Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Self-organizing Complex Networks: individual versus global rules

We introduce a form of Self-Organized Criticality (SOC) inspired by the new generation of evolutionary game theory, which ranges from physiology to sociology. The single individuals are the nodes of a composite network, equivalent to two interacting subnetworks, one leading to strategy choices made by the individuals under the influence of the choices of their nearest neighbors and the other measuring the Prisoner's Dilemma Game payoffs of these choices. The interaction between the two networks is established by making the imitation strength K increase or decrease according to whether the last two payoffs increase or decrease upon increasing or decreasing K. Although each of these imitation strengths is selected selfishly, and independently of the others as well, the social system spontaneously evolves toward the state of cooperation. Criticality is signaled by temporal complexity, namely the occurrence of non-Poisson renewal events, the time intervals between two consecutive crucial events being given by an inverse power law index μ = 1.3 rather than by avalanches with an inverse power law distribution as in the original form of SOC. This new phenomenon is herein labeled self-organized temporal criticality (SOTC). We compare this bottom-up self-organization process to the adoption of a global choice rule based on assigning to all the units the same value K, with the time evolution of common K being determined by consciousness of the social benefit, a top-down process implying the action of a leader. In this case self-organization is impeded by large intensity fluctuations and the global social benefit turns out to be much weaker. We conclude that the SOTC model fits the requests of a manifesto recently proposed by a number of European social scientists.
Social Expenditure and Poverty Reduction in the Eu15 and Other OECD Countries

The European Union coordinates and encourages Member State actions to combat poverty, and to reform their social protection systems on the basis of policy exchanges and mutual learning (‘best practices’). Some EU countries are more effective in poverty reduction than others. What can explain these variations in effectiveness? This paper analyzes the effectiveness of social transfers in alleviating poverty. We focus on EU15 countries, but also include other OECD countries in our analysis. We compare poverty rates at the levels of market and disposable incomes, that is before and after transfers, in order to analyze the effect of tax and transfer policies in reducing poverty, i.e. to determine the target efficiency of social transfers. We perform several tests with the most recent data (LIS, OECD, SOCX, and Eurostat: ECHP/EU-SILC). Finally, we perform several partial analyses by disaggregating poverty rates to socioeconomic and demographic conditions in order to investigate to what extent variations at the social program level (such as old age pensions, child benefits) affect the measured effectiveness of the welfare state in alleviating poverty. Empirical results draw heavily on how pensions are treated - as primary income or as transfer. We find a strong relationship between levels of social spending and antipoverty effects of social transfers and taxes across EU15 countries. Social spending seems to be an important determinant of a country’s poverty outcome, especially among the elderly, when pensions are considered as transfers. Our analysis highlights some cross-country differences in targeting of social expenditures on poverty alleviation in EU15 and non-EU15 countries around 2005. We introduce an indicator of Public Policy Effectiveness on Poverty Alleviation across countries. Each percentage point of social expenditure alleviates poverty in both EU15 and non-EU15 countries by . 7 percentage points on average. Relatively high scores in EU15 countries are found for Ireland and Scandinavian countries, while Italy, Greece and Spain score lowest. Outside Europe the poorest scores are reported for Korea and the USA. Country ranking appears to be rather stable over time when outcomes for 1995 and 2005 are compared, although some of our results may be sensitive to cyclical factors. Finally, we analyzed poverty among vulnerable age groups. Our results show that family programs and child support alleviate poverty among children to a large extent, especially in non-EU15 countries. For public and private old age pension and survivors schemes we find no effect on poverty in case pensions are considered as transfers (both in EU15 and non-EU15 countries). However, this picture changes completely when pensions are counted as transfers. In that case the poverty rate among elderly in EU15 falls from 90 to 21 percent through taxes and social transfers!
An Integrative Breakage Model of genome architecture, reshuffling and evolution

Our understanding of genomic reorganization, the mechanics of genomic transmission to offspring during germ line formation, and how these structural changes contribute to the speciation process, and genetic disease is far from complete. Earlier attempts to understand the mechanism(s) and constraints that govern genome remodeling suffered from being too narrowly focused, and failed to provide a unified and encompassing view of how genomes are organized and regulated inside cells. Here, we propose a new multidisciplinary Integrative Breakage Model for the study of genome evolution. The analysis of the high‐level structural organization of genomes (nucleome), together with the functional constrains that accompany genome reshuffling, provide insights into the origin and plasticity of genome organization that may assist with the detection and isolation of therapeutic targets for the treatment of complex human disorders.
Repression of Cytochrome P450 Activity in Human Hepatocytes in Vitro by a Novel Hepatotrophic Factor, Augmenter of Liver Regeneration

Pathological disorders of the liver were shown to be associated with an impairment of hepatic drug metabolism mediated in part by growth factors. Augmenter of liver regeneration (ALR) is a novel liver-specific hepatotrophic growth factor, whereas its action on cytochrome P450 (P450) metabolism is completely unknown. Application of ALR to primary human hepatocytes in vitro reduced P450 isoenzyme activities (1A2 and 2A6) in a dose-dependent manner. Time-course analysis revealed that the maximal inhibitory effect was reached after 24 to 72 h of exposure with 50 nM ALR. The reduction of basal activities upon ALR treatment was 35% for CYP1A2, 56% for CYP2A6, 18% for CYP2B6, and 45% for CYP2E1. Additionally, after induction of P450 with specific inducers, ALR revealed an inhibitory effect on the isoenzyme activities (CYP1A2, 41%; CYP2B6, 35%). Investigations of protein and mRNA expression of basal and induced CYP1A2 and CYP3A4 after ALR treatment by Western blotting and real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, respectively, suggest a regulation on the transcriptional level. Furthermore, ALR treatment increased nuclear factor kB activity and reduced constitutive androstane receptor but not pregnane X receptor or aryl hydrocarbon receptor expression. In contrast, ALR revealed no effects on phase II reactions (glutathione/oxidized glutathione, UDP-glucuronyltransferase conjugation). Our results indicate that ALR, as a member of hepatotrophic factors, down-regulates basal and induced P450 in human liver and therefore cross-links growth signals to regulation of hepatic metabolism. These findings further imply a possible role of ALR in drug interactions during impaired hepatic function, whereas liver regeneration is triggered.
Public versus Private Provision of Public Goods

It is well known that pure public goods are underprovided in static games with private, voluntary contributions. Public provision is usually modeled using a median voter framework, in which the public good is funded by a proportional income tax. This paper compares the private and public provision of public goods in dynamic settings. With private provision, it is possible to sustain cooperation and provide the public good efficiently. With public provision, dynamic majority-rule solutions exist even when taxes are not restricted to be proportional to income; thus, income redistribution can be chosen jointly with the level of the public good. At low discount factors, private provision tends to result in lower levels of the public good relative to public provision. As patience increases, however, public provision results in lower levels of the public good than private provision. This occurs because higher levels of income redistribution are sustainable under public provision. Such redistribution becomes increasingly feasible at higher discount factors, resulting in income subsidies for particular groups instead of higher levels of the public good. In contrast, under private provision, all groups are forced to settle for increases in the level of the public good. In terms of financing the public good, private provision tends to result in benefit taxation, with little variation in individual contribution rates. Public provision allows a wider range of tax rates, although there is a tendency towards benefit taxation when preferences vary and progressive taxation when incomes vary.
Timed Up and Down Stairs Test: Preliminary Reliability and Validity of a New Measure of Functional Mobility

Purpose: The reliability and validity of a new test, the Timed Up and Down Stairs (TUDS), were examined in children with and without cerebral palsy (CP). Methods: A convenience sample of 47 children age eight to 14 years participated, 20 with CP and 27 with typical development (TD). Using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), interrater, intrarater, and test–retest reliability of the TUDS were examined by two raters simultaneously testing nine children, by one rater who then rescored at a later time a video of the testing of 24 children, and by one rater testing 25 children twice with a two-hour separation, respectively. Concurrent validity was examined using Spearman rank correlations between TUDS scores and performance on the Timed Up and Go (TUG), the Functional Reach Test (FRT), and a Timed One Legged Stance (TOLS), which were completed in a random order on all children. Construct validity was examined by correlation and Kruskal-Wallis analysis of variance of scores across ages and three functional level groups. Results: The TUDS demonstrated excellent intrarater, interrater, and test–retest reliability [ICC (2,1) ≥0.94] and moderate to high concurrent validity (Spearman rs = 0.78, −0.57, and −0.77, with the TUG, FRT, and TOLS, respectively). Age accounted for 37% and 56% of the variance in the TUDS for the TD group and for the Gross Motor Function Classification Scale level I CP group, respectively. Significant differences in TUDS scores were found between all three functional level groups. Conclusion: The TUDS has adequate reliability and validity in children with and without CP and appears to complement current clinical measures of functional mobility and balance. Further investigations on across larger age ranges and samples are warranted.
Sire variance trends over time: Is there an answer to an old problem?

The existence of sire variance trends over time has been known since the very beginning of the international bull evaluation service. In a simulation study (Miglior et al., 1998) showed the need of MACE to take into account the heterogeneity of sire variance. Time edit was introduced in 1998 as a way to limit the impact of heterogeneity of international evaluation results. In 2001 Miglior et al., suggested as a possible solution the use of the last five years of data for sire variance estimation within country. No studies were further conducted to demonstrate that the 5 year approach increased the predictive ability of the international evaluation system. February 2005 data from 8 different countries were used to compare the predictive ability of the official international evaluation to a system that applied the 5 year approach when estimating within country sire variance. Sire variance estimates varied when based on bulls born on the most recent 5 years, depending on the country and on the trait, from +11% to –4%. Second country proofs and bulls progeny tested in multiple countries were used to assess the predictive ability of the 5year approach compared to the official procedure. Results showed on average very small differences, while the 5year approach was slightly better in predicting second country bulls, it was not performing as well with bulls proven in more than one country.
The Relative Burden of Monopoly on Households with Different Incomes

This paper examines the relative burden of monopoly, measured as the (static) loss of consumers' surplus for different household income levels. Australian Household Expenditure Survey data are used to generate demand elasticities for fourteen commodity groups and to obtain estimates of the relative welfare loss for households with different income levels. The welfare loss associated with monopoly power is found to be higher for low-income households (such as households that depend on government pensions and benefits for their principal source of income) compared with high-income households. The results provide an indication that, whatever the size of the absolute welfare loss arising from monopoly, there may be a substantial effect on the distribution of welfare. Copyright 1998 by The London School of Economics and Political Science
Inhibition of skeletal muscle satellite cell differentiation by transforming growth factor‐beta

Skeletal muscle satellite cells were cultured from mature rats and were treated in vitro with transforming growth factor‐beta (TGF‐beta). Muscle‐specific protein synthesis and satellite cell fusion were used as indicators of muscle differentiation; a dose‐dependent inhibition of differentiation was observed in response to TGF‐beta. In addition, TGF‐beta depressed cell proliferation in a dose‐dependent manner. Half‐maximal inhibition of differentiation was seen with a TGF‐beta concentration of approximately 0.1 ng/ml. Although proliferation was not inhibited, it was depressed and half‐maximal suppression of proliferation occurred in response to 0.1–0.5 ng TGF‐beta/ml. Neonatal rat myoblasts were also subjected to TGF‐beta treatment, and similar results were observed. Neonatal cells, however, were more sensitive to TGF‐beta than satellite cells, as indicated by the reduced concentrations of TGF‐beta required to inhibit differentiation and reduce the rate of proliferation. Under identical culture conditions proliferation of muscle‐derived fibroblasts were also depressed. The differentiation inhibiting effect of TGF‐beta on satellite cells was reversible. It has been suggested that TGF‐beta could be an important regulator of tissue repair, and its in vitro effects on satellite cells suggest a possible role in regulation of muscle regeneration.
Measuring the Rule of Law

This article offers a comparative review of seven rule of law measures. It demonstrates that the measures differ in both form and appropriateness and that the differences have consequences for the empirical results. The shortcomings are, among others, restrictions in scope and availability of disaggregate data, insufficient codebooks, and unjustified aggregation procedures. In most cases, the task of conceptualization is not grounded in theory, and key principles of the rule of law are left out while more inappropriate elements are included. These findings suggest that more precaution is required in the construction and employment of rule of law measures.
SHORT-RUN AND LONG-RUN EFFECTS OF CURRENCY DEPRECIATION ON THE BILATERAL TRADE BALANCE BETWEEN PAKISTAN AND HER MAJOR TRADING PARTNERS

Previous studies that investigated the short-run (J-curve) and the long-run effects of currency depreciation on the trade balance of Pakistan used aggregate trade data between Pakistan and the rest of the world and provided no evidence of any significant impact. We wonder whether lack of the relation is due to aggregation bias. In this paper, therefore, we go one step further by employing disaggregated data at bilateral level between Pakistan and her 13 major trading partners to determine if we can discover partners whose trade balances react to changes in the real bilateral exchange rate. The results from bounds testing approach are still inconclusive and show that only in half of the cases the real bilateral exchange rate plays a role.
Europeanization and multi-level governance in south-east Europe: the domestic impact of EU cohesion policy and pre-accession aid

This article considers the extent to which European Union (EU) cohesion policy and related pre-accession instruments are contributing to the development of more compound polities in south-east Europe and, specifically, promoting multi-level governance. In this respect, the article has two points of departure: the first is the argument by Schmidt (2006) that the EU is a highly compound polity that tends to pull member states in this direction; the second is the considerable literature that links EU cohesion to the promotion of multi-level governance. In addressing the core question, we draw on the new institutionalist strand of the Europeanization literature to offer insights into the domestic responses to EU incentives and pressures.
Busyness, Expertise, and Financial Reporting Quality of Audit Committee Chairs and Financial Experts

SUMMARY: We investigate how the number of audit committee chair positions and other audit committee financial expertise positions held by the audit committee chairman and the audit committee financial experts affects their ability to oversee a company's financial reporting process. We argue that these two audit committee roles are vital to the functioning of the audit committee and that their over commitment affects audit committee oversight and the firm's financial reporting quality. We observe a significant negative association between financial reporting quality and the number of audit committee chair positions and other audit committee financial expertise positions held by the audit committee chairman. We also find a significant negative association between financial reporting quality and the number of audit committee chair positions and other audit committee financial expertise positions held by audit committee financial experts. Firms with busy audit committee chairs or busy financial experts have s.
The Learning Effects of Monitoring

ABSTRACT: This study investigates the relationship between monitoring, decision making, and learning among lower-level employees. We exploit a field-research setting in which business units vary in the “tightness” with which they monitor employee decisions. We find that tighter monitoring gives rise to implicit incentives in the form of sharp increases in employee termination linked to “excessive” use of decision-rights. Consistent with these implicit incentives, we find that employees in tightly monitored business units are less likely than their loosely monitored counterparts to: (1) use decision-rights; and (2) adjust for hard information, in the form of historical performance data, in their decisions. These decision-making patterns are associated with large and systematic differences in learning rates across business units. Learning is concentrated in business units with “loose monitoring” and entirely absent in those with “tight monitoring. ” The results are consistent with an experimentation hypothes.
The Adoption of IFRS 3: The Effects of Managerial Discretion and Stock Market Reactions

In recent years, several accounting standards, including IFRS 3, issued by the IASB, substitute historical cost with fair value measures and so provide managers with increased discretion to determine fair value without an actual market for the asset. Using Swedish data, we document the accounting consequences of the adoption of IFRS 3 and the stock market's reaction. After the adoption of this standard in January 2005 the amount of capitalized goodwill increased substantially. Goodwill impairments under IFRS are considerably lower than goodwill amortizations and impairments made under Swedish GAAP. Consequently, the adoption of IFRS 3 increased reported earnings. An analysis of economic incentives influencing the impairment decision at the initial adoption of IFRS 3 shows that tenured management is negatively associated with the impairment decision. However, most firms did not reclassify goodwill or make additional impairments. Firms with substantial amounts of goodwill yielded abnormally high returns despite abnormally low earnings. Investors seem to, correctly or incorrectly, have viewed the accrual-based increase in earnings stemming from IFRS 3 as an indication of higher future cash flows.
Paradigm in Distress?

This special issue of the Journal of Conflict Resolution contains six articles discussing the link between primary commodities, political instability, and civil war as well as a response essay by Paul Collier and Anke Hoeffler (CH). The latter is especially welcome given that all our contributors wrestle, in one way or another, with the implications of CH’s early claim for a correlation between a country’s propensity to experience civil war and its dependence on the export of primary commodities. Although the robustness of this statistical finding is increasingly being questioned (Ross 2004; Lujala et al. 2005 [this issue]; Fearon 2005 [this issue]), we are in its debt for helping to initiate a barrage of elaborations, criticisms, and extensions. Cumulatively, these have helped reinvigorate debates over the sources of political violence, spurring the creation of new paradigms for the study of civil war and its associated resource curse (Sambanis 2004; Ross 2004). This special issue is one of the few devoted solely to the topic of natural resources and civil war and perhaps the only to contain critiques and defenses by the field’s leading figures. Our contributors represent an emerging “second generation” in the primary commodities and war subfield, bringing regimes, states, and economic institutions back into the picture. Natural resources have powerful effects on civil wars, our authors suggest, but they do so in ways that are profoundly political, a claim downplayed or undertheorized in much of the earlier work. Most important, resource abundance can create low-capacity states that are vulnerable to rebel challenge. In so