Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fiscal Policy and Economic Growth: An Empirical Investigation

This paper describes the empirical regularities relating fiscal policy variables, the level of development and the rate of growth. We employ historical data, recent cross-section data, and newly constructed public investment series. Our main findings are: (i) there is a strong association between the development level and the fiscal structure: poor countries rely heavily on international trade taxes, while income taxes are only important in developed economies; (ii) fiscal policy is influenced by the scale of the economy, measured by its population; (iii) investment in transport and communication is consistently correlated with growth while the effects of taxation are difficult to isolate empirically.
Roles of Vibrio fischeri and Nonsymbiotic Bacteria in the Dynamics of Mucus Secretion during Symbiont Colonization of the Euprymna scolopes Light Organ

ABSTRACT During light organ colonization of the squid Euprymna scolopes by Vibrio fischeri, host-derived mucus provides a surface upon which environmental V. fischeri forms a biofilm and aggregates prior to colonization. In this study we defined the temporal and spatial characteristics of this process. Although permanent colonization is specific to certain strains of V. fischeri, confocal microscopy analyses revealed that light organ crypt spaces took up nonspecific bacteria and particles that were less than 2 μm in diameter during the first hour after hatching. However, within 2 h after inoculation, these cells or particles were not detectable, and further entry by nonspecific bacteria or particles appeared to be blocked. Exposure to environmental gram-negative or -positive bacteria or bacterial peptidoglycan caused the cells of the organ's superficial ciliated epithelium to release dense mucin stores at 1 to 2 h after hatching that were used to form the substrate upon which V. fischeri formed a biofilm and aggregated. Whereas the uncolonized organ surface continued to shed mucus, within 48 h of symbiont colonization mucus shedding ceased and the formation of bacterial aggregations was no longer observed. Eliminating the symbiont from the crypts with antibiotics restored the ability of the ciliated fields to secrete mucus and aggregate bacteria. While colonization by V. fischeri inhibited mucus secretion by the surface epithelium, secretion of host-derived mucus was induced in the crypt spaces. Together, these data indicate that although initiation of mucus secretion from the superficial epithelium is nonspecific, the inhibition of mucus secretion in these cells and the concomitant induction of secretion in the crypt cells are specific to natural colonization by V. fischeri.
Evaluating Business Process Outsourcing using Coordination Theory

Increasingly organizations are outsourcing their business processes to offshore locations. The goals cited include cost savings, achieving strategic focus, alleviating skills shortages and seeking to implement best practices. Current reports from actual outsourcing case studies indicate that many organizational goals remain unfulfilled. This paper proposes to study the impacts of BPO on the client organization using Coordination Theory. A case study of an organization, which outsourced its service delivery process and subsequently insourced parts of it, is presented. The case study supports the existence of strategic and operational gaps between the client and vendor organizations, which negatively impact the BPO. A follow up empirical study is being pursued to quantitatively measure the success of BPO using three costs vulnerability, coordination and production for different categories of processes. The results of this study will have implications for the selection of business processes or functions that can fare better when outsourced.
Single nucleotide polymorphisms in TLR9 are highly associated with susceptibility to bacterial meningitis in children.

BACKGROUND Bacterial meningitis (BM) is a severe infection mainly caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitidis (NM). However, genetically determined susceptibility to develop severe infections by these microorganisms is variable between individuals. Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) recognizes bacterial DNA leading to intracellular inflammatory signaling. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the TLR9 gene are associated with susceptibility to several diseases, no such association with meningitis has been described. METHODS We studied the role of TLR9 SNPs in host defense against BM. Two TLR9 SNPs and 4 TLR9 haplotypes were determined in 472 survivors of BM and compared to 392 healthy controls. RESULTS Carriage of the TLR9+2848-A mutant was significantly decreased in meningococcal meningitis (MM) patients compared with controls (p: .0098, odds ratio [OR]: .6, 95% confidence interval [CI]: .4-.9). TLR9 haplotype I was associated with an increased susceptibility to MM (p: .0237, OR 1.3, 95% CI: 1.0-1.5). In silico analysis shows a very strong immunoinhibitory potential for DNA of NM upon recognition by TLR9 (CpG index of -106.8). CONCLUSIONS We report an association of TLR9 SNPs with susceptibility to BM, specifically MM indicating a protective effect for the TLR9+2848-A allele. We hypothesize that the TLR9+2848-A mutant results in an up-regulation of TLR9 induced immune response compensating the strong inhibitory potential of NM CpG DNA.
Thin film composite nanofiltration membranes for extreme conditions

The research presented in this thesis focuses on development and performance evaluation of thin film composite (TFC) nanofiltration (NF) membranes, with special attention to extreme pH applications. In Chapter 2 a new method that allows molecular weight cut off (MWCO) characterization of NF membranes as a function of pH is presented. Performance evaluation of a well-known commercial NF membrane (NF-270, Dow Filmtec™) via this method reveals reversible changes with respect to pH, signifying the relevance of performance characterization at the relevant conditions. The developed method is thus also used in the following chapters for characterization of in-house developed NF membranes. In Chapter 3 the above mentioned method illustrates the effect of pH on the performance of in-house developed polyamide TFC NF membranes, fabricated via the interfacial polymerization (IP) route. Following an investigation of optimal fabrication parameters the performance of the developed membranes has been compared to commercial NF membranes currently used in the industry. Using the Donnan steric partitioning pore model, the pH induced performance changes have been correlated to morphological changes in the membrane matrix. TFC’s presented in Chapter 4 were prepared by spin coating sulfonated poly (ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) solutions on ultraporous polyethersulfone (PES) supports. The optimal fabrication parameters required for obtaining stable membranes were determined and the resulting performance was benchmarked against several commercial NF membranes. The developed membranes reveal excellent stability in the entire pH range from 0-14, even under prolonged exposure (up to several weeks). Permeance and MWCO analysis at varying pH indicate that charge effects induce reversible changes in the membrane properties. In Chapter 5 novel hybrid TFC membranes containing Polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS) are presented. Inorganic POSS cages have been linked together via the classical polycondensation chemistry widely used for IP polyamide membrane fabrication. Both, free standing as well as substrate supported films could be obtained. In depth analysis to confirm the chemistry was carried out via Fourier transform infrared spectrometry and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. NF permeation experiments were performed on the substrate supported films and the effect of some important fabrication parameters are discussed.
The Complete Genome of Brucella Suis 019 Provides Insights on Cross-Species Infection

Brucella species are the most important zoonotic pathogens worldwide and cause considerable harm to humans and animals. In this study, we presented the complete genome of B. suis 019 isolated from sheep (ovine) with epididymitis. B. suis 019 has a rough phenotype and can infect sheep, rhesus monkeys and possibly humans. The comparative genome analysis demonstrated that B. suis 019 is closest to the vaccine strain B. suis bv. 1 str. S2. Further analysis associated the rsh gene to the pathogenicity of B. suis 019, and the WbkA gene to the rough phenotype of B. suis 019. The 019 complete genome data was deposited in the GenBank database with ID PRJNA308608.
Prevention, precaution, logic, and law: The relationship between the precautionary principle and the preventative principle

The main purpose of this article is to promote clarification of the relationship between the precautionary principle and the prevent(at)ive principle in public international law. One of the questions addressed in this connection is whether the presence of uncertainty is a condition for the applicability of the precautionary principle. The article stresses and discusses the distinction between preventative and precautionary logic on the one hand and the corresponding legal principles on the other hand. It concludes, among other things, that in the international law of the environment the precautionary principle must be regarded as having absorbed the preventative principle or, alternatively, as being its most developed form. The widespread endorsement of the precautionary principle has thus made the continued existence of a separate preventative principle in international law superfluous.
How Diversity Contributes to Academic Research Teams Performance

The objective of this paper is to analyse how the job-related diversity in academic research teams influences their scientific performance. To achieve that objective, an empirical study of a university's research teams was carried out during the years 2006–2009. The results reflect a non-significant effect of functional diversity on research teams' performance, whereas status diversity affects in a positive and significant way. However, educational diversity has a significant negative impact when a certain threshold is exceeded. The effect of institutional diversity presents an inverted U-shaped relation with the number of published articles by the research teams. The results reveal that the relationship between diversity and research performance may not be a simple and direct one because its effect could depend on the organisational context and the type of diversity attributes.
Cytoskeletal organization defects and abortive activation in human oocytes after IVF and ICSI failure.

In this study, we analysed the distribution of beta tubulins to detect spindle and cytoplasmic microtubules, alpha acetylated tubulins for sperm microtubules and chromatin configuration in oocytes showing fertilization failure after conventional IVF or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). A total of 450 human oocytes that failed to fertilize were studied 20-40 h after IVF or ICSI. In all, 287 oocytes were stained for immunofluorescence and chromosomal spreads were performed by Tarkowski's air-drying method in 163 IVF or ICSI oocytes that did not develop pronuclei after the extrusion of a second polar body. Immunofluorescence analysis showed that the main reason of fertilization failure after IVF was no sperm penetration (55.5%). The remaining oocytes showed different abnormal patterns, e.g. oocyte activation failure (15.1%) and defects in pronuclei apposition (19.2%). On the other hand, fertilization failure after ICSI was mainly associated to incomplete oocyte activation (39.9%), and to a lesser extent with defects in pronuclei apposition (22.6%) and failure of sperm penetration (13.3%). A further 13.3% of the ICSI oocytes arrested their development at the metaphase of the first mitotic division. The chromosomal spreads allowed the analysis of abortive activations, in which no pronuclei formed but a second polar body was extruded. Immunofluorescence and cytogenetic analysis provided a useful tool to improve infertility diagnosis and prognosis in each particular case.
Factor Representing Portfolios in Large Asset Markets

We study the properties of mimicking portfolios in an intertemporal APT model, in which the conditional mean and covariance matrix of returns vary in an interdependent manner. We use a signal extraction approach, and relate the efficiency of (possibly) dynamic basis portfolios to mean square error minimisation. We prove that many portfolios converge to the factors as the number of assets increases, but show that the conditional Kalman filter portfolios are the ones with both minimum tracking error variability, and maximum correlation with the common factors. We also show that our conclusions are unlikely to change when using parameter estimates.
Saving across the world : puzzles and policies

Promoting a high savings rate is high on the World Bank's agenda for promoting national income growth. This study surveys broad saving trends worldwide, summarizes current knowledge about savings and consumption, identifies main unresolved issues, and outlines the major policy questions to be researched. The paper include case studies from Sub-Saharan Africa, China, Colombia, India, Mexico, and Pakistan.
Plan Types and Their Effect on Retirement Patterns

In 1993, 38.9 million people were covered by a 401(k) plan, up from 7.1 million in 1983. The rapid growth of 401(k) and other defined contribution pension plans may alter retirement patterns of older workers. Previous research showed that the spread of defined benefit plans, with sharp age-related incentives first discouraging and later encouraging retirement, contributed to the early retirement trend of past decades. Defined contribution plans differ along several dimensions, especially in their smooth rate of pension wealth accrual. Data from the Health and Retirement Study show that retirement patterns have begun to change as defined contribution plans have spread. Estimates indicate that the financial incentives in defined benefit pensions lead people to retire almost two years earlier, compared to people with defined contribution plans.
Cost-effectiveness of self-managed versus physician-managed oral anticoagulation therapy

Background: Patient self-management of long-term oral anticoagulation therapy is an effective strategy in a number of clinical situations, but it is currently not a funded option in the Canadian health care system. We sought to compare the incremental cost and health benefits of self-management with those of physician management from the perspective of the Canadian health care payer over a 5-year period. Methods: We developed a Bayesian Markov model comparing the costs and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) accrued to patients receiving oral anticoagulation therapy through self-management or physician management for atrial fibrillation or for a mechanical heart valve. Five health states were defined: no events, minor hemorrhagic events, major hemorrhagic events, thrombotic events and death. Data from published literature were used for transition probabilities. Canadian 2003 costs were used, and utility estimates were obtained from various published sources. Results: Self-management resulted in 3.50 fewer thrombotic events, 0.78 fewer major hemorrhagic events and 0.12 fewer deaths per 100 patients than physician management. The average discounted incremental cost of self-management over physician management was found to be $989 (95% confidence interval [CI] $310–$1655) per patient and the incremental QALYs gained was 0.07 (95% CI 0.06–0.08). The cost-effectiveness of self-management was $14 129 per QALY gained. There was a 95% chance that self-management would be cost-effective at a willingness to pay of $23 800 per QALY. Results were robust in probabilistic and deterministic sensitivity analyses. Interpretation: This model suggests that self-management is a cost-effective strategy for those receiving long-term oral anticoagulation therapy for atrial fibrillation or for a mechanical heart valve.
Pismis 2: a poorly studied, intermediate-age open cluster

We present CCD BVI photometry of the intermediate-age open cluster Pismis 2, covering from the brighter red giants to about 5 mag below the main-sequence turn-off. The cluster is heavily reddened and is possibly affected by a differential reddening of Using the synthetic colour–magnitude diagram method, we estimate the distance modulus, , and age, , in a self-consistent way. The cluster probably contains a significant fraction of binary systems. The metallicity is most likely solar and the reddening ranges between 1.26 and 1.32 depending on the cluster region.
The psychological and neurophysiological concomitants of mindfulness forms of meditation

Objective: To provide a comprehensive review and evaluation of the psychological and neurophysiological literature pertaining to mindfulness meditation. Methods: A search for papers in English was undertaken using PsycINFO (from 1804 onward), MedLine (from 1966 onward) and the Cochrane Library with the following search terms: Vipassana, Mindfulness, Meditation, Zen, Insight, EEG, ERP, fMRI, neuroimaging and intervention. In addition, retrieved papers and reports known to the authors were also reviewed for additional relevant literature. Results: Mindfulness-based therapeutic interventions appear to be effective in the treatment of depression, anxiety, psychosis, borderline personality disorder and suicidal/self-harm behaviour. Mindfulness meditation per se is effective in reducing substance use and recidivism rates in incarcerated populations but has not been specifically investigated in populations with psychiatric disorders. Electroencephalography research suggests increased alpha, theta and beta activity in frontal and posterior regions, some gamma band effects, with theta activity strongly related to level of experience of meditation; however, these findings have not been consistent. The few neuroimaging studies that have been conducted suggest volumetric and functional change in key brain regions. Conclusions: Preliminary findings from treatment outcome studies provide support for the application of mindfulness-based interventions in the treatment of affective, anxiety and personality disorders. However, direct evidence for the effectiveness of mindfulness meditation per se in the treatment of psychiatric disorders is needed. Current neurophysiological and imaging research findings have identified neural changes in association with meditation and provide a potentially promising avenue for future research.
How Environmental Factors Impact Outdoor Wireless Sensor Networks: A Case Study

How do the characteristics of the surrounding environment affect the ability of the nodes of a wireless sensor network (WSN) to communicate? Partial answers to this question can be found in the literature, but always with a focus on the short-term, small-scale behavior of individual links, as this directly informs the design of WSN protocols. In this paper, we are instead concerned with the large scale behavior of the overall network, observed over a longer time scale, as our primary interest is to support the deployment of WSNs by characterizing the impact of the target environment. Motivated by a real-world wildlife monitoring application, we report about experimental campaigns in three outdoor environments characterized by varying degrees of vegetation. Experiments are repeated in summer and winter, to account for seasonal variations, and span multiple days, allowing us to assess variations induced by the succession of day and night. Our experiments focus primarily on characterizing the impact of the environment on the physical layer, but we also investigate how this is mirrored at higher layers. We analyze the experimental data along multiple dimensions, yielding quantitative answers to the aforementioned question, and eliciting trends and findings previously not reported in the literature. We argue that this type of study may inspire new methods to better estimate the performance of a WSN in its target deployment environment.
FUT2 Nonsecretor Status Links Type 1 Diabetes Susceptibility and Resistance to Infection

OBJECTIVE FUT2 encodes the α(1,2) fucosyltransferase that determines blood group secretor status. Homozygotes (A/A) for the common nonsense mutation rs601338A>G (W143X) are nonsecretors and are unable to express histo-blood group antigens in secretions and on mucosal surfaces. This mutation has been reported to provide resistance to Norovirus and susceptibility to Crohn’s disease, and hence we aimed to determine if it also affects risk of type 1 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS rs601338A>G was genotyped in 8,344 patients with type 1 diabetes, 10,008 control subjects, and 3,360 type 1 diabetic families. Logistic regression models were used to analyze the case-control collection, and conditional logistic regression was used to analyze the family collection. RESULTS The nonsecretor A/A genotype of rs601338A>G was found to confer susceptibility to type 1 diabetes in both the case-control and family collections (odds ratio for AA 1.29 [95% CI 1.20–1.37] and relative risk for AA 1.22 [95% CI = 1.12–1.32]; combined P = 4.3 × 10−18), based on a recessive effects model. CONCLUSIONS Our findings linking FUT2 and type 1 diabetes highlight the intriguing relationship between host resistance to infections and susceptibility to autoimmune disease.
A Model of an Agricultural Household: Theory and Evidence

A model addressing agricultural responses to public interventions is described. The model is confined to the short run, and it allows an assessment of the policy significance of changes in five variables that are exogenous to the household. The first variable is the price of the main agricultural output, emphasizing the elasticities of both output and market surplus; the second is the wage rate for agricultural labor, focusing on the elasticities of household labor supply and demand for hired labor; the third is the size of the family labor force, which is essential for estimating shadow wage rates; the fourth is the number of dependents, in order to permit an assessment of family planning policies; and the final variable is technology. The main features of the model are the role of the labor market, household production, household consumption, and the aggregate effect of household responses. Applicaton of the model to the Muda River Valley demonstrates that it is appropriate to a number of policy isues ranging from output price intervention to technological innovaton. Specifically, the model indicates that the economic cost of rural to urban migration is small when compared to the marginal productivity of the migrant before his departure.