Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Home Grown or Imported? Initial Conditions, External Anchors and the Determinants of Institutional Reform in the Transition Economies

In this article we examine the determinants of institutional change using a panel dataset comprising 25 transition economies. A defining characteristic of our approach is that we treat institutional change as a multidimensional unobserved variable, accounting for the fact that each of our indicators represents a noisy signal. Our results suggest that institutional change is significantly path dependent. However, policy can to some extent break this dependence through economic and political liberalisation at the start of the transition and with the help of an external anchor such as EU accession.
Seasonal Cointegration in Macroeconomic Systems: Case Studies for Small and Large European Countries

Stochastic seasonality in vector autoregressions draws attention to seasonal cointegrating vectors. Based upon the assumption of stochastic seasonality, seasonal cointegration is found in a six-dimensional vector autogregression of quarterly macroeconomic series which were not seasonally adjusted. The same experiment is performed on parallel data from four European economies: Austria, Finland, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Univariate and multivariate statistical evidence supports stochastic seasonality in Finland and Germany, whereas deterministic cycles dominate in Austria and the United Kingdom. Eventual correspondences of seasonal structures across countries are also analyzed. Copyright 1993 by MIT Press.
A direct comparison of long‐ and short‐acting GLP‐1 receptor agonists (taspoglutide once weekly and exenatide twice daily) on postprandial metabolism after 24 weeks of treatment

T‐emerge 2 was a randomized, open‐label, 24‐week trial comparing subcutaneous taspoglutide 10 mg weekly (Taspo10), taspoglutide 20 mg weekly (Taspo20; titrated after 4 weeks of Taspo10), with exenatide 10 mcg BID (Exe; after 4 weeks of Exe 5 mcg) in patients inadequately controlled on metformin, a thiazolidinedione, or both. T‐emerge 2 showed that once‐weekly Taspo provided better glycaemic control than Exe. This report focuses on a subset of T‐emerge 2 participants undergoing a standardized liquid meal comparing Taspo to Exe, which has been previously shown to lower postprandial glucose.
Personality characteristics of the parents of autistic individuals

Synopsis Personality characteristics of 87 parents of autistic probands and 38 parents of Down's syndrome probands were examined using a standardized personality interview. Using best-estimate ratings derived from subject and informant interviews, parents of autistic individuals were rated significantly higher than controls on three characteristics: aloof, untactful and undemonstrative. When ratings were based on interviews with subjects only, parents of autistic probands were rated as significantly more aloof, untactful and unresponsive. There were no significant differences between parent groups on ratings based on informant interviews only. The implications of these findings for future family studies of autism are discussed.
Cloning of a Sphingomonas paucimobilis SYK-6 Gene Encoding a Novel Oxygenase That Cleaves Lignin-Related Biphenyl and Characterization of the Enzyme

ABSTRACT Sphingomonas paucimobilis SYK-6 transforms 2,2′-dihydroxy-3,3′-dimethoxy-5,5′-dicarboxybiphenyl (DDVA), a lignin-related biphenyl compound, to 5-carboxyvanillic acid via 2,2′,3-trihydroxy-3′-methoxy-5,5′-dicarboxybiphenyl (OH-DDVA) as an intermediate (15). The ring fission of OH-DDVA is an essential step in the DDVA degradative pathway. A 15-kbEcoRI fragment isolated from the cosmid library complemented the growth deficiency of a mutant on OH-DDVA. Subcloning and deletion analysis showed that a 1.4-kb DNA fragment included the gene responsible for the ring fission of OH-DDVA. An open reading frame encoding 334 amino acids was identified and designatedligZ. The deduced amino acid sequence of LigZ had 18 to 21% identity with the class III extradiol dioxygenase family, including the β subunit (LigB) of protocatechuate 4,5-dioxygenase of SYK-6 (Y. Noda, S. Nishikawa, K.-I. Shiozuka, H. Kadokura, H. Nakajima, K. Yano, Y. Katayama, N. Morohoshi, T. Haraguchi, and M. Yamasaki, J. Bacteriol. 172:2704–2709, 1990), catechol 2,3-dioxygenase I (MpcI) ofAlcaligenes eutrophus JMP222 (M. Kabisch and P. Fortnagel, Nucleic Acids Res. 18:3405–3406, 1990), the catalytic subunit of themeta-cleavage enzyme (CarBb) for 2′-aminobiphenyl-2,3-diol from Pseudomonas sp. strain CA10 (S. I. Sato, N. Ouchiyama, T. Kimura, H. Nojiri, H. Yamane, and T. Omori, J. Bacteriol. 179:4841–4849, 1997), and 2,3-dihydroxyphenylpropionate 1,2-dioxygenase (MhpB) ofEscherichia coli (E. L. Spence, M. Kawamukai, J. Sanvoisin, H. Braven, and T. D. H. Bugg, J. Bacteriol. 178:5249–5256, 1996). The ring fission product formed from OH-DDVA by LigZ developed a yellow color with an absorption maximum at 455 nm, suggesting meta cleavage. Thus, LigZ was concluded to be a ring cleavage extradiol dioxygenase. LigZ activity was detected only for OH-DDVA and 2,2′,3,3′-tetrahydroxy-5,5′-dicarboxybiphenyl and was dependent on the ferrous ion.
Patterns of Advanced Manufacturing Technology Utilization and Manufacturing Capabilities

The objectives of this research are first to empirically replicate Advanced Manufacturing Technology (AMT) utilization taxonomies identified in foregoing research, second to investigate the relationship between patterns of AMT utilization and manufacturing capabilities attainment, and third to explore differences in context, and performance across AMT groups. Theories of performance frontiers and capability progression provide the basis for our hypotheses. Data were collected from 224 U.S. manufacturing plants in industries considered to have potential utilizations of AMTs. A cluster analysis of the data yields a solution that closely resembles a previous AMT utilization taxonomy, including four groups labeled, respectively, as Traditionalists, Generalists, High Investors, and Designers. Significant manufacturing capability differences across these four groups indicate that plants that utilize a broader scope of AMTs enjoy a greater breadth of manufacturing capabilities. The implied capability attainment pattern is consistent with cumulative capability theory. However, the results suggest that cost capability is not included in the capability mix when broad‐based AMT utilization is the enabler of capability gains. A post hoc exploration of the AMT groups indicates significant differences in performance across the groups. Collectively, the results extend prior research by providing added insights into the possible rationale and impact of AMT utilization patterns.
Medical Image Retrieval Based on Color-Texture Algorithm and GTI Model

With DICOM, information of patient can be stored with the actual images. Content-based access to medical images for supporting clinical decision-making has been proposed to ease the management of clinical data. The paper presents a method of medical image retrieval based on color-texture correlogram and GIT model for endoscopic images. First we define a new image feature called color-texture correlogram which is the extension of color correlogram. The texture image extracted by texture spectrum algorithm is combined with color feature vector , then we calculate the spatial correlation of color-texture feature vector. In order to obviate the expensive computation, we have another way to calculate the pixels' correlation to reduce its time complexity. Similarity measure is also the key technology during domain of image retrieval, GTI model is used in medical image retrieval for similarity measure, and the technique of relevance feedback is used in the algorithm to enhance the effectiveness of retrieval. Experiment results show that the method discussed in this paper is much more effective.
Conditional Asymmetries in Real GNP: A Seminonparametric Approach

Two critical assumptions are often made in empirical research regarding the relationship between economic variables and economic disturbances—linearity and Gaussianity. Together, these two assumptions place strong restrictions on the time series behavior of a model. Most important, these restrictions imply conditional symmetry. Using seminonparametric (SNP) techniques, this article presents evidence that real gross national product growth displays conditional asymmetry. Although these results confirm related results of Brock and Sayers, Sichel, and Hamilton, the SNP approach is novel in that it emphasizes the relationship between common modeling assumptions and the restrictions that these assumptions place on data.
Position/force control of a holonomic-constrained mobile manipulator based on active disturbance rejection control

In this paper, active disturbance rejection control is designed for position/force control of a holonomic constrained mobile manipulator in presence of uncertainties and disturbances. A dynamic model of the mobile manipulator is derived, based on the Lagrange formulation. The basic idea of the proposed control design is to estimate the unknown internal dynamics of the mobile manipulator and external disturbances by the linear extended state observer and to actively compensate them by the control input. The stability of the proposed control system is analyzed. Simulation results validate the effectiveness and strong robustness of the proposed control system.
Value chain financing in agriculture

This paper provides an overview of value chain financing concepts and applications. It highlights issues and directions in the commercialization of agriculture, value chain development, agricultural and agribusiness finance and discusses the potential benefits and cautionary pitfalls associated with value chain financing. It is argued that value chain development supported by appropriate policies, institutions and services that constitute an enabling business environment can be instrumental in leveraging access to financial services in agriculture in developing countries. In this regard, ideas for promoting value chain financing are proposed and questions on its future are offered for reflection.
Unit root tests and persistence of unemployment: Spain vs. the United States

In this article, we investigate the existence of infrequent shocks and the degree of persistence of unemployment in the US and Spain over the period 1976–2004. We first apply the minimum Lagrange Multiplier unit root test with up to two endogenous changes in level. The evidence gives support to the hysteresis hypothesis for Spain and to regime-wise stationarity for the US. The computation of median unbiased estimates of half-lives directly from the impulse-response function indicates a much higher degree of persistence of unemployment in Spain than in the US. Our results thus give an indication that aggregate demand policies may have different effects in these two countries.
Estimation of Fractionally ARIMA Models for the UK Unemployment

The UK unemployment is examined by means of ARFIMA models using Sowell's [1992] estimation procedure. A model-selection strategy based on diagnostic tests on the residuals, along with likelihood criteria is adopted to determine the correct model specification. The results suggest that the UK unemployment is well described as an ARFIMA model, with the order of integration fluctuating between 1 and 2. Thus, the standard approach of first differences leads to series with long memory behaviour.
A Quantitative Mirror on the Euribor Market Using Implied Probability Density Functions

This paper presents a set of probability density functions for Euribor outturns in three months’ time, estimated from the prices of options on Euribor futures. It is the first official and freely available dataset to span the complete history of Euribor futures options, thus comprising over ten years of daily data, from 13 January 1999 onwards. Time series of the statistical moments of these option-implied probability density functions are documented until April 2010. Particular attention is given to how these probability density functions, and their associated summary statistics, reacted to the unfolding financial crisis between 2007 and 2009. In doing so, it shows how option-implied probability density functions could be used to contribute to monetary policy and financial stability analysis.
SPECIFICITY AND FUNCTION OF GLYCERALDEHYDE‐3‐PHOSPHATE DEHYDROGENASE IN A FRESHWATER DIATOM, ASTERIONELLA FORMOSA (BACILLARIOPHYCEAE) 1

The plastidic glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) catalyzes the only reductive step in the Calvin cycle and exists as different forms of which GapC1 enzyme is present in chromalveolates, such as diatoms. Biochemical studies on diatoms are still fragmentary, and, thus, in this report, GAPDH from the freshwater diatom Asterionella formosa Hassall has been purified and kinetically characterized. It is a homotetrameric enzyme with a molecular mass of ~150 ± 15 kDa. The enzyme showed Michaelis–Menten kinetics with respect to both cofactors, NADPH and NADH, with a 16‐fold greater catalytic constant for NADPH. The Km for NADPH was 140 μM, the lowest affinity reported, while the catalytic constant, 815 s−1, is the highest reported. The Km for NADH was 93 μM, and the catalytic constant was 50 s−1, both are similar to reported values for other types of GAPDH. The GapC1 enzyme, like the Chlamydomonas reinhardtii A4 GAPDH, exhibits a cooperative behavior toward the substrate, 1,3‐bisphosphoglyceric acid (BPGA), with both cofactors. Mass spectrometry analysis showed that when GapC1 enzyme was purified without reducing agents, it copurified with a small protein with a mass of 8.2 kDa. This protein was recognized by antibodies against CP12. When associated with this protein, GAPDH displayed a lag that disappeared upon incubation with reducing agent in the presence of either BPGA or NADPH as a consequence of dissociation of the GAPDH/CP12 complex. Thus, as in other species of algae and higher plants, regulation of GapC1 enzyme in A. formosa may occur through association‐dissociation processes linked to dark‐light transitions.
Molecular analysis of intravascular large B‐cell lymphoma with neoangiogenesis

Intravascular large B-cell lymphoma (IVLBCL) is a rare subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Previously known as ‘angiotropic lymphoma,’ it was first described by Pfleger and Tappeiner (1959) as an endothelial neoplasia with vascular dissemination. The World Health Organization recently recognized it as a subtype of extranodal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (Jaffe et al, 2001) characterized by large neoplastic B cells restricted to the lumina of small and medium-sized vessels (Jaffe et al, 2001; Ferreri et al, 2004; Ponzoni et al, 2007). In Western countries IVLBCL has a predilection for the central nervous system and skin, whereas in Asian countries patients usually present with haemophagocytic syndrome (Murase et al, 2000). A well-established cutaneous variant can present with various skin manifestations and offers a better prognosis independent of the International Prognostic Index and other variables that have been investigated (Ponzoni et al, 2007). We recently evaluated a patient with the cutaneous variant of IVLBCL who presented with extensive, painful cutaneous nodules and spider angiomas on the torso and legs (Fig 1A). A biopsy of a nodule on the left thigh was reviewed by two haematopathologists and diagnosed as IVLBCL with associated angiomas and angiolipomas. Staging studies indicated that disease was confined to the skin. The patient was treated with six cycles of R-CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, hydroxydaunomycin [doxorubicin/Adriamycin], Oncovin [vincristine] and prednisone). At the completion of therapy, the patient had complete resolution of the cutaneous lymphomatous nodules and near-complete resolution of the angiomas. We endeavoured to elucidate the molecular basis for the observed neoangiogenesis. The patient’s clinical information was obtained by chart review after institutional review board approval. The skin biopsy was fixed in formalin, embedded in paraffin, sectioned at 3-lm intervals, and examined using haematoxylin-and-eosin (H&E) stain. Three observers evaluated the immunohistochemical results. Double staining was used for qualitative evaluation of the coexpression pattern. Membrane staining for CD20, cytoplasmic staining for factor VIII, predominant nuclear staining for secreted phosphoprotein 1 (SPP1), and cytoplasmic staining for vascular endothelial
On stochastically emulating continuous scattering structures by discrete sources for OTA testing of DuT with highly directive antennas

Considered is OTA testing of future generation communications systems, especially of Devices-under-Test of large electrical size and with highly directive antenna patterns. The channel is assumed to be dominated by a single continuous cluster. Two methods of stochastic cluster emulation by discrete incident fields, modelled as plane waves, are investigated. With both methods, a potential problem with calibrating OTA set-ups was noticed. Random variations in received power of more than 15 dB were observed in cases of angular symmetry around the DuT heading. With omnidirectional antennas, these variations can be reduced to less than 0.1 dB by selecting the initial phases. On DuT antennas with different angular phase responses, this has limited effect, still up to 6 dB variations were seen. Only for the MPAC emulation method, introducing angular asymmetry in the array reduced random variations to smaller than 0.15 dB. Additional deterministic power variations, depending on the method either ripple or bias, were observed too. On the highly directive pattern of a car, the ripple could be stronger than 10 dB (peak-to-peak) for a 12-antenna OTA ring, the bias up to 5 dB. The more OTA antennas, the smaller these deterministic power variations. Recommendations for calibration of MPAC set-ups and designing OTA antenna arrays are given.
Borrow Less Tomorrow: Behavioral Approaches to Debt Reduction

Mounting evidence suggests that behavioral factors depress wealth accumulation. Although much research and policy focuses on asset accumulation, for many households debt decumulation is more efficient. Yet the mass market for debt reduction services is thin. So we develop and pilot test Borrow Less Tomorrow (BoLT), a behavioral approach to debt reduction that combines a simple decision aid, social commitment, and reminders. Results from a sample of free tax-preparation clients with eligible debt in Tulsa (N=465) indicate strong demand for debt reduction: 41% of those offered BoLT used it to make a plan to accelerate debt repayment. Using random assignment to BoLT offers, we find weak evidence that the BoLT package offered reduces credit card debt.
Verification and prediction of structural balance: A data-driven perspective

The structural balance plays a fundamental role in networked systems with both attractive and repulsive interactions, which can be characterized by a signed network. In this paper, we show that the ensemble of type of interaction in a signed network can be inferred from the eigenvector of the signed Laplacian matrix. Also, it has been shown that a graph, derived from the graph Cartesian product of factor graphs, is structurally balanced if and only if its factors are structurally balanced. According to the theoretical results, the verification and prediction of the structural balance of the signed network is presented from a data-driven perspective by utilizing the dynamic mode decomposition.
A control strategy for an island operated LV microgrid under unbalanced faults

This paper proposes an control strategy for the voltage control of an inner current-controlled distributed energy resource units (DERs) in an islanded microgrid to provide overcurrent protection under unbalanced faults. During the unbalanced voltage sag, even though the inner current-controlled limit the current magnitude, the peak phase current may still exceed the limit value. The control strategy scheme detects the fault, limits the phase current magnitude of the DER unit through changing the reference voltage, and restores the microgrid to its normal operating condition subsequent to fault clearance. Digital time-domain simulation studies, in the DIgSILENT/Power-Factory software environment, have demonstrated the feasibility and desirable performance of the proposed strategy.
A VLSI Design Verification Strategy

With the ever-increasing density, development cost, and turn-around time of VLSI chips it becomes increasingly important to have a design verification methodology which enables first-pass chips to be fully functional. The strategy discussed in this paper exploits the best attributes of the two traditional methods of design verification (i.e., software simulation and hardware modeling). Software simulation was chosen for its capability in the area of delay analysis and early functional checking. An automatically generated nodal-equivalent hardware model was built to provide the vehicle on which exhaustive functional checking could be performed. The model also operated as early user hardware on which functions such as operating systems, I/O adapters, and a floating-point feature could be tested. A technique known as interface emulation was used on certain well-defined subsystems to facilitate a shorter verification schedule through parallel debug efforts.
Enhanced molecular typing of treponema pallidum: geographical distribution of strain types and association with neurosyphilis.

BACKGROUND Strain typing is a tool for determining the diversity and epidemiology of infections. METHODS Treponema pallidum DNA was isolated from 158 patients with syphilis from the United States, China, Ireland, and Madagascar and from 15 T. pallidum isolates. Six typing targets were assessed: (1) the number of 60‐bp repeats in the acidic repeat protein gene, (2) restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of T. pallidum repeat (tpr) subfamily II genes, (3) RFLP analysis of the tprC gene, (4) determination of tprD allele in the tprD gene locus, (5) the presence of a 51‐bp insertion between tp0126 and tp0127, and (6) sequence analysis of an 84‐bp region of tp0548. The combination of targets 1 and 2 comprises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) T. pallidum subtyping method. RESULTS Adding sequence analysis of tp0548 to the CDC method yielded the most discriminating typing system. Twenty‐five strain types were identified and designated as "CDC subtype/tp0548 sequence type. " Type 14d/f was found in samples from 5 of 6 locations. In Seattle, Washington, strain types changed from 1999 through 2008 (P < .001). Twenty‐one (50%) of 42 patients infected with type 14d/f had neurosyphilis compared with 10 (24%) of 41 patients infected with any of the other types combined (P = .02). CONCLUSION We describe an enhanced T. pallidum strain typing system that shows biological and clinical relevance.
On investment and exchange-rate movements

We investigate the ways in which permanent exchange-rate changes may affect investment by influencing domestic and foreign revenue, the cost of imported variable inputs and the investment price of imported capital goods. We find that the revenue and investment-price channels have a quantitatively greater effect on investment than the cost channel. The negative effect of the revenue channel, which affects the marginal profitability of capital, outweighs the positive effect of the investment-price channel, which affects the marginal cost of capital, implying that exchange-rate appreciation has a net negative influence on investment. The estimation results are robust to different approaches to extracting the permanent components of exchange rates.