the disease. Results : OM for NSCLC was 14.6% in the early phase and 6% in the contemporary one; late stenosis occurred in 7.7% of NSCLC patients in the early phase and in 2% in the contemporary one. No OM or late stenosis occurred in carcinoid patients. Three, 5 and 10-year survival rates excluding carcinoids were 77, 62 and 31% for stage I(A–B), 45, 34 and 27% for stage II(A–B), 33, 22 and 0% for stage III(A–B). When survival was analyzed in relation to nodal status, 3, 5 and 10-year survivalrates were71,57and33%forN0disease,42,33and22%forN1disease,and34and19%with thelast observationat82months of 19% for N2 disease; there was no signiﬁcant difference in survival between N1 and N2 disease. A second primary lung cancer occurred in six patients(3.7%)whounderwentresection.LatemortalitywasnotrelatedtocancerinmoststageIpatientswhileinstagesIIandIIIpatientsitwas related to local and distant recurrences. Conclusions : Sleeve lobectomy is a valid alternative to pneumonectomy: careful patient selection and surgical technique make it possible to achieve a mortality rate comparable to or lower than that for pneumonectomy along with a better quality of life. In addition, it allows further lung resection, if necessary. q 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
The Critical Age and Dentocraniofacial Morphologic Deviation in Mouth Breathing patients

Obstruction of the upper respiratory structure at nose and pharynx may reduce air flow and will cause mouth breathing habit (MB). If this obstruction of upper respiratory tract (OURT) occurs for a long period of time during the development phase of a child will result morphologic deviation of the dentocraniofacial (DCF). Patients suffering from OURT usually have adenoid face and low self esteem.Purpose:To get the DCF morphology characteristic data of OURT patients and to determine the critical age when deviation of the DCF morphology occurs in patients of OURT. Methods:A cross sectional design study was done with189 case subjects, 96 control subjects, and 60 normal subjects. All subjects were divided into two groups, 9-12 years, and 12-15 years group. Data obtained from cephalometric analyzes and questionnaire. Result:DCF deviation of case group was shown at the angle of normal SNA, higher SNB (p 0.00), ANB (p 0.00), NA-APg (p 0.00), SN-SGn (p 0.00), and SN-GoGn (p 0.00),but lower Facial Ratio (p<0.05)and Bijugulare (p 0.045, only for age group 9-11 years). Age 8 was the critical point for the occurrence of dentocraniofacial deviation (DCF) in patients with OURT. DCF morphology characteristics of OURT subjects with MB showed vertical growth pattern, Class II Angle skeletal relation with convex facial profile, narrow Bijugulare, and critical age was 8 years where DCF deviation occurs in patients suffering from OURT. Clinical article (J Int Dent Med Res 2016; 9: (3), pp. 221-227)
START Proteins in Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a condition with seizures by abnormal, recurrent, and excessive discharges from neurons. Observations in experimental models of epilepsy are providing a better understanding of the mechanisms of seizure-induced excitotoxicity, neuroprotective responses and neurogenesis (Naegele, 2007). Excitotoxic neurodegeneration can be investigated in epilepsy models employing kainic acid or pilocarpine. Each model results in distinctive patterns of degeneration within the hippocampus through kainate subclass of glutamate receptors or cholinergic receptors, respectively. Kainic acid triggers neuronal injury directly by binding to kainate receptors on mossy fiber endings and on the principal neurons of the hippocampus. Pilocarpine causes cell death of a majority of the nonprincipal neurons of the hilus and CA1 pyramidal cells. Intensive researches have shown that some steroids display neuroprotective properties in various diseases including epilepsy (Wojtal et al., 2006; Biagini et al., 2010). The steroids can be classified into ‘neuroactive steroids’ and ‘neurosteroids’. The term ‘neuroactive steroids’ may be synthesized both in the nervous system and in the endocrine glands such as gonads, adrenal glands and placenta, and exert their effects on neural tissue. ‘Neurosteroids’, the concept derived from Baulieu (1997), are a family of steroid hormones including pregnenolone, dehydroepiandrosterone, progesterone and their derivatives. Neurosteroids are synthesized in the nervous system de novo from cholesterol and accumulated in the nervous system independently of classical steroidogenic gland secretion rates. Neurosteroids act in the nervous system in an autocrine/paracrine configuration (PlassartSchiees & Baulieu, 2001). They may regulate gene expression by binding to nuclear receptors or affect neurotransmission through action at membrane ion-gated and other neurotransmitter receptors. In addition, they affect neuronal growth, survival and differentiation, cause regression of neuritic extensions before they have established contact with other neurons or glia and protect neurons from death. Modulatory roles of neurosteroids include ┛-aminobutyric acid (GABA), N-methyl-D-aspartate, nicotinic/muscarinic cholinergic, serotonin, kainite and glycine receptor functions. Neuroprotective properties of neurosteroids have been revealed and gained particular attention in the treatment of diseases where neurodegeneration is predominant, including epilepsy (Naegele, 2007; Biagini et al., 2010). Seizures not only cause cell death, but also elicit neuroprotective responses in injured neurons and glia. Seizures trigger the release of neuroactive steroids that impair hippocampal neuron survival in excitotoxicity. Increased neurosteroid synthesis, presumably occurring in glial cells during epileptogenesis, delays
The 2011 La Niña: So strong, the oceans fell

Global mean sea level (GMSL) dropped by 5 mm between the beginning of 2010 and mid 2011. This drop occurred despite the background rate of rise, 3 mm per year, which dominates most of the 18‐year record observed by satellite altimeters. Using a combination of satellite andin situdata, we show that the decline in ocean mass, which explains the sea level drop, coincides with an equivalent increase in terrestrial water storage, primarily over Australia, northern South America, and Southeast Asia. This temporary shift of water from the ocean to land is closely related to the transition from El Niño conditions in 2009/10 to a strong 2010/11 La Niña, which affected precipitation patterns world‐wide.
CLINICAL PROFILE OF ARDS, PROSPECTIVE STUDY AT TERTIARY HEALTH CENTRE, KOLAR

Background: ARDS is the most common presentation in ICU’s worldwide more so in developing countries. Several studies have been published in western literature on incidence, prevalence, clinical course, outcome and mortality in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). There are very few studies on the pattern of ARDS seen in Indian population. AECC criteria includes PCWP estimation, an invasive procedure for diagnosing ARDS. The aim of the current study is to evaluate the clinical profile and associated risk factors and effect of comorbid condition on ARDS using the criteria without invasive procedure. Objectives: 1. To study the clinical profile and in hospital outcome of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in adult patients admitted to intensive care unit (ICU). 2. To study risk factors associated with ARDS. 3. To study the influence of co-morbid conditions on the outcome of ARDS. Materials and Methods: Total 50 patients aged more than 18years and who gave informed consent, satisfying AECC criteria for ARDS were included. Patients were screened for presence of left atrial hypertension both clinically and by echocardiography and were excluded in its presence.PaO2/FiO2 ratio calculated and appropriate investigations were done and statistical analysis done using SPSS software version 17.0. Means of continuous variable were compared by student t test or Mann X Whitney U test. Discrete variables were compared by chi square and Fisher exact test. Results: The parameters showing statistical significance with mortality in our study are pO2 (p=.034), HCO3(p=<0.001), FiO2(P=0.095), PaO2/FiO2(<0.001),PEEP(<0.001), SERUM CREATININE(P=0.035). Use of inotropes and transfusion of blood and blood products was higher in the death patients compared to recovered patients. Conclusion: Out of 50 patients included in our study, males are 58% and females 42%. Common age group affected is 30 and less. Causes of ARDS are Pneumonia (38.0%), Sepsis (20.0%), acute febrile illness with MODS (20.0%), Dengue (12.0%), Malaria (6.0%), Pancreatitis (2.0%) and Typhoid (2.0%). Fever and Breathlessness were the commonest presenting features. Risk factors and comorbidities in our patients of ARDS are Diabetes, Hypertension, Smoking and alcohol, but there is no statistically significant difference on outcome. Mortality in our study is 64%. Factors showing strong correlation with mortality on outcome of the patient are PEEP, pO2, Acidosis, Pao2/Fio2, renal failure, liver failure, use of inotropes and duration of stay.
KULLANIM ÖNCESİNDE SANAL GERÇEKLİKTEKNOLOJİLERİNİN DEĞERLENDİRİLMESİ İÇİN BİR KURAMSALÇERÇEVE: UYARLANMIŞ İLETİŞİM ORTAMLARI DOĞALLIĞIKURAMI TEMELİNDE BİR BİYOLOJİK EVRİMSEL YAKLAŞIM

The rapid development of information and communication technologies has opened a whole new realm of applications for these technologies. One such application is the development of virtual reality, which aspires to immerse the user within the system such that they feel more “present” within the portrayed virtual plane of existence than within their true reality. Many studies have developed a variety of approaches and methods on measuring immersion and presence in these systems, yet few have addressed the underlying technology for what it really is – namely communication technology – and evaluated the technology’s potential for immersion and presence before exposing the user to the virtual experience. Part of the issue lies in the difficulty in quantifying arguably subjective experiences such as immersion and presence. This study examines the existing literature on the definition and evaluation of immersion, presence, and virtual reality technologies, and aims to provide a theoretical framework through which virtual reality technology may be evaluated based on the human biological apparatus it appeals to. The framework is constructed on a modified version of the Media Naturalness Theory, which was selected as a basis due to the evolutionary support it provides in explaining our communication preferences. The framework may then be utilized to analyze prospective technologies for their potential to provide immersive experiences and incite presence in the users before any exposure or use has taken place, possibly providing further validity to any findings of post-exposure studies (such as with questionnaires so ubiquitous in the literature of the field).
Microhabitat selection and colonization rates of a benthic amphipod

Microhabitat selechon behavior and colonization rates were examined for 2 age classes and sexes of the nocturnally emergent, diurnally tubicolous amphipod Microdeutopus gryllotalpa. Three habitat variables were s tubed: food availability, sedlment thckness, and topograplc relief. Higher food concentration, deeper sedment , and greater topograplc relief were generally favored. Adult males and females made slmilar habitat choices, whereas juveniles were less discriminating. Both age classes colonized selected patches within 5 to 20 min of presentation to a cho~ce of habitats, and both generally sustained their choices for at least 72 h In the laboratory. Microhabitat selections m field experiments were similar to those in laboratory experiments. Field colonization rates of 0.06 and 0.17 amphlpods per day and night, respectively, were comparable to rates of larval and postlarval colonization reported in other studles. High rates of nocturnal rnobhty and colonization, and rapid discrimination of microhabitats observed in thls and other ben thc species suggest that contemporary models of benthic community structure need to incorporate these migratory and colonization behaviors as alternatives to mortality as responses to disturbance, competitors, or predators.
Scientific review of the relational view theory and its contribution to critical sourcing decisionmaking

This paper made an attempt to identify the contribution of the relational view theory to critical sourcing decisions. The paper of Dyer and Singh (1998) is first explored in different levels of depth to get a thorough understanding of the theory. The theory implies that relational rents can be generated from the joint efforts of alliance partners that invest in relation-specific assets, share knowledge, combine complementary resources and use effective governance mechanisms. These activities forge an idiosyncratic relationship that is difficult to imitate for competitors, thus giving a competitive advantage. In this paper the theoretical framework of relational rents is applied to four critical sourcing decisions. The aim is to fill a gap in the academic literature for the practical relevance of the relational view to purchasing decisions. Relevant literature on the sourcing decisions are linked to the key concepts of the relational view where identical implications and similar propositions suggested a strategy to achieve relational rents across the four decision points. In the make-or-buy decision, outsourcing is considered to be more effective in creating relational rents from networks. This is because a firm in isolation, which reflects the make situation, is not part of a network and is therefore not able to generate relational rents (Dyer and Singh, 1998, p.662). According to Kraljic’s (1983) matrix strategic purchasing items account for value creation and the relationship with these suppliers should be safeguarded in the long-term. These items have the best fit with the relational view theory, as intense collaborative efforts with these suppliers secure supply and at the same time generate relational rents. Investments in relationships in other commodity types are solely based on continuity rather than value creation. Supplier portfolio decisions involve a reduction in the supply base and the focus on strategic suppliers on the long term. When contracts are awarded, informal contracting mechanisms have the ability to facilitate trust, loyalty and cooperation and at the same time reduce transaction costs.
Melanism in common lizards (Squamata: Lacertidae: Zootoca vivipara): new evidence for a rare but widespread ancestral polymorphism

The presence of a dark-coloured body colouration polymorphism (melanism) is a pervasive phenomenon in the animal kingdom, particularly in reptiles. We provide the first reporting of melanic individuals in a subspecies of common lizards, Zootoca vivipara carniolica or the Eastern oviparous lineage. Two melanic females were found out of 194 individuals collected. Melanic females did not differ in size or weight from non-melanic females. No melanic individuals were found (N = 134) in the nearby viviparous population. Melanism has been reported in related lineages of Z. vivipara , so the discovery in this sister to all other lineages suggests that it is an ancestral polymorphism. The frequency of melanism varies but other studies also find it is usually very rare (<3%) and may be sex-biased. The processes mediating advantages and disadvantages of melanism in Z. vivipara are unclear and require more research.
Dynamic Cues in Key Perception

The traditional idea of pitch full-set alone cannot explain different key perceptions for melodies that consist of the same pitch full-set but differ in pitch sequence. Three experiments, in which presentation styles, participant groups, and stimulus sets were manipulated independently, traced the process of key development back from a final stage of key identification to earlier stages of listening to a melody. In all the experiments, two results were confirmed: First, key responses in earlier stages influenced those in later stages to the extent that subsequent tones correspond to scale tones of a previously interpreted key, revealing a phenomenon termed perceptual inertia. Second, when multiple keys were possible, listeners tended to perceive the diatonic key that can contain more pitch classes within a pitch set given at the point of time as stable scale tones of that key (i.e., tonic triad).
The N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor in skin, dorsal root ganglion and spinal cord: an ideal target gene for RNA interference therapy for pain relief

The NMDA receptor plays an important role in induction of pain hyperalgesia and allodynia by tissue trauma. Although the analgesic effect of NMDA receptor antagonists has been well reported in various experimental study and clinical pain trial, serious side effects were reported and limited their use in clinical medication. To obtain NMDA receptor antagonist with less side effects, an alternative approach is to use subtype-selective NMDA receptor antagonists. However, the effects of current available NMDA receptor antagonist’s drug are not absolute specific for antagonizing specific NMDA receptor subtypes.
Effect of partial preferential orientation and distortions in octahedral clusters on the photoluminescence properties of FeWO4 nanocrystals

This communication is a report of our initial research to obtain iron tungstate (FeWO4) nanocrystals by the microwave-hydrothermal method at 170 °C for 45 min. X-ray diffraction patterns showed that the FeWO4 nanocrystals prepared with polyethylene glycol-200 have a partial preferential orientation in the (011) plane in relation to other nanocrystals prepared with sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate and water. Rietveld refinement data indicates that all nanocrystals are monophasic with wolframite-type monoclinic structures and exhibit different distortions on octahedral [FeO6]/[WO6] clusters. High resolution transmission electron microcopy revealed an oriented attachment mechanism for the growth of aggregated FeWO4 nanocrystals. Finally, we observed that the photoluminescence properties of these nanocrystals are affected by partial preferential orientation in the (011) plane and distortions on [FeO6]/[WO6] clusters.