Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Foreign aid, government behaviour and fiscal policy outcomes in Papua New Guinea

Foreign aid in Papua New Guinea (PNG) has been heavily criticised on the grounds that it has undermined incentives for domestic revenue collection, encouraged irresponsible expenditure behaviour and high levels of public debt, and contributed to the poor composition of government spending towards wasteful expenditure items. This paper seeks to determine what impact foreign grants have had on the fiscal behaviour of the PNG Government with the use of a dynamic Vector Error Correction Model which estimates a simultaneous system of fiscal equations between 1974 and 2008. Results show that foreign grants have indeed lowered domestic revenue collection but they have also been an important source of debt reduction. In some circumstances aid has improved the composition of government expenditure but the revenue and debt repayment effects mean that it has had a weak effect on increasing overall expenditure levels. Preliminary results also suggest that these effects vary considerably according to how aid is delivered, comparing budget support vis-a-vis project and program aid delivery. A number of policy implications follow.
Transformation of bile acids by Eubacterium lentum

A group of fecal isolates identified as Eubacterium lentum elaborated 3 alpha-, 7 alpha-, and 12 alpha-dehydrogenases and also an epimerizing enzyme(s) for the 3 alpha-hydroxy group. The activities of the enzymes, however, were variably manifested according to the kind of bile acid substrate and the oxygen tension under which the reaction occurred.
VHL Genetic Alteration in CCRCC Does Not Determine De-Regulation of HIF, CAIX, hnRNP A2/B1 and Osteopontin

Background: von Hippel–Lindau (VHL) tumour suppressor gene inactivation is associated with clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CCRCC) development. The VHL protein (pVHL) has been proposed to regulate the expression of several proteins including Hypoxia Inducible Factor-α (HIF-α), carbonic anhydrase (CA)IX, heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) A2/B1 and osteopontin. pVHL has been characterized in vitro, however, clinical studies are limited. We evaluated the impact of VHL genetic alterations on the expression of several pVHL protein targets in paired normal and tumor tissue. Methods: The VHL gene was sequenced in 23 CCRCC patients and VHL transcript levels were evaluated by real-time RT-PCR. Expression of pVHL’s protein targets were determined by Western blotting in 17 paired patient samples. Results: VHL genetic alterations were identified in 43.5% (10/23) of CCRCCs. HIF-1α, HIF-2α and CAIX were up-regulated in 88.2% (15/17), 100% (17/17) and 88.2% (15/17) of tumors respectively and their expression is independent of VHL status. hnRNP A2/B1 and osteopontin expression was variable in CCRCCs and had no association with VHL genetic status. Conclusion: As expression of these proposed pVHL targets can be achieved independently of VHL mutation (and possibly by hypoxia alone), these data suggests that other pVHL targets may be more crucial in renal carcinogenesis.
Determinants of financial covenants and pricing of debt in private debt contracts: the UK evidence

Abstract This paper presents details of financial covenants given by a sample drawn from the largest 200 non-financial quoted firms in the UK in private debt contracts and analyses these data to see whether there are relationships between the nature of the covenants given and firm characteristics. Data were obtained from 72 firms, of which 17 gave no financial covenants. Firm size was found to be the only significant factor influencing whether firms did or did not give covenants as well as the only factor which influenced the margin given on debt. Some types of covenants given were found to be different from those found in previous research. In particular, there is greater use of EBITDA as a base for both interest cover and gearing covenants. This shows the importance of cash flow based lending as opposed to asset based lending for general financing for large firms.
Hardware security: From concept to application

With the advent of the Internet of Things (IoT), electronics devices are everywhere in our lives. This omnipresence implies a growing of security issues (data or identity theft, hostile takeover of sensitive equipments.). To counter security vulnerabilities, “Security by Design” methods are being developed. It advises to think about security from the beginning of the conception at both software and hardware levels. Therefore, it is necessary to create new pedagogical support to form engineers to this method. In this context, the French national coordination for microelectronics education has launched a program targeting hardware security instruction. Four main courses were developed addressing students from high-school level to PhD level. This paper presents the three-day Master/PhD training which includes theoretical lectures and practical labs. Since 2014, more than 1000 students have followed this training.
Women in the Malaysian parliament: Do they matter?

This paper explores the impact of women’s representation in the lower house (Dewan Rakyat) of the Malaysian Parliament. It is an attempt to see whether women representatives in the Dewan Rakyat are able to make any impact or difference in parliament, in the context of making policy output more women-friendly. Available studies conducted mainly in the West have shown that women legislators are more responsive to women’s interest than their male counterparts, developing distinctive sets of concerns and priorities and taking leading parts in formulating policies that favour women. Through textual analysis of nine years of the Malaysian Parliament (1999-2007), this paper examines the issues that have been introduced and discussed by the women and the impact they made in parliament. It also reveals the critical actors initiating or introducing women-related issues.
Flow cytometric ploidy analysis of testicular biopsies from sperm-negative wet preparations.

BACKGROUND The use of testicular sperm in assisted reproduction depends on the availability of sperm in wet preparations. It is not always possible to recover sperm from the testis, even with previous sperm-positive histopathological findings. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the sperm-negative wet preparation search results with flow cytometric ploidy analysis and histopathological examination. METHODS Two pieces of testicular tissue were obtained from azoospermic patients to investigate the spermatogenic status of the testis, and to determine the presence of sperm through a wet preparation. The testicular tissue was shredded and then vortexed; the cellular suspension was then processed for a wet preparation sperm search, while the residual tissue was exposed to enzymatic digestion for flow cytometric ploidy analysis. RESULTS A total of 38 patients had sperm-negative wet preparation results. Of those, six (16%) were shown to have haploid cells after flow cytometric analysis. Histopathological examination showed three samples with maturation arrest at the spermatid stage, and the other three at the spermatocyte stage. CONCLUSIONS Flow cytometric ploidy analysis can be used to verify the results of a wet preparation sperm search when no sperm were detected. Flow cytometric ploidy analysis can also reveal the presence of spermatids when no sperm are available.
Executive Functions and Memory Abilities in Children With 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome

Objective: Velo-cardio-facial syndrome or 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11DS) is the most common known microdeletion syndrome. One of the genes in the deleted region is the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene, which is thought to have significant effects on cognition through its influence on dopamine metabolism. The aim of the present study was to better characterize the cognitive phenotype in a large cohort children with 22q11DS compared with sibling controls and to investigate if the cognitive deficits in 22q11DS were modulated by COMT expression. Method: The memory, executive function and attentional abilities of children with 22q11DS (n = 50) compared to sibling controls (n = 31), were measured. Also, within children with 22q11DS, a preliminary exploration was carried out of the relationship between cognitive ability and COMT genotype. Results: Overall, the 22q11DS group had significantly reduced scores on tests of memory (especially in visual memory) and executive function (particularly in planning, working memory, and motor organization) compared with sibling controls. No association, however, was identified between COMT genotype and cognitive function. Conclusions: Although 22q11DS children have specific cognitive deficits, differences in COMT do not account for these findings.
Recent Developments in Fisheries Economics Research

Fisheries economics stand on the cusp of potentially sizeable changes in orientation and policy focus, leading in turn to comparable changes in modeling and general analysis. Notably, fisheries are increasingly framed as part of the overall marine environment rather than considered as solely or largely a commercial fishing issue. Other changes further challenge this traditional conceptual foundation, including technological change, multiple externalities, asymmetric information, marine planning and strategic interactions among players that are especially pronounced in international settings. This paper contends there is a potential for re-development of fishery economic models related to fishery and marine economics in several directions also related to the economic foundation.
Concept of the Corporation

Concept of the Corporation was the first study ever of the constitution, structure, and internal dynamics of a major business enterprise. Basing his work on a two-year analysis of the company done during the closing years of World War II, Drucker looks at the General Motors managerial organization from within. He tries to understand what makes the company work so effectively, what its core principles are, and how they contribute to its successes. The themes this volume addresses go far beyond the business corporation, into a consideration of the dynamics of the so-called corporate state itself. When the book initially appeared, General Motors managers rejected it as unfairly critical and antibusiness. Yet, the GM concept of the corporation and its principles of organization later became models for organizations worldwide. Not only businesses, but also government agencies, research laboratories, hospitals, and universities have found in Concept of the Corporation a basis for effective organization and management. Because it offers a fundamental theory of corporate goals, this book is a valuable resource for business professionals and organization analysts. It will also be of interest to students and professionals in economics, public administration, and political science. Professional and technical readers who admire Peter Drucker's work will want to be certain this volume is in their personal library. At a time when everything from the size to the structure of corporations is being questioned, this classic should prove a valuable guide.
The principal role of the board of directors: the duty to say “no”

Purpose – This paper aims to explain a new idea for the corporate board's main agenda, which should dramatically increase the scale of problems with which the board deals. This agenda also changes the board's interaction with the management providing a new approach to the agency problem.Design/methodology/approach – The paper is based on the normative method. The authors rely on cases (only a few are presented here) to illustrate uses of the real option analysis in the approach to the board activities. The paper shows that, on one hand, it is impossible to avoid managerial fraud and misconduct by means of the board's (and authorities’) traditional monitoring, even under the maximum possible toughening of the criminal and civil law, but, on the other hand, it is possible to change the content of the board‐management interaction to prevent fateful events.Findings – The paper shows how “the duty to say no” approach can prevent corporate failure and, at the same time, facilitate growth and innovation. The und.
Relationship between dopamine deficit and the expression of depressive behavior resulted from alteration of serotonin system

Depression frequently accompanies in Parkinson's disease (PD). Previous research suggested that dopamine (DA) and serotonin systems are closely linked with depression in PD. However, comprehensive studies about the relationship between these two neurotransmitter systems are limited. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of dopaminergic destruction on the serotonin system. The interconnection between motor and depression was also examined. Two PET scans were performed in the 6‐hydroxydopamine (6‐OHDA) lesioned and sham operated rats: [18F]FP‐CIT for DA transporters and [18F]Mefway for serotonin 1A (5‐HT1A) receptors. Here, 6‐OHDA is a neurotoxin for dopaminergic neurons. Behavioral tests were used to evaluate the severity of symptoms: rotational number for motor impairment and immobility time, acquired from the forced swim test for depression. Region‐of‐interests were drawn in the striatum and cerebellum for the DA system and hippocampus and cerebellum for the 5‐HT system. The cerebellum was chosen as a reference region. Nondisplaceable binding potential in the striatum and hippocampus were compared between 6‐OHDA and sham groups. As a result, the degree of DA depletion was negatively correlated with rotational behavior (R2 = 0.79, P = 0.003). In 6‐OHDA lesioned rats, binding values for 5‐HT1A receptors was 22% lower than the sham operated group. This decrement of 5‐HT1A receptor binding was also correlated with the severity of depression (R2 = 0.81, P = 0.006). Taken together, this research demonstrated that the destruction of dopaminergic system causes the reduction of the serotonergic system resulting in the expression of depressive behavior. The degree of dopaminergic dysfunction was positively correlated with the impairment of the serotonin system. Severity of motor symptoms was also closely related to depressive behavior. Synapse 69:453–460, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Elevated expression of SerpinA1 and SerpinA3 in HLA‐positive cervical carcinoma

In cervical cancer, an important mechanism by which tumour cells escape immune surveillance is loss of HLA class I, enabling tumours to evade recognition and lysis by cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Some tumours, however, escape from immune surveillance without accumulating defects in antigen presentation. We hypothesized that tumours with no or partial loss of HLA class I develop alternative mechanisms to prevent immune elimination. To investigate this hypothesis, genome‐wide expression profiling using Illumina arrays was performed on cervical squamous cell carcinomas showing overall loss of HLA class I, partial, and normal HLA class I protein expression. Statistical analyses revealed no significant differences in gene expression between tumours with partial (n = 11) and normal HLA class I expression (n = 10). Comparison of tumours with normal/partial HLA class I expression (n = 21) with those with overall loss of HLA class I expression (n = 11) identified 150 differentially expressed genes. Most of these genes were involved in the defence response (n = 27) and, in particular, inflammatory and acute phase responses. Especially SerpinA1 and SerpinA3 were found to be up‐regulated in HLA‐positive tumours (3.6‐ and 8.2‐fold, respectively), and this was confirmed by real‐time PCR and immunohistochemistry. In a group of 117 tumours, high SerpinA1 and SerpinA3 expression in association with normal/partial HLA expression correlated significantly with poor overall survival (p = 0.035 and p = 0.05, respectively). Thus, HLA‐positive tumours are characterized by higher expression of genes associated with an inflammatory profile. In addition, expression of the acute phase proteins SerpinA1 and SerpinA3 in HLA‐positive tumours is associated with worse prognosis. Copyright © 2008 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
“ISI” a new method for automatic speaker tracking and detection

In this paper we propose a new algorithm called ISI or “Interlaced Speech Indexing”, developed and implemented for the task of speaker detection and tracking. It consists in finding the identity of a well-defined speaker and the moments of his interventions inside an audio document, in order to access rapidly, directly and easily to his speech. Speaker Tracking can broadly be divided into two problems: Locating the points of speaker change (Segmentation of the document) and looking for the target speaker in each segment using a verification system in order to extract his global speech in the document: Speaker Detection. For the segmentation task, we developed a method based on an interlaced equidistant segmentation (IES) associated with the ISI algorithm. This approach uses a speaker identification method based on Second Order Statistical Measures (SOSM). As SOSM measures, we choose the “μGc” one, which is based on the covariance matrix. However, the experiments showed that this method needs, at least, a speech length of 2 seconds, which means that the segmentation resolution will be 2 seconds. By combining the SOSM with the new Indexing technique (ISI), we demonstrate that the average segmentation error is reduced to only 0.5 second, which is more accurate and more interesting for real-time applications. Results indicate that the association SOSM-ISI provides a high resolution and a high tracking performance: the tracking score (percentage of correctly labelled segments) is 95% on TIMIT database and 92.4% on Hub4 database.
Consumer Demand Analysis of Complementarity-Substitution Relationships Among Passenger Transport Modes in Greece

An aggregate analysis for domestic travel in Greece between 1994-2004 involving the substitution and complementarity relationships among all available transportation modes is presented in this paper. Based on consumer demand theory, the proposed model builds on the Almost Ideal Demand System. It processes factors including Greek household travel budget allocation and demand temporal and spatial variability. Distinct travel commodities' different natures are revealed through results, which extended panel demand system application obtained. The study also indicates the existence of Greek passenger transportation market complementarity relationships as well as significant substitution. Study findings can provide useful transportation policies formulation and assessment insights focusing on increasing integrated public transportation mode use and managing private vehicle travel demand.
Information processing in brain and dynamic patterns of transmission during working memory task by the SDTF function

We studied the dynamical pattern of transmission involved in the information processing during cognitive experiments engaging working memory. The ensemble averaging approach was used to fit a multichannel autoregressive model to the EEG signals recorded during the transitive reasoning task. The short-time directed transfer function was estimated for finding dynamical patterns of functional connectivity during the memory and reasoning task. The results indicated that there exist particular areas where information is processed as envisaged by transmissions between closely located electrodes. In case of reasoning task these local circuits were located in frontal and parietal regions. These areas (these local circuits) from time to time exchange information between each other‥
A limited feedback scheme for 3D multiuser MIMO based on Kronecker product codebook

This paper proposes a new codebook structure called Kronecker-product based codebook (KPC), where each codeword is the Kronecker product of two oversampled DFT codewords in both the horizontal and vertical domains. The KPC is especially suitable for the three-dimensional (3D) multiuser multi-input multi-output (MU-MIMO) systems. Besides, channel state information feedback based on the best companion cluster scheme is investigated. Since all codewords have been grouped into several clusters, each user feeds back its best precoding matrix index, best interference cluster index and channel quality information, then the BS pairs and schedules users according to the received feedback. Different codewords clustering methods affect the performance of the limited feedback schemes. We proposes two kinds of codewords clustering methods based on 3D beam patterns, including both the symmetric and asymmetric one. Simulation shows that with properly clustered codewords, our proposed 3D MU-MIMO feedback scheme has a significant throughput gain against 2D MU-MIMO feedback scheme.
UNEMPLOYMENT, TRANS-BOUNDARY POLLUTION, AND ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY IN A DUALISTIC ECONOMY

This study is intended to examine the effects of environmental policies on employment, the use of polluting goods, and the unemployment rate under a model introducing transâ€ boundary pollution affecting the productivity of the other productive sectors. That model was designed by Copeland and Taylor (1999), and transformed into a dualistic economy model constructed by Harris and Todaro (1970). Results of our analyses show that enforcement of environmental policy through control of emissions taxes does not necessarily worsen urban unemployment. Therefore, we show that it is not usually proper to maintain that some environmental pollution cannot be avoided to establish economic development. Moreover, we analyze the effect of some environmental policies on social welfare and discuss the effectiveness of those policies.
The G20 After the Seoul Summit

To some, the G20 offers a representative, legitimate and effective forum for dealing with global economic issues, and represents a distinct improvement on the G8. To others it is seen as still lacking full legitimacy and as being an unlikely institutional vehicle for organising global economic cooperation and coordination. This article assesses these views in the aftermath of the Seoul summit of November 2010. To what extent has the momentum that appeared to have been generated at the London summit in April, 009 been maintained? Many of the more intractable problems facing the world economy were, in fact, deferred in 2009, allowing the impression to be created that there was a higher degree of international consensus than there really was. Moreover, the crisis circumstances at the time placed a high premium on swift policy action. As the crisis has eased, more fundamental disagreements have emerged, and these were reflected by the discussions in Seoul. The reality is likely to be that while it is a useful institution for debate and discussion, and perhaps for helping to resolve disagreement, the achievements of the G20 will probably turn out to be more modest than the London summit might have suggested.