Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
One Decade of Inflation Targeting in the World: What Do We Know and What Do We Need to Know?

One decade of inflation targeting in the world offers lessons on the design and implementation of inflation targeting, the conduct of monetary policy, and country performance under inflation targeting. This paper reviews briefly the main design features of 18 inflation targeting experiences, analyzes statistically if countries under inflation targeting are structurally different from non-inflation targeting industrial countries, and reviews existing evidence about the success of inflation targeting. The interaction of inflation targeting design features and the conduct of monetary policy during transition to low inflation are tackled next. The paper ends by focusing on unresolved issues on design and implementation of inflation targeting and their relation to the conduct of monetary policy open issues that have to be addressed in the next decade of inflation targeting.
Thin trading and its impact upon herding: the case of Israel

Emerging markets have been found to accommodate higher herding levels compared to their developed counterparts, yet very little attention has been drawn to the possible impact of thin trading over herding estimations, even though these markets are often typified by thin trading. We address this issue by testing for herding in the Israeli market using the methodology proposed by Hwang and Salmon (2004). Results indicate that correcting for thin trading renders herding more persistent and smoother in its evolution, thus indicating that thin trading leads to an underestimated picture of herding.
Online health communities: An assessment of the influence of participation on patient empowerment outcomes

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine how participation in an online health community provides for direct benefits in the form of information utility and social support and an indirect influence on perceptions of patient empowerment.Design/methodology/approach – A multi‐method approach was conducted involving interviews with moderators of 18 online health communities and a field survey of 153 online health community participants.Findings – Online health community participation leads to direct benefits in the form of information utility and social support and that information utility also helps to shape perceptions of patient empowerment among community participants.Research limitations/implications – This research calls into question the role of online health communities as a support mechanism to empower patients to take ownership over their healthcare treatment. Online health communities support the development of patient empowerment by creating and disseminating information that can be used .
Detection of Multicast Video Flooding Attack using the Pattern of Bandwidth Provisioning Efficiency

The rapid increase of distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, which deplete a link bandwidth and service resource by sending a tremendous flooding of traffic to a victim server, has threatened fundamental network service stability. First, this letter analyzes the unique properties of multicast video delivery, which is vulnerable to malicious video flooding attacks. Second, the effectiveness of the observation of bandwidth provisioning efficiency in the detection of anomalous patterns of multicast flooding is discussed and a traffic-sharing density-based flooding detection (TDFD) mechanism is proposed. Numerical analysis and simulation results are given to validate the performance of the TDFD.
Extremely Low Frequency Electric Field Induced Mutations in Escherichia Coli K12 Strains

Escherichia coli K12 W3110 was treated by extremely low frequency electric field ( ELF EFs) 10min with the field intensity of 100&#65292;200&#65292;300&#65292;400kV/m. The mutant frequency reached 31.2×10-6 at field intensity of 100kV/m, which was about 26-fold over the background (1.2×10-6) and 12-fold over the controls (2.5×10-6). This result indicated that the ELF EFs could act as an mutagen. The results also show that base pair (bp) substitutions were the main type of ELF EFs induced mutations. Although all types of base pair substitutions were observed, 30% of the bp substitutions were G:C &#8594; A:T transitions, 70% of the bp substitutions were A:T&#8594;T:A, G:C&#8594;T:A, A:T&#8594;C:G, G:C&#8594;C:G transversions. When the spontaneous and the ELF EFs exposure group were compared, base-pair substitutions, deletions and additions of the ELF EFs exposure group were significantly increased, and the deletion or the addition of a 5'-TGGC-3' sequence at hot spot was decreased from 82 to 26%. But the remarkable increase in absolute Mutation Frequency (MF) of the deletion or the addition of a 5'-TGGC-3' sequence at hot spot in the ELF EFs exposure group suggested that ELF EFs did induce the mutations of this type. The spectra of our ELF EFs exposure group with increasing G:C to A:T transitions and A:T to T:A transversions indicate that ELF EFs exposure may induce SOS response.
A Neuro-Fuzzy Mixing Control Model for the Cooking Process of Coconut Sugar

This study presents a neuro-fuzzy system used in developing an appropriate model for the mixing control of the coconut sugar cooking process. The developed model is trained and tested using actual data and process gathered from cooking coconut sap run in several trials. Adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) was the primary tool used to model the control cooking process. Grid partition, subtractive clustering and fuzzy c-means clustering were used in the fuzzification of the training data. Then, the neural network generates the fuzzy rules for the model, which are evaluated to measure the performance of the model. Moreover, experimental results show the detailed comparison of the performance of each fuzzy model. Among the 3 training models used, the fuzzy c-means clustering provided the best performance with only 3 fuzzy rules extracted with an accuracy of 95.4% during testing.
Current advances and challenges in the development of Acinetobacter vaccines

Acinetobacter baumannii is a major cause of healthcare-associated infections worldwide with high morbidity and mortality. The clinical treatment of A. baumannii infections has become increasingly difficult because of the rapid emerging of multidrug and extremely drug resistant strains. Thus, there is an urgent need for the development of novel intervention strategies to combat this multidrug-resistant pathogen. Vaccine is one of the most effective medical measures for infection control and is likely to overcome the development of multidrug resistance by A. baumannii. Here we discussed the recent advances and potential challenges in development of A. baumannii vaccines with a focus on the 3 most important steps in the preclinical vaccine development: antigen selection, immune correlates of protection, and animal models for efficacy evaluation.
Transitional Dynamics in R&D-based Models of Endogenous Growth *

This paper offers a comprehensive study on transitional dynamics within R&D-based models of endogenous growth. There are two main motivations. First, the complete dynamic system for the market solution is derived in general form. Second, using this dynamic system as a unifying framework the adjustment process is analysed. In order to answer the question for the relative importance of transitional dynamics vis-a-vis balanced-growth dynamics, special emphasis is given to the rate of convergence. The investigations show that the models under study can reproduce empirically relevant pattern of development including over- and undershooting as well as growth cycles. The paper demonstrates an alternative route to growth cycles, which does not require complex eigenvalues.
Prevalence of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in Swine: an 18-Month Survey at a Slaughterhouse in Massachusetts

ABSTRACT Slaughterhouse pig samples were analyzed by PCR for Enterocytozoon bieneusi infection. Thirty-two percent were found to be positive, with rates being higher over the summer months. Three isolates from pigs were identical in their ribosomal internal transcribed spacer sequence to human E. bieneusi type D, two were identical to type F (from a pig), and nine were previously unreported. The viability of these spores was demonstrated by their ability to infect gnotobiotic piglets. The presence of the infection in liver was shown by in situ hybridization.
Back-to-back system for five-level converter with common flying capacitors

This study proposes a novel 5-level converter topology in which common flying capacitors (FCs) are shared by three phases. This circuit can output voltage patterns prohibited in the circuits of the previous study. Furthermore,a back-to-back (BTB) configuration can be realized by only increasing the number of the phase units of the 5-level converter. This BTB system employs common FCs for all input and output. This study shows the topology of a 5-level converter and its operational principle as well as the expansion method for realizing the BTB system. A simulation is conducted to verify the control method and operation properly.
Performance Improvement in Gradient based Algorithm for the Estimation of Fingerprint Orientation Fields

Accuracy of fingerprint recognition system is reliable for correct measurement of fingerprint features. Orientation estimation of fingerprint ridges is playing a vital role in image enhancement, segmentation, classification and recognition. The accurate estimation of ridge orientation improves the performance of minutiae extraction and matching algorithm. The noisy fingerprint does not contain the clear ridge structure, that’s why ridge orientation estimation is the toughest and challenging task in fingerprint image enhancement. Gradient-based orientation estimation algorithm is widely adopted and most popular method accepted in literature. This paper enhance the consistency level of ridge orientation after changing the range of output direction from [-PI/4, PI/4] to [0, PI] and remove the inconsistency. The implementation is done using java language and the experimental result is made on FVC2000 and FingerDOS databases. The outcome of enhanced new method for estimating ridge orientation give better performance than the existing gradient based approach.
Family firms and the incentive contracting role of accounting earnings

We investigate how family controls affect the sensitivity of the variable pay of top management to the firm’s accounting-based performance (PPS) in order to deal with both the traditional agency problem between owners and managers, and the central agency problem between controlling and minority shareholders. Using five-year data from Taiwan-listed firms, our results show that PPS is stronger for both non-family managers employed by family firms, and family managers, and is weakest for managers in non-family firms. Additionally, PPS is more pronounced in family firms with potential central agency problems, when the CEO is not a family member than when the CEO is.
Sterol to Phospholipid Molar Ratios of L Cells with Qualitative and Quantitative Variations of Cellular Sterol

Summary In this study paired values of cellular sterol and phospholipid were determined after L cells were grown in medium known to induce changes in the level and kinds of cellular sterol. The sterol to phospholipid molar ratios computed from the paired values showed differences because, while the level of cellular sterol changed in response to exogenous sterol, no statistically significant differences in the levels of cellular phospholipid were apparent. When L cells were grown in the presence of concentrations of exogenous cholesterol ranging from 0 to 40 μug/ml, the sterol to phospholipid molar ratio ranged from 0.21 ± 0.01 to 0.33 ± 0.04, and, although the cellular sterol ranged from a low level almost exclusively of desmosterol (97%) to a 60% higher level almost exclusively of cholesterol (91%), no statistically significant differences were observed in the amount of cellular phospholipid. In another instance of growth in lipid-free medium a sterol to phospholipid molar ratio as low as 0.16 ± 0.03 was observed. In cell fractions enriched for surface membrane material, sterol to phospholipid molar ratios of 0.27 ± 0.02 and 0.47 ± 0.04 were observed for cells grown respectively in lipid-free and 7.5% serum supplemented medium. Additional analysis by thin-layer chromatography of the total lipid extract showed no apparent differences in the relative amounts of phospholipid classes.
Specificity role of the streptokinase C-terminal domain in plasminogen activation.

Several pathogenic bacteria secrete plasminogen activator proteins. Streptokinase (SKe) produced by Streptococcus equisimilis and staphylokinase secreted from Staphylococcus aureus are human plasminogen activators and streptokinase (SKu), produced by Streptococcus uberis, is a bovine plasminogen activator. Thus, the fusion proteins among these activators can explain the function of each domain of SKe. Replacement of the SKalpha domain with staphylokinase donated the staphylokinase-like activation activity to SKe, and the SKbetagamma domain played a role of nonproteolytic activation of plasminogen. Recombinant SKu also activated human plasminogen by staphylokinase-like activation mode. Because SKu has homology with SKe, the bovine plasminogen activation activities of SKe fragments were checked. SKebetagamma among them had activation activity with bovine plasminogen. This means that the C-terminal domain (gamma-domain) of streptokinase determines plasminogen species necessary for activation and converses the ability of substrate recognition to human species.
Analysis and recovery of sample-and-hold and linearly interpolated signals with irregular samples

A modular method is suggested to recover a bandlimited signal from the sample-and-hold and linearly interpolated (or, in general, an nth-order hold) version of the irregular samples. The approach is an extension of work for the sample-and-hold signals with uniform samples. A coordinate transform technique is applied to show a practical way of finding an approximate inverse coordinate mapping. As a byproduct, some sufficient conditions on the nonuniform samples for the modular technique to the valid are derived. >
The effects of macroeconomic stability on foreign trade. An analysis for Spain, 1986-2000

Two main factors underlie the rebirth of interest in the study of the influence of the real exchange rate on trade, the reduction of its volatility and the current trend towards price stability. The objective of this study is to analyse the effects of the process of nominal convergence, required of the European member states for the fulfilment of monetary integration, on foreign trade flows. The case of Spain, which is especially interesting in this context, is studied for the period 1986 to 2000. The results of estimating the aggregate functions of the export and import of goods shows how macroeconomic stability has altered the behaviour of trade with respect to the two basic determinants - income and prices - how it has caused a significant structural change in the real exchange rate and, finally, how it has laid the explanatory bases for transactions in the twenty-first century with the single currency - the euro.
Vision Development as a Knowledge Creating Process

The ability to generate new knowledge and to transfer, use and apply existing knowledge is a crucial factor for systems in general and for companies in particular if they want to be capable to meet the future. One of the essential requirements for this process is the vision of the system. This vision has to adhere to certain criteria, i.e. transcendence of existing boundaries, commonly shared commitment and reflection of absolute values serving a common good. Our paper will explore how knowledge-based management and organizational learning from the future can interlock in order to generate an attractive and forward looking overall vision of the system. Moreover this approach should make possible the generation of new knowledge or the sharing and use of existing knowledge possible. The aim of this paper is introducing a framework for knowledge-based vision development in systems and analyzing its aspects of knowledge flows, transfer and sharing.
Immunogenicity and reactogenicity of a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine administered combined with a haemophilus influenzae type B conjugate vaccine in United Kingdom infants.

BACKGROUND Streptococcus pneumoniae is a major disease burden in young children and the incidence of antibiotic-resistant pneumococcal strains is increasing. Multivalent pneumococcal saccharide-protein conjugate vaccines have recently been developed. OBJECTIVES To assess the immunogenicity and reactogenicity of a 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (7VPnC) administered as a separate injection or as a combined injection with Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine (HbOC) at 2, 3 and 4 months of age. METHODS Randomized controlled trial of 368 healthy UK infants receiving routine vaccines only (control group), routine vaccines and 7VPnC as a separate injection (separate group), or routine vaccines and 7VPnC combined with HbOC (combined group) at 2, 3 and 4 months. The control group received 7VPnC at 5, 6 and 7 months. All groups received pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine at 13 to 16 months. Anticapsular IgG antibodies to 7VPnC serotypes were measured at 2, 5, 13 and 14 months and safety data collected. RESULTS IgG antibody concentrations at 5 months were higher in the two treatment groups compared with the controls for all 7VPnC serotypes (P < 0.001) and higher in the separate group than the combined group for five 7VPnC serotypes (P < 0.05). For both treatment groups antibody concentrations were higher at 14 months (range, 6.6 to 25.3 microg/ml) than at 5 months (range, 0.6 to 2.5 microg/ml) for all 7VPnC serotypes (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION 7VPnC was well-tolerated, safe and immunogenic when administered as a separate or as a combined 7VPnC/HbOC injection. Although antibody responses were lower in the infants who received the combination compared with those who received 7VPnC as a separate injection, marked anamnestic responses to polysaccharide challenge were observed, suggesting that both groups were immunologically primed.
Optimisation of ultrasonic machining of zirconia bio-ceramics using genetic algorithm

Ultrasonic machining is one of the most extensively used non-traditional machining processes for the machining of non-conductive, brittle materials such as carbides, glasses and bio-ceramics. The present paper includes the investigation into surface roughness of machined of hexagonal holes and material removal rate during ultrasonic machining of zirconia bio-ceramics. The response surface methodology was employed for developing empirical models. Abrasive grit size, abrasive slurry concentration, power rating and tool feed rate have been considered as controlling parameters of ultrasonic machining process. Multi-objective optimisation has been carried out for minimising surface roughness of hole surface and maximising material removal rate during hexagonal profile generation by USM. However, for searching out the best optimal solution, genetic algorithm (GA) is used. Unlike traditional optimisation techniques, GA is strong and performs well in multi objective optimisation problems. Using genetic algorithm, maximum MRR of 0.2365 g/min and minimum surface roughness of 0.58 μm were obtained at the optimal parametric combination such as abrasive grit size of 57 μm, abrasive slurry concentration of 42 g/l, power rating of 492 W and tool feed rate of 0.88 mm/min.
The Changing State of the NYSE Market: New Common Factors, Players, and Impulse Responses

This article investigates the impulse response path through which an information or liquidity shock reveals itself, first in depths and then in subsequent adjustments of the spread. Our three-equation error correction model investigates the equilibrium properties of spread and depth adjustment. In particular, they estimate orthogonalized impulse responses and Gonzalo-Granger common factor weights to discern whether spreads or depths are first to permanently impound the common stochastic trends in liquidity and information fundamentals. Using three years of NYSE quote data on the DJIA stocks, the authors show that depths decline in response to positive shocks to the spread but that this effect is not permanent. In contrast, spreads widen initially in response to positive depth shocks as orders “walk the book,s” but subsequent net tightening occurs within less than two minutes and proves to be a permanent effect. As order flow imbalance appears, the resulting quote changes quickly elicit undisplayed (off-market) liquidity. The authors conclude that the NYSE book refreshes very quickly.
Impact of East Asia’s Growth Interruption and Policy Responses: The Case of Indonesia

Assessments to date of the consequences of implementing the Uruguay Round (UR) of multilateral trade negotiations have assumed medium-term rates of economic growth in East Asia that now seem unsustainable. This paper compares one set of those estimates to 2005 with an alternative set involving an interruption to East Asian economic growth in the late 1990s, using the global, economy-wide GTAP model. Attention focuses on results for Indonesia, the worst-affected country in the region. An important consequence of the crisis is that Indonesia is likely to become more agrarian for a time than it otherwise would have been. Also, both income levels and the gains from the UR will be lower at the completion of UR implementation in 2005 than would have been the case without the crisis. Hopefully this will boost support in Indonesia (and other East Asian countries) for a push to catch up through further unilateral, regional and global trade and investment liberalizations and domestic policy reform. The benefits to Indonesia from embracing further unilateral reform, as estimated by the GTAP model, are contrasted with the costs of the alternative strategy of reneging on UR commitments to liberalize trade. Of particular importance are policies affecting agriculture’s capacity to be an engine of growth recovery.
Momentum strategy and credit risk

The article first focused on the traditional momentum strategies, and the distance-to-default of the KMV (Kealhofer, McQuown and Vasicek) model was later applied as the proxy of credit risk. Then, based on the credit risk, two factors January effect and business cycle were added to investigate the momentum effect on them and credit risk. Empirical results indicated that investment portfolios had the momentum effects by traditional momentum strategies. After the credit risk was added, when the high-credit-risk group applied the momentum strategies in the mid- and long-term holding periods, significant excess return occurred. For low- and medium-credit-risk groups, the momentum profits only exist in 36–months holding periods. In addition, when credit risk was taken as the basis, and the January effect was included, the study found that positive momentum profits only took place in the low- and medium-credit-risk groups in 36-months holding period. Finally, when credit risk was taken as the basis, and business cycle was included, momentum profits took place during the recession period. Consequently, we found that momentum strategy has different influence on three credit-risk groups. Investors should consider the credit-risk characteristics of their investment portfolio when employing the momentum strategy.
An Empirical Study on the Factors of Chinese Urbanization Process and Policy Proposals about the "New-Type" Urbanization

First of all, this thesis will compile negative effects of this process since the reform and opening-up policy was enacted. And then the policy background, the connotation and the main function of new-type urbanization will be introduced. Followed by an empirical study, this thesis will also analyze the main factors of traditional urbanization and make corresponding policy proposals for modern urbanization nowadays.