Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Role of Fees in Foreign Education: evidence from Italy and the UK

This paper studies the determinants of international students mobility at the university level, focusing specifically on the role of tuition fees. We derive a gravity model based on a Random Utility Maximization model of location choice for international students in the presence of capacity constraints of the hosting institutions. The last layer of the model is estimated using new data on students migration flows at the university level for Italy and the UK. The particular institutional setting of the two destination countries allows to control for the potential endogeneity of tuition fees. We obtain evidence for a clear and negative effect of fees on international student mobility and confirm the positive impact of quality of education. The estimations find also support for an important role of additional destination-specific variables such as host capacity, expected return of education and cost of living in the vicinity of the university.
Dynamics of intracellular calcium in hair cells isolated from the semicircular canal of the frog.

Changes in cytosolic free Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)]i) were monitored optically in hair cells mechanically isolated from frog semicircular canals using the membrane-impermeant form of the Ca(2+)-selective dye Oregon Green 488 BAPTA-1 (OG, 100 microM). Cells stimulated by depolarization under whole-cell voltage clamp conditions revealed Ca(2+) entry at selected sites (hotspots) located mostly in the lower (synaptic) half of the cell body. [Ca(2+)]i at individual hotspots rose with a time constant tau1 approximately 70 ms and decayed with a bi-exponential time-course (tau2 approximately 160, tau3 approximately 2500 ms) following a 160 ms depolarization to -20 mV. With repeated stimulation [Ca(2+)]i underwent independent amplitude changes at distinct hotspots, suggesting that the underlying Ca(2+) channel clusters can be regulated differentially by intracellular signalling pathways. Block by nifedipine indicated that the L-type Ca(2+)channels are distributed at different densities in distinct hotspots. No diffusion barrier other than the nuclear region was found in the cytosol, so that, during a prolonged depolarization (lasting up to 1s), Ca(2+) was able to reach the cell apical ciliated pole. The effective Ca(2+) diffusion constant, measured from the progression of Ca(2+) wavefronts in the cytosol, was approximately 57 microm(2)/s. Our results indicate that in these hair cells, buffered diffusion of Ca(2+) proceeds evenly from the source point to the cell interior and is dominated by the diffusion constant of the endogenous mobile buffers.
Labor rights in Chinese manufacturing firms: an empirical analysis based on the China Employer-Employee Survey data

ABSTRACT Based on the 2015 China Employer-Employee Survey data, this article presents descriptive statistics on collective and individual labor rights in Chinese manufacturing firms. The former includes data about rights pertaining to labor unions and collective bargaining, while the latter includes promotion and remuneration. The main findings are as follows. (1) Although the indicators vary widely in terms of firm-specific characteristics (e.g. size, capital sources, ownership structure, exporting, and industry), the overall protection level of collective labor rights in Chinese manufacturing firms appear to meet accepted levels with 61.45% of firms offering labor unions and 64.93% engaging in collective wage bargaining. (2) While a few employees did not enjoy individual labor rights such as promotions and social security (e.g. 40% workers had no opportunity for promotion), discrimination based on demographical characters (e.g. gender, Hukou, and education level) is not evident for employees’ individual labor rights. Abbreviations: CEES: China Employer-Employee Survey; ILO: International Labor Organization.
Monocular vision-based collision avoidance system using shadow detection

This research paper is devoted for discussing a Vision-Based Collision Avoidance System that aims to provide the driver with a “third eye” to help him/her to detect obstacles and estimate distance between them and the host vehicles. It is based on a monocular approach of image processing that has one camera, which continuously captures images of the frontal view of the vehicle. Then the captured images are processed in order to detect obstacles, then estimate their distances from the host vehicle and, finally, take decisions to avoid them. The detection algorithm depends on detecting the shadow of the obstacles, as an invariant feature for all types of obstacles. Watershed segmentation technique is used to detect objects and triangulation technique is used to calculate the distance between the host vehicle and the detected obstacle. The proposed system can automatically control electric vehicles.
An analysis of 14 molecular markers for monitoring osteoarthritis. Relationship of the markers to clinical end-points.

OBJECTIVE To investigate whether any of 14 serum and urine molecular markers (MMs) used to monitor osteoarthritis (OA) would be associated with particular clinical end-points. DESIGN Thirty-nine OA patients were bled and urine collected at five time points: at baseline visit and at visits 1, 3, 6 and 12 months later. Twelve clinical measurements were made and the concentrations of each of 14 MMs were determined. Principal component analysis, stepwise linear regression with backward elimination, and logistic regression were used to determine the correlations between MMs and clinical measures. RESULTS Principal component analysis was used to reduce the 12 clinical measurements into three independent clinical clusters: baseline clinical assessments, changes in clinical assessments and signal joint measurements. The 14 MMs were similarly reduced to five MM clusters. Each of the three clinical clusters was correlated with a single but different MM cluster. Baseline clinical assessments were correlated with bone markers typified by hydroxylysyl pyridinoline (HP) crosslinks, swelling of the signal joint was correlated with inflammation markers, especially CRP, and the change in clinical assessments over the 1 year evaluation was correlated with TGFbeta1. There was no correlation between any of the skeletal markers and the clinical measures, a situation which draws attention to the need for a direct assessment of cartilage damage in OA to validate the use of cartilage markers. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates statistical methodology for analysis of clinical trials using multiple MMs and clinical end-points. The patient numbers are sufficient to test hypotheses of relationships of single MMs such as CRP, TGFbeta1 and HP to clinical measures, but larger clinical trials are needed to validate hypotheses.
Is health-related-quality of life of stroke patients influenced by neurological impairments at one year after stroke?

AIM The aim of this study was to evaluate which neurological impairments on discharge from rehabilitation services are associated with a worse outcome in terms of health related-quality of life (HRQoL) one year after stroke. METHODS We enrolled 528 first-time stroke patients in a multicenter observational study involving 18 Italian inpatients rehabilitation centers. Neurological impairment-related factors, socio-demographic and general clinical variables and process indicators were considered independent variables at discharge. Outcome was represented by the following dependent variables of HRQoL: EuroQoL-5D questionnaire (5D-EQoL) and its derived index (Eq-Index) and a Visual Analogue Score (QoL-VAS). RESULTS The strongest predictors of lower HRQoL were an incomplete limbs motor recovery. An incomplete lower limb motor recovery was associated with a lower HRQoL only in the "mobility" domains, whereas a incomplete upper limb motor recovery could predict a lower HRQoL in all domains except "mobility". Regarding cognitive impairments, the presence of neglect at discharge was associated with a lower HRQoL in "self-care", "pain-discomfort" and "anxiety-depression". Female gender, presence of urinary catheter seemed to exert a much lesser role in predicting HRQoL. CONCLUSION The results of this study suggest that upper limb motor impairments may have a detrimental impact on the patient's perceived HRQoL one year after stroke.
Hypoxia Inducible Factor-1–Independent Pathways in Tumor Angiogenesis

Among the factors that can stimulate angiogenesis, vascular endothelial growth factor has emerged as one of the most important, and inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor has recently shown efficacy in the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer. Hypoxia develops within solid tumors and is one of the most potent stimuli of vascular endothelial growth factor expression. This effect is mediated primarily by hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1), often considered a master regulator of angiogenesis in hypoxia. Consequently, inhibition of HIF-1 has been proposed as a strategy to block tumor angiogenesis therapeutically. However, accumulating evidence indicates that HIF-independent pathways can also control angiogenesis. This review highlights some of the key signaling pathways independent of HIF-1 that can stimulate angiogenesis in hypoxia. Understanding the full spectrum of molecular pathways that control tumor angiogenesis is critical for the optimal design of targeted therapies.
CDKN2 Mutation Is Infrequent in German Hepatocellular Carcinoma

For hepatocellular carcinoma, only scarce and controversial data on CDKN2 alterations are available. A high rate of mutations in a Chinese study contrasts with a low rate found in Japanese tumors and a CDKN2 germline mutation in 4/26 Swiss tumors examined. We analyzed 23 hepatocellular carcinomas from German patients for homozygous deletions of CDKN2 by coamplification with the human tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) gene and for CDKN2 mutations by PCR-single strand conformation polymorphism analysis and direct DNA sequencing. Our results indicate the lack of homozygous deletions. In one tumor, DNA sequencing showed a GCG-ACG (alanine-threonine) substitution at codon 148, a polymorphism in exon 2 of CDKN2. We conclude that the alteration of CDKN2 by deletion or mutation appears not to be a frequent event in hepatocarcinogenesis in German patients.
Momentum and Covered Calls Almost Everywhere

This article examines times series momentum and covered call strategies through conventional representations across ten asset classes. The performance of the two strategies generally outperform static buy and hold investments and are classified as positive and negative autocorrelation factors. The tactical overlay of time series momentum and covered call strategies onto asset classes are considered asset transformations. The two transformed replacements of the underlying asset are incorporated into well-established risk-based allocation heuristics, such as maximum diversification and equal risk contribution. The resulting portfolios show enhanced risk-adjusted performance compared with corresponding buy and hold investments or individual strategy portfolios. The authors designate this global tactical asset allocation framework as autocorrelation factor allocation (ACFA).
Regional Estimates of Stomach Cancer Burden in Italy

Aims and background Stomach cancer still remains one of the most frequent tumors in Italy and Europe. The aim of this paper is to present estimates for stomach cancer mortality, incidence and prevalence over the period 1970-2010 for the Italian regions and for Italy as a whole. Methods Estimated figures for incidence, prevalence and mortality were obtained by using the MIAMOD method. Starting from the knowledge of mortality in the period 1970-1999 and of relative survival in the period of diagnosis 1978-1994, we derived incidence and prevalence estimates and projections up to the year 2010 by means of a statistical back-calculation approach. Survival at the regional and national levels was modelled on the basis of published survival data from the Italian cancer registries. Results Incidence and mortality trends for both sexes decrease by about 60% during the estimation period 1970-2010. Both indicators show a 2-fold male/female ratio all over the country, and a similar gender time trend. The incidence and mortality in the North and Center of the country are estimated to be higher and to decrease more steeply than those in the South, both for men and women. A total of around 13,000 incident cases, 57,000 prevalent cases, and 8,000 deaths are estimated to have occurred in Italy in 2005. Conclusions The incidence and mortality trends are estimated to decline during the entire period 1970-2010, with different slopes between northern-central and southern regions. The incidence and mortality are quite similar among Italian regions, showing that the risk of developing the disease diminishes and is becoming more homogeneous than in the past decades all over the country.
Neural gastrointestinal electrical stimulation enhances colonic motility in a chronic canine model of delayed colonic transit

Abstract Neural gastrointestinal electrical stimulation (NGES) induces sequential contractions and enhances emptying in acute canine gastric and colonic models. This study was set to determine (i) the effect of NGES in a chronic canine model of delayed colonic transit and (ii) possible mechanism of action. Four pairs of electrodes were implanted in the distal colon of nine mongrel dogs. Delayed colonic transit was induced by diphenoxylate/atropine and alosetron. Transit was fluoroscopically determined by the rate of evacuation of radiopaque markers, and was tested twice in each dog, in random order, on and off stimulation. Two stimulation sequences, separated by 1 min, were delivered twice a day via exteriorized electrodes. Colonic manometry during stimulation was performed before and after intravenous (i.v.) injection of 1 mg of atropine. Complete evacuation of all markers was significantly shortened by NGES, from 4 days to 2 days, interquartile range 3–4 days vs 2–3 days, respectively, P = 0.016. NGES induced strong sequential contractions that were significantly diminished by atropine: 190.0 ± 14.0 mmHg vs 48.7 ± 19.4 mmHg, respectively (P < 0.001). NGES induces strong sequential colonic contractions and significantly accelerates movement of content in a canine model of delayed colonic transit. The effect is atropine sensitive.
Thymic carcinoma: Five distinctive histological variants

Five histologically distinct variants of thymic carcinoma are described: mixed small cell undifferentiated-squamous cell carcinoma (three cases), basaloid carcinoma (two cases), mucoepidermoid carcinoma (one case), clear cell carcinoma (one case), and sarcomatoid carcinoma (one case). While forming a heterogeneous group, these tumors bear the common features of an anterior mediastinal location and lack of evidence of a primary tumor elsewhere, marking them as primary thymic neoplasms. All except the sarcomatoid variant are morphologically related to similar malignant neoplasms of other organs. These tumors should be recognized as morphological variants of primary thymic carcinoma and demonstrate the ability of thymic epithelium to differentiate toward a variety of different cell types.
A before and after study of warfarin monitoring in a single region as part of the Scottish patient safety programme in primary care

Introduction Warfarin is an effective drug for patients at risk of thromboembolic events, but sub-optimal pharmacological management may cause significant harm. As part of the Scottish patient safety programme in primary care, one health board region aimed to determine if the international normalised ratio control for patients taking warfarin in general practice improved over the first 12 months of participation. Methods A before and after study of a multi-intervention improvement strategy was employed that combined financial incentivisation, a regional learning collaborative, clinical care bundle implementation, audit and feedback and clinical ‘safety champions’. The main patient outcome measures were: mean time in therapeutic range; proportion with good control (time in therapeutic range >60%) and excellent control (time in therapeutic range > 75%); and the proportion of very abnormal results (international normalised ratio < 1.5 or >5). Chi-square tests were used to determine statistical differences. Results In total, 49 of 55 general practices participated (89%) with 33/55 providing usable data (60%) on 1480 patients (before) and 1946 patients (after), respectively. Improvements were observed in mean time in therapeutic range (P < 0.05) as well as in the proportion of patients with good control (time in therapeutic range > 60%, P < 0.01) and excellent control (time in therapeutic range > 75%, P = 0.06). A reduction in the proportion of very abnormal results (international normalised ratio < 1.5 or >5) was also observed (P < 0.01), while the mean number of patient attendances reduced (P < 0.05). Conclusions The introduction of a complex safety improvement intervention via a national patient safety programme has resulted in modest improvements in the control of warfarin monitoring in a single region. These improvements may potentially reduce the incidence of serious adverse events. The study method, interventions and findings should be of interest to primary care settings with similar warfarin management arrangements internationally.
Cyclical Multiplier and Zero Low Bound Effects of Government Expenditure on Economic Growth: Evidence for Greece

This study explores the impact of government expenditure multipliers on economic growth utilising an Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) approach. We provide evidence on the short-term dynamics as well as the long-run expenditure multiplier effects on economic growth for the Greek economy over the period 1960–2014. We find that the size of the multiplier does not differ substantially over the phases of the business cycle. Our results also indicate that irrespective of the scale of inflation, government expenditure positively affects economic growth, whilst inconclusive evidence is obtained in the case of exceptionally low interest rates.
The investigation of epsilon toxin effects on different cancerous cell lines and its synergism effect with methotrexate.

BACKGROUND The overall goal of this study is to use a bacterial toxin as drug delivery agents for chemotherapy drugs and overcome the development of resistance to these medicines. COR-L105 and MDA-MB 231 which are epithelial-like were used in this study. Cytotoxicity assays were performed by 3-(4, 5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) as metabolic indicator. The toxin was essential to kill 50% (CT50) and IC 50 value (inhibition growth value) for methotrexate were determined as optical density at 540 nm. Epsilon toxin-loaded PLGA nanoparticles were prepared using non-aqueous technique. Surface morphology, in vitro drug release, and encapsulation efficiency of the nanoparticles was determined. RESULTS Results confirmed that using non-toxic concentration of epsilon toxin, resistance to cancerous cell decreased significantly, which could be an important result in cancer therapy. The synergistic effect of MTX and epsilon toxin showed that bio toxins can be used as supplement with chemical drugs and increase the effect of chemotherapy. The results illustrated that application of PLGA as drug delivery system due to its controlled release properties was beneficial. CONCLUSION These finding proposed that due to the ease of local accessibility of lung tumors with aerosol drug delivery, biotoxins can directly be used with chemotherapy drugs in aerosol form.
Investigation of ultrasonic palladium coated copper wire wedge bonding on different surface finish

In semiconductor packaging, wire bonding is the main technology for electrical connections between chip and leadframe or substrate. Gold wire bonding has the advantages of a fast bonding process, excellent electrical property, and stable chemical property. It has been widely used in various electronic packages, such as chip scale package (CSP) and ball grid array (BGA). Gold prices have risen significantly over the last few years. Many manufactures have been investigating ways to replace the conventional gold wire various new material. Copper wire bonding is an alternative interconnection technology. Compared with gold wire, Cu wire is better than gold with respect to electrical conductivity. The inherent stiffness of the copper wire also makes long wire with small diameters more resistant to wire sweep during molding. There are also some problems with Cu bonding process: (1) Copper easily oxidizes in air. The application of copper wire coated with palladium is a solution to prevent copper oxidation during the bonding process. (2) The higher hardness of wire generally requires higher ultrasonic power and bond force to bond on metal. It also lead to high risk of cratering for ball bonding and tearing for wedge bond. This paper reports a study on the influence wire material, surface finish hardness and bonding machine parameter. In this study, 0.7mil Pd coated Cu wire was bonded on two kinds of surface finish, as electro-plating Nickel and Gold, and Electroless Nickel, Electroless Palladium and Immersion Gold (ENEPIG). Its purity is 4N. The thickness of Pd coating was less than 0.2um. The surface finish characteristics were examined using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The noncontact optical profiler was used to measure surface finish roughness. Hardness was measured, using microhardness test. Thermosonic Pd coated Cu wire wedge bonding was preformed on a wedge bonder equipped with a kit to forming gas. The wire bonding process window for each surface finish was established using various combination of bond force and power. Bonder machine alarm rate, wire pull test and wedge bonding appearance were performed to measure the quality for Pd coated Cu wire bonded on three kinds of surface finish. Cross section sample was prepared Focused Ion Beam (FIB). Then, it was observed using scanning electron microscope to discuss wedge bonding mechanism.
CAPITALISING THE V ALUE OF FREE SCHOOLS: T HE IMPACT O F S UPPLY C HARACTERISTICS AND UNCERTAINTY*

This paper explores the sources and impact of variations of a given school quality at either primary or secondary level as capitalised into the price of houses. The results provide new evidence on the complex and subtle ways in which housing markets capitalise the value of local public goods such as school quality and suggest that this is highly nonlinear. We expect variation in the capitalised price according to the elasticity of supply of ‘school quality’ in the local market, the certainty with which that quality can be expected to be maintained and the suitability of the dwelling to accommodate children. Concern over the quality of local schools, and over the variation in this quality, has drawn the attention of parents, policy makers and scholars. For many households, there is a single path to access quality education: identify an acceptable quality state-supported school and purchase a house in the area served by that school. Households lacking the means to move to such areas will face reduced educational opportunities, and that fact continues to generate concern. Interest in these issues has a long history. For economists, it goes back at least to Tiebout (1956) and Oates (1969). The questions they addressed were how do we determine the demand for and supply of local public goods, including education, and how do we pay for such goods. It was Oates who first drew