Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Financial Market Integration of South Asian Countries: Panel data Analysis

According to Frankel (1992) in order to find financial integration from Feldstein Horoika (FH, 1980) model, the real interest parity must hold. This paper estimates the degree of financial market integration of South Asian countries i.e. Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal with both the techniques. The study finds some degree of integration with FH model has which increased after 1990s, post liberalization period. Furthermore, Panel Unit Root techniques i.e. LLC, IPS and Hadri has been used to estimate the real interest rate differentials (RIDs) of South Asian countries are found to be stationary with USA, Canada, UK, Germany, Sweden, Netherland, Australia, Malaysia, Indonesia, South Korea, Singapore, China and Japan. The empirical evidence of integration with both the techniques in my study is unique in the literature. Even though, the RIDS technique provides strong evidence of integration, correlation between savings and investment is still significant.
Rapid diagnosis of human brucellosis by peripheral-blood PCR assay

A single-step PCR assay with genus-specific primers for the amplification of a 223-bp region of the sequence encoding a 31-kDa immunogenetic Brucella abortus protein (BCSP31) was used for the rapid diagnosis of human brucellosis. We examined peripheral blood from 47 patients, with a total of 50 cases of brucellosis, and a group of 60 control subjects, composed of patients with febrile syndromes of several etiologies other than brucellosis, asymptomatic subjects seropositive for Brucella antibodies, and healthy subjects. Diagnosis of brucellosis was established in 35 cases (70%) by isolation of Brucella in blood culture and in the other 15 cases (30%) by clinical and serological means. The sensitivity of our PCR assay was 100%, since it correctly identified all 50 cases of brucellosis, regardless of the duration of the disease, the positivity of the blood culture, or the presence of focal forms. The specificity of the test was 98.3%, and the only false-positive result was for a patient who had had brucellosis 2 months before and possibly had a self-limited relapse. In those patients who relapsed, the results of our PCR assay were positive for both the initial infection and the relapse, becoming negative once the relapse treatment was completed and remaining negative in the follow-up tests at 2, 4, and 6 months. In conclusion, these results suggest that the PCR assay is rapid and easy to perform and highly sensitive and specific, and it may therefore be considered a useful tool for diagnosis of human brucellosis.
Constraints and opportunities of leadership in post-Communist Europe

Introduction: Assessing the role of political leaders in a Post-Communist country The leader and his Party The leader and the Coalition The leader and the institutional framework of politics The leader and public opinion The leader and the wider world: the role of the international environment Putting Meciar in comparative perspective: the role of political leaders in Post-Communist Europe Bibliography Index.
Midregional pro-A-type natriuretic peptide measurements for diagnosis of acute destabilized heart failure in short-of-breath patients: comparison with B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and amino-terminal proBNP.

BACKGROUND The aim of the present study was to assess the utility of amino-terminal pro-A-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proANP) measurements for the emergency diagnosis of acute destabilized heart failure (HF), using a novel sandwich immunoassay covering midregional epitopes (MR-proANP). METHODS The retrospective analysis comprised 251 consecutive patients presenting to the emergency department of a tertiary care hospital with dyspnea as a chief complaint. The diagnosis of acute destabilized HF was based on the Framingham score for HF plus echocardiographic evidence of systolic or diastolic dysfunction. A commercially available immunoluminometric assay was used for measurement of MR-proANP plasma concentrations. RESULTS Median MR-proANP plasma concentrations were significantly higher in patients with dyspnea attributable to acute destabilized HF (338 pmol/L; n = 137) than in patients with dyspnea attributable to other reasons (98 pmol/L; n = 114; P <0.001). The area under the curve for MR-proANP was 0.876 (SE = 0.022; 95% confidence interval, 0.829-0.914), and the cutoff concentration with the highest diagnostic accuracy was 169 pmol/L (sensitivity, 89%; specificity, 76%; diagnostic accuracy, 83%). In the setting evaluated, diagnostic information obtained by MR-proANP measurements was similar to that obtained with B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and amino-terminal proBNP (NT-proBNP) measurements. CONCLUSIONS MR-proANP measurements may be useful as an aid in the diagnosis of acute destabilized HF in short-of-breath patients presenting to an emergency department. The diagnostic value of MR-proANP appears to be comparable to that of BNP and NT-proBNP.
Gender Difference in Outcome after Total Knee Replacement

Purpose. To compare the outcome after primary total knee replacement (TKR) for end-stage knee osteoarthritis (OA) in men versus women. Methods. Records of 214 men and 1040 women who underwent primary TKR for end-stage knee OA and were followed up for a minimum of 2 years were reviewed. Knee flexion, Oxford Knee Score, Knee Society Score (KSS), and 8 subscores of Short Form 36 (SF-36) were recorded preoperatively and at postoperative 6 months and 2 years. Results. Men and women were comparable only in age (67.9 vs. 67.3 years, p=0.244); men had a lower mean body mass index (27.0 vs. 28.3 kg/m2, p<0.001). Preoperatively, men had better knee flexion (117° vs. 114.8°, p=0.05), Oxford Knee Score (33.5 vs. 36.8, p<0.001), KSS knee score (44.3 vs. 40.3, p=0.001), KSS function score (52.5 vs. 47.1, p<0.001), and all 8 subscores of SF-36 (p=0.005 to p<0.001). Compared with men, women achieved greater improvement at 6 months in Oxford Knee score (13.2 vs. 15.1, p=0.009) and KSS knee score (36.9 vs. 41.6, p=0.016), and at 2 years in Oxford Knee Score (15.0 vs. 17.9, p<0.001), KSS knee score (39.8 vs. 43.9, p=0.009), and SF-36 subscores of social functioning (23.6 vs. 35.1, p<0.001) and mental health (3.9 vs. 8.2, p=0.003). Conclusion. Compared with men, women had poorer preoperative knee flexion, Oxford Knee Score, KSS, and 8 subscores of SF-36, but achieved greater improvement in the Oxford Knee Score and KSS knee score at 6 months and 2 years, as well as in SF-36 subscores of social functioning and mental health at 2 years.
A wideband balanced AlGaN/GaN HEMT MMIC low noise amplifier for transceiver front-ends

A 3-16 GHz wideband AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) low noise amplifier (LNA), using balanced configuration with a coplanar waveguide (CPW) Lange coupler, is designed and fabricated. The LNA shows a minimum noise figure of 4 dB with associated gain of 20 dB and gain flatness of +/- 3 dB across the 3-16 GHz frequency range. This balanced GaN LNA is suitable for transceiver front-ends due to the low input/output VSWR, high stability and redundancy, as well as, high power handling capability of GaN HEMTs. The design, fabrication and characterization results of the GaN HEMT balanced amplifier are described together with the details of design and characteristics of the individual LNAs and the CPW coupler.
Efficacy of Bazedoxifene in Reducing New Vertebral Fracture Risk in Postmenopausal Women With Osteoporosis: Results From a 3‐Year, Randomized, Placebo‐, and Active‐Controlled Clinical Trial

In this 3‐yr, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐ and active‐controlled study, healthy postmenopausal women with osteoporosis (55–85 yr of age) were treated with bazedoxifene 20 or 40 mg/d, raloxifene 60 mg/d, or placebo. The primary endpoint was incidence of new vertebral fractures after 36 mo; secondary endpoints included nonvertebral fractures, BMD, and bone turnover markers. Among 6847 subjects in the intent‐to‐treat population, the incidence of new vertebral fractures was significantly lower (p < 0.05) with bazedoxifene 20 mg (2.3%), bazedoxifene 40 mg (2.5%), and raloxifene 60 mg (2.3%) compared with placebo (4.1%), with relative risk reductions of 42%, 37%, and 42%, respectively. The treatment effect was similar among subjects with or without prevalent vertebral fracture (p = 0.89 for treatment by baseline fracture status interaction). The incidence of nonvertebral fractures with bazedoxifene or raloxifene was not significantly different from placebo. In a posthoc analysis of a subgroup of women at higher fracture risk (femoral neck T‐score ≤ –3.0 and/or ≥1 moderate or severe vertebral fracture or multiple mild vertebral fractures; n = 1772), bazedoxifene 20 mg showed a 50% and 44% reduction in nonvertebral fracture risk relative to placebo (p = 0.02) and raloxifene 60 mg (p = 0.05), respectively. Bazedoxifene significantly improved BMD and reduced bone marker levels (p < 0.001 versus placebo). The incidence of vasodilatation, leg cramps, and venous thromboembolic events was higher with bazedoxifene and raloxifene compared with placebo. In conclusion, bazedoxifene significantly reduced the risk of new vertebral fracture in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis and decreased the risk of nonvertebral fracture in subjects at higher fracture risk.
The moral dimensions of the employment relationship: institutional implications

Abstract The paper builds an integrative framework of the moral dimensions of the employment relationship by linking the core specificities of the employment relationship, i.e. the meaningfulness of work, its relational components, the incompleteness of the labour contract and its authority character, to the four moral motives identified by the Moral Foundations Theory, namely care, fairness/reciprocity, in-group/loyalty and authority. We show that due acknowledgement of the moral dimensions of the employment relationship entails making institutional transformations, namely strengthening rather than discarding employment law and reforming corporate law. Recognizing these moral dimensions would epitomize a radical break with mainstream economics and neo-liberal thought.
Unintentional Weight Loss: A Retrospective Analysis of 154 Cases

Unintentional weight loss (UWL) was documented in 154 patients (2.8%) admitted to an internal medicine department during a two-year period. A retrospective analysis of the clinical charts showed that more than one third (36.3%) were found to have a neoplasm, involving preponderantly the gastrointestinal tract. Patients with neoplasia were older and more frequently had abnormal physical findings and significantly lower values of serum albumin as well as higher values of alkaline phosphatase than other patients. Despite extensive investigations, in 36 patients (23.3%) UWL remained unexplained even after prolonged follow-up periods. The remaining 62 patients had a variety of disorders, preponderantly gastrointestinal tract (26 patients) and psychiatric (16 patients) diseases. Endocrinologic disorders such as diabetes mellitus and hyperthyroidism were relatively uncommon (3.8%). Unintentional weight loss is a relatively common problem in clinical practice. Familiarity with the spectrum of disorders associated with UWL as well as selected clinical and laboratory values may help in the initial examination of these patients. ( Arch Intern Med 1986;146:186-187)
Building a Better Trade Model to Determine Local Effects: A Regional and Intertemporal GTAP Model

Abstract Intertemporal CGE models allow agents to respond fully to current and future policy shocks. This property is particularly important for trade policies, where tariff reductions span over decades. Nevertheless, intertemporal CGE models are dimensionally large and computationally difficult to solve, thus hindering their development, save for those that are scaled-down to only a few regions and commodities. Using a recently developed solution method, we address this problem by building an intertemporal version of a GTAP model that is large in dimension and can be easily scaled to focus to any subset of GTAP countries or regions, without the need for ‘second best’ recursive approaches. Specifically, we solve using a new parallel-processing technique and matrix reordering procedure, and employ a non-steady state baseline scenario. This provides an effective tool for the dynamic analysis of trade policies. As an application of the model, we simulate a free trade scenario for Vietnam with a focus on the recent Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). Our simulation shows that Vietnam gains considerably from the TPP, with 60 of the gains realised within the first 10 years despite our assumption of a gradual and linear removal of trade barriers. We also solve for intertemporal and sector-specific effects on each industry in Vietnam from the trade agreements, showing an added advantage of our approach compared to standard static and recursive GTAP models.
Hematophagic Histiocytosis: A REPORT OF 23 NEW PATIENTS AND A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

The clinical and laboratory features of 23 new patients as well as 50 previously reported patients with the syndrome of hematophagic histiocytosis are reviewed. The syndrome occurs more often in men than women but has no age predilection. Common presenting features include fever, hepatic and splenic enlargement, lymphadenopathy, and profound depression of blood counts. The clinical course is generally fulminant and may be complicated by coagulation abnormalities, hepatic dysfunction and renal failure. In the majority of patients, however, the syndrome is self-limited with resolution of the clinical and laboratory abnormalities within several weeks. Hematophagic histiocytosis generally occurs in patients who develop infections in the setting of preexisting immunologic abnormalities or neoplasms. Viral infections are most commonly involved, but virtually any other infectious agent can precipitate this syndrome. The characteristic morphologic feature of the hematophagic histiocytosis is the proliferation of mature histiocytes actively ingesting other blood cells. These hematophagic histiocytes most commonly involve the bone marrow but may also be present in the lymph nodes, spleen and liver. Other bone marrow abnormalities include hypocellularity with preservation of megakaryocytes, and myelofibrosis. The principal features of this syndrome that distinguish it from malignant histiocytosis are the cytologic maturity and degree of hematophagic activity of the histiocytes as well as its more favorable prognosis. In some patients, however, a clear distinction of malignant from reactive histiocytosis will not be possible until a clonal marker for malignant histiocytes is identified. Based in our experience, the syndrome of hematophagic histiocytosis appears to be more common than malignant histiocytosis.
Dissecting the role of sodium currents in visceral sensory neurons in a model of chronic hyperexcitability using Nav1.8 and Nav1.9 null mice

Tetrodotoxin‐resistant (TTX‐R) sodium currents have been proposed to underlie sensory neuronal hyperexcitability in acute inflammatory models, but their role in chronic models is unknown. Since no pharmacological tools to separate TTX‐R currents are available, this study employs Nav1.8 and Nav1.9 null mice to evaluate these currents roles in a chronic hyperexcitability model after the resolution of an inflammatory insult. Transient jejunitis was induced by infection with Nippostrongylus brasiliensis (Nb) in Nav1.9 and Nav1.8 null, wild‐type and naïve mice. Retrogradely labelled dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons were harvested on day 20–24 post‐infection for patch clamp recording. Rheobase and action potential (AP) parameters were recorded as measures of excitability, and Nav1.9 and Nav1.8 currents were recorded. DRG neuronal excitability was significantly increased in post‐infected mice compared to sham animals, despite the absence of ongoing inflammation (sham = 1.9 ± 0.3, infected = 3.6 ± 0.7 APs at 2× rheobase, P= 0.02). Hyperexcitability was associated with a significantly increased amplitude of TTX‐R currents. Hyperexcitability was maintained in Nav1.9−/− mice, but hyperexcitability was absent and APs were blunted in Nav1.8−/− mice. This study identifies a critical role for Nav1.8 in chronic post‐infectious visceral hyperexcitability, with no contribution from Nav1.9. Nb infection‐induced hyperexcitability is not observed in Nav1.8−/− mice, but is still present in Nav1.9−/− mice. It is not clear whether hyperexcitability is due to a change in the function of Nav1.8 channels or a change in the number of Nav1.8 channels.
ROLE OF PEROXYNITRITE IN THE PROTEIN OXIDATION AND APOPTOTIC DNA FRAGMENTATION IN VASCULAR SMOOTH MUSCLE CELLS STIMULATED WITH BACTERIAL LIPOPOLYSACCHARIDE AND INTERFERON‐&ggr;

&NA; In the present study, we investigated the role of endogenous and exogenous peroxynitrite in the process of DNA fragmentation and protein oxidation in cultured rat aortic smooth muscle cells. Peroxynitrite induced DNA fragmentation over a 24 hr period. The effect of peroxynitrite was unaffected by pretreatment with 3‐aminobenzamide, an inhibitor of the nuclear enzyme poly (ADP‐ribose) synthetase (PARS). Stimulation of the smooth muscle cells with bacterial lipopolysaccharide and interferon‐y produced nitric oxide and peroxynitrite, and resulted in a significant degree of apoptotic DNA fragmentation. The nitric oxide synthase inhibitor NG‐methyl‐L‐arginine (3 mM), but not the PARS inhibitor 3‐aminobenzamide (1 mM), reduced the DNA fragmentation. Stimulation with bacterial lipopolysaccharide and interferon‐&ggr; also caused a marked oxidation of proteins in the smooth muscle cells, which was inhibited by NG‐methyl‐L‐arginine, as well as by the superoxide dismutase mimetic Mn(lll)tetrakis (4‐benzoic acid) porphyrin. Based on these data, we propose a role for peroxynitrite‐mediated, PARS‐independent pathways in the apoptotic process and in the protein oxidation in bacterial lipopolysaccharide and interferon‐&ggr;‐stimulated smooth muscle cells.
Is Beta Still Useful over a Longer-Horizon?: An Implied Cost of Capital Approach

Despite the crucial role of the market factor in Fama and French’s three-factor model, the market beta has failed to explain the cross-sectional differences in expected returns proxied by the future realized returns of individual stocks. However, current evidence does not necessarily reject the explanatory power of the market beta in expected returns over longer-horizons. We use the future implied costs of capital as the proxy instead of future realized returns in order to link beta to longer-horizon expected returns. In contrast to the current results we find that the future implied cost of capital is both positively and significantly related to the conventional beta estimate, implying that beta could still explain future cross-sectional expected return differences. Moreover, uncertainty risk could be important when focusing on longer-horizons. We propose using analyst dispersion as a proxy for the uncertainty risk, and find that it strongly predicts future implied cost of capital as well.
Marginal Bone Loss Influence on the Biomechanics of Single Implant Crowns

AbstractMarginal bone loss, whether it is physiological or pathological, is one of the implant treatment complications. The biomechanical consequences of marginal bone loss could be catastrophic particularly when the abutment screw is at supraosseous level. This study aimed at investigating marginal bone loss influence on the biomechanics of single implant crown using finite element (FE) analysis. Four FE models for a 3.5 × 13 mm implant supported by 4 bone levels (8.5 mm, 10 mm, 11.5 mm, and 13 mm) were subjected to 3 loading conditions: vertical, oblique, and horizontal. The results indicated 5–10 times increase in maximum von Mises stresses under oblique and horizontal loading. The maximum stresses within the fixture were concentrated at the bone/fixture interface with highest value under horizontal loading at 10 mm bone support. Abutment screw was most susceptible to fracture as the highest stress was concentrated at the screw/fixture interface. Cortical bone suffered its greatest stress level at the fixture/bone interface at 10 mm bone support. However, increasing bone support to 11.5 mm has improved the fracture resistance of the abutment screw to a great extent especially under oblique and vertical loading. Severe marginal bone loss might be attributed for abutment screw and fixture head fracture especially under horizontal loading.
Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews Conceptualising compensation in neurodevelopmental disorders: Re ﬂ ections from autism spectrum disorder

Within research into neurodevelopmental disorders, little is known about the mechanisms underpinning changes in symptom severity across development. When the behavioural presentation of a condition improves/symptoms lessen, this may be because core underlying atypicalities in cognition/neural function have ameliorated. An alternative possibility is ‘ compensation ’ ; that the behavioural presentation appears improved, despite persisting de ﬁ cits at cognitive and/or neurobiological levels. There is, however, currently no agreed technical de ﬁ nition of compensation or its behavioural, cognitive and neural characteristics. Furthermore, its workings in neurodevelopmental disorders have not been studied directly. Here, we review current evidence for compensation in neurodevelopmental disorders, using Autism Spectrum Disorder as an example, in order to move towards a better conceptualisation of the construct. We propose a transdiagnostic framework, where compensation re- presents the processes responsible for an observed mismatch between behaviour and underlying cognition in a neurodevelopmental disorder, at any point in development. Further, we explore potential cognitive and neural mechanisms driving compensation and discuss the broader relevance of the concept within research and clinical settings.
‘We Will End Up Being a Third Rate Economy … a Banana Republic’: How Behavioural Economics Can Improve Macroeconomic Outcomes

To address the economic problems facing Australia in 1986 required wage restraint, which required in turn overcoming loss aversion by workers with respect to their wages. The Prices and Incomes Accord was able to do this. Attempts to address Australia's current economic problems are stymied by tax resistance. Addressing tax resistance requires overcoming loss aversion by voters with respect to their post-tax incomes. The success of the Accord suggests that Accord-type policies could reduce tax resistance by broadening people's perspective beyond their post-tax incomes to the broader spread of benefits for them and others.
Early‐ and late‐onset depression in the older: no differences found within the melancholic subtype

Several studies have reported clinical and biological differences between early‐ and late‐onset (EO and LO) depression, which suggest different underlying aetiological processes. The aim of the present study is to examine whether there are differences between EO and LO depressed patients with melancholy, controlling for current age, with regard to clinical variables, vascular risk factors and family history of affective disorders or suicide.