Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gilli , Mario Working Paper Bargaining and collusion in a regulatory model

Within a standard three-tier regulatory model, a benevolent principal delegates to a regulatory agency two tasks: the supervision of the rms (two-type) costs and the arrangement of a pricing mechanism. The agency may have an incentive to manipulate information to the principal to share the gains of collusion with the rm. The novelty of this paper is that both the regulatory mechanism and the side contracting between the agency and the rm are modelled as a bargaining process. While as usual the ine¢ cient rm does not have any interest in cost manipulation, we nd that the e¢ cient rm has an incentive to collude only if the agencys bargaining power is high enough, and the total gains of collusion are now lower than those the two partners would appropriate if the agency could make a take-it-orleave-it o¤er. Then, we focus on the optimal institutional responses to the possibility of collusion. In our setting, where the incompleteness of contracts prevents the principal from designing of a screening mechanism and thus Tiroles equivalence principle does not apply, we show how the playersbargaining powers crucially drive the optimal response to collusion. Keywords: bargaining, collusion, regulation. JEL classi cation: D73, D82, L51. We are particularly indebted to Roland Strausz, Helmut Bester, Michela Cella, Michele Grillo, Carlo Scarpa for very helpful comments. We also thank Charles Angelucci, Carlo Cambini, Liliane Karlinger, Bruce Lyons and Alessandro Petretto for valuable insights as well as the seminars participants at Bari University, University of Milano-Bicocca, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Collegio Carlo Alberto of Turin, Politecnico of Milan, 10 INFER, SED 2011 and CRESSE 2011. The nancial support from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft via SFB 649 "Ökonomisches Risiko" is gratefully acknowledged. yInstitute for Microeconomic Theory, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin. zDepartment of Economics, Bicocca University, Milan.
Plasma Fibrinogen Is a Natural Deterrent to Amyloid β-Induced Platelet Activation and Neuronal Toxicity

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder, characterized by extensive loss of neurons and deposition of amyloid β (Aβ) in the form of extracellular plaques. Aβ is considered to have a critical role in synaptic loss and neuronal death underlying cognitive decline. Platelets contribute to 95% of circulating amyloid precursor protein that releases Aβ into circulation. We have recently demonstrated that the Aβ active fragment containing amino acid sequence 25–35 (Aβ25–35) is highly thrombogenic in nature and elicits strong aggregation of washed human platelets in a RhoA-dependent manner. In this study, we evaluated the influence of fibrinogen on Aβ-induced platelet activation. Intriguingly, Aβ failed to induce aggregation of platelets suspended in plasma but not in buffer. Fibrinogen brought about dose-dependent decline in aggregatory response of washed human platelets elicited by Aβ25–35, which could be reversed by increasing doses of Aβ. Fibrinogen also attenuated Aβ-induced platelet responses such as secretion, clot retraction, rise in cytosolic Ca+2 and reactive oxygen species. Fibrinogen prevented intracellular accumulation of full-length Aβ peptide (Aβ42) in platelets as well as neuronal cells. We conclude that fibrinogen serves as a physiological check against the adverse effects of Aβ by preventing its interaction with cells.
RIME: Radar for Icy Moon Exploration

This paper presents the Radar for Icy Moons Exploration (RIME) instrument, which has been selected as payload for the JUpiter Icy moons Explorer (JUICE) mission. JUICE is the first Large-class mission chosen as part of the ESA's Cosmic Vision 2015-2025 programme, and is aimed to study Jupiter and to investigate the potentially habitable zones in the Galilean icy satellites. RIME is a radar sounder optimized for the penetration of Ganymede, Europa and Callisto up to a depth of 9 km in order to allow the study of the subsurface geology and geophysics of the icy moons and detect possible subsurface water. In this paper we present the main science goals of RIME, the main technical challenges for its development and for its operations, as well as the expected scientific returns.
Influence of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex on the inhibition of emotional information in healthy volunteers

Background Evidence suggests that repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) might be a promising new treatment procedure for depression. However, underlying working mechanisms of this technique are yet unclear. Multiple sessions of rTMS may – apart from the reported antidepressant effects – cause primary improvements in attentional control over emotional information, modulated by changes in cortical brain excitability within stimulated prefrontal regions. Method In two experiments, we examined the temporary effects of high-frequency (HF) rTMS (10 Hz) applied over the left and right DLPFC on the attentional processing of emotional information and self-reported mood within samples of healthy volunteers. Results The present study showed that one session of HF-rTMS over the right DLPFC produces instant impairments in the ability to inhibit negative information, in line with a characteristic cognitive vulnerability found in depressive pathology, whereas HF-rTMS of the left DLPFC did not lead to significant changes in attentional control. These effects could not be attributed to mood changes. Conclusions The findings of the present study may suggest a specific involvement of the right DLPFC in the attentional processing of emotional information.
A novel active gate driver for static and dynamic current balancing of parallel-connected IGBTs

In high power applications, the insulated-gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs) are often required to be connected in parallel in order to withstand the large load current. However, the current of paralleled IGBTs may not be shared equally due to spread of parameters. The current unbalance in transient and steady state can result in overheat and overcurrent destruction of the devices. In this paper a novel active gate driver is proposed to optimize both the static and dynamic current sharing of paralleled IGBTs automatically. The proposed active gate driver does not need complex digital processing or current measuring and is therefore fast and convenient. Simulations have been done to verify the effectiveness of the proposed strategy and promising results have been obtained. Experimental results show that the proposed gate driver can effectively reduce the static and dynamic current unbalance between parallel connected IGBTs.
Equity Valuation Measures: What Can They Tell Us?

This article examines the usefulness of summary statistics, such as the price-earnings ratio and the dividend yield, that are commonly used in valuing equity markets. But these measures are very sensitive to assumptions made about the (unobservable) equity risk premium, as well as to the precise definitions of earnings or dividends used in the calculations. This limits their usefulness as summary statistics of equity valuations.
Privacy-preserving Similarity Sorting in Multi-party Model

In social network, it is conceivable that a rational execution sequence does good to cooperative mission, especially for a large number of participants. However, there are many diﬃculties for multi-party computation, the most important of which is privacy. In this paper, secure multi-party computation technology and dimensionality reduction are chosen to design a privacy-preserving protocol, which sorts m people according to their similarity. In a n dimensional system, the secure protocol’s time complexity is O ( mn + n + m log m ) and communication complexity is O ( m ). Detailed analysis about security and applicability are also presented in this paper. In addition, the protocol can be improved in security at the cost of complexity, with an arbitration agreement designed against fraud.
Expression of hepatocyte growth factor and its receptor c‐met proto‐oncogene in hepatocellular carcinoma

The c‐met proto‐oncogene encodes the tyrosine kinase receptor for hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), a potent mitogen and motogen for epithelial cells. Because of its profound effects on cell growth and motility, HGF may be important in the development of cancer metastases in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, we examined HGF concentration and expression of the c‐met‐proto‐oncogene product (c‐met) in 62 patients with HCC to determine the relationship between the level of expression and clinicopathological features, and patient outcome following hepatectomy. Western blotting was used to examine the c‐met expression, and HGF concentration in tumors was measured using an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. c‐met was found to be overexpressed in HCC compared with nontumorous liver tissue (P < .01), and correlated with an increased incidence of intrahepatic metastases (P = .039). Patients were divided into two groups, low c‐met HCC and high c‐met HCC. Patients with high c‐met HCC had a significantly shorter 5‐year survival than patients with low c‐met HCC (33.5% vs. 80.3%, respectively; P < .05). However, there was no correlation between HGF concentration in the tumor tissue and clinicopathological factors and patient survival. These results indicate that expression of c‐met played an important role in tumor growth and metastases in patients who underwent hepatectomy for HCC.
Proximal humerus intraosseous infusion: a preferred emergency venous access.

PURPOSE To assess the proximal humerus intraosseous (PHIO) catheter placement as a preferred method for venous access over conventional methods, including peripheral intravenous (PIV) and central venous catheters (CVCs), during emergency room resuscitation. METHODS In phase 1, conventional methods for venous access (PIV and CVC) were assessed for all patients presenting to the emergency department resuscitation bay. Outcome measures in both phases were speed, immediate complications, and pain. CVC placement was performed when PIV access was deemed impossible or when rapid volume resuscitation was needed. In phase 2, resuscitations requiring venous access or complicated by failed PIV access attempts underwent PHIO catheter placement. RESULTS Sixty-two patients received either PIV (57) or CVC (5) catheterization, and 29 patients received 30 PHIO catheters. PHIO catheter placement was significantly faster than conventional methods (1.5 [SD 1.1] versus 3.6 minutes [SD 3.7; p < 0.001 for PIV, and 15.6 minutes [SD 6.7; p < 0.0056] for CVC). No major complications were identified in either phase. Minor complications for PIV access included extravasation and placement failure. Minor complications for CVC placement included inability to thread the guidewire. Minor complications with PHIO catheter placement included placement failure, poor flow, and catheter dislodgement. Pain scores associated with PHIO insertion and infusion were higher than those associated with PIV and CVC catheter placement. CONCLUSION PHIO catheter placement is significantly faster than PIV and CVC placement with increased minor complication profile and perceived pain. PHIO venous access is absolutely life saving when PIV or CVC placement is difficult or impossible.
Suppressing DC Voltage Ripples of MMC-HVDC Under Unbalanced Grid Conditions

There are second-order harmonics in the dc voltage and current when the MMC-HVDC system is under unbalanced grid conditions, even if the negative-sequence current controller is employed. This paper presents a supplementary dc voltage ripple suppressing controller (DCVRSC) to eliminate the second-order harmonic in the dc voltage of the MMC-HVDC system. The instantaneous power of the converter arm and phase unit indicates that there are zero-sequence double-line frequency components in the three-phase unit voltages when the ac system is under an unbalanced fault. Since the zero-sequence components cannot be offset by each other, they lead to the second-order harmonic in the dc voltage and dc current. The DCVRSC is developed to compensate the zero-sequence components in three-phase unit voltages. Simulation results based on a detailed PSCAD/EMTDC model prove that the DCVRSC can eliminate the second-order harmonic in the dc voltage. Meanwhile, the ac currents are kept balanced under the unbalanced fault conditions.
Animal Models of Streptococcus pneumoniae Disease

SUMMARY Streptococcus pneumoniae is a colonizer of human nasopharynx, but it is also an important pathogen responsible for high morbidity, high mortality, numerous disabilities, and high health costs throughout the world. Major diseases caused by S. pneumoniae are otitis media, pneumonia, sepsis, and meningitis. Despite the availability of antibiotics and vaccines, pneumococcal infections still have high mortality rates, especially in risk groups. For this reason, there is an exceptionally extensive research effort worldwide to better understand the diseases caused by the pneumococcus, with the aim of developing improved therapeutics and vaccines. Animal experimentation is an essential tool to study the pathogenesis of infectious diseases and test novel drugs and vaccines. This article reviews both historical and innovative laboratory pneumococcal animal models that have vastly added to knowledge of (i) mechanisms of infection, pathogenesis, and immunity; (ii) efficacies of antimicrobials; and (iii) screening of vaccine candidates. A comprehensive description of the techniques applied to induce disease is provided, the advantages and limitations of mouse, rat, and rabbit models used to mimic pneumonia, sepsis, and meningitis are discussed, and a section on otitis media models is also included. The choice of appropriate animal models for in vivo studies is a key element for improved understanding of pneumococcal disease.
Mechanotransduction in Response to Shear Stress

Shear stress, the tangential component of hemodynamic forces, activates many signal transduction pathways in vascular endothelial cells. The conversion of mechanical stimulation into chemical signals is still unclear. We report here that shear stress (12 dynes/cm2) induced a rapid and transient tyrosine phosphorylation of Flk-1 and its concomitant association with the adaptor protein Shc; these are accompanied by a concurrent clustering of Flk-1, as demonstrated by confocal microscopy. Our results also show that shear stress induced an association of αvβ3 and β1 integrins with Shc, and an attendant association of Shc with Grb2. These associations are sustained, in contrast to the transient Flk-1·Shc association in response to shear stress and the transient association between αvβ3 integrin and Shc caused by cell attachment to substratum. Shc-SH2, an expression plasmid encoding the SH2 domain of Shc, attenuated shear stress activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases and c-Jun N-terminal kinases, and the gene transcription mediated by the activator protein-1/12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-responsive element complex. Our results indicate that receptor tyrosine kinases and integrins can serve as mechanosensors to transduce mechanical stimuli into chemical signals via their association with Shc.
Atg101, a novel mammalian autophagy protein interacting with Atg13

Autophagy is a major route, by which cytoplasmic contents are delivered to the lysosome for degradation. Many autophagy-related (ATG) genes have been identified in yeast. Although most of them are conserved in human, the molecular composition of the Atg1 complex appears to differ between yeast and mammals. In yeast, Atg1 forms a complex with Atg11, Atg13, Atg17, Atg29 and Atg31, whereas mammalian Atg1 (ULK1/2) interacts with Atg13 and FIP200. Here, we identify a novel mammalian Atg13 binding protein, named Atg101. Atg101 shows no homology with other Atg proteins, and is conserved in various eukaryotes, but not in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Atg101 associates with the ULK-Atg13-FIP200 complex, most likely through direct interaction with Atg13. In Atg13 siRNA-treated cells, Atg101 is present solely as a monomer. Interaction between Atg101 and the ULK-Atg13-FIP200 complex is stable, and is not regulated by nutrient conditions. GFP-Atg101 localizes to the isolation membrane/phagophore. GFP-LC3 dot formation is suppressed and endogenous LC3-I accumulate in Atg101 siRNA-treated cells suggesting that Atg101 is a critical factor for autophagy. Furthermore, Atg101 is important for the stability and basal phosphorylation of Atg13 and ULK1. These data suggest that Atg101 is a novel Atg protein that functions together with ULK, Atg13 and FIP200.
Evolution and chronology of the organisational performance measurement field

The aim of this study is to analyse the evolution of the concepts and models in the field of performance measurement in organisations through a review of existing literature. Cited as possible trends identified in the study are: the propensity to incorporate multidimensionality into the models, to the detriment of the traditional financial focused models; increased focus on elements external to the organisation; the prevalence of focus on relationships, with the participation of various stakeholders, shifting from a purely transaction focus; the shift from performance measurement to performance management; and the growing use of strategy and alignment as the models' main guidelines.
Geographical distance and physical barriers shape the genetic structure of Eurasian red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) in the Italian Alps

Red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) are widely distributed throughout Eurasia, occurring in many types of coniferous and mixed‐deciduous forests. In fragmented landscapes, small and partly isolated populations with low immigration rates show reduced genetic diversity, but reforestation can increase gene flow and restore levels of genetic variation in a few decades. No studies have so far investigated the genetic structure of red squirrel in large, continuous forests. The Italian Alps are presently characterized by almost continuous, recently reconnected forest habitats, that were affected by deep landscape changes during last glaciations but remained mostly unchanged between 10 000 and 200 years bp, when forest cover was heavily reduced. In this study we analyse patterns of genetic variability of red squirrels in and between seven sites distributed over 250 km of Alpine habitat, using mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and microsatellites. We use isolation‐by‐distance (IBD) models to investigate the relative importance that past (Pleistocene glaciations) and recent (fragmentation, bottlenecks) events had on the present genetic situation. Both nuclear and mtDNA data indicate a significant differentiation among study sites and a significant correlation between genetic and geographical distance only over a large scale. No recent bottlenecks are recorded through microsatellites and demographic models strongly support equilibrium between gene flow and drift; however, mtDNA suggests that there may have been local demographic crashes, probably in correspondence with the 19th‐century forest fragmentation. These findings indicate that local landscape factors other than geographical distance per se, such as barriers of unsuitable habitat, affect gene flow and determine differentiation.
Association of Fluids From Beverages With Risk of Rectal Cancer

Abstract: Little information is available about how fluid intake from beverages and sources of fluid intake influence risk of rectal cancer. We examined these associations with risk of incident rectal cancer in a population-based case-control study of 952 cases and 1,205 controls living in northern California and Utah. We also determined if intake of fiber (soluble and insoluble), physical activity, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) or aspirin modified the associations between fluid intake and rectal cancer. We identified a modest inverse association of water intake (odds ratio, OR = 0.70; 95% confidence interval, CI = 0.48, 1.02) and total fluid intake (high vs. low OR = 0.70; 95% CI = 0.46, 1.06) with risk of rectal cancer in men and a positive association with juice among women (high vs. low OR = 1.56; 95% CI = 1.00, 2.41). Risk of rectal cancer increased nonsignificantly among men with beer consumption, among women with high white wine use, and among men and women with high long-term alcohol use. NSAIDs modified the association of alcohol consumption with rectal cancer: 1) risk associated with beer increased among men who did not take NSAIDs and had a high beer intake (OR = 1.60; 95% CI = 1.08, 2.39) and 2) risk associated with long-term alcohol intake increased in a linear fashion in women who did not use NSAIDs (OR = 1.98; 95% CI = 1.15, 3.40). Risk of rectal cancer increased among estrogen-negative women if they consumed any beer or white wine but decreased among estrogen-positive women with beer. In men, low intake of water and low insoluble fiber intake were associated with increased risk of rectal cancer beyond that of either factor alone (OR = 1.82; 95% CI = 1.11, 3.00). The interactions of fiber with water intake suggest that bowel motility may be the mechanism responsible for modification of rectal cancer risk for water. Associations of alcohol to risk for rectal cancer may be related to cellular hyperproliferation and may be modified by NSAID use.
Enterprise Bargaining and Women Workers: The Seven Perils of Flexibility

Abstract Flexibility is increasingly recognised as a problematic and contested concept. This article draws on six case-studies of certified agreements in order to examine the working-time flexibility that has been introduced into many workplaces as a result of enterprise bargaining. It argues that this working-time flexibility involves significant perils for women workers. The case-study findings have direct relevance today, when working-time flexibility is promoted as beneficial for women workers and when the few safeguards put in place to protect women under the former bargaining system have been significantly reduced under the Workplace Relations Act 1996.
Clinical, Anamnestic and Serological Features of Peach Allergy in Portugal

Background: Peach is a common food allergen source throughout Europe. The aim of this study was to characterize peach allergy in a Portuguese patient population. Methods: Thirty peach-allergic patients confirmed by double-blind placebo-controlled food challenges and 29 controls were included. All subjects completed a standardized questionnaire regarding symptoms and epidemiologic characteristics, skin prick tests with inhalant allergens and foods as well as specific IgE antibodies to peach, recombinant peach allergens rPru p 1, rPru p 3, rPru p 4 and cross-reactive carbohydrate determinants. Results: Thirty-seven percent of patients reported only oral allergy syndrome, while 37% reported generalized urticaria and/or angioedema, 17% localized contact urticaria and 10% anaphylaxis with peach. Sensitization to other Rosaceae fruits and tree nuts was present in 90 and 77% of the patients, respectively. Respiratory allergy history was associated with less severe symptoms (oral allergy syndrome or contact urticaria; p < 0.01) and positive skin prick test to peach peel or plum with more severe symptoms (urticaria and/or angioedema or anaphylaxis; p < 0.05). Ninety-seven percent were sensitized to Pru p 3, 13% to Pru p 4, 3% to Pru p 1 and 10% to cross-reactive carbohydrate determinants. Pru p 3 specific IgE was associated with Artemisia vulgaris sensitization and tree nut allergy (p < 0.05) but not with clinical severity. Conclusions: Half the patients reported systemic reactions to peach. Peach allergy appeared predominantly mediated by Pru p 3 but some patients were sensitized to Pru p 4. Applying a 0.10 kUA/l cutoff level, the diagnostic value of combining the 3 recombinant allergens was noteworthy, with 100% sensitivity and 90% specificity.