Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessing the Impact of the Investment Climate on Productivity Using Firm-Level Data: Methodology and the Cases of Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua

Developing countries are increasingly concerned about improving country competitiveness and productivity as they face the increasing pressures of globalization and attempt to improve economic growth and reduce poverty. Among such countries, investment climate assessments (ICA) have become a standard instrument for identifying key obstacles to country competitiveness and imputing their impact on productivity, in order to prioritize policy reforms for enhancing competitiveness. Given the survey objectives and the nature and limitations of the data collected, the authors discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using different productivity measures based on data at the firm level. Their main objective is to develop a methodology to appropriately estimate, in a robust manner, the productivity impact of the investment climate variables. To illustrate the use of this methodology, the authors apply it to the data collected for ICAs in three countries-Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Observations in logarithms (logs) of the variables, and not in rates of growth, are pooled from all three countries. The econometric analysis is done with variables in logs to reduce the impact of measurement errors and allow inclusion of as many observations as possible since the"panel"data set is very unbalanced. The authors address the endogeneity of the production function inputs and of the investment climate variables by using a variant of the control function approach based on individual firm information, and by aggregating investment climate variables by industry and region. The authors show that it is possible to get robust results for 10 differentproductivity measures, if one follows a consistent econometric methodology of specification and estimation. For policy analysis, they recommend using those results of investment climate variables on productivity that are robust for most of the productivity measures. The also analyze efficiency aspects of firms in each country. Finally, they decompose the results to obtain country-specific impacts and establish corresponding priorities for policy reform. The actual estimates for the three countries show the level of significance of the impact of investment climate variables on productivity. Variables in several categories, red tape and infrastructure in particular, appear to account for over 30 percent of productivity. The policy implications are clear: investment climate matters enormously and the relative impact of the various investment climate variables indicates where reform efforts should be directed. Given the robustness of the results, the authors argue that the econometric methodology of productivity analysis developed here ought to be used as a benchmark to assess productivity effects for other ICAs or surveys with firm-level data of similar characteristics.
Do Instructional Protocols Placed on Online Faculty Correlate with Learner Expectations

The purpose of this study was to examine whether a set of instructional practices commonly prescribed to online faculty in the higher education setting were consistent with the expectations of a group of experienced online student participants. Online faculty performance conventions were collected from 20 institutions of higher learning located in the United States. The collective practices yielded three primary domains related to administrative faculty performance expectations in online instruction: Communication, Presence/Engagement, and Timeliness/Responsiveness. Undergraduate participants representing a cross section of colleges and universities in the United States were surveyed to determine their expectations for online faculty as compared to scaled items derived from the lists of participating institutions. The results of this investigation offer practitioners insight into how administrative instructional guidelines relate to the user demands of an informed group of undergraduate online students.
Bayesian Risk Mapping and Model-Based Estimation of Schistosoma haematobium–Schistosoma mansoni Co-distribution in Côte d′Ivoire

Background Schistosoma haematobium and Schistosoma mansoni are blood flukes that cause urogenital and intestinal schistosomiasis, respectively. In Côte d′Ivoire, both species are endemic and control efforts are being scaled up. Accurate knowledge of the geographical distribution, including delineation of high-risk areas, is a central feature for spatial targeting of interventions. Thus far, model-based predictive risk mapping of schistosomiasis has relied on historical data of separate parasite species. Methodology We analyzed data pertaining to Schistosoma infection among school-aged children obtained from a national, cross-sectional survey conducted between November 2011 and February 2012. More than 5,000 children in 92 schools across Côte d′Ivoire participated. Bayesian geostatistical multinomial models were developed to assess infection risk, including S. haematobium–S. mansoni co-infection. The predicted risk of schistosomiasis was utilized to estimate the number of children that need preventive chemotherapy with praziquantel according to World Health Organization guidelines. Principal Findings We estimated that 8.9% of school-aged children in Côte d′Ivoire are affected by schistosomiasis; 5.3% with S. haematobium and 3.8% with S. mansoni. Approximately 2 million annualized praziquantel treatments would be required for preventive chemotherapy at health districts level. The distinct spatial patterns of S. haematobium and S. mansoni imply that co-infection is of little importance across the country. Conclusions/Significance We provide a comprehensive analysis of the spatial distribution of schistosomiasis risk among school-aged children in Côte d′Ivoire and a strong empirical basis for a rational targeting of control interventions.
3D Scene Understanding at Urban Intersection Using Stereo Vision and Digital Map

The driving behavior at urban intersections is very complex. It is thus crucial for autonomous vehicles to comprehensively understand challenging urban traffic scenes in order to navigate intersections and prevent accidents. In this paper, we introduce a stereo vision and 3D digital map based approach to spatially and temporally analyze the traffic situation at urban intersections. Stereo vision is used to detect, classify and track obstacles, while a 3D digital map is used to improve ego-localization and provide context in terms of road-layout information. A probabilistic approach that temporally integrates these geometric, semantic, dynamic and contextual cues is presented. We qualitatively and quantitatively evaluate our proposed technique on real traffic data collected at an urban canyon in Tokyo to demonstrate the efficacy of the system in providing comprehensive awareness of the traffic surroundings.
Purchasing power parity under high and low volatility regimes

This article adopts Markov switching models to establish and examine several types of nonlinear dynamics in exchange rate returns and provide a new test to analyse presence of purchasing power parity (PPP) after controlling for various market states. In contrast with Engle and Hamilton (1990) focusing on discussing the dual state setting on the first moment of quarterly data for major industrial countries' currencies, we concentrate more on the second moment for monthly data and add an analysis of developing countries' currencies. Our empirical findings are consistent with the following notions. First, volatility-switching behaviours are more (less) remarkable for developing (industrialized) countries' currencies. Second, we denote the high volatility state of exchange markets of developing (industrialized) countries as a crisis (an unusual) condition. Moreover, PPP would be valid at the low (high) volatility state for developing (industrialized) countries.
Adverse Selection Costs and Closed-End Funds

We examine the magnitude and the cross-sectional determinants of the adverse selection component of the spread for a sample of 266 closed-end funds traded on the New York Stock Exchange. We find no evidence that the adverse selection component of the spread for closed-end funds is related to portfolio turnover, the discount/premium to net asset value, the volatility of the discount or the expense ratio. However, we find a positive relation between blockholdings and the adverse selection component of the spread. We argue that uncertainty in the market about private benefits being paid to blockholders leads to these higher adverse selection costs. Unlike Neal and Wheatley (1998), we find that the adverse selection component is, on average, 50 percent lower for domestic and international equity closed-end funds than for a size and volume matched control firm. Finally, we find that the fund? s adverse selection component is significantly lower than the weighted average of the adverse selection components of the stocks in the fund's portfolio. These results are consistent with Gorton and Pennacchi (1993) and Subrahmanyam (1991) who suggest that combining individual securities into baskets may reduce the adverse selection costs of trading.
The dubious assumptions of segmentation and targeting

Discusses Mitchell’s recent proposal for astrological segmentation which demonstrates the extremes to which segmentation and targeting can be taken if we uncritically accept their core assumptions. Proposes that although Mitchell’s proposal can be subjected to a number of minor criticisms, it can only be finally disposed of by critically examining whether astrological segments really are associated with a stable set of preferences, and whether targeting these segments actually gives a higher return than other approaches. Once the stability of segments, the logic of targeting, and the empirical evidence are examined, it turns out that not only is Mitchell’s approach unsupported, but so are most other segmentation and targeting efforts.
The saponin D39 blocks dissociation of non‐muscular myosin heavy chain IIA from TNF receptor 2, suppressing tissue factor expression and venous thrombosis

Non‐muscular myosin heavy chain IIA (NMMHC IIA) plays a key role in tissue factor expression and venous thrombosis. Natural products might inhibit thrombosis through effects on NMMHC IIA. Here, we have shown that a natural saponin, D39, from Liriope muscari exerted anti‐thrombotic activity in vivo, by targeting NMMHC IIA.
Testing the Regional Performance of Multinational Enterprises in the Retail Sector: The Moderating Effects of Timing, Speed and Experience

Drawing on regional strategy theory we complement the core effect of firm-specific advantages on the performance of multinational enterprises with an analysis of the performance consequences of home region concentration on firm performance. We also develop hypotheses regarding the effect of foreign entry timing, internationalization speed and international experience on the performance effect of home region concentration. We test our hypotheses against unique longitudinal data from a panel of 128 multinational enterprises in the retail sector whose geographical spread of international activities we traced between 1995 and 2010. Our findings support the predictions of regional strategy theory and highlight the importance of foreign entry timing and internationalization speed in strengthening the positive effect of home region concentration on the performance of multinational enterprises.
Chronic Administration of Tenofovir to Rhesus Macaques from Infancy through Adulthood and Pregnancy: Summary of Pharmacokinetics and Biological and Virological Effects

ABSTRACT The reverse transcriptase (RT) inhibitor tenofovir (TFV) is highly effective in the simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) macaque model of human immunodeficiency virus infection. The current report describes extended safety and efficacy data on 32 animals that received prolonged (≥1- to 13-year) daily subcutaneous TFV regimens. The likelihood of renal toxicity (proximal renal tubular dysfunction [PRTD]) correlated with plasma drug concentrations, which depended on the dosage regimen and age-related changes in drug clearance. Below a threshold area under the concentration-time curve for TFV in plasma of ∼10 μg·h/ml, an exposure severalfold higher than that observed in humans treated orally with 300 mg TFV disoproxil fumarate (TDF), prolonged TFV administration was not associated with PRTD based on urinalysis, serum chemistry analyses, bone mineral density, and clinical observations. At low-dose maintenance regimens, plasma TFV concentrations and intracellular TFV diphosphate concentrations were similar to or slightly higher than those observed in TDF-treated humans. No new toxicities were identified. The available evidence does not suggest teratogenic effects of prolonged low-dose TFV treatment; by the age of 10 years, one macaque, on TFV treatment since birth, had produced three offspring that were healthy by all criteria up to the age of 5 years. Despite the presence of viral variants with a lysine-to-arginine substitution at codon 65 (K65R) of RT in all 28 SIV-infected animals, 6 animals suppressed viremia to undetectable levels for as long as 12 years of TFV monotherapy. In conclusion, these findings illustrate the safety and sustained benefits of prolonged TFV-containing regimens throughout development from infancy to adulthood, including pregnancy.
The Use of Performance Indicators in Higher Education: The Challenge of the Quality Movement. Third Edition. Higher Education Policy Series 34.

Prefatory Note. KEY ISSUES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF PERFORMANCE INDICATORS. The policy background, central control and institutional autonomy, defining performance indicators and the measurement of inputs and outputs in education, plan of the book. AN OVERVIEW OF RECENT EXPERIENCE AND CURRENT PERSPECTIVES. Great Britain, the United States of America, other countries, some comparative comments. SURVEYS OF PERFORMANCE INDICATORS OF TEACHING. Assessing teaching performance. Measuring output: value added. Using cost measures as performance indicators. Waste rates and completion. Employment and first destinations. Student and peer review. SURVEYS OF PERFORMANCE INDICATORS OF RESEARCH. Assessing research performance. Output measures: publications, licences and patents. Measuring quality. Research income. Peer review of research. TYPES AND MODELS AND MODES OF APPLICATION. Review of our selection of performance indicators. Use of performance indicators by funding bodies. Use of performance indicators within institutions and departments. All those responsible for the management of colleges and universities, and organisations concerned with research in education and quality management.
Nonresidential Demand for Energy and Technical Inefficiency in Southeastern Europe

Recent volatility in international energy prices has revealed Southeastern Europe as one of the most vulnerable regions to such external shocks. Under the current global economic downturn, in addition, the region's energy-intensive industries are faced with the challenge of weakening demand for their outputs. This paper casts light on the relation between the price and demand for energy. Based on firm-level data, it shows that the price elasticity of industrial energy demand is about −0.4 on average. There are a number of data issues in interpreting the results correctly, but Albania and Macedonia are systematically found to have a relatively elastic demand for energy on the order of −0.7 to −0.8. In these countries, therefore, price adjustments would be one of the effective policy options to balance demand with supply during the period of energy crisis. In other countries, the demand response would be much weaker; pricing cannot be the only solution. Other policy measures, such as facilitation of firm energy efficiency and improvements in the quality of infrastructure services, may be required.
The Portuguese Escudo in the ERM and the Efectiveness of the Exchange Rate Management

The empirical assessment of the effectiveness of exchange rate management has been addressed in the literature. Most papers have studied whether the central banks have achieved smoothness of exchange rates through the use of their two main instruments: interventions in the currency market and the overnight interest rate in the money market. The theoretical support for the empirical analysis is consistently absent. That is not surprising as the theoretical analysis of the optimal exchange rate policy is unable to answer questions like when and how to defend from a speculative attack, and incapable of disentangling autonomous policy action from policy response to market behaviour. In the current paper, we perform a case study of the Portuguese exchange rate management in the Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM) period, April 1992 – December 1998. This approach, complementary to existing econometric work, allows a more detailed tracking of the degree of exchange rate pressure and of the instruments used to deal with it. We discuss the behaviour of the Portuguese Escudo (PTE) exchange rate (against the German Mark (DEM)) and the use of instruments by the Banco de Portugal, namely interventions in the foreign exchange market and official interest rates. Our analysis of effectiveness adopts the view that massive sales of foreign reserves, or steep interest rate increases, or both, coupled with observed exchange rate smoothness, meaning absence of large depreciation, should be classified as speculative attacks defended with success. The results suggest that most of the time, even during the ERM crisis, the Banco de Portugal policy was successful. Over the whole period, from April 1992 until December 1998, the central bank did take action in a small percentage of days, most of the time with success. The percentage of days in which the Banco de Portugal did not take action and nevertheless the exchange rate was smooth was above 98 per cent. The vast majority of the days in which the Banco de Portugal decided not to take action and the exchange rate was not smooth corresponded to days located around four episodes, the three realignments of the PTE and the widening of the ERM bands in August 1993. In all these episodes the Portuguese Authorities did not take the initiative of asking for the realignment or for the widening of the band. The rest of the paper is organized in the following way: section 2 describes the historical context; the PTE experience is laid out in section 3 and section 4 discusses the effectiveness of the exchange rate management by the Banco de Portugal; section 5 provides concluding remarks; an appendix briefly discusses the mechanics of a speculative attack.
Signalling and the Valuation of Unseasoned New Issues Revisited

Abstract This paper provides further empirical evidence on the relation between entrepreneurial ownership retention and the initial value of unseasoned common shares. A Canadian data set is employed to estimate the various empirical specifications used in previous studies and to examine additional variables suggested by recent developments in the theoretical literature. The estimation is carried out using a more general procedure to correct for heteroskedasticity. In contrast to previous findings, the entrepreneurial ownership retention signal does not possess statistical significance in any of the models examined.
From Dark to Light: Skin Color and Wages Among African-Americans

This paper develops and tests a theory, referred to as “preference for whiteness,” which predicts that the interracial (white-black) and intraracial wage gap widens as the skin shade of the black worker darkens. Using data drawn from the Multi City Study of Urban Inequality and the National Survey of Black Americans, we report evidence largely consistent with the theory. Moreover, we decompose the estimated interracial and intraracial wage gaps, and find that favorable treatment of lighter-skinned workers is a major source of interracial and intraracial wage differences as predicted by the theory.
Testing the Finno-Ugrian Suicide Hypothesis: Replication and Refinement with Regional Suicide Data from Eastern Europe

Multiple lines of evidence indicate specific genetic contributions to suicidal behavior. In particular, geographic studies support the Finno-Ugrian Suicide Hypothesis, i.e., genetic differences between populations may partially account for geographic patterns of suicide prevalence. Specifically, within Europe the high suicide-rate nations constitute a contiguous J-shaped belt. The present research replicated and extended 2003 findings of Voracek, Fisher, and Marušič with new data. Across 37 European nations, an interaction term of squared latitude multiplied with longitude (quantifying the J-shaped belt) accounted for 32% of the cross-national variance in total suicide rates alone, while latitude accounted merely for 18% of variance over and above those. Refined analysis included regional data from countries critical for testing the hypothesis (89 regions of Belarus, western Russia, and the Ukraine) and yielded an even more clear-cut pattern (56% and 3.5%, respectively). These results are consistent with the Finno-Ugrian Suicide Hypothesis. Study limitations and directions for further research are discussed.
Fibronectin‐binding protein A of Staphylococcus aureus has multiple, substituting, binding regions that mediate adherence to fibronectin and invasion of endothelial cells

Invasive Staphylococcus aureus infection frequently involves bacterial seeding from the bloodstream to other body tissues, a process necessarily involving interactions between circulating bacteria and vascular endothelial cells. Staphylococcus aureus fibronectin‐binding protein is central to the invasion of endothelium, fibronectin forming a bridge between bacterial fibronectin‐binding proteins and host cell receptors. To dissect further the mechanisms of invasion of endothelial cells by S. aureus, a series of truncated FnBPA proteins that lacked one or more of the A, B, C or D regions were expressed on the surface of S. aureus and tested in fibronectin adhesion, endothelial cell adhesion and invasion assays. We found that this protein has multiple, substituting, fibronectin‐binding regions, each capable of conferring both adherence to fibronectin and endothelial cells, and endothelial cell invasion. By expressing S. aureus FnBPA on the surface of the non‐invasive Gram‐positive organism Lactococcus lactis, we have found that no other bacterial factor is required for invasion. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that, as with other cell types, invasion of endothelial cells is mediated by integrin α5β1. These findings may be of relevance to the development of preventive measures against systemic infection, and bacterial spread in the bacteraemic patient.