Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Financial depth and the trade openness-economic growth nexus: Evidence from cross-country panel data

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to shed light on the age-old trade-and-economic-growth controversy. The authors do so by utilizing the data relating to the G-20 countries between 1988 and 2013. Design/methodology/approach - The authors seek to establish the formal statistical links between openness to trade and economic growth in the context of interactions with financial depth, gross capital formation, and foreign direct investment. The authors use a panel vector autoregressive model to obtain the estimates. The authors check for the robustness of the results. Findings - The authors find that all the variables are cointegrated. That is, there is a long-run equilibrium relationship between the variables. Moreover, trade openness, financial depth, gross capital formation, and foreign direct investment are all causative factors for the economic growth of the G-20 countries in the long run. At the same time, the short-run results demonstrate that there is a myriad of causal links between these variables. Practical implications - The decision makers in the G-20 countries wishing to encourage economic growth in the long run should pay close attention to trade openness, financial depth, gross capital formation, and foreign direct investment inflows to their countries. Originality/value - The authors study an important group of countries over a long span of time, using advanced panel data techniques. The results demonstrate that future studies on economic growth that do not simultaneously consider trade openness, financial depth, foreign direct investment, and gross capital formation will offer biased or misguided results.
Genetic and functional characterization of the alpAB gene locus essential for the adhesion of Helicobacter pylori to human gastric tissue

In this study, we isolated and characterized a chromosomal locus of Helicobacter pylori previously identified by transposon shuttle mutagenesis as being involved in the adhesion of the pathogen to gastric epithelial cells. Two closely homologous genes were identified, designated as alpA and alpB, encoding outer membrane (OM) proteins of 518 amino acids each. They are members of the outer membrane protein supergene family identified in the H. pylori 26695 complete genome sequence. AlpA carries a functional lipoprotein signal sequence. AlpB carries a putative standard N‐terminal signal sequence and shows a strong amino‐acid sequence identity to AlpA. Transposon insertion mutagenesis, immunoblotting and primer extension studies indicate that both genes are organized in an operon, but no obvious consensus promoter sequence was found upstream of the transcriptional start site. The C‐terminal portion of both proteins is predicted to form a porin‐like β‐barrel in the outer membrane, consisting of 14 transmembrane amphipathic β‐strands. Adhesion experiments with defined isogenic mutants indicate that both proteins are necessary for specific adherence of H. pylori to human gastric tissue. The pattern of AlpAB‐dependent adherence of H. pylori to the gastric epithelial surface shows a clear difference to the BabA2‐mediated adherence to Lewisb, suggesting that a different receptor is involved.
BMP2-mediated alteration in the developmental pathway of fetal mouse brain cells from neurogenesis to astrocytogenesis

We show that when telencephalic neural progenitors are briefly exposed to bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) in culture, their developmental fate is changed from neuronal cells to astrocytic cells. BMP2 significantly reduced the number of cells expressing microtubule-associated protein 2, a neuronal marker, and cells expressing nestin, a marker for undifferentiated neural precursors, but BMP2 increased the number of cells expressing S100-β, an astrocytic marker. In telencephalic neuroepithelial cells, BMP2 up-regulated the expression of negative helix–loop–helix (HLH) factors Id1, Id3, and Hes-5 (where Hes is homologue of hairy and Enhancer of Split) that inhibited the transcriptional activity of neurogenic HLH transcription factors Mash1 and neurogenin. Ectopic expression of either Id1 or Id3 (where Id is inhibitor of differentiation) inhibited neurogenesis of neuroepithelial cells, suggesting an important role for these HLH proteins in the BMP2-mediated changes in the neurogenic fate of these cells. Because gliogenesis in the brain and spinal cord, derived from implanted neural stem cells or induced by injury, is responsible for much of the failure of neuronal regeneration, this work may lead to a therapeutic strategy to minimize this problem.
Trends in cancer mortality in Japanese adolescents and young adults aged 15-29 years, 1970-2006.

OBJECTIVE The primary objective of this study is to describe cancer mortality rates and trends among Japanese adolescents and young adults aged 15-29 years for the period 1970-2006. MATERIALS AND METHODS Age-standardized mortality rates were calculated by the direct method using age-specific mortality rates at 5-year age intervals and weights based on the age distribution of the standard world population. The joinpoint regression model was used to describe changes in trends. RESULTS For all cancers combined, the mortality rate at age 15-29 years during 2000-2006 was 4.41 (per 100,000 population) for males and 3.81 (per 100,000) for females. Trends of mortality from cancer in Japan were similar to that in other developed countries. A notable exception was cervical cancer, for which Japanese young women showed a significant increase, on average 4.0% per year throughout the period. CONCLUSION This report presents updated figures and trends in cancer mortality among adolescents and young adults aged 15-29 years in Japan and other developed countries. We hope this study will raise public awareness on cancer in this age group and provide the impetus for further research to improve the survival and quality of life of the young people in Japan.
Public perceptions of key performance indicators of healthcare in Alberta, Canada.

OBJECTIVE To examine the relationship between public perceptions of key performance indicators assessing various aspects of the health-care system. DESIGN Cross-sequential survey research. Annual telephone surveys of random samples of adult Albertans selected by random digit dialing and stratified according to age, sex and region (n = 4000 for each survey year). The survey questionnaires included single-item measures of key performance indicators to assess public perceptions of availability, accessibility, quality, outcome and satisfaction with healthcare. Cronbach's α and factor analysis were used to assess the relationship between key performance indicators focusing on the health-care system overall and on a recent interaction with the health-care system. SETTING The province of Alberta, Canada during the years 1996-2004. PARTICIPANTS Four thousand adults randomly selected each survey year. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Survey questions measuring public perceptions of healthcare availability, accessibility, quality, outcome and satisfaction with healthcare. RESULTS Factor analysis identified two principal components with key performance indicators focusing on the health system overall loading most strongly on the first component and key performance indicators focusing on the most recent health-care encounter loading most strongly on the second component. Assessments of the quality of care most recently received, accessibility of that care and perceived outcome of care tended to be higher than the more general assessments of overall health system quality and accessibility. CONCLUSION Assessments of specific health-care encounters and more general assessments of the overall health-care system, while related, nevertheless comprise separate dimensions for health-care evaluation.
Financial Development and Economic Growth among Arab Maghreb Countries: Dynamic Panel Model Analysis

This paper examine the short and the long run elasticities and the link between financial development and economic growth in Arab Maghreb countries. Using credit to private sector, foreign direct investment and domestic savings as a proxy for financial development. The study adopts Generalised Method of Moments (GMM) technique with data from World Development Indicators (1970-2012). The results reveals positive relationship between financial development and economic growth. Also, reveals that improvement in financial indicators has the same impact on economic growth in both the long and the short-run. Keywords: Arab Maghreb union, Economic growth, financial development
The prevalence of secondary dentinal lesions in cheek teeth from horses with clinical signs of pulpitis compared to controls.

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY With the advent of detailed oral examination in horses using dental mirrors and rigid endoscopy, secondary dentinal lesions are observed more frequently. More information regarding the association of secondary dentinal defects with apical dental disease would improve the sensitivity of oral examination as a diagnostic aid for pulpitis. OBJECTIVES To assess prevalence and severity of secondary dentinal defects observed on examination of occlusal surfaces of cheek teeth (CT) from horses showing clinical signs of pulpitis compared to asymptomatic controls. METHODS Records from all cases of equine CT exodontia at the University of Bristol over a 4 year period were examined. Case selection criteria included the presence of clinical signs of pulpitis, an intact extracted tooth and availability of a complete history and follow up. Cases where coronal fracture or periodontal pocketing featured were excluded. CT from cadavers with no history of dental disease served as normal controls. Triadan positions and eruption ages of control teeth were matched with those of teeth extracted from cases. CT from selected cases and control teeth were examined occlusally. Secondary dentinal defects were identified and graded. Prevalence of occlusal lesions in CT with pulpitis and controls was compared. RESULTS From the records of 120 horses where exodontia was performed, 40 cases matched selection criteria. Twenty-three mandibular and 21 maxillary CT were extracted from cases. The controls consisted of 60 mandibular and 60 maxillary CT from 7 cadaver skulls. Secondary dentinal defects were significantly over-represented in CT extracted from cases of pulpitis (P < 0.001). Of diseased mandibular CT, 56.5% had defects compared to none of the controls. Of diseased maxillary CT, 57% had defects compared with 1.6% of controls. Multiple defective secondary dentinal areas and severe lesions were more prevalent in diseased mandibular CT compared with diseased maxillary CT. CONCLUSIONS AND PRACTICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Careful examination of occlusal secondary dentine is an essential component in investigation of suspected pulpitis in equine CT.
PSGR2, a novel G‐protein coupled receptor, is overexpressed in human prostate cancer

The G‐protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) recognize a large variety of extracellular molecules (such as hormones, neurotransmitters, growth and developmental factors) and several sensory messages (such as light, odors and pain). GPCRs and their signal transduction pathway represent important specific targets for a variety of human diseases. To investigate the potential roles of GPCRs in human normal prostate and prostate cancers, we identified and characterized a novel human G‐protein coupled receptor, PSGR2, which is highly overexpressed in human prostate cancers. Although PSGR2 shares sequence homology with human olfactory G‐protein coupled receptors, the expression of PSGR2 is highly restricted to human prostate tissue, and no expression was detected in 22 normal and 10 tumor tissues examined using Northern blot and PCR analysis. Furthermore, we investigated the expression levels of PSGR2 in 133 human prostate samples with real‐time quantitative reverse transcription‐PCR and in situ hybridization method. We demonstrated that PSGR2 expression increased significantly in human high grade prostate intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) and prostate cancers (approximately 10‐fold) as compared to normal and BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia) tissues (p < 0.001), suggesting PSGR2 may play an important role in human prostate cancer development and progression. Together, our results suggest that PSGR2 is a novel prostate specific G‐protein coupled receptor and may be useful as a tissue marker and molecular target for the early detection and treatment of human prostate cancers. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Examination the long-run performance of Taiwanese initial public offerings

Previous works have documented that the Taiwanese initial public offerings do not have long-run underperformance. This study demonstrates that the failure of existing studies to detect underperformance is attributed to the use of daily data, which leads to the systematic risk being underestimated, and also to the right-skewed distribution of returns. This study employs monthly trimmed return to calculate the buy-and-hold excess return and cumulative abnormal return, and finds a negative three-year abnormal return. Moreover, the calendar-time analyses of one-factor and three-factor models suggest that investors holding Taiwanese IPO shares suffer a 19% loss relative to their benchmark performance of the Taiwan stock market. This study concludes that Taiwanese IPOs suffer long-run underperformance.
Evolution in Economic Geography: Institutions, Regional Adaptation and Political Economy

Economic geography has, over the last decade or so, drawn upon ideas from evolutionary economics in trying to understand processes of regional growth and change, with the concept of path dependence assuming particular prominence. Recently, some prominent researchers have sought to delimit and develop an evolutionary economic geography (EEG) as a distinct approach, aiming to create a more coherent and systematic theoretical framework for research. This paper contributes to debates on the nature and development of EEG. It has two main aims. First, we seek to restore a broader conception of social institutions and agency to EEG, informed by the recent writings of institutional economists like Geoffrey Hodgson. Second, we link evolutionary concepts to political economy approaches, arguing that the evolution of the economic landscape must be related to the broader dynamics of capital accumulation, centred upon the creation, realisation and geographical transfer of value. As such, we favour the utilisation of evolutionary and institutional concepts within a geographical political economy approach rather than the construction of a separate and theoretically ‘pure’ EEG; evolution in economic geography, not an evolutionary economic geography.
Tone Selection for PAR Reduction via Tone Reservation in Uplink OFDMA

The goal of this paper is to consider the impact of tone selection on the performance of PAR reduction in uplink OFDMA systems using tone reservation. Previous work has given an efficient approach and potential results, but in a realistic system, the number of reserved tones and the effect of multi-user interference (from power in these tones) can limit the amount of PAR reduction. In addition to the number of tones, the placement of tones is also a significant factor, as is the power-spectral density (PSD) mask that is needed to strictly limit the interference levied on other users. The results of this paper will provide practical insight into using tone reservation to make uplink-OFDMA more practical.
Optimism, Promotion Pride, and Prevention Pride as Predictors of Quality of Life

The relationship between optimism and two potential sources of optimistic beliefs—promotion pride (based on a history of success in promotion regulation) and prevention pride (based on a history of success in prevention regulation)—was explored. Optimism was more strongly related to promotion pride than prevention pride (controlling for neuroticism), consistent with past work showing that anticipating success increases eagerness motivation but decreases vigilance motivation. This suggests that the psychology of prevention regulators is not captured well by the existing literature on optimism. Although prevention pride does not predict self-reports of well-being, it does predict adaptive functioning independent of optimism, neuroticism, and promotion pride. Promotion pride uniquely predicted a sense of purpose in life or goal directedness. Both promotion and prevention pride predicted active coping. It is argued that promotion and prevention pride tell us something unique and important about the role of successful self-regulation in determining quality of life.
Cross-Border vs. Domestic Acquisitions: Evidence from India

Abstract We examine the domestic and cross-border acquisition decision of Indian firms in the nine-year period from 2002 to 2010, a period following economic liberalization in India. Acquisition activity, both domestic and cross-border increased over the period. We find that larger, younger firms, firms with cash on hand, firms with low leverage, and relatively overvalued firms are more likely to make an acquisition. Such firms also prefer to make a cross-border acquisition compared to a domestic acquisition. Firms with lower levels of promoter (founding shareholder) holdings, larger boards, and belonging to a business group are more likely to make an acquisition, but are indifferent between making domestic and cross-border acquisitions. Industry competition is a significant determinant of acquisition activity with firms in more competitive industries more likely to make an acquisition and more likely to make a cross-border acquisition compared to a domestic acquisition. Our results hold controlling for acquisitions by manufacturing firms, prior acquisition experience, and taking into account alternate growth strategies followed by firms.
The Impact of Applying the IFRS Accounting Rules on the Business Environment

Throughout this study, I have underlined the need for implementing financial accounting rules and the general features related to the described fair value, while also presenting the development of the relevant standards and the definition of IASB perception in relation to financial assets, financial liabilities and capital instruments. A slow progress and repeated delays have helped IAS 39 remain relevant for a period longer than initially foreseen and this trend shall remain in place until IFRS 9 is implemented. This shows the ever growing importance of the topics and approaches discussed in this study.
Rapid and Highly Sensitive Coxsackievirus A Indirect Immunofluorescence Assay Typing Kit for Enterovirus Serotyping

ABSTRACT We describe the development and evaluation of an indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) kit for rapid and sensitive detection of coxsackievirus A2, -4, -5, -6, and -10. This IFA kit was determined to have 95.9 to 100% sensitivity and 95.8 to 97.2% specificity. It also proved to be beneficial in reducing the number of enteroviruses that are untypeable in the clinical virology laboratory.
Finding the best from the rest: evaluation of the quality of patient information on the Internet.

INTRODUCTION Information is of utmost importance for patients at risk of developing cancer who require regular screening. Quality assessment is vital to ensure correct information is published on the Internet. METHOD A postal questionnaire was sent to patients under follow-up for Barrett's oesophagus and colonic polyps. Questions related to computer/Internet access, where patients had previously sought information, whether web-sites would be of use, and what information they would like displayed. A review of on-line patient literature for Barrett's oesophagus and colorectal adenomas was performed. RESULTS Of the 200 questionnaires sent, 161 patients responded (80.1%). The majority of patients (88%, n = 141) wanted more information on their condition, with 45% (73) having home Internet access and a further 32% (52) having web access from other sources. Only 8% (12) had used the Internet as a source of information; however, the majority of patients (57%) would access a recommended web-site. The Barrett's search resulted in 10/200 sites with full information (i.e. score > 8/10 points). For colorectal polyps there were 12/200 sites. CONCLUSIONS Accessing quality Internet health information is very time consuming. Recommended web-sites that provide the best information would help patients avoid being overwhelmed with irrelevant and confusing literature.
Fertilin β and other ADAMs as integrin ligands: insights into cell adhesion and fertilization

One of the most important cell–cell interactions is that of the sperm with the egg. This interaction, which begins with cell adhesion and culminates with membrane fusion, is mediated by multiple molecules on the gametes. One of the best‐characterized of these molecules is fertilin β, a ligand on mammalian sperm and one of the first ADAMs (A Disintegrin and A Metalloprotease domain) to be identified. Fertilin β (also known as ADAM2) participates in sperm–egg membrane binding, and it has long been hypothesized that this function is achieved through the interaction of the disintegrin domain of fertilin β with an integrin on the egg surface. There are now approximately 30 members of the ADAM family and, to date, five different ADAMs (fertilin β, ADAM9, ADAM12, ADAM15, ADAM23) have been described to interact with integrins (specifically α6β1, αvβ3, α9β1, αvβ5, and/or α5β1). This field will be discussed with respect to what is known about specific ADAMs and the integrins with which they interact, and what the implications are for sperm–egg interactions and for integrin function. These data will also be discussed in the context of recent knockout studies, which show that eggs lacking the α6 integrin subunit can be fertilized, and eggs lacking the integrin‐associated tetraspanin protein CD9 fail to fertilize. Key issues in cell adhesion that pertain to gametes and fertilization will also be highlighted. BioEssays 23:628–639, 2001. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Essays on international trade and foreign policy

The subject of this doctoral thesis revolves around the analysis of the links between foreign policy and international trade, along with one chapter that is of more methodological nature. In chapter1 I show how geopolitical interests are a key motivation for economic integration agreements. Big countries systematically negotiate and sign these agreements with smaller countries that offer political benefits at the expense of economic ones. Chapter 2 provides an empirical analysis into the effect of sanctions on sanctioning countries—their exports in particular. In this joint work with Matthieu Crozet, we study the macro-impact of the sanctions regime against the Russian Federation on export flows from Western countries and the micro-impact on French exporting firms. Chapter 3 takes a closer look at the mechanism through which political relations between countries impact their trade flows. A collaboration with Elsa Leromain, we show how countries adjust their input sourcing pattern to the political climate with the respective trading partner. Finally, in chapter 4 I explore the methodological issue of how trade costs should be aggregated from lower levels of geographic aggregation to higher ones and I compute theory-consistent country to country distances using nighttime satellite imagery for information on the location of economic activity.