Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The equivalence between fuzzy logic systems and feedforward neural networks

This paper demonstrates that fuzzy logic systems and feedforward neural networks are equivalent in essence. First, we introduce the concept of interpolation representations of fuzzy logic systems and several important conclusions. We then define mathematical model for rectangular wave neural networks and nonlinear neural networks. With this definition, we prove that nonlinear neural networks can be represented by rectangular wave neural networks. Based on this result, we prove the equivalence between fuzzy logic systems and feedforward neural networks. This result provides us a very useful guideline when we perform theoretical research and applications on fuzzy logic systems, neural networks, or neuro-fuzzy systems.
Essays on financial development and economic performance

This thesis attempts to provide empirical evidence for the hotly debated relationship between financial development and economic performance using a variety of time series and panel data methods. Also, it extends the previous finance-growth literature by examining the role of democracy in the process. Three inter-related studies form the work undertaken. Chapter 2: In the first of these the impact of financial development on growth is investigated for the case of China using a range of time-series techniques. The results from this work - which spans almost five decades from 1952 - uncover a bi-directional causality between the country’s output performance and its financial development. Meanwhile, domestic financial development failed to promote China’s long-term economic performance over the period under investigation. These findings are inconsistent with the previous studies of Hao (2006) and Liang and Teng (2006). Here, the failure of financial development to stimulating the long-term growth is attributed to the issues of majority government ownership and the high volume of non-performing loans in the domestic financial system. Chapter 3: The relationship between domestic financial development and economic growth has been on the agenda of growth economics for a long time. Notwithstanding its hypothesized benefits certain studies have uncovered evidence of the detrimental effect of domestic financial development for the long-term growth prospects. Such findings highlighted the importance of institutional conditions of financial development. With a panel of 171 countries worldwide over the period 1960 to 2014, this study presents an examination of the question of whether the existence of sound democratic institutions is necessary for financial development to stimulate economic growth in these countries. The baseline results show that financial sector development per se has the capacity of exerting a significantly positive impact on domestic economic growth. However, little evidence of any significant effect of democracy on growth is observed. Meanwhile, the results suggest that the positive effect of financial development on economic growth does not require the condition of the existence of democratic institutions. The study conjectures that, for policymakers, improving the domestic financial system can contribute growth, even in the absence of sound democratic institutions. Chapter 4: This research provides a re-examination of the long-term effect of financial development on economic growth using annual data for 67 countries from 1971 to 2007. Autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) and cross-sectionally augmented autoregressive distributed lag (CS-ARDL) models have been applied to confront cross-country heterogeneity and error cross-country dependence. A positive and significant effect of financial development on the long-run per capita output is observed. Typically, such a beneficial impact is largely driven by nondemocratic countries. Also, some evidence of a nonlinear effect of financial development is revealed in this study.
Global and Regional Myocardial Blood Flow and Metabolism during Equipotent Halothane and Isoflurane Anesthesia in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease

Global and regional myocardial blood flow and metabolism were examined in 20 patients with coronary artery disease before surgical stimulation. Half were anesthetized with halothane (0.8%) and half with isoflurane (1.2%). Coronary perfusion pressure decreased similarly in both groups. During halothane anesthesia coronary sinus blood flow, an index of global perfusion, decreased from an awake value of 129 ± 7 to 97 ± 7 ml/win (P < 0.05), and great cardiac rein blood flow, an index of regional perfusion, decreased from 60 ± 8 to 44 ± 5 ml/mm (P < 0.05). In contrast, during isoflurane anesthesia global coronary blood fine increased from 131 ± 13 to 153 ± 16 ml/min (P < 0.05), while regional blood flow decreased from 68 ± 7 to 56 ± 6 mVmin (P < 0.05). Thus, the ratio of great cardiac vein blood flow to coronary sinus blood flow was unchanged during halothane anesthesia but decreased significantly during isoflurane. Neither global nor regional coronary vascular resistance was altered by halothane, whereas isoflurane decreased global coronary vascular resistance without affecting regional coronary vascular resistance. All patients receiving halothane had net myocardial lactate extraction. In the isoflurane group, four patients showed global lactate production and three regional lactate production. All patients demonstrating lactate production also developed electrocardiographic evidence of myocardial ischemia, which was not present before induction. The authors conclude that halothane is a preferable anesthetic to isoflurane in patients with coronary artery disease because the latter has the propensity to induce maldistribution of the coronary circulation and myocardial ischemia.
Dopamine D2 Receptors in Normal Human Brain: Effect of Age Measured by Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and [11C]‐Raclopride a

Human post‐mortem and animal experimental results suggest a decline of the cerebral dopaminergic neuronal system with age. In this study, the radiotracer [11C]raclopride (dopamine D2 antagonist) and positron emission tomography were applied to determine the effect of age on striatal dopamine D2 receptors in 32 healthy volunteer subjects (age range 21–68 years). Subjects were divided in two age groups on the basis of median age (31 years). An index for specific tracer uptake was calculated for caudate nucleus and putamen. Uptake indices in the older group of subjects were reduced on average 26% in putamen and 20% in caudate nucleus. The decline appeared to be steep until 30 years, but slower afterwards. After 30 years of age the decline of specific raclopride binding was found to be 0.6% per year. These results suggest that dopamine D2 receptor binding sites (mainly post‐synaptically located) decrease as a consequence of normal aging in parallel with the decline of the pre‐synaptic nigrostriatal dopa‐minergic system.
Economic Benefit for Cuban Laurel Thrips Biological Control

Abstract The Cuban laurel thrips, Gynaikothrips ficorum Marchal (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae), is a critical insect pest of Ficus microcarpa in California urban landscapes and production nurseries. Female thrips feed and oviposit on young Ficus leaves, causing the expanding leaves to fold or curl into a discolored leaf gall. There have been attempts to establish specialist predator natural enemies of the thrips, but no success has been reported. We resampled the same areas in 2013–2014 where we had released Montandoniola confusa (= morguesi) Streito and Matocq (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) in southern California in 1995 but had been unable to recover individuals in 1997–1998. Thrips galls were significantly reduced in all three of the locations in the recent samples compared with the earlier samples. M. confusa was present in all locations and appears to be providing successful biological control. The value of the biological control, the difference between street trees in good foliage condition and trees with poor foliage, was $58,766,166. If thrips damage reduced the foliage to very poor condition, the value of biological control was $73,402,683. Total cost for the project was $61,830. The benefit accrued for every dollar spent on the biological control of the thrips ranged from $950, if the foliage was in poor condition, to $1,187, if the foliage was in very poor condition. The value of urban forest is often underappreciated. Economic analyses that clearly demonstrate the very substantial rates of return on investment in successful biological control in urban forests provide compelling arguments for supporting future efforts.
Motor cortex and thalamic atrophy in Unverricht–Lundborg disease

Objective: To evaluate possible changes in the gray matter volume of patients with Unverricht–Lundborg disease (EPM1) compared with healthy controls. Methods: Thirty-four genetically verified patients with EPM1 and 30 healthy controls matched for age and sex underwent MRI (T1-, T2-, fluid-attenuated inversion recovery-, and T1-weighted 3-dimensional images). T1-weighted 3-dimensional images were analyzed with voxel-based morphometry (VBM) to compare the regional differences in gray matter volumes between patients and controls. The patients with EPM1 were also clinically evaluated for myoclonus severity using the Unified Myoclonus Rating Scale. Results: VBM analysis revealed atrophy in the bilateral primary, premotor, and supplementary motor cortex. The thalamus and precuneus were also bilaterally affected. No infratentorial changes were detected in the group analysis. Conclusion: The cortical motor areas of the brain are particularly affected in EPM1, correlating with the motor symptoms of this disease. The combination of detailed imaging with neurophysiologic evaluation may help to reveal the pathogenesis of Unverricht–Lundborg disease.
Efficacy of maintenance treatment with naltrexone for opioid dependence: a meta-analytical review.

AIMS To determine the efficacy of naltrexone in reducing illicit opioid use and the potential moderating role of treatment retention. DESIGN First, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the regimens of treatment using the opioid antagonist, naltrexone, with controls were analysed by meta-analysis for treatment effect with regard to a range of outcome criteria. The degree of heterogeneity was also determined. The moderating effect of other interventions during naltrexone maintenance was then estimated, particularly with regard to their effect on treatment retention. PARTICIPANTS Fifteen studies involving 1,071 patients were found. MEASUREMENTS All available outcomes were analysed in 10 studies of naltrexone versus control (seven placebo) and six studies of randomized psychosocial/psychopharmacological interventions. FINDINGS Significant heterogeneity was found in the efficacy of naltrexone. Level of retention in treatment was found to be a moderator, explaining most of the heterogeneity found. Overall, naltrexone was significantly better than control conditions in reducing the number of opioid-positive urines. This effect was only present in the high retention subgroup for differences in retention. Contingency management (CM) increased retention and naltrexone use, resulting in a reduced number of opioid-positive urines. CONCLUSION Retention is important to the effect of naltrexone in treating opioid dependence. Contingency management is a promising method of increasing retention.
Professional development through social media applications: a study of female librarians in Pakistan

Purpose This paper aims to explore the extent of use of social media by Pakistani female librarians for professional development and their perception of its usefulness. The paper also attempts to find out social characteristics that influence the use of social media among female librarians for career and professional development (PD). Design/methodology/approach Data were collected through an online survey (using self-administered structured questionnaire) from 102 female librarians in Pakistan regarding usage frequency, perception, choice of librarianship as a profession and perceived benefits of social media. The list of participants was obtained from the Directory of Pakistani Library Professionals compiled by Sada-e-Librarian (a non-profit LIS professional organization). Data collections also include online interviews through Facebook chat with 20 key informants selected from the participants of the questionnaire survey. Findings The study reveals that the majority of Pakistani female librarians is well aware of social media and uses it frequently. They are found to make extensive use of social media for PD and perceive social media as a useful tool for PD. However, social media is judged to be less helpful in acquiring technical skills. The study found a number of factors affecting the use of social media for PD among female librarians in Pakistan. These factors include social characteristics such as privacy, parent’s years of schooling, marital status and family support. Originality/value This study is among the first attempts to discover social characteristics, the use of social media and its relationship with PD among female librarians in Pakistan.
The Effects of Intrinsic and Extrinsic Rewards on Employee Attitudes; Mediating Role of Perceived Organizational Support

The purpose of this study was to measure the effect of intrinsic and extrinsic rewards on employee attitudes, job satisfaction and organizational commitment as well as the mediating role of perceived organizational support. Data were collected from banking sector of Faisalabad, Pakistan. The main objective was to focus the employee’s perception about the organizational support and employees’ satisfaction and organizational commitment. The mediation effect of perception of organizational support was analyzed between the relationship of intrinsic & extrinsic rewards and employee attitudes like organizational commitment and job satisfaction. The study revealed that employees felt positively about intrinsic and extrinsic rewards. Limitations and future directions had also been discussed.
Employment and Labour Hoarding: A Production Function Approach

PurposeThis paper aims to test the hypothesis that the effect of production slowdown on labour demand can be muted by labour hoarding.Design/methodology/approachThis study adopts a production function approach, using data from Malta, a small state in the EU.FindingsThe results confirm the hypothesis and indicate that firms are normally prepared to employ and dismiss more workers in the long run than in the short run.Practical implicationsThis finding has important implications for developed countries, including that labour hoarding can be of certain relevance in times of economic slowdown as shocks are absorbed by internal flexibility.Originality/valueThe results of this study add on to the existing literature in two ways. First, this study compares two industries –manufacturing and financial services– for which the former sector received support to hoard labour after the financial turmoil of 2008. Consequently, the dominance of labour hoarding in manufacturing relative to financial services is uncovered and the effect of hoarding practices on labour demand is estimated. Second, Malta is an interesting case because it is one of the smallest economies in the world and faces a high degree of vulnerability because of constraints associated with small size and insularity. As a result, firms adopt policy-induced measures to minimise adjustment costs.
Multimethod, Multi-informant Agreement, and Positive Predictive Value in the Identification of Child Anxiety Disorders Using the SCAS and ADIS-C

The current study sought to provide practical information for the clinical use of child and parent reports of child anxiety symptoms by investigating agreement between parent, child, and clinician as well as the predictive value of this information. Examining 88 anxious children and their parents, the study compared agreement by correlating parent and child responses on the Spence Children’s Anxiety Scale (SCAS); comparing parent and child responses to clinician data operationalized through continuous and dichotomous variables from the Anxiety Disorder Interview Schedule for Children; and examining the relative clinical utility of parent and child reports on the SCAS in terms of positive and negative predictive value. Results indicated that parent and child agreement on the SCAS was moderate to high for most anxiety disorder symptoms and that both were generally consistent with clinician impressions. Moreover, both child and parent provided unique information to the diagnostic process.
Toxic activities of the plant Jatropha curcas against intermediate snail hosts and larvae of schistosomes

Summary The aim of studies on plant molluscicides is to complement methods for controlling snails acting as intermediate hosts of schistosomes. We report on the toxic activity of extracts from Jatropha curcas L. (Euphorbiaceae) against snails transmitting Schistosoma mansoni and S. haematobium. We studied different extracts' effects on infectious larvae, cercariae and miracidia of S. mansoni. Compared to aqueous extract, methanol extract showed the highest toxicity against all tested organisms with LC100‐values of 25 p.p.m. for cercariae and the snail Biomphalaria glabrata and 1 p.p.m. for the snails Bulinus truncatus and B. natalensis. Attenuation of cercariae leading to reduced infectivity in mice could be achieved in concentrations below those exerting acute toxicity. In view of our results and the ongoing exploitation of J. curcas for other purposes, this plant could become an affordable and effective component of an integrated approach to schistosomiasis control.
Are Stock and Corporate Bond Markets Integrated? Evidence from Expected Returns

This study explores the cross-sectional integration of stock and corporate bond markets by comparing a firm’s expected stock return, as implied by corporate bond spreads, to its realized stock return. We compute expected corporate bond returns by correcting credit spreads for expected losses due to default, which are then transformed into expected stock returns. We find, surprisingly, a strong negative cross-sectional relation between these expected and realized stock returns over the period 1994-2015. This effect is stronger for firms with higher default risk, as measured by probability of default, leverage or credit rating, and cannot be explained by differences in the pricing of risk factors in stock and bond markets, limits to arbitrage or liquidity premiums.
Persistent infection of cultured cells with mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) results from the epigenetic expression of the MHV receptor

The A59 strain of murine coronavirus mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) can cause persistent infection of 17C1-1 cells and other murine cell lines. Persistently infected cultures released large amounts of virus (10(7) to 10(8) PFU/ml) and were resistant to superinfection with MHV but not to infection with unrelated Semliki Forest and vesicular stomatitis viruses. The culture medium from persistently infected cultures did not contain a soluble inhibitor such as interferon that protected uninfected cells from infection by MHV or vesicular stomatitis virus. The persistent infection was cured if fewer than 100 cells were transferred during subculturing, and such cured cultures were susceptible to reinfection and the reestablishment of persistent infection. Cultures of 17C1-1 cells that had been newly cloned from single cells consisted of a mixture of MHV-resistant and -susceptible cells. 17C1-1/#97 cells, which were cured by subcloning after 97 passages of a persistently infected culture over a 1-year period, contained 5 to 10% of their population as susceptible cells, while 17C1-1/#402 cells, which were cured by subcloning after 402 passages over a 3-year period, had less than 1% susceptible cells. Susceptibility to infection correlated with the expression of MHV receptor glycoprotein (MHVR [Bgp1a]). Fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis with antibody to MHVR showed that 17C1-1/#97 cells contained a small fraction of MHVR-expressing cells. These MHVR-expressing cells were selectively eliminated within 24 h after challenge with MHV-A59, and pretreatment of 17C1-1/#97 cells with monoclonal antibody CC1, which binds to the N-terminal domain of MHVR, blocked infection. We conclude that the subpopulation of MHVR-expressing cells were infected and killed in acutely or persistently infected cultures, while the subpopulation of MHVR-nonexpressing cells survived and proliferated. The subpopulation of MHVR-negative cells produced a small proportion of progeny cells that expressed MHVR and became infected, thereby maintaining the persistent infection as a steady-state carrier culture. Thus, in 17C1-1 cell cultures, the unstable or epigenetic expression of MHVR permitted the establishment of a persistent, chronic infection.
Health-related quality of life in multiple sclerosis

Objective: To evaluate the direct and indirect influences of physical comorbidity, symptoms of depression and anxiety, fatigue, and disability on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods: A large (n = 949) sample of adults with MS was recruited from 4 Canadian MS clinics. HRQoL was assessed using the patient-reported Health Utilities Index Mark 3. Expanded Disability Status Scale scores, physical comorbidity, depression, anxiety, and fatigue were evaluated as predictors of HRQoL in a cross-sectional path analysis. Results: All predictors were significantly associated with HRQoL and together accounted for a large proportion of variance (63%). Overall, disability status most strongly affected HRQoL (β = −0.52) but it was closely followed by depressive symptoms (β = −0.50). The direct associations of physical comorbidity and anxiety with HRQoL were small (β = −0.08 and −0.10, respectively), but these associations were stronger when indirect effects through other variables (depression, fatigue) were also considered (physical comorbidity: β = −0.20; anxiety: β = −0.34). Conclusions: Increased disability, depression and anxiety symptoms, fatigue, and physical comorbidity are associated with decreased HRQoL in MS. Disability most strongly diminishes HRQoL and, thus, interventions that reduce disability are expected to yield the most substantial improvement in HRQoL. Yet, interventions targeting other factors amenable to change, particularly depression but also anxiety, fatigue, and physical comorbidities, may all result in meaningful improvements in HRQoL, as well. Our findings point to the importance of further research confirming the efficacy of such interventions.