Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Estimating the Economic Impact of Mass Digitization Projects on Copyright Holders: Evidence from the Google Book Search Litigation

Google Book Search (GBS) has captured the attention of many commentators and government officials, but even as they vigorously debate its legality, few of them have marshaled new facts to estimate its likely effects on publishing and other information markets. This Article challenges the conventional wisdom propounded by the U.S. and German governments, as well as Microsoft and other competitors of Google, concerning the likely economic impact of mass book-digitization projects. Originally advanced by publishing industry lobbying groups, the prevailing account of mass book-digitization projects is that they will devastate authors and publishers, just as Napster and its heirs have supposedly devastated musicians and music labels. Using the impact of GBS on the revenues and operating incomes of U.S. publishers believing themselves to be the most-affected by it, this Article finds no evidence of a negative impact upon them. To the contrary, it provides some evidence of a positive impact, and proposes further empirical research to identify the mechanisms of digitization’s economic impact. The debate surrounding the GBS settlement is important to students, writers, researchers, and the general public, as it may decide whether a federal appellate court or even the U.S. Supreme Court allows the best research tool ever designed to survive. If the theory of Microsoft and some publishing trade associations is accepted, the courts may enjoin and destroy GBS, just as Napster was shut down a decade ago. The Article aims at a preliminary estimate of the economic impact of mass digitization projects, using GBS as a case in point. It finds little support for the much-discussed hypothesis of the Association of American Publishers and Google’s competitors that the mass digitization of major U.S. libraries will reduce the revenues and profits of the most-affected publishers. In fact, the revenues and profits of the publishers who believe themselves to be most aggrieved by GBS, as measured by their willingness to file suit against Google for copyright infringement, increased at a faster rate after the project began, as compared to before its commencement. The rate of growth by publishers most affected by GBS is greater than the growth of the overall U.S. economy or of retail sales. Thus, the very publishers that have sued Google have seen their revenues grow faster than retail sales or the U.S. economy as a whole (measured by gross domestic product). This finding parallels some of the research that has been done since the Napster case on the economic impact of peer-to-peer file sharing on sales of recorded music. Future studies may provide a more granular estimate of the economic impact of frequent downloads or displays of pages of particular books on the sales of such books.
Meeting Report: The Terabase Metagenomics Workshop and the Vision of an Earth Microbiome Project

Between July 18th and 24th 2010, 26 leading microbial ecology, computation, bioinformatics and statistics researchers came together in Snowbird, Utah (USA) to discuss the challenge of how to best characterize the microbial world using next-generation sequencing technologies. The meeting was entitled “Terabase Metagenomics” and was sponsored by the Institute for Computing in Science (ICiS) summer 2010 workshop program. The aim of the workshop was to explore the fundamental questions relating to microbial ecology that could be addressed using advances in sequencing potential. Technological advances in next-generation sequencing platforms such as the Illumina HiSeq 2000 can generate in excess of 250 billion base pairs of genetic information in 8 days. Thus, the generation of a trillion base pairs of genetic information is becoming a routine matter. The main outcome from this meeting was the birth of a concept and practical approach to exploring microbial life on earth, the Earth Microbiome Project (EMP). Here we briefly describe the highlights of this meeting and provide an overview of the EMP concept and how it can be applied to exploration of the microbiome of each ecosystem on this planet.
Comparative Study on the conflict in RE facility siting in Korea and Germany

As problems on energy supply get worse, renewable energy technologies are highlighted as alternatives. However conflicts in renewable energy facility siting hinder the promotion of the technologies. Suggesting measures preventing conflicts, however the degree of public acceptance of RE promotion varies considerably in Germany and Korea. It can be assumed that the two countries hold differing institutions and consequently institutional learning which affects changes of behaviors’ incentive structure and their preference works differently. To verify it, this study conducts a comparative analysis based on a theoretical framework of Rational Choice Institutionalism. Throughout Institutional Analysis and Development Framework it particularly analyzes how property right and transaction cost, main components of institutions, are recognized in the both countries and how institutional learning and its outcomes are going on.
Continuity of Public Insurance Coverage

Publicly financed insurance programs are tasked with maintaining coverage for eligible children, but published measures to assess coverage have not been evaluated. Therefore, we sought to identify and categorize measures of health insurance continuity for children and adolescents. We conducted a systematic review of Medline and HealthStar databases, review of reference lists of eligible articles, and contact with experts. We categorized measures into 8 domains based on a conceptual framework. We identified 147 measures from 84 eligible articles. Most measures evaluated the following domains: always insured (41%), repeatedly uninsured (36%), and transition out of coverage (29%), while fewer assessed single gap in coverage, always uninsured, transition into coverage, change in coverage, and eligibility. Only 18% of measures assessed associations between continuity of coverage and child and adolescent health outcomes. These results suggest that a number of measures of continuity of coverage exist, but few measures have assessed impact on outcomes.
Chest pain and ischaemic heart disease in primary care.

BACKGROUND Chest pain is the main symptom of first presentation with ischaemic heart disease (IHD). Little is known about the incidence of IHD among patients consulting the general practitioner (GP) for chest pain. AIMS To estimate the occurrence of IHD among patients consulting for chest pain, to study the results of the bicycle exercise test, and to estimate the incidence of IHD in the population. DESIGN OF STUDY Prospective descriptive study. SETTING Three primary health centres in south-eastern Sweden. METHOD All patients without a current IHD diagnosis, aged 20 to 79 years, and consulting for a new episode of chest pain, were included consecutively. The outcome was classified as IHD, possible IHD or not IHD, according to the results of a postal questionnaire, an exercise test or hospital care. Data from the hospital registry on patients with a diagnosis of IHD were analysed retrospectively. RESULTS Out of 38,075 GP consultations, 577 (1.5%) were for chest pain. IHD was diagnosed in 41 (8%) of the chest pain patients, in 441 (83%) the diagnosis was excluded, and in 50 (9%) the diagnosis was judged as being uncertain. Even though the diagnostic criteria were strict, the exercise tests led to a diagnostic conclusion in 77% of the cases, most frequently a normal test result. Combining data from primary and hospital care, the yearly incidence of IHD was 6.5 diagnosed per 1000 inhabitants (aged 20 to 79 years old). CONCLUSION The incidence of a new episode of chest pain bringing the patients to the GP was low. Eight per cent of the patients received an IHD diagnosis, and in 9% further investigation or clinical assessment is needed.
Human resources management and organizational effectiveness: High technology entrepreneurial startup firms in israel

Human Resource (HR) researchers have a tendency to generalize their results and prescriptions across a wide range of organizations without regard to possible contingencies. This can be dangerous. This article demonstrates the nature of the difficulties that can arise in two ways. First, by comparing hypotheses concerning the relationships between HR policies and practices and firm performance derived from the high-tech and entrepreneurial literatures, and highlighting the inconsistencies. Second, by testing the applicability of these hypotheses to a hybrid form of organization, namely, the high-tech entrepreneurial startup firm. The results show some support for the high-tech model, and more limited support for the entrepreneurial model, suggesting the need for more contingency-based notions of HR strategy. Implications are drawn for both research and practice.
Working Out of Poverty: Job Creation and the Quality of Growth in Africa

This paper explores Africa's economic performance and the creation of jobs over the decade and more since 1995, recognizing that some standard labor concepts are difficult to apply to conditions prevailing in Africa. The intent of the paper is to identify the economic factors behind the more successful outcomes and the options available for improving the quality of growth. The report focuses on several key issues: how has the structure of economic growth and labor demand shaped the job creation process? Does rigidity in African labor markets impede job creation? Have the quality and quantity of the labor supply affected job creation? What policies have been pursued to raise the quality of the African labor force? What does the expanding "informal" sector mean for the labor market and the quality of growth? Is it a route out of poverty or a low-skills trap? Throughout the paper, the focus is on the factors, exogenous and endogenous, that are linked to the outcomes, and the implications that these factors may have for raising the quality of Africa's economic growth. Some countries have reversed many of the vicious cycles underlying Sub- Saharan Africa's generally poor performance on job creation; those countries are highlighted where adequate data are available, and the lessons these experiences offer all stakeholders in meeting the growth and poverty reduction challenges of the future are pointed out. The paper concludes that Africa's record of poor economic performance has in part been an inevitable result of its colonial heritage-the low levels of human capital at independence. It is also a function of the ensuing policies pursued, especially those that led to the debt crisis and the subsequent recession and public sector restructuring. In most countries, these costs have been paid, and the future looks brighter as a result.
Double Strand Break Unwinding and Resection by the Mycobacterial Helicase-Nuclease AdnAB in the Presence of Single Strand DNA-binding Protein (SSB)*

Mycobacterial AdnAB is a heterodimeric DNA helicase-nuclease and 3′ to 5′ DNA translocase implicated in the repair of double strand breaks (DSBs). The AdnA and AdnB subunits are each composed of an N-terminal motor domain and a C-terminal nuclease domain. Inclusion of mycobacterial single strand DNA-binding protein (SSB) in reactions containing linear plasmid dsDNA allowed us to study the AdnAB helicase under conditions in which the unwound single strands are coated by SSB and thereby prevented from reannealing or promoting ongoing ATP hydrolysis. We found that the AdnAB motor catalyzed processive unwinding of 2.7–11.2-kbp linear duplex DNAs at a rate of ∼250 bp s−1, while hydrolyzing ∼5 ATPs per bp unwound. Crippling the AdnA phosphohydrolase active site did not affect the rate of unwinding but lowered energy consumption slightly, to ∼4.2 ATPs bp−1. Mutation of the AdnB phosphohydrolase abolished duplex unwinding, consistent with a model in which the “leading” AdnB motor propagates a Y-fork by translocation along the 3′ DNA strand, ahead of the “lagging” AdnA motor domain. By tracking the resection of the 5′ and 3′ strands at the DSB ends, we illuminated a division of labor among the AdnA and AdnB nuclease modules during dsDNA unwinding, whereby the AdnA nuclease processes the unwound 5′ strand to liberate a short oligonucleotide product, and the AdnB nuclease incises the 3′ strand on which the motor translocates. These results extend our understanding of presynaptic DSB processing by AdnAB and engender instructive comparisons with the RecBCD and AddAB clades of bacterial helicase-nuclease machines.
Selectively activated photonic molecule of two microdisks: cold-cavity lasing spectra and thresholds

The lasing spectra and thresholds of selectively activated photonic molecule (PM) composed of two microdisks have been investigated. 3-D boundary problem for Maxwell equations is reduced to 2-D one with effective index method. Further in-plane 2-D problem is analysed accurately. Lasing eigenvalue problem (LEP) formulation is used to find naturals frequencies and threshold gains. The influence of the second microdisk on lasing spectra and thresholds has been studied. Dependences of frequencies and thresholds on distance between resonators are presented.
Empiric Antibiotics for Sepsis.

BACKGROUND Sepsis is life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection. Early recognition and treatment are the cornerstones of management. METHODS Review of the English-language literature. RESULTS For both sepsis and septic shock "antimicrobials [should be] be initiated as soon as possible and within one hour" (Surviving Sepsis Campaign). The risk of progression from severe sepsis to septic shock increases 8% for each hour before antibiotics are started. Selection of antimicrobial agents is based on a combination of patient factors, predicted infecting organism(s), and local microbial resistance patterns. The initial drugs should have activity against typical gram-positive and gram-negative causative micro-organisms. Anaerobic coverage should be provided for intra-abdominal infections or others where anaerobes are significant pathogens. Empiric antifungal or antiviral therapy may be warranted. For patients with healthcare-associated infections, resistant micro-organisms will further complicate the choice of empiric antimicrobials. Recommendations are given for specific infections. CONCLUSION Early administration of broad-spectrum antimicrobial drugs is one of the most important, if not the most important, treatment for patients with sepsis or septic shock. Drugs should be initiated as soon as possible, and the choice of should take into account patient factors, common local pathogens, hospital antibiograms and resistance patterns, and the suspected source of infection. Antimicrobial agent therapy should be de-escalated as soon as possible.
Enhanced activity of antifungal drugs by lysozyme against Cryptococcus neoformans

Summary. The in vitro susceptibility of 16 isolates of Cryptococcus neoformans to three antifungal drugs and lysozyme in combination was determined using an urea broth microdilution method. The antifungal activities of each drug alone against 16 isolates of Cr. neoformans were determined as mean minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs). MICs of fluconazole, itraconazole and terbinafine were 2.0 μg ml‐1, 0.004 μg ml‐1 and 0.25 μg ml‐1, respectively. Lysozyme alone inhibited the growth of Cr. neoformans in a dose‐dependent manner, although the lysozyme was unable to kill the cells of Cr. neoformans at the highest concentration of 20 μml‐1. The mean MICs of fluconazole, itraconazole and terbinafine in combination with lysozyme were 0.13 μg ml‐1, 0.004 μg ml‐1 and 0.03 μg ml‐1 respectively. The antifungal activity of fluconazole and terbinafine in combination with lysozyme against Cr. neoformans was greatly enhanced compared with that of each drug alone. Itraconazole was unable to enhance the antifungal activity, as it demonstrated higher activity against Cr. neoformans when alone rather than in combination. Lysozyme was confirmed to enhance the antifungal activity of fluconazole and terbinafine in vitro.
Cumulus expansion during in vitro maturation of bovine oocytes: Relationship with intracellular glutathione level and its role on subsequent embryo development

Glutamine (GLN) is a metabolic precursor for hexosamine synthesis and its inclusion in culture medium has been reported to improve cumulus expansion. Glutamine and cysteine share the same transport system. Excess external GLN may act as a competitive inhibitor for the uptake of cysteine and stimulate loss of cellular cysteine, interfering this with GSH synthesis. Experiments were designed to evaluate the effect of 1–3 mM GLN during in vitro maturation (IVM) on bovine‐cumulus expansion, intracellular GSH levels in both oocytes and cumulus cells, and subsequent embryo development up to blastocyst stage. Also, GSH content was measured in 6‐ to 8‐cell embryos and a possible relationship between cumulus expansion and GSH synthesis was studied. Intact cumulus cell‐oocyte complexes were incubated for 24 hr and cumulus expansion was measured by a computerized image‐digitizing system either before or after IVM. IVM/IVF bovine oocytes were cultured up to 6‐ to 8‐cell stage embryos for assessment of GSH content or for 8 days up to blastocyst stage for embryo development. The measurement of total GSH content was performed by an enzymatic method in oocytes, cumulus cells and 6‐ to 8‐cell embryos. The maximal expansion was achieved by addition of 2 mM GLN without affecting GSH levels, in both oocytes and cumulus cells. At 3 mM, the degree of cumulus expansion was lower and the GSH levels decreased. The addition of 2 mM GLN improves cleavage and blastocyst rates, whereas no differences were found between 0, 1, and 3 mM GLN. Moreover, the GSH content in 6‐ to 8‐cell embryos was similar at any GLN concentrations. In order to study the relationship between GSH and cumulus expansion: 6‐diazo‐5‐oxo‐1‐norleucine (DON), an inhibitor of hexosamine synthesis, or buthionine sulfoximide (BSO), an inhibitor of GSH synthesis, either alone or with GLN was added to IVM medium. GSH level was not affected by the presence of DON. However, the degree of cumulus expansion was reduced in the presence of BSO. In conclusion, bovine oocytes matured in the presence of 2 mM GLN improve their capacity for subsequent embryo development. Nevertheless, GSH level was altered when GLN was added to IVM medium at a high concentration with a reduction in the degree of cumulus expansion. This study provides evidence that optimal cumulus expansion in vitro is partially dependent on hexosamine production and intracellular GSH content. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 51:76–83, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
An Economic Assessment of the Amenity Benefits Associated with Alternative Coastal Protection Options

Current government guidelines for the appraisal of coastal defence projects in the UK do not require that non-market amenity benefits to be considered . However, a new option in coastal defence, namely multi-purpose reefs, provides an opportunity to integrate coastal defence with significant amenity provision. This paper reports the findings of a choice experiment study that evaluated the amenity benefits of four alternative coastal defence systems currently being considered for Borth in west Wales. The results indicate that traditional coastal defence options such as timber and rock groynes do not generate amenity benefits, while a multipurpose reef would generate significant benefits in terms of improvements in the visual appeal of the beach, safer swimming opportunities and improved surfing conditions. Importantly, these benefits were found to be significant for all members of the local community and not just surf ers. Based on our findings, we recommend that guidelines for the appraisal of coastal defence projects should be amended to incorporate non-market amenity benefits.
Forest Encounters: Synergy Among Agents of Forest Change in Southern Cameroon

This article investigates how different actors and agents of forest change interact, and whether their interactions have an enhanced impact on forest management or on livelihoods of local villagers. Studies of forest cover change indicate that multiple agents and causes may speed deforestation. We disaggregate and interrogate the conventional polarization of local villagers versus external loggers and show how multiple actors interact in a dynamic context. We investigate these issues through studies of three villages in the Humid Forest Zone of Cameroon in Central Africa. We examine different actors' strategies in the face of external and internal pressures and stimuli. Economic crisis in Cameroon has impacted on local livelihoods as well as logging strategies of timber companies, and this has led to diverse alliances, conflicts, and outcomes. Our study shows that the combined action of local actors has synergistic or enhanced impacts in three ways. First, impacts are enhanced through accelerated extensification of cultivation in forest; second, through increased access to markets; and third, through increased migration to rural areas. These synergistic impacts are brought about by a number of mechanisms, of which the opening of new roads in forest areas is most important. A number of policy measures, including the effective enforcement of the legal mechanisms, clarification of property rights, and creation of spaces or platforms for negotiation between the different actors, are necessary to ameliorate the negative synergistic impacts of their interactions.
Hormetic mechanisms

Abstract This article provides the first extensive documentation of mechanisms of hormetic dose/concentration responses. The mechanisms selected were principally those mediated via receptor and/or cell signaling pathways. Mechanisms are reported for greater than 100 agents affecting nearly 400 dose/concentration responses from a wide range of chemical classes, affecting a broad range of cell types and endpoints. Regardless of the model (i.e. in vitro or in vivo), inducing agent, endpoint, or receptor/cell signaling pathway mediated mechanism, the quantitative features of the hormetic dose/concentration responses are similar, suggesting that the magnitude of the response is a measure of biological plasticity, within a broad range of biological contexts. These findings represent an important advance in the understanding of the hormetic dose/concentration response, its generalizability and potential biomedical applications, including drug discovery/efficacy assessment and the risk assessment process.