Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Institutions, the Cost of Capital, and Long-Run Economic Growth: Evidence from the 19th Century Capital Market

Late 19th century investors demanded compensation to invest in countries with poor institutional protection of property rights. Using the monthly stock returns of 1,808 firms located in 43 countries but traded in London between 1866 and 1907, we estimate the country-specific cost of capital. We find a negative relationship between institutions that protect property rights and capital costs. Firms located in countries with weak institutions were charged a premium compared to similarly risky firms located in countries with strong institutions, and this penalty appeared to be costly in terms of future growth. Countries that paid a premium for borrowing in London during this period grew more slowly after 1913 and are poorer today. We thus identify the capital market as a channel through which strong institutions promote growth.
Design optimization of high frequency transformer for dual active bridge DC-DC converter

This paper presents a design optimization procedure for high frequency transformer (HFT) employed in bidirectional dual active bridge (DAB) isolated DC-DC converter. It is shown that leakage inductance, phase-shifted angle, skin and proximity effects have to be taken into account together with the HFT voltage-ampere rating to minimize total losses. It is also demonstrated that the leakage inductance required for zero voltage switching operation can be realized under the proposed design procedure without employing extra inductor. The proposed design methodology is experimentally validated by measurements on a prototype HFT.
Ex Vivo Activity Quantification in Micrometastases at the Cellular Scale Using the α-Camera Technique

Targeted α-therapy (TAT) appears to be an ideal therapeutic technique for eliminating malignant circulating, minimal residual, or micrometastatic cells. These types of malignancies are typically infraclinical, complicating the evaluation of potential treatments. This study presents a method of ex vivo activity quantification with an α-camera device, allowing measurement of the activity taken up by tumor cells in biologic structures a few tens of microns. Methods: We examined micrometastases from a murine model of ovarian carcinoma after injection of a radioimmunoconjugate labeled with 211At for TAT. At different time points, biologic samples were excised and cryosectioned. The activity level and the number of tumor cells were determined by combined information from 2 adjacent sections: one exposed to the α-camera and the other stained with hematoxylin and eosin. The time–activity curves for tumor cell clusters, comprising fewer than 10 cells, were derived for 2 different injected activities (6 and 1 MBq). Results: High uptake and good retention of the radioimmunoconjugate were observed at the surface of tumor cells. Dosimetric calculations based on the measured time-integrated activity indicated that for an injected activity of 1 MBq, isolated tumor cells received at least 12 Gy. In larger micrometastases (≤100 μm in diameter), the activity uptake per cell was lower, possibly because of hindered penetration of radiolabeled antibodies; however, the mean absorbed dose delivered to tumor cells was above 30 Gy, due to cross-fire irradiation. Conclusion: Using the α-camera, we developed a method of ex vivo activity quantification at the cellular scale, which was further applied to characterize the behavior of a radiolabeled antibody administered in vivo against ovarian carcinoma. This study demonstrated a reliable measurement of activity. This method of activity quantification, based on experimentally measured data, is expected to improve the relevance of small-scale dosimetry studies and thus to accelerate the optimization of TAT.
Health insurance and third party administrators: Issues and challenges

With the growth of private voluntary insurance in the unregulated healthcare market, costs of healthcare are likely to go up. Managed care organisations in many developed countries play important role in containing costs. The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) has paved the way for insurance intermediaries such as third part administrators (TPAs) which are going to play pivotal role in setting up managed care systems. TPAs have been set -up with the objective of ensuring better services to policyholders and mitigate some of the negative consequences of private health insurance. However, given the demand and supply side complexities of private health insurance and health care markets, insurance intermediaries face challenging tasks to achieve these objectives. Right in the early stages of its development IRDA has defined the role of TPAs to manage claims and reimbursements. Their role in controlling costs of health care and ensuring appropriate quality of care remains less defined.
Effects of intergroup and interpersonal context, and individuals' appraisal of their in-group on the intragroup comparison process

The present study examined whether individuals’ endorsement of intergroup context moderates the social comparison process not only in the intergroup upward comparison condition, but also in the downward comparison condition, by experimentally manipulating the direction of intergroup comparison and interpersonal comparison for participants who appraise their in-group as high or low. As predicted, participants who appraise their in-group as high showed reflection processes in the intergroup upward comparison condition, but comparison processes in the intergroup downward comparison condition because of their endorsement of their in-group position. In contrast, participants who appraised their in-group as low showed comparison processes in the intergroup upward comparison condition, but reflection processes in the intergroup downward comparison condition. These results imply that the interplay between intergroup context and individuals’ internal factors affect intragroup comparison processes.
Phenology of flowering and starch accumulation in grape (Vitis vinifera L.) cuttings and vines.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS A reliable protocol for flowering and fruiting in cuttings was developed with the aim of (a) studying inflorescence and flower development in grapevine cuttings and field plants, and (b) assisting haploid plant production. METHODS Inflorescence and flower development was studied in 'Gewurztraminer' (GW) and 'Pinot Noir' (PN) grape vines and cuttings grown in a glasshouse, along with variations in starch in the flowers. As there is a strong relationship between flower development and starch, the starch content of reproductive structures was estimated. KEY RESULTS Inflorescence and flower development were similar in the vines and cuttings with consistent differences between the two cultivars. Indeed, the ontogenesis of male and female organs is not synchronous in GW and PN, with both female and male meiosis occurring earlier in PN than in GW. Moreover, changes of starch reserves were similar in the two plant types. CONCLUSIONS Cuttings have a similar reproductive physiology to vines, and can be used to study grape physiology and to develop haploid plants.
An Investigation of the Relationship Between Retention in First Grade and Performance on High Stakes Tests in Third Grade

The association between grade retention in first grade and passing the third grade state accountability tests, the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) reading and math, was investigated in a sample of 769 students who were recruited into the study when they were in first grade. Of these 769 students, 165 were retained in first grade and 604 were promoted. Using propensity matching, we created five imputed datasets (average N = 321) in which promoted and retained students were matched on 67 comprehensive covariates. Using GEE models, we obtained the association between retention and passing the third grade TAKS reading and math tests. The positive association between retention and math scores was significant, whereas the association was marginally significant for reading scores.
Multidrug efflux systems in Gram-negative bacteria

Multidrug efflux mechanisms in bacteria contribute significantly to intrinsic and acquired resistance to antimicrobial agents. Genome analysis have confirmed the broad distribution of these systems in Gramnegative as well as in Gram-positive bacteria. Among resistance mechanisms, the multidrug efflux system or pump deserves special attention, since a cell that has acquired it can simultaneously diminish or even suppress the susceptibility to a wide range of antimicrobials. The efflux system is mediated by transport proteins which confer resistance to toxic compounds. In Gram-negative bacteria, a tripartite efflux system is necessary to expel the drug to the outer medium: a protein localized in the cytoplasmic membrane; another in the periplasmatic space (membrane fusion protein – MFP); and a third in the outer membrane (outer membrane factor – OMF). The drug transport is active, and depends either on the energy provided by ATP hydrolysis or is directly driven by the proton motive force. The transport proteins are grouped in families, according to the homology of the amino acid sequences and to similarity of mechanisms. Among Gram-negative bacteria, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa have most of the hitherto identified and studied multidrug efflux systems.
Properties of PSE-2 beta-lactamase and genetic basis for its production in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

The properties of PSE-2 beta-lactamase have been examined by using two new PSE-2-producing plasmids, pMG33 and pMG74, as well as plasmid R151, found in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. PSE-2 beta-lactamase resembled other PSE enzymes in activity against carbenicillin, but it also resembled OXA enzymes, such as OXA-1, in rapid hydrolysis of oxacillin, cloxacillin, and methicillin and in inhibition by sodium chloride but not by cloxacillin. Antisera that inactivated TEM-1, TEM-2, OXA-1, or PSE-1 and PSE-4 beta-lactamase failed to cross-react with PSE-2, which thus appears to be immunologically distinct. The plasmids determining PSE-2 varied in geographical origin, size, transfer proficiency, and incompatibility specificity, but all determined resistance to carbenicillin, gentamicin, kanamycin, streptomycin, spectinomycin, sulfonamide, and tobramycin. From a pUZ8-R151 recombinant plasmid in Escherichia coli, the PSE-2 beta-lactamase gene could be transposed to a second plasmid in a 6.4-megadalton unit together with resistance to gentamicin, kanamycin, streptomycin, spectinomycin, sulfonamide, and tobramycin. Transposition was recA independent. We propose the designation Tn1404 for this unit, which, like transposons carrying OXA-1, PSE-1, PSE-4, and some transposons determining TEM-1, includes genes for beta-lactam, aminoglycoside, and sulfonamide resistance.
Impact of the North American Free Trade Agreement on high-fructose corn syrup supply in Canada: a natural experiment using synthetic control methods

BACKGROUND: Critics of free trade agreements have argued that they threaten public health, as they eliminate barriers to trade in potentially harmful products, such as sugar. Here we analyze the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), testing the hypothesis that lowering tariffs on food and beverage syrups that contain high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) increased its use in foods consumed in Canada. METHODS: We used supply data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations to assess changes in supply of caloric sweeteners including HFCS after NAFTA. We estimate the impact of NAFTA on supply of HFCS in Canada using an innovative, quasi-experimental methodology — synthetic control methods — that creates a control group with which to compare Canada’s outcomes. Additional robustness tests were performed for sample, control groups and model specification. RESULTS: Tariff reductions in NAFTA coincided with a 41.6 (95% confidence interval 25.1 to 58.2) kilocalorie per capita daily increase in the supply of caloric sweeteners including HFCS. This change was not observed in the control groups, including Australia and the United Kingdom, as well as a composite control of 16 countries. Results were robust to placebo tests and additional sensitivity analyses. INTERPRETATION: NAFTA was strongly associated with a marked rise in HFCS supply and likely consumption in Canada. Our study provides evidence that even a seemingly modest change to product tariffs in free trade agreements can substantially alter population-wide dietary behaviour and exposure to risk factors.
Metagenome of the Siberian Underground Water Reservoir

ABSTRACT We report on the metagenome of a deep subsurface aquifer in the Tomsk region of Russia, sampled via an oil exploration borehole drilled to a depth of 2.8 km. Methanogenic archaea were present in the water along with members of various bacterial phyla, including Firmicutes, Chloroflexi, Bacteroidetes, Ignavibacteriae, and uncultured candidate divisions.
LPA5 receptor plays a role in pain sensitivity, emotional exploration and reversal learning

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a bioactive lipid acting on the nervous system through at least 6 different G protein‐coupled receptors. In this study, we examined mice lacking the LPA5 receptor using an extensive battery of behavioral tests. LPA5‐deficient mice showed decreased pain sensitivity in tail withdrawal, faster recovery in one inflammatory pain procedure (complete Freund's adjuvant‐induced inflammation) and attenuated responses under specific neuropathic pain conditions. Notably, deletion of LPA5 also induced nocturnal hyperactivity and reduced anxiety in the mutant mice. Several exploratory tasks revealed signs of reduced anxiety in LPA5 knockout mice including increased visits to the arena center and reduced thigmotaxis in the open field, and more open arm entries in the elevated plus maze. Finally, LPA5 knockout mice also displayed marked reduction in social exploration, although several other tests indicated that these mice were able to respond normally to environmental stimuli. While learning and memory performance was not impaired in LPA5‐deficient mice, we found differences, e.g., targeted swim strategy and reversal learning, as well as scheduled appetitive conditioning that might indicate differential motivational behavior. These results imply that LPA5 might be involved in both nociception and mechanisms of pain hypersensitivity, as well as in anxiety‐related and motivational behaviors. These observations further support the proposed involvement of LPA signaling in psychopathology.
Assessment of Spike Activity in the Supraoptic Nucleus

Novel approaches to the characterization of coding carried by spike trains are discussed. Measuring firing frequency alone may only partially reflect spike patterning, and can only quantify changes of the most obvious kind. We have devised a method that combines probabilistic and information approaches to quantify the variability of the interspike intervals in a way that is independent of spike frequency. To illustrate the technique, the firing of an oxytocin cell and a vasopressin cell were compared before and after osmotic stimulation. A bimodal lognormal function was fitted to the interspike interval histograms. The entropy of the log interval histogram was used to measure the variability of intervals and to reflect the coding capacity of the cell per spike. A perfect metronome shows no variability in interval and thus has no greater coding capacity than is conveyed by its frequency, whereas the variability of intervals of magnocellular neurones means that their irregular activity has greater potential for coding. While the mean spike frequency increased in both the oxytocin and vasopressin cells in response to osmotic stimulation, the changes in their irregularity showed differences. Osmotic stimulation reduced the entropy of the oxytocin cell, reflecting an increase in the regularity of its spike activity. Conversely, osmotic stimulation had little effect on the entropy of the vasopressin cell. Such differences are not evident from a simple inspection of ratemeter activity. The comparison highlights the limitations of mean spike frequency as a measure of spike coding. Parameters based on the interspike intervals constitute informative measures of spike activity that allow objective comparisons to be made between the activity under different physiological conditions.
An operation planning method for a demand-bus system based on local search of autonomous agents

In this paper, we propose an agent-based operation planning method for a demand bus system which is one of the on-demand transportation systems. It is necessary to solve a passengers assignment problem and a routing problem in real time in operating the demand bus system. In this paper, we propose an agent-based operation planning algorithm for the online problem. In the proposed method, an agent for each bus finds a set of routes by its local search, and selects a route by a cooperation of agents. By computational experiments, we examine an effectiveness of the proposed method.
The application of network-based GIS tools to investigate spatial variations in the provision of sporting facilities

ABSTRACT Methods whereby access to facilities can be captured in order to support national policies geared towards promoting sports participation and help plan the provision of local facilities are urgently needed. Objective measures derived from the use of Geographical Information Systems can be used to gain an understanding of spatial variations in the location and quality of sporting infrastructure. The aim of this study is to draw on a recreational database for Wales to demonstrate the benefits of ‘enhanced two-step floating catchment area’ techniques for gaining a wider understanding of variations in potential demand for sport facilities in the light of available supply. A practical demonstration showing how such tools can be used to examine variations in provision in relation to potential demand arising from targeted demographic groups is illustrated using the case study of spatial access to lawn bowling greens, an increasingly popular leisure pursuit in Wales.
Information and Cross-Border Equity Holdings

This paper studies, both theoretically and empirically, dispersion in cross-border equity holdings. We propose a rational expectations equilibrium model in which agents have information about asset specific and/or common components of stocks' payoffs. The model produces closed-form solutions for asset prices and investor holdings (positions). A numerical analysis can generate home bias levels similar to those found in existing studies as well as reverse home bias (i.e., investors from one country overweigh stocks from another country). The last section of the paper analyzes cross-border mutual fund holdings of 5,781 stocks from 21 developed countries. We create a proxy variable for the degree of asset specific information about a stock and another proxy for the degree of common component information. Double sorting stocks using our information proxies produces ownership dispersion similar to that implied by the model. In regression analysis, our information proxies explain holding levels even after including variables that have previously been linked to home bias.
Terawatt x-ray free-electron-laser optimization by transverse electron distribution shaping

© Published by the American Physical Society. We study the dependence of the peak power of a 1.5 A Terawatt (TW), tapered x-ray free-electron laser (FEL) on the transverse electron density distribution. Multidimensional optimization schemes for TW hard x-ray free-electron lasers are applied to the cases of transversely uniform and parabolic electron beam distributions and compared to a Gaussian distribution. The optimizations are performed for a 200 m undulator and a resonant wavelength of λr=1.5A using the fully three-dimensional FEL particle code genesis. The study shows that the flatter transverse electron distributions enhance optical guiding in the tapered section of the undulator and increase the maximum radiation power from a maximum of 1.56 TW for a transversely Gaussian beam to 2.26 TW for the parabolic case and 2.63 TW for the uniform case. Spectral data also shows a 30%-70% reduction in energy deposited in the sidebands for the uniform and parabolic beams compared with a Gaussian. An analysis of the transverse coherence of the radiation shows the coherence area to be much larger than the beam spotsize for all three distributions, making coherent diffraction imaging experiments possible.
Impact of online consumer ratings on mobile app demand

People can now freely interact online in order to gather and share information about products and services. Consequently, it becomes very important for firms to understand how these developments shape demand. Online consumer ratings are an evaluative, numerical form of eWOM that reduces the information asymmetry for current and potential customers on the Internet and is thus expected to impact sales. Because of this, several studies have investigated their effect on demand since it is still not clear the extent to which their valence, volume and/or dispersion affect product sales. This dissertation studies the impact of online consumer ratings on demand by determining the effects of valence and volume of mobile apps ratings on sales at two online stores, in the last trimester of 2015. Additionally, it also investigates the potentially moderating effects of apps characteristics, namely perceived hedonicity, thereby making a novel contribution to the topic. Consequently, 360 surveys were collected to assess numerically the apps’ perceived hedonicity. Furthermore, ratings and publicly available data of 250 apps was collected from Google Play and Amazon App Store to be evaluated in a regression analysis. The results show that the volume is what matter on apps’ demand since the average rating was not significant in the regressions. Therefore, firms should focus on increasing the number of ratings regardless of the valence. Still, the hedonic/utilitarian concept is a moderator for the average rating and the volume, thus the more hedonic the app the fewer will be impact of both variables on sales.
Measuring Commuters’ Satisfaction: The Case of Railway Passengers in Bangladesh

This study examined the relationship between railway service quality attributes and customer satisfaction based on passenger perception and expectation. The study employed a survey research design to collect data from the participants to investigate the relationship among service quality attributes and commuter satisfaction. All hypotheses were tested using correlation and regression analysis. To explore the extent of gap between customer expectation and their perceived value, we compared each value difference between all 22-item expectations and perceptions to arrive at a conclusion for the level of quality. The results of this study indicated that service quality was an important antecedent of customer satisfaction. All tested hypotheses were found to be statistically significant and all service quality dimensions were either strongly or moderately correlated with commuter satisfaction. In all of the service quality dimensions the expectations of the commuters exceeded their perceptions.