Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Critical behavior in an evolutionary model of altruistic behavior with social structure

Experimental studies have shown the ubiquity of altruistic behavior in human societies. The social structure is a fundamental ingredient to understand the degree of altruism displayed by the members of a society, in contrast to individual-based features, like for example age or gender, which have been shown not to be relevant to determine the level of altruistic behavior. We explore an evolutionary model aiming to delve how altruistic behavior is affected by social structure. We investigate the dynamics of interacting individuals playing the Ultimatum Game with their neighbors given by a social network of interaction. We show that a population self-organizes in a critical state where the degree of altruism depends on the topology characterizing the social structure. In general, individuals offering large shares but in turn accepting large shares, are removed from the population. In heterogeneous social networks, individuals offering intermediate shares are strongly selected in contrast to random homogeneous networks where a broad range of offers, below a critical one, is similarly present in the population.
Reversible inactivation of dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase by mitochondrial hydrogen peroxide

Abstract Under oxidative stress conditions, mitochondria are the major site for cellular production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as superoxide anion and H2O2 that can attack numerous mitochondrial proteins including dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (DLDH). While DLDH is known to be vulnerable to oxidative inactivation, the mechanisms have not been clearly elucidated. The present study was therefore designed to investigate the mechanisms of DLDH oxidative inactivation by mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS). Mitochondria, isolated from rat brain, were incubated with mitochondrial respiratory substrates such as pyruvate/malate or succinate in the presence of electron transport chain inhibitors such as rotenone or antimycin A. This is followed by enzyme activity assay and gel-based proteomic analysis. The present study also examined whether ROS-induced DLDH oxidative inactivation could be reversed by reducing reagents such as DTT, cysteine, and glutathione. Results show that DLDH could only be inactivated by complex III- but not complex I-derived ROS; and the accompanying loss of activity due to the inactivation could be restored by cysteine and glutathione, indicating that DLDH oxidative inactivation by complex III-derived ROS was a reversible process. Further studies using catalase indicate that it was H2O2 instead of superoxide anion that was responsible for DLDH inactivation. Moreover, using sulfenic acid-specific labeling techniques in conjunction with two-dimensional Western blot analysis, we show that protein sulfenic acid formation (also known as sulfenation) was associated with the loss of DLDH enzymatic activity observed under our experimental conditions. Additionally, such oxidative modification was shown to be associated with preventing DLDH from further inactivation by the thiol-reactive reagent N-ethylmaleimide. Taken together, the present study provides insights into the mechanisms of DLDH oxidative inactivation by mitochondrial H2O2.
Network Effects and Hayek ’ s Proposal for Competing Monies

Given the renewed interest in alternative monetary systems, it is conceivable that some may reconsider Hayek’s proposal for competing monies. I attempt to show that Hayek underestimates the importance of network effects. As a result, his confidence in believing the mere admission of competing private currencies will spontaneously generate a more stable monetary system is unfounded. After reviewing Hayek’s proposal and detailing the historical significance of network effects, I draw on the modern theoretical literature concerning currency acceptance to offer a general solution for entrepreneurs attempting to provide the type of monies Hayek recommends. JEL Codes: B53, E42
Clinical efficacy of tandospirone augmentation in patients with major depressive disorder: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract The purpose of the present paper was to investigate the efficacy of augmentation of clomipramine (CMI) by tandospirone in 36 untreated outpatients with major depressive disorder. Twelve patients were treated with CMI and tandospirone (T group), 12 with CMI and diazepam (D group) and 12 with CMI alone (C group) for 6 weeks. No statistically significant differences in the percentage improvement of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (17 items; HDRS‐17) and the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (14 items; HARS‐14) scores were shown among the three treatment groups. However, at 2 weeks, the percentage improvement of HDRS‐17 score in the T group tended to be higher than that in the D and C groups, although there was no statistically significant difference among the three treatment groups. No change in plasma prolactin level or adverse events was induced by the addition of tandospirone. These results suggest that 6 weeks of treatment with tandospirone or diazepam was not effective for augmentation of CMI in major depressive disorder patients. However, augmentation of antidepressants by tandospirone administration for a few weeks might induce early expression of antidepressive effects.
Isolation and Characterization of a Population of Immature Dental Pulp Stem Cells Expressing OCT-4 and Other Embryonic Stem Cell Markers

We report the isolation of a population of immature dental pulp stem cells (IDPSC), which express embryonic stem cell markers Oct-4, Nanog, SSEA-3, SSEA-4, TRA-1-60 and TRA-1-81 as well as several other mesenchymal stem cell markers during at least 25 passages while maintaining the normal karyotype and the rate of expansion characteristic of stem cells. The expression of these markers was maintained in subclones obtained from these cells. Moreover, in vitrothese cells can be induced to undergo uniform differentiation into smooth and skeletal muscles, neurons, cartilage, and bone under chemically defined culture conditions. After in vivo transplantation of these cells into immunocompromised mice, they showed dense engraftment in various tissues. The relative ease of recovery and the expression profiles of various markers justify further exploration of IDPSC for clinical therapy.
Level 1 B Product Interpolated Met . Data Pre-Screening XCO 2 Retrieval Quality Assessment Absorption Coefficient Tables Other Ancillary Data Construct A priori State vector & covariance matrix Forward Model

This work describes the NASA Atmospheric CO 2 Observations from Space (ACOS) XCO2 retrieval algorithm, and its performance on highly realistic, simulated observations. These tests, restricted to observations over land, are used to evaluate retrieval errors in the face of realistic clouds and aerosols, polarized non-Lambertian surfaces, imperfect meteorology, and uncorrelated instrument noise. We find that post-retrieval filters are essential to eliminate the poorest retrievals, which arise primarily due to imperfect cloud screening. The remaining retrievals have RMS errors of approximately 1 ppm. Modeled instrument noise, based on the Greenhouse Gases Observing SATellite (GOSAT) in-flight performance, accounts for less than half the total error in these retrievals. A small fraction of unfiltered clouds, particularly thin cirrus, lead to a small positive bias of ∼0.3 ppm. Overall, systematic errors due to imperfect characterization of clouds and aerosols dominate the error budget, while errors due to other simplifying assumptions, in particular those related to the prior meteorological fields, appear small.
Can SME Policies Improve Firm Performance? Evidence from an Impact Evaluation in Argentina

This paper evaluates the impact of the Argentine SME support program PRE on employment, real wages, and exports. The program aimed at increasing the competitiveness of SMEs by co-financing up to fifty percent of expenditures in professional services and technical assistance. We use a unique panel dataset constructed with administrative records. We combine Propensity Score Matching and Difference in Differences methods to control for selection biases in the estimations. We find a positive and quantitatively important impact of the program on employment and a positive although smaller impact on real wages and the probability of exporting. We also find that the effect of the program on wages and the probability of exporting take place one year after beneficiaries receive the program. The effect of the program on employment takes place one, two, and even, three years after beneficiaries receive the program.
Effects of obesity on lipid profiles in neutered male and female cats.

OBJECTIVE To examine whether obese cats, compared with lean cats, have alterations in lipoprotein metabolism that might lead to a decrease in glucose metabolism and insulin secretion. ANIMALS 10 lean and 10 obese adults cats (5 neutered males and 5 neutered females each). PROCEDURE Intravenous glucose tolerance tests with measurements of serum glucose, insulin, and nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentrations were performed. Lipoprotein fractions were examined in serum by isopycnic density gradient ultracentrifugation. RESULTS Obese cats had insulin resistance. Plasma triglyceride and cholesterol concentrations were significantly increased in obese cats, compared with lean cats. Very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) concentrations were increased in obese cats, compared with lean cats; however, the composition of various fractions remained unchanged between obese and lean cats, indicating greater synthesis and catabolism of VLDL in obese cats. Serum high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol concentrations were increased in obese cats, compared with lean cats. Serum NEFA concentrations were only significantly different between obese and lean cats when separated by sex; obese male cats had higher baseline serum NEFA concentrations and greater NEFA suppression in response to insulin, compared with lean male cats. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Lipid metabolism changes in obese cats, compared with lean cats. The increase in VLDL turnover in obese cats might contribute to insulin resistance of glucose metabolism, whereas the increase in serum HDL cholesterol concentration might reflect a protective effect against atherosclerosis in obese cats.
The use of balanced scorecard measures in executive incentives and organizational performance

The Balanced Scorecard (BSC) has been argued as a superior combination of nonfinancial and financial measures of performance. The power of this concept can be used only if BSC measures are linked to reward systems. Despite an increasing usage of BSC, however, virtually no large-scale empirical studies have documented the prevalence of BSC in executive compensation plans. This thesis attempted to address this deficiency. Three primary questions are central to the study: Do contextual factors affect the usage of BSC in compensation plans? Does BSC have an impact on organizational performance? Is this performance associated with the fit between BSC and firm characteristics? The hypotheses were tested using a three-stage regression model including logistic and OLS regressions, based on a sample of 165 firms that adopted BSC measurement schemes and 165 control firms over the period of 1992-2009. The results underscore the importance of considering firm characteristics prior to adopting BSC. This study finds that 1) the usage of BSC in executive compensation plans is related to strategy, certain industries, size, quality, structure, Anglo culture and ownership; 2) there is a strong association between firm performance and the adoption of BSC; and 3) firm performance is an increasing function of the level of fit of BSC with its contingent factors.
Firm Growth in the Retail and Wholesale Trade Sectors – Evidence from Sweden

To identify the determinants of firm growth within the Swedish retail – and wholesale trade industries during the period 1998- 2004, we analyze a sample of 400 limited companies using quantile regression techniques. Our results indicate that firm growth mainly can be explained by time-invariant firm-specific effects, supporting Penrose’s (1959) suggestion that internal resources such as firm culture, brand loyalty, entrepreneurial skills, and so on, are important determinants of firm growth rates.
Reliability and validity of perceived self-efficacy in wheeled mobility scale among elite wheelchair-dependent athletes with a spinal cord injury

Purpose: To study the reliability and validity of the perceived self-efficacy in wheeled mobility scale among elite athletes with a spinal cord injury (SCI). Method: During the Beijing Paralympics, 79 participants with SCI completed the SCI Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale (ESES), the revised Self-Efficacy in Wheeled Mobility scale (SEWM) and the perceived wheeled mobility (WM) at present Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Sample included athletes from 18 countries and subcategorized by gender, lesion level/completeness and type of sports. Reliability and concurrent validity were determined. Results: SEWM Cronbach’s α was 0.905. High internal consistency was confirmed in Split-half correlation coefficient (r = 0.87). Validity was supported by significant correlations between SWEM and ESES total scores (r = 0.64, p < 0.05), and between SEWM and WM VAS scores (r = 0.60; p < 0.001). Subgroups analyses showed that athletes with tetraplegia showed significantly lower WM self-efficacy levels than those with paraplegia. There was a significant difference in perceived WM self-efficacy between athletes who participated in dynamic wheelchair sports and those who participated in non-wheelchair sports (p < 0.03). Conclusions: The SEWM is a reliable and valid scale among Paralympic athletes with SCI. Findings confirmed a significantly higher perception of self-efficacy in WM among athletes who participated in dynamic wheelchair sports. Implications for Rehabilitation Increased self-efficacy in wheeled mobility (WM) may encourage wheelchair users with spinal cord injury (SCI) to approach, persist, and persevere at WM related tasks that were previously avoided. The perceived self-efficacy in WM scale (SEWM), which is available on-line in five different languages, may find clinical applications for people with SCI in different countries. The SEWM can be applied to the assessment of progress in WM levels during the acute rehabilitation phase, and also in structured WM workshops conducted after discharge from the hospital.
Development of a novel in situ testing device for a Focussed Ion Beam system and a

In situ mechanical testing procedures for small scale samples in the μm range are rare. For many biological materials sizes in the μm range are typical, such as airflow sensors on crickets and individual components of the hairy attachment systems in insects and geckos (Kiel, 1998; Gorb, 2000). A variety of methods and devices exist for the mechanical testing and analysis of conventional bulk samples in the cm and mm range. Downscaling such standard mechanical testing methods (tensile tests, compression tests and bending tests) for specimens in the μm and sub-μm range provides a number of challenges. The major problem in building suitable mechanical testing devices is the lack of appropriate load cells. These load cells must have a high force resolution in the μN or even nN range. At the same time, they must provide a maximum force in the order of several mN. The second problem is the necessary resolution in strain or displacement. Already the handling of μm-sized samples is very difficult and their correct mounting is not trivial. Handling and clamping the samples into a holder can mechanically damage them: cracks can be introduced or, if the clamping is too weak, they can be pulled out of the sample holder on loading.
Asset Pricing Regressions with Interaction Terms

This paper studies regression models in which lagged variables predict stock returns in interaction with contemporaneous values of asset pricing factors. We find that these regressions remain reasonably well specified for conditional betas, even in settings where simpler predictive regressions are severely biased. This helps justify the use of such regressions to estimate conditional betas in many recent asset pricing studies. However, there are biases in estimates of conditional alphas, due to an interaction between data mining and spurious regression with persistent lagged regressors.
Diagnostic Accuracy of Serum Kallikrein-Related Peptidases for Ovarian Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objective At present, considerable efforts have been made to identify new cancer-specific markers for ovarian cancer (OC) diagnosis and the kallikrein-related peptidases (KLKs) family is one of the most studied candidates. This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the pooled diagnostic value of serum KLK measurement for diagnosing OC. Methods The Cochrane Library, PubMed, Excerpt Medica Database were searched for all relevant literature. The Quality Assessment for Studies of Diagnostic Accuracy tool was applied to assess the quality of enrolled studies. Statistical analysis was conducted by using Stata 13.0 software and Meta-Disc. Results A total of 15 studies from 13 articles were considered eligible for inclusion in the present analysis. The following pooled parameters were calculated by using the bivariate model: sensitivity of 0.582 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.517–0.644), specificity of 0.909 (95% CI, 0.833–0.952), positive likelihood ratios of 6.367 (95% CI, 3.330–12.172), negative likelihood ratios of 0.460 (95% CI, 0.388–0.546), diagnostic odds ratio of 13.831 (95% CI, 6.460–29.614), respectively. Conclusions Kallikrein-related peptidase seems to be a promising candidate biomarker in diagnosing OC, but the associated poor sensitivity of KLK individually may limit its value in clinical application. To resolve this problem, the combination of KLK and other markers may offer improved performance than a single marker.
A Generalized Switching Policy for Incremental Relaying with Adaptive Modulation

In this paper, we consider how to improve the capacity of wireless communication networks that employ cooperative diversity techniques. For Amplify and Forward (AF) fixed relaying scheme with adaptive modulation, it has been shown that the scheme can increase transmit diversity but with the expense of a reduction in the spectral efficiency. An efficient Generalized Switching Policy (GSP) for AF incremental relaying with adaptive modulation is proposed to maximize the average spectral efficiency while maintaining the target Bit Error Rate (BER). The performance of the GSP over independent nonidentical Rayleigh fading channels is derived in terms of average spectral efficiency, average BER, and outage probability, then verified by using Monte Carlo simulation. It is shown that the GSP not only outperforms both the conventional direct transmission and the AF fixed relaying but also the Outage Switching Policy (OSP) of the AF incremental relaying proposed recently.
Co-Payment Exemptions and Reference Prices: an Empirical Study of Pharmaceutical Prices in Germany

Co-payments are a common instrument of health insurers to lower their pharmaceutical expenses and to share costs with consumers, the patients. Tiered drug co-payments, e.g. lower co-payments for generic drugs, incentivize patients to buy certain products and, hence, steer drug consumption patterns. Since 2007, the German Statutory Health Insurance follows an innovative and unique regulation by differentiating drug copayments by the drug's price relative to its reference price. Co-payment exemption thresholds have been introduced in 185 out of 281 therapeutic clusters since 2007. We answer how effective this co-payment exemption policy is in order to reduce overall prices for pharmaceutical products. We analyze prices of all drugs marketed in reference price clusters and being subject to the policy in Germany using quarterly data from January 2007 to October 2010 published by the Federal Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds in Germany. Wend empirical evidence of differentiated price setting strategies by different rm types ranging from price decreases of -8% to increases of +1.3% (innovators) following the introduction of co-payment exemption threshold. We refer to the latter case as the co-payment paradox. Furthermore, prices of generic and branded generic rms and reference prices tend to converge. The results are robust when we estimate static and dynamic linear panel data models and control for the heterogeneity of active ingredient's clusters, autocorrelation, and heteroscedasticity. Our competition proxies (no. of rms and ratio products/rm in the same market) suggest a signicant negative impact of competition on prices and, thereby, question whether more competition may be an alternative way to lower pharmaceutical prices.
Market Reaction To Open Market Share Repurchases On The Johannesburg Stock Exchange Over The Period 2000 To 2007

Abstract This study examines the market behaviour of South African companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) that have repurchased their own shares on the open market during the period October 2000 to December 2007. Consistent with prior studies on the North American and South African markets, the mean market response around the announcement date (-2 to +2 days) is positive, albeit quite small at 0,94%. The mean market response in the period following the announcement (+3 to +20 days) is negative at -3,95%, which differs from previous studies. The study also finds that the average 36-months buy- and-hold abnormal cumulative return for companies classified as non- resource companies is 26,57%. The largest abnormal returns are observed in small companies; for large companies no positive abnormal returns are observed. Finally, value shares have the largest abnormal returns in most of the company size categories.
A hybrid segmentation approach for rapid and reliable liver volumetric analysis in daily clinical practice

Preoperative evaluation of liver future remnant volume is essential for liver oncologic and transplantation surgery. Segmentation of liver imaging studies allow for an excellent liver volumetric analysis. We developed a hybrid liver segmentation algorithm which is based on thresholding by pixel intensity value. The algorithm consists of a semiautomatic and an automatic part. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the efficacy of preoperative liver volumetric analysis in daily clinical practice using this hybrid approach. Accuracy and speed were validated on a random prospectively selected sample of 20 patients undergoing elective major liver resections at our institution from June 2013 to June 2015. Complete liver volumetric analysis was performed in average in 15.5 min/dataset SD±2.6 (computation and interaction time). Mean similarity index was 95.5% SD±2. The future liver remnant volume calculated by the application showed a correlation of 0.98 to that calculated using manual boundary tracing. The hybrid segmentation approach proved to be fast and accurate for the preoperative planning in oncologic liver surgery.