Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Road Transport Infrastructure and Economic Growth in India

Creation of road transport infrastructure, through its direct and indirect effects, has a bearing on sustainability of growth and overall development of a country. It provides knowledge spillovers resulting from the whole agglomerated area via network dynamic externalities. The models based on cost or production function that incorporate infrastructure but simply assume a positive effect are no longer satisfactory to take to the data, because they ignore any feedback effect. In this article, therefore, we have twin objectives: first, we examine whether road transport infrastructure has a long-run equilibrium relationship with the macroeconomic variables such as output, employment and gross private capital formation or not. Second, we use vector autoregression (VAR) approach to analyse the impact of road transport infrastructure on macroeconomic variables. The elasticities that are estimated in the VAR model differ from the production function elasticities, as they incorporate feedback effect between the variables in the model, as opposed to the ‘ceteris paribus’ elasticities which are estimated in production function studies.
Pharmacokinetics of orally administered tramadol in domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus).

OBJECTIVE To determine the pharmacokinetics of an orally administered dose of tramadol in domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). ANIMALS 6 healthy adult sexually intact female New Zealand White rabbits. PROCEDURES Physical examinations and plasma biochemical analyses were performed to ensure rabbits were healthy prior to the experiment. Rabbits were anesthetized with isoflurane, and IV catheters were placed in a medial saphenous or jugular vein for collection of blood samples. One blood sample was collected before treatment with tramadol. Rabbits were allowed to recover from anesthesia a minimum of 1 hour before treatment. Then, tramadol (11 mg/kg, PO) was administered once, and blood samples were collected at various time points up to 360 minutes after administration. Blood samples were analyzed with high-performance liquid chromatography to determine plasma concentrations of tramadol and its major metabolite (O-desmethyltramadol). RESULTS No adverse effects were detected after oral administration of tramadol to rabbits. Mean +/- SD half-life of tramadol after administration was 145.4 +/- 81.0 minutes; mean +/- SD maximum plasma concentration was 135.3 +/- 89.1 ng/mL. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Although the dose of tramadol required to provide analgesia in rabbits is unknown, the dose administered in the study reported here did not reach a plasma concentration of tramadol or O-desmethyltramadol that would provide sufficient analgesia in humans for clinically acceptable periods. Many factors may influence absorption of orally administered tramadol in rabbits.
Interest Rates In Post-Keynesian Models Of Growth And Distribution

The goal of this article is to make a heuristic and comparative presentation of how the major post-Keynesian models of growth and distribution integrate money, more specifically interest rates, into their framework. Five variants will be considered, all constructed on the basis of the newer Kaleckian model. It will be shown that increases in real interest rates may have surprising effects on effective demand. It will also be shown that accumulation rates and leverage ratios need not move together. The latter finding reinforces a major hypothesis of the analysis, that is, real interest rates are an exogenous distributive variable.
The changing nature of Asian-Latin American economic relations

This book aims to document the growing investment and trade relations between Latin America and Asia, as well as some of their imbalances. It also provides several examples on how to upgrade trans-Pacific economic relations. It is offered to the Asian and Latin American policymaking, academic and business communities, as a contributioon to bridging the gaps in our knowledge of economic relations between the two regions.
Photocoagulation in diabetic retinopathy. A multicentre study in Sweden.

Two hundred and eleven patients with diabetic retinopathy were assigned to a multicentre prospective study on the effect of photocoagulation therapy. Twenty Swedish eye clinics took part in the trial. Good visual function and symmetrical diabetic retinopathy of the non-proliferative or proliferative type were required. No patients with advanced new vessels on the optic disc or widespread fibrous proliferations were included. Further criteria for inclusion were that at the time of entry into the study the patients would be in good general health, should have no other eye diseases and should be receiving no other treatment for diabetic retinopathy. One eye was randomly chosen for photocoagulation therapy. The patients were given mild treatment with the panretinal, focal or panretinal and focal techniques and in most cases the short-pulse, small-spot xenon arc or argon laser methods were used. The patients were examined before treatment, after 6 months and subsequently every year. All follow-ups included careful measurement of corrected visual acuity, tonometry, and evaluation of the optical media and fundus changes. A medical examination was performed every second year. Fundus photographs were taken at all examinations. The diabetic lesions were graded with the aid of a modified Airlie-House system. The classification of all diabetic lesions was checked by the author with the help of the fundus photographs. Visual acuity and morphological diabetic changes were analysed in the whole material and also in four subgroups, namely those with mild non-proliferative, moderate-severe non-proliferative, mild proliferative and moderate-severe proliferative retinopathy. This subgrouping was done with regard to the stage of retinopathy at entry into the trial. One hundred and eighty-five patients were followed up for 4 years and 138 for 5 years. Twenty patients died, most of them from diabetic complications. Forty-one control eyes were treated. The majority showed progression before treatment. Treated eyes had better average visual acuity and a lower rate of blindness than control eyes at late follow-up. The various stages of retinopathy differed greatly with respect to the visual outcome. Patients showing mild non-proliferative changes at the time of entry had good mean visual acuity and no eyes became blind during the follow-up period. Patients with moderate-severe non-proliferative changes had a better mean visual acuity in the treatment group at late follow-ups and more eyes became blind in the control group. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Asset pricing with time-varying betas for stocks traded on S&P 500

This study uses a novel approach for capturing time variation in betas whose pattern is treated as a function of market returns. A two-factor model (TFM) is constructed using estimated coefficients of a nonlinear regression. The model is tested against the CAPM and the Fama and French three-factor model in the context of time series regressions. The used stocks are traded on S&P 500. The period spans from 1993 to 2011. The time series regression results depict the superiority of the TFM in explaining portfolio returns including momentum ones. We also provide evidence that the particular portfolios employed at the construction of the new model accommodate different fundamental characteristics and different risk levels.
Analysis of Wheezes in Asthmatic Patients during Spontaneous Respiration

Respiratory sound analysis can offer important information related to pulmonary diseases. Wheezes have been reported as adventitious respiratory sounds in asthmatic or obstructive patients, during forced exhalation maneuvers. In this work, we propose a method for analysis of respiratory sounds in frequency domain, during spontaneous ventilation. Two databases were analyzed: signals acquired during spirometry (DBspir), composed by 23 subjects (N=15 asthmatics, N=8 control); and signals acquired during spontaneous ventilation for 120 seconds (DBsv), composed by 26 asthmatics. Using an autoregressive model (AR, order 16), it was calculated the Power Spectral Density (PSD) for each expiration and the peak frequency (fp) was estimated. Higher values of fp were found in asthmatic patients with severe obstruction in relation to light obstruction or control subjects. The effect of bronchodilator inhalation in asthmatic patients was studied in the database DBsv, analyzing contribution of wheezes in the bandwidth 600-2000 Hz (HFband). , Differences of number of respiratory cycles with wheezes (Dwheez index), before and after bronchodilator inhalation were evaluated. It was found a good correlation between Dwheez and FEV1% improvement (FEV1%_imp), for FEV1%_imp > 10%. This method could predict the FEV1%_imp by means of estimation of Dwheez index during spontaneous ventilation.
The Development of Trainee Auditors' Skills in Tertiary Education

This research examines the skills that practitioners, academics and students think are important for trainee auditors to possess for a successful auditing career. The research is based on the educational theories of experiential learning and information-processing. These theories suggest that graduates expecting to go into the auditing profession should have: (i) some concrete experience upon which to base an understanding of the techniques that they will be expected to learn once they begin audit work; and (ii) an understanding of basic constructs upon which new learning can be applied and built to then be able to critically examine and question the evidence that is presented to them on an audit. This study investigates the teaching methods that are used at UK universities on accounting degree programmes and assesses whether these two objectives are being met.
Microarray Analysis of mRNA Levels from RAW264.7 Macrophages Infected with Brucella abortus

ABSTRACT Identification of host responses at the gene transcription level provides a molecular profile of the events that occur following infection. Brucella abortus is a facultative intracellular pathogen of macrophages that induces chronic infection in humans and domestic animals. Using microarray technology, the response of macrophages 4 h following B. abortus infection was analyzed to identify early intracellular infection events that occur in macrophages. Of the >6,000 genes, we identified over 140 genes that were reproducibly differentially transcribed. First, an increase in the transcription of a number of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, such as tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-1α, and members of the SCY family of proteins, that may constitute a general host recruitment of antibacterial defenses was evident. Alternatively, Brucella may subvert newly arriving macrophages for additional intracellular infection. Second, transcription of receptors and cytokines associated with antigen presentation, e.g., major histocompatibility complex class II and IL-12p40, were not evident at this 4-h period of infection. Third, Brucella inhibited transcription of various host genes involved in apoptosis, cell cycling, and intracellular vesicular trafficking. Identification of macrophage genes whose transcription was inhibited suggests that Brucella utilizes specific mechanisms to target certain cell pathways. In conclusion, these data suggest that B. abortus can alter macrophage pathways to recruit additional macrophages for future infection while simultaneously inhibiting apoptosis and innate immune mechanisms within the macrophage, permitting intracellular survival of the bacterium. These results provide insights into the pathogenic strategies used by Brucella for long-term survival within a hostile environment.
Patinkin and the Pigou effect: or how a Keynesian came to accept an anti-Keynesian argument*

This paper intends to explain how was a supporter of Keynes like Don Patinkin led to integrate the Pigou effect, the arch anti-Keynesian effect, in his theory of involuntary unemployment. The reading of Patinkin's unpublished PhD thesis and the use of the Don Patinkin Papers from Duke University's archives shed new light on this key episode in the formation of the ‘neoclassical synthesis’. Using this material, we show that Patinkin changes his mind on this topic and that his incorporation of the real balance effect into the Keynesian apparatus is, paradoxically, an attempt at reinforcing it.
OUTPATIENT SCHEDULING IN HEALTH CARE: A REVIEW OF LITERATURE

This paper provides a comprehensive survey of research on appointment scheduling in outpatient services. Effective scheduling systems have the goal of matching demand with capacity so that resources are better utilized and patient waiting times are minimized. Our goal is to present general problem formulation and modeling considerations, and to provide taxonomy of methodologies used in previous literature. Current literature fails to develop generally applicable guidelines to design appointment systems, as most studies have suggested highly situation‐specific solutions. We identify future research directions that provide opportunities to expand existing knowledge and close the gap between theory and practice.
Varieties of Unsuccessful Industrialization: The Balkan States Before 1914

This paper should begin with a brief defense of its title. “Variety” and “unsuccessful” are doubtful if not dirty words to most economists and many economic historians. The “success stories” of rapid development in Western Europe, Russia and Japan have been the most frequent subject of this Journal's articles on non-American topics. And the discovery of uniformity in the past, rather than variety, is admittedly essential to the development economist's search for predictability in the future that has informed so much of the economic history written since the Second World War.
Infrastructure Investment and Growth in Developing Countries: Does the Type of Contract Matter?

The aim of this article is to verify whether public investment in infrastructure is effective in terms of growth. While there is extensive literature analysing the effect of public capital stock on development and growth, comparatively less attention has been devoted to the contractual mechanisms characterising this investment. In this article, we focus on private participation in infrastructure projects through forms of public–private partnerships and verify whether the use of such contracts promotes economic growth. By analysing the performance of 81 developing countries over the period 1991–2008, we found that public–private partnerships are particularly relevant in terms of growth for high-income countries, whereas we could not find significant effect for low-income countries. We interpret this result as evidence of the relevance of better institutions, especially in terms of quality of regulation and rule of law, for attracting private investment in infrastructure projects and then for promoting growth.
INDIGENOUS ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN NORTHERN NSW, AUSTRALIA

A number of solutions have been suggested for overcoming the considerable and entrenched economic and social disadvantage indigenous Australians face, including the encouragement to gain employment in the mainstream economy and to become entrepreneurs. Governments of all persuasions have implemented policies to encourage indigenous entrepreneurship; however, most appear to have had little success. To support and promote indigenous entrepreneurship effectively, it is important to identify the factors that either promote or hinder entrepreneurial endeavors. This paper reports on a study that used a qualitative research approach guided by a social constructivist paradigm to examine the experiences of Indigenous entrepreneurs in Northern New South Wales, Australia. The study results indicated that participants were found to possess characteristics of confidence, strong self-determination and ambition, and a desire to achieve. The role and influence of spouses, extended family and other role models were important determinants of entrepreneurial success, as were access to financial capital and established business networks. Above average education levels, prior industry experience and the assistance of mentors were also found to positively influence success. Lacking access to financial capital was a major hindrance. Participants also found government assistance programs confusing, unwieldy and difficult to access. Other hindrances included the presence of racism and discrimination; and difficulties reconciling business needs with the requests and needs of family, culture and community.
Testing the Random Walk Behavior in the Damascus Securities Exchange Using Unit Root Tests with Structural Breaks

This study aims to test whether stock prices on the Damascus Securities Exchange (DSE) follow a random walk process, using weekly data during the period from January 2010 to Mars 2017. For that purpose, in addition to the ADF test, which does not account for structural breaks in the data, the Zivot and Andrews test with one break, the Lumsdaine and Papell test with two breaks and the Lee and Strazicich tests with one and two endogenously determined structural breaks are applied. The findings of the study provide evidence in favor of random walk hypothesis in the DSE despite considering up to structural breaks in the data. Moreover, the dates of endogenously captured structural breaks in the majority of models tested coincide with the political instability that erupted in 2011 in Syria.
The Dynamics of Risk-Neutral Implied Moments: Evidence from Individual Options

We study the estimation, the dynamics, and the predictability of option-implied risk-neutral moments (variance, skewness, and kurtosis) for individual stocks from various perspectives. We first show that it is in the estimation of the higher moments essential to use an interpolation with a narrow grid as well as a wide interval. We show that implied moments are well explained cross-sectionally by a number of firm characteristics. We use the characteristics that have been shown to exhibit correlation with expected returns (like size and the market-to-book ratio of equity). In a next step, we investigate the joint dynamics of the three moments in a vector autoregressive model. We find that the moments are significantly linked to each other over time. Finally, adding exogenous variables to the vector autoregression improves the explanatory power of our model even further. Granger causality tests show significant differences between the three implied moments.
Global Justice: Defending Cosmopolitanism

Distributive justice and the international context. Part 1 Cosmopolitanism: utilarianism and global justice basic human rights - the moral minimum O'Neil and the obligations of justice. Part 2 Communitarianism Patriotism and justice Miller, Nationalism, and distributive justice relativism, universalism, and Walzer neo-Hegalianism, sovereignty, and rights.
A Simple Long Memory Model of Realized Volatility

In the present work we propose a new realized volatility model to directly model and forecast the time series behavior of volatility. The purpose is to obtain a conditional volatility model based on realized volatility which is able to reproduce the memory persistence observed in the data but, at the same time, remains parsimonious and easy to estimate. Inspired by the Heterogeneous Market Hypothesis and the asymmetric propagation of volatility between long and short time horizons, we propose an additive cascade of different volatility components generated by the actions of different types of market participants. This additive volatility cascade leads to a simple AR-type model in the realized volatility with the feature of considering volatilities realized over different time horizons. We term this model, Heterogeneous Autoregressive model of the Realized Volatility (HAR-RV). In spite of the simplicity of its structure, simulation results seem to confirm that the HAR-RV model successfully achieves the purpose of reproducing the main empirical features of financial data (long memory, fat tail, self-similarity) in a very simple and parsimonious way. Preliminary results on the estimation and forecast of the HAR-RV model on USD/CHF data, show remarkably good out of sample forecasting performance which steadily and substantially outperforms those of standard models.
Incorporation of conjugated linoleic and alpha linolenic fatty acids into Pimedolus maculatus fillets

The objective of this study was to investigate the fatty acid composition of Pimedolus maculatus fillets of fish fed with different diets. The fish were submitted to an adaptation period (over 30 days) and fed only a control diet (diet I). After this period, the fish were divided into two groups: one group received a diet enriched with flaxseed oil (diet II), and the other received a diet enriched with conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) (diet III). Subsequent collections were undertaken after 25 and 50 days. Compared to the control samples, fish fed diet II showed an increase in concentrations of total fatty acid omega-3 (n-3) in the fillets, with an improvement ratio of n-6/n-3. The incorporation of CLA into fish fed diet III was successful. Supplementing the diet of Pimedolus maculatus with CLA and flaxseed oil led to improvements in nutritional quality and fatty acid profile of the fish fillets.
Whole-genome analysis of sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

BACKGROUND Approximately 90% of persons with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) have the sporadic form, which may be caused by the interaction of multiple environmental factors and previously unknown genes. METHODS We performed a genomewide association analysis using 766,955 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) found in 386 white patients with sporadic ALS and 542 neurologically normal white controls (the discovery series). Associations of SNPs with sporadic ALS were confirmed in two independent replication populations: replication series 1, with 766 case patients with the disease and 750 neurologically normal controls, and replication series 2, with 135 case patients and 275 controls. RESULTS We identified 10 genetic loci that are significantly associated (P<0.05) with sporadic ALS in three independent series of case patients and controls and an additional 41 loci that had significant associations in two of the three series. The most significant association with disease in white case patients as compared with controls was found for a SNP near an uncharacterized gene known as FLJ10986 (P=3.0x10(-4); odds ratio for having the genotype in patients vs. controls, 1.35; 95% confidence interval, 1.13 to 1.62). The FLJ10986 protein was found to be expressed in the spinal cord and cerebrospinal fluid of patients and of controls. Specific SNPs seem to be associated with sex, age at onset, and site of onset of sporadic ALS. CONCLUSIONS Variants of FLJ10986 may confer susceptibility to sporadic ALS. FLJ10986 and 50 other candidate loci warrant further investigation for their potential role in conferring susceptibility to the disease.
A Study on HILS of Fluid Switching Transmission

As a continuous variable transmission, the authors proposed a fluid switching transmission (EST). In this study, the process of developing the control system for the EST using hardware-in-the-loop simulation (HIES) is studied. The precise simulation model of EST was proposed at first. In the simulation model, dynamics and torque loss of the components were considered. In the HIES, the simulation model was run in real time as a target of the controller to be developed. The design process and experimental results using the HIES are discussed in this paper