Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Centre Acknowledges Financial Support from the Leverhulme Trust under Programme Grant F114/bf Centre for Research on Globalisation and Labour Markets Do Hostile Mergers Destroy Jobs? Do Hostile Mergers Destroy Jobs?

This paper provides a systematic empirical analysis of the employment effects of hostile takeovers in the United Kingdom for the period 1983-1996. It finds no evidence for distinguishing between friendly and hostile acquisitions in terms of their impact on labour demand. Indeed, each type of transaction appears to have an immediate negative impact on labour demand, equivalent to about 7.5 percent of the pre-merger level. However, the paper does find that the absolute number of employees falls substantially, along with output, in the hostile merger case alone. This appears to be the consequence of a high level of post-merger divestment that distinguishes hostile transactions.
Isolation of a cDNA-derived expressed-sequence-tag clone on chromosome 15.

Complementary DNA clones isolated from human brain cDNA libraries have been partially DNA sequenced to generate expressed sequence tags (EST) (Adams et aI" 1992), ESTs have been essential for construction of transcript maps across large chromosome regions and for identification of genes responsible for inherited diseases and cancers, A procedure for rapid chromosomal assignment of EST has been developed (Polymeropoulos et at"~ 1992) , Pairs of oligonucleotide primers for each ESTs were used to amplify by PCR DNA template human-rodent somatic cell hybrid chromosomal panels, They were able to loca li ze 46 brain EST to chromosomes, One EST (ESTOO 165) was mapped to chromosome 15, the chromosome involved in Angelman syndrome (AS), a complex disorder characterized by severe mental retardation and puppet-like upperlimb movements, which is caused by deletions of proximal 15q (Knoll et aI., 1989), In our study, a genomic clone for this EST has been isolated and used to determine whether it maps to the AS chromosome region.
Fair Valuation of Equity-Linked Policies under Insurer Default Risk

Abstract We consider the problem of computing the fair value of equity-linked policies with an interestrate guarantee when the insurer is subject to credit risk. The framework is developed based on modern financial theory using the no-arbitrage principle. In this context, an equity-linked policy is considered as a vulnerable contingent claim that expires before maturity if the firm asset value reaches a prespecified default threshold depending on the firm’s liabilities. We derive a closedform formula in a continuous-time environment to compute the fair value of the contract. We also develop a discrete-time model that allows us to address fair evaluation when the policy embeds a surrender option.
Sample-Averaged Zero-Sequence Current Elimination PWM Technique for Five-Phase Induction Motor With Opened Stator Windings

The five-phase dual-inverter connected to the five-phase open-end winding induction motor (FPOEWIM) with a single dc source could result in the flow of common-mode current (CMC) through the common dc bus and motor phase windings. In addition, the FPOEWIM drive contains third-harmonic content which do not contribute for torque generation in a distributed wound motor. So, to nullify the CMC as well as the third-harmonic content the sample-averaged zero-sequence current elimination (SAZE) pulsewidth modulation (PWM) technique is proposed in this paper. Wherein, the concept of alternative clamping of the inverters is used with the generation of virtual vector to eliminate third-harmonic content and the effective time region is moved to eliminate the CMC in average sense. The detailed analysis of the proposed SAZE PWM technique is presented along with the simulation results and experimental verification.
Bringing teaching to life: Exploring innovative approaches to operations management education

Purpose – The aim of this review and of the papers in this special issue is to critically examine different approaches to teaching operations management (OM) in order to provoke and stimulate educators within the discipline.Design/methodology/approach – The papers within this special issue include empirical assessments of a problem‐based learning enterprise resource planning (ERP) simulation; a computer‐based learning tool for material requirements planning (MRP); a simulation of assembly operations; an operations strategy innovation game; an extension of the production dice game; an experiential teaching method in different class settings; and problem‐based assessment methods in OM. A variety of data are used to support these empirical studies, including survey, interview, and observational data.Findings – The papers within the special issue support the argument that OM is well‐suited to more applied methods of teaching focusing on the application of subject knowledge to real‐life situations through a va.
CHANGES IN HOUSEHOLDS EXPENDITURES STRUCTURES IN THE EUROPEAN UNION – IS THERE CONVERGENCE?

The aim of the paper is to answer the question whether convergence between households expenditures structures in the European Union exists. In order to study the phenomenon concepts of ß- and ? -convergences are applied. The research is based on data on households expenditures in the period from 1995 through 2011 provided by EUROSTAT. It covers 27 countries and 12 groups of goods and services according to the COICOP classification. The analysis of results obtained allows to record convergence of both types for majority of structure components.
Arthroscopic Knots and Strength Sutures for Rotator Cuff Repair

Most arthroscopic rotator cuff reconstruction techniques require a method of securing the tendon to the bone to obtain a stable construct. The available options include knotless technology and suture welding, but the most common method uses suture anchors and knots. Tissue quality, surgical technique, repair material, and tension overload influence the stability of tissue repair. Arthroscopic knots are technically demanding because they are tied through cannulas with long-handled knot pushers. The strength of the repair is also influenced by the suture material used. In this study, we review the state-of-the-art of arthroscopic knots and suture materials being used for arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.
Sue1p Is Required for Degradation of Labile Forms of Altered Cytochromes c in Yeast Mitochondria*

Previous studies on certain altered holo-isocytochromes c revealed a ρ–-dependent degradation (RDD) phenotype, in which certain altered holo-iso-1-cytochromes c are at normal or nearly normal levels in ρ+ strains, but are at low levels or absent in ρ– strains, although wild-type holo-iso-1-cytochrome c is present at normal levels in both ρ+ and related ρ– strains. The diminished levels of altered holo-iso-1-cytochrome c are due to the rapid degradation that is carried out by a novel proteolytic pathway in the IMS of mitochondria. SUE1, a nuclear gene that encodes a mitochondrial protein, was identified with a genetic screen for mutants that diminish RDD. The levels of RDD and certain other types of altered holo-iso-1-cytochrome c were elevated in ρ– sue1 strains. Also, ρ+ sue1 strains containing certain altered holo-iso-1-cytochromes c grew better on non-fermentable carbon sources than the corresponding ρ+ SUE1 strains. These results indicate that Sue1p may play an important role in the degradation of abnormal holo-iso-1-cytochrome c in the mitochondria.
Understanding the Policy Process: The Work of Henry Mintzberg

Do Henry Mintzberg's writings make an enduring, invaluable contribution to our understanding of the contemporary public policy process? Mintzberg argues that organizations display eight structural configurations and corresponding coordinating mechanisms. Such structural configurations are shaped by a variety of contingency factors, especially power and environmental ones. Using Mintzberg's work, eight policy modes, corresponding to structural configurations within government organizations and political systems, are identified and placed on a matrix that comprises two dimensions: standardization and centralization. Six polarities in the policy process arise from this matrix. Mintzberg's work, the paper argues, remains of enduring value because it provides a seminal framework for a richer understanding of the current policy process, by offering a contingency theory of structures and policy modes, as well as by frank acknowledgment of the protean nature of the policy process.
60 GHz Wideband High-Gain Circularly Polarized Antenna Array With Substrate Integrated Cavity Excitation

This letter presents a new wideband high-gain circularly polarized (CP) substrate integrated cavity excited antenna array for the 60 GHz applications. First, a 2 × 2-element CP array is proposed with an aperture-coupled two-arm spiral antenna as its radiating element, which can exhibit good CP radiation performance. Instead of the conventional lossy and complicated feed network, a simple but efficient excitation structure based on higher-order-mode (TE340) cavity resonance is used to feed the array. The higher-order-mode cavity feeds all of the radiating elements in the same phase and magnitude, and the resonant mode is excited by a single slot aperture. Then, the proposed 2 × 2-element CP array is used as subarray to implement a sequential-rotationally fed 4 × 4-element CP array. Measured results show that the array has a wide axial-ratio bandwidth of more than 18.8% (53–64 GHz) with a peak gain reaching 20 dBic occurring at 61 GHz. The radiation patterns of the array are generally symmetrical with its main beam fixed at boresight.
Predicting life expectancy in prostate cancer patients

Purpose of reviewDue to its long natural history, prostate cancer illustrates best the need for tools that adequately predict life expectancy. We reviewed the actual tools available for clinicians involved in therapeutic decisions in newly diagnosed prostate cancer and examined their accuracy to provide individual life expectancy. Recent findingsLife tables, comorbidity indices, and multivariate prognostic models can assist clinicians for life expectancy predictions. However, the accuracy of life tables (60.9%) and comorbidity indices (accuracy unknown) may be as weak as clinician-derived life expectancy predictions (69%). Actually, statistical models provide the highest accuracy (69–84.3%). To date, Walz et al. developed the most accurate model (84.3%), predicting the risk of death of nonprostate cancer-related causes within 10 years of definitive therapy. SummaryClinicians need the most accurate estimates of life expectancy in situations in which there is uncertainty regarding the need for aggressive local therapy. As the accuracy of clinician-derived life expectancy prediction is relatively modest, clinicians may benefit from assisted life expectancy prediction by life tables and statistical tools in their daily clinical practice. This would enhance the accuracy of the life expectancy predictions of individual candidates to definitive therapy for prostate cancer. Actually, nomograms provide the most accurate health-adjusted life expectancy prognostication.
Challenges in Analysis of Circulating Extracellular Vesicles in Human Plasma Using Nanotracking and Tunable Resistive Pulse Sensing

Aim: Extracellular vesicles (EV) are secreted from both healthy and diseased tissues and are detectable in most body fluids, where their measurement can be of prognostic/diagnostic value. We aimed to evaluate pre-analytical and analytical variables in the measurement of EV in human plasma using nanotracking analysis (NTA) and tunable resistive pulse sensing (TRPS). Method: Commercial beads (200 nm and 400 nm in diameter) and human plasma from volunteer donors were used in this study. A total of 36 bead and 175 plasma measurements were undertaken by NTA and TRPS. The preand analytical conditions tested on plasma samples were: fresh, stored for 1 day or 1 week at 4°C or -80°C. The other variables included testing of neat or pelleted EVs and choice of diluent. Results: The 200 nm and 400 nm beads, when tested alone or combined showed coefficient of variations (CV) of <10% at all dilutions. The CVs for triplicate results of plasma samples varied between 3-43%, with samples frozen for 1 week showing the least CV spread (5-15%). The EV counts from pellets or supernatants obtained after centrifugation of plasma at 21000 g for 1 h, were different to the neat samples. Although both the supernatant and pellet fractions contained EVs of approximately 100 nm in size, only the pellet contained larger vesicles of 300 nm, and only the supernatant contained vesicles <100 nm. Different EV counts were obtained for the same plasma aliquot using NTA and TRPS. Conclusions: Measurements by NTA can be performed on fresh and/or frozen samples provided similar storage and centrifugation conditions are used. The CVs for plasma samples are high indicating the need for standardized conditions. TRPS requires at least two different nanopore filters for measurements and plasma as diluent in lower chamber for optimal results. NTA and TRPS measure EVs by different approaches and the knowledge of the size range for measurement by each method is critical.
Female Autonomy and Fertility in Nepal

We explore the effect of female autonomy on individual fertility in Nepal. We find that families where wives have high level of autonomy have fewer children than other families. Using gender of the first child as a natural experiment, we also find that son preferences are present in Nepal. Moreover, the results indicate that women have more influence when the first born is a boy, compared to when the first child is a girl. We discuss policy implications with respect to the problem of excess children due to son preference.
Estimating the Term Structure of Interest Rates

This paper examines various techniques used to estimate the term structure of interest rates from the prices of government bonds; in particular comparing the current Bank of England model with two approaches suggested in the academic literature. There are two main aspects of this problem: estimating the relationship between bond yields and maturity, and the relationship between bond yields and coupon. The paper outlines how these problems are approached by the three models, and compares them on both theoretical and practical grounds. It concludes that there is a trade-off between theoretical rigour and practical considerations.
The Trade Structure of the Total Manufactured Goods: A New Perspective of Research on the RMB Real Exchange Rate Model

Different from the traditional researches only focus on the relationship between the real exchange rate and trade balance, terms of trade, gross domestic product. This paper led the relevance between real exchange rate and trade structure Balassa-Samuelson effect. From the perspective of the total manufactured goods trade structure, an empirical study was done with annual data 1981–2012 by co-integration technique. The results showed that China’s total trade structure had the co-integration relationship with the real exchange rate, and it had a more obvious effect on the incidence and model fitting. So four basic economic factors were chosen which were the variables of aggregate trade structure, trade conditions, openness, monetary supply, these constructed RMB equilibrium real exchange rate estimation model. It would give theoretical supports to exploration of RMB real exchange rate.
Meanings and Functions in Olympic Consumption: A Study of the Athens 2004 Olympic Licensed Products

Abstract This is an exploratory study of the meanings and functions of one aspect of Olympic consumption, the purchase of Olympic licensed products. More specifically, the present study attempted to examine the value Olympic licensed items hold for their owners by uncovering the meanings attached to those items. Using the Athens 2004 Summer Olympic Games as the setting, 280 consumers responded to questions regarding their reasons for purchasing Olympic licensed products as well as how they intended to use those products. Furthermore, an effort was made to assess what those products meant for their owners. The findings of this study point to the highly symbolic meanings embedded in the consumption of Olympic licensed products. The symbolic meanings revealed centered around three main themes: the Olympic Movement, national identity, and national political history and achievement. To a lesser extent, experiential and functional meanings attached to Olympic licensed items were also identified.
Re-sequencing and Analysis of Variation in the TCF 7 L 2 Gene in African Americans Suggests the SNP rs 7903146 is the Causal Diabetes Susceptibility Variant Running Title : TCF 7 L 2 in African Americans

Department of Biochemistry, Center for Human Genomics, Center for Diabetes Research, Program in Molecular Genetics and Genomics, Department of Pediatrics, Department of Biostatistical Sciences, Department of Internal Medicine, Section on Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston Salem, NC Center for Research on Genomics and Global Health, National Human Genome Research Institute, Bethesda, MD
Neuroanatomical patterns of cerebral white matter involvement in different motor neuron diseases as studied by diffusion tensor imaging analysis

Abstract This study was designed to investigate differences of white matter (WM) involvement patterns in various motor neuron disorders (MND) by use of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). DTI was acquired in ALS (n = 20), primary lateral sclerosis (n = 20), pure hereditary spastic paraparesis (HSP) (n = 20), and complicated HSP (n = 12). The data analysis was performed by voxelwise comparison of fractional anisotropy (FA) maps at group level together with fibre tracking in regions of interest (ROI) accompanied by tractwise fractional anisotropy statistics. DTI analysis revealed widespread patterns of alterations with a predominant deterioration of the motor system. These alterations encompassed, as the key structures, not only the corticospinal tracts (CST) but also distinct areas of the corpus callosum (CC), in particular its motor segment III. In conclusion, whole brain-based and tract-based DTI analysis was able to define a distinct WM pathoanatomy of different MND. These results may serve as an additional guidance in the identification of MRI-based parameters by showing a consistent CST and CC involvement, with differences in the extent of pathology, across a range of clinically different disorders. For potential future developments in MRI diagnostics in MND, a (perhaps multiparametric) ROI-based approach should include CST and the CC motor segment.
Determining the Source of Equine Bloodstains by Dinucleotide Repeats *

Abstract: A novel multiplex of independent dinucleotide tandem repeat (DTR) loci was previously described that is capable of not only discriminating human and equine DNA, but of identifying a single equine source. We report a case in which a bloodstained syringe and two needles were found during inspection of a barn by inspectors of the Pennsylvania Racing Commissions. Using the multiplex and single‐locus detection, all 21 equine DTR markers were detected in a suspect horse and two evidence samples, indicating the evidence samples came from the suspect animal. Only six markers were detected in the third evidence sample because the volume of blood was limited. Following whole‐genome amplification and single‐locus PCR, the third evidence sample detected a total of 17 markers and the likelihood of identity (probability from suspect horse/probability from a random pacer) was 7.0 × 106. The DTR multiplex has some technical limitations, but it is already practical for casework.
Linear mitochondrial plasmids of Fusarium oxysporum contain genes with sequence similarity to genes encoding a reverse transcriptase from Neurospora spp

Two linear mitochondrial plasmids called pFOXC1 and pFOXC2 from the fungus Fusarium oxysporum were previously described. DNA sequence comparisons indicated that the derived amino acid sequences of both plasmids exhibit similarity to the reverse transcriptase of the Mauriceville and Varkud plasmids of Neurospora spp. The derived amino acid sequence of pFOXC2 has 51% similarity and 32% identity to the Neurospora reverse transcriptase; sequence similarity was greatest for seven blocks of amino acids that are conserved in reverse transcriptases from a wide range of biological sources. Northern analysis suggests that full-length RNAs corresponding to the plasmids are found in representative isolates.
Lessons about parks and poverty from a decade of forest loss and economic growth around Kibale National Park, Uganda

We use field data linked to satellite image analysis to examine the relationship between biodiversity loss, deforestation, and poverty around Kibale National Park (KNP) in western Uganda, 1996–2006. Over this decade, KNP generally maintained forest cover, tree species, and primate populations, whereas neighboring communal forest patches were reduced by half and showed substantial declines in tree species and primate populations. However, a bad decade for forest outside the park proved a prosperous one for most local residents. Panel data for 252 households show substantial improvement in welfare indicators (e.g., safer water, more durable roof material), with the greatest increases found among those with highest initial assets. A combination of regression analysis and matching estimators shows that although the poor tend to be located on the park perimeter, proximity to the park has no measureable effect on growth of productive assets. The risk for land loss among the poor was inversely correlated with proximity to the park, initial farm size, and decline in adjacent communal forests. We conclude the current disproportionate presence of poor households at the edge of the park does not signal that the park is a poverty trap. Rather, Kibale appears to provide protection against desperation sales and farm loss among those most vulnerable.
Reinforcement Learning in POMDPs with Memoryless Options and Option-Observation Initiation Sets

Many real-world reinforcement learning problems have a hierarchical nature, and often exhibit some degree of partial observability. While hierarchy and partial observability are usually tackled separately (for instance by combining recurrent neural networks and options), we show that addressing both problems simultaneously is simpler and more efficient in many cases. More specifically, we make the initiation set of options conditional on the previously-executed option, and show that options with such Option-Observation Initiation Sets (OOIs) are at least as expressive as Finite State Controllers (FSCs), a state-of-the-art approach for learning in POMDPs. OOIs are easy to design based on an intuitive description of the task, lead to explainable policies and keep the top-level and option policies memoryless. Our experiments show that OOIs allow agents to learn optimal policies in challenging POMDPs, while being much more sample-efficient than a recurrent neural network over options.
Has the Instability of Personal Incomes been Increasing?

This paper examines trends in the instability of personal incomes in Britain in terms of changes in the transitory variance and in volatility, measures that have received much recent attention in research about the USA. It is shown that, although US measures have trended upwards over the past two decades, there is no such trend in Britain between the early-1990s and the mid-2000s. Explanations for these differences are discussed.