Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Great Britain's Second-Order City Regions in Recessions

Although it is now accepted that the 2008–09 recession accentuated regional differences in Britain, it is more difficult to identify the role of major cities—especially over a longer time scale. With the aid of previously established methods focused on employment, this paper assesses the records of nine second-order city regions in the 2008–09 recession and contrasts them with the previous two recessions. The 2008–09 recession is found to have impacted these city regions less than the other two in absolute terms, but not in relative terms compared with the London city region or the rest of Britain. Over the whole period from 1978, the second-order city regions are found to be fairly tightly in the grip of national cyclical and structural trends, but all but two of them showed negative deviation from the growth rate predicted on this basis. In comparison, London showed appreciably more cyclical behaviour between 1989 and 2002 than at other times, with a particularly strong recovery from recession in this period. The public sector helped the performance of second-order city regions over the study period including 2007–10, but employment reductions in this sector will dominate their prospects for several years to come.
Capital account liberalization and disinflation in the 1990s

As a way of addressing arguments in the literature (Rodrik, 1998) that the act of capital account liberalization leads to inflation, we present a simple theoretical model in which capital account liberalization raises the absolute value of the elasticity of money demand because agents have broader money holding options than under a closed capital account. The central bank maximizes seigniorage, balancing the benefits of higher inflation against potential losses of foreign currency reserves. The optimum seigniorage-maximizing rate of inflation falls when capital controls are loosened, as a result of the impact of liberalization on the elasticity of money demand. In a series of OLS and instrumental variables models that are heavily influenced by the work of Romer (1993) on current account openness and Grilli and Milesi-Ferretti (1995) on capital account openness, we test the impact of the act capital account liberalization (and many other factors) on inflation and find results that are consistent with our simple theoretical model and that are inconsistent with the recent work of Rodrik (1998). ; Economic Research Working Paper 0104
Local Nitric Oxide Synthase Inhibition Reduces Skeletal Muscle Glucose Uptake but Not Capillary Blood Flow During In Situ Muscle Contraction in Rats

OBJECTIVE—We have previously shown in humans that local infusion of a nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor into the femoral artery attenuates the increase in leg glucose uptake during exercise without influencing total leg blood flow. However, rodent studies examining the effect of NOS inhibition on contraction-stimulated skeletal muscle glucose uptake have yielded contradictory results. This study examined the effect of local infusion of an NOS inhibitor on skeletal muscle glucose uptake (2-deoxyglucose) and capillary blood flow (contrast-enhanced ultrasound) during in situ contractions in rats. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—Male hooded Wistar rats were anesthetized and one hindleg electrically stimulated to contract (2 Hz, 0.1 ms) for 30 min while the other leg rested. After 10 min, the NOS inhibitor NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME) (arterial concentration of 5 μmol/l) or saline was infused into the epigastric artery of the contracting leg. RESULTS—Local NOS inhibition had no effect on blood pressure, heart rate, or muscle contraction force. Contractions increased (P < 0.05) skeletal muscle NOS activity, and this was prevented by l-NAME infusion. NOS inhibition caused a modest significant (P < 0.05) attenuation of the increase in femoral blood flow during contractions, but importantly there was no effect on capillary recruitment. NOS inhibition attenuated (P < 0.05) the increase in contraction-stimulated skeletal muscle glucose uptake by ∼35%, without affecting AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation. CONCLUSIONS—NOS inhibition attenuated increases in skeletal muscle glucose uptake during contraction without influencing capillary recruitment, suggesting that NO is critical for part of the normal increase in skeletal muscle fiber glucose uptake during contraction.
Hospital Cost and Efficiency in a Regime of Stringent Regulation

A stochastic frontier cost function is fitted to data for 219 New York hospitals (1991). Economic inefficiency is estimated to be about 18 percent, comparable to published estimates for hospitals nationwide. Hospitals with over 300 beds are notably more efficient, and those with more Medicare patients are also more efficient. A reduction in excess bed capacity to control costs appears warranted. Rochester area hospitals, where a system of monopsony reimbursement exists, are more efficient. Unionized hospitals are less efficient. The stringent regulatory system in New York does not appear to effectively control costs or to affect efficiency.
The Energy Output of the Universe from 0.1 to 1000 μm

The dominant source of electromagnetic energy in the universe today (over ultraviolet, optical, and near-infrared wavelengths) is starlight. However, quantifying the amount of starlight produced has proved difficult due to interstellar dust grains that attenuate some unknown fraction of the light. Combining a recently calibrated galactic dust model with observations of 10,000 nearby galaxies, we find that (integrated over all galaxy types and orientations) only 11% ± 2% of the 0.1 μm photons escape their host galaxies; this value rises linearly (with log λ) to 87% ± 3% at 2.1 μm. We deduce that the energy output from stars in the nearby universe is (1.6 ± 0.2) × 1035 W Mpc−3, of which (0.9 ± 0.1) × 1035 W Mpc−3 escapes directly into the intergalactic medium. Some further ramifications of dust attenuation are discussed, and equations that correct individual galaxy flux measurements for its effect are provided.
Rationality of Expectations: Another OCA Criterion? A DSGE Analysis

The Walters critique of EMU presumed that pro-cyclical country-specific real interest rates would incorporate significant macroeconomic instability in an environment of asymmetric shocks. The literature on optimum currency areas suggests a number of criteria to minimize this risk, such as market flexibility, high degrees of openness, financial integration or similarity in inflation rates. In this paper, we argue that an essential part of macroeconomic volatility in a monetary union's member country also depends on the mechanism of forming expectations. This is mainly due to (i) the construction of ex ante country-specific real interest rate, implying a strong or weak negative correlation with current inflation rate and (ii) anticipated (and hence smoothed) loss in competitiveness and boom-bust cycle. In a 2-region 2-sector New Keynesian DSGE model, we apply 5 different specifications of ex ante real interest rates, based on commonly considered types of expectations: rational, adaptive, static, extrapolative and regressive, as well as their hybrids. Our simulations show that rational expectations dominate the other specifications in terms of minimizing the volatility of the most macroeconomic variables. This conclusion is generally insensitive to which group of agents (producers or consumers) and which region (home or foreign) forms the expectations. It also turns out that for some types of expectations the Walters critique indeed applies, i.e. the system does not fulfil the Blanchard-Kahn conditions or the system's companion matrix has explosive eigenvalues.
Radiation-Based Neuromodulation: Rationale and New Directions

It has been asserted that relief of trigeminal nerve pain following irradiation results from axonal degeneration and neuronal death. However, there could be another explanation of the observed clinical phenomena: pain relief may result from altered neuronal function. It is argued that optimal treatment of trigeminal neuralgia with stereotactically-delivered radiation may be achieved by altering neuronal behavior without tissue destruction. Multiple lines of evidence demonstrate that radiation can focally alter neuronal physiology. These experimental and clinical observations are reviewed. Radiomodulation may offer a tool by which hypermetabolic foci may be down-regulated in order to restore homeostasis within a malfunctioning neural circuit and treat clinical symptoms of functional and behavioral disorders.
A new approach for merging gene expression datasets

We propose a new approach for merging gene expression data originating from independent microarray experiments. The proposed approach is based upon a model assuming dataset-independent gene expression distribution, and dataset-dependent observation noise and nonlinear observation functions. The estimation algorithm combines smoothing spline estimation for the observation functions with an iterative method for gene expression estimation. The approach is illustrated by numerical results on simulation studies and real data originating from prostate cancer datasets.
Galilean symmetry in the effective theory of inflation: new shapes of non-Gaussianity

We study the consequences of imposing an approximate Galilean symmetry on the Effective Theory of Inflation, the theory of small perturbations around the inflationary background. This approach allows us to study the effect of operators with two derivatives on each field, which can be the leading interactions due to non-renormalization properties of the Galilean Lagrangian. In this case cubic non-Gaussianities are given by three independent operators, containing up to six derivatives, two with a shape close to equilateral and one peaking on flattened isosceles triangles. The four-point function is larger than in models with small speed of sound and potentially observable with the Planck satellite.
Important Role of P-Selectin for Leukocyte Recruitment, Hepatocellular Injury, and Apoptosis in Endotoxemic Mice

ABSTRACT Leukocyte recruitment in the liver includes a two-step procedure in which selectin-dependent leukocyte rolling is a prerequisite for subsequent CD18-dependent leukocyte firm adhesion in postsinusoidal venules. However, the roles of the individual selectins in leukocyte rolling and adhesion, hepatocellular injury, and apoptosis remain elusive. Therefore, we examined the pathophysiological role of P-, E-, and L-selectin in male C57BL/6 mice challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and d-galactosamine (Gal) by use of intravital microscopy of the liver microcirculation. In control animals, administration of LPS-Gal provoked reproducible hepatic damage, including marked increases of leukocyte recruitment, liver enzymes, and hepatocyte apoptosis and reduced sinusoidal perfusion. Interestingly, pretreatment with an anti-P-selectin antibody (RB40.34) markedly reduced leukocyte rolling and firm adhesion by 65 and 71%, respectively. Moreover, interference with P-selectin function significantly improved sinusoidal perfusion and reduced the increase in liver enzymes by 49 to 84% in endotoxemic mice. Moreover, the activity of caspase-3 and the number of apoptotic hepatocytes were significantly reduced by 55 and 54%, respectively, in RB40.34-treated animals. In contrast, administration of an anti-E-selectin antibody (10E9.6) and an anti-L-selectin antibody (Mel-14) did not protect against endotoxin-induced leukocyte responses or hepatic injury. In conclusion, our novel findings document a principal role of P-selectin in mediating leukocyte rolling, a precondition to the subsequent firm adhesion of leukocytes in liver injury. Furthermore, our novel data demonstrate that inhibition of P-selectin function reduces hepatocellular injury and apoptosis, suggesting a causal relationship between leukocyte recruitment on one hand and hepatocellular injury and apoptosis on the other hand. Based on these findings, it is suggested that P-selectin may be an important therapeutic target in endotoxin-induced liver injury.
An Economic Theory of Political Institutions: Foreign Intervention and Overseas Investments

The recent literature on endogenous political institutions highlights domestic economic factors, such as recessions, economic growth and inequality, as key determinants of political transitions. We argue that international capital flows and the possibility that foreign governments, in order to protect specific economic interests, might seek influence on the regime choice in other countries are important, yet overlooked, additional determinants of political institutions. Building on Acemoglu and Robinson (2001), we develop a theory of political transitions in economies with access to international capital markets and show that the possibility of foreign intervention significantly affects regime dynamics and the set of sustainable political regimes
A Model of the Natural Rate of Unemployment

Since the publication of Edmund Phelps' volume, the “new” macroeconomics has treated the labor market as a dynamic process of rational search by unemployed workers for available vacancies. Wages are viewed as at least potentially flexible, though free contracting between workers and firms may lead to fixed wages in the short run. Imperfect information is a crucial element of the theory, for it implies both a need for contracting and a need for rational search rather than simple market clearing in each period. A positive rate of frictional unemployment may exist in equilibrium, denoted as the “natural” rate. This unemployment is due to the frictions in the search process and imperfections in information rather than to any deficiency in aggregate demand. Milton Friedman defined the natural rate as the level that would be ground out by the Walrasian system of general equilibrium equations, provided there is embedded in them the actual structural characteristics of the labor and commodity markets, including market imperfections, stochastic variability in demands and supplies, the cost of gathering information about job vacancies and labor availabilities, the costs of mobility, and so on. [p.8] This paper reexamines the micro foundations of the natural rate in a model of labor market equilibrium in which turnover flows and imperfect information are explicitly considered. Workers may quit their current jobs to enter the unemployment pool in order to search among available vacancies for a more preferred position. Firms economize on turnover by an appropriate wage policy.
Industrial Decentralization Policies and Industrialization in Thailand

It can be concluded that although, industrial development inThailand was successful as newly industrial country but the industrialgeographical dispersion was fail, we can find that the industrializationof Bangkok metropolis region (BMR) is very high concentration thatis one of causes of income disparity and poverty in Thailand. From thestudy, it found that industrial geographical concentration in BMR andsurrounding area were high, even though the Thai Government hasattempted to lure businessmen to locate their industries in the peripheryor rural area, including moving their industries from the core by usingseveral types of tax incentives, secondary city or growth pole, andsupporting the sub regional development. It can conclude that, Thailandhas not succeeded in rural industrialization. Key Words: Industrialization, Industrial decentralization, Industrialdevelopment policy
Precision Treatment of Distinct Molecular Subtypes of Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma: Ascribing Treatment Based on the Molecular Phenotype

Although diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), the most common type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, was once considered to be a single disease, novel insights into its biology have revealed that it is molecularly heterogeneous. Technologies such as gene expression profiling have revealed that DLBCL consists of at least three distinct molecular diseases that have disparate outcomes following standard therapy. These subtypes arise from different stages of B-cell differentiation and are characterized by distinct oncogenic activation mechanisms. This knowledge has led to the investigation of strategies and novel agents that have selective activity within molecular subtypes and sets the stage for an era of precision medicine in DLBCL therapeutics, where therapy can be ascribed based on molecular phenotype. This work offers the chance of improving the curability of DLBCL, particularly in the activated B-cell subtype, where standard approaches are inadequate for a high proportion of patients. See all articles in this CCR Focus section, “Paradigm Shifts in Lymphoma. ” Clin Cancer Res; 20(20); 5182–93. ©2014 AACR.
A mixture of Lactobacillus plantarum CECT 7315 and CECT 7316 enhances systemic immunity in elderly subjects. A dose-response, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized pilot trial.

BACKGROUND & AIM Immunosenescence can increase morbi-mortality. Lactic acid producing bacteria may improve immunity and reduce morbidity and mortality in the elderly. We aimed to investigate the effects of a mixture of two new probiotic strains of Lactobacillus plantarum--CECT 7315 and 7316--on systemic immunity in elderly. METHODS 50 institutionalized elderly subjects were randomized, in a double-blind fashion, to receive for 12 weeks 1) 5·10(8) cfu/day of L. plantarum CECT7315/7316 ("low probiotic dose") (n = 13), 2) 5·10(9) cfu/day of the probiotic mixture ("high probiotic dose") (n = 19), or 3) placebo (n = 15). Leukocyte subpopulations, and cytokine levels (IL-1 , IL-10, TGF-β1) were measured in venous blood at baseline, end of treatment (week 12), and end of follow-up (week 24). Infection and survival rates were recorded. RESULTS After treatment, high probiotic dose resulted in significant increases in the percentages of activated potentially T-suppressor (CD8+CD25+) and NK (CD56+ CD16+) cells, while low probiotic dose increased activated T-helper lymphocytes (CD4+CD25+), B lymphocytes (CD19+), and antigen presenting cells (HLA-DR+). Also, plasma TGF-β1 concentration significantly decreased after treatment with both probiotic doses. Most of these changes remained 12 weeks after probiotic discontinuation. Incidence of infections during treatment showed a significant trend to be lower in the high probiotic dose group. In addition, there was a significant trend for mortality to be greater in the placebo group vs. both probiotic groups. CONCLUSIONS Depending on the dose, L. plantarum CECT7315/7316 have different immune-enhancing effects in elderly subjects. These effects might result in a better clinical outcome.
Alpha and Beta brainwave characteristics to binaural beat treatment

This paper presents the affect of binaural beats tone of 10Hz (Deep Meditation) to Alpha and Beta brain wave using EEG. Thirty three (33) right handed students (22 females and 11 males) were randomly selected from Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Shah Alam. They were willing to be involved after their examination period to investigate this research work. Nowadays, people easily get stressed due to several external factors like family problems, money problem, life satisfaction and other similar factors. Hence, some people meditate by listening to the sound related to relax mode like binaural beats in order to release stress. In this paper, EPOC EMOTIV electroencephalography (EEG) instrumentation with 14 electrodes is used. During data collection, all subjects must close their eyes. The EEG data recorded is processed offline using a program which is developed in MATLAB and the data is further analyzed using Microsoft Excel. The increase on Alpha brainwave and decrease on Beta brainwave after listening to binaural beat shows that subjects are affected by stimuli given. The majority of the subjects are affected by the binaural beat.
he neuromuscular blockade produced by pure alkaloid , mitragynine and ethanol extract of kratom leaves ( Mitragyna speciosa Korth . )

Aim of the study: The effects of pure alkaloid, mitragynine and a methanolic extract of kratom leaves were investigated on neuromuscular junction and compound nerve action potential. Materials and methods: Wistar rats were killed by cervical dislocation and decapitated. The phrenic nerve–hemidiaphragms, hemidiaphragms and sciatic nerve were isolated. Results: Kratom methanolic extract present at 0.1–1 mg/mL and mitragynine (0.0156 mg/mL) decreased the muscle twitch on the isolated phrenic nerve–hemidiaphragm and hemidiaphragm preparation. Muscle relaxation caused by kratom extract (1 mg/mL) was greater than the effect of mitragynine. Pancuronium and succinylcholine potentiated the effect of kratom extract. It also had a direct relaxation itragynine euromuscular junction uscle relaxation ompound action potential effect on the hemidiaphragm muscle. The muscle relaxation caused by kratom extract was not antagonized by neostigmine, tetraethylammonium and calcium chloride. High concentrations of kratom extract (10–40 mg/mL) and mitragynine (2 mg/mL) blocked the nerve conduction, amplitude and duration of compound nerve action potential. Conclusions: The mechanism of action of kratom extract might not act as a competitive antagonist of acetylcholine yet its dominant effect was at the neuromuscular junction and not at the skeletal muscle or somatic nerve.
Attention and Hypnosis: Neural Substrates and Genetic Associations of Two Converging Processes

Abstract Although attention is a central theme in psychological science, hypnosis researchers rarely incorporate attentional findings into their work. As with other biological systems, attention has a distinct anatomy that carries out basic psychological functions. Specific brain injuries, states, and drugs can all influence attentional networks. Investigation into these networks using modern neuroimaging techniques has revealed important mechanisms involved in attention. In this age of genomics, genetic approaches can supplement these neuroimaging techniques. As genotyping becomes an affordable and technologically viable complement to phenotyping, exploratory genetic assays offer insights into the genetic bases of both attention and hypnotizability. This paper discusses relevant aspects of attentional mechanisms and their underlying neuroanatomy as they relate to hypnosis. Underlining data from attentional networks, neuroimaging, and genetics, these findings should help to explain individual differences in hypnotizability and the neural systems subserving hypnosis. 1Selected themes and portions of this paper appear in German in the Jubilee edition of HyKog (Raz, Fossella, McGuiness, Zephrani, & Posner, in press) and in a book chapter (Raz, Fan, & Posner, in press).
T2API: synthesizing API code usage templates from English texts with statistical translation

In this work, we develop T2API, a statistical machine translation-based tool that takes a given English description of a programming task as a query, and synthesizes the API usage template for the task by learning from training data. T2API works in two steps. First, it derives the API elements relevant to the task described in the input by statistically learning from a StackOverflow corpus of text descriptions and corresponding code. To infer those API elements, it also considers the context of the words in the textual input and the context of API elements that often go together in the corpus. The inferred API elements with their relevance scores are ensembled into an API usage by our novel API usage synthesis algorithm that learns the API usages from a large code corpus via a graph-based language model. Importantly, T2API is capable of generating new API usages from smaller, previously-seen usages.