Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Meta-Regression Methods for Detecting and Estimating Empirical Effects in the Presence of Publication Selection

This study investigates the small‐sample performance of meta‐regression methods for detecting and estimating genuine empirical effects in research literatures tainted by publication selection. Publication selection exists when editors, reviewers or researchers have a preference for statistically significant results. Meta‐regression methods are found to be robust against publication selection. Even if a literature is dominated by large and unknown misspecification biases, precision‐effect testing and joint precision‐effect and meta‐significance testing can provide viable strategies for detecting genuine empirical effects. Publication biases are greatly reduced by combining two biased estimates, the estimated meta‐regression coefficient on precision (1/Se) and the unadjusted‐average effect.
Non‐parametric identification and estimation of the number of components in multivariate mixtures

We analyse the identifiability of the number of components in k‐variate, M‐component finite mixture models in which each component distribution has independent marginals, including models in latent class analysis. Without making parametric assumptions on the component distributions, we investigate how one can identify the number of components from the distribution function of the observed data. When k≥2, a lower bound on the number of components (M) is non‐parametrically identifiable from the rank of a matrix constructed from the distribution function of the observed variables. Building on this identification condition, we develop a procedure to estimate a lower bound on the number of components consistently.
Finding the Benefits: Estimating the Impact of the South African Child Support Grant

The paper estimates the impact of the South African Child Support Grant (CSG) on child health, nutrition and education. Data from the 2008 South African National Income Dynamics Study (NIDS) are used. Two non-experimental treatment evaluation techniques, both relying on propensity scores, are applied to six different outcome variables. Using propensity score matching with a binary outcome variable, no convincing evidence of improvements on any of the outcome variables is found. A second technique is therefore also applied, using a generalised form of the propensity scores. This follows the approach of Hirano and Imbens (2004) and Aguero et al. (2009). The generalised approach estimates a positive treatment effect for children’s height-for-age and progress through the school system. Although these estimates do provide some evidence of the positive effect of the Child Support Grant on the lives of children, the estimates are small and do not provide clear evidence that the transfers received by caregivers are spent mainly on improving the well-being of beneficiary children. Some potential and plausible explanations for this result are discussed in the paper. Nevertheless, the findings seem to suggest that some of the cash transferred through the Child Support Grant appears to be spent on improving the well-being of children.
Economic'Le*er'S e-. A Fragmentation Indicator for Euro Area Sovereign Bond Markets

This Letter presents a simple indicator which can be used to monitor fragmentation in euro area sovereign bond markets. The indicator is a moving average cross-correlation of bond yield log returns between Germany and other euro area countries. We suggest that a lower correlation implies greater market fragmentation. We do not distinguish between fragmentation based on fundamentals and that based on market sentiment, although we expect sentiment to play a key role. We compare the simple indicator to a bivariate dynamic conditional correlation (DCC) GARCH estimate which accounts for heteroskedasticity. The estimates indicate that the core countries decouple from Germany and then re-attach, whereas the peripheral countries remain fragmented during the entire sample period.
After-School Program Effects on Behavior: Results from the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program National Evaluation

This paper presents evidence on after-school programs effects on behavior from the national evaluation of the U.S. Department of Educations 21st Century Community Learning Centers after-school program. Findings come from both of the studys components: (1) an elementary school component based on random assignment of 2,308 students in 12 school districts and (2) a middle school component based on a matched comparison design including 4,264 students in 32 districts. Key findings include higher levels of negative behavior for elementary students and some evidence of higher levels of negative behaviors for middle school students. (JEL I21)
Small & Medium Gold & Fashion Enterprises (SMEs) in Arezzo, Italy: Competitive Challenges and Strategic Implications

ABSTRACT This paper provides some empirical evidence on organizational characteristics and strategies of firms in the Italian gold and fashion industries. The analysis is based on a data set of three SME clusters in Arezzo (a city and province in Tuscany, Italy, southeast of Florence) which led us to the identification of two main alternative strategies which can be implemented when facing the new global competition: a firm-centered brand strategy and an outsourcing strategy (a supply alliance with co-branding possibilities with one or more large Italian firms). We analyzed the resources and competencies of firms that adopted different export marketing strategies and further explored the relationship between strategic choices and performance of participating firms (measured in terms of growth, innovation, and export capabilities). The results show that the choice of a strategy is strongly influenced by the ability of SMEs to respond to changes in consumer behavior and competition, and that some variables significantly affect performance. Both strategies can be effective, and in some cases it is suggested to follow the middle of the road competitive approach: combining the two strategies, exporting own brand directly to the end markets and collaborating with a large firm in order to achieve a sustainable and significant competitive advantage.
Employment in Poland 2011 - Poverty and jobs

It is with great pleasure that we present the seventh edition of ‘Employment in Poland’. This edition is devoted to the issue of poverty. Growth of prosperity is not distributed evenly among the Polish citizens, and some of them still cannot satisfy even basic needs. The improvement of an overall economic situation reduces risk of poverty in general. However, in case the risk occurs, efficient and effective support measures should be provided. First part of the report defines poverty, and explains the extent of the connection with such phenomena as economic deprivation or social exclusion. It is vital, as the exact criterion of poverty is ambiguous. Having discussed these issues, we elaborate on the characteristics of poverty in Poland as compared to those observed in other Member States of the European Union, as well as their regional and local dimensions. The key element of this part is to determine the causes of poverty, i.e. to what extent poverty results from the features of national and regional economy, and to what extent from individual characteristics of people. The topics introduced in this part form background for subsequent parts of the report. The second part is devoted to the poverty of certain social groups such as elderly, children, unemployed and rural. Conducted analyses allow to dispel some of the myths in this matter, as well as to bring out the characteristics that are particularly important from the perspective of creating the support instruments for groups that are at risk of poverty. The issue of poverty among children is scrutinised from the intergenerational perspective, and its determinants and possible measures of preventing the phenomenon are discussed. The third part focuses on relations between income inequalities and situation on the labour market. In this part changes in distribution of wages in Poland are confronted with the poverty dynamics. They are supplemented with a reflection on the impact on poverty exerted by changes in the Polish society, including (but not limited to) those concerning household structure or economic activity of women. The phenomenon of so called working poor is also scrutinised here. We determine, inter alia, whether the characteristics of household or of work performed are more important causes of in-work poverty. We also elaborate on the question if situation of poor households is persistent or low-paid employment enables them to get out of poverty. The fourth part discusses available tools and instruments to fight the poverty. The state of affairs described in first three parts allows to take a closer look on efficiency and effectiveness of social policy measures applied in Poland, both tax and benefit based. Special attention is drawn to the issue of financial support of families with children as an element of social and demographic policy. The key features of this part are simulations of the impact of hypothetical changes in currently functioning system on rate of poverty in Poland. The recommendations for public policy constitute the summary of the report.
On Pricing Barrier Options

Pricing and hedging barrier options using a binomial lattice can be quite delicate. If the barrier is not constant, or if there are multiple barriers, then in all likelihood binomial lattices will produce erroneous answers even when a large number of time steps are used. While in some cases the time partitions of the binomial method can be carefully chosen so as to reduce the bias, for many barrier contracts more efficient procedures exist. This article explains how a very simple and extremely efficient trinomial lattice procedure can be used to price and hedge most types of exotic barriers.
Kinetic Investigation of Chemokine Truncation by CD26/Dipeptidyl Peptidase IV Reveals a Striking Selectivity within the Chemokine Family*

Chemokines coordinate many aspects of leukocyte migration. As chemoattractants they play an important role in the innate and acquired immune response. There is good experimental evidence that N-terminal truncation by secreted or cell surface proteases is a way of modulating chemokine action. The localization of CD26/dipeptidyl peptidase IV on cell surfaces and in biological fluids, its primary specificity, and the type of naturally occurring truncated chemokines are consistent with such a function. We determined the steady-state catalytic parameters for a relevant selection of chemokines (CCL3b, CCL5, CCL11, CCL22, CXCL9, CXCL10, CXCL11, and CXCL12) previously reported to alter their chemotactic behavior due to CD26/dipeptidyl peptidase IV-catalyzed truncation. The results reveal a striking selectivity for stromal cell-derived factor-1α (CXCL12) and macrophage-derived chemokine (CCL22). The kinetic parameters support the hypothesis that CD26/dipeptidyl peptidase IV contributes to the degradation of certain chemokinesin vivo. The data not only provide insight into the selectivity of the enzyme for specific chemokines, but they also contribute to the general understanding of CD26/dipeptidyl peptidase IV secondary substrate specificity.
Price efficiency in tuna fish marketing in Sri Lanka - An application of cointegration approach

The intention of this study was to investigate whether the tuna fish markets in Sri Lanka were integrated to bring efficiency in the marketing system. The empirical analysis of this paper was based on time series monthly data of tuna fish prices in selected wholesale and retail fish markets in Colombo, Kalutara and Kandy during the time period of 2000 to 2004. The bivariate price series correlation and Engle-Granger test were used to analyze the market cointegration for Sri Lanka tuna fish markets. The Augmented Dickey Fuller (ADF) test was applied to test the stationary of the price series. To check the short run dynamics of fish markets the Error correction model was applied. The bivariate correlation coefficients for six selected market pairs ranged between 0.403 and 0.85. The highest correlation coefficient value (r) was observed from the market pair of Colombo and Kalutara retail markets. The lowest 'r' value was observed from the market pair of Colombo and Kandy wholesale markets. All the selected six tuna fish markets price series were found to be non-stationary when ADF test was carried out. The results revealed that the price series for tuna fish prices in the selected six markets were stationary after first difference. The cointegration test and error correction model revealed that all the selected tuna fish markets in Sri Lanka were integrated and showed short run stability. In this case the results revealed that the tuna fish markets in Sri Lanka were somewhat competitive. But, further, government intervention needs to improve competitiveness of tuna fish marketing and to enhance the market efficiency. DOI: 10.4038/sljas.v11i0. 2220 Sri Lanka J. Aquat. Sci. 11 (2006): 21-26
Decision tree analysis and real options: a reconciliation

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate in a simple framework how decision tree analysis (DTA) and real options approach (ROA) yield the same results when markets are complete. The common scepticism regarding DTA has its roots in the incorrect assumption that one can apply the same discount rate to the project cash flows and the value of the investment opportunity when the decision maker has the option to defer investment. Copyright (C) 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stability of Transition Densities

Application of continuous-time models for changes in the short-term interest rate amounts to specifying a corresponding transition density for interest rates. The author empirically evaluates the time series of transition densities obtained from popular interest rate models when implied parameter estimates from the options markets are used. The integrated absolute difference between transition densities obtained in successive periods provides a convenient method to evaluate out-of-sample performance of a model. The procedure is used to evaluate four competing modes with the data from the Eurodollar futures and options market for the period 1985–1999.
Shape Retrieval With Geometrically Characterized Contour Partitions

This paper proposes a new computational method for retrieving shapes under unpredictable conditions such as when occlusion, geometric distortion, and differences in image resolution occur simultaneously. The human visual system retrieves shapes from incomplete information in the real world, and it has inspired a lot of computational methods of retrieving shapes. In order to retrieve shapes, the observed shapes are decided to be alike or unlike remembered shapes in memory after the comparison of these shapes. To compare the observed and remembered shapes, they must first be appropriately represented so that the points on each shape can be mapped and compared. For this reason, the shape retrieval process needs an appropriate shape representation and shape mapping methods. Moreover, the shape representations should be normalized before the mapping process. However, a normalization process for representations under unpredictable conditions has not yet been established. In this paper, we describe a shape retrieval method that enables us to retrieve shapes under unpredictable conditions with a suitable normalization process. Using curvature partition and angle-length profile, our shape retrieval method normalizes the shape representation before it does the mapping. As a result, unlike the previously proposed methods, it can be used under unpredictable conditions such as when occlusion, geometric distortion, and differences in image resolution occur simultaneously.
Improved activity and stability of lysozyme at the water/CH2CI2 interface: enzyme unfolding and aggregation and its prevention by polyols

Protein inactivation and aggregation at the water/CH2CI2 interface is one of the most detrimental events hindering the encapsulation of structurally unperturbed proteins into poly(lactide‐co‐glycolide) (PLG) microspheres for their clinical application as sustained release dosage forms. We have investigated the inactivation and aggregation of the model protein hen egg‐white lysozyme at this interface and devised methods to prevent both events. When lysozyme was exposed to a large water/CH2CI2 interface achieved by homogenization, lysozyme aggregation occurred. Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic data demonstrated that the aggregates formed contained intermolecular β‐sheets. The aggregates were of a non‐covalent nature because they slowly dissolved in D2O and the IR spectral bands typical for the intermolecular β‐sheets disappeared at approximately 1617 and 1690 cm−1. The observed loss in specific enzyme activity of soluble lysozyme was caused by the irreversible formation of an unfolded lysozyme species, which was found to be monomeric, and was able to leave the water/CH2CI2 interface and accumulate in the aqueous phase. Polyols were, in a concentration dependent fashion, efficient in ameliorating lysozyme unfolding and aggregation. However, prevention of lysozyme aggregation and activity loss in the various samples were unrelated. Thus, polyols must work by more than one mechanism preventing the two events. For the first time, an excipient effect on the conformational stability of lysozyme has been excluded from contributing to the prevention of lysozyme unfolding and aggregation.
Energy Conservation in Wireless Sensor Networks: A Review

A wireless sensor network consists of a large number of sensor nodes which are deployed over an area to perform local computations based on information gathered from the surroundings. Each node in the network consists of a battery, but it is very difficult to change or recharge batteries. So the question is how to enhance the lifetime of the network to such a long time. Therefore, in order to maximize the lifetime of the network, the consumption of energy must be minimized. This is an important challenge in sensor networks as sensors can not be easily replaced or recharged due to their ad-hoc deployment in hazardous environment. In this paper, the main techniques used for energy conservation in sensor networks are discussed which include duty cycling scheme, data driven approaches, mobility-based schemes, energy efficient MAC protocols and node self scheduling scheme. These schemes can be used to improve the energy efficiency of the wireless sensor network so that the network can work with greater efficiency and high battery lifetime.
Stakeholders’ Perceptions of Youth Justice: Perspectives from the Frontlines

Little research that addresses Canada’s Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA) has explored or utilized the rich perspectives of key front-line stakeholders in the youth criminal justice system. The direct experiences of these youth justice workers, who daily interact with young offenders, their families, other justice system providers, outside agencies, and the general community, contain valuable insights that might meaningfully contribute to discussions of the effectiveness of the YCJA, and its Restorative Justice approach, as implemented in both custodial and community-based justice settings. For the purpose of gathering the perspectives and opinions of such front-line justice workers, a selected sample of professionals currently employed within the youth justice system (two youth workers, two probation officers specializing in young offenders, two restorative justice caseworkers, and a police officer), was obtained. Individual interviews were held in semi-structured, audio-taped sessions. Recorded interviews were subsequently transcribed and analyzed utilizing a discovery based, cross comparative qualitative approach. Data was coded at three levels, in a process of increasing refinement through thematic and conceptual organization, that led to the development of the following descriptive and representative categories: Young Offender Backgrounds and Needs; Stakeholder Roles and Responsibilities; Current Youth Justice; and Recommendations for Youth Justice and Services. Findings of this research reflect deep commitment and investment on the part of interviewed stakeholders and their general support of the Youth Criminal Justice Act. Stakeholders, however, did identify areas of critical professional concern and offered
Lipopolysaccharide Prevents Doxorubicin-Induced Apoptosis in RAW 264.7 Macrophage Cells by Inhibiting p53 Activation

The effect of lipopolysaccharide on doxorubicin-induced cell death was studied by using mouse RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. Pretreatment with lipopolysaccharide at 10 ng/mL prevented doxorubicin-induced cell death and the inhibition was roughly dependent on the concentration of lipopolysaccharide. Posttreatment with lipopolysaccharide for 1 hour also prevented doxorubicin-induced cell death. Lipopolysaccharide inhibited DNA fragmentation and caspase-3 activation in doxorubicin-treated RAW 264.7 cells, suggesting the prevention of doxorubicin-induced apoptosis. Lipopolysaccharide did not significantly inhibit doxorubicin-induced DNA damage detected by single-cell gel electrophoresis (comet) assay. Lipopolysaccharide definitely inhibited the stabilization and nuclear translocation of p53 in doxorubicin-treated RAW 264.7 cells. Lipopolysaccharide, as well as being an inhibitor of p53, abolished doxorubicin-induced apoptosis. Therefore, p53 was suggested to play a pivotal role in the prevention of doxorubicin-induced apoptosis in RAW 264.7 cells by lipopolysaccharide.
Fractional advection‐dispersion equations for modeling transport at the Earth surface

[1] Characterizing the collective behavior of particle transport on the Earth surface is a key ingredient in describing landscape evolution. We seek equations that capture essential features of transport of an ensemble of particles on hillslopes, valleys, river channels, or river networks, such as mass conservation, superdiffusive spreading in flow fields with large velocity variation, or retardation due to particle trapping. Development of stochastic partial differential equations such as the advection-dispersion equation (ADE) begins with assumptions about the random behavior of a single particle: possible velocities it may experience in a flow field and the length of time it may be immobilized. When assumptions underlying the ADE are relaxed, a fractional ADE (fADE) can arise, with a non-integer-order derivative on time or space terms. Fractional ADEs are nonlocal; they describe transport affected by hydraulic conditions at a distance. Space fractional ADEs arise when velocity variations are heavy tailed and describe particle motion that accounts for variation in the flow field over the entire system. Time fractional ADEs arise as a result of power law particle residence time distributions and describe particle motion with memory in time. Here we present a phenomenological discussion of how particle transport behavior may be parsimoniously described by a fADE, consistent with evidence of superdiffusive and subdiffusive behavior in natural and experimental systems.