Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Illicit Financial Flows from Developing Countries: 2002-2006

The objective of this study is to estimate the volume and pattern of illicit financial flows (termed capital flight in other research) - money that is illegally earned, transferred, or utilized - from all developing countries based on a critical review of competing capital flight models. Through a process of testing various combinations of these models and employment of a two-stage filter for elimination of "spurious data," this study presents a range of estimates of illicit financial flows from developing countries from 2002 through 2006. While all developing countries which report relevant data to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank are included in the study, salient deviations from the regional classification used in the IMF's International Financial Statistics are noted in the paper. Overall findings indicate that illicit financial flows are growing in volume on a yearly basis with the largest recorded outflows coming from Asia and Europe. The Middle East and North Africa regions demonstrate the fastest yearly growth. While the methodology employed in this study has produced reliable estimates of illicit financial flows based on the most recent data available, the authors note that estimates of illicit financial flows based on existing economic models are likely to understate the actual problem because official statistics cannot capture all of the conduits for sending capital out of a country.
In vitro antibacterial and cytotoxicity assessments of an orthodontic bonding agent containing benzalkonium chloride.

OBJECTIVE To assess the antibacterial activity and cytotoxicity of an orthodontic bonding material containing an antibacterial agent. MATERIALS AND METHODS Superbond C&B (4-methacryloxyethyl trimellitate anhydride/methyl methacrylate-tri-n-butyl borane [4-META/MMA-TBB]) resin was mixed with benzalkonium chloride (BAC) to obtain final BAC concentrations of 0.25%, 0.75%, 1.25%, 1.75%, 2.5%, and 5.0% (wt/ wt). Antibacterial activity against Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus was evaluated by soaking the BAC-resin in distilled water at 37 degrees C for periods of 30, 90, and 180 days. Antibacterial activity of the BAC-resin was measured by the disk diffusion method, and the inhibition zone around each sample was measured and recorded. For evaluation of cytotoxicity, BAC-resin samples were put into cell culture inserts placed above human gingival cells and were incubated at 37 degrees C for 1, 3, and 6 days. Cytotoxicity was assessed with a tetrazolium bromide reduction assay. RESULTS The antibacterial activity of BAC-incorporated resin samples decreased significantly after immersion in water for 180 days, regardless of BAC concentration. The antibacterial activity of nonimmersed resin containing 0.25% or 1.75% BAC was comparable with that of 5.0% BAC-resin immersed for 180 days. In cytotoxicity tests, most cells died when exposed to resins containing 1.75%, 2.5%, and 5% BAC. No difference was observed between resins containing 0.25% and 0.75% BAC at 1, 3, and 6 days of culture. CONCLUSIONS The addition of BAC to 4-META/MMA-TBB resin confers an antibacterial effect even after immersion in water, and 4-META/MMA-TBB resin containing 0.25% to 0.75% BAC has no significant cytotoxic effect.
Prospects and limitations of antibody-mediated clearing of lipoproteins from blood plasma prior to nanoparticle tracking analysis of extracellular vesicles

ABSTRACT Introduction: Nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) enables measurement of extracellular vesicles (EVs) but lacks the ability to distinct between EVs and lipoproteins which are abundantly present in blood plasma. Limitations in ultracentrifugation and size exclusion chromatography applied for EV isolation may result in inadequate EV purification and preservation. In this proof of concept study, we aimed to evaluate the potential of antibody-mediated removal of lipoproteins from plasma prior to extracellular vesicle (EV) analysis by nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA). Methods: Ten platelet-free plasma (PFP) samples from healthy fasting subjects were incubated with magnetic beads coated with antibodies against apolipoprotein B-48 and B-100 (ApoB). Plasma samples were analysed with NTA before and after application of the bead procedure. Four fasting PFP samples were analysed with an ELISA specific for human ApoB to estimate the degree of removal of lipoproteins and EV array analysis was used for identification of possible EV loss. Results: The magnetic bead separation procedure resulted in a median reduction of the particle concentration in plasma by 62% (interquartile range 32–72%). The mean size of the remaining particles generally increased. ApoB concentration was reduced to a level close to the background signal, whereas a median reduction of the EV content by 21% (range 8–43%) was observed. Conclusion: Anti-ApoB antibody coated magnetic beads may hold potential for removal of lipoproteins from human PFP prior to EV measurement by NTA but some artefactual effect and EV loss may have to be endured.
Folic acid supplementation prevents the changes in hepatic promoter methylation status and gene expression in intrauterine growth-retarded piglets during early weaning period.

During intrauterine life, genome interacts with maternal signals to influence the mRNA expression levels of specific genes persistently by regulating DNA methylation status. The objective of this study was to examine the responses of glucocorticoid receptor (GR), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha and gamma (PPARα and PPARγ) promoter methylation, mRNA expression of genes involved in energy metabolism and metabolite concentrations of intrauterine growth-retarded (IUGR) piglets to dietary folic acid supplementation. According to a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement, 16 IUGR and 16 normal birth weight (NBW) piglets were fed a basal diet or a basal diet supplemented with 5 mg/kg of folic acid from weaning (day 14) to day 35 of age. Triglycerides in hepatic tissue and plasma were significantly elevated in control diets-fed IUGR piglets compared with NBW piglets but were decreased by dietary folic acid supplementation. Hepatic mRNA expression levels of GR, PPARα, PPARγ, fatty acid synthase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) in IUGR piglets fed a control diet were significantly higher than that in NBW piglets, and promoter methylation status of GR, PPARα and PPARγ in IUGR piglets was reduced significantly compared with NBW piglets. However, the changes in gene expression and DNA methylation status of IUGR piglets were reversed by dietary folic acid supplementation. Hepatic DNA methyltransferase activity was greater with dietary folic acid supplementation regardless of birth weight. Taken together, these results demonstrated that folic acid supplementation during early period of life could prevent the changes of promoter methylation status and gene expressions in the liver of IUGR piglets.
Federal Fiscal Constitutions: Risk Sharing and Moral Hazard

The authors study collective choice of fiscal policy in 'federations. ' Local policy redistributes across individuals and affects the probability of local shocks. Federal policy shares international risk but may induce local governments to enact policies that increase local risk. The resulting trade-off between risk-sharing and moral hazard is different under alternative fiscal constitutions because the constitutions create different incentives for policymakers and voters and give rise to different political equilibria. The authors specifically contrast vertically ordered systems, like the European Community, with horizontally ordered systems, like the United States. Under appropriate institutions, centralization of functions and power can mitigate the moral hazard problem. Copyright 1996 by The Econometric Society.
A new portable device for ambulatory monitoring of human posture and walking velocity using miniature accelerometers and gyroscope

Measurement of physical activity is one of the key subjects in the field of ambulatory cardiovascular monitoring using such as Holter ECG and so called "ambulatory blood pressure monitor (ABPM)". Rehabilitation and gerontology will also be another fields for the application of the activity monitor. From this point of view, we have developed a portable device for monitoring human posture and walking velocity in ambulatory subjects. In this paper are described, a new sensor system for this purpose using three accelerometers and one gyroscope, its availability for the accurate measurement of human posture and walking velocity, and results of preliminary study using a prototype system for ambulatory monitoring.
Underpaid and overworked: A cross-national perspective on care workers

This article defines paid care work and explains why it has become an important arena for research and policy. Drawing on cross-national and country-level analyses of selected occupations, it highlights three findings: first, the employment situation of care workers often mirrors broader, country-specific labour market conditions and problems; second, the State's role as an employer of care workers is changing as governments increasingly outsource such work; and third, social policy regimes also shape opportunities for and conditions of care employment. It concludes that both care workers and care recipients are likely to benefit from improved employment conditions of care work.
The Influence of Family-Friendly Policies on Turnover and Performance in South Korea

This study investigates the relationship between family-friendly policies and organizational performance, voluntary turnover rate, and labor productivity, using the Korea Workplace Panel Survey data from 2005 to 2009. The sample of this study consists of 158 public organizations in South Korea. This study uses panel data analysis to estimate the family-friendly policy effect. The result of the analysis suggests that the number of family-friendly policies is positively associated with labor productivity in public organizations. However, the number of family-friendly policies does not reduce the turnover rate. In addition, unionization has shown to decrease turnover rate and is positively associated with labor productivity in public organizations. The proportion of female workers has a positive relationship with turnover rate in organizations.
Relation between conduction property and work function of contact metal in carbon nanotube field-effect transistors

We have investigated the relation between the conduction property and the work function of the contact metal in carbon nanotube field-effect transistors (NTFETs). The conduction type and the drain current are dependent on the work function. In contrast to NTFETs with Ti and Pd contact electrodes, which showed p-type conduction behaviour, devices with Mg contact electrodes showed ambipolar characteristics and most of the devices with Ca contact electrodes showed n-type conduction behaviour. This indicates that the barrier height of the metal/nanotube contact is dependent on the work function of the contact metal, which suggests that the Fermi-level pinning is weak at the interface, in contrast to conventional semiconductors such as Si and GaAs. We have also demonstrated nonlinear rectification current–voltage characteristics in a nanotube quasi-pn diode with no impurity doping, in which different contact metals with different work functions are used for the anode and the cathode.
Management controls and inter‐firm relationships: a review

Purpose – Inter‐firm relationships are increasingly being adopted as competitive tools. However, the challenges created by these relationships for the design and use of management control systems (MCS) have been well documented. The purpose of this paper is to provide a review of the literature on MCS and inter‐firm relationships. The review examines the types of relationships studied and the theoretical approaches.Design/methodology/approach – The findings reported in the paper are based on desk research. The review is largely concentrated on the key international English language accounting journals.Findings – Supply chain and outsourcing have been the dominant forms of inter‐firm relationships studied. Other studies have focused on joint ventures and networks. Transaction cost economics has been the dominant approach and trust has also featured as a theoretical issue in most of the studies.Originality/value – The paper furthers the understanding of the contributions made by previous studies on MCS and .
Behavioral Responses to Road Pricing Schemes: Description of the Danish AKTA Experiment

The article presents the main results from the AKTA road pricing experiment in Copenhagen. The experiment followed 500 cars equipped with a GPS-based device. The participants' normal travel patterns were observed, after which pricing schemes were implemented. Since realistic and planned levels of road pricing were tested, the experiment is as close as possible to a real scheme. The GPS device locked the coordinates each second, whereby routes and speed could be tracked. The participants completed questionnaires before and after the experiment, and followed a Stated Preference (SP) experiment before the field experiment. Furthermore, selected participants participated in qualitative focus group interviews. Conclusions are made on the behavioral impacts of the different pricing schemes, road users' attitudes, and the accuracy of different survey and modelling techniques. It appeared that the participants had large difficulties in estimating the normal driving costs (without pricing), while they were more knowledgeable on the length and road pricing. Error component models (mixed logit) improved the fit to the Stated Preference SP-data significantly compared to MNL models, however without altering the Value of Time (VoT) as much as sometime reported in the literature. The results—especially the VoTs—depend, however, largely on the way the SP-experiment was formulated. Also the RP showed large heterogeneities in preferences between participants. The responses on road pricing were somewhat surprising, for example, that behavioral changes in the RP experiment were slightly higher than if pricing were considered as marginal cost, while the SP showed the opposite. One would expect that it was easier to state than change behavior. The longer the period with pricing (8, 10, 12, or more weeks), the larger behavioral impact. This indicates that it takes some time before budget constraints are taken into account.
Knowledge Economy and Financial Sector Competition in African Countries

The goal of this paper is to assess how knowledge economy (KE) plays out in financial sector competition. It suggests a practicable way to disentangle the effects of different components of KE on various financial sectors. The variables identified under the World Bank’s four knowledge economy index (KEI) are employed. An endogeneity robust panel instrumental variable fixed-effects estimation strategy is employed on data from 53 African countries for the period 1996-2010. The following findings are established. First, education and innovation in terms of scientific and technical publications broadly bear an inverse nexus with financial development. Second, the incidence of information and communication technologies is positive on all financial sectors but increases the non-formal sectors to the detriment of the formal sector. Third, economic incentives have positive implications for all sectors though the formal financial sector benefits most. Fourth, institutional regime is positive (negative) for the semi-formal (informal) financial sector. The findings contribute at the same time to the macroeconomic literature on measuring financial development and respond to the growing fields of informal sector importance, microfinance and mobile banking by means of KE promotion. Policy implications and future research directions are discussed.
Did Regulation Fair Disclosure, SOX, and Other Analyst Regulations Reduce Security Mispricing?

Between 2000 and 2003 a series of disclosure and analyst regulations curbing abusive financial reporting and analyst behavior were enacted to strengthen the information environment of U.S. capital markets. We investigate whether these regulations reduced security mispricing and increased stock market efficiency. After the regulations, we find a significant reduction in short-term stock price continuation following analyst forecast revisions and earnings announcements. The effect was more pronounced among higher information uncertainty firms, where we expect security valuation to be most sensitive to regulation. Analyst forecast accuracy also improved in these firms, consistent with reduced mispricing being due to an improved corporate information environment following the regulations. Our findings are robust to controls for time trends, trading activity, the financial crisis, analyst coverage, delistings, and changes in information uncertainty proxies. We find no concurrent effect among European firms and a regression discontinuity design supports our identification of a regulatory effect.
Preparing for Enlargement in the European Union: The Tensions Between Economic and Political Integration

Since 1989 an extremely rapid process of integration through the market has been taking place between the eu and Central and Eastern Europe. This operates through the three vehicles of integration: trade, foreign direct investment, and outward-processing trade, and has been encouraged by trade concessions and the process of legal approximation. In contrast, many of the political questions relating to enlargement in areas such as the Common Agricultural Policy, the Structural Funds, and Economic and Monetary Union still have not been resolved definitively. There remains a binomial asymmetry between the economic (market) and political aspects of integration.
Regional Innovation Systems: Implications for Nonmetropolitan Areas and Workers in the South

Global competition and new technologies andproduction processes encourage a reorganization of economic activity amongbusinesses and localities. A public policy response to the consequences ofglobal competition is to create concentrations of innovation activity (regionalinnovation systems). The policy objective is that, through spillovers, productdevelopment, and spin-offs, geographic concentrations will enhance regionaleconomic development. Unfortunately for regional planners, innovative activity tends toconcentrate in metropolitan areas. This study investigates the role ofnonmetropolitan areas in regional innovation systems (RIS). It seeks todetermine whether nonmetropolitan areas near RIS benefit more than ruralcounties near metropolitan areas with more traditional economic activity. Using 20 recognized measures of innovation capacity and entrepreneurialpotential, 107 metropolitan areas in the South were grouped into six clusters(groupings) with similar innovative activity. Analysis determined if nonmetrogrowth rates, employment, and earnings were related to proximity to an RIS(controlling for nonmetro labor quality, industry structure, quality of life,and goods and services). It was found that innovative activity in a metropolitan area was positivelyassociated with growth in population, employment, and earnings. Nonmetro areasnear an RIS had more rapid population growth. Development was largely theresult of new residents, not new jobs. However, changes in nonmetro growthrates varied by type of RIS. Proximity to an RIS had a stronger impact onnonmetro population change than on nonmetro job growth. (TNM)
Electron paramagnetic resonance backbone dynamics studies on spin‐labelled neuropeptide Y analogues

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is one of the most abundant peptides in the central nervous system of mammalians. NPY acts by binding to at least five G‐protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) which have been named Y1, Y2, Y4, Y5 and Y6. Three spin‐labelled NPY analogues containing the nitroxide group of the amino acid TOAC (2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidine‐1‐oxyl‐4‐amino‐4‐carboxylic acid) as a paramagnetic probe were synthesized by solid‐phase peptide synthesis. Synthetic problems owing to the sensitivity of nitroxide towards acidic and reducing conditions have been overcome by using a cleavage cocktail that contains anisole and cresol scavengers. Concerning the receptor binding preferences, the analogues [TOAC34]‐pNPY and [Ala31,TOAC32]‐pNPY showed a marked selectivity for the Y5 receptor, while [TOAC2]‐pNPY maintained a significant binding also to the Y2 receptor subtype. The modifications of the native peptide structure caused by the introduction of TOAC were examined by circular dichroism. In order to determine the rotational correlation time of the spin probes, electron paramagnetic resonance measurements were performed in solution and in the presence of liposomes. This allowed us to evaluate the backbone dynamics of the different parts of the NPY molecule in the free and membrane bound states. The results of these studies showed that NPY interacts with liposomes by using the C‐terminal α‐helix while the N‐terminal tail retains a flexibility that is comparable to that of the peptide in solution as already shown by NMR studies on DPC micelles. Furthermore, we demonstrated that TOAC‐labelling is a valuable tool to investigate changes in the backbone conformation and dynamics. This may be of major importance for peptides and small proteins when they bind to cell membranes. Copyright © 2002 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Managerial Perceptions of SMEs in the Wood Industry Supply Chain on Corporate Responsibility and Competitive Advantage: Evidence from China and Finland

Our comparative study investigates the hinese and innish managers' perceptions of corporate responsibility () and how engagement can benefit small and medium‐sized enterprises (s) in the mechanical wood processing industry. Based on the semi‐structured interviews with 23 line managers between ecember 2009 and ecember 2010, our study provides evidence that with a focused stakeholder approach, managers in wood industry s adopt informal corporate social responsibility strategies and tools to meet the specific expectations of their key stakeholders. Legal aspects were the key drivers of , whereas advanced production technology, efficient wood procurement, customer focus, and a competent workforce formed the four principal cornerstones in their pursuit of competitive advantage. Despite the two vastly different cultural and operational settings, the importance and the role of were found to follow a fairly similar logic in how was understood and implemented in the wood industry s seeking for competitive advantage.