Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dynamic voluntary provision of public goods with uncertainty: a stochastic differential game model

Fershtman and Nitzan (Eur. Econ. Rev. 35:1057–1067, 1991) presented a continuous dynamic public good game and solved the model for feedback Nash equilibria. Wirl (Eur. J. Polit. Econ. 12:555–560, 1996) extended the model and considered nonlinear strategies. Both models do not include uncertainty and hence neglect an important factor in the theory of public goods. We extend the framework of Nitzan and Fershtman and include a diffusion term. We consider two cases. In the first case, the volatility of the diffusion term is dependent on the current level of the public good. This set-up will in principle lead to the same type of feedback strategies computed under certainty. In the second case, the volatility is dependent on the current rate of public good provision by the agents. The results are qualitatively different. We provide a detailed discussion as well as numerical examples. In particular, we show that in both cases uncertainty signifies the free rider effect.
Chorus probability and wave power distributions as observed by the Polar Plasma Wave Instrument

Determining the global distribution of chorus wave power in the off-equatorial region is a crucial component in understanding the contribution of chorus to radiation belt acceleration and loss. In this study we employ a database of chorus observations from the Plasma Wave Instrument (PWI) Sweep Frequency Receiver (SFR) onboard the Polar spacecraft, which are used to generate probability statistics, and approximate typical magnetic wave power as a function of space and geomagnetic activity. Previous studies concerning chorus wave power statistics have focused on a band-integrated and time-averaged data product which is typically used as the fundamental chorus input to radiation belt diffusion models. We estimate this quantity by which mean magnetic wave power and occurrence probability are incorporated to determine what we call “composite” wave power. These data products are a crucial step forward in understanding the radiation belt wave environment and evaluating essential inputs for radiation belt models.
Effectiveness of gene expression profiling for response prediction of rectal adenocarcinomas to preoperative chemoradiotherapy.

PURPOSE There is a wide spectrum of tumor responsiveness of rectal adenocarcinomas to preoperative chemoradiotherapy ranging from complete response to complete resistance. This study aimed to investigate whether parallel gene expression profiling of the primary tumor can contribute to stratification of patients into groups of responders or nonresponders. PATIENTS AND METHODS Pretherapeutic biopsies from 30 locally advanced rectal carcinomas were analyzed for gene expression signatures using microarrays. All patients were participants of a phase III clinical trial (CAO/ARO/AIO-94, German Rectal Cancer Trial) and were randomized to receive a preoperative combined-modality therapy including fluorouracil and radiation. Class comparison was used to identify a set of genes that were differentially expressed between responders and nonresponders as measured by T level downsizing and histopathologic tumor regression grading. RESULTS In an initial set of 23 patients, responders and nonresponders showed significantly different expression levels for 54 genes (P < .001). The ability to predict response to therapy using gene expression profiles was rigorously evaluated using leave-one-out cross-validation. Tumor behavior was correctly predicted in 83% of patients (P = .02). Sensitivity (correct prediction of response) was 78%, and specificity (correct prediction of nonresponse) was 86%, with a positive and negative predictive value of 78% and 86%, respectively. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that pretherapeutic gene expression profiling may assist in response prediction of rectal adenocarcinomas to preoperative chemoradiotherapy. The implementation of gene expression profiles for treatment stratification and clinical management of cancer patients requires validation in large, independent studies, which are now warranted.
Accounting for Intangible Investments

The traditional categorisation of expenditures evident in many firms' Charts of Accounts and the financial statements does not identify and measure expenditures on intangible investment separately from tangible investment and operating expenditures. This contrasts with the accounting for tangible investment, which separately accounts for all expenditures as assets unless the future benefits are consumed in a single accounting period. Further, in searching for better ways to account for intangibles, to date, regulators and researchers have focused on the accounting choice problem relating to the existence and recognisability of intangible assets. In this paper, we argue that identifying and separately reporting the expenditures on intangible investment is the logical first step in accounting for intangible investments. Learning about the firm's categories of value driving (and sometimes potentially value destroying) expenditures has important implications for understanding aspects of the value chain, performance measurement, valuation, corporate governance, and the external audit.
Socio-digital affordances for the enhancement of pre-service teachers’ collaborative reflective practice and knowledge building

The main objective of this design experiment was to examine and analyze the possibilities offered by a hybrid learning environment (onsite/online interactions) in terms of collaborative reflective practice and knowledge building (Scardamalia & Bereiter, 1994) for pre-service teachers doing field experiences in secondary schools. The concept of affordances (Gibson, 1979) was central in our framework as we took an ecological perspective of the human-machine and online human-human interactions that took place among individuals within their hybrid learning environment. Research results show how onsite and online interactions can combine to create a collaborative learning environment enhancing pre-service teachers skills with technology and a constructivist approach to pedagogy. Further design possibilities were identified.
Housing Inequality in Urban China : Guangzhou 1996 and 2005

lisiming@hkbu.edu. hkBased on household surveys conducted in the City of Guangzhou in 1996 and 2005, this paper examines the changes in the extent and nature of urban housing inequality in China consequent upon the cessation of the welfare allocation of housing at the turn of the millennium. The result shows that the overall level of housing inequality in Guangzhou has remained quite stable. Both continuities and changes are revealed for the factors behind the differences in housing consumption. In particular, household income has assumed greater importance. However, variables characterizing social and housing stratification in the former socialist redistributive economy, such as membership in the CCP and hukou continue to exert substantial influence on the access to housing.
T cell‐based targeted immunotherapies for patients with multiple myeloma

Despite high‐dose chemotherapy followed by autologs stem‐cell transplantation as well as novel therapeutic agents, multiple myeloma (MM) remains incurable. Following the general trend towards personalized therapy, targeted immunotherapy as a new approach in the therapy of MM has emerged. Better progression‐free survival and overall survival after tandem autologs/allogeneic stem cell transplantation suggest a graft versus myeloma effect strongly supporting the usefulness of immunological therapies for MM patients. How to induce a powerful antimyeloma effect is the key issue in this field. Pivotal is the definition of appropriate tumor antigen targets and effective methods for expansion of T cells with clinical activity. Besides a comprehensive list of tumor antigens for T cell‐based approaches, eight promising antigens, CS1, Dickkopf‐1, HM1.24, Human telomerase reverse transcriptase, MAGE‐A3, New York Esophageal‐1, Receptor of hyaluronic acid mediated motility and Wilms' tumor gene 1, are described in detail to provide a background for potential clinical use. Results from both closed and on‐going clinical trials are summarized in this review. On the basis of the preclinical and clinical data, we elaborate on three encouraging therapeutic options, vaccine‐enhanced donor lymphocyte infusion, chimeric antigen receptors–transfected T cells as well as vaccines with multiple antigen peptides, to pave the way towards clinically significant immune responses against MM.
Managing the Strengths of Ties for Internationalization:Lessons from Four Rapidly Internationalized Chinese SMEs

This study aims at providing exploratory insights into the initiative and capabilities of Chinese SMEs to develop and utilize diverse networks to support internationalization. Such network development and utilization efforts are fundamental to the analysis and explanation of Chinese firms’ internationalization patterns and outcomes. Extending from the existing network studies in the Chinese context that generally put emphasis on strong‐tie and ethnic‐oriented networks, this paper investigates and explains explicitly the use and effects of both strong‐ and weak‐tie networks in the international development of Chinese SMEs. Indepth case studies on four rapidly internationalized Chinese SMEs are conducted. The case findings demonstrate that weak‐tie networks are essential to the firms’ business development in foreign markets; and were proactively developed and utilized in the course of the firms’ development. The cases also provide alternative perspectives to the beliefs and values underpinning strong‐tie networks presumed in existing literature. The findings draw attention to the changing business values and approaches of the Chinese firms aiming at developing internationally. Managerial implications concerning the significant influence of effective networking on internationalization are pinpointed.
Bronchiolitis and asthma in infancy and early childhood.

Background. Many young children wheeze during respiratory infections, but the pathogenesis of these episodes and their relation to the development of asthma later in life are not well understood. Methods. In a prospective study, we investigated the factors affecting wheezing before the age of three years and their relation to wheezing at six years of age. Of 1246 newborns in the Tucson, Arizona area enrolled between May 1980 and October 1984, follow-up data at both three and six years of age was available for 826. For these children, assessments in infancy included measurement of cord-serum IgE levels (measured in 750 children), pulmonary-function testing before any lower respiratory illness had occurred (125), measurement of serum IgE levels at nine months of age (672), and questionnaires completed by the children's parents when the children were one year old (800). Assessments at six years of age included measurement of serum IgE levels (in 460), pulmonary-function testing (526), and skin allergy testing (629). Results. At the age of six years, 425 children (51 5 percent) had never wheezed, 164 (19.9 percent) had had at least one lower respiratory illness with wheezing during the first three years of life but had no wheezing at six years of age, 124 (15 0 percent) had no wheezing before the age of three years but had wheezing at the age of six years, and 113 (13 7 percent) had wheezing both before three years of age and at six years of age. The children who had wheezing before three years of age but not at the age of six had diminished airway function (length-adjusted maximal expiratory flow at functional residual capacity [Vmax FRC]) both before the age of
Swi1 and Swi3 Are Components of a Replication Fork Protection Complex in Fission Yeast

ABSTRACT Swi1 is required for programmed pausing of replication forks near the mat1 locus in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. This fork pausing is required to initiate a recombination event that switches mating type. Swi1 is also needed for the replication checkpoint that arrests division in response to fork arrest. How Swi1 accomplishes these tasks is unknown. Here we report that Swi1 copurifies with a 181-amino-acid protein encoded by swi3+. The Swi1-Swi3 complex is required for survival of fork arrest and for activation of the replication checkpoint kinase Cds1. Association of Swi1 and Swi3 with chromatin during DNA replication correlated with movement of the replication fork. swi1Δ and swi3Δ mutants accumulated Rad22 (Rad52 homolog) DNA repair foci during replication. These foci correlated with the Rad22-dependent appearance of Holliday junction (HJ)-like structures in cells lacking Mus81-Eme1 HJ resolvase. Rhp51 and Rhp54 homologous recombination proteins were not required for viability in swi1Δ or swi3Δ cells, indicating that the HJ-like structures arise from single-strand DNA gaps or rearranged forks instead of broken forks. We propose that Swi1 and Swi3 define a fork protection complex that coordinates leading- and lagging-strand synthesis and stabilizes stalled replication forks.
Energy Input, Price and Industrial Output in Pakistan: A Cointegration Approach

The study has utilized the Johansen Method of Cointegration in order to examine the relationship between the disaggregate energy consumption and the industrial output. The oil, gas, coal and electricity consumption variables have been selected for the disaggregate energy consumption. The result confirms the positive effect of disaggregate energy consumption on the industrial output. Furthermore, bidirectional causality has been identified in case of oil consumption, whereas, unidirectional causality running from electricity consumption to the industrial output is also seen. Moreover, unidirectional causality has been observed from the industrial output to the coal consumption, though there is no such causality occurs between the gas consumption and output. The adamant adherence to the conservative energy policies could prove harmful to the industrial production. Therefore, the government has to develop the innovative energy policies in order to cope with the immediate and future energy demands. Additionally, the government must seriously explore the possibilities of using the alternative energy sources such as solar and wind in order to boost up the clean industrial growth as well as meet the required energy demand of this sector. Keywords: Energy Consumption, Output, Johansen Cointegration Test
Changing HRM practices with firm growth

Despite common perceptions about the informality of human resource management (HRM) practices within small firms, few studies have considered how HRM practices change with firm size. This paper explores how HRM practices of small firms change as the size of the firm increases. Using data from micro, small and medium firms in Queensland, Australia, the paper reviews the recruitment and selection practices, training methods, performance appraisal and the maintenance of HR records and policies in these firms. The findings indicate a move towards hierarchical structures, increased documentation and more administrative processes as the number of employees increases. The increase is rapid initially and then occurs at a slower pace thereafter. Such changes have implications for the management of the employment relationship. The paper concludes that HRM practices in small firms cannot be portrayed by a standardised description and that management training and advice for small firms must recognise the diversity associated with this important sector of the Australian economy.
Associations between oral sugar clearance, dental caries, and related factors among 71-year-olds

Objective. To investigate the associations between oral sugar clearance and the prevalence of dental decay. Material and Methods. A total of 92 (44 F, 48 M) 71-year-old subjects in Göteborg, Sweden were consecutively chosen from a representative cohort study. The subjects were examined for: 1) caries-related status, 2) oral function, 3) salivary conditions, 4) cariogenic micro-organisms, and 5) oral sugar clearance. A factor analysis was used to investigate the possible existence of latent variables within these five areas. The latent variables from the factor analyses were used to study the associations between clearance and caries in multivariate regression models. Results. Only one latent variable relating to oral sugar clearance was found. In the regression model with the latent variable related to oral sugar clearance as a dependent variable and gender plus the latent variables related to oral function and salivary conditions as an independent variable, there were associations with gender and some latent variables reflecting oral function and one reflecting glucose in saliva (R2=0.20/0.17). Three latent variables relating to caries-related status were found and these were associated with the number of teeth, the percentage of filled tooth surfaces, and the percentage of decayed tooth surfaces (DS%). In the regression analysis using the latent variable associated with DS% as a dependent variable, this variable was related to the latent variables of oral sugar clearance and to some reflecting oral function, as well as glucose in saliva (R2=0.28). Conclusions: Oral sugar clearance appears to be independently associated with the prevalence of dental caries in the elderly.
French National Elections: Democratic Disequilibrium and the 2007 Forecasts

Abstract. The outcome of the 2007 elections in France raises a number of questions about the current state of democracy in that country. To put these elections into perspective, we examine the evolution of the French party system and electorate throughout the Fifth Republic. We look first at the pattern of party electoral movement over time. Then we evaluate the partisan cycle with respect to certain equilibrium conditions, namely stability, competition, and democratic rule. Based on these patterns, we arrive at a classification of French national elections using the Michigan school's theoretical framework. A key conclusion is that, in general, these Fifth Republic elections are in disequilibrium and often fail to express the majority partisan will. The 2007 results, which represent a return of the traditional right, are examined against the Iowa forecasting model, to see if they depart from these troubling conclusions. Résumé. Les résultats des élections de 2007 en France soulèvent une série de questions à propos de l'état de la démocratie dans ce pays. Afin de mettre ces élections en perspective, nous examinons l'évolution du système partisan et des inclinaisons idéologiques de l'électorat français sous la Cinquième République. Nous nous attardons d'abord au mouvement dans le temps des appuis partisans. Nous évaluons ensuite l'équilibre du cycle partisan en France sur la base de certaines conditions, à savoir la stabilité, la compétition et la gouverne démocratique. Cet exercice permet d'en arriver à une classification des élections nationales françaises inspirée du cadre théorique de l'école de Michigan. La conclusion principale de cette analyse est qu'en général, ces élections attestent d'un déséquilibre, car le plus souvent, elles n'expriment pas la volonté majoritaire de l'électorat. Les élections de 2007, marquées par un retour en force de la droite, sont enfin analysées à la lumière du modèle de prévision électorale dit «de l'Iowa» afin de vérifier si elles s'inscrivent ou non dans cette dynamique de déséquilibre.
Note on the Calibration of Executive Compensation Models

This note is intended for researchers who want to implement the Dittmann and Maug (2007) calibration method. This method allows to test a complete principal-agent model with individual-level data on executive pay. The method consists of two steps. First, the principal-agent model is simplified so that it can be calibrated to the data for an individual CEO. After that, the calibrated model yields predictions about the optimal contract of this CEO, and these predictions can then be compared to observed contracts. This note contains step-by-step instructions on how to replicate the core results of Dittmann and Maug (2007) and Dittmann, Maug, and Spalt (2010). We report intermediate results for an example CEO, so that different parts of the program code can be tested individually.
Human Gingiva‐Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Attenuate Contact Hypersensitivity via Prostaglandin E2‐Dependent Mechanisms

The immunomodulatory and anti‐inflammatory functions of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have been demonstrated in several autoimmune/inflammatory disease models, but their contribution to the mitigation of contact hypersensitivity (CHS) remains unclear. Here, we report a new immunological approach using human gingiva‐derived MSCs (GMSCs) to desensitize and suppress CHS and the underlying mechanisms. Our results showed that systemic infusion of GMSCs before the sensitization and challenge phase dramatically suppress CHS, manifested as a decreased infiltration of dendritic cells (DCs), CD8+ T cells, TH‐17 and mast cells (MCs), a suppression of a variety of inflammatory cytokines, and a reciprocal increased infiltration of regulatory T cells and expression of IL‐10 at the regional lymph nodes and the allergic contact areas. The GMSC‐mediated immunosuppressive effects and mitigation of CHS were significantly abrogated on pretreatment with indomethacin, an inhibitor of cyclooxygenases. Under coculture condition of direct cell‐cell contact or via transwell system, GMSCs were capable of direct suppression of differentiation of DCs and phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate‐stimulated activation of MCs, whereas the inhibitory effects were attenuated by indomethacin. Mechanistically, GMSC‐induced blockage of de novo synthesis of proinflammatory cytokines by MCs is mediated partly by the tumor necrosis factor‐alpha/prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) feedback axis. These results demonstrate that GMSCs are capable of desensitizing allergic contact dermatitis via PGE2‐dependent mechanisms. STEM CELLS 2011;29:1849–1860
Securing FTP with TLS

This document describes a mechanism that can be used by FTP clients and servers to implement security and authentication using the TLS protocol defined by RFC 2246, "The TLS Protocol Version 1.0. ", and the extensions to the FTP protocol defined by RFC 2228, "FTP Security Extensions". It describes the subset of the extensions that are required and the parameters to be used, discusses some of the policy issues that clients and servers will need to take, considers some of the implications of those policies, and discusses some expected behaviours of implementations to allow interoperation. This document is intended to provide TLS support for FTP in a similar way to that provided for SMTP in RFC 2487, "SMTP Service Extension for Secure SMTP over Transport Layer Security", and HTTP in RFC 2817, "Upgrading to TLS Within HTTP/1.1. ". This specification is in accordance with RFC 959, "File Transfer Protocol". It relies on RFC 2246, "The TLS Protocol Version 1.0. ", and RFC 2228, "FTP Security Extensions". [STANDARDS-TRACK]
Cytokine generation in stored, white cell‐reduced, and bacterially contaminated units of red cells

BACKGROUND: Proinflammatory cytokines were measured in the supernatant portion of stored, bacterially contaminated, and/or white cell (WBC)‐ reduced units of red cells (RBCs). Previous studies from this laboratory and others have shown that cytokines are generated in platelet concentrates during storage. This earlier work has been expanded to the study of stored RBCs.