Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pensions and Saving: New International Panel Data Evidence

This paper contributes to the empirical literature on pensions and saving by studying the influence of funded pension systems on the gross national saving rate using a sample of 48 developed and developing countries over the 1980-2004 period. To the best of our knowledge, this updated database –which builds on the one assembled by Lopez Murphy and Musalem (2004)- is the largest on pension funds stocks and flows. Our panel data econometric results suggest that a one-dollar increase in pension saving increases national saving by between 0 and 20 cents. The structure of the system in terms of mandatory participation and portfolio composition does not affect the results, but the maturity of the system does seem to be a robust driver of national saving, inducing an increase of the saving rate of 0.3-0.5 percentage points for each additional year of existence. Reforming countries does not seem to have attained higher saving rates than others. Concerning other saving drivers, the old age dependency ratio and the urbanization ratio (even though the latter loses significance in some regressions) were negatively correlated with saving, while GDP growth, inflation, the terms of trade, and the current account displayed a positive sign. In terms of saving projections, the rather declining trend in pension saving implies that this is unlikely to boost the national saving rate, but the rising old age dependency ratio might cause, over a 25-year time horizon, a fall in the saving rate of 2.1 and 3.3 percentage points in OECD and non-OECD countries, respectively.
Analysis of Square and Circular Planar Spiral Coils in Wireless Power Transfer System for Electric Vehicles

Nowadays, wireless power transfer (WPT) has attracted great attention from researchers because it is a safe, convenient, and reliable way to recharge electric vehicles. Square and circular coils are most commonly used in WPT systems. However, there are few analyses of comparing these two geometry windings in detail. In this paper, two analytical models of both square and circular planar spiral coils between two semi-infinite substrates are developed based on Fourier–Bessel transformation and dual Fourier transformation. An analytical calculation of the self- and mutual inductance can be carried out with respect to the main parameters of the WPT systems such as the line spacing, the number of turns of the coils and the properties of the substrate. The analytical models can be used to investigate the different tendencies of self- and mutual inductance of square and circular coils, which is helpful for speeding up the design process. Finally, to compare the lateral misalignment tolerance between square and circular coils, a ${{\text{600}}\,\text{mm}\,\times \,{\text{600}}\,\text{mm}}$ with a nominal 200-mm-gap prototype has been built and tested.
Direct PCR analysis for toxigenic Pasteurella multocida

A more rapid, accurate method to detect toxigenic Pasteurella multocida is needed for improved clinical diagnosis, farm biosecurity, and epidemiological studies. Toxigenic and nontoxigenic P. multocida isolates cannot be differentiated by morphology or standard biochemical reactions. The feasibility of using PCR for accurate, rapid detection of toxigenic P. multocida from swabs was investigated. A PCR protocol which results in amplification of an 846-nucleotide segment of the toxA gene was developed. The PCR amplification protocol is specific for toxigenic P. multocida and can detect fewer than 100 bacteria. There was concordance of PCR results with (i) detection of toxA gene with colony blot hybridization, (ii) detection of ToxA protein with colony immunoblot analysis, and (iii) lethal toxicity of sonicate in mice in a test set of 40 swine diagnostic isolates. Results of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for ToxA agreed with the other assays except for a negative reaction in one of the 19 isolates that the other assays identified as toxigenic. In addition to accuracy, as required for a rapid direct specimen assay, toxigenic P. multocida was recovered efficiently from inoculated swabs without inhibition of the PCR. The results show that PCR detection of toxigenic P. multocida directly from clinical swab specimens should be feasible.
Analysis and Verification of DLL-Based GFSK Demodulator Using Multiple-IF-Period Delay Line

This brief presents a delay-locked-loop-based Gaussian frequency-shift keying (FSK) demodulator using a multiple-IF-period delay line. Theoretical analysis of the bit error rate (BER) performance is developed. The analysis result implies that the BER can be improved when a multiple-IF-period delay line is used instead of a single-IF-period delay line. To verify the analysis, a prototype chip was fabricated in a 0.11-μm CMOS process. When a binary Gaussian FSK (GFSK) signal carries 1-Mb/s data on a 3-MHz center frequency with a 160-kHz frequency deviation, the minimum required signal-to-noise ratio for 0.1% BER is reduced from 17.5 to 12.5 dB when a triple-IF-period delay line is used instead of a single-IF-period delay line. The implemented GFSK demodulator consumes 0.8 mA from a 1.2-V supply voltage.
Interpersonal Orientation of Spouses and Household Purchase Decisions: The Case of Restaurants

Buyer Behaviour does not occur in isolation, but within a larger social context. The family being a social unit, its members are constantly influenced by a number of external agencies, including peers, friends and relatives. This paper investigates how interpersonal orientation of spouses affects their roles, children's and others' roles in five sub-decisions of visiting a fine dining restaurant. Data were collected from young, educated couples of Singapore, who, due to their affluence and spending power are the focus of marketers in the region. Interpersonal Orientation was measured by 'Susceptibility to Interpersonal Influence', as proposed by Bearden, Netemeyer and Teel [1989]. Results showed that interpersonal orientation of spouses is an important determinant of their influence in the decision of visiting a fine dining restaurant. Also, children and 'others' were seen to play negligible roles in the service sub-decisions. Implications for restaurant marketers are discussed.
The Great Recession, Housing Wealth, and the Retirement Decisions of Older Workers

To determine how asset values of older workers affect their future retirement decisions, it is important to take into account how asset values change over asset cycles. This study uses Health and Retirement Study data from waves 1992 through 2010 together with restricted Social Security Administration data on respondents’ occupation to estimate models of the age at first self-reported retirement for the subsample of married males. The model covariates include demographic variables, workplace variables, nonhousing financial wealth, and housing equity. The proportional hazard estimates are, for the most part, significant and of the correct sign. The estimated models suggest that declines in housing wealth during the Great Recession lowered retirement probabilities of married males by as much as 14 percent to 17 percent. This delay was offset in cases where the household had defined benefit or contribution pensions.
Irradiation as preparative regimen for hepatocyte transplantation causes prolonged cell cycle block

Purpose: Hepatocyte transplantation following liver irradiation (IR) and partial hepatectomy (PH) leads to extensive liver repopulation. We investigated the changes in the liver induced by IR explaining the loss of reproductive integrity in endogenous hepatocytes. Materials and methods: Right lobules of rat liver underwent external beam IR (25 Gy). A second group was subjected to additional 33% PH of the untreated left liver lobule. Liver specimens and controls were analyzed for DNA damage, apoptosis, proliferation and cell cycle related genes (1 hour to up to 12 weeks). Results: Double strand breaks (phosphorylated histone H2AX) induced by IR rapidly declined within hours and were no longer detectable after 4 days. No significant apoptosis was noted and steady mRNA levels (B-cell lymphoma 2-associated X protein (BAX), caspase 3 and 9) were in line with the lack of DNA fragmentation. However, gene expression of p53 and p21 in irradiated liver tissue increased. Transcripts of cyclin D1, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and cyclin B augmented progressively, whereas cyclin E was only affected moderately. Following PH, irradiated livers displayed persistently high protein levels of p21 and cyclin D1. However, cell divisions were infrequent, as reflected by low PCNA levels up to four weeks. Conclusion: IR leads to a major arrest in the G1/S phase and to a lesser extent in the G2/M transition of the cell cycle, resulting in reduced regenerative response following PH. The persistent block of at least four weeks may promote preferential proliferation of transplanted hepatocytes in this milieu.
CYP3A4*16 and CYP3A4*18 Alleles Found in East Asians Exhibit Differential Catalytic Activities for Seven CYP3A4 Substrate Drugs

CYP3A4, the major form of cytochrome P450 (P450) expressed in the adult human liver, is involved in the metabolism of approximately 50% of commonly prescribed drugs. Several genetic polymorphisms in CYP3A4 are known to affect its catalytic activity and to contribute in part to interindividual differences in the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of CYP3A4 substrate drugs. In this study, catalytic activities of the two alleles found in East Asians, CYP3A4*16 (T185S) and CYP3A4*18 (L293P), were assessed using the following seven substrates: midazolam, carbamazepine, atorvastatin, paclitaxel, docetaxel, irinotecan, and terfenadine. The holoprotein levels of CYP3A4.16 and CYP3A4.18 were significantly higher and lower, respectively, than that of CYP3A4.1 when expressed in Sf21 insect cell microsomes together with human NADPH-P450 reductase. CYP3A4.16 exhibited intrinsic clearances (Vmax/Km) that were lowered considerably (by 84–60%) for metabolism of midazolam, carbamazepine, atorvastatin, paclitaxel, and irinotecan compared with CYP3A4.1 due to increased Km with or without decreased Vmax values, whereas no apparent decrease in intrinsic clearance was observed for docetaxel. On the other hand, Km values for CYP3A4.18 were comparable to those for CYP3A4.1 for all substrates except terfenadine; but Vmax values were lower for midazolam, paclitaxel, docetaxel, and irinotecan, resulting in partially reduced intrinsic clearance values (by 34–52%). These results demonstrated that the impacts of both alleles on CYP3A4 catalytic activities depend on the substrates used. Thus, to evaluate the influences of both alleles on the pharmacokinetics of CYP3A4-metabolized drugs and their drug-drug interactions, substrate drug-dependent characteristics should be considered for each drug.
Terminal Value, Accounting Numbers, and Inflation

The terminal value generally reflects a substantial portion of a firm's market value. Stable growth models are usually used to estimate terminal values. We use a simple model of a firm to derive a valuation function for the terminal value in the presence of inflation. Our model reveals that there is a simple way to include the effect of inflation in the valuation model. Moreover, we show that recent recommendations on how to consider inflation in valuation models fail to provide correct estimates of firm value.
The Malmquist Total Factor Productivity Index

The definitions of the Malmquist output and input quantity indexes specified by D. W. Caves, L. R. Christensen, and W. E. Diewert (1982) are applied in this study. Based on these indexes, a 'Malmquist total factor productivity index' is derived for general production structures. The definition maintains the fundamental characteristic of a productivity index as a ratio between an output quantity change index and an input quantity change index. This index provides a remedy for the shortcoming of the traditional definition of the Malmquist productivity index in that the latter does not correctly measure changes in productivity in the presence of changes in returns to scale. Copyright 1996 by The editors of the Scandinavian Journal of Economics.
Design and implementation of multivariable robust PID control for an active gait trainer

This paper applies multivariable robust PID control for an active gait trainer for people with walking disability. We integrate linkage mechanism and motors to construct an active gait trainer, which can produce preferred gait traces. First, we find the transfer function matrices of the gait trainer. Second, because robust control can deal with system uncertainties and disturbances, we design standard robust controllers to regulate motor motions during operation. Third, because PID control is well accepted in industrial, we combine the merits of robust control and PID control, and design robust PID controllers for the gait trainer. Lastly, the designed controllers are implemented on cRIO™ and micro-chip systems for experimental verification. The results show the effectiveness of these controllers.
Gestão da inovação tecnológica: uma análise da aplicação do funil de inovação em uma organização de bens de consumo

Por causa da reconhecida importância da inovacao para o crescimento e desenvolvimento das organizacoes, tem-se procurado desenvolver formas e ferramentas para otimizar sua gestao. Estas, por sua vez, variam de acordo com o setor e a dinâmica produtiva da industria. O funil de inovacao e uma ferramenta desenvolvida com base na observacao da gestao da inovacao em empresas de bens de consumo, como alimentos, higiene e limpeza, cosmeticos, entre outros. A gestao da inovacao por meio da utilizacao do funil tem sido adotada por algumas empresas, sejam essas nacionais ou multinacionais, matrizes ou subsidiarias. Dai o interesse em verificar a eficacia de sua aplicacao, bem como as vantagens e dificuldades de sua utilizacao e tambem as diferencas da pratica do funil com relacao a teoria desenvolvida, constituindo esses pontos de interesse os objetivos do presente trabalho. Para tanto, foi realizado um estudo de caso em uma subsidiaria de uma grande multinacional de bens de consumo. Com base nesse estudo, foi possivel concluir que o funil e uma ferramenta adequada a empresas de bens de consumo e que sua aplicacao nao diverge muito da teoria, porem sao necessarios pequenos ajustes, como a adequacao a diferentes culturas e rotinas empresariais, a adocao de ferramentas de apoio e atividades de incentivo e motivacao dos funcionarios. PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Gestao da inovacao; Funil de inovacao; Bens de consumo; Projetos.
Economic cycles: historical evidence, classification and explication.

Severe economic fluctuations which had recently hit the entire world economy after relatively prosperous decades despite numerous institutional efforts to control them have recalled an interest to the theory of economic cycles. Historical data on main economic indexes and academic evidence show that recurrent fluctuations in the pace of economic growth are consistent over time. Technological revolutions and worldwide implementation of basic inventions are necessarily accompanied by the processes of creative destruction or “sanitation” of the economy, which cause long term economic cycles which appear to be predictable but practically unavoidable. This paper explores the theoretical background and formulates the basics of the mechanism of economic cycles driven endogenously by modern knowledge based economy. It analyzes definitions of economic cycles, employs the concept of hierarchical economic cycles, studies the links between inventions, innovations and economic cycles, provides a concept of “economic organism” versus “economic mechanism”, gives a definition of “good cycles” versus “bad cycles” and proposes taxonomy of business cycles according to four attributes. This working paper is the first in a range of several papers summarizing the intermediate results of research undertaken by the author in order to reconsider and provide explanations on how modern economy creates cyclical movements.
Environmental sustainability and competitive advantage in a wine tourism micro-cluster

Purpose - – The paper aims to examine the competitive advantage of the environmental behaviour at a firm level and micro-cluster level, building the analysis on Harts model of natural resource-based view of the firm and by using Brown Design/methodology/approach - – A case study of a single wine tourism cluster in Australia is undertaken using mixed methods. Findings - – The main drivers for environmental action are genuine concerns for the environment by the cluster participants, especially water conservation in the Australian context. Supporting this is the co-ordination of the Lovedale Chamber of Commerce which has promoted its “greening Lovedale” project as a source of regional identity and potential competitive advantage. The obstacles to action are those that are present when small firms dominate, a lack of resources and a lack of know how. Through clustering small businesses can share resources, access specialists and share knowledge. Research limitations/implications - – A single cluster case study within the Australian and the wine tourism context confined to one point in time. Practical implications - – The clustering of firms in agricultural regions offers the opportunity to achieve individual and collective benefits. Clustering participation can reduce costs, achieve scale economies and share knowledge. These advantages are relevant for environmental actions. In the context of weak or absent government actions and regulations over the environment, regional clusters can utilise the advantages of clustering to meet environmental goals. These in turn can contribute to regional identity and regional comparative advantage. These issues are addressed through the study of the Lovedale wine cluster in Australia. Originality/value - – There are few studies of how clustered agricultural industries are addressing environmental challenges independently of central government directives or subsidies. Clustering enables small firms to participate in environmental programs despite being faced by resource and knowledge shortages.
Hopea odorata extract inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma via induction of caspase-dependent apoptosis

Introduction Cancer is a disease with a global burden and is a major and increasing threat to public health. The demand for new modalities to treat and prevent cancer is high. Given the toxic side effects of standard treatments, such as chemotherapy, there is greater research interest in naturally derived compounds due to their selective toxicity to cancer cells. This study aimed to test the anticancer activity of a crude extract of Hopea odorata on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) HepG2 cell line. Methods Methanol extracts of H. odorata were prepared from the bark of H. odorata plants (H. odorata extract). The in vitro cytotoxicity of H. odorata extracts on human HCC cell line HepG2 compared to normal human fibroblasts (HFs) was assessed by Alamar Blue assay. Caspase-3/7 was detected using a reagent that consists of DEVD peptide conjugated to a nucleic acid-binding dye. Apoptosis induction by the H. odorata plant extract on HepG2 was evaluated by Annexin V/7-AAD using flow cytometry. Disintegrated nuclei of plant-treated cells were observed under a fluorescent microscope using Hoechst and propidium iodide (PI) staining. In addition, using the Hoechst/PI staining technique, the ratio of dead to total cells was determined by distinguishing Hoechst and PI fluorescent signals. Results We found that the IC50 value of H. odorata extract on HepG2 was 12.67±5 µg/mL and on HF was 44±3 µg/mL. The IC50 value of doxorubicin on HepG2 was 153.3±15 ng/mL and on HF was 6.3±0.6 ng/mL. The selectivity index (SI) of H. odorata extract for HepG2 cells was ~3.48, while the SI of doxorubicin for HepG2 cells was ~0.04. The ratio of dead to total cells increased in a dose-dependent manner for HepG2 cells when observed under a fluorescent microscope, while the ratio of dead to total cells barely changed for HF cells. The H. odorata extract inhibited HepG2 cells via the activation of caspase-3/7. At 250 µg/mL concentration of the H. odorata extract, 35% of HepG2 cells were induced into apoptosis, and the cells exhibited disintegrated nuclei under a fluorescent microscope. Conclusion These findings demonstrate that the methanolic bark extracts of H. odorata plant induce apoptosis and selective cytotoxicity toward HepG2 but not HF. Therefore, purification of compounds from H. odorata bark extracts may be useful as anticancer agents, and thus, more studies are warranted to investigate the anticancer properties of H. odorata.
User-centered Interaction Design of a Mobile Learning Platform for the Generation 60 +

We present the development process and user test results for an interactive platform for cognitive training. The platform is specifically aimed at older users with and without mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The iterative development cycle, with continuous testing by users in the targeted groups, resulted in a styleguide tailored to the needs of the user group. A final field test demonstrated the high usability and pragmatic and hedonic quality of the system.
Combined Action of Histone Reader Modules Regulates NuA4 Local Acetyltransferase Function but Not Its Recruitment on the Genome

ABSTRACT Recognition of histone marks by reader modules is thought to be at the heart of epigenetic mechanisms. These protein domains are considered to function by targeting regulators to chromosomal loci carrying specific histone modifications. This is important for proper gene regulation as well as propagation of epigenetic information. The NuA4 acetyltransferase complex contains two of these reader modules, an H3K4me3-specific plant homeodomain (PHD) within the Yng2 subunit and an H3K36me2/3-specific chromodomain in the Eaf3 subunit. While each domain showed a close functional interaction with the respective histone mark that it recognizes, at the biochemical level, genetic level (as assessed with epistatic miniarray profile screens), and phenotypic level, cells with the combined loss of both readers showed greatly enhanced phenotypes. Chromatin immunoprecipitation coupled with next-generation sequencing experiments demonstrated that the Yng2 PHD specifically directs H4 acetylation near the transcription start site of highly expressed genes, while Eaf3 is important downstream on the body of the genes. Strikingly, the recruitment of the NuA4 complex to these loci was not significantly affected. Furthermore, RNA polymerase II occupancy was decreased only under conditions where both PHD and chromodomains were lost, generally in the second half of the gene coding regions. Altogether, these results argue that methylated histone reader modules in NuA4 are not responsible for its recruitment to the promoter or coding regions but, rather, are required to orient its acetyltransferase catalytic site to the methylated histone 3-bearing nucleosomes in the surrounding chromatin, cooperating to allow proper transition from transcription initiation to elongation.
Community Planning: Fostering Participation in the Congested State?

The proliferation of partnership working across the British state raises difficult questions for democratic control and public participation. It is widely anticipated that 'community plans' - comprehensive strategies to promote social well-being - will address these issues, by facilitating public involvement in the governance of local areas. This paper examines community planning in Scotland to assess how far this hope is justified, drawing on government-sponsored research and a case study of community planning conferences. While community planning is extending opportunities for involvement, democratising local governance is subservient to dominant concerns with promoting joint working and demonstrating added value. Participatory events are structured to sustain belief in these activities.