Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Is manufacturing still the engine of growth?

This paper focuses on an interesting and controversial debate on the factors underlying economic growth. Kaldor's belief that increasing returns to manufacturing production are the driver of growth is confronted with data from 11 representative countries spanning nearly two decades. Various alternative and complementary specifications are investigated using a panel estimation methodology. The results show that growth in manufacturing output is an important determinant of both productivity growth and gross domestic product growth, and that, despite its increasing size, the service sector does not appear to play a similar role.
IMMEDIATE REACTIONS TO MORE THAN ONE NSAID MUST NOT BE CONSIDERED AS CROSS-HYPERSENSITIVITY

AFFILIATION: a Allergy Service, Infanta Leonor Hospital, Madrid, Spain; b Allergy Unit, Malaga Regional University Hospital-IBIMA, UMA, Malaga, Spain; c Research Laboratory, Malaga Regional University Hospital-IBIMA, UMA, Malaga, Spain; d Chemical Technology Institute, UPV-CSIC, Polytechnic University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain; e Allergy Unit, Pneumology and Allergy Service, Clinic Hospital, Barcelona, Spain; f Department of Pharmacology, University of Extremadura, Caceres, Spain.
State enterprise performance and soft budget constraints: The case of Bulgaria

This paper analyses the performance of state enterprises in Bulgaria during 1992-94. Consistent with the literature on other transitional economies, this paper finds that one key factor underlying (the lack of) enterprise adjustment in Bulgaria during this period was the availability of financing. Empirically, the (lack of) past adjustment and the softness of finance are the best predictors of current adjustment. Many state enterprises, mostly smaller ones, appear to have adjusted to the new economic structure, partly in response to tighter budget constraints. However, a number of large, hard-core lossmaking state enterprises did not adjust, due primarily to the soft budget constraints that they faced. These enterprises crowded out profitable enterprises, both public and private, through their large financing requirements, adversely affecting economic growth. Moreover, continued bank financing of these large loss-makers decapitalized the banking system, and budgetary financing of their losses, largely through tax arrears, has undermined fiscal policy. This lack of enterprise adjustment and the resulting financial indiscipline lies at the core of the macroeconomic difficulties that Bulgaria has recently faced. Copyright The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, 1997.
Dynamical diseases of brain systems: different routes to epileptic seizures

In this overview, we consider epilepsies as dynamical diseases of brain systems since they are manifestations of the property of neuronal networks to display multistable dynamics. To illustrate this concept we may assume that at least two states of the epileptic brain are possible: the interictal state characterized by a normal, apparently random, steady-state electroencephalography (EEG) ongoing activity, and the ictal state, that is characterized by paroxysmal occurrence of synchronous oscillations and is generally called, in neurology, a seizure. The transition between these two states can either occur: 1) as a continuous sequence of phases, like in some cases of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE); or 2) as a sudden leap, like in most cases of absence seizures. In the mathematical terminology of nonlinear systems, we can say that in the first case the system's attractor gradually deforms from an interictal to an ictal attractor. The causes for such a deformation can be either endogenous or external. In this type of ictal transition, the seizure possibly may be anticipated in its early, preclinical phases. In the second case, where a sharp critical transition takes place, we can assume that the system has at least two simultaneous interictal and ictal attractors all the time. To which attractor the trajectories converge, depends on the initial conditions and the system's parameters. An essential question in this scenario is how the transition between the normal ongoing and the seizure activity takes place. Such a transition can occur either due to the influence of external or endogenous factors or due to a random perturbation and, thus, it will be unpredictable. These dynamical changes may not be detectable from the analysis of the ongoing EEG, but they may be observable only by measuring the system's response to externally administered stimuli. In the special cases of reflex epilepsy, the leap between the normal ongoing attractor and the ictal attractor is caused by a well-defined external perturbation. Examples from these different scenarios are presented and discussed.
A Note on Targeting by Predatory Leaders: Evidence from Rural Liberia

We consider the impact of rice-thieving chiefs on investments by smallholder farmers in Liberia. In an earlier study, we found that chiefs who steal reduce aggregate investment levels by villagers. In this paper, we refine this result, and establish that predatory leadership only matters for households with a different ethnic identity from the chief. Co-ethnics of the chief are much less responsive to a context of predation, suggesting that thieving leaders target individuals along ethnic lines.
Evaluating the process of triple bottom line reporting: Increasing the potential for change1

Abstract This paper presents an evaluation framework that aims to improve the outcomes of triple bottom line (TBL) reporting. Currently, most assessments of TBL reporting focus on report content. Our view is that effective evaluation of TBL reporting should go beyond reports as the outputs of a process and focus on what is being learned through the process, the capacity- and relationship-building that might eventuate, and how this impacts on the development of sustainability. To enable more effective reflection of TBL reporting processes, we developed a set of evaluation criteria focused on the process of reporting. These criteria were identified from case studies of social, environmental and/or sustainability reporting processes documented in the literature. A large number of potential criteria were synthesised into three desired outcomes of TBL reporting and 10 prompts for discussion and reflection during evaluation. This evaluation framework should assist those dedicated to challenging assumptions that inhibit progress towards a sustainable future for society.
Experience in East Asian facial recontouring: reduction malarplasty and mandibular reshaping.

OBJECTIVE To review my experience in both malar reduction and mandibular reshaping techniques to establish optional, effective, and reliable surgical procedures. A square-shaped face is considered aesthetically unfavorable among East Asians; therefore, reduction malarplasty and mandibular reshaping are becoming more acceptable for aesthetic facial skeleton recontouring. METHODS The techniques of zygoma arch infracture or mandibular angle reduction were used until 2 alternative techniques were introduced in 2002: the wedge-section osteotomy in the malar complex and inclined-fullness osteotomy in the mandibular angle and margin. Both osteotomies were selected according to personal experience and communication with patients. The wedge-section zygoma osteotomy was performed in the lower zygomatic body via an intraoral approach and greenstick infracture of the posterior zygomatic arch through a tiny preauricular incision. The prominent malar complex could be reduced by being pressed inward and was stabilized only by surgical suture or self-stabilization without any fixation, and the latter method was chosen in my recent cases. For the lower face, I designed an inclined-fullness osteotomy to address the mandibular angle and margin along the diagonal of marked projection of the mental foramen on the margin of the mandible and the projection of mandibular foramen on the ramus. The surgical indications, major complications, and levels of patient satisfaction for the different techniques were compared, and thus the pros and cons of wedge-section osteotomy and mandibular reshaping vs conventional procedures were analyzed. RESULTS A total of 585 patients who had undergone either reduction malarplasty or mandibular reshaping in the craniofacial center at the Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital from May 1988 through December 2008 were reviewed in this study. Intraoral incision was the dominant method of access in both types of osteotomies. Wedge-section malarplasty osteotomy was more effective and reliable compared with other conventional methods. More than half of the patients in cases of the mandibular reshaping have undergone surgery that included both reduction of the mandibular angle and shaving of the mandibular margin. CONCLUSION As optimal strategy for aesthetic facial contouring surgery in East Asians, reduction malarplasty and mandibular reshaping were proven to be safe, effective, and easily handled techniques for modifying the square-shaped face.
Slovenian national excellence award and total quality management deployment in Slovenian companies

This paper aims to study the deployment and use of total quality management (TQM) approaches and tools for the systematic implementation of TQM, especially within companies that have been applicants for the National Quality Award – Slovenian Business Excellence Prize (SBEP), and its relation to tools and approaches regarding people involvement, external recognition, benchmarking and financial results. The survey was based on the analysis of a sample of companies composed of the three subgroups: ‘top companies’ (based on their financial performance), a randomly chosen control group, and a group consisting of SBEP applicants. The questionnaire was distributed to 500 companies. The research was done on the basis of 110 respondents. Factor analysis was used to narrow the initial number of items, ANOVA to obtain statistically significant differences between the three group means and discriminant analysis to classify the sample according their use of TQM tools and approaches. The results showed that the main differences between the three groups of companies in favour of the SBEP group were related to the importance of benchmarking, peer assessment, collaborating in national quality awards (NQA) and partly in financial results. Based on the findings of this research, it can be concluded that the companies that took part in the NQA have higher mean scores of observed variables as compared to the other two groups of companies.
Related party transactions as a source of earnings management

In this article, we contribute to the earnings management literature by addressing the issue of Related Party Transactions (RPTs) during a firm's Initial Public Offering (IPO) process. We regard RPT-based earnings management as a kind of agency problem in the context of Chinese IPOs, and argue that the conflicts of interests between the controlling shareholders and the minority shareholders are the root of RPT-based earnings management in Chinese IPOs. We provide empirical evidence to demonstrate that RPT-based earnings management in a portfolio of earnings management tools including accruals management, and how it affects the firm's post-IPO long-term performance in China. Using 257 Chinese A and B shares IPOs during 1999 and 2000, our empirical findings suggest that controlling shareholders structure operating RPTs in pre-IPO period and these RPTs are positively associated with firm's operating performance. The decline in operating RPTs after IPO contributes to firm's post-IPO long-term underperformance and negatively affects firms’ stock return.
Effect of ketamine on bispectral index during propofol--fentanyl anesthesia: a randomized controlled study.

BACKGROUND The Bispectral Index (BIS) helps in the assessment of the depth of hypnosis. N-methyl-D-aspartic acid antagonist, ketamine, has been used in various doses to decrease postoperative morphine consumption. The purpose of our study was to compare the effects of two different doses (0.5 mg/kg and 0.2 mg/kg) of ketamine on BIS values. METHODS Forty-five ASA I or II patients undergoing general anesthesia were included in this double-blind, prospective, control trial and randomly allocated into three groups. After induction of anesthesia and tracheal intubation, a propofol infusion was started and titrated to attain BIS values of around 40. After five minutes of stable BIS values and in the absence of any surgical stimulus, patients received either 0.5 mg/kg of ketamine (Group K1) or 0.2 mg/kg of ketamine (Group K2) or normal saline (Group N) as bolus intravenously. BIS values were recorded for the next 15 minutes, at five-minutes interval. RESULTS Mean BIS values were significantly increased in Group K1 (63.5) while Group K2 (42.0) failed to show any significant rise. BIS values in Group K2 were comparable to those in Group N. CONCLUSION Thus, under stable propofol anesthesia, a bolus ofketamine 0.5 mg/kg increases BIS values while ketamine 0.2 mg/kg does not.
Citation to Legislative History: Empirical Evidence on Positive Political and Contextual Theories of Judicial Decision Making

We present empirical evidence suggesting that political context—judicial hierarchy and judicial panel dynamics—influences an authoring judge’s use of legislative history. Specifically, we find that to the extent that political ideology matters, a district court judge’s choice of legislative history is influenced, albeit modestly, by (1) the political makeup of the overseeing circuit court and (2) the political characteristics of a judge’s panel colleagues, as well as by the circuit court as a whole. These factors matter more than the authoring judge’s own political‐ideological connection to the legislators. Put differently, an authoring judge will have a greater tendency to cite legislative history by legislators who share political party affiliation with the colleagues and superiors of the authoring judge than legislators sharing the same political party affiliation as the authoring judge himself. These findings are consistent generally with positive political and contextual theories of judicial persuasion, collegiality, and strategic decision making.
Cell death and neuronal differentiation of glioblastoma stem‐like cells induced by neurogenic transcription factors

Glioblastoma multiform (GBM) are devastating brain tumors containing a fraction of multipotent stem‐like cells which are highly tumorigenic. These cells are resistant to treatments and are likely to be responsible for tumor recurrence. One approach to eliminate GBM stem‐like cells would be to force their terminal differentiation. During development, neurons formation is controlled by neurogenic transcription factors such as Ngn1/2 and NeuroD1. We found that in comparison with oligodendrogenic genes, the expression of these neurogenic genes is low or absent in GBM tumors and derived cultures. We thus explored the effect of overexpressing these neurogenic genes in three CD133+ Sox2+ GBM stem‐like cell cultures and the U87 glioma line. Introduction of Ngn2 in CD133+ cultures induced massive cell death, proliferation arrest and a drastic reduction of neurosphere formation. Similar effects were observed with NeuroD1. Importantly, Ngn2 effects were accompanied by the downregulation of Olig2, Myc, Shh and upregulation of Dcx and NeuroD1 expression. The few surviving cells adopted a typical neuronal morphology and some of them generated action potentials. These cells appeared to be produced at the expense of GFAP+ cells which were radically reduced after differentiation with Ngn2. In vivo, Ngn2‐expressing cells were unable to form orthotopic tumors. In the U87 glioma line, Ngn2 could not induce neuronal differentiation although proliferation in vitro and tumoral growth in vivo were strongly reduced. By inducing cell death, cell cycle arrest or differentiation, this work supports further exploration of neurogenic proteins to oppose GBM stem‐like and non‐stem‐like cell growth. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Clamp loading, unloading and intrinsic stability of the PCNA, β and gp45 sliding clamps of human, E. coli and T4 replicases

Background: The high speed and processivity of replicative DNA polymerases reside in a processivity factor which has been shown to be a ring‐shaped protein. This protein (‘sliding clamp’) encircles DNA and tethers the catalytic unit to the template. Although in eukaryotic, prokaryotic and bacteriophage‐T4 systems, the processivity factors are ring‐shaped, they assume different oligomeric states. The Escherichia coli clamp (the β subunit) is active as a dimer while the eukaryotic and T4 phage clamps (PCNA and gp45, respectively) are active as trimers. The clamp can not assemble itself on DNA. Instead, a protein complex known as a clamp loader utilizes ATP to assemble the ring around the primer‐template. This study compares properties of the human PCNA clamp with those of E. coli and T4 phage.
The Long-Run Link between Money Growth and Inflation

Is inflation always a monetary phenomenon? Many economists believe that the link between money growth and inflation in the United States has weakened over the last two decades due in part to the Federal Reserve's policy experiment in 1979-82 and innovations in the financial sector of the economy. The author finds that the long-run relationship between money growth and inflation is strong in a statistical sense and important economically. The key result is that the trend or growth component in CPI inflation is entirely due to the trend component of monetary base growth. Copyright 1998 by Oxford University Press.
Contracts, Opportunism and Trust: Self-Interest and Social Orientation

This paper analyzes the role of trust in facilitating efficient exchange relations when agents are vulnerable to opportunistic behavior. Two distinct mechanisms suporting trust are distinguished: self-interested trust (SIT) which is foward-looking, and socially-oriented trust (SOT) which has its roots in the past. The former is the only source of trust recognized in the mainstream economics literature, while the latter draws heavily from sociology. The authors develop the implications of isolated and of repeated exchange for the existence of SIT or SOT and for the role of formal contracts in exchange relations. The paper concludes with a discussion of the feasibility of empirical testing to distinguish SIT from SOT. Copyright 1997 by Oxford University Press.
Tuberculosis-associated immune reconstitution disease: incidence, risk factors and impact in an antiretroviral treatment service in South Africa

Objective:To determine the burden and impact of immune reconstitution disease (IRD) associated with tuberculosis (TB) among patients initiating antiretroviral treatment (ART) in sub-Saharan Africa. Design:Retrospective analysis of a study cohort enrolled over 3 years within a community-based ART service in South Africa. Methods:Patients receiving treatment for TB at the time ART was initiated (n = 160) were studied. Cases of TB-associated IRD during the first 4 months of ART were ascertained. Results:The median baseline CD4 cell count was 68 cells/μl [interquartile range (IQR), 29–133 cells/μl) and ART was initiated after a median of 105 days (IQR, 61–164 days) from TB diagnosis. Although IRD was diagnosed in just 12% (n = 19) of patients overall, IRD developed in 32% (n = 12) of those who started ART within 2 months of TB diagnosis. Pulmonary involvement was observed in 84% (n = 16) and intra-abdominal manifestations were also common (37%). Overall, 4% (n = 7) of the cohort required secondary level health-care for IRD and two (1%) patients died. In multivariate analysis, risk of IRD was strongly associated with early ART initiation and low baseline CD4 cell count. Of patients with CD4 counts < 50 cells/μl, the proportions who developed IRD following initiation of ART within 0–30, 31–60, 61–90, 91–120 and > 120 days of TB diagnosis were 100%, 33%, 14%, 7% and 0%, respectively. Conclusions:The risk of TB-associated IRD in this setting is very high for those with low baseline CD4 cell counts initiating ART early in the course of antituberculosis treatment. However, most cases were self-limiting; overall secondary health-care utilization and mortality risk from IRD were low.
Infective Endocarditis in Childhood: 2015 Update: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association

In 2002, the American Heart Association (AHA) published “Unique Features of Infective Endocarditis in Childhood,”1 which reviewed epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, clinical and laboratory findings, treatment, and prevention of infective endocarditis (IE) with particular attention to children. Since that time, other AHA reports have focused on new recommendations for treatment of IE in adults (in 20052) and on major changes regarding prevention of IE (in 20073). This document updates these issues and other concerns regarding IE, with specific attention to the disease as it affects infants and children. In particular, the impact of increased survival for children with congenital heart disease (CHD) on the epidemiology of IE is updated, and newer tools useful for diagnosis and treatment in the pediatric population are reviewed. This review emphasizes changing management perspectives and discussion of new agents that have utility for treatment of resistant organisms. In addition, proper use of the diagnostic microbiology laboratory remains critical to the diagnosis and management of children with IE, and newer diagnostic guidelines that have improved sensitivity and specificity for confirming the diagnosis of IE will be reviewed. Because of improved infrastructure available for home intravenous therapy, an update on outpatient management, an increasingly accepted approach for stable patients who are at low risk for complications, will also be discussed. Finally, since the publication of the last AHA document on pediatric IE, recommendations for prevention of IE have been modified substantially, and the most current recommendations are incorporated from the perspective of pediatric cardiovascular concerns. In pediatrics, there are not likely to be any randomized controlled trials for treatment of IE, which posed a challenge for the writing group in compiling recommendations. Therefore, many of the indications are based on consensus. In cases of strong consensus that an intervention be considered as standard-of-care practice with …
Product Market Competition, Legal Institutions, and Accounting Conservatism

In this study, we examine product market competition's role in shaping accounting conservatism in an international setting. Using a large dataset from 38 countries, we find evidence that product market competition is positively associated with accounting conservatism in countries with strong legal institutions, but not in countries with weak legal institutions. Moreover, the positive association is significantly more pronounced in countries with high-quality financial reporting environments comprising a higher earnings quality, more frequent and greater disclosure practices, and the more stringent enforcement of insider trading regulations. Our empirical findings suggest that product market competition and strong legal institutions jointly drive accounting conservatism.