Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Planning against the political: democratic deficits in European territorial governance, by Metzger, J., Allmendinger, P. and Oosterlynk, S., London, Routledge, 2015, xii–232 pp., US$80.00/£110.00 (hardback), ISBN13: 978-0-415-82769-0, US$57.95/£ 31.99 (paperback), ISBN13: 978-0-415-82770-6, US$38.28

ing the difficulties encountered in applying these theories to cities beyond the United States. Chapters 5 and 6 turn attention to intra-urban spikiness. This segment of the book introduces the reader to a helpful distinction between the vertical paradigm, concerned with socio-economic inequalities, and the horizontal paradigm, concerned with sociocultural differentiation. Importantly, these categories are also problematised, with the authors stressing ‘intersectionality’. Chapter 5 discusses ‘how spatial privileging and marginalising occurs’ in the urban context (129). Unpacking theories of segregation, suburbanisation, gentrification and ghettoisation, the chapter then explores debates over the role and existence of neighbourhood effects. Chapter 6 begins with a discussion of postmodernism, the cultural turn, and their influences on urban theory such that experience, representation and meaning have become central concerns. After examining notions of community, lifestyles and public space with respect to the horizontal paradigm of differentiation, the chapter examines topics including gender, sexuality, race/ethnicity and age to understand ‘how such differences are made, transformed, defended or challenged and what is “urban” about such processes’ (191). In the concluding chapter, the authors evaluate the performance of existing urban theories, assessing whether talk of ‘crisis’ is indeed appropriate. For Harding and Blokland, the problems confronting urban theory are not so much about urban studies being theory-averse, for the book as a whole tends to dispel that charge. Rather the shortcomings they identify lie with the need for better-defined units of analysis, more comparative research that ‘feeds into genuinely global urban theories’ (231), improved dialogue between the sub-disciplines, and more empirically testable and falsifiable urban theories. It is unfortunate, then, that the book does not include an assessment of current theoretical debates such as those related to planetary urbanisation, urban assemblages and southern urban theory, which confront some of these issues head-on. That aside, Urban Theory is an excellent assessment of a notoriously unruly, contradictory field, one that is explained with clarity and great insight, made accessible to upper-level undergraduates, postgraduates and scholars alike. The book’s greatest strength is the roadmap it provides for recognising and engaging with those very contradictions. In developing urban theories fit for the twenty-first century, such a guide cannot be done without.
An Empirical Analysis of Internal and External Reference Prices Using Scanner Data

Single-source yogurt data are used to examine whether both internal and external reference prices affect purchase decisions. Internal reference prices are memory-resident prices based on actual, fair, or other price concepts. External reference prices are observed stimuli, such as "regular prices", that stores may display along with a sale price for comparability. Discrete choice models with variables representing the two types of reference prices are estimated, and both types of variables are found to have significant effects on purchase probabilities. This suggests that consumers may use multiple reference points in evaluating price in purchase decisions. In addition, a model using an indicator of a sale price discount explains purchase probabilities as well as one that models the actual discount, which suggests that consumers may be reacting to the indication of savings rather than to the amount of the discount. Copyright 1992 by the University of Chicago.
Conversion of cholera exo-enterotoxin (choleragen) to natural toxoid (choleragenoid).

The phenomenon of spontaneous conversion of bacterial toxins to toxoids has been observed since the time of Ehrlich although information regarding the mechanism of the reaction is limited. The toxoiding process, apparently common to many protein toxins, occurs on aging and may be accelerated by chemical treatment such as with formaldehyde. In the latter case, a different molecular species of toxoid may result. For example, spontaneously formed tetanus toxoid has been reported to be a dimer of the toxin, whereas the formaldehyde toxoid can be similar in size to the parent toxin (1–4). In some instances, notably among other clostridia, toxin may be released into the medium in the form of a protoxin that is antigenically similar to the toxin but lacks toxicity. The protoxin is converted into toxin by bacterial proteases (5). Previous work in this laboratory has led to the isolation and purification of the cholera exoenterotoxin, designated choleragen, from vigorously aerated and agitated multi-liter fermenter cultures of Vibrio cholerae 569B (6, 7).
Modelling labour decisions of French agricultural households

A joint model of labour decisions for farm couples is presented. Attention is given to operator and spouse participation decisions in the off-farm labour market as well as the decision to use hired farm labour. Farm household labour choices, which include both on-farm and off-farm work decisions, and hired labour decisions, are thus modelled as a household joint process. The model is applied to a sample of French farm households. Empirical results illustrate the importance of spouse decisions on off-farm labour participation and supply function structure. They also show that operator labour and hired farm labour are complementary, but wife labour and hired farm labour are substitutable.
Basal Ganglia Control of Reflexive Saccades: A Computational Model Integrating Physiology Anatomy and Behaviour

It is hypothesised that the basal ganglia play a key role in solving the problem of action selection. Here we investigate this hypothesis through computational modelling of the primate saccadic oculomotor system. This system is an excellent target for computational modelling because it is supported by a reasonably well understood functional anatomy, has limited degrees of freedom, and there is a wealth of behavioural and electrophysiological data for model comparison. Here, we describe a computational model of the reflexive saccadic oculomotor system incorporating the basal ganglia, key structures in motor control and competition between possible actions. To restrict the likelihood of overfitting the model it is structured and parameterised by the known anatomy and neurophysiology along with data from a single experimental behavioural paradigm, then validated by testing against several additional behavioural experimental data without modification of the parameters. With this model we reproduce a range of fundamental reflexive saccadic results both qualitatively and quantitatively, comprising: the distribution of saccadic latencies; the effect of eccentricity, luminance and fixation-target interactions on saccadic latencies; and the effect of competing targets on saccadic endpoint. By investigating the model dynamics we are able to provide mechanistic explanations for the sources of these behaviours. Further, because of its accesibility, the oculomotor system has also been used to study general principle of sensorimotor control. We interpret the ability of the basal ganglia to successfully control saccade selection in our model as further evidence for the action selection hypothesis.
Mosquito larval source management for controlling malaria (Protocol)

This is the protocol for a review and there is no abstract. The objectives are as follows: To compare mosquito larval source management (excluding biological control with fish) for malaria control with no larval source management, applied either alone or in combination with other malaria control interventions 1 Mosquito larval source management for controlling malaria (Protocol) Copyright © 2011 The Cochrane Collaboration. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Synthesis of 1,3,5‐triazine Derivatives and JNJ7777120 Analogues with Histamine H4 Receptor Affinity and Their Interaction with PTEN Promoter

The involvement of histamine and H4 receptor (H4R) in cancer has been investigated recently using the H4R agonists and antagonists. The scope of the research project was synthesis and exploration of the consequences of a group of compounds with histamine H4 receptor (H4R) affinity on the promoter of PTEN gene encoding the antitumor PTEN protein. The series of novel compounds based either on H4R antagonists JNJ7777120 structure or 1,3,5‐triazine scaffold were synthesized, evaluated for histamine H4R affinity and used in this study. Compounds 5 and 7 belonging to the group of JNJ7777120 analogues showed the highest interaction with the promoter of PTEN gene and weak affinity against H4R with Ki value >100 μm. These compounds showed no significant effect on neuroblastoma IMR‐32 cells viability indicating no correlation between PTEN gene promoter affinity and antitumor activity. Compound 6, another JNJ7777120 analogue, showed the highest effect on IMR‐32 viability with calculated IC50 = 23.27 μm. The 1,3,5‐triazine derivatives exhibited generally low or medium interaction with PTEN gene promoter. However, the 1,3,5‐triazine derivative 11 with the para‐bromo substituent showed the highest affinity against H4R with Ki value of 520 nm and may be considered as a new lead structure.
Managing the HR function: the role of social capital

Purpose – Under public sector reforms, HR departments are under increasing pressure to demonstrate how they add value to the organization. This paper seeks to contribute to our knowledge of HR functional roles in public sector organizations by considering how social capital may influence perceived HR department performance. Most prior research on HR functional performance has focused on what HR professionals do, rather than on how they do it, yet such process factors have been shown in the literature on organizational strategy to be crucial determinants of long-term effectiveness. This paper aims to use the framework of social capital as a means of conceptualizing HR processes, and investigates how these are played out in an exploratory study. Design/methodology/approach – The paper is based on four matched-pair case studies in public sector organizations in the UK. A total of 77 interviews are conducted. Findings – The research found that there appeared to be a link between HR social capital and perceptions of HR functional performance on the part of both HR staff and line managers. Research limitations/implications – This is a piece of case study based research in the UK public sector, and therefore the findings may not be generalizable. It would have been preferable to have had some hard metrics for HR department performance, but perceptual data was relied on instead. Further research is therefore recommended. Practical implications – The implication for HR practitioners is that attention needs to be paid to the structural and relational dimensions of how the HR department operates, as well as to what it does, if it is to be regarded as effective. Originality/value – This is a piece of original research on a topic that has received almost no prior attention. Previous research on the link between HRM and performance has focused almost exclusively on HR strategies and policies and has neglected process and implementation. This paper presents some evidence to show that HR processes in terms of social capital may be an important element.
JAMIOLAS: Supporting Japanese Mimicry and Onomatopoeia Learning with Sensors

This paper proposes a computer supported ubiquitous learning environment for language learning. Especially, this paper describes context-aware language-learning support system for learning Japanese mimicry and onomatopoeia (MIO) words, which is called JAMIOLAS (Japanese mimicry and onomatopoeia learning assisting system). This system provides learner the appropriate MIO expressions deriving the learner's situation and sensor data. Phidgets is used as sensors in order to get realworld data from the physical world, e.g., temperature, humidity, etc. This paper describes the implementation, the interface and usage scenario of JAMIOLAS
LOCAL TAX BURDENS AND THE SUPPLY OF BUSINESS SITES IN SUBURBAN MUNICIPALITIES

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of local household tax burdens and other community attributes on the supply of business sites made available by local municipalities. A model of community site supply is tested in which municipalities trade off increased fiscal benefits from business location and reductions in environmental quality that accompany industrial and commercial development. This tradeoff is embodied in municipal zoning decisions. Empirical analysis of industrial and commercial zoning in two rapidly growing suburban counties of the Philadelphia metropolitan area provides considerable support for the tenets of community site supply theory.
Behind the Mule: Race and Class in African-American Politics

Political scientists and social choice theorists often assume that economic diversification within a group produces divergent political beliefs and behaviors. Michael Dawson demonstrates, however, that the growth of a black middle class has left race as the dominant influence on African- American politics. Why have African Americans remained so united in most of their political attitudes? To account for this phenomenon, Dawson develops a new theory of group interests that emphasizes perceptions of "linked fates" and black economic subordination.Political scientists and social choice theorists often assume that economic diversification within a group produces divergent political beliefs and behaviors. Michael Dawson demonstrates, however, that the growth of a black middle class has left race as the dominant influence on African- American politics. Why have African Americans remained so united in most of their political attitudes? To account for this phenomenon, Dawson develops a new theory of group interests that emphasizes perceptions of "linked fates" and black economic subordination.
The Antecedents of Consumer Online Buying Impulsiveness on a Travel Website: Individual Internal Factor Perspectives

ABSTRACT As many consumers have possessed a high-quality Internet access, the market scale of e-travel service business showed rapid growth. The convenience and anonymity of Internet shopping increase opportunities for e-impulse buying. However, most previous studies focused on the effect of website design characteristics on online impulsive buying behavior, and few explored such behavior from consumer individual internal factor perspectives. Therefore, this study attempts to integrate individual internal factors influencing consumer online buying impulsiveness, and further to clarify the potential relationships among constructs. The results show that hedonic consumption needs, impulsive buying tendency, positive affect, and normative evaluations significantly and positively influence buying impulsiveness. Consumer impulsive buying tendency has a positive impact on their normative evaluations. Positive affect during online shopping is positively associated with hedonic consumption needs and normative evaluations. Overall, the above findings provide some important implications.
Incomplete Endothelialization of Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion Device 10 Months After Implantation

Incomplete Endothelialization of Left Atrial Appendage. We describe the case of a 74‐year‐old man with Rendu Osler Weber syndrome affected by permanent atrial fibrillation, who underwent percutaneous placement of a 24‐mm Watchman left atrial appendage system. After anticoagulation therapy dismissal, he had a transient ischemic attack (TIA). Therefore he underwent surgical removal of the device, ablation of atrial fibrillation with Maze IV procedure and biatrial reduction. Very interestingly, no significant endothelialization of the device was observed 10 months after implantation. In conclusion, this case is important because, to our knowledge, it is the first finding of Watchman device with lack of endothelialization. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 23, pp. 1384‐1385, December 2012)
What do we really mean by “Balanced Scorecard”?

Purpose – The balanced scorecard (BSC), first created by Kaplan and Norton in 1992, has been developed over the last 20 years, resulting in numerous iterations. There is currently no agreed taxonomy for these iterations, making comparison of research findings difficult. The purpose of this paper is to propose a framework for describing the different iterations. Design/methodology/approach – In order to assist in understanding the numerous changes, the concept of revision control was introduced. A full review of the literature describing new iterations of the BSC was undertaken and these iterations were classified as minor developments or major generational evolution. Findings – Eight subsets of the Balanced Score card are proposed, grouped into three generations; the first being the initial generation of score card, the second generation including strategy maps, and the final generation which includes destination statements. Practical implications – It is planned that this simple classification will prove.
Clinical Outcome of Middle Thoracic Esophageal Cancer with Intrathoracic or Cervical Anastomosis

Abstract Backgrounds What is the optimal way for the middle esophageal cancer? It is still controversial. In this study, the clinical outcome of middle thoracic esophageal cancer with either intrathoracic or cervical anastomosis was analyzed in our department. Patients and Methods A total of 205 patients who suffered from middle thoracic esophageal cancer were divided into two groups. In group A, 91 patients received intrathoracic anastomosis above aortic arch after esophageal resection via single left thoracotomy, and in group B, 114 patients received cervical anastomosis after esophageal resection via right thoracotomy and median laparotomy. Data of these patients were collected, and morbidity and mortality were analyzed retrospectively. Survival rate was estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method and comparisons between groups were performed with log-rank test. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using Cox model to look for independent predictors of survival. Results Postoperative complications occurred more frequently in group B, such as hemorrhage (p = 0.011), wound infection (p = 0.032), and temporary paresis of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (p = 0.001). Morbidity of anastomotic leak was higher in group B (8.8 vs. 2.2%; p = 0.048), but the associated mortality was not increased. The extent of radical esophagectomy and lymphadenectomy was much greater in group B; therefore, longer esophagus was resected that reduced the cancer residual rate, and more positive lymph nodes were detected that enhanced the accuracy of clinical staging. Fortunately, more patients received adjuvant therapy after operation in group B, and the 5-year survival rate was improved. Conclusion Anastomotic leak rate was higher in cervical anastomosis but with lower mortality. The 5-year survival rate was improved in cervical anastomosis group. The present data support the assumption that cervical anastomosis is a safer and more beneficial procedure for patients with middle thoracic esophageal cancer.
Political Studies Association Conference 2013 Panel - Arm's-Length Governance: Accountability, Performance and Change ORGANIZATIONS, FUNCTIONS AND SPACES: INSTITUTIONAL LOGICS AND THE CHANGING SHAPE OF ENGLISH GOVERNANCE

This paper draws on the institutional logics approach to analyse the reform of arm’s length public bodies (‘quangos’) by the UK’s Coalition government. This perspective provides a valuable way of analysing government reform because it recognises that logics are plural. Thus, reform can be conceptualised as a process of contestation resulting from the agency of strategic actors. Our central argument has two elements. First, that public bodies’ reform exposes a clash between the centrifugal ‘logic of discipline’ that rationalises the delegation of governmental roles and the centripetal ‘logic of democracy’ that requires politicians to exercise due authority. Secondly, it stimulates contestation between deeper logics within the machinery of the state – between legislature and executive, and government’s corporate centre and its departments. These zones of contestation are analysed drawing on a rich qualitative data set. We conclude that institutional logics offer new insights into the wider politics of governmental reform.
Intergovernmental Transfers, Governance Structure and Fiscal Decentralization

We provide a model incorporating features of local public finance in Japan, including close fiscal ties between different levels of government as well as bureaucratic determinations of intergovernmental transfers. The discretionary nature of transfers softens local budgets ex post, which exerts perverse incentive effects on local governments ex ante. Fiscal decentralization that assigns more revenue responsibility to the local level serves to counteract this moral hazard incentive. The emphasis is on the endogenous nature of regional fiscal capacities at the local level. Fiscal devolution motivates local jurisdictions to become fiscally independent wherever possible.
Parathyroid hormone, vitamin D, and cardiovascular disease in chronic renal failure.

BACKGROUND Parathyroid hormone and vitamin D have been shown to influence cardiac and vascular growth and function experimentally in human subjects with normal renal function. Because of the increased prevalence of hyperparathyroidism and altered vitamin D status in chronic renal failure, these alterations have been considered to contribute to the increased prevalence of cardiovascular disease and hypertension seen in this patient population. Methods and Results. In this article, we review experimental and clinical literature on the cardiovascular effects of parathyroid hormone and vitamin D and relate them to the development of cardiac and vascular dysfunction in uremia, such as: cardiomyopathy, myocardial hypertrophy, and fibrosis, as well as to myocardial ischemia; uremic glucose intolerance, dyslipidemia, and atherosclerosis; hypertension; and vascular and cardiac calcifications. CONCLUSIONS The hyperparathyroid state and altered vitamin D status found in uremia contribute to the cardiovascular pathology seen clinically in uremia and also to the excess mortality from cardiovascular causes found in this patient group. The therapeutic implications of these observations are also discussed.
Episodic Non-Linearities and Market Efficiency in the Mexican Stock Market

We investigate the weak form of the efficient capital market hypothesis through the detection of a non-linear dynamic with potential for predictability of stock returns in the Mexican stock market. We apply the Hinich portmanteau bicorrelation test and the Brock, Dechert and Scheinkman test to the data. We observe that all the return series are characterized by a few brief periods of highly significant non-linearity. However, we cannot say that the Mexican market fails to satisfy the weak form of the efficient capital market hypothesis because the non-linear dependences appear on rare occasions and they are rapidly arbitraged away.