Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
General Equilibrium Effects and Voting into a Crisis

We show that in democracies insufficient recognition of general equilibrium effects can lead to a crisis. We consider a two-sector economy in which a majoritarian political process determines governmental regulation in one sector: a minimum nominal wage. If voters recognize general equilibrium feedbacks, workers across sectors form a majority and will favor market-clearing wages. If voters only take into account direct effects in the regulated sector, workers in the other sector are willing to vote for wage rises in each period since they also reckon with higher real wages for themselves. The political process leads to constantly rising unemployment and tax rates. The resulting crisis may trigger new insights into economic relationships on the part of the voters and may reverse bad times.
Healing response to the clamshell device for closure of intracardiac defects in humans

The healing response to intracardiac devices in humans is largely unknown. During regulatory trials using the Clamshell device in over 800 patients, attempts were made to perform histopathological evaluation of all explanted devices. We reviewed all those with complete histopathological examination (n = 12) from Fontan baffles (n = 4), ventricular septal defects (n = 2), and atrial septal defects (ASD; n = 6), explanted at 2.7 months to 3.6 years (median, 1.6 years), at autopsy (n = 1) or surgery (n = 11), performed for residual defects (n = 5), atrial masses (n = 3), or Fontan revision (n = 3). All but one were nearly (n = 3) or completely (n = 8) covered by pseudointima, composed of fibroelastic tissue, predominantly collagen, with focal foreign body reaction in contact with fabric, without acute inflammation or infection. Atrial masses of granulation tissue were present in three cases (ASD), opposite to protruding fractured arms. No associations were identified between coverage and closure status, position, arm fractures, or implant period. In conclusion, the healing response to transcatheter Clamshell implantation in humans is characterized by a relatively rapid development of a nonthrombotic pseudointima composed of fibroelastic tissue with minimal foreign body reaction. Cathet Cardiovasc Intervent 2001;54:101–111. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A spectral method of speed ripple analysis for a fault-tolerant six-phase squirrel-cage induction machine

This paper proposes a method to analyze the speed ripple of a six-phase squirrel cage induction machine based on the non-stationary stator current characteristics. Some frequency components associated with the machine space harmonics are present in the stator current spectrum and depend on the rotor slip. The time evolution of these frequencies can be examined to evaluate the effect of torque ripple generated by the negative sequence components when one or several stator phases are lost. The information on the time evolution can be obtained using the spectrogram for time-frequency analysis or several consecutive simple fast Fourier transforms (FFT) as well. A six-phase squirrel-cage induction machine of 90 W, 20 V, 2-poles in normal operation and in faulted mode with two lost phases has been used to validate the proposed method.
Econometric Modelling of the Variations of Norway’s Export Trade across Continents and over Time: The Two-Stage Non-Full Rank Hierarchical Linear Econometric Model Approach

This paper applies the two-stage hierarchical non-full rank linear econometric model to make a deep analysis based on revenue generated from key Norwegian export items over the world’s continents. The model’s ability to analyse the variation of Norway’s export trade gives us the following interesting details: (1) for each continent intra- and intervariation of export items, (2) access to deep knowledge about the characteristics of the Norway’s export items revenue, (3) quantifying the economic importance and sustainability of export items within continents; and finally (4) comparing a given export item economic importance across continents. The results suggest the following important policy implications for Norway. First, Europe is the most important trade partner for Norway. In fact, 81.5% of Norwegian export items are transported to Europe. Second, there is a structural shift in Norwegian exports from North and Central America to Asia and Oceania. Third, the new importance of Asia and Oceania is also emphasized by the 85% increase in export revenues over the period 1988–2012. The trade pattern has changed and trade policy must change accordingly. The analysis has shown that in 2012 there are two important export continents for Norway: Europe and Asia and Oceania.
Do Commodity Futures Help Forecast Spot Prices?

We assess the spot price forecasting performance of 10 commodity futures at various horizons up to two years and test whether this performance is affected by market conditions. We reject efficient markets based on in-sample tests but, out-of-sample, we find that the forecast from the futures market is hard to beat. We find that the forecasting performance of futures does not depend on the slope of the futures curve, in contrast to the predictions of well-known models of commodity markets. We also find futures’ forecasting performance to be invariant to whether prices are in an upswing or downswing, casting doubt on aspersions that uninformed investors participating during bull markets impede the price discovery process.
Correcting for Selective Nonresponse in the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth Using Multiple Imputation

Survey attrition and nonresponse, particularly when selective, present unique challenges to researchers interested in studying developmental processes and longitudinal change. Four distinct patterns of nonresponse on children's psychosocial adjustment and lifetime poverty experiences and family histories are identified using principal components analysis. In turn, membership in these four groups is significantly predicted by the child's demographic characteristics, family experiences, and previous values on adjustment variables, indicating selective nonresponse and raising the possibility of biased estimates based on listwise deletion of missing data. We then examine a set of latent growth curve models that interrelate children's family experiences and psychosocial adjustment using listwise deletion (LD) and multiple imputation (MI) procedures. Implications for treatment of nonresponse in national longitudinal surveys are discussed.
Data Processing in Cellular Microphysiometry

Goal: This contribution points out the need for well-defined and documented data processing protocols in microphysiometry, an evolving field of label-free cell assays. The sensitivity of the obtained cell metabolic rates toward different routines of raw data processing is evaluated. Methods: A standard microphysiometric experiment structured in discrete measurement intervals was performed on a platform with a pH- and O 2-sensor readout. It is evaluated using three different data evaluation protocols, based on A) fast Fourier transformation of such dynamics, B) linear regression (LIN) of pH(t) and O2(t) dynamics, and C) numerical simulation (SIM) with a subsequent fitting of dynamics for parameter estimation. Results: We propose a sequence of well documented steps for an organized processing of raw sensor data. Figures of merit for the quality of raw data and the performance of data processing are provided. To estimate metabolic rates, a reaction-diffusion modeling approach is recommended if the necessary model input parameters such as the distribution of the active biomass, sensor response time, and material properties are available. Conclusion: The information about cellular metabolic activity contained by measured sensor data dynamics is superimposed by manifold sources of error. Careful consideration of data processing is necessary to eliminate these errors as much as possible and to avoid an incorrect interpretation of data.
A Small-Scale Traffic Monitoring System in Urban Wireless Sensor Networks

Traffic-monitoring can efficiently promote better urban planning and encourage better use of public transport. The investment of traffic-monitoring system will bring huge social and economic benefits by reducing congestion and pollution. Based on the wireless sensor network (WSN) technique, this paper investigates the problem of efficiently monitoring, collecting, and disseminating traffic information in an urban setting. We design the architecture of WSN-based traffic-monitoring system and specify the phases of the traffic information acquisition and delivery in the context of WSN environment. A novel data-centric routing algorithm is proposed for data delivery, in which multiple routing-related information are adopted for routing decision making. Simulation results have shown the good performance of the proposed routing scheme compared with other traditional schemes.
Large Shareholders, Private Benefits of Control, and Optimal Schemes of Privatization

We analyze optimal schemes for privatization of state enterprises when foreign investors are potential buyers. The highest bidders may not be the best large shareholders for the state enterprise, since their bid may reflect only their high private benefit of control. The government finds itself facing a tradeoff between trying to obtain the highest possible payment (the "revenue" objective) and identifying the company that will operate better in the future (the "efficiency" objective). Therefore, ordinary auctions are not appropriate. Our optimal privatization schemes in many cases require the use of the number of shares sold as a crucial instrument to attract the most efficient investors.
‘Will I want these stickers tomorrow?’ Preschoolers’ ability to predict current and future needs

Between 3 and 5 years of age, children develop the ability to plan for their own and others' future needs; however, they have great difficulty predicting future needs that conflict with current ones. Importantly, this ability has only been tested in the domain of physiological states (e.g., thirst). Therefore, it is still an open question whether in a different context preschoolers can disengage from their current needs to secure a different future one. In a Resource Allocation task, 4- and 5-year-olds had to distribute three types of rewards between themselves and another child for either 'right now' or 'tomorrow'. Children's current needs were manipulated by providing them (or not) with their preferred reward at beginning of the task. Only 5-year-olds could predict future needs that conflict with their current ones and act accordingly. Younger children's performance is discussed in the context of temporal and social distance. Statement of contribution What is already known on this subject? By the age of 4, children can plan for their own and others' future needs. Seven-year-old children still have difficulty predicting future physiological needs that conflict with their current ones. What does this study add? In a Resource Allocation task, preschoolers had to share rewards with another child for 'right now' or 'tomorrow'. Children's current needs were manipulated by providing them (or not) with their preferred reward. This study shows that 5-year-olds can predict future (non-physiological) needs that conflict with their current ones.
Characterization of the hypo‐osmolarity‐induced Ca2+ response in cultured rat astrocytes

The influence of astrocyte swelling on the cytosolic free calcium concentration [Ca2+]i was studied at the single cell level. Sudden exposure of normo‐osmotically (305 mosmol/l) cultured astrocytes to hypo‐osmotic medium induced a biphasic increase in cytosolic calcium with an initial peak followed by a sustained plateau. The response was osmolarity dependent and was maximal at 205 mosmol/l with respect to [Ca2+]i and the percentage of responding cells. Other modes of astrocyte swelling [gradual adjustment of hypo‐osmolarity, normo‐osmotic exposure of hyper‐osmotic (405 mosmol/l) maintained cells] produced a much weaker [Ca2+]i response. Change from 405 to 205 mosmol/l, however, resulted in the entire peak and an increased plateau. Experiments with Ca2+‐free medium and after pretreatment with BAPTA‐AM, thapsigargin, phorbol myristate acetate, or nimodipine revealed that the peak mainly resulted from depletion of intracellular Ca2+ stores, whereas the plateau was probably due to capacitative Ca2+ entry and Ca2+ influx independent of store depletion including a nimodipin‐sensitive component. Prior depletion of ryanodine‐, bradykinin‐ or ATP‐sensitive stores revealed that the initial hypo‐osmolarity‐induced Ca2+‐release was from a Ca2+ pool also affected by ATP and bradykinin, but not by ryanodine. The recent finding, that the hypo‐osmolarity‐induced [Ca2+]i response was completely maintained if phospholipase C‐mediated phosphatidylinositol hydrolysis was blocked, suggests that hypo‐osmolarity may exert an inositol (1,4,5) triphosphate‐independent access to these stores. GLIA 20:51‐58, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Impaired autophagy flux is associated with neuronal cell death after traumatic brain injury

Dysregulation of autophagy contributes to neuronal cell death in several neurodegenerative and lysosomal storage diseases. Markers of autophagy are also increased after traumatic brain injury (TBI), but its mechanisms and function are not known. Following controlled cortical impact (CCI) brain injury in GFP-Lc3 (green fluorescent protein-LC3) transgenic mice, we observed accumulation of autophagosomes in ipsilateral cortex and hippocampus between 1 and 7 d. This accumulation was not due to increased initiation of autophagy but rather to a decrease in clearance of autophagosomes, as reflected by accumulation of the autophagic substrate SQSTM1/p62 (sequestosome 1). This was confirmed by ex vivo studies, which demonstrated impaired autophagic flux in brain slices from injured as compared to control animals. Increased SQSTM1 peaked at d 1–3 but resolved by d 7, suggesting that the defect in autophagy flux is temporary. The early impairment of autophagy is at least in part caused by lysosomal dysfunction, as evidenced by lower protein levels and enzymatic activity of CTSD (cathepsin D). Furthermore, immediately after injury both autophagosomes and SQSTM1 accumulated predominantly in neurons. This was accompanied by appearance of SQSTM1 and ubiquitin-positive puncta in the affected cells, suggesting that, similar to the situation observed in neurodegenerative diseases, impaired autophagy may contribute to neuronal injury. Consistently, GFP-LC3 and SQSTM1 colocalized with markers of both caspase-dependent and caspase-independent cell death in neuronal cells proximal to the injury site. Taken together, our data indicated for the first time that autophagic clearance is impaired early after TBI due to lysosomal dysfunction, and correlates with neuronal cell death.
Insulation Resistance Monitoring Algorithm for Battery Pack in Electric Vehicle Based on Extended Kalman Filtering

To improve the accuracy of insulation monitoring between the battery pack and chassis of electric vehicles, we established a serial battery pack model composed of first-order resistor-capacitor (RC) circuit battery cells. We then designed a low-voltage, low-frequency insulation monitoring model based on this serial battery pack model. An extended Kalman filter (EKF) was designed for this non-linear system to filter the measured results, thus mitigating the influence of noise. Experimental and simulation results show that the proposed monitoring model and extended Kalman filtering algorithm for insulation resistance monitoring present satisfactory estimation accuracy and robustness.
Efficacy of a Brief Intervention to Improve Emergency Physicians’ Smoking Cessation Counseling Skills, Knowledge, and Attitudes

The objective of this study was to test whether a brief educational/administrative intervention could increase tobacco counseling by emergency physicians (EPs). Pre-/post-study at eight emergency departments (EDs) with residency programs were carried out. EPs received a 1-hour lecture on the health effects of smoking and strategies to counsel patients. After the lecture, cards promoting a national smokers’ quitline were placed in EDs, to be distributed by providers. Providers completed pre-/ post-intervention questionnaires. Patients were interviewed pre-/post-intervention to assess provider behavior. Two hundred eighty-seven EPs were enrolled. Post-intervention, providers were more likely to consider tobacco counseling part of their role, and felt more confident in counseling. Data from 1168 patient interviews and chart reviews showed that, post-intervention, providers were more likely to ask patients about smoking, make a referral, and document smoking counseling. Post-intervention, 30% of smokers were given a Quitline referral card. An educational intervention improved ED-based tobacco interventions. Controlled trials are needed to establish these results’ durability.
Afterthoughts on a Controversy with MM, Plus New Thoughts on Growth and the Cost of Capital

uncertainty;" (ii) "an operational definition of the cost of capital" stemming from that theory; and (iii) a demonstration that this cost of capital would be unaffected by either capital structure or dividend policy. The original argument rests on the assumption of a perfect market and no growth, though the latter is not explicit. In [5], I attacked result (i) on the grounds that while the theory might apply to the right type of limited partnership, it did not apply to corporations, for which it was specifically stated, because it neglected limited liability-a fundamental principle of corporate enterprise. Following through to result (iii), I suggested that the theory was sufficiently flawed to cast doubts on the demonstration of independence between capital structure and the cost of capital for corporations. Furthermore, I objected to MM's discussion of dividend policy, and especially their suggestion [p. 266] that "the division . between dividends and retained earnings . is a mere detail. " The rationale was that while dividends might well appear to be a mere detail when price equaled book value, complications would arise whenever price differed substantially from book value. One technical complication, related to MM's concept of an "equivalent return class," has lost most of its force following Stiglitz's [19, 20] demonstration that MM's concept was unnecessary to their argument. Another complication, which will occupy most of the sequel, relates to growth. In their reply [15], MM stated that while they had disregarded growth inten-
Performance and characteristics of mutual fund starts

We study the performance and portfolio characteristics of 828 newly launched US equity mutual funds over the period 1991–2005. These fund starts initially earn, on average, higher excess returns and higher abnormal returns. Their risk-adjusted performance is also superior to existing funds. Furthermore, we provide evidence for short-term persistence among top-performing fund starts, however, a substantial fraction of funds drop from the top to the bottom decile over two subsequent periods. Analyzing portfolio characteristics, we find that returns of fund starts exhibit higher ratios of unsystematic to total risk. Portfolios of new funds are typically also less diversified in terms of number of stocks and industry concentration and are invested in smaller and less liquid stocks.
Molecular Characterization of Babesia bovis M17 Leucine Aminopeptidase and Inhibition of Babesia Growth by Bestatin

Abstract: The M17 leucine aminopeptidase (M17LAP) enzymes of the other apicomplexan parasites have been characterized and shown to be inhibited by bestatin. Though Babesia bovis also belongs to the apicomplexan group, it is not known whether its M17LAP could display similar biochemical properties as well as inhibition profile. To unravel this uncertainty, a B. bovis M17LAP (BbM17LAP) gene was expressed in Escherichia coli, and activity of the recombinant enzyme as well as its inhibition by bestatin were evaluated. The inhibitory effect of the compound on growths of B. bovis and Babesia gibsoni in vitro was also determined. The expression of the gene fused with glutathione S-transferase (GST) yielded approximately 81-kDa recombinant BbM17LAP (rBbM17LAP). On probing with mouse anti-rBbM17LAP serum, a green fluorescence was observed on the parasite cytosol on confocal laser microscopy, and a specific band greater than the predicted molecular mass was seen on Western blotting. The Km and Vmax values of the recombinant enzyme were 139.3 ± 30.25 and 64.83 ± 4.6 μM, respectively, while the Ki was 2210 ± 358 μM after the inhibition. Bestatin was a more potent inhibitor of the growth of B. bovis [IC50 (50% inhibition concentration) = 131.7 ± 51.43 μM] than B. gibsoni [IC50 = 460.8 ± 114.45 μM] in vitro. The modest inhibition of both the rBbM17LAP activity and Babesia parasites' growth in vitro suggests that this inhibition may involve the endogenous enzyme in live parasites. Therefore, BbM17LAP may be a target of bestatin, though more studies with other aminopeptidase inhibitors are required to confirm this.
Spatial patterns and determinants of skilled internal migration in China, 2000–2005†

type="main" xml:lang="es"> Este articulo examina los patrones espaciales y los determinantes de la migracion interprovincial en China de trabajadores cualificados mediante el uso de datos de 2005 de una encuesta por muestreo del uno por ciento de la poblacion. Si bien la region costera se beneficia de la afluencia de mano de obra cualificada, el resto de China sufre un grave exodo intelectual. Las estimaciones a partir de modelos de gravedad binomiales negativos con exceso de valores cero indican que las oportunidades de empleo, sobre todo las diferencias salariales interregionales, juegan un papel preponderante con respecto a la atraccion de mano de obra cualificada, y que el impacto de los servicios en la migracion cualificada resulta ser pequeno y menos claro. Estos hallazgos sugieren que las personas con cualificaciones de China priorizan mas sus perspectivas de carrera que la calidad de vida en el proceso de toma de decisiones acerca de la migracion.
Porin channels in Escherichia coli: studies with liposomes reconstituted from purified proteins

Rates of diffusion of uncharged and charged solute molecules through porin channels were determined by using liposomes reconstituted from egg phosphatidylcholine and purified Escherichia coli porins OmpF (protein 1a), OmpC (protein 1b), and PhoE (protein E). All three porin proteins appeared to produce channels of similar size, although the OmpF channel appeared to be 7 to 9% larger than the OmpC and PhoE channels in an equivalent radius. Hydrophobicity of the solute retarded the penetration through all three channels in a similar manner. The presence of one negative charge on the solute resulted in about a threefold reduction in penetration rates through OmpF and OmpC channels, whereas it produced two- to tenfold acceleration of diffusion through the PhoE channel. The addition of the second negatively charged group to the solutes decreased the diffusion rates through OmpF and OmpC channels further, whereas diffusion through the PhoE channel was not affected much. These results suggest that PhoE specializes in the uptake of negatively charged solutes. At the present level of resolution, no sign of true solute specificity was found in OmpF and OmpC channels; peptides, for example, diffused through both of these channels at rates expected from their molecular size, hydrophobicity, and charge. However, the OmpF porin channel allowed influx of more solute molecules per unit time than did the equivalent weight of the OmpC porin when the flux was driven by a concentration gradient of the same size. This apparent difference in "efficiency" became more pronounced with larger solutes, and it is likely to be the consequence of the difference in the sizes of OmpF and OmpC channels.