Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The impact of foreign aid on economic growth

The massive expenditures on foreign aid programs by developed nations and international institutions, in combination with the perceived lack of results from these disbursements, raise important questions as to the actual effectiveness of monetary assistance to less developed countries (LDCs). In this analysis, I focus on 104 low- and medium-development countries, and measure the impact that foreign aid has on their growth rates of gross domestic product, using dummy variables for geography and conflict in a geometric lag model. The results indicate that foreign aid donations do have a positive impact on the economic growth of the recipient nation. The effect is extremely modest, however, and other factors such as armed conflict and geography can easily mitigate this impact, in some cases to the extent that foreign aid becomes detrimental to economic growth. Further analysis of the results indicate that this impact is quickly felt, with half of the total impact of foreign aid felt in approximately six months
Economic growth without transformation: the case of Uganda

Abstract This paper argues that Uganda's economic development has been characterised by structural change in production without structural change in employment. This poses dangers to continued growth. Although labour is increasingly abundant, low productivity in agriculture, it is argued, makes labour expensive. This is due to policy failure – lack of investment in agriculture – and ultimately to the evolution of patron–client politics in Uganda. Rapid agricultural growth is required in order to permit labour-intensive growth in manufacturing.
Increasing Need for Uniqueness in Contemporary China: Empirical Evidence

Past research has documented various cultural and psychological changes in contemporary China. In two studies, we examine how Chinese people’s need for uniqueness (NFU) also has changed. In Study 1, we found a significant cross-generational increase in Chinese participants’ self-reported NFU. In Study 2, we sampled the names of Chinese newborn babies over the last five decades and found that parents have been increasingly likely to use unique characters to name their children. These findings suggest that the NFU has been rising in China, a historically collectivistic-oriented society. Theoretical and practical implications of our findings were discussed.
HIV‐1 Tat regulation of dopamine transmission and microglial reactivity is brain region specific

The transactivator of transcription protein, HIV‐1 Tat, is linked to neuroAIDS, where degeneration of dopamine neurons occurs. Using a mouse model expressing GFAP‐driven Tat protein under doxycycline (Dox) regulation, we investigated microglial‐neuronal interactions in the rostral substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc). Immunohistochemistry for microglia and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) showed that the ratio of microglia to dopamine neurons is smaller in the SNc than in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and that this difference is maintained following 7‐day Dox exposure in wild type animals. Administration of Dox to wild types had no effect on microglial densities. In addressing the sensitivity of neurons to potentially adverse effects of HIV‐1 Tat, we found that HIV‐1 Tat exposure in vivo selectively decreased TH immunoreactivity in the SNc but not in the VTA, while levels of TH mRNA in the SNc remained unchanged. HIV‐1 Tat induction in vivo did not alter the total number of neurons in these brain regions. Application of Tat (5 ng) into dopamine neurons with whole‐cell patch pipette decreased spontaneous firing activity. Tat induction also produced a decline in microglial cell numbers, but no microglial activation. Thus, disappearance of dopaminergic phenotype is due to a loss of TH immunoreactivity rather than to neuronal death, which would have triggered microglial activation. We conclude that adverse effects of HIV‐1 Tat produce a hypodopamine state by decreasing TH immunoreactivity and firing activity of dopamine neurons. Reduced microglial numbers after Tat exposure in vivo suggest impaired microglial functions and altered bidirectional interactions between dopamine neurons and microglia.
Peripheral T-lymphocyte activation by human T-cell leukemia virus type I interferes with the CD2 but not with the CD3/TCR pathway

Human T-cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I) is etiologically associated with adult T-cell leukemia, an aggressive lymphoproliferative disorder, and with chronic neurological diseases. In vitro it can infect several types of cells but transforms only human T lymphocytes. We have previously shown that HTLV-I viral particles, even when noninfectious, were able to activate human resting T lymphocytes, suggesting that this activation step may be important in the initiation of the lymphoproliferative process. In the present study, we first demonstrate that in contrast to other mitogenic stimuli, HTLV-I has the unique property to activate human resting T cells in the absence of accessory cells. We then investigate the relationship between HTLV-I-induced T-cell activation and the classical well-known pathways of activation, namely, the CD3/TCR and CD2 pathways. Competitive blocking experiments were performed in which the effects of monoclonal antibodies (MAb) to the CD3/TCR complex or to the CD2 molecule were evaluated on the HTLV-I activation of T cells and compared with that obtained on phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated cells. It was found that anti-CD3 or -TCR MAb strongly suppress the proliferative response of T cells to PHA, but are significantly less efficient in inhibiting the activation initiated by HTLV-I. By contrast, MAb recognizing specific epitopes of the CD2 molecule inhibit the proliferative response of T cells to PHA or to HTLV-I to the same extent. The results provide evidence that HTLV-I virions interfere mainly with activation via CD2 but not via the CD3/TCR complex. Considering the earlier expression of the CD2 molecule on human T-cell precursors, these observations might be relevant to the characterization of the differentiation stage at which viral infection could interfere with the development and the maturation of T lymphocytes.
Futures trading activity and stock price volatility: some extensions

An earlier investigation by Bessembinder and Seguin employed open interest data to demonstrate that heavy (unexpected) trading activity in stock index futures is destabilizing. This article re-examines the issue in the framework of the commitments of four groups of traders in the S&P 500 index futures market: hedgers (institutional traders), large speculators, small traders and spreaders. Finding that surges in institutional commitments in index futures are followed by increased levels of price variability. The results are not conclusive on whether portfolio insurance strategies contribute to this relationship. Moreover, there is no evidence that the participation of other futures traders, notably large speculators and small traders, is destabilizing. An implication is that the current margins structure that favours institutional traders is ill-suited to the goal of volatility-control. The release of the commitment of trader data which provides open interest information on an ex post basis is found to have no impact on stock market volatility. Thus, the positive relationship between surges in institutional futures activity and volatility seems to stem from trading mechanisms, rather than from the formal disclosure of commitment of traders.
Managing continuity and change: a new approach for strategizing in e‐government

Purpose – Managing e‐government is invariably managing change. Despite plethora of literature on change management, the rate of success of e‐government projects is dismal, especially in developing countries. Deriving from strategy and change management literature, this paper seeks to present a new approach to strategize for better change outcomes in e‐government domain. A new construct of “continuity” is introduced and proposed to be managed concurrently with change forces to attain better delivery of strategic deliverables in e‐government projects.Design/methodology/approach – Continuity and change forces affecting e‐government domain identified from the literature are statistically validated by conducting an “idea engineering” exercise. For this response from e‐government experts to a structured questionnaire is elicited to validate the forces, which are further modeled in the strategic framework proposed.Findings – Drawing from strategy and change management literature, it is hypothesized that “managin.
Practical considerations for plant phylogenomics

The past decade has seen a major breakthrough in our ability to easily and inexpensively sequence genome‐scale data from diverse lineages. The development of high‐throughput sequencing and long‐read technologies has ushered in the era of phylogenomics, where hundreds to thousands of nuclear genes and whole organellar genomes are routinely used to reconstruct evolutionary relationships. As a result, understanding which options are best suited for a particular set of questions can be difficult, especially for those just starting in the field. Here, we review the most recent advances in plant phylogenomic methods and make recommendations for project‐dependent best practices and considerations. We focus on the costs and benefits of different approaches in regard to the information they provide researchers and the questions they can address. We also highlight unique challenges and opportunities in plant systems, such as polyploidy, reticulate evolution, and the use of herbarium materials, identifying optimal methodologies for each. Finally, we draw attention to lingering challenges in the field of plant phylogenomics, such as reusability of data sets, and look at some up‐and‐coming technologies that may help propel the field even further.
Pobreza e o sistema de seguridade social rural no Brasil

This work aims at measuring the impact of the monetary benefits from social security retirement on poverty using panel data for the rural regions of the Brazilian states in the 1995-2005 period. The analysis is performed by controlling for other poverty determinants, such as the per capita agricultural product, income distribution, measured by the GINI index, the average of school years and the number of unemployed people over 10 years of age. The method of analysis relies on a dynamic econometric model which is estimated by the Generalized Method of Moments system, developed by Arellano e Bond (1991) and Blundell e Bond (1998). The results suggest that the retirement benefits have no direct impact on rural poverty in Brazil, whereas the average of school years and the per capita agricultural product are relevant factors for reducing rural poverty. On the other hand, the number of unemployed people has a positive effect on the increase of poverty, while the effect of income concentration is statistically insignificant.
Mutually repressive interaction between Brn1/2 and Rorb contributes to the establishment of neocortical layer 2/3 and layer 4

Significance The mammalian neocortex consists of six histologically distinct layers, called layer 1 (L1) to L6. Each layer contains several subtypes of neurons, which are characterized by specific cell morphology, gene expression profile, and connectivity to other regions of the central nervous system. As these neurons are mostly born from common progenitor cells, it is important to know how progenitor cells acquire a certain cell type during development. Here, we reveal the essential interactions between two types of transcription factors, Brn1/2 and Rorb, for subtype specification. Brn1/2 and Rorb are expressed in L2/3 and L4, respectively, in the mature neocortex. We found that Brn1/2 and Rorb repress each other and that this reciprocal repression is important for L2/3 and L4 specification. Although several molecules have been shown to play important roles in subtype specification of neocortical neurons, the entire mechanism involved in the specification, in particular, of upper cortical plate (UCP) neurons still remains unclear. The UCP, which is responsible for intracortical connections in the neocortex, comprises histologically, functionally, and molecularly different layer 2/3 (L2/3) and L4. Here, we report the essential interactions between two types of transcription factors, Rorb (RAR-related orphan receptor beta) and Brn1/2 (Brain-1/Brain-2), for UCP specification. We found that Brn2 expression was detected in all upper layers in the immature UCP, but was subsequently restricted to L2/3, accompanied by up-regulation of Rorb in L4, suggesting demarcation of L2/3 and L4 during cortical maturation. Rorb indeed inhibited Brn2 expression and the expression of other L2/3 characteristics, revealed by ectopic expression and knockdown studies. Moreover, this inhibition occurred through direct binding of Rorb to the Brn2 locus. Conversely, Brn1/2 also inhibited Rorb expression and the expression of several L4 characteristics. Together, these results suggest that a mutually repressive mechanism exists between Brn1/2 and Rorb expression and that the established expression of Brn1/2 and Rorb further specifies those neurons into L2/3 and L4, respectively, during UCP maturation.
A Discrete–Continuous Model for Multicategory Purchase Behavior of Households

This article provides an integrated utility-maximizing framework for households’ multicategory purchase incidence, brand choice, and purchase quantity decisions. On a store visit, households maximize utility across several categories subject to an overall budget constraint. Then, they choose to purchase a subset of categories, in which they select a specific brand and an associated quantity level. Under their assumptions for the stochastic terms in the specification, the authors obtain closed-form expressions for the household demands, the marginal and joint purchase incidence, and the brand choice probabilities along with conditional purchase quantities. The authors show that the modeling framework accounts for both coincidence and complementarity/ substitutability across categories. In addition, it accounts for unobserved heterogeneity in the estimation. Thus, the three key features of multicategory models proposed in the literature are all reflected in the framework. The authors provide an empirical application of the methodology using four categories from the Stanford market basket data—laundry detergent, fabric softener, toilette tissue, and paper towel. The results indicate that, in general, cross-category effects, as measured by the cross-category price elasticities between brands in the categories, are small, and they arise mostly through consumers’ joint purchase incidence decisions rather than at the purchase quantity decision conditional on brand choice. This finding indicates that the effects of coincidence are larger than the effects of complementarity in these data.
Tick Size and Market Quality

All of the US stock markets have reduced their respective minimum tick sizes. Since the three major US markets, the American Stock Exchange (AMEX), New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), and Nasdaq, all have different order-priority systems, the impact of the tick-size reduction on spread width, as well as other aspects of market quality, can differ across the markets. Given that previous research has established a link between spread width and a firm's cost of capital, this differing impact is important to firms in their exchange listing decision. This study examines changes in market quality across two different priority systems, price-time and price-sharing, following a reduction in the minimum tick size by the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSE) on April 15, 1996. We find that, following the reduction in minimum tick size on the TSE, spreads generally narrow and quoted depths decline for both priority systems. (Depth is defined as the total number of shares offered or sought at a price.) The effect is greatest on low-priced, high-volume stocks.
Aging and oral anticoagulant therapy using acenocoumarol

We evaluated the influence of aging, gender and indications of anticoagulant therapy on acenocoumarol requirements in 1845 patients from 30 to 99 years old receiving acenocoumarol therapy who were monitored in our hospital outpatient anticoagulation clinic from March 1993 through September 1999. The patients were stratified in seven age groups, comprising older than 80 years and the five decades between 30 years and 80 years. We found a progressive decrease in the acenocoumarol requirements from 30 years to 80 years (ρ = −0.98), which was estimated as 2.7 mg/week per decade (11.5% per decade). This decrease was not the consequence of a different range of anticoagulation or differences in body weight. We did not find correlation between the decrease of acenocoumarol requirements and different biochemical parameters including, creatinine, calcium and alanine aminotransferase. We detected a progressive decrease in levels of serum total proteins but changes in this parameter did not correlate with the amount of acenocoumarol requirements. The dose of acenocoumarol (mg/week per patient) of those patients suffering from venous thromboembolism were higher than the remainder of the patients (18.4 ± 9.3 versus 14.5 ± 7.8, P < 0.0001). This finding was also detected, after stratifying the patients by decades, from 60 years to 80 years. In conclusion, requirements of acenocoumarol decrease with aging; this decrease represents an important amount from 30 years to 80 years and it should be kept in mind to choose the initial dose of acenocoumarol. Patients with venous thromboembolism required a higher dose of acenocoumarol.
Self-hypnosis: the result of heterohypnosis or vice versa?

Abstract This study developed quantitative measures of self-hypnosis and used them to investigate how effective self-hypnosis is, both without initial training and following heterohypnosis. A total of 88 undergraduates first received group adaptations of HGSHS:A and SHss:C; the “conventional” group received the usual standsrdized inductions, the “first-person” group received rephrased inductions, and the “selfinstructed” group supplied their own inductions. All Ss then received a self-instructed SHSS:C and a conventional HGSHS:A. The selfinstructed scales yielded entirely satisfactory measurements, both objective and subjective. Untrained self-hypnosis was as effective as heterohypnosis. Conventional heterohypnosis inhibited later selfhypnosis, but first-person versions did not. Initial self-hypnosis facilitated later heterohypnosis. These findings contradict a stereotype of hypnosis baed on heterohypnosis of a passive S by an active hypnotist, with self-hypnosis a derivative of this. They suggest instead.
Hypervariable region diversity of hepatitis C virus and humoral response: Comparison between patients with or without cirrhosis

To investigate the potential clinical utility of antibody response to HVR1 of HCV, the genomic and amino acid diversity of HVR1 was compared between two groups of four chronic HCV carriers with or without liver cirrhosis. Peptides corresponding to the deduced COOH‐ and NH2‐terminal amino acid sequences of HVR1 were synthesised to assess the reactivity of patient sera to autologous and homologous HVR1 epitopes by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. HCV chronic carriers had significantly more frequent cross‐reactivity with homologous C‐ than N‐terminal HVR1 peptides. Twelve cirrhotic and eleven noncirrhotic patients had a similar frequency of cross‐reactivity with either C‐ or N‐terminal HVR1 peptides. However, noncirrhotic patients had a significantly higher level of C‐terminal HVR1 antibody cross‐reactivity than cirrhotic patients. In HCV chronic carriers, the magnitude of the immune response to but not the frequency of cross‐reactivity with C‐terminus HVR1 peptides differ between patients with and without liver cirrhosis. J. Med. Virol. 59:25–31, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Lexical entries and rules of language: A multidisciplinary study of German inflection

Following much work in linguistic theory, it is hypothesized that the language faculty has a modular structure and consists of two basic components, a lexicon of (structured) entries and a computational system of combinatorial operations to form larger linguistic expressions from lexical entries. This target article provides evidence for the dual nature of the language faculty by describing recent results of a multidisciplinary investigation of German inflection. We have examined: (1) its linguistic representation, focussing on noun plurals and verb inflection (participles), (2) processes involved in the way adults produce and comprehend inflected words, (3) brain potentials generated during the processing of inflected words, and (4) the way children acquire and use inflection. It will be shown that the evidence from all these sources converges and supports the distinction between lexical entries and combinatorial operations. Our experimental results indicate that adults have access to two distinct processing routes, one accessing (irregularly) inflected entries from the mental lexicon and another involving morphological decomposition of (regularly) inflected words into stem+affix representations. These two processing routes correspond to the dual structure of the linguistic system. Results from event-related potentials confirm this linguistic distinction at the level of brain structures. In children's language, we have also found these two processes to be clearly dissociated; regular and irregular inflection are used under different circumstances, and the constraints under which children apply them are identical to those of the adult linguistic system. Our findings will be explained in terms of a linguistic model that maintains the distinction between the lexicon and the computational system but replaces the traditional view of the lexicon as a simple list of idiosyncrasies with the notion of internally structured lexical representations.
HRM practices in Egypt: the influence of national context?

In this paper we present the findings of a study which collected data on a range of HRM practices normally used in 58 Egyptian organizations operating in Egypt. The range of practices is concerned with job descriptions, recruitment and selection, training and development, compensation, performance appraisal and employment security. We examine and discuss these practices in the Egyptian context. The dimensions of the Egyptian environment which we examine include: the socio-cultural context, Islam, the vocational education and training system and elements of the economic and legal environment. The practices and approaches being used by the sample organizations appear to be the product of both culture bound and culture free influences. The main contributions of the study are that it provides much needed information on the HRM practices and approaches being adopted by Egyptian-owned organizations in the early part of the 21st century and provides support for the influence of national context on the HRM practices pursued by indigenous organizations.