Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
HOW BIG SHOULD GOVERNMENT BE?

The appropriate size and role of government depend on the deadweight burden caused by incremental transfers of funds from the private sector. The magnitude of that burden depends on the increases in tax rates required to raise incremental revenue and on the deadweight loss that results from higher tax rates. Both components depend on the full range of behavioral responses of taxpayers to increases in tax rates. The first part of this paper explains why the official method of revenue estimation used by the Treasury and the Congress underestimates the tax rate increases required to raise additional revenue. This is closely related to the ongoing debate about the use of "dynamic" revenue estimation. The second part of the paper emphasizes that the deadweight burden caused by a tax rate increase depends not only on the response of labor force participation and average working hours but also on other dimensions of labor supply, on the forms in which compensation is paid, on the individuals' spending on tax-favored (deductible or excludable) forms of consumption, and on the intertemporal allocation of consumption. Recent econometric work implies that the deadweight burden caused by incremental taxation (the marginal excess burden) may exceed one dollar per dollar of revenue raised, making the cost of incremental government spending more than two dollars for each dollar of government spending.
The Potential Use of a Food-Dyeing Plant Peristrophe bivalvis (L.) Merr. in Northern Vietnam

An investigation on the current usage status and experience in using Peristrophe bivalvis (L.) Merr. was conducted in the mountainous region of Northern Vietnam. Five varieties were collected and recorded as a source of foodstuff-dyeing and medicinal plants on indigenous knowledge of ethnic minorities in the study area, of which, three varieties were dyed purple, one red and one yellow-orange; with two varieties being used for the treatment of haemoptysis, dysentery, liver disease, kidney failure, and jaundice. Two extraction methods using organic solvents and aqueous solvent were applied to spectrophotometrically investigate the phytochemical contents of Peristrophe bivalvis varieties. Accordingly, the coloration components of Peristrophe bivalvis varieties were contributed by a complex compound of photosynthetic pigments, anthocyanins, flavonoids. Also, the total phenolics, total flavonoids and effect of extraction methods, dissolved solutions (water and methanol) on these contents were assessed. Besides, screening antioxidant capacity of Peristrophe bivalvis varieties was assayed by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method which showed stronger radical inhibition of organic extractions than that of aqueous extractions. The results of determination of phytochemicals and antioxidant capacity support the knowledge and experience in using Peristrophe bivalvis varieties as natural dyeing production for food and pharmaceutical industry.
Portfolio optimization models and a tabu search algorithm for the Kuwait Stock Exchange

Two mathematical models are developed to study and compare results of two cases of the portfolio selection problem in the Kuwait Stock Exchange (KSE) as an emerging market. The mathematical models are attempting to balance the trade off between risk and return by maximizing the expected return while maintaining the risk measures to certain limits. Model A measures the expected return by the moving average forecasting technique, while Model B measures the expected return by the random walk forecasting technique. Both models, which turned to be non-linear, are solved using a tailored tabu search heuristic algorithm to provide efficient solutions with reasonable amount of computational times. After testing the models using real data from KSE, the results indicated that Model A is able to beat the market in a significant manner.
AN ACHROMATIC BREAK IN THE AFTERGLOW OF THE SHORT GRB 140903A: EVIDENCE FOR A NARROW JET

We report the results of our observing campaign on GRB 140903A, a nearby (z = 0.351) short-duration (T90 ∼ 0.3 s) gamma-ray burst discovered by Swift. We monitored the X-ray afterglow with Chandra up to 15 days after the burst and detected a steeper decay of the X-ray flux after tj ≈ 1 day. Continued monitoring at optical and radio wavelengths showed a similar decay in flux at nearly the same time, and we interpret it as evidence of a narrowly collimated jet. By using the standard fireball model to describe the afterglow evolution, we derive a jet opening angle θj ≈ 5° and a collimation-corrected total energy release E ≈ 2 erg. We further discuss the nature of the GRB progenitor system. Three main lines disfavor a massive star progenitor: the properties of the prompt gamma-ray emission, the age and low star formation rate of the host galaxy, and the lack of a bright supernova. We conclude that this event likely originated from a compact binary merger.
Doing Good Online: The Changing Relationships Between Motivations, Activity, and Retention Among Online Volunteers

Advances in Internet technology are making it possible for individuals to volunteer online and participate in research-based activities of nonprofit organizations. Using survey data from a representative sample of such contributors, this study investigates their motivations to volunteer for five online volunteering projects using the Volunteer Functions Inventory. We explore relationships between these six categories of motivation and actual recorded measures of both volunteer activity and retention. We also use quantile regression analysis to investigate the extent to which these motivations change at different stages in the volunteer process. Our results show that volunteers’ activity and retention tend to associate significantly and positively with the motivations of understanding and values, as well as significantly and negatively with the social and career motivations. We also find the importance of motivations changes significantly across the stages of volunteer engagement. In some cases, especially the understanding motivation, the changes observed for activity and retention are markedly different.
Numerical modeling of light propagation in biological tissues : time-resolved 3 D simulations based on light diffusion model and FDTD solution of Maxwell ’ s equations

In this work, optical propagation through turbid media is analyzed by FDTD simulation. In particular, the method is applied to biological tissues. Continuous light propagation in turbid media has been widely studied, but pulsed light propagation has received less interest due to its complexity. Therefore, in this work we focus on pulsed light. FDTD method is applied to several media with optical parameters in the typical range of those observed in biological tissues. We perform an analysis of the variations of pulsed light propagation as a function of the scatterers characteristics (namely size, concentration, and optical contrast). The results are compared with those obtained by the use of the diffusion approximation. The potential of the FDTD method over the diffusion model is given by its high accuracy, its capacity to perform time-resolved simulations, and the fact that it carries all the information about the phase and coherence of the wavefront. The results of this work can be applied to a wide range of areas of interest like the timeresolved study of ultrashort light pulses propagation, the optimization of optical penetration depth, the coherence properties of pulsed light, and the effect of modified wavefronts in light propagation.
Potency Of Honey As Antibacterial Agent Against Multiple Antibiotic Resistant Pathogens Evaluated By Different Methods

Honey is rich with complex natural components which could be useful as antibacterial agents or as preservative. Honey contains high concentration of sugars, low amount of water, high osmolality and often dark colour which influence its antibacterial activity. Disc diffusion, well method, micro dilution assay are methods commonly used to determine the antibacterial activity of honey. In this study, microtiter and microbial plate count were included to ascertain the potency of honey as antibacterial agent against multiple antibiotic resistant pathogenic bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella Typhimurium, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) with concentration of 0.2 g mL-1. Results found that well diffusion method tends to give higher inhibitory zone than disc diffusion method but there was no correlation among the bacteria was observed except for S. Typhimurium, E. coli (R = 0.310, 0.505 and 0.316, respectively). Nan photometer assay and microtiter plates assay showed comparable results with moderately strong correlation (R2 = 0.681 and 0.767, respectively) for S. aureus and S. typhimurium, but poor correlation was found for E. coli, B. subtilis and P. aeruginosa (R2 = 0.441, 0.308 and 0.383, respectively). Determining the number of survivors by plating on agar after nanophotometer assay or microtiter plate assay had confirmed the effectiveness of honey as antimicrobial agent against target bacteria; which confirmed that honey has the potency to inhibit pathogens even at low concentration.
Prognostic and predictive values of CDK 1 and MAD 2 L 1 in lung adenocarcinoma

Lung cancer remains as the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, and lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is the most common histological subtype. This study aims to investigate biomarkers associated with cancer progression and prognosis of LUAD. We integrated expression profiles of 668 lung cancer patients in five datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and identified a panel of differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Function enrichment analysis highlighted that these genes were closely associated with the carcinogenesis of LUAD, such as cell cycle, ECMreceptor interaction and p53 signaling pathway. Cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1) and MAD2 mitotic arrest deficient-like 1 (MAD2L1), two critical mitotic checkpoint genes, were selected for further study. Elevated expression of CDK1 and MAD2L1 was validated in an independent LUAD cohort. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that CDK1 and MAD2L1 expression was negatively correlated with both overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS). In conclusion, CDK1 and MAD2L1 were adverse prognostic biomarkers for LUAD whose increased expression could render patients with LUAD a high risk of cancer recurrence and poor survival, suggesting that they might be applied as potential targets for LUAD treatment.
Terrestrial laser scanning as a tool for assessing tree growth

Abstract: Terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) technology is a powerful tool for assessing tree growth based on time series analysis, as it allows a level of scrutiny not achievable using established destructive techniques. We applied TLS technology to 21 wild cherry trees grown in a research plot near Breisach (southern Germany) in order to build quantitative structure models (QSMs) for each tree. Scans were carried out over three subsequent years (2012-2014), so that three QSMs per each tree were constructed. Using the above approach, we were able to assess the annual growth of the individual wild cherry trees in terms of diameter and height, stem and branch volume, and the merchantable timber fraction. In addition, the growth of single branches of sample trees was detected and quantified. The availability of QSMs based on TLS-derived data allowed the accurate determination of crown length and width, as well as the volume reduction as the result of the tree pruning applied after the first scan (2012). The aboveground biomass (AGB) was assessed for each tree based on the QSM-derived volume and published wood density values for wild cherry, and then compared with AGB values estimated with standard allometric methods, obtaining a very high correlation (r2adj = 0.941). We concluded that the proposed approach is an effective non-destructive technique to accurately assess the increase of tree biomass, and discuss its future application in the forestry sector.
Nowcasting with Google Trends, the more is not always the better

National accounts and macroeconomic indicators are usually published with a consequent delay. However, for decision makers, it is crucial to have the most up-to-date information about the current national economic situation. This motivates the recourse to statistical modeling to “predict the present”, which is referred to as “nowcasting”. Mostly, models incorporate variables from qualitative business tendency surveys available within a month, but f orecasters have been looking for alternative sources of data over the last few years. Among them, searches carried out by users on research engines on the Internet – especially Google Trends – have been considered in several economic studies. Most of these exhibit an improvement of the forecasts when including one Google Trends series in an autoregressive model. But one may expect that the quantity and diversity of searches convey far more useful and hidden information. To test this hypothesis, we confronted different modeling techniques, traditionally used in the context of many variables compared to the number of observations, to forecast two French macroeconomic variables. Despite the automatic selection of many Google Trends, it appears that forecasts’ accuracy is not significantly improved with these approaches.
Syntax and Syncretisms of the Person Case Constraint

Abstract. The Person Case Constraint is frequently concomitant with Case Syncretism. We provide a syntax-driven account of both phenomena that relies on the dual role that φ-features play in selecting and in Case-licensing argument DPs. The account differs from other syntactic approaches to the PCC in the role it affords the applicative head in the Case system and in the attention it pays to the syntactic structures that feed morphology and therefore induce syncretism.
Rigidez Arterial: Aspectos Fisiopatológicos e Genéticos

As doencas cardiovasculares (DCV) sao a principal causa de morte e representam uma percentagem significativa das internacoes. No cenario de minimizacao dos custos ao sistema de saude, metodos que identifiquem DCV subclinica seriam importantes. Algumas diretrizes incluem a medida da rigidez aortica e da espessura intima-media da arteria carotida como metodos para identificacao de DCV subclinica em hipertensos. A velocidade de onda de pulso (VOP) e considerada padrao-ouro para avaliar a rigidez arterial. Nesta revisao, abordamos a fisiopatologia e os determinantes da rigidez arterial e justificamos sua inclusao na avaliacao do paciente hipertenso dada a associacao direta com o risco cardiovascular, como estabelecido na I Diretriz Brasileira de Prevencao Cardiovascular. Apresentamos ainda os principais estudos geneticos deste fenotipo que, dada sua complexidade, pode ser modulado por dezenas de genes. No entanto, um melhor entendimento da relacao genetica-rigidez arterial, e ate mesmo uma intervencao baseada em genotipos, devem ser investigadas em estudos futuros.
Title Mitochondrial fission determines cisplatin sensitivity in tongue squamous cell carcinoma through the BRCA 1-miR-593-5 p-MFF axis

Cisplatin has been widely employed as a cornerstone chemotherapy treatment for a wide spectrum of solid neoplasms; increasing tumor responsiveness to cisplatin has been a topic of interest for the past 30 years. Strong evidence has indicated that mitochondrial fission participates in the regulation of apoptosis in many diseases; however, whether mitochondrial fission regulates cisplatin sensitivity remains poorly understood. Here, we show that MFF mediated mitochondrial fission and apoptosis in tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) cells after cisplatin treatment and that miR-593-5p was downregulated in this process. miR-593-5p attenuated mitochondrial fission and cisplatin sensitivity by targeting the 3’ untranslated region sequence of MFF and inhibiting its translation. In exploring the underlying mechanism of miR-593-5p downregulation, we observed that BRCA1 transactivated miR-593-5p expression and attenuated cisplatin sensitivity in vitro. The BRCA1-miR-593-5pMFF axis also affected cisplatin sensitivity in vivo. Importantly, in a retrospective analysis of multiple centers, we further found that the BRCA1-miR-593-5p-MFF axis was significantly associated with cisplatin sensitivity and the survival of patients with TSCC. Together, our data reveal a model for mitochondrial fission regulation at
Facebook user perceptions of privacy and security on Facebook, between Millennials’ and Non-Millennials’

Facebook is a platform used to generate and share content across a large network of users. It is currently experiencing an increase in popularity, especially among Non-Millennials’ and can become a part of ones daily routine. Users vary in their awareness of privacy and security while sharing information online. Third parties easily obtain information that is made digitally public. This study examines Millennials’ and Non-Millennials’ perceptions of their privacy and security on Facebook. Focusing on how this influences their Social Media behavior, in terms of their trust, attitude, self-disclosure and motivation to use Facebook. Statistical analysis using data generated by our survey (337) reveals that Millennials’ and Non-Millennials’ have different perceptions on privacy, attitude, motivation and trust while active on social media. The study also validates that age has a moderating effect on perceived privacy and security towards social media behavior. Further analysis was done to examine the different motivational factors that influence Millennials’ and Non-Millennials’ to use Facebook.
Viticulture and Adaptation to Climate Change

The aim of this article is to lay out a series of issues of current concern to researchers in the social sciences, regarding the impact of climate change on the vine and wine sector. The challenge lies in evaluating the cost of transition from one system to another through an integration of the direct and indirect effects of climate change. This adaptation, whether reactive or anticipatory, combines technical and organisational innovations with localisation strategies and institutional changes. Such actions could either try to maintain the existing situation as much as possible or could try to bifurcate towards deep changes, entailing very different costs. Given the multitude of uncertainties at play, not to mention the necessity for continuous adaptation to an ever-changing climate, these costs are hard to quantify. This article will illustrate two sets of measures for wine cultivation adaptation: 'no regrets' measures, which offer immediate benefits, and 'reversible and flexible' measures, which limit the inertia of wine-cultivating systems. In spite of the challenges, what stands out is the evident re-enforcement resulting from the collaboration between researchers and political and economic actors. In the field of wine cultivation, these collaborations can follow two paths: the study of the diversity of existing wine-growing systems and genetic resources or the possibility of more radical technological and social experimentation.
A Multi-Objective Approach With WASPAS Decision-Making for Workflow Scheduling in Cloud Environment

A workflow consists of a set of independent tasks, while workflow scheduling in a cloud environment is a proper permutation of these tasks involving virtual machines. Selecting the permutation with minimum completion time from among all of the arrangements, in which the requests and diversity of virtual machines increase, is an NP-hard problem. Given that, in addition to the makespan, other objectives should be considered in the scheduling problem in a real environment, which, in most cases, are conflicting objectives, the scheduling problem becomes more complicated. Therefore, multi-objective heuristic algorithms represent the perfect solution to these problems. To this end, we extended a recent heuristic algorithm known as black hole optimization (BHO) and presented a multi-objective scheduling method for a workflow application based on the Pareto optimizer algorithm. Since multi-objective algorithms select a set of permutations with an optimal trade-off from among conflicting objectives, we use a decision-making method – the weighted aggregated sum product assessment (WASPAS) – in the following and select a solution that offers suitable permutation from among all solutions of the Pareto optimal set. Our proposed method is able to consider user requirements, as well as the interests of service providers. Using a balanced and unbalanced workflow, we compare our proposed method with the SPEA2 and NSGA2 algorithms based on conflicting objectives: (1) makespan, (2) cost and (3) resource efficiency.
Implied Volatility Process: Evidence from the Volatility Derivatives Markets

We explore the ability of alternative popular continuous-time diffusion and jump diffusion processes to capture the dynamics of implied volatility over time. The performance of the volatility processes is assessed under both econometric and financial metrics. To this end, data are employed from major European and American implied volatility indices and the rapidly growing CBOE volatility futures market. We find that the simplest diffusion/jump diffusion models perform best under both metrics. Mean reversion is of second order importance. The results are consistent across the various markets. JEL Classification: G11, G12, G13.
Sur le rôle de la diversité lexicale dans la mesure de la diversité flexionnelle

Cette contribution se propose de revisiter une partie des résultats de la recherche de Xanthos et al. (2011) sur la relation entre diversité flexionnelle dans le langage adressé aux enfants et développement de la flexion dans le langage enfantin. A la lumière des progrès mthodologiques récents en matière de mesure de la diversité flexionnelle, je chercherai à mettre en évidence la nécessit. de contrôler non seulement les fluctuations de taille d'échantillon mais aussi celles de diversité lexicale dans les données. Les résultats empiriques suggèrent que l'adoption d'une mesure robuste vis-à-vis de ce type de variations revèt une importance cruciale dans le contexte de l'étude de l'acquisition.
Effect of Solvents on the Electronic Properties of Fullerene Based Systems:Molecular Modelling

Numerous efforts have been formed to explain the trends in room-temperature solubility of the fullerenes [2-4]. There are many different approaches to calculate and predict C60 solubility in organic solvents. Some of them are fully mechanistic [5-9], developed from the thermodynamical point of view; others are statistically based, with good correlation coefficients, but not transparent and complicated in interpretation [10-16].
Identity Issues and Challenges Faced by Russian Immigrants in New Zealand

Among the processes cosmopolitan societies undergo at the present moment, is the unprecedented increase in mass migration across cultures. What challenges are faced by both immigrants, who have to settle in novel socio-cultural environments, and by the host populations accepting them? The current qualitative study investigates the nature of identity construction among Russian-speaking immigrants in New Zealand, applying thematic analysis for the interpretation of the data collected via 23 in-depth interviews. Among the most common themes articulated by the participants was the feeling of identity loss. A taken-for-granted sense of identity, brought by the participants from their culture of origin, was not validated by their new society of residence, mostly due to the lack of appropriate cultural resources. The participants were faced with a challenge of re-constructing their old identity, or constructing a new one, utilising the available resources in the community around them. At the same time, there was a sub-group for whom this challenge brought the realisation that the nature of their identity is cosmopolitan, rather than located within any particular culture or geographical space.