Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
THE NET BENEFIT TO GOVERNMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION: A “BALANCE SHEET” APPROACH

Previous studies find a positive relationship between juvenile and adult criminal involvement. Using data on males from the Delinquency in a Birth Cohort II study, we investigate whether this correlation is due to unobserved characteristics that increase the probability of both juvenile and adult crime, or whether it is due to true state dependence in crime. Distinguishing between state dependence and heterogeneity is important from a policy perspective. For example, if youthful crime causes adult crime, then policies that reduce a juvenile's criminal behavior will also reduce criminal behavior as an adult. Using a treatment effects model, we find evidence of both state dependence and heterogeneity in the relationship between juvenile and adult crime. The causal influence of delinquency on adult crime is largest for white males and males with fewer years of schooling. The findings suggest that preventive policies that divert juveniles from crime are a viable policy tool for reducing the overall rate of crime.
Spatial Filtering and the Zöllner—Judd Geometrical Illusion: Further Studies

In a geometrical figure in which long vertical lines are each crossed by a series of short oblique lines, an illusory effect is obtained such that the orientations of the long lines are perceived as nonvertical and shifted away from the orientation of the oblique lines (the Zöllner illusion). In addition, the vertical separation between the crossing (oblique) lines is perceived as less than that if the crossing lines are horizontal (the Judd illusion). It has previously been shown that these two effects are closely related, and a single-process account has been proposed in which both effects are explained by a computational model involving band-pass spatial filtering of the figure by means of difference-of-Gaussians (DOG) filters. Two arguments are presented against the latter account. First, in an opposite-contrast-polarity figure with, for example, white vertical lines and black crossing lines on a mid-grey background, the peaks in the DOG filter output are such as to predict the reversal of the Zöllner—Judd effects. It is shown by demonstration that this prediction is disconfirmed, and that the normal effects are obtained. Second, it is shown that the normal Zöllner—Judd effects are obtained in the absence of the long vertical lines, and in the presence of anomalous contours. The latter effects are also in contradiction to the band-pass-filtering model. These findings are discussed in relation to a dual-process account of the Zöllner—Judd effects.
Appearance of neurons and glia with respect to the wavefront during colonization of the avian gut by neural crest cells

The enteric nervous system is formed by neural crest cells that migrate, proliferate, and differentiate into neurons and glia distributed in ganglia along the gastrointestinal tract. In the developing embryo some enteric crest cells cease their caudal movements, whereas others continue to migrate. Subsequently, the enteric neurons form a reticular network of ganglia interconnected by axonal projections. We studied the developing avian gut to characterize the pattern of migration of the crest cells, and the relationship between migration and differentiation. Crest cells at the leading edge of the migratory front appear as strands of cells; isolated individual crest cells are rarely seen. In the foregut and midgut, these strands are located immediately beneath the serosa. In contrast, crest cells entering the colon appear first in the deeper submucosal mesenchyme and later beneath the serosa. As the neural crest wavefront passes caudally, the crest cell cords become highly branched, forming a reticular lattice that presages the mature organization of the enteric nervous system. Neurons and glia first appear within the strands at the advancing wavefront. Later neurons are consistently located at the nodes where branches of the lattice intersect. In the most rostral foregut and in the colon, some neurons initially appear in close association with extrinsic nerve fibers from the vagus and Remak's nerve, respectively. We conclude that crest cells colonize the gut as chains of cells and that, within these chains, both neurons and glia appear close to the wavefront. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Capital flows, real exchange rate, and growth constraints in Mexico

Besides its well‐known problem of slow economic growth, Mexico’s recent evolution features both a sharp rise in the import‐intensity of economic activity – which may have tightened an external constraint on growth – and a persistent real appreciation of the peso – which may have created a profitability constraint. Adopting the approach of gap models and growth diagnostics, the paper contrasts the relevance of the external and the profitability constraints in Mexico after trade liberalization in the mid‐1980s. Although the trade deficit was pro‐cyclical, the three recent episodes of GDP growth acceleration were not accompanied by pressures in the foreign exchange market. Moreover, error correction models show that investment was highly responsive to the real exchange rate but largely unresponsive to foreign capital flows. The evidence supports the conclusion that investment was deterred by the low profitability of an uncompetitive real exchange rate, rather than by the external constraint.
Asymmetry of Return Distribution, Abnormality of Intradaily Risk Based on Quantile Regression Model with High-frequency Data from Shanghai Stock Market

In finance and econometrics, study on high-frequency time series data has attracted plenty of attentions in recent years. The high-frequency time series data do help to investigate the micro structure theory of financial market more closely, and the need of modeling high-frequency data for risk management has already risen greatly in practice. In the paper, the quantile regression model with ARCH effect, as an ideal semi-parametric approach to estimate the quantile of return distribution directly that differs from the conventional mean-variance framework in risk management and econometrics, is applied to analyze the 5-minute high-frequency intradaily return and trading volume time series of Shanghai Composite Index in Shanghai stock market of China. We find that the significant asymmetry of return distribution and negative relationship between price change and first-order lagged trading volume, and that value at risk analysis and back testing also indicate quantile regression model is a competitive method to risk management in high-frequency data conditions. Finally the abnormality of intradaily risk pattern near opening and closing is also discovered.
Tree-Structured Neural Machine for Linguistics-Aware Sentence Generation

Different from other sequential data, sentences in natural language are structured by linguistic grammars. Previous generative conversational models with chain-structured decoder ignore this structure in human language and might generate plausible responses with less satisfactory relevance and fluency. In this study, we aim to incorporate the results from linguistic analysis into the process of sentence generation for high-quality conversation generation. Specifically, we use a dependency parser to transform each response sentence into a dependency tree and construct a training corpus of sentence-tree pairs. A tree-structured decoder is developed to learn the mapping from a sentence to its tree, where different types of hidden states are used to depict the local dependencies from an internal tree node to its children. For training acceleration, we propose a tree canonicalization method, which transforms trees into equivalent ternary trees. Then, with a proposed tree-structured search method, the model is able to generate the most probable responses in the form of dependency trees, which are finally flattened into sequences as the system output. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed X2Tree framework outperforms baseline methods over 11.15% increase of acceptance ratio.
Revisiting the Future: Geopolitical Effects of the Financial Crisis

Every four years, the National Intelligence Council (NIC) publishes an unclassified report projecting global trends over the next fifteen years. The intent is to help incoming decisionmakers lift their sights above the here-and-now, focusing on longer-term trends likely to shape the strategic future of the United States. Inevitably, the NIC’s estimations find a far wider audience. The most recent edition, Global Trends 2025: A Transformed World (hereinafter the report), was published last November, and already has received substantial media attention both within the United States and overseas. Completing the report in the midst of the financial crisis required the NIC to make risky predictions on the world’s most volatile issues, from youth bulges and climate change to odds on a nuclear Iran, from whether the International Monetary Fund (IMF) might soon be spelled SWF for sovereign wealth funds in the developing world, to a Russia (and a Gazprom) rising, even as the ground was shifting day to day beneath its feet. The report highlighted the emergence of a multipolar global order with rising states like China and India economically overtaking most of the older Group of Seven (G-7) powers by 2025. The United States’ traditional partners, Europe and Japan, would increasingly be challenged to maintain economic growth in view of their aging populations. While the rising states would want seats at the international high table, the report anticipated that they would be cautious about assuming global burdens, despite a packed agenda composed of new
Towards automatic discovery and reuse of subroutines in Variable Size Genetic Network Programming

This paper presents an algorithm to discover and reuse subroutines in Variable Size Genetic Network Programming (GNPvs) called Subroutine embedded GNPvs (SGNPvs). GNPvs is a general type of GNP, which has a direct graph representation with changeable size. In order to improve the performance of GNPvs, SGNPvs has been proposed, in which a subroutine mechanism has been introduced to GNPvs by module acquisition. In SGNPvs, useful subgraphs are extracted and reused for individuals. Through extracting new subroutines to replace the old subroutines, SGNPvs can evolve the subroutines as well as evolve the individuals. The simulation results verify the performance of SGNPvs on a well-known dynamic multi-agent test bed - Tileworld.
Policy Games and Venue‐Shopping: Working the Stakeholder Interface to Broker Policy Change in Rehabilitation Services

How should bureaucrats engage effectively and ethically with stakeholders to achieve legitimate policy change? This essay draws upon findings from a case study of the introduction of an evidence-based rehabilitation program for injured workers with soft-tissue injuries in a workers' compensation jurisdiction in Australia. Despite initial enthusiasm for collaborative policy reform, clinical associations soon withdrew their support. In a classic case of venue-shopping, a coalition of clinical associations formed in opposition to the foundation principles of the proposed policy, overturning the bureaucrats' preferred consultation strategy: a think-tank comprising of invited clinical experts. The policy game turned from highly cooperative to fiercely competitive. These policy upheavals are interpreted through the lens of two theoretical perspectives: Sabatier's Advocacy Coalition framework, and Scharpf's Actor-centred Institutionalism framework. The contrasts in perspectives are melded into propositions for bureaucrats seeking to engage with stakeholders in a contested policy drama.
A Zinc-binding Region in Vif Binds Cul5 and Determines Cullin Selection*

Human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) Vif overcomes the anti-viral activity of APOBEC3G by targeting it for ubiquitination via a Cullin 5-ElonginB-ElonginC (Cul5-EloBC) E3 ligase. Vif associates with Cul5-EloBC through a BC-box motif that binds EloC, but the mechanism by which Vif selectively recruits Cul5 is poorly understood. Here we report that a region of Vif (residues 100-142) upstream of the BC-box binds selectively to Cul5 in the absence of EloC. This region contains a zinc coordination site HX5CX17-18CX3-5H (HCCH), with His/Cys residues at positions 108, 114, 133, and 139 coordinating one zinc ion. The HCCH zinc coordination site, which is conserved among primate lentivirus Vif proteins, does not correspond to any known class of zinc-binding motif. Mutations of His/Cys residues in the HCCH motif impair zinc coordination, Cul5 binding, and APOBEC3G degradation. Mutations of conserved hydrophobic residues (Ile-120, Ala-123, and Leu-124) located between the two Cys residues in the HCCH motif disrupt binding of the zinc-coordinating region to Cul5 and inhibit APOBEC3G degradation. The Vif binding site maps to the first cullin repeat in the N terminus of Cul5. These data suggest that the zinc-binding region in Vif is a novel cullin interaction domain that mediates selective binding to Cul5. We propose that the HCCH zinc-binding motif facilitates Vif-Cul5 binding by playing a structural role in positioning hydrophobic residues for direct contact with Cul5.
Re-thinking the Incrementalist Thesis in China: A Reflection on the Development of the Minimum Standard of Living Scheme in Urban and Rural Areas

Abstract Many commentators contend that the Chinese government adopted an incremental approach to welfare policy reform because its leaders lacked an overall blueprint for it, allowing initiatives to be implemented only after lengthy experimentation. While this perspective has provided an essential account of the implementation and changes of some welfare programmes, it has inadequately addressed the slow progress in rural areas' welfare programmes and the different welfare entitlements for rural and urban residents. Further investigation is therefore required to resolve these anomalies. Using the minimum standard of living scheme (MSLS) as a case example, this article illustrates how the Chinese government's legitimacy needs, during different stages of its economic reforms, have been the principal motivation for the implementation of such schemes. The introduction of an urban MSLS in 1997 aimed to reduce laid-off workers' dissatisfaction following the government's reforms of state-owned enterprises (SOEs). The implementation of a rural MSLS in 2007 was intended principally to minimise conflicts between land-losing farmers and local officials after widespread rural riots. These MSLSs are also minimal and stigmatising public-assistance schemes that fulfil the dual objective of securing a stable political environment for economic reform and maintaining poor people's work ethic for China's mixed economy.
Rapid cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease: a literature review

Abstract Background: The rate of cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease (AD) varies considerably between individuals. Predicting rapid cognitive decline might help clinicians provide prognostic information, select subjects for trial intervention and/or reduce costs. Methods: PubMed and PsycINFO were searched for all the English written studies published until the end of 2010 on rapid cognitive decline in AD and factors associated with it. Results: More than 300 individual articles were retrieved. We selected 82 relevant studies. The main findings of these papers are that younger, more educated and more impaired patients are more likely to show rapid cognitive decline. ApoE alleles seem not to modify the velocity of clinical progression of dementia, or at most could have a very small effect. No inference can be made for all the other variables analysed. Conclusions: There are many studies on rapid cognitive decline. Results are heterogeneous and often contradictory. No reliable conclusions about factors that may be associated with rapid cognitive decline can yet be drawn.
On-axis average intensity of hypergeometric-Gaussian type propagating in a turbulent atmosphere

In this study, the spreading of the hypergeometric-Gaussian type II beams in a turbulent atmosphere is developed in the paraxial approximation. Using the extended Huygens-Fresnel integral formula and based on the expression of the hard aperture, the theoretically of average intensity of the hypergeometric-Gaussian type II beams is derived. The axial average intensity profile is evaluated by altering the beam orders, the beams waist width, the turbulence strength, the radius of an aperture, the wavelength and the propagation distance. Numerical results show that these parameters have an interesting effect on intensity profile. Also, some special cases of average intensity of the hypergeometric-Gaussian type II beams are been extracted from the obtained results.
The impact of intermittent renewables on the resource adequacy in electricity markets

This paper analyzes the impact of renewables on the resource adequacy in German electricity market. A system dynamic model is proposed to model the electricity market by considering the uncertainty of renewable generation. The aim is to investigate the impact of the increasing renewables generation and its intermittency on the profitability of new installed capacity and long term investment decisions in an electricity market with a very tight reserve margin. It is assumed that the share of renewables generation will increase up to 60% in 2050. The results show that the investment in new conventional capacity will be profitable if the share of intermittent generation by solar and wind is at least 12% of total renewable generation in each year. The reason is that higher intermittency of renewables leads to more frequent scarcity situation and more profit for new capacity. The results prove that higher share of renewables leads to higher mean and variance of loss of load. Also, increasing share of renewables could result either ascending or descending average prices and it depends on the intermittency percentage of renewables' generation. Increasing share of renewables leads to a higher price variance and higher intermittency results a steeper increase of price variance.
Complex atrial arrhythmias as first manifestation of catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia: an unusual course in a patient with a new mutation in ryanodine receptor type 2 gene

Abstract Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia is a rare life-threatening arrhythmogenic disorder. An association with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and other atrial arrhythmias has been described, but in all published cases the initial manifestation of the disease was ventricular arrhythmia. This is the first report about a patient who presented with complex atrial tachycardia and sinus node dysfunction about 1 year before the typical ventricular arrhythmias were observed, leading to the diagnosis of catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia. In this girl, a mutation of the ryanodine receptor type 2 gene, which has not been described so far, was discovered.
FINANCIAL INTERMEDIATION AND FINANCIAL INNOVATION IN A CHARACTERISTICS FRAMEWORK

This paper shows that the characteristics model provides a unifying framework for analyzing both financial intermediation and the process of financial innovation. The role of the financial intermediary is to buy-in the primary liabilities of firms, unbundle and repackage the characteristics contained in them, and issue a set of ultimate assets to households. Assets exist because the balance between the supply of and demand for asset characteristics indicates an interior equilibrium. Financial innovations arise whenever changes in supply and demand induce movements from a corner solution to the interior. A number of existing explanations of financial innovation can be expressed using this framework. Copyright 1996 by Scottish Economic Society.
Income Distribution and Redistribution Within Federations

In a federation, workers are generally legally entitled to seek employment in any locality or region. On the other hand, not all factors of production are equally mobile and some workers or other factors may not be able to relocate in order to take advantage of higher returns in other jurisdictions. Furthermore, the higher degree of factor mobility within a federation may constrain the ability of individual jurisdictions to undertake redistributive policies. The paper analyzes the efficiency and distributional consequences of the formation of federations and of decentralized redistributive policies within federations.
Status Epilepticus of Benign Partial Epilepsies in Children: Report of Two Cases

Summary: Benign partial epilepsies of childhood (BPEC) are one of the most frequent types of epilepsy in school‐age children. Status epilepticus (SE) of these conditions have not yet been reported. Two children with clinical and EEG features consistent with the diagnosis of BPEC‐SE are presented. In neither case did SE respond to current antiepileptic medications and stopped only after administration of steroids. At follow‐up 1 and 2 years post SE, neurologic and intellectual development have been normal. Differential diagnoses included an atypical benign partial epilepsy, epilepsy with electrical status epilepticus during slow sleep, acquired epileptic aphasia, Lennox‐Gastaut syndrome and epilepsia partialis con‐tinua.
Eating out, nutrition, education and the consumer: a case study from Alabama

Increasingly, there is agreement that the hospitality industry, particularly the restaurant sector, can significantly impact people's eating behaviour. This impact includes the nutritional intake of meals many restaurants sell that may lead to problems such as the growing obesity epidemic. This preliminary study investigates consumers' attitudes towards their eating out experience as it relates to their reasons for eating out and the importance that nutrition may place in their experience when eating out. Findings suggest differences in consumer attitudes towards these issues based on their gender, educational achievement level and type of restaurant they frequent. Nutritional awareness and education strategies do not appear to be reaching groups that are more exposed and/or more prone to unhealthier food consumption. Overall, consumers do not seem interested in education or involvement in healthier consumption.
The Determinants of Technology Adoption: The Case of the Banking Firm

Using data on the adoption of automatic teller machines by firms in the banking industry, this study examines the relationship between the decision to adopt new technology and its determinants. Since banking firms differ considerably in terms of the competitive environments in which they operate, focusing on this one innovation in this industry allows a stronger test of the relationship between market structure and the adoption of new technology than has been previously conducted. Using a failure time estimation procedure, we find that larger banks and banks operating in more concentrated local banking markets register a higher conditional probability of adopting this new technology, all else equal. We also find that other results are consistent with the underlying model and that the bank's regulatory environment shapes its adoption decision in plausible ways.