Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
What Caused Japan s Great Stagnation in the 1990 s ?

Despite the widespread belief that Japans Great Stagnationin the 1990s is due to the nancial dysfunction after the collapse of asset price bubbles, Hayashi and Prescott (2002) argue that its main cause is a fall in total factor productivity growth, using a calibrated neoclassical growth model. Our paper lls this gap by estimating a dynamic stochastic general equilibrium model augmented with a nancial accelerator mechanism and associated nancial shocks. Our estimation results show that even in the presence of the nancial shocks an adverse neutral technology shock mainly induced the Great Stagnation and that the estimated neutral technological change is strongly correlated with all enterprises nancial position in the Tankan. Based on these ndings, we argue that an adverse neutral technology shock which is likely to represent a tightening of rms nancing that induced reduction of R&D investment and misallocation of capital caused the Great Stagnation. Keywords: Japans Great Stagnation in the 1990s; Adverse neutral technology shock; Tightening of rms nancing; Reduction of R&D investment; Misallocation of capital JEL Classi cation: E32; E44 This paper is a revision of part of Kaihatsu and Kurozumi (2010). The authors are grateful for comments and discussions to Kosuke Aoki, Dennis Botman, Taeyoung Doh, Rochelle Edge, Ippei Fujiwara, Martin Fukac, Paolo Gelain, Marvin Goodfriend, Luca Guerrieri, Craig Hakkio, Yasuo Hirose, Hirokazu Ishise, Michel Juillard, Yong-Gook Jung, Nobuhiro Kiyotaki, Edward Knotek, Douglas Laxton, Steven Lugauer, Paul McNelis, Césaire Meh, Jun Nie, Masao Ogaki, Arito Ono, Alberto Ortiz, Adrian Pagan, Jae Sim, Seung-Gyu Sim, Penelope Smith, Yuki Teranishi, Yi-Chan Tsai, Kazuo Ueda, Willem Van Zandweghe, Toshiaki Watanabe, Jonathan Willis, colleagues at the Bank of Japan, as well as conference and seminar participants at the 2010 Central Bank Macroeconomic Modeling Workshop, the 2011 Midwest Macroeconomics Meetings, the 7th Dynare Conference, the University of Tokyo, the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, and the Bank of Japan. Any remaining errors are the sole responsibility of the authors. The views expressed herein are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as those of the Bank of Japan. yBank of Japan. E-mail: souhei.kaihatsu@boj.or. jp zCorresponding author. Bank of Japan, 2-1-1 Nihonbashi Hongokucho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-8660, Japan. Tel. : +81 3 3279 1111. E-mail: takushi.kurozumi@boj.or. jp
Leveraging learning techniques for agricultural robotics

Effective plant breeding requires scientists to find correspondences between genetic markers and desirable physical traits of the genotype. While the cost for gene sequencing has gone down by several orders of magnitude in the last two decades, measuring physical traits of a plant at scale is still a labour intensive task making it borderline intractable. This creates an opportunity for robotics to fill this gap in order to accelerate the breeding pipeline. Aided by current progress in machine learning, in this thesis we elucidate methods to perform high throughput non contact and contact based plant phenotyping. We developed a general purpose computer vision pipeline for plant physical trait detection and semantic segmentation. We tested this pipeline for Sorghum stalk counting and stalk width measurement from images. We discuss the shortcomings of having separate perception and manipulation modules for contact based phenotyping and propose an end to end reinforcement learning framework for learning from RGBD observations. We propose a principled online learning approach to weight different auxiliary losses in order to accelerate reinforcement learning. Our approach gives a 3x speed up for reaching and manipulation tasks in three simulated environments.
Effects of adipocyte deficiency of angiotensin type 1a receptors in models of obesity and hypercholesterolemia

OF DISSERTATION EFFECTS OF ADIPOCYTE DEFICIENCY OF ANGIOTENSIN TYPE 1A RECEPTORS IN MODELS OF OBESITY AND HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIA Adipocytes express angiotensin II (AngII) receptors; however the direct effects of AngII at the adipocyte remain unclear. Knockout mouse models of renin-angiotensin system components exhibit reduced body weight, reduced adiposity, improved glucose tolerance, and improved blood pressure when fed high fat diets, which may be due to reduced action of AngII through the AT1aR in adipocytes. Additionally, hypercholesterolemic AT1aR deficient mice are protected from AngII-induced increases in atherosclerosis and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) formation. We hypothesized that deficiency of AT1aR in adipocytes would reduce the development of obesity, obesity-induced disorders, and vascular diseases. To test this hypothesis, we created a mouse model of adipocyte AT1aR deficiency using the Cre/LoxP system. Adipocyte-AT1aR deficiency confers no protection from the development of obesity or obesityassociated parameters. However, low fat fed adipocyte-AT1aR deficient mice exhibit remarkable adipocyte hypertrophy and reductions in adipocyte differentiation. These results demonstrate that AngII is a stimulus for adipocyte differentiation and adipocyte hypertrophy alone is insufficient to initiate obesityassociated disorders. In hypercholesterolemic mice, adipocyte AT1aR deficiency conferred no protection from diet or AngII-induced vascular diseases. Overall these studies suggest the primary role of adipocyte AT1aRs is to promote adipocyte differentiation and the development of small adipocytes.
Sustaining Families in the 21st Century: The Role of Grandparents

As the world's population ages there is a growing interest in the lives of older people. Older people may be parents, grandparents, members of extended families neighbourhoods and countries. This paper will focus on one particular role, that of being a grandparent and its role in sustaining families, including those where the grandchild has a disability. In the past grandparents were integral to the success of societies. Often respected and revered. Grandfathers, in particular held much of the power and control within families and were responsible for the distribution of the land and property amongst their kin. Grandmothers were seen as the custodians of the family rituals and the development of kinship relationships. In the 21st century, grandparents do not have the same status or position they once had but many contribute to sustaining the family. This may be by way of instrumental support such as the provision of housing, clothing child-care, school fees and in some cases assuming the full time caring role of the grandchild. Others may assume a more symbolic role, providing an environment which is stable, where the child feels safe and unconditionally loved and where the grandparent is seen as a role model, responsible for the transmission of wisdom and knowledge including the families history and traditions. This paper adds to the dearth of literature in this area by presenting a comprehensive picture of the contribution (both past and present) grandparents make in sustaining families.
Do biodiversity conservation videos cause pro-environmental spillover effects?

We examine whether audio-visual media interventions that aim to increase donations towards biodiversity conservation cause pro-environmental spillovers on two subsequent behavioural intentions: The Willingness to Pay (WTP) a green fee and Willingness to Donate (WTD) time to an environmental campaign. In a controlled lab experiment, we exogenously vary the media exposure to brief biodiversity conservation videos and media content on the anthropogenic cause of biodiversity endangerment. We find media exposure has a positive spillover effect on the likelihood of stating a positive WTP, but not on WTD. Media content on the anthropogenic cause of biodiversity endangerment has both a direct causal impact on the amount donated, and an indirect positive effect on the time volunteered, especially for pro-social subjects who have donated to charities outside the lab. These results highlight that media content (on the anthropogenic cause) can cause positive short-run pro-environmental behaviours when there is behavioural similarity (i.e., voluntary contributions of money and time) for subjects who hold a stronger pro-social identity (past donors).
Effect of flue gas impurities on the process of injection and storage of carbon dioxide in depleted gas reservoirs

Effect of Flue Gas Impurities on the Process of Injection and Storage of Carbon Dioxide in Depleted Gas Reservoirs. (August 2005) Marjorie C. Nogueira de Mago, B.S., Simon Bolivar University Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. Daulat D. Mamora Previous experiments injecting pure CO2 into carbonate cores showed that the process is a win-win technology, sequestrating CO2 while recovering a significant amount of hitherto unrecoverable natural gas that could help defray the cost of CO2 sequestration. In this thesis, I report my findings on the effect of flue gas “impurities” on the displacement of natural gas during CO2 sequestration, and results on unconfined compressive strength (UCS) tests to carbonate samples. In displacement experiments, corefloods were conducted at 1,500 psig and 70°C, in which flue gas was injected into an Austin chalk core containing initially methane. Two types of flue gases were injected: dehydrated flue gas with 13.574 mole% CO2 (Gas A), and treated flue gas (N2, O2 and water removed) with 99.433 mole% CO2 (Gas B). The main results of this study are as follows. First, the dispersion coefficient increases with concentration of “impurities”. Gas A exhibits the largest dispersion coefficients, 0.18-0.25 cm/min, compared to 0.13-0.15 cm/min for Gas B, and 0.15 cm/min for pure CO2. Second, recovery of methane at breakthrough is relatively high, ranging from 86% OGIP for pure CO2, 74-90% OGIP for Gas B, and 79-81% for Gas A. Lastly, injection of Gas A would sequester the least amount of CO2 as it contains about 80 mole% nitrogen. From the view point of sequestration, Gas A would be least desirable while Gas B appears to be the most desirable as separation cost would probably be cheaper than that for pure CO2 with similar gas recovery. For UCS tests, corefloods were conducted at 1,700 psig and 65°C in such a way that the cell throughput of CO2 simulates near-wellbore throughput. This was achieved through increasing the injection rate and time of injection. Corefloods were followed by porosity measurement and UCS tests. Main results are presented as follows. First, the UCS of the rock was reduced by approximately 30% of its original value as a result of the dissolution process. Second, porosity profiles of rock samples increased up to 2.5% after corefloods. UCS test results indicate that CO2 injection will cause weakening of near-wellbore formation rock.
Process emissions during laser processing of CFRP : measurement of hazardous substances and recommendation of protective measures

Regarding resource-efficient lightweight structures, carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP) have a high usage potential due to their outstanding mechanical properties, especially their high specific strength parallel to the carbon fibers. Adequate processing methods are required to enable high-quality mass production of CFRP parts e.g. in the automotive industry. So far, mechanical methods associated with notable tool wear are used in most applications. Laser technology used for CFRP processing may provide diverse advantageous features such as contact-free processing without any tool wear, high contour accuracy and reproducibility, and high flexibility concerning workpiece design. In a particular funding line, the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) supports several cooperative research projects, dealing with the development of processes for innovative lightweight structures, using CFRP materials amongst others. If specific laser processing strategies are used for CFRP materials, high quality results can be achieved. However, CFRP laser processing as a thermal method always produces organic particulate and gaseous process emissions. The substances released into the air at the workplace are connected with the risk of adverse health effects for the employees, and the potentially hazardous compounds in the exhaust air, removed from the processing cabin, may be harmful for the environment. With respect to the risk assessment, measurements have been performed in the course of the BMBF-funded projects dealing with CFRP laser processing, yielding emission rates and workplace concentrations which have been related to the respective limit values (emission limit values for the exhaust air and occupational exposure limits for the workplace). The results are used to develop recommendations for adequate measures to protect the employees as well as to handle the process emissions in terms of filtering for environmental protection.
Predicting individual stock returns using optimized neural networks

I investigate individual monthly U.S. stock return predictability through a comparative study on neural networks and ordinary least squares benchmarks, using a predictor set of 102 lagged firm characteristics and the market return from 1980 to 2018. I find monthly out-of-sample (OOS) R of 0.80% for the best neural network, confirming similar findings of marginal predictability from existing literature applying machine learning to empirical finance. OOS R increases to 7.12% for the best neural network, when considering average market return predictability using market return predictions constructed bottom-up from equal-weighting individual stock predictions. I also find significant monthly four-factor alphas of 1.55% and annualized Sharpe ratios of 2.62 on long-short top-bottom decile portfolios sorted on predicted returns – not taking into account trading costs. Investigating variable importances within neural networks reveals that networks using Rectifier as their activation function focus on momentum and liquidity variables, similar to existing findings, but networks using Maxout focus on firm fundamentals and risk measures instead – a new observation for the anomalies literature. Lastly, my findings confirm that return anomalies are stronger in small stocks, and prediction performance is generally stronger during market turbulence.
The correlation between disordered lipid profile ( dyslipedemia ) and progression of diabetes mellitus type 2

The study aims to assess the correlation between disordered lipid profile (dyslipidemia) and progression of diabetes mellitus type 2. Materials and Methods: Fifty of types 2 DM patient diagnosed according to history and clinical examination, who attended the laboratory of 14 ramadan specialist analyses of immune and advanced hormones, and twenty-five apparently healthy(control group) and both group age ranged from 40-70 years in the period between 17/6/2016 until 25/8/2016. Results: The results of triglycerides level in blood increase in patients with type2 diabetes (245.12 ± 21.98 mg/dl as compared with control group 134.60 ± 8.45 mg/dl ) , the level of cholesterol in blood also increase in patients with type2 diabetes (253.70 ±4.79 mg/ dl as compared with control group 185.44 ± 7.85 mg/dl ) , and the level of HbA1c increase in patients with type2 diabetes (8.29 ± 0.21 mg/dl as compared with control 5.11 ± 0.08 mg/dl). Results showed a strong correlation between patients with type 2 diabetes and high level of triglycerides which gave Correlation coefficient-r 0.3 (P-value<0.01) and also triglyceride with HbA1c gave Correlation coefficient-r 0.31 (P-value<0.01) which increases the risk of coronary heart disease and macro and micro vascular complications which causes retinopathy, neuropathy and cardiovascular disease. Conclusion: Blood levels of HbA1c have a significant correlation with levels of blood sugar and can give a clear idea about glycaemic control in the past three months and hence can be used as a preferred method to assess glycaemic control in diabetic.
Impact of Total Quality Management (TQM) on Operational Performance of Ethiopian Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Plants

The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of TQM system on the operational performance of the pharmaceutical manufacturing companies operating in Ethiopia. Data for this study is collected using self administered questionnaires. The survey is carried out on 65 respondents drawn from 13 companies. Out of 65 questionnaires distributed among these companies, a total of 57 got returned. Through comprehensive literature review, seven critical success factors of TQM that are relevant to the pharmaceutical industry are identified. Correlation &amp; regression analyses are used to investigate the relationship between TQM variables on the one side and common operational performance measures (Quality, Cost, and Delivery &amp; Flexibility to volume) on the other side. The Correlation analysis reveals that there is strong relationship between TQM practices and operational performance among the pharmaceutical manufacturing companies. The outcome of regression analysis indicates that customer focus, process management, product design and people management have significant contribution to at least one of the operational performance measures. Top Management’s support, suppliers’ quality management and continuous improvement do not appear to contribute to higher levels of performance. This study offers pharmaceutical companies and their managers a better understanding of the relationship and impact that some of TQM elements have on the performance of their operations. Thus managers will get an opportunity to take better &amp; more effective decisions in the implementation of TQM. This study can also guide organizations to prioritize the implementation of TQM based on the strategic importance of performance measures needed by them. The choice performance measure is based on the perceptions of managers and therefore, generalization of the observations may be made with caution.
Integration of Tawhidic Science through Lesson Study Approach in teaching and learning Science or Islamic Study

Lesson Study is a study or research during teaching process in a classroom. Lesson study is done collaboratively between teachers through several steps beginning with communal studying formation, followed by determining aim of teaching, planning the teaching process, observing during teaching and learning process in the class and finally doing reflection of the process. The focus of attention for the classroom observation is to look at the development of students’ studying process, students’ understanding, and activities done through interaction between the teacher, material and students. The step in lesson study is to provide opportunity to the teachers to focus in whatever aim and purpose that needed to be given attention to. Tawhidic science is a concept of integrating science and revelation knowledge. It can be integrated either by studying science or Islamic education. The aim of integrating revealed knowledge can be given attention by lesson study approach in teaching science or Islamic education. Thus, this writing aims to discuss tawhidic science integration through lesson study approach in teaching science or Islamic education. This study propose to a qualified teaching process through collaboration between teachers in producing teaching and learning that integrates revealed knowledge in teaching science or Islamic education.
Investigation of the role of the TLR3 innate immunity pathway in the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration

of a dissertation at the University of Miami. Major factors in the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) include dysregulated innate immunity, inflammation, and elevated oxidative stress. Abnormalities in toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling, mediators of innate immunity, have recently been implicated in the progression of the disease. Several reports show that TLR3 activation leads to retinal cell death, but other studies indicate that TLR3 has cytoprotective activity in different contexts. However, how TLR3 signaling behaves during oxidative stress, or the exact conditions in which TLR3 signaling is protective or pathogenic are still not known. This thesis examines how TLR3 activation during oxidative stress regulates RPE and photoreceptor viability and function. I demonstrated that TLR3 signaling increased RPE and photoreceptor survival, protected against loss of photoreceptor function, and increased overall visual acuity during oxidative injury to the retina, whereas TLR3 activation in the absence of injury was toxic. Furthermore, I showed that the protective effects of TLR3 during injury were mediated by Stat3 pathway activation. Knockdown of Stat3 signaling eliminated the protective effect of TLR3 during oxidative stress and exacerbated retinal degeneration, indicating that Stat3 activation controls whether TLR3 activation results in protective or pathogenic behavior. Overall, the findings of this dissertation indicate that TLR3 activation in the context of injury is protective via STAT3, indicating that combining inflammatory pathways and oxidative stress triggers protective instead of pathogenic signaling. This study identifies TLR3 as a potential novel therapeutic strategy for AMD, retinal degenerations, and other diseases of the central nervous system in which oxidative stress is a major contributor.
Predictions for Elementary Particles and Explanations for Data About Dark Matter, Dark Energy, and Galaxy Formation

We suggest descriptions for new elementary particles, dark matter, and dark energy. We use those descriptions to explain data regarding dark matter effects, dark energy effects, and galaxy evolution. We use mathematics-based models that feature objects and, originally, de-emphasize motion. The models, descriptions, and explanations add to traditional physics, provide clarity regarding aspects of nature for which people point to possible inadequacies in traditional physics models, and embrace traditional physics models in realms for which people have validated traditional physics models.
Piecewise-Linear Map for Studying Border Collision Phenomena in DC/AC Converters

Recently, while studying the dynamics of power electronic DC/AC converters we have demonstrated that the behavior of these systems can be modeled by piecewise-smooth maps which belong to a specific class of models not investigated before. The characteristic feature of these maps is the presence of a very high number of switching manifolds (border points in 1D). Obviously, the multitude of control strategies applied in the modern power electronics leads to different maps belonging to this class of models. However, in this paper we show that several models can be studied using the same piecewise-linear approximation, so that the bifurcation phenomena which can be observed in this approximation are generic for many models. Based on the results obtained before for piecewise-smooth models with different kinds of nonlinearities resulting from the corresponding control strategies, in the present paper we discuss the generic bifurcation patterns in the underlying piecewise-linear map.
THE USE OF LONGITUDINAL CASE STUDIES IN ORGANIZATIONAL , ENTREPRENEURIAL AND LEADERSHIP EDUCATION AND RESEARCH : CONTRIBUTIONS AND LIMITATIONS

This research study presents an overview and an evaluation of the employment of longitudinal case study analyses in organizational, entrepreneurial and leadership studies. The current study is four-fold. First, to ensure full clarity, this study presents a set of definitions relevant to the terms used in the context of this study. Secondly, this paper presents a discussion of the use of longitudinal case study analyses in organizational studies, innovation and entrepreneurship, and leadership learning, teaching and research. Thirdly, the current research study provides an evaluation of the contributions and limitations of the application of longitudinal case study analyses in organizational, entrepreneurial, and leadership education and research. Finally, a conclusion related to the application of the case study method is presented.