Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
UMA ESTIMATIVA DOS DETERMINANTES DA TAXA DE CRIMINALIDADE BRASILEIRA: UMA APLICAÇÃO EM PAINEL DINÂMICO

Using a panel data for Brazilian states in the period 1984-1998, we estimate the determinants of Brazilian crime rate. The estimates was derived by System Generalized Method of Moments propose by Blundell and Bond (1998). In this way, it was possible to avoid econometric problems, that affect the majority of the works in this area, such as endogeneity and measure of error generated by the subnotification on crime rates. The results show that inequality and crime rates of the previous period have positive effect on crime rate of the present period, while the per capita GDP, the level of schooling, the degree of urbanization and the GDP growth have a negative effect. Moreover, the use of the First Difference Generalized Method of Moments estimator (Arellano and Bond, 1991), in this case, did not reveal to be appropriated due to weak presence of weak instruments. The coefficient was below the Within-Groups estimator. The use of System MGM show to be more informative in terms of bias and efficiency.
Oncolytic virotherapy for cancer treatment: challenges and solutions

Advances in gene modification and viral therapy have led to the development of a variety of vectors in several viral families that are capable of replication specifically in tumor cells. Because of the nature of viral delivery, infection, and replication, this technology, oncolytic virotherapy, may prove valuable for treating cancer patients, especially those with inoperable tumors. Current limitations exist, however, for oncolytic virotherapy. They include the body's B and T cell responses, innate inflammatory reactions, host range, safety risks involved in using modified viruses as treatments, and the requirement that most currently available oncolytic viruses require local administration. Another important constraint is that genetically enhanced vectors may or may not adhere to their replication restrictions in long‐term applications. Several solutions and strategies already exist, however, to minimize or circumvent many of these limitations, supporting viral oncolytic therapy as a viable option and powerful tool in the fight against cancer. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Monetary Policy Shifts and Long-Term Interest Rates

The Pure Expectations Hypothesis (PEH) serves as the benchmark model for the relationship between yields on bonds of different maturities. When coupled with rational expectations, however, empirical renderings of the model fail miserably. I explore the possibility that failure to account for changes in monetary policy regime explains much of the failure of the PEH. Estimating changing monetary regimes in conjunction with the PEH significantly improves its performance. The predicted spread between the long and short rates is highly correlated with the actual spread. The standard deviation of the theoretical spread is nearly identical to that of the actual spread.
Disruption of the AKT pathway inhibits metastasis in an orthotopic model of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

MK‐2206 is an orally active, allosteric inhibitor of AKT, a component of the phosphatidylinositol‐3 kinase (PI3K) pathway. The PI3K‐AKT pathway is a downstream signaling pathway that has recently been found to play an important role in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The objective of this study is to examine the role AKT inhibition may play in treatment of HNSCC.
Violence Against Teachers: Case Studies from the APA Task Force

Violence directed toward teachers has been understudied despite significant media and empirical investigation on school violence, such as student-to-student victimization and bullying. To date, there are relatively few published studies scattered across many countries. To address this void, the American Psychological Association, in collaboration with the National Education Association, created the first Violence Directed Against Teachers Task Force. Task Force recommendations and results from the Task Force U.S. national survey on teacher victimization are presented, together with teacher-reported case studies. The case studies are used to illustrate the range of educators, reported incidents, resulting actions by educators and schools, and stress faced by teachers. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
The 'rain dance' of selection in construction: rationality as ritual and the logic of informality

Purpose – Recruitment and selection in the construction industry is ad hoc – the search for workers to match immediate employment needs is unsystematic, usually conducted in a short‐termist manner, and often contributes to, rather than overcomes, persistent recruitment difficulties and skill shortages. The purpose of this paper is to explore the recruitment context and selection practice in the Scottish construction sector, and proposes a model of the selection decision process which may provide an explanation for this apparently unsystematic approach.Design/methodology/approach – A survey based on a sample from the 1998 Scottish Chambers of Commerce Business Survey database was used to examine the pattern of recruitment, contextual influences on recruitment, the qualities sought by employers, and the extent of use of various recruitment and selection methods. Further qualitative data was gathered from a subset of construction and surveyors firms to explore the nature of selection processes.Findings – The.
Klansville, U.S.A.: The Rise and Fall of the Civil Rights-Era Ku Klux Klan

Introduction Beginnings: The KKK in North Carolina and the U.S. The Rise of the Carolina Klan "Rebirth of Klan Counters Moderate Action in State": The UKA and Southern Politics UKA Recruitment in North Carolina Counties Joining the Klan Locating "Klansville, U.S.A. " The Fall of United Klans Epilogue Notes References Index
Global Population Forecast Errors, Economic Performance and Australian Export Demand*

The analysis of global population forecasts of the past 30 years by the US National Academy of Sciences (Bongaarts and Bulatao, 2000) confirms that errors have been considerable and that population forecasts have generally been upward-biased. Recent stochastic population projections also yield wide error bounds. We adapt a standard global economic model to estimate the implications of global and regional population forecast errors for the performance of the global economy and the composition of Australian export demand. The model is GTAP-Dynamic, a recursively dynamic, applied general equilibrium model of the world economy widely used in the analysis of trade policy. The results indicate that the growth rate of population in the rest of the world is important in Australia’s economic health. Faster population growth benefits Australia’s producers of energy, minerals and agricultural products while slower population growth benefits its manufacturing and services sectors at the expense of commodities. The net effect appears to be a gain from faster global population growth.
Full Polarimetric Bistatic Radar Imaging Experiments on Sets of Dielectric Cylinders Above a Conductive Circular Plate

This paper presents fully polarimetric bistatic radar scattering measurements on groups of dielectric vertical and/or tilted square cross-sectional cylinders above a conductive circular plate in the frequency range of 6-18 GHz. The experiments have been conducted in the BABI facility at the French Aerospace Lab (ONERA). The imaging experiments consider an azimuthal bistatic radar configuration with a single incident direction and many scattering directions, in the way that the receiver positions synthesize a 1-D circular aperture in a horizontal plane around the focal point of the anechoic chamber. The bistatic scattering by the different sets of cylinders is also achieved through numerical simulations by using a volume-electric-field-integral-equation model employing a method of moments. First, theoretical and experimental bistatic radar-cross-section values are confronted. The comparisons show a good agreement for all polarization cases (vv, hv, vh, and hh). Then, a near-field reconstruction algorithm has been extended from a monostatic to our bistatic radar configuration in order to generate the reflectivity maps by focusing both theoretical and experimental scattered fields. The comparisons of the 2-D bistatic synthetic aperture radar images show that the two prediction techniques are accurate.
Sunitinib modulates the radiosensitivity of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cells in vitro.

This study aims to explore the radiosensitivity of sunitinib on esophageal cancer cell lines. For in vitro studies, human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cell lines were treated with sunitinib 24 hours before irradiation. ESCC cell lines were treated with sunitinib with or without radiation. Cell proliferation was detected by Cell Counting Kit 8 assay. Radiosensitization was evaluated by clonogenic survival assay. Cell apoptosis and cell cycle analysis were detected by flow cytometry. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) double-strand breaks were performed by immunocytofluorescence analysis. Western blot analysis was used to determine the effect of sunitinib on radiation induced signal transduction. Sunitinib potently sensitized ESCC cells to radiation with a sensitization enhancement ratio of 1.13-1.72. Furthermore, sunitinib increased radiation induced DNA double-strand breaks, promoted the apoptosis of ESCC cells and induced the G2/M arrest. Radiosensitization was accompanied with enhanced apoptosis and regulated by the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis. Sunitinib sensitized ESCC cells to the cytotoxic effects of radiation. This compound is promising for future clinical trials with chemoradiation in esophageal cancer.
Data‐Driven Reconstruction of Human Locomotion Using a Single Smartphone

Generating a visually appealing human motion sequence using low‐dimensional control signals is a major line of study in the motion research area in computer graphics. We propose a novel approach that allows us to reconstruct full body human locomotion using a single inertial sensing device, a smartphone. Smartphones are among the most widely used devices and incorporate inertial sensors such as an accelerometer and a gyroscope. To find a mapping between a full body pose and smartphone sensor data, we perform low dimensional embedding of full body motion capture data, based on a Gaussian Process Latent Variable Model. Our system ensures temporal coherence between the reconstructed poses by using a state decomposition model for automatic phase segmentation. Finally, application of the proposed nonlinear regression algorithm finds a proper mapping between the latent space and the sensor data. Our framework effectively reconstructs plausible 3D locomotion sequences. We compare the generated animation to ground truth data obtained using a commercial motion capture system.
Which Moderates are More Important?

Much has been written about the weaknesses within the American strategy for combating terrorism. Undoubtedly, the one that has been addressed the most is the Bush administration’s excessive use of military force.Whenever it has utilized coercion during the war on terrorism, it has insisted that it will help weaken Islamist organizations such as al-Qaeda. However, reputable evidence indicates that this has yet to happen. One piece of evidence that suggests this dependence on coercion has been counter-productive is an American National Intelligence Estimate from 2007. Within this document, it says that men like Osama Bin Laden have continued to attract new recruits for their extremist networks over the last few years despitemilitary ventures like the occupation of Iraq. Different parties have claimed that it will be possible to stop this trend if a certain plan is implemented. It entails reaching out to the proponents of moderation throughout the Muslim world. If this is done, then there will be less of a chance for them to be indoctrinated by Islamist organizations. One of the biggest supporters of this plan is the terrorism expert RohanGunaratna. In his book Inside Al Qaeda:Global Network of Terror, he mentions how the United States could do a better job of winning over the hearts and minds of most Muslims if it begins to put more of an emphasis on improving its propaganda capabilities. According to him, this can be done by developing entities similar to Radio Free Europe, which can broadcast messages to the citizens of Muslim countries. Initiatives like the one proposed by Gunaratna would be successful since they would probably make moderate Muslims more receptive to American ideas as opposed to Islamist ones. However, the success of such ventures would be short-lived if America also continued conducting military operations in the Muslim world. These operations would make these same individuals question the legitimacy of the messages being Fresh Perspective
Levels of intervention – reducing SCUBA-diver impact within subtropical marine protected areas

Subtropical rocky reefs are ecotonal habitats that support unique biodiversity and attract all levels of self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA) divers. Compared to tropical coral reefs, there have been few studies evaluating the effects of SCUBA diving on these communities. Cape Byron and Solitary Islands marine parks in northern New South Wales include some of the most intensively dived sites in Australia, outside of the Great Barrier Reef. Most of those diving sites are located within management zones that offer the highest level of protection. Contact by divers, or their equipment, is a principal mechanism for chronic impact on benthic life forms. This study tested two levels of intervention over the standard dive briefing to determine their effectiveness for reducing SCUBA-diver contact: (1) targeted pre-dive briefing with specific reference to minimising benthic contact; and (2) direct underwater reinforcement at the time of first contact. Both intervention levels significantly reduced the number of contacts made by divers. The targeted briefing is the easiest and most cost effective to implement and is the least intrusive on the diving experience. The more intensive approach of underwater intervention may be required in more sensitive areas, or for those divers who have been shown to create the majority of damage.
Influence of the staphylococcinlike peptide Pep 5 on membrane potential of bacterial cells and cytoplasmic membrane vesicles

The staphylococcinlike peptide Pep 5 rapidly abolished the membrane potential of bacterial cells; active transport of amino acids by cytoplasmic membrane vesicles was inhibited and preaccumulated amino acids were released upon the addition of Pep 5. Artificial asolectin vesicles were not impaired by the peptide. It is concluded that the cytoplasmic membrane is the primary target of Pep 5.
Argumentation Skills And Conceptual Knowledge Of Undergraduate Students In A Physics By Inquiry Class

Teaching argumentation skills has been the focus of science education research which views argumentation instruction as a way to improve scientific reasoning skills in science classrooms. Argumentation research has mostly focused on examining the quality of classroom discourse in science classes, scaffolding student argumentation process, and in-service science teacher development of pedagogical skills related to argumentation. Yet, there is paucity of studies exist in the literature which has examined prospective science teacher development of argumentation skills. This study aims to reduce this gap in the argumentation literature. This study investigated prospective science teacher development of argumentation skills and conceptual knowledge, relationship between argumentation skills and conceptual knowledge, and the relation of argumentation and conceptual knowledge gains to prospective science teacher initial conceptual knowledge level in an undergraduate course where argumentation skills were incorporated to the science curriculum. Initially, data were collected from 125 students who were involved in an inquiry-based physics course at a midwestern university. Argumentation skills for the concepts of balancing and sinking and floating were assessed by the use of argumentation tests which were constructed for this study and administered four times during the course. In addition to written argumentation tests, argumentation discourse of one small group of students was audio-taped two times during the course. Physics conceptual knowledge was
China: developmentalism and social security

China began its social security reform when the market-oriented economy was first promoted in the late 1970s. Initiatives have been taken to replace the employer-based labour insurance model with a largely social insurance model. However, it is a mistake to argue that China is pursuing a neo-liberal agenda in its social initiatives. Instead, the state has played a major role in the process. Based on a developmental analysis, it is argued that the direction of change is generally encouraging. The emerging social insurance programme has the following advantages: it widens coverage, facilitates economic development, seeks a minimum entitlement, fosters social integration, and enhances individual participation and responsibility. The creation of an economically and socially viable social insurance programme will support the economic development of the country in the twenty-first century.
INFORMATION AND EFFICIENCY IN TENDER OFFERS

We analyze tender offers where privately informed shareholders are uncertain about the raider's ability to improve firm value. The raider suffers a "lemons problem" in that, for any price offered, only shareholders who are relatively pessimistic about the value of the firm tender their shares. Consequently, the raider finds it too costly to induce shareholders to tender when their information is positive. In the limit as the number of shareholders gets arbitrarily large, when private benefits are relatively low, the tender offer is unsuccessful if the takeover has the potential to create value. The takeover market is therefore inefficient. In contrast, when private benefits of control are high, the tender offer allocates the firm to any value-increasing raider, but may also allow inefficient takeovers to occur. Unlike the case where all information is symmetric, shareholders cannot always extract the entire surplus from the acquisition. Copyright 2008 The Econometric Society.
Implementing Change by Continuous Learning: The Public Service Reform Programs in Tanzania

The talk you hear … about adapting to change is not only stupid, it's … dangerous. The only way you can manage change is to create it. By the time you catch up to change, the competition is ahead of you. Peter Drucker This article proposes that implementation of public service reform programs in Tanzania has been a source of new ideas and innovations. It is proposed that the reform history and its management contribute to the learning achieved, associated with incremental changes. The incremental changes occur in the context of a series of reform efforts each formulated from and building on the experience of the other. In reforming the public service there have been some challenges from which remedies have emerged. In the new program for public service reform, PSRPII, a new approach to engaging public service entities has been developed to coax improved ownership and achieve increased level of commitment to reforms. This demand-led approach is explored, the implementation methodology examined, and challenges observed. The new approach to reform is considered an innovative outcome of both reflections from experiences arising from capacity enhancement and learning over time.
Assessing Electronic Recruitment Implementation in State Governments: Issues and Challenges

In this study, we assessed the status of electronic recruitment for U.S. state government employees and analyzed the issues and challenges state governments faced while they implemented e-recruitment systems. All of the 23 state personnel agencies that responded to a phone survey either offered downloadable application forms or allowed candidates to submit applications online. Ten states had adopted options for assessing applicants and selecting job candidates online, but only three states reported that they had adopted online testing. The number of applications received online increased from 2002 to 2003, and the most common implementation challenges that states faced when introducing e-recruitment were budget constraints, technical difficulties, and HR staff adapting to using a new system. While 15 states reported that they evaluated their electronic recruitment system, only three said they measured the cost per hire. Based on the survey responses, we conclude this article by presenting lessons and implications for effectively implementing e-recruitment for state government employees.
R&D investment and internal finance: the cash flow effect

This paper investigates the cash flow effect on R&D investments for firms in Denmark. Evidence is found that internal funds are important in explaining R&D investments, indicating that R&D investment decisions are affected by credit market imperfections. Cash flow sensitivities are larger both for smaller firms and for firms with low debt relative to assets. Furthermore, this effect is also present after controlling for cash flow’s potential role as a predictor of future profitability.
An econometric study of the decisions of a town planning authority: complementary & substitute uses of industrial activities in Hong Kong

This is a contribution to the research on the interface between urban economics and urban planning at the micro level on the one hand and economic development at the macro level on the other hand by a study of the relationship between the performance of the development application mechanism and economic development. This study is conducted in the light that neither urban economics nor urban planning research has utilized useful development control information that can help better understand the spatial and linkage aspects of the industrial sector in economic development. A probit study of a relatively large population of statistics (with 1728 observations) concerning planning applications for uses in lands under industrial zoning in Hong Kong is conducted in terms of 5 refutable hypotheses about the role of the planning authority in respect of land uses that are neutral to, complementary to and substitutes of industrial uses in a local context where major structural changes are occurring in the economy. The hypotheses are derived from standard price theory. The test discovers that, consistent with the theory of substitute goods, that the probabilities of mixed industrial|office and pure office uses in industrial zones being approved were dependent on the rise and fall of the manufacturing sector (measured in terms of labor share). However, those for ancillary office use, a use that theoretically should be complementary to industrial activities, were independent of the state of the manufacturing sector. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Economic Development and the State: Lessons from Singapore

Analysis and case studies have indicated that intervention by the Singapore government in fostering economic development has not always been successful. In particular, past intervention in the labour market like the high wage policy of the early 3980s has proved to be an unmitigated disaster. However, interventions that lead to the direct creation of national competitive advantage, like the information-telecommunications infrastructure, R & D subsidy and manpower development, have proved t o be more successful. A strong, non-corrupt and market-oriented public sector appears to be crucial t o ensure that interventions are market facilitating, correcting and enhancing rather than distorting.