Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Population Growth on Economic Growth: A Meta-Regression Analysis of the Macroeconomic Literature

Many studies have sought to gauge the impact of population growth on economic growth. A well-known stylized fact of this literature is that the estimated effects of population growth measures on economic growth are not robust, varying between being positive, negative, and insignificantly different from zero. The present study analyzes 471 statistical regressions from 29 prominent economic growth studies using meta-regression analysis to identify the effect of alternative methodologies on key population growth results. This study finds that a broad set of methodological factors explains more than half of the variation in the population growth effects observed from this literature, including the types of variables used to measure population growth, the countries selected, the time frame of the analysis, and the nature of the control variables specified. The study also yields results that have implications for policymakers, especially insofar as several policy factors seem to influence the population change-economic growth nexus. Particularly strong is the evidence in support of the increasingly adverse effects of population growth in the post-1980 period, suggesting that demographic issues should warrant greater attention than they currently receive from the policymaking community. Copyright (c) 2009 The Population Council, Inc.
Contrastive Constraints Guide Explanation-Based Category Learning

This paper provides evidence for a contrastive account of explanation that is motivated by pragmatic theories that recognize the contribution that context makes to the interpretation of a prompt for explanation. This study replicates the primary findings of previous work in explanation-based category learning (Williams & Lombrozo, 2010), extending that work by illustrating the critical role of the context in this type of learning. Participants interacted with items from two categories either by describing the items or explaining their category membership. We manipulated the feature overlap between the categories and examined both the explanations generated and acquired knowledge of the categories. Explanations for membership in a given category were influenced by the unprompted contrast category, indicating an important role for contrastive processing in the generation of explanations. The influence of the contrast category was similarly seen in the transfer performance of the participants.
Corruption and the Composition of Public Expenditures: Evidence from OECD Countries

This paper analyzes how corruption affects the composition of public expenditures. First, a two-stage rent-seeking model with endogenous rent-setting is derived that captures both "political corruption" and "bureaucratic corruption". The model illustrates how asymmetries between industries in the degree of competition and in the difficulty of concealing bribery may influence the allocation of public spending. The theoretical implications are tested with a panel dataset for 26 OECD countries over the 1996 - 2008 period. The results suggest that the shares of spending on health and environmental protection increase, while the shares of spending on social protection and recreation, culture and religion decline with higher levels of corruption. The significance of these distortions is robust to a variety of specifications such as fixed effects, random effects, seemingly unrelated regressions, the inclusion of additional controls, and the use of alternative corruption indicators.
The Demonstration of Short-Term Consolidation

In a dual-task paradigm, a visual display (T1) containing characters (letters or symbols) was presented first, followed by an auditory signal (T2) at various stimulus-onset asynchronies (SOAs). A speeded response to T2 was required. When the information in T1 had to be recalled later, response times to T2 (RT2) were elevated at short SOAs and decreased as SOA was increased. The effects on RT2 were larger when there were more items to be remembered. We interpreted the results as evidence that encoding information into short-term memory (STM) involves a distinct process, which we call short-term consolidation (STC). The results suggested that STC has limited capacity and that it requires central processing mechanisms. Additional evidence suggested that no memory for T1 was formed in STM when STC was not engaged.
Microarray Analysis of Rejection in Human Kidney Transplants Using Pathogenesis‐Based Transcript Sets

Microarrays offer potential for objective diagnosis and insights into pathogenesis of allograft rejection. We used mouse transplants to annotate pathogenesis‐based transcript sets (PBTs) that reflect major biologic events in allograft rejection—cytotoxic T‐cell infiltration, interferon‐γ effects and parenchymal deterioration. We examined the relationship between PBT expression, histopathologic lesions and clinical diagnoses in 143 consecutive human kidney transplant biopsies for cause. PBTs correlated strongly with one another, indicating that transcriptome disturbances in renal transplants have a stereotyped internal structure. This disturbance was continuous, not dichotomous, across rejection and nonrejection. PBTs correlated with histopathologic lesions and were the highest in biopsies with clinically apparent rejection episodes. Surprisingly, antibody‐mediated rejection had changes similar to T‐cell mediated rejection. Biopsies lacking PBT disturbances did not have rejection. PBTs suggested that some current Banff histopathology criteria are unreliable, particularly at the cut‐off between borderline and rejection. Results were validated in 51 additional biopsies. Thus many transcriptome changes previously described in rejection are features of a large‐scale disturbance characteristic of rejection but occurring at lower levels in many forms of injury. PBTs represent a quantitative measure of the inflammatory disturbances in organ transplants, and a new window on the mechanisms of these changes.
The importance of networks in special interest tourism: case studies of music tourism in Australia

Music tourism can be seen as a type of special interest cultural tourism. This paper addresses the role of themed music festivals in regional development. Three diverse and recurring music tourism events in regional Queensland, Australia are studied. The case studies describe the festivals and their impacts and contributions to tourism development in their area. These analyses specifically examine the roles of clusters and networks in the contributions made by these events to regional tourism and associated development. The results of the analyses are used to examine government policies and recommendations are made to support better outcomes for host communities.
Activity of IPI-504, a novel heat-shock protein 90 inhibitor, in patients with molecularly defined non-small-cell lung cancer.

PURPOSE IPI-504 is a novel, water-soluble, potent inhibitor of heat-shock protein 90 (Hsp90). Its potential anticancer activity has been validated in preclinical in vitro and in vivo models. We studied the activity of IPI-504 after epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy in patients with advanced, molecularly defined non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients with advanced NSCLC, prior treatment with EGFR TKIs, and tumor tissue available for molecular genotyping were enrolled in this prospective, nonrandomized, multicenter, phase II study of IPI-504 monotherapy. The primary outcome was objective response rate (ORR). Secondary aims included safety, progression-free survival (PFS), and analysis of activity by molecular subtypes. RESULTS Seventy-six patients were enrolled between December 2007 and May 2009 from 10 United States cancer centers. An ORR of 7% (five of 76) was observed in the overall study population, 10% (four of 40) in patients who were EGFR wild-type, and 4% (one of 28) in those with EGFR mutations. Although both EGFR groups were below the target ORR of 20%, among the three patients with an ALK gene rearrangement, two had partial responses and the third had prolonged stable disease (7.2 months, 24% reduction in tumor size). The most common adverse events included grades 1 and 2 fatigue, nausea, and diarrhea. Grade 3 or higher liver function abnormalities were observed in nine patients (11.8%). CONCLUSION IPI-504 has clinical activity in patients with NSCLC, particularly among patients with ALK rearrangements.
Non linear models and the load of an electricity distributor

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to ascertain whether nonlinearities could be present in electricity loads observed in subtropical environments, where none or little heating is required, and whether threshold autoregressive (TAR)-type regime switching models could be advantageous in the modeling of those loads. Design/methodology/approach – The actual observed load of a Brazilian regional electricity distributor from January 2013 to August 2012 was modeled using a popularly employed ARMA model for reference, and smooth and non-smooth TAR transition (non-linear) models were used as non-linear regime switching models. Findings – Evidence of nonlinearities were found in the load series, and evidence was also found on the intrinsic resistance of this type of models to structural breaks in the data. Additionally, to reacting well to asymmetries in the data, these models avoid the use of exogenous variables. Altogether, this could prove to be a definite advantage of the use of such model alternatives. Res.
Effect of lamotrigine on cognitive complaints in patients with bipolar I disorder.

BACKGROUND This analysis describes the effects of bipolar I disorder on self-reported neurocognitive measures and remediation of these deficits with lamotrigine therapy. METHOD Data were derived from 2 clinical trials designed to assess the efficacy of lamotrigine as maintenance therapy for recently manic (N = 349) or depressed (N = 966) patients (DSM-IV criteria). During the 8- to 16-week open stabilization phase, patients received lamotrigine as monotherapy or as adjunctive therapy (target dose = 200 mg/day, minimum dose = 100 mg/day) while other psychotropic drugs were discontinued. The Medical Outcomes Study Cognitive Scale (MOS-Cog) and the AB-Neurological Assessment Scale (AB-NAS) were used to measure cognitive functioning at baseline and at the end of the open-label phase. To examine the relationship between depressive and manic symptomatology, initiation of lamotrigine, and cognitive functioning, correlational analyses and analyses of covariance were conducted. RESULTS Bipolar patients in both trials had significant cognitive impairment; however, it was much greater in index episode depressed bipolar patients compared with index episode manic patients. In both studies, substitution of lamotrigine for other psychotropic medications significantly improved the mean scores from baseline to the end of the open-label phase on the MOS-Cog and the AB-NAS (p < .0001). Among patients who took lamotrigine as monotherapy, the mean MOS-Cog score also improved significantly versus baseline (+32.2, or 81%, for depressed patients, p < .0001; and +19.9, or 35%, for manic patients, p < .0001). Mean AB-NAS scores (-19.7, or -55%, for depressed patients, p < .0001; and -7.2, or -32%, for manic patients, p = .0062) showed similar improvement. Cognitive impairment was significantly correlated with depression symptom severity based on Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression scores (p < .0001). After controlling for change in mood, age, gender, baseline score, duration of illness, and duration of use of other psychotropics, a significant improvement in cognition was observed during the open-label phase when lamotrigine was used as monotherapy/adjunctive therapy. CONCLUSION Treatment with lamotrigine as monotherapy and as adjunctive therapy was associated with improved cognitive functioning and reduced neurocognitive side effects, regardless of index mood polarity.
Consumers' Online Information Search: Gen Yers' Finding Needles in the Internet Haystack

There exists a paucity of research attention afforded to understanding consumer information search behavior on the Internet, vis-a-vis existing information search models such as an interactive, consumer experience in the offline realm. Thus, the present study investigates whether the factors inculcated within traditional cognitive processing models remain significant in the online information setting. Grounded in the contributions of Punj and Staelin (1983) and Srinivasan and Ratchford (1991) in the context of offline information search, this study proffers an empirical model of consumer online information. The empirical findings reveal that Perceived Risk and Perceived Cost do not significantly contribute to the consumer online information Search Effort. Rather, both of these conventional antecedents and Enjoyment significantly impact the satisfaction of young consumers' online information search endeavors. We recommend further studies to examine consumer information search behavior in other contexts (e.g., mobile phones) across countries.
Classifying Commercial Home Hosts Based on their Relationships to the Home

This paper reports on a study which investigates the host–home relationship within the commercial home, and proposes a typology of commercial home hosts. Previous studies have identified types of small business owners and home owners and here more specifically to the hospitality context, a host categorisation is explored. The relationship of the host to their commercial home is explored using interviews, observations and discussions of the relationship facilitated by photographs of the property. Findings identify five types of commercial home hosts: the economic host, the eco-socio host, the socio-eco host, the social host and the ego host. The typology is explained and discussed.
Prognostic significance and predictors of the system inflammation score in ovarian clear cell carcinoma

Chronic inflammation is a well-known epidemiologic factor of ovarian clear cell carcinomas (OCCC), but has an uncertain role in prognosis. We developed a systemic inflammation score (SIS) based on preoperative serum albumin and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) for predicting progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in OCCC patients. A retrospective review was performed in 155 patients with OCCC undergoing primary debulking and chemotherapy at a single institute between 1995 and 2010. Cox regression models were fitted to analyze the effect of prognostic factors on PFS and OS. Harrell’s concordance index was calculated to assess predictive accuracy. The SIS consisting of serum albumin and NLR was retained as an independent indicator adjusting for traditional clinicopathological features. A high SIS was significantly associated with aggressive tumor behavior, platinum resistance, and served as an independent predictor of reduced PFS (P = 0.006) and OS (P = 0.019). The SIS had a good discrimination ability for the predictive PFS (c-index = 0.712) and OS (c-index = 0.722). We have developed a system inflammation score for predicting prognosis of OCCC patients, which may help stratify patients for postsurgical management.
Young people in coastal resorts: a critical exploration of class, place, governance and safety.

This thesis analyses the ways in which young people conceptualise crime, policing, safety and security in their own localities. It draws upon primary empirical research to elicit the experiences and perceptions of young people in two coastal resorts. The methods employed in this research give voice to young people and aim to provide a greater understanding of their lives. An ethnographic study was conducted in two coastal resorts, one in England and one in Wales, and access to young people was facilitated through centre-based youth organisations and outreach work in the communities over a period of twelve months (six months in each locality). The research participants were aged between 10 and 17 years old. In total, 100 qualitative interviews were conducted: 23 semi-structured interviews with young people in the youth organisations and 77 unstructured qualitative interviews with young people ‘on the street’. Additional qualitative data were also generated with young people in the youth organisations through a range of methods including: participant observation; various group work exercises; photographic methods; group discussions and other visual techniques. Additional data of 12 semi-structured interviews were generated with professionals in the field of crime prevention and youth work. The thesis offers a significant contribution to knowledge about the experiences and perceptions of young people in two coastal resorts. The thesis illustrates how socio-economic characteristics of ‘place’ and ‘social class’ profoundly structure and shape young people’s experiences and perceptions. The impact of social class on access and restrictions in public space, leisure pursuits, the formation of youth identities, attachment to place, fear of crime, and young people’s securities and insecurities are all examined. The context for the research, two very different coastal resorts in socio-economic terms, revealed significant differences in how young people are policed in coastal resorts; how youth policy impacts upon their everyday experiences; and how social class is a determining factor that shapes their lives. It also raised a number of questions regarding young people’s safety in local public space. With respect to this, the research explored the main issues of concern for young people within and outside of crime prevention discourses and, in doing so, compared and contrasted the ways in which questions of youth, crime, youth governance, youth victimisation and related issues are expressed and represented in official policy discourses with that of young people’s experiences and perceptions.
Vancouver's Promise of the World's First Sustainable Olympic Games

Vancouver has committed to host the world's first sustainable Olympic Games in 2010. This promise is in keeping with local policy trends in the Vancouver region toward visions of sustainability and with growing attention by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to environmental sustainability concerns. We demonstrate that interests in sustainability at local and international scales may differ markedly, however, resulting in a range of possible legacies for Vancouver and the international Olympic movement from the 2010 Winter Olympics. To move beyond the fruitless search for a universally acceptable definition of sustainability, we investigate different meanings of sustainability using the tool of the ‘language game’, originally devised by philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein. Examining sustainability as a language game in the planning phase of the 2010 Olympics allows us to consider the potential and likely scenarios for sustainability wins and losses, internationally and in the local context. Four possible scenarios are considered. In the most optimistic scenario, sustainability language converges across the international and local language systems, aiding the development of sustainability in Vancouver policy, charting a course for Olympic cities to follow, and creating institutional change within the IOC as well. In the contrasting scenario, the failure to find common ground in sustainability pursuits could doom the concept both for future Olympic cities and for policy practice in Vancouver. Two other mixed outcome scenarios are considered as well. This analysis leads to insight into the boundaries of the meaning of sustainability in the context of a megaevent, in which, more than any particular demonstration project, the communicated message of sustainability may be the most lasting legacy.
Movement imagery classification in EMOTIV cap based system by Naïve Bayes

Brain-computer interfaces (BCI) provide means of communications and control, in assistive technology, which do not require motor activity from the user. The goal of this study is to promote classification of two types of imaginary movements, left and right hands, in an EMOTIV cap based system, using the Naïve Bayes classifier. A preliminary analysis with respect to results obtained by other experiments in this field is also conducted. Processing of the electroencephalography (EEG) signals is done applying Common Spatial Pattern filters. The EPOC electrodes cap is used for EEG acquisition, in two test subjects, for two distinct trial formats. The channels picked are FC5, FC6, P7 and P8 of the 10-20 system, and a discussion about the differences of using C3, C4, P3 and P4 positions is proposed. Dataset 3 of the BCI Competition II is also analyzed using the implemented algorithms. The maximum classification results for the proposed experiment and for the BCI Competition dataset were, respectively, 79% and 85% The conclusion of this study is that the picked positions for electrodes may be applied for BCI systems with satisfactory classification rates.
Estimating Korea's Exchange Rate Exposure

This paper conducts an empirical analysis of the exchange rate exposure of 392 Korean firms by employing not only changes in the exchange rate but also the standard deviation of exchange rates as foreign exchange risk. A logit model is also used to identify the major factors in exchange rate exposure. The empirical results in the case of using the standard deviation of exchange rates suggest that: the number of firms showing significant exchange rate exposure has been relatively increasing; exchange rate exposure is more likely for export-oriented manufacturing industries than for nonmanufacturing industries; and large firms using hedging methods are likely to show a low degree of exchange rate exposure.
Linear Beta Pricing with Inefficient Benchmarks

Current asset pricing models require mean-variance efficient benchmarks, which are generally unavailable because of partial securitization and free float restrictions. We provide a pricing model that uses inefficient benchmarks, a two-beta model, one induced by the benchmark and one adjusting for its inefficiency. While efficient benchmarks induce zero-beta portfolios of the same expected return, any inefficient benchmark induces infinitely many zero-beta portfolios at all expected returns. These make market risk premiums empirically unidentifiable and explain empirically found dead betas and negative market risk premiums. We characterize other misspecifications that arise when using inefficient benchmarks with models that require efficient ones. We provide a space geometry description and analysis of the specifications and misspecifications. We enhance Roll (1980), Roll and Ross's (1994), and Kandel and Stambaugh's (1995) results by offering a "Two Fund Theorem," and by showing the existence of strict theoretical "zero relations" everywhere inside the portfolio frontier.