Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Economic Sanctions Reconsidered, 3rd Edition (paper)

Economic sanctions continue to play an important role in the response to terrorism, nuclear proliferation, military conflicts, and other foreign policy crises. But poor design and implementation of sanctions policies often mean that they fall short of their desired effects. This landmark study, first published in 1985, delves into the rich experience of sanctions in the 20th century to harvest lessons on how to use sanctions more effectively. This volume--now conveniently available in a paperback format--is the updated third edition of this widely cited study. The authors' unique database on sanctions now covers almost 200 case studies. This study is offered in two parts: Economic Sanctions Reconsidered, which summarizes the analysis and outlines the policy recommendations, and Economic Sanctions Reconsidered: Case Histories and Data, a supplemental CD-ROM containing the case studies and new database.
Balancing the Banks: Global Lessons from the Financial Crisis

The financial crisis that began in 2007 in the United States swept the world, producing substantial bank failures and forcing unprecedented state aid for the crippled global financial system. Bringing together three leading financial economists to provide an international perspective, Balancing the Banks draws critical lessons from the causes of the crisis and proposes important regulatory reforms, including sound guidelines for the ways in which distressed banks might be dealt with in the future. While some recent policy moves go in the right direction, others, the book argues, are not sufficient to prevent another crisis. The authors show the necessity of an adaptive prudential regulatory system that can better address financial innovation. Stressing the numerous and complex challenges faced by politicians, finance professionals, and regulators, and calling for reinforced international coordination (for example, in the treatment of distressed banks), the authors put forth a number of principles to deal with issues regarding the economic incentives of financial institutions, the impact of economic shocks, and the role of political constraints. Offering a global perspective, Balancing the Banks should be read by anyone concerned with solving the current crisis and preventing another such calamity in the future.
Do Firms Really Share Rents with Their Workers?

We use matched firm-worker panel data from France and Norway to consider observationally equivalent alternatives to the hypothesis that firms share product market rents with their workers in the form of higher wages. After documenting the main stylized facts, we find that neither the main statistical explanations (group effect in residuals and measurement error) nor sectoral shocks seem to be responsible for the observed correlation. Statistical-economic explanations (endogeneity of profits, omitted variable biases in terms of individual productive characteristics) are slightly more successful, as instrumentation reduces the significance level in France to 89% (via an increase in the standard error of the estimate). The most complete model, with unobserved heterogeneity in both time-invariant firm compensation policy and time-invariant individual characteristics, instrumental variables and a complete set of controls for worker observables and sectoral shocks renders the coefficient insignificant for France and weakens its significance for Norway and the presence of a more mobile labor force in France, although it may also be due to insufficient degrees of freedom.
Haemodynamic and cerebral effects of ATP-induced hypotension.

Controlled decreases in mean arterial pressure to 20%, 40% and 60% of baseline were produced by the administration of increasing concentrations of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) i.v. in five anaesthetized baboons. Indices of the systemic circulation (arterial pressure, right atrial pressure, pulmonary artery pressures, cardiac output) and of the cerebral circulation (cerebral blood flow, cerebral metabolic rate for oxygen, cerebrovascular reactivity) were obtained as arterial pressure was decreased, and following discontinuation of the infusion of ATP. A neuropathological investigation was undertaken at the end of the experimental procedure. The infusion of ATP produced dose-dependent decreases in systemic vascular resistance and mean arterial pressure (MAP). Cardiac output and stroke volume were maintained close to baseline values, or increased slightly. Cerebral blood flow (CBF) increased initially (48 +/- 4 ml min-1/100 g to 68 +/- 9 ml min-1/100 g) and then decreased progressively as MAP was decreased to 40% and 60% of baseline. Cerebrovascular reactivity was shown to be impaired during, and for up to 90 min following, the administration of ATP. However, there was no morphological evidence of ischaemic cell damage in any animal. Tachyphylaxis was not observed during, and there were no instances of rebound hypertension following, the infusion of ATP. The concentration of uric acid had increased significantly by the 40% decrement in MAP, and remained so 60 min after the restoration of the arterial pressure.
Interactions between Surround Suppression and Interocular Suppression in Human Vision

Several types of suppression phenomena have been observed in the visual system. For example, the ability to detect a target stimulus is often impaired when the target is embedded in a high-contrast surround. This contextual modulation, known as surround suppression, was formerly thought to occur only in the periphery. Another type of suppression phenomena is interocular suppression, in which the sensitivity to a monocular target is reduced by a superimposed mask in the opposite eye. Here, we explored how the two types of suppression operating across different spatial regions interact with one another when they simultaneously exert suppressive influences on a common target presented at the fovea. In our experiments, a circular target grating presented to the fovea of one eye was suppressed interocularly by a noise pattern of the same size in the other eye. The foveal stimuli were either shown alone or surrounded by a monocular annular grating. The orientation and eye-of-origin of the surround grating were varied. We found that the detection of the foveal target subjected to interocular suppression was severely impaired by the addition of the surround grating, indicating strong surround suppression in the fovea. In contrast, when the interocular suppression was released by superimposing a binocular fusion ring onto both the target and the dichoptic mask, the surround suppression effect was found to be dramatically decreased. In addition, the surround suppression was found to depend on the contrast of the dichoptic noise with the greatest surround suppression effect being obtained only when the noise contrast was at an intermediate level. These findings indicate that surround suppression and interocular suppression are not independent of each other, but there are strong interactions between them. Moreover, our results suggest that strong surround suppression may also occur at the fovea and not just the periphery.
Performance of Technical Analysis in Declining Global Markets

The main objective of this research is to discuss the impact of declining global markets on technical analysis performance using international data. McKenzie (2007) shows that technical analysis performs well during the 1998 financial crisis. Technical analysis produces better performance in stock markets with high volatility and a downward trend than in stable and uptrend markets (Ahmed et al., 2000). This study uses OSIRIS and Yahoo Finance databases. The focus is in the year 2011 because global stock markets substantially decline in that year. The year 2010 was a non-decreasing year, and data for that year are used as a control sample. This study examines 21 countries around the world. The total numbers of technical analysis signals identified are 11,040. For robustness tests, this study employs some technical analysis methods. These are SMA5 (5 days Simple Moving Average), SMA10, SMA15, WMA5 (5 days Weighted Moving Average), WMA10, and WMA15. In addition, short and long strategies and the combination of both are used. The findings strongly suggest that technical analysis produces higher returns than buy and hold strategies in declining global markets.
The effects of the gender of children on expenditure patterns in rural China: a semiparametric analysis

We analyse expenditure patterns for rural China, focusing on differences between families with boys and girls. The sample includes more than 5000 nuclear families from 19 Chinese provinces. Following the existing literature, we estimate Engel curves for food and for alcohol, a typical adult good. We use a flexible, partially linear specification and allow for endogeneity of total expenditures. The results are similar to those of other studies, not providing much evidence of gender differentials. We then focus on the decision to send a child to school and on the budget share spent on educational goods. Using both parametric and semiparametric estimates, we find evidence that boys are more often sent to school and that expenditures on a boy that goes to school are larger than for a school-going girl of the same age. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multi-scale comparisons of tree composition in Amazonian terra firme forests

Abstract. We explored the floristic composition of terra firme forests across Amazonia using 55 plots. Firstly, we examined the floristic patterns using both genus- and species-level data and found that the species-level analysis more clearly distinguishes among forests. Next, we compared the variation in plot floristic composition at regional- and continental-scales, and found that average among-pair floristic similarity and its decay with distance behave similarly at regional- and continental-scales. Nevertheless, geographical distance had different effects on floristic similarity within regions at distances
The Tail of Two Countries: Minimum Wages and Employment in France and the United States

We use longitudinal individual wage and employment data in France and the United States to investigate the effect of changes in the real minimum wage rate on an individual’s employment status. We focus on workers employed at wages close enough to the minimum in a reference year as to be illegal in an adjacent comparison year as a result of movements in the real minimum wage. We find that movements in the American real minimum wage are associated with no employment effects, whereas movements in the cost of French minimum wage workers are associated with very strong negative employment effects. Our analysis is based upon identifying the direct effect of the change in the real minimum wage rate on exits from (entry into) employment when the real minimum wage rate increases (respectively, decreases) and identifying the heterogeneity in the behavior of our treatment and control groups using a pseudo-experimental contrast. We relate the difference-in-difference estimator directly to demand and supply elasticities for the two groups.
Environmental management accounting in local government: A case of waste management

Purpose - This study aims to explore the state of environmental management accounting practice and the motivations for its use with a view to improving waste and recycling management by local government. The focus is on practice in local governments situated in the state of New South Wales (NSW), Australia. Prior studies suggest the need for environmental management accounting as a supporting tool for waste management. Design/methodology/approach - An exploratory case study method was applied in 12 NSW local government organisations. In each local government interviews were conducted with managers responsible for waste and recycling issues. Findings - Contrary to prior research this study found that, in the local governments investigated, an increasing amount of environmental management accounting information is being made available. The case studies found two main motivations encouraging the development of environmental management accounting in local government: first, social structural influences, such as regulatory pressures from different environmental regulatory bodies, environmental expectations from local communities, and pressures from peer councils; second, organisational contextual influences reflecting situational needs in the organisational contexts, such as complex waste operations and service designs, changes and uncertainties in waste and recycling management, and the council's strategic position for waste management. Research limitations/implications - The results imply that institutional theory and contingency theory provide different but complementary explanations for the development of environmental management accounting in waste management. Although previous environmental studies are overwhelmingly in favour of social system-based theories, such as institutional theory, to explain environmental changes in organisations, an organisation's contextual dynamics seem to be equally important. Originality/value - The findings about motivations provide useful information for environmental strategists and government regulators to make policies that improve accountability and the efficiency of waste and recycling management as well as promote future development of environmental management accounting to support sustainable waste management solutions.
The influence of board characteristics on sustainability reporting Empirical evidence from Sri Lankan firms

Purpose - – Drawing on agency theory and legitimacy theory perspectives, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of board characteristics on sustainability reporting of listed companies in the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE), Sri Lanka. Design/methodology/approach - – A sample of 148 listed companies was drawn from the CSE using stratified random sampling method and data were collected from the 2012 annual reports. The proposed hypotheses were tested using a hierarchical binary logistic regression. Findings - – This study documents that board size and dual leadership are positively associated with sustainability reporting and boards with female directors are negatively associated with sustainability reporting. This study also found that sustainability reporting is likely to be influenced by firm size and firm growth. Additionally, the study also reveals that younger firms are likely to adopt sustainability reporting. Originality/value - – This is the first study to examine the influence of board characteristics on sustainability reporting in Sri Lanka, considered as a developing economy with an emerging equity market.
Complete sequencing of the FII plasmid pHK01, encoding CTX-M-14, and molecular analysis of its variants among Escherichia coli from Hong Kong.

OBJECTIVES We characterized plasmids encoding CTX-M-14 β-lactamase originating from Escherichia coli isolates recovered from patients with uncomplicated cystitis or individuals with faecal colonization in Hong Kong from 2002 to 2004. METHODS Plasmids carrying CTX-M-14 were studied by conjugation, replicon typing, S1 nuclease-PFGE and plasmid PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). The complete sequence of pHK01, a 70 kb plasmid encoding CTX-M-14 from an E. coli strain, was determined and the results compared with reference plasmids and aligned with GenBank data. RESULTS The blaCTX-M-14 plasmids could be transferred in 23 of 44 E. coli strains tested. Among the 23 transconjugants, the replicon types of the CTX-M-14-encoding plasmid were FII (n=13), I1-Iγ (n=4), F1B (n=2), FII and I1-Iγ (n=1), K (80 kb, n=1) and undetermined (n=2). Plasmid pHK01 (FII replicon) shares a high degree of homology with R100 except mainly for a 11 kb variable region containing blaCTX-M-14 (with an upstream ISEcp1 and a downstream truncated IS903), an iron transport system, an outer membrane protein (malB, maltoporin) and a putative toxin-antitoxin plasmid stability system (yacABC). It was highly related to blaCTX-M-14 (pKF3-70) and blaCTX-M-24 (pEG356) plasmids reported from mainland China in 2006 and Vietnam in 2007, respectively. Subtyping by a plasmid PCR-RFLP scheme showed that 10 of the 13 FII plasmids originating from isolates collected by multiple laboratories exhibited either identical or highly similar profiles. CONCLUSIONS This study showed that narrow host-range FII plasmids play important roles in the dissemination of CTX-M-14. FII plasmids closely related to pHK01 have disseminated widely in the Hong Kong community.
The Science and Practice of Case Conceptualization

Abstract Case conceptualization is a foundation of cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) because it describes and explains clients' presentations in ways that inform interventions. Yet the evidence base challenges the claimed benefits of case conceptualization. This paper reviews the rationale and evidence base for case conceptualization and outlines a new approach that uses the metaphor of a case conceptualization crucible in which a client's particular history, experience and strengths are synthesized with theory and research to produce an original and unique account of clients' presenting issues. The crucible metaphor illustrates three key defining principles of case conceptualization. First, heat drives chemical reactions in a crucible. In our model, collaborative empiricism between therapist and client provides the heat. Second, like the chemical reaction in a crucible, conceptualization develops over time. Typically, it begins at more descriptive levels, later a conceptualization incorporates explanatory elements and, if necessary, it develops further to include a longitudinal explanation of how pre-disposing and protective factors influence client issues. Finally, new substances formed in a crucible are dependent on the chemical characteristics of the materials put into it. Rather than simply look at client problems, our model incorporates client strengths at every stage of the conceptualization process to more effectively alleviate client distress and promote resilience.
High-potency cannabis and the risk of psychosis

Background People who use cannabis have an increased risk of psychosis an effect attributed to the active ingredient δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC). There has recently been concern over an increase in the concentration of Δ9-THC in the cannabis available in many countries. Aims To investigate whether people with a first episode of psychosis were particularly likely to use high-potency cannabis. Method We collected information on cannabis use from 280 cases presenting with a first episode of psychosis to the South London & Maudsley National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust, and from 174 healthy controls recruited from the local population. Results There was no significant difference between cases and controls in whether they had ever taken cannabis, or age at first use. However, those in the cases group were more likely to be current daily users (OR = 6.4) and to have smoked cannabis for more than 5 years (OR = 2.1). Among those who used cannabis, 78% of the cases group used high-potency cannabis (sinsemilla, ‘skunk’) compared with 37% of the control group (OR 6.8). Conclusions The finding that people with a first episode of psychosis had smoked higher-potency cannabis, for longer and with greater frequency, than a healthy control group is consistent with the hypothesis that Δ9-THC is the active ingredient increasing risk of psychosis. This has important public health implications, given the increased availability and use of high-potency cannabis.
Post-traumatic complications of severe luxations and replanted teeth.

AIM The aim of this study was to evaluate the main post-traumatic complications of severe luxation and replanted teeth using clinical and radiographic analyses. MATERIALS AND METHODS Eighty-three patients aged between 7 and 55 years old presenting 180 traumatized teeth that suffered extrusive luxation (n=67), lateral luxation (n=69), intrusive luxation (n=10) and tooth avulsion (n=34) followed by replantation were evaluated. The follow-up period was 24 months. The complications examined were: pulp canal obliteration, pulp necrosis and root resorption (infammatory and replacement). Furthermore, the relationship between time elapsed before receiving dental attendance and development of infammatory resorption was observed. RESULTS Pulp necrosis was the main complication, occurring in 147 teeth (82.7%). All of the teeth that suffered intrusive luxation and tooth avulsion were diagnosed with pulp necrosis, with significant difference in comparison with another traumas (p<0.001/Fisher's exact test). Infammatory root resorption was observed in 20.5% of the cases and replacement resorption was more related to tooth replantation (94.1%), showing significant prevalence among tooth luxations (p<0.001/Fisher's exact test). In addition, it was noted that patients who seek treatment 9 weeks after the trauma episode presented 10 times more chance of developing infammatory resorption when compared with patients who seek treatment soon after dental trauma (Odds ratio test). CONCLUSION It may be concluded that pulp necrosis was the main post-traumatic complication observed in traumatized teeth and that delay in seeking treatment may damage the prognosis of severe luxation and replanted teeth. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE Clinical studies describing the main complications that may affect traumatized teeth present great relevance to make the population aware of the importance of seeking immediate treatment and to alert the professional to the need for follow-up. When traumatic injuries are diagnosed and treated early, post-traumatic complications may be controlled, allowing conservation of the tooth in oral cavity.
Design and Implementation of a Low Complexity Near-lossless Image Compression Method for Wireless Endoscopy Capsule System

This paper proposes a new low complexity near-lossless image compression method and its VLSI design for low power and high frame rate in the wireless endoscopy capsule system. Assuring outstanding compression performance and high image quality, the proposed method with the features of low complexity, low storage overhead and real time data processing, makes it ideal for hardware implementation. The VLSI architecture consists of two pipelined parts: The preprocessor and the JPEG-LS engine. A fully pipelined VLSI structure with a dedicated clock management scheme is proposed for the JPEG-LS engine, which ensures a low power application, and real time data processing as well. The hardware implementation has been verified on FPGA and implemented in 0.18mum CMOS technology.
The Role of Early-Phase Transmission in the Spread of Yersinia pestis

ABSTRACT Early-phase transmission (EPT) of Yersinia pestis by unblocked fleas is a welldocumented, replicable phenomenon with poorly defined mechanisms. We review evidence demonstrating EPT and current knowledge on its biological and biomechanical processes. We discuss the importance of EPT in the epizootic spread of Y. pestis and its role in the maintenance of plague bacteria in nature.We further address the role of EPT in the epidemiology of plague.
Depression May Be a Complication of Various Brain Disorders: Neuroimaging Evidence

Recent studies have also suggested that the mediating influence of prefrontal cortex function is crucial in depression and in antidepressant strategies [3]. The etiology and pathophysiology of depression have been subjects of intense speculation. A number of molecular mechanisms have been advanced yet inconsistent results over time have weakened their basic foundations. Is it possible that most depressions are secondary to complications and progression of various brain disorders?