Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Spanish Crisis from a Global Perspective

This paper studies the recent evolution of the Spanish economy in the context of the developments of the world economy and presents a benchmark model with financial frictions to assess the sources of these ‡uctuations. We pay particular attention to the comparison with the United States and some of Spain’s European peers in the 1994-2009 period. First, we document the long expansion between 1994 and early 2008 in terms of the main economic aggregates and the boom in the real estate market. Second, we also report on the fast downturn of these economies in the second half of 2008. Third, we use our benchmark model with financial frictions to evaluate how much we understand of the mechanism behind these large changes in aggregate behavior. We conclude with some policy remarks.
Immucillins Impair Leishmania (L.) infantum chagasi and Leishmania (L.) amazonensis Multiplication In Vitro

Chemotherapy against visceral leishmaniasis is associated with high toxicity and drug resistance. Leishmania parasites are purine auxotrophs that obtain their purines from exogenous sources. Nucleoside hydrolases release purines from nucleosides and are drug targets for anti-leishmanial drugs, absent in mammal cells. We investigated the substrate specificity of the Leishmania (L.) donovani recombinant nucleoside hydrolase NH36 and the inhibitory effect of the immucillins IA (ImmA), DIA (DADMe-ImmA), DIH (DADMe-ImmH), SMIH (SerMe-ImmH), IH (ImmH), DIG (DADMe-ImmG), SMIG (SerMe-ImmG) and SMIA (SerME-ImmA) on its enzymatic activity. The inhibitory effects of immucillins on the in vitro multiplication of L. (L.) infantum chagasi and L. (L.) amazonensis promastigotes were determined using 0.05–500 μM and, when needed, 0.01–50 nM of each drug. The inhibition on multiplication of L. (L.) infantum chagasi intracellular amastigotes in vitro was assayed using 0.5, 1, 5 and 10 μM of IA, IH and SMIH. The NH36 shows specificity for inosine, guanosine, adenosine, uridine and cytidine with preference for adenosine and inosine. IA, IH, DIH, DIG, SMIH and SMIG immucillins inhibited L. (L.) infantum chagasi and L. (L.) amazonensis promastigote growth in vitro at nanomolar to micromolar concentrations. Promastigote replication was also inhibited in a chemically defined medium without a nucleoside source. Addition of adenosine decreases the immucillin toxicity. IA and IH inhibited the NH36 enzymatic activity (Ki = 0.080 μM for IA and 0.019 μM for IH). IA, IH and SMIH at 10 μM concentration, reduced the in vitro amastigote replication inside mice macrophages by 95% with no apparent effect on macrophage viability. Transmission electron microscopy revealed global alterations and swelling of L. (L.) infantum chagasi promastigotes after treatment with IA and IH while SMIH treatment determined intense cytoplasm vacuolization, enlarged vesicles and altered kinetoplasts. Our results suggest that IA, IH and SMIH may provide new chemotherapy agents for leishmaniasis.
Intraperitoneal Application of Bupivacaine During Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy--Risk or Benefit?

We investigated, in a double-blind study, the effects of intraperitoneal local anesthetics during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. In Part A of the study 30 patients received 50 mL saline 0.9% (A 0), bupivacaine 0.125% (A 125), or bupivacaine 0.25% (A 25) intraperitoneally at the end of surgery. Mean maximum plasma concentrations of bupivacaine reached 0.48 mg/L (range 0.15-0.90 mg/L) in Group A 125 and 1.0 mg/L (0.35-2.10 mg/L) in Group A 25 within 15 min (range, 5-30 min). There was no significant difference in pain scores or opioid consumption (patient-controlled analgesia with piritramid): 24, 28, and 13 mg/24 h among the study groups, respectively (not significant). Postoperative respiratory function deteriorated in comparison to preoperative values in all study groups, but the forced vital capacity was significantly more impaired in Group A.25. In Part B, 24 patients received placebo (B 0) or bupivacaine 0.25% (B 25). Postoperative hypoxemic periods (oxygen saturation < 92%) were significantly more frequent in Group B 25. Considering the questionable benefits and the potential risks, we would not recommend the application of intraperitoneal bupivacaine during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. (Anesth Analg 1995;81:967-72)
Mathematical Expression for the Channel Capacity of a Power and Rate Simultaneous Adaptive Cellular DS / FFH-CDMA System in a Rayleigh Fading Channel

In this paper, an accurate theoretical analysis for the achievable average channel capacity (in the Shannon sense) per user of a hybrid cellular direct-sequence/fast frequency hopping code-division multiple-access (DS/FFH-CDMA) system operating in a Rayleigh fading environment is presented. The analysis covers the downlink operation and leads to the derivation of an exact mathematical expression between the normalized average channel capacity available to each system’s user, under simultaneous optimal power and rate adaptation and the system’s parameters, as the number of hops per bit, the processing gain applied, the number of users per cell and the received signal-tonoise power ratio over the signal bandwidth. Finally, numerical results are presented to illustrate the proposed mathematical analysis. Keywords—Shannon capacity, adaptive systems, codedivision multiple access, fading channels.
Gender-Specific Factors Associated with Suicide Attempts among the Community-Dwelling General Population with Suicidal Ideation: the 2013 Korean Community Health Survey

We identified traditional risk factors and investigated poorly understood risk factors for suicide attempts according to gender in a large Korean population. We analyzed the data from 6,768 males and 12,475 females with suicidal ideation obtained from the nationwide 2013 Korean Community Health Survey. The dependent variable was suicide attempts within the past year. There was a significant trend towards an increase in suicide attempts with decreasing age in both genders. Compared with those who were married, suicide attempts were significantly higher among those who were widowed, divorced, or separated for males (odds ratio [OR], 2.07; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.34–3.20), but lower for females (OR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.45–0.98). Current smoking and depression were significant risk factor for suicide attempts in males and females. However, monthly household income, myocardial infarction, and osteoporosis were significantly associated with suicide attempts only in males, whereas education level, recipient of National Basic Livelihood Security, family contact, leisure activity, and drinking frequency were significantly associated only in females. These findings indicate that gender difference should be considered in the assessment, prevention, and management of future suicide attempts by community policy-makers and clinicians.
A comparative analysis of corporate social responsibility in commercial banks: Case studies from the United States and United Kingdom

iv LIST OF TABLES. ix LIST OF FIGURES . x LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS. xi I: Introduction . 1 II: Literature Review.4 A. Problem Definition . 4 B. Theoretical perspective . 9 1. Stakeholder theory:. 9 2. Institutional theory.12 3. Neo-Institutional theory.14 C. Historical Definitions of CSR.16 D. Public Policy and CSR.22 E. Comparative Analysis and CSR.24 F. CSR and Commercial Banks . 27 III: Methodology.30 A. Research Approach . 30 B. Research Design.31 C. Selection Process.35 D. The Data and Collection . 35 E. Data Analysis . 36 F. Policy Implications.36 IV: Results . 37 A. UK Commercial Banks Ratings.38 1. Barclays . 38 2. HSBC.40 3. Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS). 41 B. US Commercial Banks Ratings.43 1. Bank of America (BAC). 43 2. Citigroup (C). 45 3. JP Morgan Chase (JPM) . 46 C. Overall ESG Ratings Results . 47 D. Political, Social and Economic Systems.49 1. UK Political, Social and Economic Systems.49 2. UK Governmental Departments and Policies Pertaining to CSR.56 3. US Political Social and Economic Systems.59 4. US Governmental Departments and Policies Pertaining to CSR . 65 V: Comparisons of CSR-related bodies and activities . 69
Adenosine A3 receptors in the rat hippocampus: Lack of interaction with A1 receptors

Adenosine acts as a neuromodulator in the hippocampus essentially through activation of inhibitory A1 receptors. Using single‐cell PCR analysis, we found that CA1 pyramidal cells coexpress A1 receptor mRNA together with that of another adenosine receptor, the A3 receptor. As occurs for the A1 receptor, Western blot analysis indicated that the A3 receptor is also located in hippocampal nerve terminals. However, activation of A3 receptors with its purportedly selective agonist Cl‐IBMECA (0.1–10 µM) failed to affect hippocampal synaptic transmission or to modify the evoked release of glutamate or GABA. Also, blockade of A3 receptors with MRS 1191 (5 µM) failed to affect either hypoxia‐ or ischemia‐induced depression of hippocampal synaptic transmission. Activation of A3 receptors also failed to control A1 receptor function, as Cl‐IBMECA (100 nM) did not modify the ability of CPA to displace [3H]DPCPX binding to hippocampal membranes or the A1 receptor‐mediated inhibition of hippocampal synaptic transmission. However, ligand binding studies revealed that Cl‐IBMECA displaced the binding of an A1 receptor agonist ([3H]R‐PIA, Ki=47 nM) or antagonist ([3H]DPCPX, Ki=130 nM), which suggests that A3 receptor ligands also act on native A1 receptors. We believe that A3 receptors are expressed in hippocampal neurons and are located in hippocampal nerve terminals, though their function remains elusive. Drug Dev. Res. 58:428–438, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Boundary Spanning and Communication Patterns in Interagency Partnerships.

The Down East Partnership for Children (DEPC) was established in 1993 to bring together health, education, and social service agencies to address the needs of children and families in two eastern North Carolina counties. As the staff grew from 2 to 20 and communication within and outside the Partnership became more complex, an analysis of internal and external communication patterns identified strategies for organizational development. Heightened awareness of formal and information networks and recognition of needs to coordinate contacts with clients and other agencies helped the staff improve the way they worked with each other and with their stakeholder groups. The analysis of internal and external communication patterns was a useful component of the evaluation of this interagency partnership and helped staff members understand some of the challenges of their boundary spanning roles. Program monitoring was used for evaluation and management. The information regarding communication patterns was used by the staff in their strategic planning process. This technique for describing communication patterns and examining boundary spanning roles can be used for program monitoring in other settings, including educational arenas. An appendix presents the evaluation survey, which asks staff members to list the people they most frequently contacted during a typical month. (Contains 3 figures and 15 references.) (Author/SLD) ******************************************************************************** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. ******************************************************************************** Boundary Spanning and Communication Patterns in Interagency Partnerships A Paper Presented at the Annual Conference of the American Evaluation Association San Diego
ANALYSIS OF THE WORKLOAD IN COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS INCLUDING DATA TRANSFERS OVER ARBITRARY TIME SCALES

We show how results known for discrete time GI/GI/1 systems with service time distributions of finite support can be generalized to include arbitrary, especially long-tailed distributions of the service time. Therefore we prove and exploit the property, that the tail of the service time distribution beyond a certain bound has negligible effect on the idle times. This enables to compute the idle time distribution in a modified system with appropriately truncated service time. Knowledge of the idle time distribution represents one factor and thus the decisive part of the Wiener-Hopf factorization method to obtain the steady state distribution of the workload. We apply the workload analysis to Pareto distributed service demands, which are observed for the size of files transmitted over the Internet and which generate self-similar traffic pattern. Although difficulties remain in order to evaluate extremely large workload percentiles from the obtained generating functions e.g. for GI/Pareto/1 systems, we can derive lower bounds being confirmed in the special case of M/Pareto/1 by known similar results.
Chemical Modification of Polysaccharides

This review covers methods for modifying the structures of polysaccharides. The introduction of hydrophobic, acidic, basic, or other functionality into polysaccharide structures can alter the properties of materials based on these substances. The development of chemical methods to achieve this aim is an ongoing area of research that is expected to become more important as the emphasis on using renewable starting materials and sustainable processes increases in the future. The methods covered in this review include ester and ether formation using saccharide oxygen nucleophiles, including enzymatic reactions and aspects of regioselectivity; the introduction of heteroatomic nucleophiles into polysaccharide chains; the oxidation of polysaccharides, including oxidative glycol cleavage, chemical oxidation of primary alcohols to carboxylic acids, and enzymatic oxidation of primary alcohols to aldehydes; reactions of uronic-acid-based polysaccharides; nucleophilic reactions of the amines of chitosan; and the formation of unsaturated polysaccharide derivatives.
Financial Frictions and Optimal Monetary Policy in an Open Economy

A growing number of papers have studied positive and normative implications of financial frictions in DSGE models. We contribute to this literature by studying the welfare-based monetary policy in a two-country model characterized by financial frictions, alongside a number of key features, like capital accumulation, non-traded goods and foreign-currency debt denomination. We compare the cooperative Ramsey monetary policy with standard policy benchmarks (e.g. PPI stability) as well as with the optimal Ramsey policy in a currency area. We show that the two-country perspective offers new insights on the trade-offs faced by the monetary authority. Our main results are the following. First, strict PPI targeting (nearly optimal in our model if credit frictions are absent) becomes excessively procyclical in response to positive productivity shocks in the presence of financial frictions. The related welfare losses are non-negligible, especially if financial imperfections interact with nontradable production. Second, (asymmetric) foreign currency debt denomination affects the optimal monetary policy and has important implications for exchange rate regimes. In particular, the larger the variance of domestic productivity shocks relative to foreign, the closer the PPI-stability policy is to the optimal policy and the farther is the currency union case. Third, we find that central banks should allow for deviations from price stability to offset the effects of balance sheet shocks. Finally, while financial frictions substantially decrease attractiveness of all price targeting regimes, they do not have a significant effect on the performance of a monetary union agreement.
Simultaneous real-time imaging of the ocular anterior segment including the ciliary muscle during accommodation

We demonstrated a novel approach of imaging the anterior segment including the ciliary muscle using combined and synchronized two spectral domain optical coherence tomography devices (SD-OCT). In one SD-OCT, a Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Transistor (CMOS) camera and an alternating reference arm was used to image the anterior segment from the cornea to the lens. Another SD-OCT for imaging the ciliary muscle was equipped with a light source with a center wavelength of 1,310 nm and a bandwidth of 75 nm. Repeated measurements were performed under relaxed and 4.00 D accommodative stimulus states in six eyes from 6 subjects. We also imaged dynamic changes in the anterior segment in one eye during accommodation. The biometry of the anterior segment and the ciliary muscle was obtained. The combined system appeared to be capable to simultaneously real-time image the biometry of the anterior segment, including the ciliary muscle, in vivo during accommodation.
The Value of Wireless Internet Connection on Trains: Implications for Mode-Choice Models

Deployment of advanced technologies has enabled wireless internet access for commuters on various transportation modes. Such networked environments have enabled riders to engage in productive activities in transit. The ability to perform activities while traveling, especially paid work, may significantly affect the value of travel time (VOTT), with potential impacts on mode choice and commute patterns. In this study, we develop a model of the VOTT grounded in utility theory and activity choice analysis. We use an efficiency factor which represents the ratio of the efficiency of working on transit to the efficiency of working at the workplace. This efficiency factor is used extensively in our models. Internet connection is expected to increase factor efficiency by providing access to real time information and enhanced communication. The model developed is used to explore the effects on VOTT of working in an enhanced networked environment while commuting. The results show that utility increases and VOTT decreases with increase in the efficiency of work while in transit, as is intuitive. An indirect utility function has been derived to represent travel on modes with internet access. The derivation permits an elegant introduction of internet access as an attribute in utility based choice models. Finally, the proposition that internet access may influence mode choice is corroborated by a survey conducted in June 2005 on Capitol Corridor trains.
The Effects of Static and Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Stretching with Different Duration on Strength and Range of Motion of Wrist in Female Volleyball Players

Stretching exercises Warm-up Flexibility Handgrip strength Background & O bjective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of static and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching with different durations on handgrip strength and range of motion (ROM) of wrist in Female Volleyball Players. Material &Methods: 10 female volleyball Players with the mean age of 22.1±4.12 participated in the study, voluntarily. Participants performed one of the 30s and 240s static and PNF stretching protocols, and also control condition (120s rest), in a randomly visits with 2 days in between. Before and after the interventions, handgrip strength and range of motion of wrist were measured. Results: Results showed that the ROM significantly increased in the post-test than pretest after all protocols (p<0.05); But, there was not significant difference between the increase between the groups for the ROM. In addition, the handgrip strength significantly decreased in the control, and 240s static and PNF groups (p<0.05), and insignificant increment was observed for the strength of wrist in the 30s static and PNF stretching groups. Conclusion: Performing short -term stretching during warm-up could increase ROM of wrist without negative effect on the handgrip strength in female volleyball players.
Distribution of star-forming complexes in dwarf irregular galaxies

We study the distribution of bright star-forming complexes in a homogeneous sample of 72 late-type (“irregular”) dwarf galaxies located within the 10 Mpc volume. Star-forming complexes are identified as bright lumps in B -band galaxy images and isolated by means of the unsharp-masking method. For the sample as a whole the radial number distribution of bright lumps largely traces the underlying exponential-disk light profiles, but peaks at a 10 percent smaller scale length. Moreover, the presence of a tail of star forming regions out to at least six optical scale lengths provides evidence against a systematic star formation truncation within that galaxy extension. Considering these findings, we apply a scale length-independent concentration index, taking into account the implied non-uniform random spread of star formation regions throughout the disk. The number profiles frequently manifest a second, minor peak at about two scale lengths. Relying on a two-dimensional stochastic self-propagating star formation model, we show these secondary peaks to be consistent with triggered star formation; for a few of the brighter galaxies a peculiar peak distribution is observed that is conceivably due to the onset of shear provided by differential rotation. On scales between 100 and 1000 pc, and by taking into account exponential-disk structure, bright lumps reveal cluster dimensions between 1.3 and 2, with a weak trend to higher dimensions for brighter galaxies. Cluster dimension weakly anticorrelates with the lumpiness index (the fraction of the total galaxy light due to the light contributed by the lumps), the latter index showing no dependence on luminosity. Lump spreading within the disk, as measured by the concentration index, and lump clustering, as given by the cluster dimension, are not linked to each other. Interpreting cluster dimension in terms of porosity of a self-similar intragalactic medium, we derive a relation between current star formation rate, scale length, and porosity.
Large-Scale Structure Traced by Molecular Gas at High Redshift

We present observations of redshifted CO(1-0) and CO(2-1) in a field containing an overdensity of Lyman break galaxies (LBGs) at z = 5.12. Our Australia Telescope Compact Array observations were centered between two spectroscopically confirmed z = 5.12 galaxies. We place upper limits on the molecular gas masses in these two galaxies of M(H2) < 1.7 × 1010 and <2.9 × 109 M☉ (2 σ), comparable to their stellar masses. We detect an optically faint line emitter situated between the two LBGs which we identify as warm molecular gas at z = 5.1245 ± 0.0001. This source, detected in the CO(2-1) transition but undetected in CO(1-0), has an integrated line flux of 0.106 ± 0.012 Jy km s−1, yielding an inferred gas mass M(H2) = (1.9 ± 0.2) × 1010 M☉. Molecular line emitters without detectable counterparts at optical and infrared wavelengths may be crucial tracers of structure and mass at high redshift.
A STUDY TO INVESTIGATE THE VIEWS OF PUNJAB UNIVERSITY STUDENTS REGARDING SEMESTER SYSTEM IN PAKISTAN

In most parts of the world, the semester system is considered more convenient and learning oriented than annual system of education. The present study was carried out to investigate the response of students towards semester system prevailing in various departments and institutes of the University of the Punjab. Overall it was found that the internal system is successful and it meets the international standards. The data confirmed that the semester system has high educative value as far as it satisfies students educational aspiration and develops creative powers in them, broadens their perspective; make the students finish their assignments well in time and keeps the students busy in studies almost all the time. However the study reveals that semester system makes students’ workload lighter increases the pass percentage in examination results and some times turns the students into flatters and does not help the students to gain complete mastery over the subject.