Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
BUDGET DEFICITS, PUBLIC SPENDING AND INTEREST RATES IN THAILAND

Beginning in 1987, Thailand experienced lower real interest rates, an investment boom, and rapid economic growth. We investigate whether these lower real rates were caused by conservative fiscal policy. Using data from the years 1980–94, we test between the Keynesian theory that smaller budget deficits reduce real interest rates and the Neoclassical theory that lower government spending reduces those rates. We find support for the Neoclassical model. Cuts in both consumption and construction expenditures appear to lower real interest rates. Surprisingly, lower public equipment spending appears to raise real interest rates. We attribute this to three factors. First, equipment spending could significantly boost aggregate supply. Second, public equipment spending is somewhat countercyclical, which could generate a spurious negative correlation with procyclical real interest rates. Third, public equipment spending appears highly correlated with government net foreign borrowing, which would relieve pressure on interest rates to rise. The results imply that controlling public spending is crucial for maintaining low real interest rates, but also that prudent public sector investment partially externally financed need not raise real interest rates and could effectively promote domestic capital formation.
Selective Transfer of Responding in Conditional Discriminations

In each of three experiments rats received discrimination training in which whether or not a 10-sec target stimulus was followed by food was signalled by a 2-min background stimulus. In the first experiment the target was paired with food in the presence but not the absence of the background stimulus. Subsequent tests revealed that the background elevated responding to a target that had taken part in a similar discrimination. However, it had no influence on the responses elicited by a partially reinforced conditioned stimulus. In the remaining experiments the target was paired with food in the absence but not the presence of the background. Test trials then revealed that although the background had an inhibitory influence on the responses elicited by a target from a similar discrimination, it had no influence on the responses elicited by either a partially or a continuously reinforced conditioned stimulus. Various explanations for this selective influence of a background stimulus are considered.
Referrals of Cancer versus Non-Cancer Patients to A Palliative Care Consult Team: Do They Differ?

This retrospective study compared 100 consecutive non-cancer (NC) patients referred to a palliative care consult team (PCT) in a Swiss university hospital to 506 cancer (C) patients referred during the same period. The frequencies of reported symptoms were similar in both groups. The main reasons for referral in the NC group were symptom control, global evaluation, and assistance with discharge. Requests for symptom control predominated in the C group. Prior to the first visit, 50% of NC patients were on opioids, compared to 58% of C patients. After the first visit, the proportion of NC patients on opioids increased to 64% and the proportion of C patients to 73%. The median daily oral morphine equivalent dose for NC patients taking opioids prior to the first PCT visit was higher than that for C patients (60 mg versus 45 mg). At the time of death or discharge, the percentage of NC patients on opioids was 64%, while that of C patients was 76%. Moreover, NC patients were on significantly lower median doses of opioids than C patients (31 mg versus 60 mg). Over half the NC patients died during hospitalization, as compared to 33% of C patients. Only 6% of NC patients were discharged to palliative care units, as compared to 22% of C patients.
Bending Resistance and Cyclic Fatigue Life of a new Single-File Reciprocating Instrument Waveone Gold

Objective: The present study aimed to evaluate the bending resistance and cyclic fatigue fracture resistance of a new single-file reciprocating instrument called WaveOne Gold. Reciproc and WaveOne instruments were used as references for comparison. Methods: Sixty 25-mm NiTi instruments (Reciproc R25, WaveOne Primary and WaveOne Gold Primary) were tested. Flexibility was determined by applying 45° bending tests using a universal testing machine (n=10). A custom-made device was used during cyclic fatigue test (n=10), comprising a stainless steel artificial canal measuring 1.4 mm in diameter, 19 mm in total length with an 86° angle and 6 mm radius of curvature. Possible deformations at the helical shaft and mode of fracture were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy analysis. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way analysis of variance. Post hoc pair-wise comparisons were performed using Tukey’s test for multiple comparisons (P<0.05). Results: WaveOne presented significantly higher bending resistance than the other tested systems (P<0.05), whereas Reciproc presented the lowest bending resistance (P<0.05). Reciproc revealed a significantly longer cyclic fatigue fracture resistance than the other systems (P<0.05). Conclusion: Although WaveOne Gold presented higher flexibility than WaveOne, no differences in the resistance to fatigue were observed between both systems. The Reciproc files were more flexible and resistant to fatigue for the angle of curvature of 86° and 6 mm radius than WaveOne and WaveOne Gold files.
Nonagenarians and centenarians in Switzerland, 1860–2001: a demographic analysis

Study objective: To explore the rapid rise of the extremely old population, showing the magnitude of the increase and indentifying demographic mechanisms underlying this increase. Design: Demographic analysis using census data, yearly population estimates, and mortality statistics. Setting: Switzerland 1860–2001. Main results: Indicators suggest a strong increase in the number of nonagenarians and centenarians in Switzerland as compared with other countries. The increase is mostly attributable to the decline in mortality after age 80. This decline started in the 1950s. Conclusion: Nonagenarians and centenarians constitute a new population, which became sizeable after 1950 in Switzerland. There is a need to monitor this population with appropriate demographic and epidemiological indicators.
Determinants of Banks Liquidity: The Case of Private Banks in Ethiopia

The objective of the study was to examine the impacts of both bank specific and macroeconomic factors on banks liquidity of Ethiopian private commercial banks and examine the trends of private banks liquidity. In order to achieve the objectives the researcher used Quantitative research approach and balanced panel data. Fixed effect regression model was used to examine the impacts of independent variables on dependent variables for selected private banks in Ethiopia from 2009-2016. Data was collected from NBE annual report and MOFED. The collected data was analyzed by using descriptive statistic and inferential analysis. The study used bank size, profitability, capital adequacy; cash reserve ratio, interest rate margin, loan growth rate, nonperforming loan, interest rate on loan, real GDP, inflation rate as independent variables and liquid asset to deposit ratio as a dependent variable. The result of the fixed effect model suggested that cash reserve ratio, profitability, nonperforming loans had positive and significant effect on banks liquidity, while bank size, deposit ratio, loan growth rate and interest rate margin had negative and significant impact on banks liquidity. However, variables like capital adequacy ratio, real GDP and inflation found to be insignificant. The study suggested that, all private commercial banks of Ethiopia should give due attention to bank specific factors by providing effective and well structured policies and procedures. Keywords :Determinants of banks liquidity, Ethiopian Private commercial banks, Fixed Effect Regression model, and Liquid asset total deposit ratio DOI : 10.7176/RJFA/10-3-05
Internet Financial Reporting (IFR) Disclosure Position and Firm Value

Nowadays, Internet Financial Reporting (IFR) disclosure is the global way to display firm performance to investors and stakeholders. Hence, it is imperative that firms properly manage their IFR disclosure to ensure their existence is conspicuous to the world in order to foster their firm value. We believe that i n order to manage IFR disclosure, firms would probably behave either ritualistically or opportunistically in terms of their IFR disclosure position. In t his study, we propose a quantitative measurement for the IFR disclosure position, i.e. utilizing IFR presentation score, taking into consideration latest IFR rules and regulations worldwide as well as relevant extant empirical studies . Based on a sample of 320 Malaysian listed firms in year 2012, o ur regression analysis shows that our quantitative measurement for the IFR disclosure position variable has a positive association with firm value. W e found that 87 firms, categorized as poor performing seems to manage their IFR disclosure position ritualistically. While 233 firms, categorized as well performing manage their IFR disclosure position opportunistically. Hence, our study provide circumstantial evidence that firms’ financial performance has a relationship with IFR disclosure position. In further analysis, our findings show that stakeholders seem to perceive ritualistic IFR disclosure’s position is empirically valid to value poor performing firms. However, stakeholders seem to negate the opportunistic IFR disclosure position in valuing well performing firms even though theoretically the opportunistic IFR disclosure position should be able to offer vast benefits that could enhance firms’ value. Our findings should be useful to firms and stakeholders likewise in making firms’ valuation taking into consideration the existence of firms’ financial performance and IFR disclosure position.
Astrocyte-Microglia Cross Talk through Complement Activation Modulates Amyloid Pathology in Mouse Models of Alzheimer's Disease

Increasing evidence supports a role of neuroinflammation in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Previously, we identified a neuron–glia signaling pathway whereby Aβ acts as an upstream activator of astroglial nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), leading to the release of complement C3, which acts on the neuronal C3a receptor (C3aR) to influence dendritic morphology and cognitive function. Here we report that astrocytic complement activation also regulates Aβ dynamics in vitro and amyloid pathology in AD mouse models through microglial C3aR. We show that in primary microglial cultures, acute C3 or C3a activation promotes, whereas chronic C3/C3a treatment attenuates, microglial phagocytosis and that the effect of chronic C3 exposure can be blocked by cotreatment with a C3aR antagonist and by genetic deletion of C3aR. We further demonstrate that Aβ pathology and neuroinflammation in amyloid precursor protein (APP) transgenic mice are worsened by astroglial NF-κB hyperactivation and resulting C3 elevation, whereas treatment with the C3aR antagonist (C3aRA) ameliorates plaque load and microgliosis. Our studies define a complement-dependent intercellular cross talk in which neuronal overproduction of Aβ activates astroglial NF-κB to elicit extracellular release of C3. This promotes a pathogenic cycle by which C3 in turn interacts with neuronal and microglial C3aR to alter cognitive function and impair Aβ phagocytosis. This feedforward loop can be effectively blocked by C3aR inhibition, supporting the therapeutic potential of C3aR antagonists under chronic neuroinflammation conditions. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The complement pathway is activated in Alzheimer's disease. Here we show that the central complement factor C3 secreted from astrocytes interacts with microglial C3a receptor (C3aR) to mediate β-amyloid pathology and neuroinflammation in AD mouse models. Our study provides support for targeting C3aR as a potential therapy for Alzheimer's disease.
A Green Bargain? The Impact of an Energy Saving Program on Productivity Growth in China's Iron and Steel Industry

The impact of environmental regulation on firm productivity has been long been debated, however, mainly for western economies and with limited firm-level evidence. We study the impact of a large-scale national energy saving program (the Top 1000 Energy-Consuming Enterprises Program, or T1000P, 2006-2010) in China on firm productivity in the iron and steel industry. The T1000P assigned targets for reducing the energy consumption of approximately 1000 most energy-consuming industrial firms. Using detailed data from the China Industrial Census on 5,340 firms for the period of 2003 to 2008, we estimate a positive effect of the T1000P on firms in the iron and steel industry. Specifically, we find T1000P firms are associated with significantly greater annualized TFP change (an increase of 3.1 percent on average), suggesting the competitiveness of treated firms increased. Effects on technical change and scale efficiency change are positive and statistically significant, and contribute about equally to the overall treatment effect. Results are robust to instrumenting for policy exposure and other alternative specifications. Private benefits to firms from the policy likely reflect the combination of incentives and targets applied under the program.
Gamma Interferon Production, but Not Perforin-Mediated Cytolytic Activity, of T Cells Is Required for Prevention of Toxoplasmic Encephalitis in BALB/c Mice Genetically Resistant to the Disease

ABSTRACT We previously showed the requirement of both T cells and gamma interferon (IFN-γ)-producing non-T cells for the genetic resistance of BALB/c mice to the development of toxoplasmic encephalitis (TE). In order to define the role of IFN-γ production and the perforin-mediated cytotoxicity of T cells in this resistance, we obtained immune T cells from spleens of infected IFN-γ knockout (IFN-γ−/−), perforin knockout (PO), and wild-type BALB/c mice and transferred them into infected and sulfadiazine-treated athymic nude mice, which lack T cells but have IFN-γ-producing non-T cells. Control nude mice that had not received any T cells developed severe TE and died after discontinuation of sulfadiazine treatment due to the reactivation of infection. Animals that had received immune T cells from either wild-type or PO mice did not develop TE and survived. In contrast, nude mice that had received immune T cells from IFN-γ−/− mice developed severe TE and died as early as control nude mice. T cells obtained from the spleens of animals that had received either PO or wild-type T cells produced large amounts of IFN-γ after stimulation with Toxoplasma gondii antigens in vitro. In addition, the amounts of IFN-γ mRNA expressed in the brains of PO T-cell recipients did not differ from those in wild-type T-cell recipients. Furthermore, PO mice did not develop TE after infection, and their IFN-γ production was equivalent to or higher than that of wild-type animals. These results indicate that IFN-γ production, but not perforin-mediated cytotoxic activity, by T cells is required for the prevention of TE in genetically resistant BALB/c mice.
Derangement of regional cerebral blood flow and of its regulatory mechanisms in acute cerebrovascular lesions

IT HAS LONG BEEN RECOGNIZED~ that cerebral anoxia produces, in addition to damage to nervous structures, a serious derangement of the mechanisms of regulation of cerebral vasomotility. A more detailed knowledge of the functional aspects of cerebral vascular pathology has been permitted by the availability of reliable methods of exploring quantitatively the circulation in discrete parts of the brain. Studies performed in patients with the radioactive inert gas regional clearance method proposed by Lassen and co-workers in 1963* have demonstrated that [ 11 the autoregulation (constancy of cerebral blood flow at different levels of perfusion pressure) is lost in many patients in the first days after an ischemic insult,”-5 [2] in the same group of patients6 the response to changes in arterial CO, tension may be regionally impaired (loss or delay of cerebral vasodilatation in response to hypercapnia had been previously demonstrated with the N 2 0 method7 and with radioalbumins), and [3] shortly after an acute brain infarction a cerebral reactive hyperemia with marked increase in blood flow (the “luxury perfusion” phenomenon) may occur.5~9,10 Experimental studies have confirmed the above observations,l1-15 whose physiological and possibly practical implications are of considerable importance. The present study further documents the
Distribution of Melioidosis Cases and Viable Burkholderia pseudomallei in Soil: Evidence for Emerging Melioidosis in Taiwan

ABSTRACT A survey for the prevalence if Burkholderia pseudomallei in soil in Taiwan found that its incidence is comparable to that in other regions of the world where melioidosis is endemic. The presence of identical genetic patterns among the clinical and environmental isolates evaluated suggested a link between the pathogens present in contaminated soil and the emergence of indigenous melioidosis.
Hispidulin, a small flavonoid molecule, suppresses the angiogenesis and growth of human pancreatic cancer by targeting vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2‐mediated PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway

Hispidulin, an active component from Artemisia vestita, a traditional Tibetan medicinal plant, has been shown to possess anti‐inflammatory and anti‐oxidative activities. However, the functional role of hispidulin on tumor growth and angiogenesis has not been elucidated. We found that hispidulin significantly inhibited human pancreatic tumor growth in xenograft mice when s.c. treated at a dosage of 20 mg/kg daily, and this effect was accompanied with a potent inhibition on angiogenesis. When examining the cytotoxicity of hispidulin on HUVECs and pancreatic cancer cells in vitro, we found that HUVECs were more susceptible to the treatment, suggesting angiogenesis might be the primary target of hispidulin. Our results further showed that hispidulin inhibited vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)‐induced cell migration, invasion, and capillary‐like structure formation of HUVECs in a dose‐dependent manner. In ex vivo and in vivo angiogenesis assays, we showed that hispidulin suppressed VEGF‐induced microvessel sprouting of rat aortic rings and corneal neovascularization in C57/BL6 mice. To understand the underlying molecular basis, we next examined the effects of hispidulin on different molecular components in treated HUVECs, and found that hispidulin suppressed the VEGF‐triggered activation of VEGF receptor 2, PI3K, Akt, mTOR, and ribosomal protein S6 kinase, but had little effect on focal adhesion kinase or extracellular signal‐regulated kinase at an effective concentration. Taken together, our results indicate that hispidulin targets the VEGF receptor 2‐mediated PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway in endothelial cells, leading to the suppression of pancreatic tumor growth and angiogenesis. (Cancer Sci 2011; 102: 219–225)
Measuring Airline Networks: Comprehensive Indicators

The literature on airlines presents few studies analyzing the airlines network evolution and its impact on prices, costs or profitability. We believe that this gap is due to the difficulty of capturing the network complexity in a simple manner. This paper proposes new simple and continuous indicators to measure the airlines network structure. The methodology to build them is based on graph theory and principal component analysis. We apply this approach to the US domestic market for 2005-2015, and obtain three network indicators. The first one measures how close the network is to a hub-and-spoke structure. The second indicator measures the airline's ability to provide alternative routes. The third indicator captures the network size. We analyze how the carriers' network evolution can be described by those indicators. We show that low-cost carriers (LCCs) and legacy carriers' network choices differ for the second indicator, while our results exhibit no difference in strategies for the other two indicators. We also show that economic conditions affect differently the three indicators and the magnitude of the impact depends on the airline type. Highlights: ● Combine graph theory and principal component analysis ● Obtain three indicators to characterize airline network structure for US domestic market ● Compare these indicators for low-cost and legacy carriers ● Estimate evolution in the indicators over time ● Analyze the impact of the main US mergers on the network structure
Correlates of Leisure-Time Physical Activity in Korean Immigrant Women

This study describes the physical activity behavior of Korean immigrant women and examines the relationships among leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) behavior, background, and intrapersonal correlates of behavior in Korean immigrant women in the United States using a cross-sectional survey design. A convenience sample of Midwestern Korean immigrant women completed the long form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire in Korean. Among the participants, 78% were physically active, meeting the Healthy People 2010 goal for physical activity when all physical activity behaviors were considered, whereas 23% met the goal when only LTPA was considered. Women who were older, did not have a child younger than 5, used environmental resources for physical activity, had lower depressive symptoms, and had higher confidence for overcoming exercise barriers were spent more time in LTPA. Accommodating those with young children, enhancing environmental resource use, and improving exercise self-efficacy are important considerations for interventions aimed at increasing LTPA in Korean immigrant women.
PENGARUH PENERAPAN ENTERPRISE RESOURCE PLANNING (ERP) TERHADAP KINERJA PERUSAHAAN

Setiap perusahaan menginginkankinerja setiap periodenya meningkat.Karena dengan kinerja perusahaanyang meningkat akan mengundangpara investor untuk melakukaninvestasi. Kinerja yang meningkatbergantung pada kelancaran kegiatanbisnisnya. Salah satu sistem untukmembantu perusahaan dalam kegiatanbisnisnya adalah Enterprise ResourcePlanning (ERP). Berhasil tidaknyapeningkatan kinerja perusahaan akandipengaruhi oleh beberapa faktor,salah satunya yaitu Enterprise ResourcePlanning (ERP). Penelitian ini dilakukan pada PT.Telkom, Tbk. Divre III Jabar dan Banten.Metode penelitian yang digunakanadalah metode deskriptif analitisdengan pendekatan cross sectionalmethod. Teknik pengumpulan datadilakukan melalui kuesioner yangdibagikan kepada para responden danlaporan keuangan. Pengolahan datadilakukan dengan menggunakan teknikanalisis korelasi Rank Spearman, ujihipotesis, dan koefisien determinasi.Hasil dari penelitian ini menunjukkanbahwa terdapat hubungan positif dankuat sebesar 79,4% antara EnterpriseResource Planning (ERP). dan kinerjaperusahaan. Hasil pengujian hipotesismenunjukkan bahwa HO ditolak karenathitung (10,381) > ttabel (2,048). Artinya,Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP). berpengaruh signifikan terhadapkinerja perusahaan yaitu sebesar 79,4%dan sisanya sebesar 20,6% merupakanpengaruh dari faktor lain yang tidakditeliti
Syntheses, Crystal Structures, and Optical and Magnetic Properties of Some CsLnCoQ3 Compounds (Ln = Tm and Yb, Q = S; Ln = Ho and Yb, Q = Se)†

The four new compounds CsTmCoS3, CsYbCoS3, CsHoCoSe3, and CsYbCoSe3 have been synthesized at 1123 K. These black-colored isostructural compounds crystallize in the KZrCuS3 structure type with four formula units in space group Cmcm of the orthorhombic system. The structure of these com- pounds is composed of 2 (LnCoQ3 ) layers separated by Cs atoms. Because there are no QQ bonds, the formal oxidation states of Cs/Ln/Co/Q are 1/3/2/2, respectively. CsHoCoSe3 shows