Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Patterns And Rates Of Crime Evolution In Mexico

Mexicans are fearful and concerned about the waves of crime that have permeated the fabric of their cities and even that of small villages. In order to understand the growth of crime, institutions need to answer a key question about the rate of change of crime: How does crime evolve through time? Both academia and the public sector have paid significant attention to crime issues over the last few years. Existing approaches to crime seem to view it as an isolated event and very little attention has been given to the study of the behaviour of crime through time. This research project uses a generalised logistic model and nonlinear regression in order to develop an understanding of the dynamics of crime in Mexico. It seems that crime performance is an orderly diffusion process. The patterns of temporal diffusion of crime seem to grow slowly at the beginning, followed by an accelerating and then decelerating growth, culminating in saturation or decline. It is hoped that this sheds some light on a better understanding of the rate of crime change so that improved approaches can be formulated for preventing and controlling crime.
Supply Chain Structures on the Internet: Marketing-Operations Coordination

The widespread adoption of the Internet has resulted in the possibility of disintermediation of information flow and physical goods flow: a company selling a product no longer has to own/deliver it to the customer. As a result, supply chain structures arise in which the retailer is primarily concerned with customer acquisition, and the wholesaler takes care of inventory and fulfillment. This form of doing business on the Internet is identical to the practice of drop-shipping that some catalog companies employ. A recent survey indicates that more than 30% of online-only retailers use drop-shipping as a primary way to fulfill orders. Since marketing and operations functions under such arrangement are performed by separate companies, new ineffeciencies arise that result in suboptimal system performance. In this paper, we analyze the interaction between a wholesaler and a single retailer for drop-shipping supply chains. Three distinct drop-shipping models are considered: with a powerful wholesaler, with a powerful retailer and with a wholesaler and a retailer having an equal power. Further, we conduct a comparative analysis between the drop-shipping supply chains, a vertically integrated supply chain, and the traditional structure in which the retailer both holds inventories and acquires customers. Optimal solutions are obtained for both the traditional and drop-shipping models, and we show that both solutions are system sub-optimal. We demonstrate how decision power in the chain affects decision variables and profits. It is found that both channel members prefer drop-shipping agreements over the traditional agreements for a wide range of problem parameters. One of our main results is that none of the mechanisms described in the literature on channel coordination (except for those that allow side payments) are able to induce a optimal system behavior in the presence of customer acquisition expenses. We therefore propose a new coordination scheme where, in addition to using a returns contract (for the traditional supply chain structure) or a penalty scheme (for the drop-shipping structure), the wholesaler subsidizes a part of the retailer's marketing expenses. Extensive comments are provided on the comparative benefits of traditional and drop-shipping supply chains.
Motivating the Nigerian academic and non-academic staff for sustainable higher education: Insights for policy options

The deteriorating economic environment over the last decade, due in part to declining commodity prices and oil price and exchange rate fluctuations, has shrunk national budgets. Simultaneously, high levels of demographic growth rates have swollen the ranks of the university-age population. Pressures to expand higher education at all levels persist. However, additional public resources for the sector are not likely to become available in the near future. A very critical challenge in an environment of rising demand and declining resources is the proper management of staff basically in the context of motivation
Filter Rule Tests Of The Economic Significance Of Serial Dependencies In Daily Stock Returns

In this paper we examine the ability of filter rules to predict variation in expected daily returns for a sample of 120 Dow Jones and S&P 100 stocks from 1963 through 1989. Equally weighted portfolios of filter-rule-traded stocks consistently outperform a buy-and-hold portfolio of the same stocks before accounting for transaction costs. The difference in returns between filter rule and buy-and-hold portfolios is eliminated by one-way transaction costs of 12 basis points. The economic significance of daily stock return autocorrelations is estimated. A marginal 1 percent increase in a first-order autocorrelation increases filter rule returns by an estimated 3.84 percent.
In the absence of IL‐12, the induction of Th1‐mediated protective immunity by the attenuated schistosome vaccine is impaired, revealing an alternative pathway with Th2‐type characteristics

Vaccination of mice with irradiated Schistosoma mansoni larvae confers high levels of immunity which is mediated by Th1‐type lymphocytes. To investigate a possible role for IL‐12 in the induction of protection, we have compared the immune response of IL‐12 p40‐deficient (KO) mice and their C57BL/6 (WT) counterparts following vaccination. Cultured lymph node cells from KO mice had markedly altered cytokine profiles with significantly decreased production of IFN‐γ increased IL‐4. Correspondingly, KO mice had enhanced levels of IgE. After challenge, cells recovered from the lungs of KO mice secreted abundant IL‐4 and IL‐5 but little IFN‐γ, while flow cytometric and histological analysis of lung cell populations recorded a very high proportion of eosinophils. The levels of protection in KO mice were substantially lower than in their WT counterparts, demonstrating the importance of IL‐12 and Th1‐mediated immune responses. This conclusion is reinforced by the administration of rIL‐12 to KO mice immediately after vaccination which led to increased IFN‐γ and the restoration of protective immunity. Nevertheless, the data also indicated that the limited levels of protection induced in KO mice occur via an IL‐12‐independent pathway, possibly mediated by Th2 cells.
Different Roles of C-terminal Cassettes in the Trafficking of Full-length NR1 Subunits to the Cell Surface*

N-Methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors are glutamate-gated ion channels composed of NR1 and NR2 subunits. When expressed alone, the most prevalent NR1 splice variant and all NR2 subunits are retained in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), whereas other NR1 splice variants reach the cell surface to varying degrees. Because similar trafficking patterns have been seen for single transmembrane domain chimeric proteins with appended C termini of NMDA receptor subunits, these chimeric proteins have been used as a model for studying the mechanisms underlying the ER retention and surface trafficking of NMDA receptors. Using this approach, an RRR motif in the C1 cassette has been identified as a major ER retention signal present in NR1 subunits, and the surface localization of other NR1 splice variants has been explained by the absence of the C1 cassette or by the presence of a PDZ/coatomer protein complex II-binding domain in the C2′ cassette. However, when we tested these conclusions using full-length NR1 constructs, a more complex role of the C-terminal cassettes in the trafficking of NR1 subunits emerged. Our experiments showed that two independent ER retention motifs in the C1 cassette, KKK and RRR, are the signals mediating ER retention of the full-length NR1 subunits and that the C2 cassette has an additional inhibitory effect on the forward trafficking of NR1 subunits. On the other hand, C0 and C2′ cassettes had an enhancing effect on the trafficking of NR1 subunits to the cell surface. Our observations identify the unique roles of C-terminal cassettes in the trafficking of full-length NR1 subunits.
Antibiotic resistance in bacterial isolates from laboratory animal colonies naive to antibiotic treatment

Antiobiogrammes were made of a number of isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pasteurella pneumotropica derived from rodent, rabbit or minipig colonies never treated with antibiotics. For S. aureus no differences between rats and mice were found in the percentage of resistant isolates. Gentamicin and erythromycin were found to be the most efficient, while the highest percentages of resistance were found to be against penicillins and sulphonamides. In general, the results from antibiogrammes on E. coli were rather uniform, with only slight differences between isolates from different species, except that more vancomycin and tetracycline-resistant minipig isolates were found. In almost all isolates of E. coli, resistance was shown against penicillin, fucidin, macrolides, lincosamides and tiamulin. For a number of antibiotics, mouse isolates of P. pneumotropica were more frequently found to be sensitive than rat isolates. The resistance patterns of E. coli from the minipigs were quite similar to resistance patterns found in farm pigs, but apart from this, the resistance patterns of the bacterial species tested did not resemble human or farm animal patterns in any of the animal species, and, therefore, these studies do not support the theory that S. aureus and E. coli in laboratory animal colonies derive from the normal flora of the human caretakers. The fact that rodent species of E. coli, in contrast to human and farm animal species, are sensitive to ampicillin, tetracyclines, and the combination of sulphonamides and trimethoprim, might be due to the fact that these antibiotics are not used in rodent populations.
Further education and social inclusion under New Labour

This investigation analyses the production and reproduction of class-based social inequality within the Further Education and Skills system in England, with a particular focus on the years of Labour government following the 1997 General Election. New Labour policy on further education (FE) continually emphasised the importance of reforming the sector for a dual role: contributing to UK economic competitiveness by expanding the skills base; and promoting social inclusion by integrating vulnerable people into job markets and society more broadly. The published work submitted here investigates how this 'reform agenda' unfolded in three key aspects of FE provision, and examines the ways in which inequality continued to be produced and reproduced, in spite of the proposed key role for FE in social inclusion. The aspects considered are the training and workplace development of FE teachers, the rehabilitation of creativity within discourses of knowledge economy and social cohesion, and programmes for young people at risk of becoming NEET (not in education, employment or training). In addition to the published work, a commentary outlines the context and main arguments of each paper, explains my contribution to the three co-authored publications and discusses the theoretical and methodological underpinnings of the investigation. The commentary concludes by discussing the overall contribution to knowledge of the work and its theoretical significance.
Exocytotic Vesicle Behaviour Assessed by Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence Microscopy

The regulated trafficking or exocytosis of cargo‐containing vesicles to the cell surface is fundamental to all cells. By coupling the technology of fluorescently tagged fusion proteins with total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (TIRFM), it is possible to achieve the high spatio‐temporal resolution required to study the dynamics of sub‐plasma membrane vesicle trafficking and exocytosis. TIRFM has been used in a number of cell types to visualize and dissect the various steps of exocytosis revealing how molecules identified via genetic and/or biochemical approaches are involved in the regulation of this process. Here, we summarize the contribution of TIRFM to our understanding of the mechanism of exocytosis and discuss the novel methods of analysis that are required to exploit the large volumes of data that can be produced using this technique.
Reforming Local Leadership and Local Democracy: The Cases of England, Sweden, Germany and France in Comparative Perspective

Abstract In this article it is argued that with regard to characteristic features of the recent local government reform targeted at local leadership two country groups can be distinguished. On the one hand, the reforms in England and Sweden have critically focused on the traditional government by committee and its collective/collegial decision-making form. This was reformed into a ‘de-collectivised', if not ‘individualised' commission form, with England going furthest in concentrating the decision-making and ‘executive' powers within the cabinet, while essentially restricting the elected council to a ‘scrutinising' function. By contrast, Sweden, while also moving towards ‘de-collectivising' and ‘parliamentarising' local leadership, has basically held on to the traditional government by committee form. On the other hand, in Continental European, Germany's local government reform has further accentuated the traditionally ‘monocratic' local leadership through the direct election of the (‘executive') mayor, thus moving towards a local ‘presidential' leadership; yet, at the same time, it has provided for a ‘tripolar' local power balance particularly by expanding direct democratic citizen rights (i.e. the recall of the mayor, a binding local referendum). France, however, has essentially retained the traditionally predominant ‘monocratic' leadership position of the formally council-elected ‘executive' mayor, with the council playing a largely mayor-dependent role.
Liver Receptor Homologue-1 (LRH-1) Regulates Expression of Aromatase in Preadipocytes*

Estrogen biosynthesis from C19steroids is catalyzed by aromatase cytochrome P450. Aromatase is expressed in breast adipose tissue through the use of a distal, cytokine-responsive promoter (promoter I.4). Breast tumors, however, secrete soluble factors that stimulate aromatase expression through an alternative proximal promoter, promoter II. In other estrogenic tissues such as ovaries, transcription from promoter II requires the presence of the Ftz-F1 homologue steroidogenic factor-1 (SF-1); adipose tissue, however, does not express SF-1. We have explored the hypothesis that in adipose tissue, an alternative Ftz-F1 family member, liver receptor homologue-1 (LRH-1), substitutes for SF-1 in driving transcription from promoter II. In transient transfection assays using 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, promoter II reporter constructs were modestly (2–3-fold) stimulated by either treatment with activators of protein kinases A or C (PKA/C) or by cotransfection with LRH-1. In combination, these treatments synergistically activated promoter II (>30-fold). Induction by LRH-1 (but not by PKA/C) required an AGGTCA motif at −130 base pairs, to which LRH-1 bound in gel shift assays. Activity of GAL4-LRH-1 fusion proteins was not altered by activators of PKA or PKC. Quantitative real-time PCR revealed that LRH-1 (but not SF-1) is expressed in the preadipocyte fraction of human adipose tissue at levels comparable with that of liver. Differentiation of cultured human preadipocytes into mature adipocytes was associated with a time-dependent induction of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ), and rapid loss of LRH-1 and aromatase expression. We conclude that LRH-1 is a preadipocyte-specific nuclear receptor that regulates expression of aromatase in adipose tissue. Alterations in LRH-1 expression and/or activity in adipose tissue could therefore have considerable effects on local estrogen production and breast cancer development.
The Relationship Between Assessments of Internal Control Strength and Error Occurrence, Impact and Cause

Abstract Planning judgments concerning the nature, extent and timing of evidence are critical to an audit's effectiveness and efficiency. The auditing literature suggests that knowledge of the strength of a client's internal controls in various cycles is an important consideration in such judgments, since the controls' strength is expected to affect the likelihood and nature of financial statement errors. This study examines the occurrence, financial impact and cause of detected misstatements as related to the assessed strength of internal controls. Data on detected errors were gathered from a random, cross-sectional sample of 186 audit agreements. Auditors reported detailed information on 368 audit adjustments, representing 731 misstatements to individual accounts. The results indicated that as assessed internal controls weakened, the frequency of adjustments increased and adjustments were more likely to have an effect on income. However, error magnitude did not differ across control strength settings. E.
The Design of a Dynamic Tradeable Quota System under Market Imperfections

Abstract Market power within a dynamic system of tradeable quotas with banking and borrowing of quotas leads to a nonoptimal distribution of abatement across agents. In this paper we introduce a quota system that may reduce the efficiency loss from market power and thereby result in a distribution of abatement across agents that is closer to a cost-effective outcome. However, this system will in general lead to a nonoptimal distribution of abatement across periods . Hence, we may face a trade-off between a cost-effective distribution of abatement across periods and reduced adverse effects of market power.
The 1999 reform of the structural fund regulations: multi-level governance or renationalization?

This article examines the June 1999 reform of the European Union’s structural funds. This is the second major reform to the regulations established in 1988, the first having occurred in 1993. The article evaluates the 1999 changes in relation to the earlier decisions. It also seeks to determine what they imply for a theoretical understanding of the policy sector. In particular, it evaluates whether the 1999 reforms represent a renationalization of the funds. The conclusion reached is that central governments were undoubtedly crucial to the reform process and will remain pivotal actors in the operation of the funds. Nevertheless, the 1999 reforms, as with the 1993 reforms before them, do not represent a complete renationalization of the funds. As identified by the multi-level governance perspective, the Commission will continue to be active in the sector in a bargaining relationship with the central governments. Subnational actors will also be important, although this importance will be heavily influenced by the central governments.
Outsourcing decisions in global supply chains: an exploratory multi-country survey

Outsourcing has become a necessity for most companies in today's competitive environment, which is also evidenced by a growing interest by academics worldwide. However, to date very few multi-country studies exist that compare and contrast outsourcing decisions and practices by organisations in different countries. The present research aims to contribute to this area by reporting and analysing results from a survey conducted in 15 countries. Using a total dataset of 806 responses, empirical exploratory insights are reported on the evolving approaches and concepts of outsourcing decision-making in different countries. More specifically, this study provides characteristics of the most important suppliers to respondents across the 15 nations, and explores rationales for outsourcing, highlighting country-specific similarities and differences. In addition, using transaction cost economics (TCE), four hypotheses are developed and tested, linking contract specificity, purchase risk, supplier responsiveness, and procedural rigour to purchase performance within an outsourcing context. In addition, differences on these main variables across the 15 countries are explored. Insights for academia and practice are highlighted.
Wavelet-based steganalysis using a computational immune system approach

Current signature-based approaches for detecting the presence of hidden messages in digital files - the initial step in steganalysis - rely on discerning "footprints" of steganographic tools. Of greater recent concern is detecting the use of novel proprietary or "home-grown" tools for which no signature has been established. This research focuses on detecting anomalies in seemingly innocuous images, applying a genetic algorithm within a computational immune system to leverage powerful image processing through wavelet analysis. The sensors developed with this new, synergistic system demonstrated a surprising level of capability to detect the use of steganographic tools for which the system had no previous exposure.
The Most General Methodology to Create a Valid Correlation Matrix for Risk Management and Option Pricing Purposes

We have presented two simple methods to produce a feasible (i.e. real, symmetric, and positivesemidefinite) correlation matrix when the econometric one is either noisy, unavailable, or inappropriate. The first method is to the knowledge of the authors more general than any of the approaches which have been proposed in the literature, and computationally faster. It can actually produce the optimal feasible solution in a sense specified by the user. The second method is, in principle, not as general, but we show that i) it is extremely fast and ii) it produces results very close to those obtained using the general procedure. It can therefore be used in its own right, or as a starting point for the general optimisation procedure, thereby making the latter even faster.
Assessment of Epstein-Barr virus association with pediatric non-hodgkin lymphoma in immunocompetent and in immunocompromised patients in Argentina.

CONTEXT Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has been classically associated with 3 malignancies, Burkitt lymphoma, B-cell lymphoproliferative syndromes, and nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and more recently with Hodgkin disease, T-cell lymphomas, and gastric and breast carcinomas, as well as with leiomyosarcoma and leiomyoma associated with immunosuppression. OBJECTIVE To compare EBV expression in Argentine tumor samples with those reported elsewhere, we analyzed EBV expression in an Argentine pediatric population with non-Hodgkin lymphoma and correlated these results with clinical course and outcome. METHODS We studied EBV presence by latent membrane protein-1 protein labeling by immunohistochemistry, by in situ hybridization, and by polymerase chain reaction for Epstein-Barr-encoded RNAs (EBERs) in formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded non-Hodgkin lymphoma tissue samples (collected retrospectively) from 32 pediatric patients at Ricardo Gutiérrez Children's Hospital from 1993 to 2000. RESULTS Eight out of the 32 (25%) non-Hodgkin lymphoma cases showed latent membrane protein-1 and EBERs by in situ hybridization positive staining in tumor cells. Among EBERs and latent membrane protein-1-positive cases, there were 5 immunocompromised patients, with either human immunodeficiency virus infection or primary immunodeficiency. The EBERs in situ hybridization results were confirmed by EBERs polymerase chain reaction in good-quality DNA from 11 samples, with 3 proving positive and 8 negative. CONCLUSIONS The association of EBV with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in the Argentine pediatric population was low (25%), and this figure rose to 100% when only the immunocompromised patients subgroup was considered, confirming that the virus is probably a cofactor in the lymphomagenesis of some but not all pediatric non-Hodgkin lymphoma. So far, no differences in clinical outcome are discernible between EBV-positive and EBV-negative non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients.