Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fixed capital stock depreciation in developing countries: Some evidence from firm level data

Abstract Previous growth accounting studies suggest severe capital underutilisation and mismeasurement of the stocks of capital in some developing countries. Using the firm level data sets from the World Bank surveys, this paper estimates the economic depreciation rates of fixed capital stocks in the manufacturing industries of seven developing countries. The findings indicate that the stocks of fixed capital may depreciate at higher rates in these countries, as compared with the normal rates usually assumed for advanced industrial countries. This study also discusses the economic and social forces that may influence the incentive to maintain capital appropriately and the implications of high depreciation for the total factor productivity (TFP) growth estimates and volatility of capital accumulation.
Stable-Carbon-Isotope Composition of Fatty Acids in Hydrothermal Vent Mussels Containing Methanotrophic and Thiotrophic Bacterial Endosymbionts

ABSTRACT Fatty acid biomarker analysis coupled with gas chromatography-isotope ratio mass spectrometry was used to confirm the presence of methanotrophic and thiotrophic bacterial endosymbionts in the tissues of a hydrothermal vent mussel (Bathymodiolussp.), collected from the Menez Gwen vent field on the mid-Atlantic ridge. Monounsaturated (n-8) fatty acids, which are diagnostic of methanotrophic bacteria, were detected in all three types of tissues examined (gill, posterior adductor, and mantle), although levels were highest in gill tissues where the bacteria were found. Stable-carbon-isotope compositions (δ-13C per mille relative to that of Peedee belemnite) of fatty acids for all three tissues ranged from −24.9 to −34.9‰, which encompasses the range predicted for both thiotroph- and methanotroph-based nutrition. The data suggest that these thio- and methanotrophic bacterial endosymbionts are equally important in the nutrition of the vent mussel at this particular vent site.
Noise thresholds of parallel concatenated LDPC codes

Density evolution can determine the noise threshold of an ensemble of LDPC codes in the limit of large block lengths. In this work, the capacity of code ensembles for the parallel concatenation of LDPC codes on binary-input AWGN channels is analyzed using the density evolution technique. The noise thresholds for the optimized code ensembles show that at low rates <1/3, some good parallel concatenated LDPC codes can outperform conventional ones with a similar complexity.
A Clinical Data Warehouse Based on OMOP and i2b2 for Austrian Health Claims Data

BACKGROUND To develop simulation models for healthcare related questions clinical data can be reused. OBJECTIVES Develop a clinical data warehouse to harmonize different data sources in a standardized manner and get a reproducible interface for clinical data reuse. METHODS The Kimball life cycle for the development of data warehouse was used. The development is split into the technical, the data and the business intelligence pathway. RESULTS Sample data was persisted in the Observational Medical Outcomes Partnership (OMOP) Common Data Model (CDM). The i2b2 clinical data warehouse tools were used to query the OMOP CDM by applying the new i2b2 multi-fact table feature. CONCLUSION A clinical data warehouse was set up and sample data, data dimensions and ontologies for Austrian health claims data were created. The ability of the standardized data access layer to create and apply simulation models will be evaluated next.
Conditional PSDDs: Modeling and Learning With Modular Knowledge

Probabilistic Sentential Decision Diagrams (PSDDs) have been proposed for learning tractable probability distributions from a combination of data and background knowledge (in the form of Boolean constraints). In this paper, we propose a variant on PSDDs, called conditional PSDDs, for representing a family of distributions that are conditioned on the same set of variables. Conditional PSDDs can also be learned from a combination of data and (modular) background knowledge. We use conditional PSDDs to define a more structured version of Bayesian networks, in which nodes can have an exponential number of states, hence expanding the scope of domains where Bayesian networks can be applied. Compared to classical PSDDs, the new representation exploits the independencies captured by a Bayesian network to decompose the learning process into localized learning tasks, which enables the learning of better models while using less computation. We illustrate the promise of conditional PSDDs and structured Bayesian networks empirically, and by providing a case study to the modeling of distributions over routes on a map.
Dimensions of Privacy Concern among Online Consumers

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is one of many organizations studying influences on consumer privacy online. The authors investigate these influences, taking into consideration the current body of literature on privacy and the Internet and the FTC's core principles of fair information practice. The authors analyze these influences to assess the underlying factors of privacy concern online. The authors examine the current recommendations and actions of the FTC in light of the results of an e-mail survey of online consumers in the United States that assessed their attitudes toward privacy online. The authors find that the FTC's core principles address many of online consumers’ privacy concerns. However, two factors not directly incorporated in the five principles, the relationships between entities and online users and the exchange of information for appropriate compensation, may influence consumers’ privacy concerns.
The stock market response to changing drug patent legislation: The case of compulsory licensing in Canada

Between 1969 and 1987 pharmaceutical companies holding patents in Canada were subject to immediate compulsory licensing. This study evaluates the stock market response to both the imposition of immediate compulsory licensing in 1969 as well as its subsequent revocation in 1987. Since the affected companies were multinational enterprises, we analyse the movement of share prices on the New York Stock Exchange. The results indicate that patent protection is viewed positively by the stock market, but only when measured with hindsight (in 1987). Our results are consistent with other studies that suggest that patent protection does allow the appropriation of gains from knowledge by firms in the pharmaceutical industry. Thus, pharmaceutical companies would benefit from international agreements to provide more stringent levels of patent protection.
Prevention of Preeclampsia and Intrauterine Growth Restriction With Aspirin Started in Early Pregnancy: A Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the effect of low-dose aspirin started in early pregnancy on the incidence of preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). DATA SOURCES: A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed through electronic database searches (PubMed, Cochrane, Embase). METHODS OF STUDY SELECTION: Randomized controlled trials of pregnant women at risk of preeclampsia who were assigned to receive aspirin or placebo (or no treatment) were reviewed. Secondary outcomes included IUGR, severe preeclampsia and preterm birth. The effect of aspirin was analyzed as a function of gestational age at initiation of the intervention (16 weeks of gestation or less, 16 weeks of gestation or more). TABULATION, INTEGRATION, AND RESULTS: Thirty-four randomized controlled trials met the inclusion criteria, including 27 studies (11,348 women) with follow-up for the outcome of preeclampsia. Low-dose aspirin started at 16 weeks or earlier was associated with a significant reduction in preeclampsia (relative risk [RR] 0.47, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.34–0.65, prevalence in 9.3% treated compared with 21.3% control) and IUGR (RR 0.44, 95% CI 0.30–0.65, 7% treated compared with 16.3% control), whereas aspirin started after 16 weeks was not (preeclampsia: RR 0.81, 95% CI 0.63–1.03, prevalence in 7.3% treated compared with 8.1% control; IUGR: RR 0.98, 95% CI 0.87–1.10, 10.3% treated compared with 10.5% control). Low-dose aspirin started at 16 weeks or earlier also was associated with a reduction in severe preeclampsia (RR 0.09, 95% CI 0.02–0.37, 0.7% treated compared with 15.0% control), gestational hypertension (RR 0.62, 95% CI 0.45–0.84, 16.7% treated compared with 29.7% control), and preterm birth (RR 0.22, 95% CI 0.10–0.49, 3.5% treated compared with 16.9% control). Of note, all studies for which aspirin had been started at 16 weeks or earlier included women identified to be at moderate or high risk for preeclampsia. CONCLUSION: Low-dose aspirin initiated in early pregnancy is an efficient method of reducing the incidence of preeclampsia and IUGR.
BCI and FES Based Therapy for Stroke Rehabilitation Using VR Facilities

In recent years, the assistive technologies and stroke rehabilitation methods have been empowered by the use of virtual reality environments and the facilities offered by brain computer interface systems and functional electrical stimulators. In this paper, a therapy system for stroke rehabilitation based on these revolutionary techniques is presented. Using a virtual reality Oculus Rift device, the proposed system ushers the patient in a virtual scenario where a virtual therapist coordinates the exercises aimed at restoring brain function. The electrical stimulator helps the patient to perform rehabilitation exercises and the brain computer interface system and an electrooculography device are used to determine if the exercises are executed properly. Laboratory tests on healthy people led to system validation from technical point of view. The clinical tests are in progress, but the preliminary results of the clinical tests have highlighted the good satisfaction degree of patients, the quick accommodation with the proposed therapy, and rapid progress for each user rehabilitation.
Optimal trade-in and third-party collection authorization strategies under trade-in subsidy policy

Purpose This paper aims to study whether the recycling of a third party competes with the trade-in service of a manufacturer, and explores the optimal trade-in and third-party collection authorization strategies for the manufacturer. Design/methodology/approach According to whether to authorize a third party to collect its used products, the manufacturer has two choices: one is not authorization (NA); the other is authorization (A). This paper uses profit-maximization model to investigate the optimal decisions of the manufacturer and the third party under NA and A, respectively, and then explores which choice is better for the manufacturer. Findings It is observed that there is a competition between trade-in service and third-party recycling when the durability parameter of the used product is relatively small. Moreover, when the durability parameter of the used product is relatively large, A is always better choice for the manufacturer; otherwise, NA is a better choice except for the case that the unit trade-in subsidy is low and the salvage of the used product is high. Practical implications These results provide managerial insights for the manufacturer and the third party to make decisions in the field of recycling. Originality/value This paper is among the first papers to study the competition between trade-in program and third party’s collecting program under government’s trade-in subsidy policy. Moreover, this paper presents the conditions under which the manufacturer should authorize or not authorize the third party to collect its used products.
How Do Countries Choose Their Exchange Rate Regime?

This paper investigates the determinants of exchange rate regime choice in 93 countries during 1990-98. Cross-country analysis of variations in international reserves and nominal exchange rates shows that (i) truly fixed pegs and independent floats differ significantly from other regimes and (ii) significant discrepancies exist between de jure and de facto flexibility. Regression results highlight the influence of political factors (political instability and government temptation to inflate), adequacy of reserves, dollarization (currency substitution), exchange rate risk exposure, and some traditional optimal currency area criteria, in particular capital mobility, on exchange rate regime selection.
Conditional Expression of the Small GTPase ArfA Impacts Secretion, Morphology, Growth, and Actin Ring Position in Aspergillus niger

In filamentous fungi, growth and protein secretion occurs predominantly at the tip of long, thread like cells termed hyphae. This requires coordinated regulation of multiple processes, including vesicle trafficking, exocytosis, and endocytosis, which are facilitated by a complex cytoskeletal apparatus. In this study, functional analyses of the small GTPase ArfA from Aspergillus niger demonstrate that this protein functionally complements the Saccharomyces cerevisiae ARF1/2, and that this protein is essential for A. niger. Loss-of-function and gain-of-function analyses demonstrate that titration of arfA expression impacts hyphal growth rate, hyphal tip morphology, and protein secretion. Moreover, localization of the endocytic machinery, visualized via fluorescent tagging of the actin ring, was found to be abnormal in ArfA under- and overexpressed conditions. Finally, we provide evidence that the major secreted protein GlaA localizes at septal junctions, indicating that secretion in A. niger may occur at these loci, and that this process is likely impacted by arfA expression levels. Taken together, our results demonstrate that ArfA fulfills multiple functions in the secretory pathway of A. niger.
New EBG solutions for mutual coupling reduction

Electromagnetic Band Gap (EBG) based on Frequency Selective Surfaces (FSS) [1] are one type of metamaterials [2] with electrical properties [3]. This EBG are used in mutual coupling reduction, back lobe radiation reduction, etc. In this work not only new shapes for the mushroom-type are presented, but also multilayered configurations were studied in order to reduce the patch size and the necessary number of elements.
Decision Analysis of Program Choices in Magnetic Fusion Energy Development

This paper describes a methodology based on decision analysis for addressing major program decisions in the development of magnetic fusion energy. The development of this complex technology involves a sequence of funding choices over time among multiple technical approaches and under considerable performance uncertainty. The methodology focuses on the next major facility decision in the U.S magnetic fusion energy program. The decision alternatives include the construction and testing of a major experimental facility based on one of two leading technical approaches (reactor designs), an accelerated program where both approaches are pursued, or delaying another facility until more information is available. Subsequent decisions depend on the first decision and its outcome and involve either further development of the best technical approach or abandonment of the entire research and development program. Analysis of a particular sequence of program decisions takes account of the uncertainties in the ultimate economic performance (cents per kilowatt-hour) of the resulting commercial reactor, the time of commercial availability, and market penetration. Reactor performance is analyzed at a component level and explicitly considers the dependence of component performances based on one technical approach on the respective component performances of alternative approaches. The net benefits of magnetic fusion R&D are assessed by computing the discounted expected cost savings attributable to commercial magnetic fusion energy minus the discounted costs of the R&D program.
Communication and Inventory as Substitutes in Organizing Production

A major organizational design decision for manufacturing firms is t he extent to which production should be to stock versus to order: inventories and communication with customers are substitutes. The authors show that profits are convex in the share of the market supplied from inventory. Thus, firms will tend to specialize in one mode of organization. The authors examine how this choice depends on market size, the level and variability of demand, the costs of communication, price levels, production costs, and the costs of expanding product lines. The results are consistent with observed patterns in several industries. Copyright 1988 by The editors of the Scandinavian Journal of Economics.
Unbalanced Data Classification in Fraud Detection by Introducing a Multidimensional Space Analysis

The problem of frauds is becoming increasingly important in this E-commerce age, where an enormous number of financial transactions are carried out by using electronic instruments of payment such as credit cards. In this scenario it is not possible to adopt human-driven solutions due to the huge number of involved operations. The only approach is therefore to adopt automatic solutions able to discern the legitimate transactions from the fraudulent ones. For this reason, today the development of techniques capable of carrying out this task efficiently represents a very active research field that involves a large number of researchers around the world. Unfortunately, this is not an easy task, since the definition of effective fraud detection approaches is made difficult by a series of well-known problems, the most important of them being the non-balanced class distribution of data that leads towards a significant reduction of the machine learning approaches performance. Such limitation is addressed by the approach proposed in this paper, which exploits three different metrics of similarity in order to define a three-dimensional space of evaluation. Its main objective is a better characterization of the financial transactions in terms of the two possible target classes (legitimate or fraudulent), facing the information asymmetry that gives rise to the problem previously exposed. A series of experiments conducted by using real-world data with different size and imbalance level, demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach with regard to the state-of-the-art solutions.
Adaptive sliding mode tracking control for nonholonomic wheeled mobile robots with finite time convergence

This paper investigates the finite-time tracking problem for nonholonomic mobile robots despite of unknown system disturbances. In the proposed tracking control, a novel sliding mode controller is given at torques level such that both the position and the orientation tracking errors convergence to zero within finite time. In particular, by employing the adaptive method during the robot's moving process, a fast variable is obtained to compensate for the unknown disturbance. Based on the Lyapunov stability analysis, it can be showed the finite time convergence in both reaching and sliding phase is achieved, and all closed-loop signals are uniformly ultimately bounded. Finally simulation results are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme.
I131 reinforces antitumor activity of metuximab by reversing epithelial–mesenchymal transition via VEGFR‐2 signaling in hepatocellular carcinoma

CD147 is highly expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and associated with the invasion and metastasis of HCC. The efficacy of I131‐metuximab (I131‐mab), a newly developed agent that targets CD147, as a radio‐immunotherapy for local HCC, has been validated in clinical practice. However, the synergistic anticancer activity and molecular mechanism of different conjugated components within I131‐mab remain unclear. In this study, the cytological experiments proved that I131‐mab inhibited the proliferation and invasion of HCC cells. Mechanically, this inhibition effect was mainly mediated by the antibody component part of I131‐mab, which could reverse the epithelial–mesenchymal transition of HCC cells partially by suppressing the phosphorylation of VEGFR‐2. The inhibitory effect of I131 on HCC cell proliferation and invasion is limited, whereas, when combined with metuximab, I131 significantly enhanced the sensitivity of HCC cells to CD147‐mab and consequently reinforced the anticancer effects of CD147‐mab, suggesting that the two components of I131‐mab exerted synergistic anti‐HCC capability. Furthermore, the experiments using SMMC‐7721 human HCC xenografts in athymic nude mice showed that I131‐mab and CD147‐mab significantly inhibited the growth of xenograft tumors and that I131‐mab was more effective than CD147‐mab. In conclusion, our results elucidated the mechanism underlying the anti‐HCC effects of I131‐mab and provided a theoretical foundation for the clinical application of I131‐mab.
Conseils d'administration et réseaux d'administrateurs en Europe

Between individual stakeholders and global institutionalized mechanisms, social networks constitute a level of analysis as well as a change mechanism of an organizational field. This article aims to describe the structure and dynamics of specific social networks - namely, networks of directors - in Europe over the period 2000-2003. These networks vary in size, form and structure. The findings show that there are very few regional board interlocks. These findings contribute to the debate on the convergence of economic institutions in Europe by pointing out the persistence of nation-level idiosyncrasies.
Rational Expectations and the Cobweb Theory

The fluctuation of prices in markets with a production lag has interested economists for some time. Ezekiel (1938, pp. 263-72), Goodwin (1947, pp. 191-97), Nerlove (1958, pp. 230-34), and others have presented different versions of the cobweb model to explain why price oscillations occur in markets where there is a time interval between planting and marketing. Critics of the cobweb model have raised two issues. Mills (1961, pp. 330335) and Muth (1961, pp. 330-34) have pointed out that the price forecast is a biased estimate of the realized price in most treatments of deterministic models, unless the market is in equilibrium. In the simplest version of the cobweb model, a high price forecast result in a low actual price and vice versa. The presence of these systematic forecasting errors presents profitable opportunities for sellers of more accurate forecasts and for the transfer of resources from producers who use less accurate forecasting techniques to those who utilize more accurate techniques. ' The second issue raised by the critics concerns the length of the price cycle. Coase and Fowler (1937, pp. 55-82), Lorie (1947, pp. 48-65), and Muth (1961, pp. 333-34) have noted that the length of the price cycle predicted by the deterministic cobweb model is shorter than the observed price cycle in several markets where the cobweb model could be applied. The simplest version of the cobweb model predicts a two-period price cycle (where the length of the period is defined by the time necessary to produce and market the product). The limited empirical evidence
A 1.1 THz Gain-Bandwidth $W$-Band Amplifier in a 0.12 $\mu {\rm m}$ Silicon Germanium BiCMOS Process

A W-band, cascaded constructive wave amplifier realizes high gain and bandwidth in a 0.12 μm SiGe BiCMOS process. The amplifier achieves 37.5 dB gain at 90 GHz with a 3 dB bandwidth of 14.6 GHz. Consequently, this amplifier demonstrates a gain-bandwidth product as high as 1,095 GHz. At nominal bias condition, input and output return losses are better than 11 dB over the entire 3 dB bandwidth and the output-referred P1 dB is -5.5 dBm. The amplifier consumes 65 mW from a 1.8 V at a nominal bias condition and 130 mW from a 2 V at a high-gain bias condition. The chip occupies an area of 0.39 mm2 including the pads.