Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Common Stocks as a Hedge against Inflation

THIS PAPER DEFINES the effectiveness of common stocks as an inflation hedge as the extent to which they can be used to reduce the risk of an investor's real return which stems from uncertainty about the future level of the prices of consumption goods. ' Since there is one type of security whose real return is certain but for inflation risk, namely single-period2, riskless-in-terms-of-default nominal bonds, it seems appropriate to identify inflation risk with the variance of the real return on such a bond. Accordingly, we measure the effectiveness of common stocks as an inflation hedge as the proportional reduction in that variance attainable by combining a "representative" well-diversified portfolio of common stocks and the nominal bond in their variance minimizing proportions. It is worthwhile to indicate the relationship between this view of hedging against inflation and the investor's ultimate objective of optimal portfolio selection. This can best be done in the framework of the Markowitz-Tobin-mean-variance model of portfolio choice.3 In that model the process of portfolio selection is divided into two separate stages: (1) identification of the efficient portfolio frontier and (2) choosing the optimal portfolio on that frontier. This paper focuses on one particular point on the efficient frontier-the minimum variance portfolio. From this perspective hedging against inflation is essentially the process of taking a risk-free-in-terms-of-default nominal bond as the starting point and using other securities to eliminate as much of the variance of its real return as possible. We define the difference between the mean real return on a nominal bond and the mean real return on the minimum variance portfolio as the "cost" of hedging
Lessons from America

The author points to the contrasting performance of the labour markets of Europe and the United States. He attributes the superior performance of the US to greater labour market flexibility and identifies the areas of unemployment insurance, employment protection and active labour market policies as especially significant. A key element in helping generate better policies is experimentation and decentralisation of decision-making, something favoured by the distinction between federal and state responsibilities in the US.
Utilization of the beta and gamma chains of the IL‐2 receptor by the novel cytokine IL‐15.

We have recently cloned a novel cytokine, IL‐15, with shared bioactivities but no sequence homology with IL‐2. We found high affinity IL‐15 binding to many cell types, including cells of non‐lymphoid origin. Analysis of IL‐15 interaction with subunits of the IL‐2 receptor (IL‐2R) revealed that the alpha subunit was not involved in IL‐15 binding. We demonstrated directly in cells transfected with IL‐2R subunits that both the beta and gamma chains are required for IL‐15 binding and signaling. Hence, IL‐15, like IL‐2, IL‐4 and IL‐7, utilizes the common IL‐2R gamma subunit found to be defective in X‐linked severe combined immunodeficiency in humans. IL‐15 is the only cytokine other than IL‐2 that has also been shown to share the beta signaling subunit of IL‐2R. The differential ability of some cells to bind and respond to IL‐2 and IL‐15 implies the existence of an additional IL‐15‐specific component.
A 36-Amino-Acid Region of CIITA Is an Effective Inhibitor of CBP: Novel Mechanism of Gamma Interferon-Mediated Suppression of Collagen α2(I) and Other Promoters

ABSTRACT The class II transactivator (CIITA) is induced by gamma interferon (IFN-γ) and activates major histocompatibility complex class II; however, this report shows it suppresses other genes. An N-terminal 36 amino acids of CIITA mediates suppression of the collagen α2(I) promoter via binding to CREB-binding protein (CBP). Reconstitution of cells with CBP reverts this suppression. IFN-γ is known to inhibit collagen gene expression; to test if CIITA mediates this gene suppression, a mutant cell line defective in CIITA induction but not in the activation of STAT1/JAK/IRF-1 is studied. IFN-γ suppression of the collagen promoter and the endogenous gene is observed in the wild-type control but not in the mutant line. Suppression is restored when CIITA is introduced. Other targets of CIITA-mediated promoter suppression include interleukin 4, thymidine kinase, and cyclin D1.
Community epidemiology and environmental health risk from dioxin contamination in Paritutu

This article explores community-awareness perspectives and actions towards dioxin-related health exposure in Paritutu Community, New Plymouth, New Zealand. The actions are analysed through media reports, covering a 10-year period from 1998 to 2008. Since 1964, Paritutu Community residents have expressed concern about increased morbidity associated with dioxin contamination from a nearby agrichemical plant. Upon investigation, official agencies were at first unable to verify a causal link between dioxin and morbidity, precipitating community activism and increasing public pressure on relevant authorities. Residents played a major role in alleviating further damage to their community by analysing and evaluating data and providing information that ultimately resulted in both official recognition of their environmental health risk and preventative strategies to alleviate their morbidity. This article backgrounds the Paritutu Community Epidemiology approach and evaluates stages in how the Paritutu Community overcame indifference and lack of precaution and exerted influence leading to the removal of the source of contamination and positive policy changes in public health including the setting up of ameliorative health services for affected people. The findings of this research support theories of popular, lay, community and worker epidemiology.
Cross-cutting issues, intraparty dissent and party strategy: The issue of European integration in the House of Commons

When do legislative opposition parties use wedge issues to attack the government? In this article, I focus on the issue of European integration and its impact on party strategy in the 1992–1997 British House of Commons. Utilizing both voting and rhetorical data, the analysis reveals that both government and opposition were split on the issue, and thus the opposition was not able to use it. This, I argue, stems from the complexity of the issue, i.e. the fact that it combines redistributive cleavages with pre- and post-material ones, which cannot be suppressed by party leaders. The results demonstrate the importance of taking into consideration both the government’s and the opposition’s cohesion in modeling party strategies. Further, the combination of voting and rhetorical data adds to our understanding of the dimensionality and structure of partisan ideologies in Europe. We have won more elections than any party in Britain because we are the most united and the most determined party in Britain. Over the same period Labour has been the most divided and the most undisciplined party. That is why they have lost, and lost, and lost, and lost again. Sir Norman Fowler, Conservative Party Chairman, 1992 Party Conference.
Elevated Fluoride Products Enhance Remineralization of Advanced Enamel Lesions

Caries prevention might benefit from the use of toothpastes containing over 1500 ppm F. With few clinical studies available, the aim of this pH-cycling study was to investigate the dose response between 0 and 5000 ppm F of de- and remineralization of advanced (> 150 μm) enamel lesions. Treatments included sodium and amine fluoride, and a fluoride-free control. Mineral uptake and loss were assessed from solution calcium changes and microradiographs. Treatments with 5000 ppm F both significantly enhanced remineralization and inhibited demineralization when compared with treatments with 1500 ppm F. Slight differences in favor of amine fluoride over sodium fluoride were observed. The ratio of de- over remineralization rates decreased from 13.8 to 2.1 in the range 0 to 5000 ppm F. As much as 71 (6)% of the remineralized mineral was calculated to be resistant to dissolution during subsequent demineralization periods. With 5000-ppm-F treatments, more demineralizing episodes per day (10 vs. 2 for placebo) would still be repaired by remineralization.
Tourism micro clusters: a planning tool for the tourism development in depressed rural zones?

Improve and strengthen inter sector links and comprehend the nature of the relations between tourism and the local community are ways for the rural community to take advantage of the opportunities that tourism offers. This paper explores the possibilities of applying networks and tourism micro clusters to the planning of tourism development in depressed rural communities. Its interest is based on analyzing the development dynamics throughout complex relations that can be established between tourism companies and the rest of the acting sectors in those communities. The bigger the inter sector links are between the local economy and the privatepublic collaboration and cooperation, the bigger the tourism multiplier will be and the more effective the resource mobilization and coordination for local distinctive set ups will be also, in order to contribute to the development of this destinations that benefit the community.
Write Buffer-Oriented Energy Reduction in the L1 Data Cache for Embedded Systems

In resource-constrained embedded systems, on-chip cache memories play an important role in both performance and energy consumption. In contrast to read operations, scant regard has been paid to optimizing write operations even though the energy consumed by write operations in the data cache constitutes a large portion of the total energy consumption. Consequently, this paper proposes a write buffer-oriented (WO) cache architecture that reduces energy consumption in the L1 data cache. Observing that write operations are very likely to be merged in the write buffer because of their high localities, we construct the proposed WO cache architecture to utilize two schemes. First, the write operations update the write buffer but not the L1 data cache, which is updated later by the write buffer after the write operations are merged. Write merging significantly reduces write accesses to the data cache and, consequently, energy consumption. Second, we further reduce energy consumption in the write buffer by filtering out unnecessary read accesses to the write buffer using a read hit predictor. In this paper, we show that the proposed WO cache architecture is applicable to the conventional embedded processors that support both write-through and write-back policies. Further, the experimental results verify that the proposed cache architecture reduces energy consumption in data caches up to 14%.
Program Redesign by States in the Wake of Welfare Reform: Making Sense of the Effects of Devolution

Devolution of authority over social programs creates a particular challenge for those attempting to assess the effects of this shift in the structure of American federalism. While the increased diversity among state policies may provide fertile ground for exploring the effects of individual policy interventions, that diversity does little to shed light on the broader question of the effects of devolution itself. Assessing the New Federalism, as the Urban Institute has set out to do in a project by the same name, must call upon methods other than those used for program evaluation. This paper examines three reasons for state policy variation under devolution. It describes how each of these sources of variation can be analyzed to describe the effects of devolution. It then explores the uses and limitations of a typology of state responses to welfare reform. Finally, it looks at the longer term possibilities for understanding devolution.
Complication rate of transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy: a comparison among 3 protocols with 6, 10 and 15 cores.

PURPOSE We assessed the complication rate of ultrasound guided prostate biopsies performed at a single center in a screening population. Moreover the impact of different biopsy protocols comprising varying numbers of biopsy cores on the complication rate was evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 5957 biopsies performed in 4303 clinically healthy men between January 1993 and August 2002 was evaluated retrospectively. Due to changes in the biopsy protocol, the number of biopsies obtained increased with time from 6 cores (January 1993 to October 1995) to 10 (November 1995 to March 2000) to 15 cores (March 2000 to August 2002). RESULTS Minor complications such as hematospermia (36.3%), hematuria (14.5%) and rectal bleeding persisting for up to 2 days (2.3%) were noted frequently, while major complications requiring further treatment were far less common. Post-biopsy fever was seen in 48 patients (0.8%), rectal bleeding requiring surgical intervention or persisting for more than 2 days occurred in 36 patients (0.6%) and urinary retention was observed in 12 patients (0.2%). The increase in biopsy cores with time did not result in increased post-biopsy morbidity. Prostate cancer at biopsy was not associated with a higher complication rate. CONCLUSIONS Prostate specific antigen screening has led to an increase in the number of patients undergoing prostate biopsy which, in turn, has increased the incidence of post-biopsy complications. However, most of the complications are minor and self-limiting. In this large study population the increased number of biopsy cores did not result in an increased incidence of major post-biopsy complications.
On the design of generalized kanban control systems

Considers a class of control systems known as generalized kanban control systems (GKCS) which can be used to implement a pull control mechanism in a manufacturing system. In a GKCS, the production system is decomposed into stages, where each stage consists of a production sub‐system. There are two design parameters per stage: one controls the work‐in‐process in the stage and the other determines the maximum number of finished products of this stage. Investigates the influence of these design parameters on the efficiency of generalized kanban control policies by deriving qualitative properties as well as using experimental results on the behaviour of GKCS.
Online visibility as a source of competitive advantage for small- and medium-sized tourism accommodation enterprises

This study examines the importance of the Internet as a distribution channel for medium-sized and small accommodation enterprises, identifying the characteristics that could make the Internet a source of competitive advantage. From the resource-based view, online visibility is considered a differentiating factor in the accommodation business, able to produce superior organisational performance through the capture of new clients and by increasing the occupancy rate. The hypotheses are evaluated using regression models with data from small- and medium-sized hotels in Spain available in the public database SABI. The results show a positive effect of online visibility on organisational performance, although explaining only 10% of performance variance. However, online visibility is a determinant for the percentage of reservations made via the Internet.
Imaging of reactive oxygen species burst from mitochondria using laser scanning confocal microscopy

Objective: Although several methods have been used to detect the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, it is still difficult to determine where ROS generate from. This study aimed to demonstrate whether ROS generate from mitochondria during oxidative stress induced mitochondria damage in cardiac H9c2 cells by laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM). Methods: Cardiac H9c2 cells were exposed to H2O2 (1200μM) to induce mitochondrial oxidant damage. Mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) was measured by staining cells with tetramethylrhodamine ethyl ester (TMRE); ROS generation was measured by staining cells with dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (H2DCFDA). Results: A rapid/transient ROS burst from mitochondria was induced in cardiac cells treated with H2O2 compared with the control group, suggesting that mitochondria are the main source of ROS induced by oxidative stress in H9c2 cells. Meanwhile, the TMRE fluorescence intensity of mitochondria which had produced a great deal of ROS decreased significantly, indicating that the burst of ROS induces the loss of ΔΨm. In addition, the structure of mitochondria was damaged seriously after ROS burst. However, we also demonstrated that the TMRE fluorescence intensity might be affected by H2DCFDA. Conclusions: Mitochondria are the main source of ROS induced by oxidative stress in H9c2 cells and these findings provide a new method to observe whether ROS generate from mitochondria by LSCM. However, these observations also suggested that it is inaccurate to test the fluorescence intensities of cells stained with two or more different fluorescent dyes which should be paid more attention to. Microsc. Res. Tech. 76:612–617, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Asian Currency Crises: Do Fundamentals still Matter? A Markov-Switching Approach to Causes and Timing

This paper examines the extent to which the Asian currency crises can be accounted for by the macroeconomic fundamentals suggested by first and second generation models, exclusive of the ideas of the third generation models. In doing so we extend the literature on the earlier models by using GARCH and Path Independent Markov-Switching GARCH models to explain the market pressure on the exchange rate, and the probability of the timing of a crisis. In addition, we account for appreciations of the exchange rate. Our empirical estimates for Indonesia, South Korea, Malaysia and Thailand confirm that macroeconomic variables can explain the crises and the probability of occurrence at any time, dominating the conventionally used logit model.
Reference Values and Distribution of Conventional Echocardiographic Doppler Measures and Longitudinal Tissue Doppler Velocities in a Population Free From Cardiovascular Disease

Background—This study aimed to investigate the distribution of conventional Doppler measurements, pulsed wave tissue Doppler imaging (pwTDI)- and color tissue Doppler imaging-derived velocities, by age and sex in a healthy population. Methods and Results—Longitudinal tissue Doppler velocities were determined in 1266 healthy individuals from standard apical 4- and 2-chamber views. By the pwTDI method, mean±SD systolic mitral annular velocities were 8.2±1.3 cm/s in women and 8.6±1.4 cm/s in men, and by color tissue Doppler, they were 6.6±1.1 cm/s in women and 6.9±1.3 cm/s in men. With pwTDI, diastolic early mitral annular velocities were 11.8±3.2 cm/s in women and 10.8±3.0 cm/s in men, with corresponding ratios between mitral early flow velocity and early diastolic tissue velocity of 6.7±0.8 in women and 6.4±0.8 in men. By pwTDI, tricuspid annular systolic and early diastolic velocities were 12.5±1.9 and 13.3±3.0, respectively, in women and 12.8±2.2 and 12.5±3.3, respectively, in men. There was a significant decrease in left and right ventricular function with increasing age. Conclusions—The longitudinal mitral and tricuspid annular velocities from this population study are widely applicable as reference values. Reference values for annular velocities should be specified by sex and age. The average of inferoseptal and anterolateral wall velocities may be the preferred index of left ventricular performance.
The Valuation of Management Control Systems in Start-Up Companies: International Field-Based Evidence

Abstract The question of whether management control systems (MCSs) adopted by start-up companies are valuable is examined. We investigate an international sample of start-ups, including their detailed MCS adoptions and financing histories. We find that higher MCS intensity, which is measured as the number of systems adopted at year-end immediately prior to the financing round, has a positive impact on company value. We also find that equity financiers value MCS more than do debt financiers. The valuation implication is more pronounced for start-up companies operating in highly competitive environments and with higher growth. We also document a positive relation between change in MCS intensity and change in firm value. Additional analyses show that higher company valuation is found for companies that align their MCS choices with their strategic positioning. In particular, systems that implement strategy are perceived to be more important and valuable than others. Overall, our paper provides new evidence for the debate concerning the merits of formal control in start-up companies.
El Niño–Southern Oscillation influences on the interannual variability of leaf appearance dates in central Siberia

This paper analyses the role of the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) on the interannual variability of the leaf appearance dates of boreal forests in the Northern Hemisphere (1982–2004). We find significant negative correlations between the ENSO, quantified by means of the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI), and the leaf appearance dates in central Siberia with up to 9 months lag. The correlations between leaf appearance dates and summer Sea Surface Temperatures (SST) show a pattern that resembles the ENSO phenomena with positive and significant correlations in the East Pacific and negative in the West. These findings are explained by the role of SOI on Sea Level Pressures, 500 hPa Geopotential and the wind flow direction and intensity during the months of leaf appearance (April and May) and on average temperatures, which determine noticeably the date of leaf appearance.
Influence of oxygen tension, sulfhydryl compounds, and serum on the motility and virulence of Treponema pallidum (Nichols strain) in a cell-free system

The motility and virulence of Treponema pallidum (Nichols strain) were monitored during incubation in a modified tissue culture medium to study the effects of oxygen tension and medium composition on survival of the organism. A basal medium of Eagle minimal essential medium with 50% fresh, heat-inactivated normal rabbit serum was used inasmuch as better survival occurred with 50% normal rabbit serum than with lower concentrations. Addition of 0.5 to 2.0 mM dithiothreitol or 2.0 mM dithioerythritol to the basal medium led to significantly longer retention of T. pallidum viability in the presence of 3% oxygen than under aerobic or anaerobic conditions. The results of this investigation lend support to the classification of T. pallidum as a microaerophilic organism and provide direction for the design of potentially successful culture systems, with or without tissue culture cells.
Outpatient Treatment of Dyslexia Through Stimulation of the Cerebral Hemispheres

Although a number of experimental investigations into the effects of hemisphere stimulation on the reading performance of individuals with dyslexia are currently available, only a few studies have addressed the effects of treatment in the setting of an outpatient clinic. The present study reports on the reading results after a treatment that was based on the balance model and incorporated notions from cognitive psychological origin in 80 children with severe dyslexia who were referred to the outpatient clinic of the Paedological Institute in Amsterdam. Treatment was individually tailored, depending on the type of dyslexia, the phase of the learning-to-read process, and the intermediate results of treatment. Effects on reading performance, measured after preclinical (home-training), clinical, and postclinical intervention periods, were analyzed through multiple time-series and multilevel analyses. Treatment with flash cards, exercising automatic letter-sound conversions, appeared to have a robust and slight effect in the preclinical and clinical phases, respectively, whereas hemishpere stimulation produced robust effects in both the clinical and the post-clinical period. The results are discussed in terms of theoretical models, experimental findings of other investigations, intellectual and scholastic characteristics of the subjects, and such treatment factors as compliance (see Note).