Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Performance Evaluation of Power Saving Scheme with Dynamic Transmission Capacity Control

Our major purpose in this study is to develop a method for achieving power conservation with a network itself. The proposed power saving approach takes traffic characteristics of network into consideration. If network switch can adapt its processing speed to arrival traffic rate, power saving can be expected depending on the network utilization. The same idea is already materialized just as Intel’s Speedstep technology [5]. We first confirm this consideration by measuring the power consumption of some switches and show that a Giga bit Ethernet port consumes 2 or 3 W with an addition of a link. Based on this experiment, we propose a scheme to achieve the dynamic control of the transmission capacity between switches in order to reduce the power consumption based upon the change in traffic volume. To control the transmission speed dynamically and gradually, Link Aggregation is used in our scheme. From simulation studies, we show that the proposed architecture can achieve both high power saving capability and sufficient feasibility.
Exploitation, Offense, or Private Issue? Guardians’ Perceptions and Self-Efficacy in Handling Girl Compensated Dating in Hong Kong

Compensated dating (CD) has emerged as a global concern since the 1990s. Although considerable empirical research has been conducted to assess the patterns of and factors influencing CD, limited information is currently available on the attitudes of guardians (e.g., social workers, police officers, parents of students, and community representatives) in a Chinese community toward this issue. Using survey data collected from 962 guardians, the current study analyzes the guardians’ perceptions of CD and their self-efficacy in handling this issue. Results show that these guardians perceive CD to be exploitative or harmful and that their self-efficacy in handling this issue was low. In particular, social workers appeared to be considerably tolerant for this phenomenon. Perceptions of CD were partly predictable by age, gender, and educational attainment, whereas self-efficacy was partly predictable by experience working with cases involving CD. This study represents the first attempt to analyze the guardians’ views on a new form of child abuse. Moreover, this research has implications for social intervention, policy, and future research.
SOCIAL CAPITAL, SOCIAL INNOVATION AND SOCIAL IMPACT

Social capital – as reflected in inter-organizational network relations – is a widely researched phenomenon for large, mostly publicly listed firms. With respect to social enterprises, however, little is known about the importance of social capital. We aim at closing this gap by empirically analyzing the influence of various dimensions of social capital on knowledge transfer, social innovation, and, subsequently, social impact. We theorize that social capital is positively related to social innovation with knowledge transfer also acting as partial mediator. Furthermore, we suggest that social innovations are positively related to the social impact of these firms. Based on a large sample of social enterprises, the results of fitting these to a structural equation model provide broad support for these considerations.
Cancer immunotherapy: A need for peripheral immunodynamic monitoring

Immunotherapy has become an important approach for treating different tumours which has shown significant efficacy in numerous clinical trials, especially those using new checkpoint inhibitors and adoptive cell therapy, which have rapidly become widespread after being approved. However, analysis of peripheral immune biomarkers before and after immunotherapy and their relationship to clinical responses and disease prognosis have rarely been performed in clinical trials. In this review, we examine dynamic changes in the immune system before and after therapy by analyzing recent clinical trials of immunotherapy in patients with cancer that focused on checkpoint inhibitors and adoptive cell therapy. Our aim was to identify circulating biomarkers which can specifically predict clinical response and prognosis, as well as toxicities of immunotherapy. Through this approach, we hope to advance our understanding of the mechanisms of immunotherapy with the goal of developing individualized treatment for cancer patients.
Banking Crises and Contagion: Empirical Evidence

Recent events, such as the East Asian, Mexican, Scandinavian, and Argentinian crises, have sparked considerable interest in exploring how shocks experienced by one country can spread vis-a-vis real and nominal links to other countries' banking systems. Given the large costs associated with banking-system failures, both economists and policy-makers are interested in predicting the onset of banking crises and assessing the likelihood of contagion during crisis events. The author uses cross-country panel data to examine contagion across banking systems in developed and developing countries. Particular attention is paid to the construction of the cross-country sample: matching-method techniques are used to construct a suitable control-group sample analogue to the set of crisis countries to accurately quantify the probability of the occurrence of a banking crisis and the probability of banking-system contagion. The author finds that the sample choices of previous studies introduced bias into the estimates of the probability that a banking crisis would occur, owing to differences between the supports of the conditioning variables for the crisis and non-crisis country groups. Furthermore, the probability of a banking crisis increases when countries have macroeconomic characteristics similar to those that have recently experienced a crisis, regardless of the degree of actual economic linkages between the countries. This suggests that information contagion plays a larger role than previously suspected.
Glycogen synthase kinase 3: more than a namesake

Glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3), a constitutively acting multi‐functional serine threonine kinase is involved in diverse physiological pathways ranging from metabolism, cell cycle, gene expression, development and oncogenesis to neuroprotection. These diverse multiple functions attributed to GSK3 can be explained by variety of substrates like glycogen synthase, τ protein and β catenin that are phosphorylated leading to their inactivation. GSK3 has been implicated in various diseases such as diabetes, inflammation, cancer, Alzheimer's and bipolar disorder. GSK3 negatively regulates insulin‐mediated glycogen synthesis and glucose homeostasis, and increased expression and activity of GSK3 has been reported in type II diabetics and obese animal models. Consequently, inhibitors of GSK3 have been demonstrated to have anti‐diabetic effects in vitro and in animal models. However, inhibition of GSK3 poses a challenge as achieving selectivity of an over achieving kinase involved in various pathways with multiple substrates may lead to side effects and toxicity. The primary concern is developing inhibitors of GSK3 that are anti‐diabetic but do not lead to up‐regulation of oncogenes. The focus of this review is the recent advances and the challenges surrounding GSK3 as an anti‐diabetic therapeutic target.
Severe acute renal failure after exposure to sirolimus-tacrolimus in two livin donor kidney reciplents

Background. We began a clinical trial in African Americans comparing sirolimus-tacrolimus to standard immunosuppression. We report two African American male living donor kidney recipients who developed acute renal failure after exposure to sirolimus-tacrolimus. Methods. Both patients received similar doses of sirolimus and tacrolimus to achieve target levels of 5 to 15 ng/mL and prednisone in tapering doses. Renal function and tacrolimus and sirolimus levels were systematically monitored. Results. Although both kidneys functioned immediately, acute oliguric renal failure developed approximately 2 weeks after transplantation. Transplant kidney biopsy showed acute tubular necrosis in patient 2. Sirolimus-tacrolimus was then stopped in both patients. Both patients required temporary hemodialysis. Renal function returned 2 weeks later and was normal 2 months after transplantation on tacrolimus plus mycophenolate mofetil. Conclusion. Combination sirolimus-tacrolimus may cause nephrotoxicity in some patients by mechanisms that are presently unexplained.
“Paolo Baffi” Centre on Central Banking and Financial Regulation

This paper presents new measures of market power rents in loan and deposit markets and examines their impact on bank risk-taking. These new measures are derived from optimality conditions common to a wide variety of theoretical models of banks operating under uncertainty and choosing their risk profile. We estimate loan and deposit market power rents using two large European panel datasets of bank consolidated and unconsolidated accounts. Three main results obtain. First, bank loan and deposit rents are significant and highly positively correlated both at a consolidated and unconsolidated level. Second, larger bank loan and deposit rents predict higher probabilities of bank failures and lower bank capitalization. Third, the quest for market power rents is an important driver for bank consolidation. These results are consistent with the absence of a trade-off between competition and stability, as well as with market power rents being an important driver of bank consolidation and increased systemic risk. * The views expressed in this paper are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the International Monetary Fund.
How to describe your service

Service management has underestimated the importance of a process description in achieving service and organizational excellence. What service managers need is a methodology for describing service processes. Recommends the use of the structured analysis and design technique (SADT), a methodology particularly suitable for activity‐based processes. It can be used to help service providers obtain a better picture of the processes in which they participate, achieve improvements in service delivery, foster internal communication, and even design a service. Illustrates in two models the concepts of the SADT and its graphics language – the first developed in a professional service firm, and the second in an academic setting. Evaluates the SADT against eight criteria and concludes that the SADT is a versatile and useful modelling methodology that will help service management and employees reach organizational consensus on a service process.
Apoptosis in Ductal Carcinoma in Situ of the Breast

Abstract: Programmed cell death (apoptosis) may play a role in tumor development and progression. The importance of apoptosis dysregulations in ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and its relationships with p53 mutations and expression of bcl‐2 has received little attention in the literature. In a series of 58 DCIS patients, we evaluated the number of apoptotic cells by the TUNEL technique in subgroups of DCIS and correlated it with immunohistochemical expression of hormone receptors, c‐erbB‐2, p53, bcl‐2, and Ki‐67 (MIB‐1) and DNA content measured by image cytometry. High apoptotic index (greater than 3%) was related to high tumor grade, negative hormone receptors, c‐erbB‐2 overexpression, aneuploidy and lack of bcl‐2 immunohistochemical stain. Apoptosis was not related to p53 or proliferative index. The findings are similar to those found in infiltrating breast cancer.
DIVIDEND POLICY, LIQUIDITY CONSTRAINTS AND FIRM INV ESTMENT IN NIGERIA: AN EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS

This study appraised the importance of dividend policy of firm investment and liquidity constraints in Nigeria. To enable an empirical comparison of the findings, a critical review of related literatures was carried out. A survey research method used for the study and the data employed was derived from the annual publications of financial institution in Nigeria. The analytical tool used in analysis data obtained for the study is regression analytical tool. The empirical results reveal that investment has a significant effect on the dividend policy of firms in Nigeria. More so, liquidity has effect on dividend policy firms in Nigeria but not significant. INTRODUCTION The topic of dividend policy is one of the most enduring issues in modern corporate finance. This has led to the emergence of a number of competing theoretical explanations for dividend policy (Al-Malkawi, 2007). This has attracted a lot of controversies and many academic interests (Samuel and Inyada, 2010; Li et al., 2006; Gordon, 1959). Dividends are not just an outcome of a firm payout policy; they reflect a complicated combination of investment strategy, financial decision and private information (Miller and Rock, 1985). From managerial perspective, dividend can serve as a tool to mitigate agency problem by digesting extra free cash flows (Jensen, 1986), or to signal to the market that only good quality firms afford to pay dividends (Bhattacharya, 1979). On the other hand, from the investors' prospective, dividends are beneficial since they represent a regular income stream which will enhance self-control by avoiding any irrational trades (Shefrin and Statman, 1984).
The complete mitogenome of Stripe-Backed Shrew, Sorex cylindricauda (Soricidae)

Abstract The Stripe-Backed Shrew, Sorex cylindricauda belongs to the family Soricidae, and distributes in northwestern Yunnan, central Sichuan, southern Gansu and Shaanxi. In this study, the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of S. cylindricauda was determined. The mitogenome is 17,191 bp in length and contains 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes and 1 control region, with a base composition of 33.2% A, 30.2% T, 23.8% C and 12.8% G. The study contributes to illuminating taxonomic status of Stripe-Backed Shrew Sorex cylindricauda.
Compliance risk management strategies for tax administrations in developing countries : a case study of the Malaysian revenue authority

The aim of this study is to achieve a better understanding of risk management as practised by tax administrations of developed countries and to ascertain what prevents the developing countries from managing risks efficiently and effectively. Tax administrations are faced with challenges to ensure voluntary compliance with the tax law. Compliance risk that is generally faced by tax administrations in relation to the implementation of the Self-Assessment System (SAS) is further explored. A well-designed risk management strategy enables tax administrations to manage risks efficiently whilst reducing administrative costs in the process. The empirical evidence indicates that, in developing countries, the level of compliance is generally low and the administrative capability of tax agencies is relatively poor. In an effort to increase tax compliance, tax administrations in developing countries tend to adopt a traditional approach to their duties by implementing a command-and-control mechanism. The majority of tax compliance research has been written from the perspective of taxpayers. This study, in contrast, investigates the perspective of a tax administration in a developing country; hence the Malaysian Tax Administration, also known as the Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia (IRBM) has been selected as a case study. Compliance risk management by the IRBM is addressed in order to understand the agency’s activities that are designed to encourage voluntary compliance and manage compliance risk. This qualitative research uses responsive regulation theory as a concept to underpin this investigation. This study also develops a conceptual framework which combines three major themes: tax compliance, risk management and responsive regulation. Responsive regulation in the tax administrations of developing countries is considered a new concept, thus warranting further study. Responsive regulation encourages a soft approach to handling non-compliant taxpayers, resorting to a hard approach only if taxpayers refuse to comply. Empirical data was collected through face-to-face interviews with senior officials of the IRBM and tax practitioners in Malaysia to elicit the interviewees’ perceptions of risk and IRBM risk management practices. To enrich data collection, secondary data was collected from a range of published and unpublished printed materials from the IRBM. Findings from this study suggest that IRBM risk management strategies conform to responsive regulation theory. Various education programmes are conducted by the IRBM to assist and encourage voluntary compliance. The study reveals that Malaysian taxpayers’ compliance behaviour is influenced by tax knowledge, culture and their perceptions of the government administering the revenue. Knowledge gained from this study would provide insights for tax administrations in other developing countries of IRBM risk management practices in fostering voluntary compliance and self-regulation.
Influence of Metabolic Control on Thromboxane Biosynthesis and Plasma Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor Type-1 in Non-insulin-dependent Diabetes mellitus

Summary We have previously shown that tight metabolic control by insulin therapy reduced thromboxane-dependent platelet activation in noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) patients. The present study was undertaken to determine whether a similar effect could be obtained without switching diabetics in secondary failure to insulin treatment. For this purpose, we gave strict diet and exercise advise program and adjusted on a weekly basis the oral antidiabetic therapy (glipizide) that 26 patients with NIDDM had been given over the previous months. Basal measurements of urinary ll-dehydro-TXB2 and PAI-1 confirmed previous findings of enhanced levels of these parameters in NIDDM patients with macrovascular disease in comparison to age-and sex-matched controls. After 2-6 weeks, 16 patients achieved tight metabolic control associated with significant reduction of both thromboxane biosynthesis and PAI-1 levels; 10 patients remained in poor control and no significant decrease of both parameters was observed. We conclude that reduction of in-vivo platelet activation and PAI-1 antigen levels after metabolic improvement obtained by frequent reassessment of sulphonylurea therapy together with strict diet and exercise programs may have beneficial effects on the progression of diabetic micro- and macrovascular disease.
The Effects of Anesthesia Method on Throat Pain after Elective Rhinoplasty

Objectives: Throat pain is a common postoperative complaint. In this study, we aimed to determine its incidence of throat pain after rhinoplasty by general anesthesia (GA) or conscious sedation (CS). Methods: We evaluated throat pain in postanesthesia care unit, 4, 12 and 24 hours after surgery using a numerical rating scale (NRS) in a clinical trial. A total number of 252 consecutive females aging over 18 years undergoing GA or CS for elective rhinoplasty entered the study after implementing inclusion and exclusion criteria. A logistic regression model was used to predict having throat pain. Results: The incidence of throat pain after CS and GA in postanesthesia care unit, 4, 12 and 24 hours after rhinoplasty were 34.9% vs. 34.9% (P = 0.99), 27.0% vs. 33.3% (P = 0.27), 14.3% vs. 22.2% (P = 0.10), 10.3% vs. 15.9% (P = 0.19), respectively. The odds ratio for throat pain was statistically significant for nausea/vomiting in postanesthesia care unit (OR = 11.1, 95% CI: 5.7-21.8; P < 0.0001). Conclusions: Method of anesthesia had no independent role in predicting throat pain. Although larynx of subjects undergoing general anesthesia is manipulated by tracheal intubation, sedation has its specific risks for promoting throat pain after surgery. Therefore, neither CS nor GA is superior in terms of throat pain.
Expression and significance of TLR4 and HIF-1alpha in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

AIM To investigate the expression of toll-like receptor (TLR) 4, nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) p65 and hypoxia-inducible transcription factor 1alpha (HIF-1alpha) in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and their clinical significance. METHODS The mRNA of TLR4 and HIF-1alpha were investigated by real-time polymerase chain reaction in 30 cases of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and its adjacent tissues, and expression of TLR4, NF-kappaB p65 and HIF-1alpha protein were detected by immunohistochemistry in 65 cases of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma tissues and 38 cases of corresponding adjacent tissues. The relationship between TLR4 or HIF-1alpha and pathologic features, as well as the association between TLR4 and HIF-1alpha, were also analyzed. Kaplan-Meier method was used to assess the impact of expression of TLR4 and HIF-1alpha on survival of patients with pancreatic cancer. RESULTS The relative quantification of TLR4 and HIF-1alpha mRNA in tumor tissues was 0.81 +/- 0.10 and 0.87 +/- 0.11, respectively, significantly higher than that in adjacent tissues (0.81 +/- 0.10 vs 0.70 +/- 0.16, P = 0.002; 0.87 +/- 0.11 vs 0.68 +/- 0.13, P = 0.000). The protein expression of TLR4, NF-kappaB p65 and HIF-1alpha in tumor tissues was 69.20%, 66.15% and 70.80%, respectively, being significantly higher than that in adjacent normal tissues (69.20% vs 39.50%, P = 0.003; 66.15% vs 31.58%, P = 0.001; 70.80% vs 36.80%, P = 0.001). There was no significant correlation between TLR4 or HIF-1alpha expression and the age, gender, tumor location, the degree of tumor differentiation in the patients (P > 0.05). However, there was significant correlation between the expression of TLR4 or HIF-1alpha and tumor size, lymph node metastasis, venous invasion and clinical staging (P < 0.05). The expression of TLR4 and HIF-1alpha had a significant impact on survival of patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma. CONCLUSION TLR4, NF-kappaB p65 and HIF-1alpha are overexpressed in pancreatic adenocarcinoma, TLR4 may be partly involved in up-regulating HIF-1alpha, and both synergestically promote development of pancreatic adenocarcinoma.
The Performance of Initial Public Offerings and the Cross Section of Institutional Ownership

The paper examines the relation between the cross section of institutional ownership in IPOs and subsequent returns. We find that the level of institutional ownership shortly after the IPO and subsequent changes in holdings forecast future performance up to three years after the issue date. IPOs in the highest institutional ownership quintile outperform IPOs in the lowest quintile by roughly 1% a month after adjusting for risk. Controlling for market conditions, return predictability is limited to 'hot markets' characterized by high volume of IPOs and large first day returns. The performance of IPOs widely held by institutions does not reflect initial 'undervaluation' and subsequent price correction. Rather, institutional investors hold stocks with high growth expectations that experienced a strong price run-up in the past. The findings are consistent with institutional investors acting as momentum traders and enjoying high profits in periods where 'sentiment' is high.