Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Financial development, oil dependence and economic growth: Evidence from the Republic of Yemen

Purpose This paper aims to examine the validity of the question of whether oil dependence has a negative impact on the relationship between financial development and economic growth in Yemen. Design/methodology/approach The auto-regressive distributed lag approach for cointegration is used to examine the relationship between financial development and economic growth by capturing the impact of oil dependence on this relationship. The Granger causality test, based on a vector error correction model (VECM) framework, is used to investigate the causal relationships between financial development and economic growth. Findings The most interesting finding is the negative sign of interaction term between financial development and oil dependence, which implies that the positive effect of financial development on economic growth decreases with the increasing oil dependence. The result of the VECM Granger causality test revealed the existence of unidirectional causality running from financial development to economic growth. Research limitations/implications The short sample period and the worry of losing degrees of freedom limited us when including control variables in the model. If the data are available in the future, other control variables can be added. Practical implications The government should reduce the level of oil dependence in Yemen by diversifying the country’s economy. Accelerating the pace and efficiency of the financial sector will bear fruitful returns in this regard. The government could achieve this strategy by playing a more proactive role in encouraging the expansion of credit to enable the financial sector to provide a more efficient intermediary role in mobilizing domestic savings and channeling them to productive investments across various economic sectors. Originality/value This is the first study to examine the impact of oil dependence on the finance-growth nexus in Yemen. A new indicator for oil dependence is also proposed.
Fabrication and Characterization of Temperature Insensitive 660-nm Resonant-Cavity LEDs

InGaP/AlGaInP 660-nm resonant-cavity light-emitting diodes (RCLEDs) with stable temperature characteristics have been achieved by extending the resonant cavity length from one optical wavelength (1 lambda) to three optical wavelengths (3 lambda) and tripling the number of quantum wells. When the operation temperature increases from 25degC to 95degC, the degree of power variation at 20 mA is reduced from -2.1 dB to -0.6 dB for the conventional 1- lambda cavity RCLEDs and 3- lambda cavity RCLEDs, respectively. In order to interpret the temperature-dependent experimental results, advanced device simulation is applied to model the RCLEDs with different cavity designs. According to the numerical simulation results, we deduce that the stable temperature-dependent output performance should originate from the reduction of electron leakage current and thermally enhanced hole transport for the 3- lambda cavity AlGaInP RCLEDs.
Changes in HER2 Expression in Breast Cancer Xenografts After Therapy Can Be Quantified Using PET and 18F-Labeled Affibody Molecules

In vivo imaging of human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 (HER2) expression may allow direct assessment of HER2 status in tumor tissue and provide a means to quantify changes in receptor expression after HER2-targeted therapies. This work describes the in vivo characterization of the HER2-specific N-2-(4-18F-fluorobenzamido)ethyl]maleimide (18F-FBEM)–ZHER2:342 Affibody molecule and its application to study the effect of 17 (dimethylaminoethylamino)-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-DMAG) on HER2 expression by PET. Methods: To assess the correlation of signal observed by PET with receptor expression, we administered the tracer to athymic nude mice bearing subcutaneous human breast cancer xenografts with different levels of HER2 expression. To study the downregulation of HER2, we treated the mice with 4 doses (40 mg/kg) of 17-DMAG, an inhibitor of heat-shock protein 90, known to decrease HER2 expression. The animals were scanned before and after treatment. After the last scan, the mice were euthanized and tumors were frozen for receptor analysis. Results: The tracer was eliminated quickly from the blood and normal tissues, providing high tumor-to-blood and tumor-to-muscle ratios as early as 20 min after injection. The high-contrast images between normal and tumor tissue were recorded for BT474 and MCF7/clone18 tumors. Low but still detectable uptake was observed for MCF7 tumors, and none for MDA-MB-468. The signal correlated with the receptor expression as assessed by immunohistochemistry, Western blot, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The levels of HER2 expression estimated by post-treatment PET decreased 71% (P < 4 × 10−6) and 33% (P < 0.002), respectively, for mice bearing BT474 and MCF7/clone18 tumors. These changes were confirmed by the biodistribution studies, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and Western blot. Conclusion: Our results suggest that the described 18F-FBEM–ZHER2:342 Affibody molecule can be used to assess HER2 expression in vivo by PET and monitor possible changes of receptor expression in response to therapeutic interventions.
Neo-liberal transitions in nature policies in the Netherlands

In 2010, the national government made drastic changes in nature policy in the Netherlands. The choices they made appeared to reflect a neo-liberal ideology, given the strong emphasis on private responsibility and limited governmental interference in nature policy. One of the changes was further decentralisation of nature policies to the provinces. This paper aims to analyse if the national governments changes in nature policy in 2010 resulted in a process of neo-liberalisation of nature policies in the twelve provinces in the Netherlands in the period 2010-2012. Based on policy documents and interviews, data were collected on the new character of the national and twelve provincial nature policies. This research was carried out in 2011 and 2012. This data was afterwards analysed in a structured way, by developing a neo-liberal index and categorising the provinces’ policies according to this index by the researchers, as an experiment with systematic policy comparison. The conclusion of the article is that the national government’s neo-liberal aspirations in 2010 are mainly related to deregulation, efficiency and an increase of the societal relevance of nature. In addition, it is clear that national decision affects provincial policies, but in diverse, even sometimes opposing, ways. Provinces are on their way to develop hybrid policies and practices in terms of neo-liberalism. In future research, it is worth to explore how the provincial policies develop further, and to look into the factors and mechanisms that cause these diversities.
Modulating the Effects of the Bacterial Chaperonin GroEL on Fibrillogenic Polypeptides through Modification of Domain Hinge Architecture*

The isolated apical domain of the Escherichia coli GroEL subunit displays the ability to suppress the irreversible fibrillation of numerous amyloid-forming polypeptides. In previous experiments, we have shown that mutating Gly-192 (located at hinge II that connects the apical domain and the intermediate domain) to a tryptophan results in an inactive chaperonin whose apical domain is disoriented. In this study, we have utilized this disruptive effect of Gly-192 mutation to our advantage, by substituting this residue with amino acid residues of varying van der Waals volumes with the intent to modulate the affinity of GroEL toward fibrillogenic peptides. The affinities of GroEL toward fibrillogenic polypeptides such as Aβ(1–40) (amyloid-β(1–40)) peptide and α-synuclein increased in accordance to the larger van der Waals volume of the substituent amino acid side chain in the G192X mutants. When we compared the effects of wild-type GroEL and selected GroEL G192X mutants on α-synuclein fibril formation, we found that the effects of the chaperonin on α-synuclein fibrillation were different; the wild-type chaperonin caused changes in both the initial lag phase and the rate of fibril extension, whereas the effects of the G192X mutants were more specific toward the nucleus-forming lag phase. The chaperonins also displayed differential effects on α-synuclein fibril morphology, suggesting that through mutation of Gly-192, we may induce changes to the intermolecular affinities between GroEL and α-synuclein, leading to more efficient fibril suppression, and in specific cases, modulation of fibril morphology.
Crack shape reconstruction in ferromagnetic materials using a novel fast numerical simulation method

This paper describes research on crack shape reconstruction in ferromagnetic materials using a novel fast numerical simulation method. The fast numerical method developed here, which can treat ferromagnetic materials, is an extension of a precomputed database approach based on the reduced magnetic vector potential method. It provides a fast forward simulator that is about 80 times faster than a conventional one, even in the case of ferromagnetic materials, without losing accuracy. The fast simulator is applied to the inverse problem of eddy current testing (ECT), crack shape reconstruction, and results of some electric discharge machining (EDM) cracks on a ferromagnetic plate are shown.
Baseline Analysis: The Epistemology of Scenario Support

Foresight professionals have been developing and sharing scenarios about the future for a half century now. They argue that the only way to acknowledge the inherent uncertainties about the future is to offer multiple futures (scenarios) rather than single-valued predictions. Nevertheless, most forecasters still make predictions because the process of supporting them with evidence is well known and similar to supporting conclusions in history and science. This article presents an argument for supporting scenarios using evidence through a process of critically thinking about the assumptions required to support the most likely future. Using this more transparent approach allows other professionals to understand, discuss, and critique the support for scenarios as they do the conclusions in other disciplines. That ability to peer review futures work could build the foundation for a measure of credibility and legitimacy that those other disciplines enjoy.
Associations between expressed emotion and child behavioral inhibition and psychopathology: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE To examine the relationship between behavioral inhibition and child psychopathology and measures of family adversity indexed through "expressed emotion. " METHOD Maternal expressed emotion was assessed via Five-Minute-Speech-Sample in two samples of children evaluated for prevalence of DSM-III disorders and assessed via laboratory observations for behavioral inhibition. The at-risk sample (N = 30) consisted of 4- to 10-year-old children of mothers with and without panic disorder (psychiatric controls). The Kagan sample (N = 41) consisted of children selected at age 21 months as behaviorally inhibited or uninhibited and followed through age 11. RESULTS In the at-risk sample, child behavioral inhibition was associated with high/borderline maternal criticism, independent of other measures of child psychopathology. In both samples combined, high/borderline maternal criticism was associated with child externalizing symptoms and with the number of child mood and behavior disorders. Emotional overinvolvement was significantly associated with child separation anxiety disorder in the at-risk sample. CONCLUSIONS Results suggest that child behavioral inhibition may be associated with maternal criticism/dissatisfaction and confirm other reports of associations between criticism and child behavior and mood disorders and between emotional overinvolvement and child separation anxiety.
Automated insufflation of carbon dioxide for MDCT colonography: distension and patient experience compared with manual insufflation.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of our study was to compare the effects of automated and manual carbon dioxide insufflation before CT colonography on distention and patient acceptance. SUBJECTS AND METHODS One hundred forty-one symptomatic subjects underwent CT colonography using either an automated device (n = 47) or a manual method (n = 94) for carbon dioxide insufflation. CT data sets were assessed retrospectively in consensus by two blinded observers who graded distention for six colonic segments using a 4-point scale. An additional assessment of the overall clinical adequacy of distention (yes/no) was also made, and any learning curve was sought. Each patient completed a validated 24-point patient questionnaire reflecting patient satisfaction and discomfort. Distention scores, clinical adequacy, and questionnaire responses were analyzed using ordered logistic regression, Fisher's exact test, and the Mann-Whitney test statistic, respectively. RESULTS Automated insufflation significantly improved distention overall (p = 0.001). For individual segments, distention was significantly improved in the sigmoid (p = 0.007) and descending (p < 0.001) colons when the patient was supine; and in the sigmoid (p = 0.02), descending (p = 0.001), and transverse (p = 0.02) colons when supine and prone positions were combined. No significant difference was seen in the clinical adequacy of distention, nor was there evidence of any learning curve for either insufflation method. Subjects were more weary after automated insufflation (p = 0.03), but no significant difference was seen for the remaining 23 questionnaire items or for feelings of bloating or discomfort. CONCLUSION Automated carbon dioxide insufflation significantly improves colonic distention compared with manual insufflation. Benefit is greatest in the left colon, particularly when the patient is supine. Patient acceptance is similar to that for manual insufflation.
Pediatrician interview style and mothers' disclosure of psychosocial issues.

OBJECTIVE Primary care pediatricians play an important role in the detection, diagnosis, treatment, and referral of children with mental health problems. Some parents, however, are reluctant to discuss behavioral and emotional symptoms with their child's pediatrician. Studies of patient-physician communication suggest that specific aspects of pediatrician interview style (asking questions about psychosocial issues, making supportive statements, and listening attentively) increase disclosure of sensitive information. We hypothesized that disclosures of parent and child psychosocial problems would be more likely to occur during visits when pediatricians used these techniques. DESIGN Cross-sectional analysis of a systematic sample of pediatric primary care visits. POPULATION Two hundred thirty-four children ages 6 months to 14 years and their mothers or female guardians attending an inner-city hospital-based pediatric primary care clinic; 52 physicians in their second or third year of pediatric residency training. METHODS Visits audiotaped and dialogue coded using the Roter Interactional Analysis System. Independent variables included counts of pediatrician utterances in the following categories: (a) questions about psychosocial issues, (b) statements of support and reassurance, and (c) statements indicating sympathetic and attentive listening. Dependent variables were the disclosure of information about: (a) parental medical or emotional impairment, (b) family disruption, (c) use of physical punishment, and (d) aggressive or overactive child behavior. RESULTS Use of psychosocially oriented interviewing techniques was associated with a greater likelihood of disclosure for all four of the topic areas studied. Odds ratios for disclosure, adjusted for parental concerns and child age, ranged from 1.09 to 1.22 depending on the interview technique and outcome involved. Positive associations were observed both for topics raised primarily in response to pediatrician questions (family and parent problems) and for topics raised primarily by mothers (behavior and punishment). CONCLUSIONS Three simple communication skills were associated with disclosure of specific concerns relevant to child mental health. Training pediatricians to use these skills would help to better detect and diagnose children's mental health problems.
Individual and environmental contributions to treatment outcomes following a neuroplasticity-principled speech treatment (LSVT LOUD) in children with dysarthria secondary to cerebral palsy: A case study review

Abstract This study describes the use of a neuroplasticity-principled speech treatment approach (LSVT®LOUD) with children who have dysarthria secondary to cerebral palsy. To date, the authors have treated 25 children with mild-to-severe dysarthria, a continuum of gross and fine motor functions, and variable cognitive abilities. From this data set, two case studies are presented that represent as weak or strong responders to LSVT LOUD. These case studies demonstrate how individual and environmental features may impact immediate and lasting responses to treatment. Principles that drive activity-dependent neuroplasticity are embedded in LSVT LOUD and may contribute to positive therapeutic and acoustic outcomes. However, examination of the response patterns indicated that intensity (within and across treatment sessions) is necessary but not sufficient for change. Weak responders may require a longer treatment phase, better timing (e.g., developmentally, socially), and a more prominent desire to communicate successfully during daily activities. Strong responders appear to benefit from the intensity and saliency of treatment as well as from intrinsic and extrinsic rewards for using the trained skills for everyday communication. Finally, possibilities are presented for technological solutions designed to promote accessibility to the intensive task repetition and maintenance required to drive lasting changes.
A novel hybrid PWM algorithm for reduced common mode voltage in direct torque controlled induction motor drives

This paper presents a novel hybrid pulse width modulation (HPWM) technique for the reduction of common mode voltage (CMV) in direct torque controlled induction motor drives based on the concept of imaginary switching times. In the proposed approach, different active zero state PWM (AZPWM) sequences are considered in which the actual switching times are calculated based on the instantaneous values of phase voltages. So, it does not require sector identification and angle information. Moreover for the reduction of CMV, AZPWM sequences utilize active voltage vectors for composing the reference voltage vector instead of using zero voltage vectors, So that the CMV changes from +Vdc/6 or -Vdc/6 due to application of active voltage vectors. Though these AZPWM methods reduce the computational burden involved in calculation, they still suffer from steady state ripples in torque, flux and current. To reduce the ripples in steady state, a HPWM technique is developed in which stator flux ripple analysis is done for all the AZPWM sequences in terms of actual switching times, dc link voltage (Vdc), sampling time period (Ts). As AZPWM2, AZPWM3 exhibit same ripple characteristics only AZPWM3 is considered in this paper. Then by comparing AZPWM1, AZPWM3, AZPWM4 sequences with respect to each other sequences at various modulation indices the sequence with minimum flux ripple is obtained. This sequence is then fed to DTC based induction motor drive. As all the sectors are symmetric, the mean square flux ripple characteristics for a period of 600 are plotted. To validate the proposed PWM algorithm, numerical simulation studies have been carried out using MATLAB-Simulink and results are presented and compared.
Spoken word recognition by Latino children learning Spanish as their first language

Research on the development of efficiency in spoken language understanding has focused largely on middle-class children learning English. Here we extend this research to Spanish-learning children (n=49; M=2;0; range=1;3–3;1) living in the USA in Latino families from primarily low socioeconomic backgrounds. Children looked at pictures of familiar objects while listening to speech naming one of the objects. Analyses of eye movements revealed developmental increases in the efficiency of speech processing. Older children and children with larger vocabularies were more efficient at processing spoken language as it unfolds in real time, as previously documented with English learners. Children whose mothers had less education tended to be slower and less accurate than children of comparable age and vocabulary size whose mothers had more schooling, consistent with previous findings of slower rates of language learning in children from disadvantaged backgrounds. These results add to the cross-linguistic literature on the development of spoken word recognition and to the study of the impact of socioeconomic status (SES) factors on early language development.
Superlinear Summation of Information in Premotor Neuron Pairs

Whether premotor/motor neurons encode information in terms of spiking frequency or by their relative time of firing, which may display synchronization, is still undetermined. To address this issue, we used an information theory approach to analyze neuronal responses recorded in the premotor (area F5) and primary motor (area F1) cortices of macaque monkeys under four different conditions of visual feedback during hand grasping. To evaluate the sensitivity of spike timing correlation between single neurons, we investigated the stimulus dependent synchronization in our population of pairs. We first investigated the degree of correlation of trial-to-trial fluctuations in response strength between neighboring neurons for each condition, and second estimated the stimulus dependent synchronization by means of an information theoretical approach. We compared the information conveyed by pairs of simultaneously recorded neurons with the sum of information provided by the respective individual cells. The information transmission across pairs of cells in the primary motor cortex seems largely independent, whereas information transmission across pairs of premotor neurons is summed superlinearly. The brain could take advantage of both the accuracy provided by the independency of F1 and the synergy allowed by the superlinear information population coding in F5, distinguishing thus the generalizing role of F5.
Health characteristics of inland waterway merchant marine captains and pilots.

BACKGROUND Most published studies on seafarer health have focused on patterns of mortality, injury and communicable diseases. Little information is available regarding lifestyle-related cardio-metabolic disease in maritime populations. AIMS To describe health characteristics of a population of US inland waterway merchant marine captains and pilots. METHODS A cross-sectional study of the health characteristics of mariners required to complete the United States Coast Guard physical assessment at a regional medical centre from 2003-10. Variables collected included self-reported smoking status, body mass index, fasting lipids, glucose and triglyceride levels, blood pressure and treadmill time and maximal oxygen uptake as measured using the Bruce Protocol. Major medical conditions related to lifestyle and risk for metabolic syndrome were also assessed. RESULTS There were 388 participants. The study population had high prevalence of obesity (61%), smoking (41%), high triglycerides (42%), low HDL cholesterol (47%), high blood pressure (42%), high fasting glucose (22%) and three or more features of the metabolic syndrome (39%). CONCLUSIONS This population exhibited a high prevalence of chronic disease risk factors and could potentially benefit from health promotion programmes aimed at improving health and fitness.