Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Causes of the European Debt Crisis: Testing for Fiscal Sustainability

Th e recent global fi nancial crisis and ongoing Eurozone crisis reveal the vulnerabilities of fi scal sustainability in some Eurozone countries, where fi scal sustainability has been considered one of the pivotal macroeconomic tasks. To achieve and sustain the abovementioned fi scal purpose, on 7 February 1992 the members of the European Community signed the Maastricht Treaty, which set out the conditions and timetable for a monetary union. In this treaty the member states pledged to limit their defi cit spending not exceeding 3 percent of GDP and to keep debt levels at 60 percent of GDP. Th e Maastricht criteria were primarily motivated by Germany’s desire to ensure that the qualifying members had a strong fi scal and monetary background. In other words, the member countries seem keen to exclude countries with a poor economic record and high likelihood of printing money when faced with economic diffi culty (Pilbeam 2006). Over the past decade, fi scal sustainability has been a central issue for member countries. Th e reasons can be described as follows: fi rst, individual fi scal discipline is a pivotal proxy for the establishment of a common monetary policy; second, debt accumulation associated with a consequent budget defi cit may yield an increase in longterm interest rates, which might cause negative eff ects on fi nancial markets; last but not least, member states will be able to keep the aforementioned Maastricht convergence criteria (Eduard, Tomash and Stefan 2011). To achieve the aforementioned as well as other benefi ts, the Euro was introduced on 1 January 1999. For the fi rst three years it was only used for accounting purposes, e.g. for electronic payment and traveller’s cheques; the fi rst actual Euro notes and coins were not introduced until 1 January 2002. Th e launch of the Euro marked the creation of a single currency complete with its own central bank, which also sets a single Eurozone-wide interest rate (ECB 2011). A decade after the introduction of the Euro single currency, the member states began to face challenges and diffi culties in the Eurozone. DER DONAURAUM
Prognostic Effect of Epithelial and Stromal Lymphocyte Infiltration in Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer

Purpose: The major value of prognostic markers in potentially curable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) should be to guide therapy after surgical resection. In this regard, the patients' immune status at the time of resection may be important and also measurable. The immune system has paradoxical roles during cancer development. However, the prognostic significance of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes is controversial. The aim of this study is to elucidate the prognostic significance of epithelial and stromal lymphocyte infiltration in NSCLC. Experimental Design: Tissue microarrays from 335 resected NSCLC, stage I to IIIA were constructed from duplicate cores of viable and representative neoplastic epithelial and stromal areas. Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate the epithelial and stromal CD4+, CD8+, and CD20+ lymphocytes. Results: In univariate analyses, increasing numbers of epithelial CD8+ (P = 0.023), stromal CD8+ (P = 0.002), epithelial CD20+ (P = 0.023), stromal CD20+ (P < 0.001), and stromal CD4+ (P < 0.001) lymphocytes correlated significantly with an improved disease-specific survival. No such relation was noted for epithelial CD4+ cells. Furthermore, a low level of stromal CD8+ lymphocyte infiltration was associated with an increased incidence of angiolymphatic invasion (P = 0.032). In multivariate analyses, a high number of stromal CD8+ (P = 0.043) and CD4+ (P = 0.002) cells were independent positive prognostic factors for disease-specific survival. Conclusions: High densities of CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes in the stroma are independent positive prognostic indicators for resected NSCLC patients. This may suggest that these cells are mediating a strong antitumor immune response in NSCLC.
Raising Students’ Intercultural Awareness and Preparing them for Intercultural Business (Communication) by E-Mail

IN THIS ARTICLE, we report on an assignment in which we try to raise our students’ intercultural awareness. The assignment, an intercultural e-mail project, was developed during the past 2 academic years for the course Introduction to Intercultural Communication for 1styear students of Business Communication of the Radboud University (Nijmegen, the Netherlands) and for 2nd-year students of the Lessius Hogeschool (Flanders, Belgium) (cf. Planken, Hooft, & Korzilius, 2004). In this article, we describe the project, give reasons for its format, and evaluate it from the point of view of both the students who took part in it and the teachers who gave the course.
Modeling Data-Based Mobility Controllers with Known Coverage and Quality Properties

Synthesizing controllable and realistic locomotion and stepping motions for the support of manipulation is a challenging computational problem that is important for simulating a variety of whole-body tasks. We propose a methodology for parameterizing primitive data-based mobility controllers with known coverage and quality characteristics. Our approach is computationally efficient and achieves realism and high controllability of stepping behaviors, thus addressing key properties for supporting a variety of whole-body manipulation tasks. The proposed mobility controllers are based on deformation operations applied to a captured motion clip of one step cycle, such that a small number of deformations achieve full parameterization of the end location of one step. Controllers are then quantified with respect to end location coverage and motion quality, in order to allow higher level decision mechanisms to select and employ the best mobility controllers to support the intended manipulation task.
Distinct Pattern of Antibody Reactivity with Oligomeric or Polymeric Forms of the Capsular Polysaccharide of Haemophilus influenzae Type b

The chain length of oligosaccharides required for antibody binding has been studied by using the capsular polysaccharide from Haemophilus influenzae type b or oligosaccharides derived from it. The concentration of competing antigens required to achieve a 50% inhibition of antibody binding by human polyclonal antisera in an in vitro competition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay decreased progressively from greater than 10(-3) to 5 x 10(-7) M as the inhibiting saccharide chain length increased from 1 to 262 repeat units. Even small oligosaccharides (one or two repeat units) are potentially capable of competing to a significant level if a high enough concentration of saccharides is used. A similar pattern of reactivity was seen with a monoclonal anti-polyribosyl ribitol phosphate antibody, suggesting that the differences in the avidity of the antibody subpopulations in the polyclonal antisera do not contribute to the binding patterns observed. The binding reaction was specific as evaluated with pneumococcal saccharides. Furthermore, an oligosaccharide-protein conjugate binds antibody better than the free oligosaccharides do. Such a difference in binding was not observed between the polysaccharide and a polysaccharide-protein conjugate. Overall, the data suggest that identical epitopes are expressed by oligomeric and polymeric forms of the antigen and that a particularly more stable conformation in polysaccharides is preferred by antibodies. Covalent coupling of oligomers to protein increases the expression of stable conformation of epitopes. The data further suggest that this kind of antigenic analysis may be important for the design and synthesis of glycoconjugate vaccines.
Using the features of functional programming for parallel building of decision trees

The article describes the possibilities of parallelization algorithms of decision trees and their implementation in programming languages that use the features of the functional programming paradigm. They allow simplifying transformation of sequential algorithm to its parallel form. As example we consider the C4.5 algorithm and comparison of its implementation in Java 7 and Java 8 programming languages. The Java 8 uses the elements of functional programming languages: pure functions, functions for list processing and etc.
SATB2 is a novel marker of osteoblastic differentiation in bone and soft tissue tumours: comment on Conner et al. (2013)

biol. 1971; 4; 343–350. 6. Vatn S, Gunnes G, Nybo K, Juul HM. Possible involvement of Sarcina ventriculi in canine and equine acute gastric dilatation. Acta Vet. Scand. 2000; 41; 333–337. 7. Vatn S, Tranulis MA, Hofshagen M. Sarcina-like bacteria, Clostridium fallax and Clostridium sordellii in lambs with abomasal bloat, haemorrhage and ulcers. J. Comp. Pathol. 2000; 122; 193–200. 8. Edwards GT, Woodger NG, Barlow AM et al. Sarcina-like bacteria associated with bloat in young lambs and calves. Vet. Rec. 2008; 163; 391–393. 9. Lam-Himlin D, Tsiatis AC, Montgomery E et al. Sarcina organisms in the gastrointestinal tract: a clinicopathologic and molecular study. Am. J. Surg. Pathol. 2011; 35; 1700–1705. 10. Tolentino LFKN, Javier B, Yoshimori R, French SW. A case report of gastric perforation and peritonitis associated with opportunistic infection by Sarcina ventriculi. Lab. Med. 2003; 34; 535–537. 11. Laass MW, Pargac N, Fischer R, Bernhardt H, Knoke M, Henker J. Emphysematous gastritis caused by Sarcina ventriculi. Gastrointest. Endosc. 2010; 72; 1101–1103. 12. Ratuapli SK, Lam-Himlin DM, Heigh RI. Sarcina ventriculi of the stomach: a case report. World J. Gastroenterol. 2013; 19; 2282–2285. 13. Yang L, Lu X, Nossa CW, Francois F, Peek RM, Pei Z. Inflammation and intestinal metaplasia of the distal esophagus are associated with alterations in the microbiome. Gastroenterology 2009; 137; 588–597.
Attitudes of middle managers to quality‐based organisational change

The paper explores some factors that may lead to middle managers in organisations holding differing views on their quality programs. In particular, it considers the possibility that differing views are related to job role. The data are from research into the beliefs and attitudes of middle managers towards quality programs in 21 Australian organisations. Findings suggest that quality specialists have more positive views of their companies’ quality programs than other job groups. There was no evidence to suggest that those in operations‐type roles have more positive views about their quality programs than those in non‐operational roles, even though the history of quality development suggests otherwise.
Pre-And Post Crisis Analysis of the Industrial Consolidation in the Utilities Sector

This empiric study analyzes the Mergers & Acquisition (M&A) activities of stock-listed utilities companies. The study provides a sector analysis on how the industrial consolidation took place in the past and how it will develop in the next decade. Industrial consolidation is a global mega-trend that evolved during the last three decades – also in the utilities sector. Privatization and market liberalization are the initial key transformation processes for the M&A activity in this industry. As first result of all: The companies participated in the survey take the crisis as advantage for opportune asset acquisition options. Although the trend of M&As declined after the peak in 2007 some find themselves in a more favorable situation than competitors. A survey participator expressed the current situation with “business as usual”. The majority of the survey participants prognosticate an increasing concentration in their domestic markets. The future industrial consolidation will be the result of regulatory pressure, further privatization/liberalization and/or will be market driven. This research paper is structured as follows: The overview gives a brief insight about the global M&A development in the utilities sector. The second section defines the methods of the survey and the survey’s and participant’s structure. The third section illustrates the research findings and results of the survey on the industrial consolidation. The fourth section draws the conclusions.
Characterization of an OprL null mutant of Pseudomonas putida

A Pseudomonas putida oprL null mutant was generated with reverse genetics by using an in vitro-truncated oprL::xylE construct and in vivo allelic exchange. The nature of the mutation introduced in P. putida was confirmed by Southern blotting. Western blots (immunoblots) of peptidoglycan-associated proteins revealed that the OprL protein was not made in the mutant strain, whereas it was detectable as a 19-kDa band in protein preparations of the wild-type strain. The P. putida oprL, mutant exhibited altered cell morphology as revealed by electron microscopy and was more sensitive to sodium dodecyl sulfate, deoxycholate, and EDTA than the wild-type strain. The oprL gene was conserved in a wide variety of the Pseudomonas strains belonging to rRNA group I, which suggests that this gene is important for the maintenance of the cell envelope and cell morphology in this group of microorganisms.
An Institutional Theory of Exchange in Marketing

Based on an institutional analysis, develops a political economy framework to study exchange of all types. Shows that the institutional context either encourages or inhibits various types of exchanges. Identifies four types of institutions: households, private firms, public enterprises, and government institutions. Three main types of exchanges exist between and within these institutions. These include: market exchange, redistributive exchange, and reciprocal exchange. Argues that the resource profiles of the institutions, the prevailing norms of legitimacy in the society, and the nature and strength of the control systems determine exchanges outcomes. This approach is particularly useful for understanding strategic, social, global and macromarketing processes, especially in the context of comparative marketing.
Service quality and e‐commerce: an exploratory analysis

Examines the applicability of determinants identified in a physical services environment to assess the services relating to e‐commerce. It is argued that the lack of human interaction during the Web site experience means that determinants such as competence, courtesy, cleanliness, comfort and friendliness, helpfulness, care, commitment, flexibility are not particularly relevant in e‐commerce. On the other hand, determinants such as accessibility, communication, credibility, understanding, appearance, and availability are equally applicable to e‐commerce as they are in physical services. The paper argues the need for further research to identify suitable determinants for the e‐commerce operating environment.
CAPM and Risk in the Australian Regulatory Context

As one component in the determination of price caps for access to regulated gas pipelines under the National Access Code for Natural Gas Pipeline Systems (which is given legal effect through relevant State legislation), regulators utilise the CAPM to determine a 'reasonable' rate of return on the capital employed by the pipeline owner in the provision of gas transport services. A key issue in the use of CAPM in this manner is the determination of beta, the coefficient measuring systematic risk in the CAPM. Pipelines are not commonly traded in Australia, and hence market betas cannot be readily calculated from market data. This necessitates estimation of beta by other means. The methods used in practice is essentially a combination of comparisons with like pipelines which are traded (usually in the US or UK) combined with what can best be described as guesswork to incorporate differences between these pipelines and the pipelines being regulated. This process is less than rigorous and subject to rent-seeking behaviour by pipeline owners. This paper considers risk from the perspective of first principles, and derives a methodology for determining beta in the Australian regulatory context based upon a theoretical consideration of diversification choices of individuals.
AN EVALUATION OF PROCESS‐ORIENTED SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORKS

Supply chain management (SCM) is implemented by integrating corporate functions using business processes within and across companies. Several process-oriented frameworks for SCM have been proposed but only two of these provide sufficient detail to enable implementation. We evaluate the Supply-Chain Operations Reference (SCOR) framework and The Global Supply Chain Forum (GSCF) framework using four criteria and identify their relative strengths and weaknesses.
Generation of RNA Molecules by a Base‐Catalysed Click‐Like Reaction

The problem of the abiotic origin of RNA from prebiotically plausible compounds remains unsolved. As a potential partial solution, we report the spontaneous polymerization of 3′,5′‐cyclic GMP in water, in formamide, in dimethylformamide, and (in water) in the presence of a Brønsted base such as 1,8‐diazabicycloundec‐7‐ene. The reaction is untemplated, does not require enzymatic activities, is thermodynamically favoured and selectively yields 3′,5′‐bonded ribopolymers containing as many as 25 nucleotides. We propose a reaction pathway on the basis of 1) the measured stacking of the 3′,5′‐cyclic monomers, 2) the activation by Brønsted bases, 3) the determination (by MALDI‐TOF mass spectrometry, by 31P NMR, and by specific ribonucleases) of the molecular species produced. The reaction pathway has several of the attributes of a click‐like reaction.
Immunologic abnormalities in pathogen-free cats experimentally infected with feline immunodeficiency virus

Blood mononuclear cells from 47 cats experimentally infected with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) were examined by using monoclonal antibodies directed against feline CD4 and CD8 homologs, a pan-T-cell antigen, and cell surface immunoglobulin. Significant inversion of the CD4+/CD8+ T-cell ratio was observed only in cats that were infected for 18 months or more. This inversion was associated with a decrease in the absolute numbers of CD4+ T cells and a concomitant increase in CD8+ cells. However, the total numbers of circulating T and B cells were not significantly reduced. Cats infected with FIV for 24 to 28 months also had significantly elevated levels of serum immunoglobulin G (IgG), but normal levels of IgA and IgM. The long-term decline in CD4+ T cells and hypergammaglobulinemia observed in FIV-infected cats resemble the abnormalities occurring in humans after human immunodeficiency virus infection.
Determining Segmentation in Sales Response across Consumer Purchase Behaviors

The authors develop a joint estimation approach to segment households on the basis of their response to price and promotion in brand choice, purchase incidence, and purchase quantity decisions. The authors model brand choice (what to buy) by multinomial logit, incidence (whether to buy) by nested logit, and quantity (how much to buy) by poisson regression. Response segments are determined probabilistically using a latent mixture model. The approach simultaneously calibrates sales response on two dimensions: across segments and the three purchase behaviors. The procedure permits market-level sales elasticities to be decomposed by segment and purchase behavior (i.e., choice, incidence, and quantity). The authors apply the approach to scanner panel data for the yogurt category and find substantial differences across segments in the relative impact of the choice, incidence, and quantity decisions on overall sales response to price.
Old Wine in New Bottles: Strategy Dynamics in Indonesian Banking Sector

Banking sector is a highly regulated industry where market structure could be affected by banking regulations. With the reformation in banking regulations post 2008 crisis emphasizing on the quality of bank capital, leverage, liquidity and the consolidated move by large international banks on their core banking business, competition in banking will even be more complex than it is now. Indonesian banking sector has evolved considerably since the 1998 crisis through consolidation, change of ownership structure, and stronger capitalization which, in turn, resulting in rapid growth in Indonesian banking sector. The market dynamics, the proliferation of product varieties and the change in banking regulations over the past five (5) years have turned Indonesian banking sector into a hyper-competition market where the strategic window or life-span becomes shorter. This paper will analyze strategy dynamics in the Indonesian banking sector from the perspective of Market-Based Theory (MBT) (or Industrial Organization Theory, IOT), the Schumpeter’s Theory of Creative Destruction, the Nelson & Winter Evolutionary Theory of Economic Change, Penrose Theory of the Growth of the Firm, and the Resource-Based Theory (RBT). The article stipulates that Penrose’s theory could be best to explain the strategy dynamics in Indonesian banking sector integrating the MBT and RBT into the strategic initiatives. Further, the article also discusses the major sources of delay in competitive response, namely strategic inertia, bureaucratic inertia, and political inertia.
Real Options Theory and Its Applications to Corporate Valuation in M&As

In this paper, based on a review of Real Option Theory, and aiming at existing problems that those traditional firm valuation methods face with, a new model based on real options is developed as a remedy to the Discounted Cash Flow Method when it treats the operation flexibility. Using Black-Scholes formula, this paper gives a primary probe on valuing a firm with growth options.
BANKRUPTCY AS A STRATEGIC PLANNING TOOL.

The filing for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy has generally been associated with organizational demise and destruction of shareholder value. This paper develops a value creation theory of Chapter 11 that supports the recent claims of legal scholars that Chapter 11 can be an effective strategic planning tool. Compelling empirical support is found showing significant positive shareholder returns following the filing for Chapter 11 in large troubled firms.