Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The fiscal mix in the euro-area crisis: dimensions and a model-based assessment of effects

Summary The current paper contributes to the debate about fiscal policy’s role in shaping euro-area macroeconomic developments by providing facts: it documents the evolution of the euro-area’s fiscal mix since 2007 both across countries and across a broad set of fiscal instruments. The paper, then, evaluates the effects of the fiscal mix against one particular counterfactual. Namely, the paper asks: how would the euro-area macroeconomy have evolved if the Member States had strictly adhered to the fiscal behaviour embedded in pre-crisis fiscal rules? Towards this end, the paper first puts the fiscal mix into the context of New Keynesian business cycle theory, arguably the dominant theory of business cycles to date. The paper, then, builds a two-country model of a currency union to provide a quantitative assessment of how the fiscal mix may have affected the ‘Core’ countries and the ‘Periphery’ of the euro-area. The results suggest that fiscal policy in the euro-area as a whole and in each of the two blocks separately stimulated economic activity more and that public debt rose more than would have been the case under strict adherence to pre-crisis fiscal behaviour.
Does recombination improve selection on codon usage? Lessons from nematode and fly complete genomes

Understanding the factors responsible for variations in mutation patterns and selection efficacy along chromosomes is a prerequisite for deciphering genome sequences. Population genetics models predict a positive correlation between the efficacy of selection at a given locus and the local rate of recombination because of Hill–Robertson effects. Codon usage is considered one of the most striking examples that support this prediction at the molecular level. In a wide range of species including Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila melanogaster, codon usage is essentially shaped by selection acting for translational efficiency. Codon usage bias correlates positively with recombination rate in Drosophila, apparently supporting the hypothesis that selection on codon usage is improved by recombination. Here we present an exhaustive analysis of codon usage in C. elegans and D. melanogaster complete genomes. We show that in both genomes there is a positive correlation between recombination rate and the frequency of optimal codons. However, we demonstrate that in both species, this effect is due to a mutational bias toward G and C bases in regions of high recombination rate, possibly as a direct consequence of the recombination process. The correlation between codon usage bias and recombination rate in these species appears to be essentially determined by recombination-dependent mutational patterns, rather than selective effects. This result highlights that it is necessary to take into account the mutagenic effect of recombination to understand the evolutionary role and impact of recombination.
Exploring macroevolution using modern and fossil data

Macroevolution, encompassing the deep-time patterns of the origins of modern biodiversity, has been discussed in many contexts. Non-Darwinian models such as macromutations have been proposed as a means of bridging seemingly large gaps in knowledge, or as a means to explain the origin of exquisitely adapted body plans. However, such gaps can be spanned by new fossil finds, and complex, integrated organisms can be shown to have evolved piecemeal. For example, the fossil record between dinosaurs and Archaeopteryx has now filled up with astonishing fossil intermediates that show how the unique plexus of avian adaptations emerged step by step over 60 Myr. New numerical approaches to morphometrics and phylogenetic comparative methods allow palaeontologists and biologists to work together on deep-time questions of evolution, to explore how diversity, morphology and function have changed through time. Patterns are more complex than sometimes expected, with frequent decoupling of species diversity and morphological diversity, pointing to the need for some new generalizations about the processes that lie behind such patterns.
Impact of Energy Consumption on CO2 emissions: Case of Pakistan

This study investigates the long-term relationship between the carbon dioxide emissions, energy consumption, along with final consumption expenditure with regards to Pakistan by employing time series data from 1972 to 2013. For empirical analysis the Auto regressive distributed lag (ARDL) methodology is employed. A relationship between the energy consumption and the CO 2 emission has been founded. The results of granger causality test point out the one way causality runs through energy consumption to carbon dioxide emission. The findings of the study also show that the CO 2 emission is mainly determined by the energy consumption and the final consumption expenditure.
Randomized Gaussian message passing for scalable uplink signal processing in C-RANs

In Cloud Radio Access Networks (C-RANs), the high computational complexity of signal processing becomes unaffordable due to the large number of remote radio heads (RRHs) and users. This paper proposes a randomized Gaussian message-passing (RGMP) algorithm to reduce the complexity of uplink signal processing in C-RANs. Specifically, we first propose to use Gaussian message passing to reduce the computational complexity. In C-RANs, RRHs only need to detect signals from nearby users as the signals from distant users are very weak and can be ignored. Thus, in message-passing algorithms, messages only need to be exchanged among nearby RRHs and users. This leads to a linear computational complexity with the number of RRHs and users. Then, to improve the convergence of message passing, we propose to exchange messages in a random order instead of exchanging them simultaneously or in a fixed order. Numerical results show that the proposed RGMP algorithm has better convergence performance than conventional message passing. The randomness of the message update schedule also simplifies the analysis, which allows us to derive some convergence conditions for the RGMP algorithm. Besides analysis, we also compare the convergence rate of RGMP with existing low-complexity algorithms through extensive simulations.
Reduced Incidence of Thromboembolic Events after Surgical Closure of Left Atrial Appendage in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation

Objective Most of the detected thrombi in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) can be found in the left atrial appendage (LAA). Interventional LAA closure recently proved to be noninferior to warfarin therapy. Whether these results can be fully translated into surgical LAA closure remains unclear. Corresponding data are still lacking. The present observational study evaluated the impact of surgical LAA closure in patients with AF undergoing cardiac surgery on postoperative thromboembolic events. Methods A prospective registry enrolled 398 patients with permanent AF undergoing cardiac surgery. Concomitant procedures were isolated surgical ablation (group I, n = 71), isolated LAA closure (group II, n = 44), and combined surgical ablation and LAA closure (group III, n = 196). The control group consisted of 87 patients without concomitant surgical ablation or LAA closure. One-year follow-up was completed in all patients. End points were thromboembolic events and death from any cause. Results Clinical baseline characteristics were comparable among the groups. General hospital mortality was 5.5% and likewise differed not significantly. Postoperatively, mean (SD) CHAD2S2-VASc score of 3.5 (1.3) differed not significantly among the groups, indicating comparable thromboembolic risk. Follow-up referred to all hospital survivors (n = 376). Herein, overall incidence of thromboembolic events was 9.8% (n = 37), with an associated mortality of 41.0%. Patients with LAA closure alone or in combination with surgical ablation had a significantly reduced incidence of thromboembolic events (6.6% vs 20.5%, P < 0.01) and consecutively improved survival after 1 year of follow-up (7.0% vs 17.1%, P < 0.01). Conclusions Left atrial appendage closure alone or in combination with surgical ablation was associated with a significantly reduced rate of thromboembolic events and consecutively improved survival after 1 year of follow-up.
Empirical Analysis of the Main Drivers of Income Inequality in Southern Africa

Using the dynamic system GMM estimation procedure, this paper empirically analyzes the principal drivers of market income inequality in Southern Africa, which has the highest income inequality in Africa. Our novel finding shows strong support for a dynamic, non-monotonic, inverted U-shaped, effect of inequality in the model. We find evidence of existence of the Kuznets curve in the sub-region. A non-monotonic, inverted Kuznets-type effect is found for political globalization. Our results show that access to secondary education and natural resources dependence strongly and significantly equalize income. We find that population growth and domestic investment rate appear to be income disequalizing.
One Needle Transcrural Celiac Plexus Block: Single Shot or Continuous Technique, or Both

Background and Objectives The purpose of the study was to establish a one needle transcrural technique for the celiac plexus block in the lateral position. Contrary to the conventional prone bilateral approach, the lateral position with a cushion under the flank is better tolerated and makes bony landmarks more accessible. Unilateral needle placement reduces the morbidity of the technique and should also enable one to apply single administration or continuous blocks, or both. Methods Primary anatomic studies on 20 corpses were performed. The needles were inserted anteromedially, on the left side, 4-6 cm lateral from the spinous process of L1 vertebral body, to reach the celiac plexus area at the level of the celiac axis, and 30 mL of methylene blue was injected. Autopsy revealed the needle tips placed preaortic or paraaortic and methylene blue covered the celiac plexus area bilaterally with a predominance on the left side. With the same technique, an epidural catheter was inserted via the needle and injected methylene blue covered the area of the plexus as well. Results This technique was further employed in the pain clinic, on 35 consecutive patients with pancreatic or gastric carcinoma, for diagnostic celiac plexus block and subsequent neurolysis for pain relief (70 celiac plexus blocks). The technique was employed in the first 10 cases with the aid of computed tomography and subsequently using only fluoroscopy. The effects were comparable to the other techniques of blocking the celiac plexus. Conclusions Clinical results proved that the unilateral, transcrural technique in a lateral position is simple, safe, and gives a reliable celiac plexus block or neurolysis effects under fluoroscopy, or both, comparable to the results where computed tomography was used. The possibility of continuous block makes this technique useful in clinical practice.
Fuzzy-logic-based approach for identifying objects of interest in the PRIDE framework

On-road autonomous vehicle navigation requires real-time motion planning in the presence of static and moving objects. Based on sensed data of the environment and the current traffic situation, an autonomous vehicle has to plan a path by predicting the future location of objects of interest. In this context, an object of interest is a moving or stationary object in the environment that has a reasonable probability of intersecting the path of the autonomous vehicle within a predetermined time frame. This paper investigates the identification of objects of interest within the PRIDE (PRediction In Dynamic Environments) framework. PRIDE is a multi-resolutional, hierarchical framework that predicts the future location of moving objects for the purposes of path planning and collision avoidance for an autonomous vehicle. Identifying objects of interest is an aspect of situation awareness and is performed in PRIDE using a dangerous zone, i.e., a fuzzy-logic-based approach representing a hazardous space area around an autonomous vehicle. Once objects of interest are identified, the risk of collision between the autonomous vehicle and each object of interest is then evaluated. To illustrate the performance of a dangerous zone within PRIDE, preliminary results are presented using a traffic scenario with the high-fidelity physics-based framework for the Unified System for Automation and Robot Simulation (USARSim).
The reaction of 3,4-epoxy-1-butene with deoxyguanosine and DNA in vitro: synthesis and characterization of the main adducts.

The reaction of guanosine with 3,4-epoxy-1-butene in acetic acid gives two main products of N-7 alkylation. After acidic hydrolysis the two aglycones have been isolated by h.p.l.c. and shown to be the regioisomeric 7-(2-hydroxy-3-buten-1-yl) guanine (I) and 7-(1-hydroxy-3-buten-2-yl) guanine (II), arising through nucleophilic attack by N-7 of the purine at the two oxirane carbons of 3,4-epoxy-1-butene. Spectral characteristics of both compounds are presented, including u.v. , 1H-n.m. r. and mass spectra. Deoxyguanosine reacts with 3,4-epoxy-1-butene in 50% methanol-water at 37 degrees C to give the N-7 alkylated deoxynucleosides corresponding to I and II in a 59:41 ratio. The reaction rate depends on the nucleoside concentration, with second order rate constants at 37 degrees C of 1.6 X 10(-2) and 1.1 X 10(-2) h-1 M-1 for the formation of the two deoxynucleoside adduct corresponding to I and II, respectively. The same two compounds I and II in a similar (54:46) ratio have been identified after acidic or thermal hydrolysis of DNA which had been reacted with 3,4-epoxy-1-butene under similar conditions. The half life for the spontaneous depurination of I and II in the adducted DNA under physiological conditions (37 degrees C, pH 7.2) is 50 h.
Boundary Spanning in Academia: Antecedents and Near-Term Consequences of Academic Entrepreneurialism

Analyzing the pathways of people who earned interdisciplinary research doctorates in the United States in 2010, we generate three main findings while controlling for gender, ethnicity, discipline, and age. First, individuals who complete an interdisciplinary dissertation display near-term income risk since they tend to earn nearly $1,700 less in the year after graduation. Second, students whose fathers earned a college degree demonstrated a . 8% higher probability of pursuing interdisciplinary research. Third, the probability that non-citizens pursue interdisciplinary dissertation work is 4.7% higher when compared with US citizens. Our findings quantify the risks of interdisciplinary work and contribute to policy debates.
Production Economics of Using Watermelon Seedmeal in the Diet of Nile Tilapia Oreochromis Niloticus) Fingerlings

The nutritive potential of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) seedmeal as dietary protein source in the diet of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) using economics was evaluated in a 56 day feeding trial. One hundred and fifty tilapia fingerlings of 6.12±0.05g average weight were acclimatized for a week, weighed and allotted into five dietary treatments; containing 0, 15, 30, 45 and 60% Citrullus lanatus replacement levels with soybean meal. The diets were isonitrogenous and isolipidic. Each treatment was replicated three times with ten fish per replicate. Fish were fed 5% body weight on two equal proportion per day. Economic analysis was carried out using incidence of cost, profit index, profitability ratio, cost and return analysis as analytical tools. The results of the study indicated the profitability of using watermelon seedmeal with positive gross margin and net returns. The average gross ratio, benefit cost ratio, return on investment (ROI) and the Rate of Return (ROR) values on capital invested on producing O. niloticus with diets containing watermelon seedmeals across the different dietary treatment groups were 0.57, 1.76, 0.77 and 0.55 respectively. It can be concluded from this study that it is economically viable to produce Nile tilapia with diets containing watermelon seedmeal. Keywords: Incidence of cost; profit index; profitability ratio; cost and return analysis; Nile Tilapia
Preclinical Evaluation of MR Attenuation Correction Versus CT Attenuation Correction on a Sequential Whole-Body MR/PET Scanner

ObjectivesThe application of attenuation correction for combined magnetic resonance/positron emission tomography (MR/PET) systems is still a major challenge for accurate quantitative PET. Computed tomographic attenuation correction (CTAC) is the current clinical standard for PET/computed tomographic (CT) scans. Magnetic resonance, unlike CT, has no direct information about photon attenuation but, rather, proton densities. On combined MR/PET scanners, MR-based attenuation correction (MRAC) consists of assigning empirical attenuation coefficients to MR signal intensities. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the MRAC implemented on the combined MR/PET scanner versus the CTAC with the same PET data in an animal model. Materials and MethodsAcquisition was performed using a clinically approved sequential MR/PET scanner (Philips Ingenuity TF). Computed tomographic and MR/PET images of 20 New Zealand White rabbits were retrospectively analyzed. The animals were positioned on a customized animal bed to avoid movement between the CT and MR/PET scanners. Positron emission tomographic images from both methods (MRAC and CTAC) were generated. Voxel-by-voxel and region-of-interest (ROI) analyses were performed to determine differences in standardized uptake values (SUV). Regions of interest were drawn on the coregistered CT images for the aorta, liver, kidney, spine, and soft tissue (muscle) and superimposed on the PET images. ResultsThe voxel-by-voxel comparison of PET showed excellent correlation between MRAC and CTAC SUV values (R = 0.99; P < 0.0001). The mean of the difference of SUVs between all respective MRAC and CTAC voxels was −0.94% (absolute difference [AD] ± SD, −0.06 ± 0.30), confirming slight underestimation of MRAC. The ROI-based comparison similarly showed that MRAC SUV values were underestimated compared with CTAC SUV values. The mean difference between MRAC and CTAC for all ROIs was 10.8% (AD, −0.08 ± 0.06; R = 0.99; P < 0.0001) and −9.7% (AD, −0.15 ± 0.12; R = 0.99; P < 0.0001) for the SUV mean (SUVmean) and the SUV maximum (SUVmax), respectively. The highest differences were found in the spine (SUVmean −26.1% [−0.11]) and areas close to large bones such as the back muscles (SUVmean, −16.8% [−0.04]). ConclusionsIn this study, we have compared MRAC and CTAC methods for PET attenuation correction in an animal model. We have confirmed that the MRAC method implemented on a sequential MR/PET scanner underestimates PET values by less than 10% in most regions, except the areas containing or close to large bone structures such as the spine or the back muscles. Bone segmentation is therefore suggested to be included in the MR attenuation map to minimize the quantification error of MRAC methods compared with the clinical standard CTAC. Further clinical studies need to be carried out to validate the clinical use of MRAC.
Survey of Physician Practice Behaviors Related to Diabetes Mellitus in the U.S.: Physician adherence to consensus recommendations

OBJECTIVE To summarize the frequency of physician adherence to consensus recommendations for prevention of diabetic complications. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Survey data from a nationwide stratified probability sample of primary-care physicians were analyzed. Adherence to recommendations were reported by physician specialty, age-group, and type of diabetes treated. RESULTS Adherence was high for eye exams, blood pressure measurements, neurological and circulatory exams, and laboratory procedures using blood. Adherence was low for examination of the teeth and gums, examination of the feet, and laboratory procedures involving the collection of urine. Internists generally had the highest adherence rates and pediatricians the lowest. Reported adherence decreased with physician age. Adherence was higher for the management of individuals with IDDM than for those with NIDDM. CONCLUSIONS Recommendations for the care of diabetic individuals need to be more widely implemented. Recommendations targeted specifically to pediatricians may be necessary.
Antenatal Betamethasone: A Prolonged Time Interval from Administration to Delivery Is Associated with an Increased Incidence of Severe Intraventricular Hemorrhage in Infants Born before 28 Weeks Gestation.

OBJECTIVE To examine the effects of antenatal steroids on severe intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) in infants born during the IVH vulnerable period (<28 weeks gestational age) and to evaluate rates of IVH correlated with the time interval between treatment or retreatment and birth. STUDY DESIGN A total of 429 infants (<28 weeks gestation), who delivered ≥24 hours after the first betamethasone (BMZ) course (2 doses), were divided into groups based on the interval between the first course of BMZ and delivery: <10 days or ≥10 days. The primary outcome was severe IVH. Multiple regression analyses were performed to adjust for potential confounders. RESULTS Three hundred ninety-two infants delivered after a single BMZ course (312 delivered <10 days; 80 ≥10 days). The incidence of severe IVH was 17% for infants delivered ≥10 days and 7% for those delivered <10 days after a single BMZ course (aOR 4.16; 95% CI 1.59-10.87, P = .004); 37 infants (born ≥10 days from the first BMZ course) received a second/rescue BMZ course. The incidence of severe IVH among infants receiving a second/rescue course was 8%, which was similar to the incidence among infants born <10 days (aOR 1.7; 95% CI 0.41-6.6, P = .48). CONCLUSIONS In infants born before 28 weeks gestation, delivery ≥10 days from the first BMZ course is associated with a higher incidence of severe IVH; a second/rescue course may reverse this effect.