Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Tests of weak form efficiency in the Middle East emerging markets

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the efficiency of the emerging stock markets in the Middle Eastern countries. Design/methodology/approach – The paper investigates the validity of the random walk hypothesis (RWH) and tests for calendar effects in five major Middle Eastern emerging markets, by applying a range of statistical and econometrics techniques. Findings – In general, the results reject the RWH for all markets and instead suggest that the stock returns in these countries exhibit calendar effects. However, the evidence for the Israel Tel100 stock market shows greater support for the RWH compared with the other markets in the sample. Research limitations/implications – The evidence for calendar effects is subject to data limitations due to the relatively short time period for which data were available. The anomalies observed may result from institutional factors specific to the countries in the sample. Further research in this area might aim to clarify the influence of such institutional factors. Practical implications – The limited support for weak form efficiency in Middle Eastern emerging markets implies a degree of predictability of returns for these emerging stock markets, which may be a factor in their attractiveness to global investors. Originality/value – Owing to the relatively recent establishment of stock markets in most of the Middle Eastern countries, little is known about their stock price behaviour. This paper examines this under-researched area and is of value to finance academics and to global investors.
MERGERS WITH SUPPLY FUNCTIONS

I analyze the equilibrium effects of a merger in an industry when firms compete by submitting supply functions. Under the assumptions that the industry capital stock is fixed and production costs are quadratic and decreasing in capital, I find that any merger results in all firms reducing supply. The decrease in supply by non-participating firms makes any merger profitable. A merger from a symmetric industry lowers welfare.
The Governance of a Fragile Eurozone

When entering a monetary union, member countries change the nature of their sovereign debt in a fundamental way; that is, they cease to have control over the currency in which their debt is issued. As a result, financial markets can force these countries’ sovereigns into defaulting. This makes the monetary union fragile and vulnerable to changing market sentiments. It also makes it possible that self‐fulfilling multiple equilibria arise. I analyse the implications of this fragility for the governance of the Eurozone. I argue that the role of the European Central Bank as a lender of last resort is crucial in reducing the fragility of the Eurozone. In addition, steps towards a budgetary union are key in structurally strengthening the union.
Photosynthetic and Other Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxylase Isoforms in the Single-Cell, Facultative C4System of Hydrilla verticillata 1

The submersed monocot Hydrilla verticillata (L.f.) Royle is a facultative C4 plant. It typically exhibits C3 photosynthetic characteristics, but exposure to low [CO2] induces a C4 system in which the C4 and Calvin cycles co-exist in the same cell and the initial fixation in the light is catalyzed by phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC). Three full-length cDNAs encoding PEPC were isolated from H. verticillata, two from leaves and one from root. The sequences were 95% to 99% identical and shared a 75% to 85% similarity with other plant PEPCs. Transcript studies revealed that one isoform,Hvpepc4, was exclusively expressed in leaves during C4 induction. This and enzyme kinetic data were consistent with it being the C4 photosynthesis isoform. However, the C4 signature serine of terrestrial plant C4isoforms was absent in this and the other H. verticillata sequences. Instead, alanine, typical of C3 sequences, was present. Western analyses of C3 and C4 leaf extracts after anion-exchange chromatography showed similar dominant PEPC-specific bands at 110 kD. In phylogenetic analyses, the sequences grouped with C3, non-graminaceous C4, and Crassulacean acid metabolism PEPCs but not with the graminaceous C4, and formed a clade with a gymnosperm, which is consistent with H. verticillataPEPC predating that of other C4 angiosperms.
The Incidence of Market-Stabilising Price Support Schemes

The introduction of a stabilization scheme can raise or lower the wealth of initial owners of land and commodity stocks substantially, even if the are risk neutral. The incidence consists of the capitaliz ed value of the revenue changes along the path to the new stochastic steady state. By ignoring the dynamic path, traditional comparative statics understates the benefits to initial asset holders. Because of differences in dynamic paths, destruction of the commodity can have a lower marginal deadweight loss than a public bu ffer stock, and deficiency payments can be especially attractive when the variability is exogenous to the domestic market. Copyright 1988 by Royal Economic Society.
Regional Expression of Dopamine D1 and D2 Receptor Proteins in the Cerebral Cortex of Asphyxic Newborn Infants

Dopamine D1 and D2 receptor protein expression was examined by Western blotting in newborn infants dying from cerebral asphyxia between 31 and 42 weeks' gestation, and matched controls. Frontal, occipital, temporal, and motor cortex tissue samples were obtained at autopsy (median postmortem interval 35 hours) and frozen for storage at —80°C. A total of 2 immunoreactive bands were detected with each primary antibody in infant brain, whereas a single band was present in adult human and rat tissue. Immunoreactivity varied between cortical areas for both receptors, but their regional patterns differed significantly. D1 protein levels were higher in motor and temporal cortex than in frontal or occipital cortex. D2 protein showed graded expression frontal > motor > occipital > temporal cortex. Asphyxia cases showed lower expression of the upper D2 immunoreactive band, but no difference in regional pattern. Lower D2 receptor expression may attenuate stress responses and underlie increased vulnerability to hypoxia at birth.
Spontaneous Dissecting Aneurysms Of The Internal Carotid And Vertebral Arteries — Two Case Reports

This study was undertaken to examine some of the quantitative and qualitative changes which might occur in the cerebral granular pericyte population when comparing control and embolically stressed animals. Eight animals, male NZW 2-2.5 kg rabbits, were given intracarotid sublethal injections of human atheroma concentrated at 125 mg/ml. Eight others received 1 cc of sterile saline. Two hours after injection the brains were fixed with either neutral buffered formalin or 3% buffered glutaraldehyde by cardiac perfusion at 110 mmHg pressure. The brains were removed and sliced, anteroposteriorly, in 3 mm slices. Each slice from five brains for each condition was then processed for paraffin sectioning and staining with Hematoxylin and PAS. Two animals for each condition underwent the same treatments and were processed for frozen sectioning and staining with Oil Red O. One animal for each condition had each brain slice sectioned by vibratome (40 jj.m) and was processed appropriately and examined by either fluorescence microscopy, standard electron microscopy or acid phosphatase electron microscopy. In the groups stained with Hematoxylin and PAS, granular pericytes were counted for each of the first five levels of each brain for both the control and experimental conditions. The results of this study reconfirmed that these cells were granular pericytes; that is, they were autofluorescent and PAS positive; were surrounded by a basement membrane, were acid phosphatase positive and contained a heterogenous granular cytoplasmic inclusion population. Further, after ischemic insult, the number of granular pericytes increased significantly at two hours. It was also shown that these cells appeared capable of accumulating lipid components of the injected atheroma from the vessel lumen.
Ventilation inhomogeneities assessed by the multibreath washout (MBW) technique

Intrapulmonary gas distribution and mixing is an important functional property of the lungs and can be characterised by the multibreath washout (MBW) technique. By computing indices from the entire washout curve, ventilation inhomogeneities can be characterised.1–5 Developed in the late 1980s for use in children,6–8 MBW measurements are taken during tidal breathing and have been used in infants9–12 as well as preschool children.7 12 13 This technique is especially advantageous in the latter as only a few tests exist for measuring pulmonary function without active subject cooperation. The MBW allows us to measure functional residual capacity (FRCMBW), which can be used in combination with the plethysmographic intrathoracic gas volume (FRCpleth) to determine the amount of trapped gas in the lungs (VTG). 14–17 In addition, using the washout curve, different measures of ventilation inhomogeneity can be obtained. The lung clearance index (LCI) is defined as the number of lung volume turnovers (cumulative expired volume divided by FRC). 2 3 5 Other more sophisticated indices include the moment ratios (m1:m, m2:m),4–8 10 18 19 mixing ratio (ratio between the actual and ideal breaths needed to lower the tracer gas to a defined end-tidal concentration in relation to the starting concentration)13 20 and the alveolar-based gas dilation number.19 21 At present, LCI is the most commonly used of these indices, partly because it is arguably the most intuitive and easiest to be communicated to patients. Of note, these indices of intrapulmonary gas mixing are independent of age. Moreover, LCI has been shown in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) to be more sensitive than spirometry for detecting changes in small airways,13 to be the …
Deployment of High-speed Broadband Infrastructures during the Economic Crisis. The case of Regional Governments in Spain

This paper reviews the Spanish situation regarding Next Generation Networks (NGNs) and analyzes some public initiatives undertaken by regional governments. The paper focuses on “Xarxa Oberta”, a public-private project to deploy NGNs in Catalonia that may be especially attractive for countries and regions with severe budget constraints. Its main features are the following: i) the project focuses on the availability of advanced public services to the population rather than in bringing fibre to the homes; ii) “Xarxa Oberta” is designed as an open and neutral network which according to the Commission is compatible with the “Broadband Guidelines”, and may even foster private investment in last mile infrastructure; iii) the finance strategy relies on a PPP structure based on periodical payments that can be partially compensated by the payments for telecommunication services that will be self-provided.
BRD4 promotes gastric cancer progression through the transcriptional and epigenetic regulation of c‐MYC

Although the significance of BRD4 in the epigenetic memory and cancer genesis has been intensively investigated, little is known about its function and potential roles during the generation and progression of gastric cancer. We report here that BRD4 increases the proliferation and represses the apoptosis of gastric cancer cells through activating c‐MYC via transcriptional and epigenetic regulation mechanisms. Expression analyses in both small and large cohort of sample show that BRD4 is highly expressed in gastric cancer tissues/cells when compared with the adjacent non‐tumor tissues/normal cells. We also find a positive correlation between the expression of BRD4 and c‐MYC in patient samples. The repression of BRD4 by siRNAs leads to the down‐regulation of c‐MYC in gastric cancer cells. Chromatin immunoprecipitation‐qPCR and luciferase assays show that BRD4 binds to and coordinately activates c‐MYC promoter, indicating that c‐MYC is transcriptional target of BRD4 and BRD4 regulates its basal expression. Further evidence show that the histone acetylation inhibitor reduces the binding of BRD4 as well as the histone activation level on c‐MYC promoter, and leads to the down‐regulation of c‐MYC, suggesting that BRD4 regulates the expression of c‐MYC through epigenetic mechanism. Functionally, the suppression of BRD4 leads to growth inhibition and apoptosis in gastric cancer cells. Force expression of c‐MYC alongside with BRD4 repression rescue the anti‐cancer effects caused by BRD4 repression. Collectively, our data not only uncovered the mechanism of BRD4 in regulating the proliferation of gastric cancer cells but also provides a new therapeutic strategy for this type of cancer.
Information, Non-Excludability, and Financial Market Structure

We study the determinants of market structure in financial intermediation markets when property rights over information are weak. We show that incentives to gather information to screen firms can be preserved in decentralized markets with more than one intermediary. Local monopoly power is sustained by an aggregate oligopolistic market structure, where intermediaries voluntarily refrain from free riding. We find that this market structure is robust to entry and does not change with market size. We apply our theory to two markets--investment banking and venture capital--and use it to organize and interpret the evidence. Copyright 2000 by University of Chicago Press.
What's in a Name? The Incorrect Use of Case Series as a Study Design Label in Studies Involving Dogs and Cats

Background Study design labels are used to identify relevant literature to address specific clinical and research questions and to aid in evaluating the evidentiary value of research. Evidence from the human healthcare literature indicates that the label “case series” may be used inconsistently and inappropriately. Objective Our primary objective was to determine the proportion of studies in the canine and feline veterinary literature labeled as case series that actually corresponded to descriptive cohort studies, population‐based cohort studies, or other study designs. Our secondary objective was to identify the proportion of case series in which potentially inappropriate inferential statements were made. Design Descriptive evaluation of published literature. Participants One‐hundred published studies (from 19 journals) labeled as case series. Methods Studies were identified by a structured literature search, with random selection of 100 studies from the relevant citations. Two reviewers independently characterized each study, with disagreements resolved by consensus. Results Of the 100 studies, 16 were case series. The remaining studies were descriptive cohort studies (35), population‐based cohort studies (36), or other observational or experimental study designs (13). Almost half (48.8%) of the case series or descriptive cohort studies, with no control group and no formal statistical analysis, included inferential statements about the efficacy of treatment or statistical significance of potential risk factors. Conclusions Authors, peer‐reviewers, and editors should carefully consider the design elements of a study to accurately identify and label the study design. Doing so will facilitate an understanding of the evidentiary value of the results.
Neuro‐Fuzzy Cost Estimation Model Enhanced by Fast Messy Genetic Algorithms for Semiconductor Hookup Construction

Abstract: Semiconductor hookup construction (i.e., constructing process tool piping systems) is critical to semiconductor fabrication plant completion. During the conceptual project phase, it is difficult to conduct an accurate cost estimate due to the great amount of uncertain cost items. This study proposes a new model for estimating semiconductor hookup construction project costs. The developed model, called FALCON‐COST, integrates the component ratios method, fuzzy adaptive learning control network (FALCON), fast messy genetic algorithm (fmGA), and three‐point cost estimation method to systematically deal with a cost‐estimating environment involving limited and uncertain data. In addition, the proposed model improves the current FALCON by devising a new algorithm to conduct building block selection and random gene deletion so that fmGA operations can be implemented in FALCON. The results of 54 case studies demonstrate that the proposed model has estimation accuracy of 83.82%, meaning it is approximately 22.74%, 23.08%, and 21.95% more accurate than the conventional average cost method, component ratios method, and modified FALCON‐COST method, respectively. Providing project managers with reliable cost estimates is essential for effectively controlling project costs.
Antibodies that bind to fimbriae block adhesion of Streptococcus sanguis to saliva-coated hydroxyapatite

Antibodies raised against a fimbriated, adhesive strain of Streptococcus sanguis (FW213) were found to block the adhesion of this organism to saliva-coated hydroxyapatite. Antibodies were made specific for adhesion antigens by adsorption with isogenic, nonadhesive mutants (for rabbit polyclonal adsorbed antibody) or selection based on nonreactivity with two nonadhesive mutants (for monoclonal antibody). Rabbit antibody raised against isogenic, nonfimbriated nonadhesive mutants served as a control for antibodies present, but not related to fimbriation. Adsorbed antibody and monoclonal antibody were shown to be specific for fimbriae (antigen 1), since both antibodies could be seen by immune electron microscopy to bind 3.6-nm fimbriae, reacted only with the fimbriated parent and not the mutants in a whole bacterial cell enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and could immunoprecipitate fimbriae from fimbrial extracts of FW213. Antibodies isolated from preimmune and mutant sera did not react with fimbriae in any of the above assays. Only adsorbed antibody and monoclonal antibody were capable of blocking the adhesion of FW213 to saliva-coated hydroxyapatite. Adsorbed antibody, purified to immunoglobulin G (IgG), was an effective inhibitor of adhesion without causing interfering cellular aggregation. Monoclonal IgG, papain-cleaved to Fab fragments to prohibit cell-to-cell cross-linking, was also a potent inhibitor of S. sanguis FW213 adhesion. Both IgG from mutant sera and Fab fragments from normal mouse IgG could not be shown to block adhesion. These data further support the hypothesis that S. sanguis fimbriae are involved in adhesion.
The factor structure of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale in acquired brain injury

Primary objective: To evaluate the factor structure of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) as a mood assessment in a sample of individuals with acquired brain injury (ABI). Research design: Cohort study. Methods and procedures: HADS data from 140 people with ABI was subjected to principle components analysis (PCA). Experimental interventions: None. Main outcomes and results: A three-factor solution emerged. Items loading on the first two factors map on to the anxiety and depression scales. However, two items from the depression sub-scale did not load significantly on either of these two main factors. Possible reasons are discussed. Conclusions: This study suggests that the HADS is a useful tool for examining depression and anxiety in a brain injured population, but interpretation of responses to some items should be cautious.
An examination of the relationships among budget emphasis, budget planning models and performance

Purpose – This study aims to investigate the relationships among budget emphasis, budget planning models, and performance, to determine whether an emphasis on the budget has indirect effects on performance, in the presence of other budget planning characteristics as mediators.Design/methodology/approach – A questionnaire survey was conducted and structural equation modeling was used to test the proposed models among the constructs and related hypotheses.Findings – The results indicate that while budget planning models entirely mediate the influence of budget emphasis on the performance of management and the organization, they partially mediate the influence of budget emphasis on budget satisfaction. In addition, it is determined that differentiation strategies have a significantly positive influence on budget emphasis, budget planning models and performance.Originality/value – The results of this study provide a reference for organizations in the design of budgeting systems. During the design process, bud.
Effects of bubble–liquid two‐phase turbulent hydrodynamics on cell damage in sparged bioreactor

According to recent experimental studies on sparged bioreactors, significant cell damage may occur at the gas inlet region near the sparger. Although shear stress was proposed to be one of the potential causes for cell damage, detailed hydrodynamic studies at the gas inlet region of gas–liquid bioreactors have not been performed to date. In this work, a second‐order moment (SOM) bubble–liquid two‐phase turbulent model based on the two‐fluid continuum approach is used to investigate the gas–liquid hydrodynamics in the bubble column reactor and their potential impacts on cell viability, especially at the gas inlet region. By establishing fluctuation velocity and bubble–liquid two‐phase fluctuation velocities correlation transport equations, the anisotropy of two‐phase stresses and the bubble–liquid interactions are fully considered. Simulation results from the SOM model indicate that shear and normal stresses, turbulent energy dissipation rate, and the turbulent kinetic energy are generally smaller at the gas inlet region when compared with those in the fully developed region. In comparison, a newly proposed correlation expression, stress‐induced turbulent energy production (STEP), is found to correlate well with the unusually high cell death rate at the gas inlet region. Therefore, STEP, which represents turbulent energy transfer to a controlled volume induced by a combination of shear and normal stresses, has the potential to provide better explanation for increased cell death at the sparger region. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog. , 30:48–58, 2014
Pragmatic Scoring System for Pharyngitis in Low-Resource Settings

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to develop an easy, safe, pragmatic, clinical scoring system that would allow decreases in unnecessary treatment with antimicrobial agents in low-resource settings. METHODS: Children with pharyngitis were enrolled prospectively from 2 public hospitals and 1 medical unit in Brasilia, Brazil, over 17 months. Attending clinicians completed a questionnaire and a previously published scoring system for pharyngitis before performing throat swabs and group A streptococcus (GAS) rapid antigen-detection tests. Data from this study were added to those collected in 2004, to assess the performance of each item of the scoring system. The performance of the new clinical decision rule was determined with a receiver operating characteristic curve. The final outcome of the model was assessed on the basis of sensitivity, specificity, and positive likelihood ratio for non-GAS infections with the clinical approach, compared with throat culture or rapid antigen-detection test results. RESULTS: A total of 576 children were included, among whom 400 had non-GAS pharyngitis. The use of our new clinical decision rule would allow for 35% to 55% antibiotic reduction, with 88% specificity. CONCLUSIONS: This clinical decision rule could reduce unnecessary antibiotic treatment significantly in low-resource settings.