Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Education, Risk and Efficiency in Human Capital Investment

University of York Beijing Normal University The efficiency of the process of investment in human capital through education is of considerable importance both to the individuals involved and to the wider economy. The paper develops an analytical framework in which issues of the efficiency of such investment can be considered alongside its interface with the operations of the labour market, and in which the risks posed by such educational investments when the labour market is less than fully efficient can be analysed. These issues are of particular relevance in the context of the major expansions in higher education which have taken place in recent years, not least in China, which is now second in its share of all 25 â€“ 64 year olds internationally with tertiary education. The paper therefore complements its theoretical analysis with an empirical investigation of the risk factors which impact on the efficiency of this large-scale educational investment for individual graduates and for the wider economy
Global public health today: connecting the dots

Background Global public health today faces new challenges and is impacted by a range of actors from within and outside state boundaries. The diversity of the actors involved has created challenges and a complex environment that requires a new context-tailored global approach. The World Federation of Public Health Associations has embarked on a collaborative consultation with the World Health Organization to encourage a debate on how to adapt public health to its future role in global health. Design A qualitative study was undertaken. High-level stakeholders from leading universities, multilateral organizations, and other institutions worldwide participated in the study. Inductive content analyses were performed. Results Stakeholders underscored that global public health today should tackle the political, commercial, economic, social, and environmental determinants of health and social inequalities. A multisectoral and holistic approach should be guaranteed, engaging public health in broad dialogues and a concerted decision-making process. The connection between neoliberal ideology and public health reforms should be taken into account. The WHO must show leadership and play a supervising and technical role. More and better data are required across many programmatic areas of public health. Resources should be allocated in a sustainable and accountable way. Public health professionals need new skills that should be provided by a collaborative global education system. A common framework context-tailored to influence governments has been evaluated as useful. Conclusions The study highlighted some of the main public health challenges currently under debate in the global arena, providing interesting ideas. A more inclusive integrated vision of global health in its complexity, shared and advocated for by all stakeholders involved in decision-making processes, is crucial. This vision represents the first step in innovating public health at the global level and should lead to a serious rethinking of education curricula to allow the next generation to engage within political contexts for restructuring global public health.
Transcriptional regulation of a tumor promoter and mitogen-inducible gene in human lymphocytes

Tumor-promoting phorbol esters affect a variety of cellular functions which may underlie tumor promotion. We isolated from human lymphocytes a cDNA clone whose gene is inducible by the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate as well as by the T-cell mitogen phytohemagglutinin. Nuclear transcription experiments suggested that this induction is primarily caused by the increased transcription of the gene. It is interesting that this gene is expressed constitutively in human T-cell leukemia virus-infected mature T cells. The results support the notion that 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate can affect cellular functions by causing transcriptional activation of specific genes.
The relevance of political affinity for the initial acquisition premium in cross‐border acquisitions

Research summary: In the context of economic nationalism, we investigate the relevance of political affinity between countries to the initial acquisition premium offered in cross-border acquisitions. Political affinity is defined as the similarity of national interests in global affairs. We argue that political affinity affects how foreign acquirers anticipate their bargaining position in their negotiations with domestic target firms. With decreasing political affinity, the host government becomes increasingly likely to intervene against foreign firms in an acquisition deal. Consequently, foreign acquirers need to provide a more lucrative initial offer to dissuade target firms from leveraging government intervention to oppose the acquisition. Our prediction is supported by strong evidence that political affinity, as revealed by UN general assembly voting patterns, leads to lower initial acquisition premiums. Managerial summary: Media reports suggest that politics plays an important role in international business transactions. However, we still know very little about how bilateral political relations affect corporate decision-making. In this article, we analyze the influence of the quality of bilateral political relations on the bidding behavior of foreign acquirers in cross-border acquisitions. We argue that the host government is more likely to intervene against the foreign acquirer during deal negotiations if the quality of bilateral political relations is poor. A lower political affinity between countries therefore decreases the bargaining power of the acquirer and pushes up the initial bid premium the acquirer has to offer to the local target. Our empirical results confirm our argument. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
The unusual behavior of the federal funds and 10-year Treasury rates: a conundrum or Goodhart’s Law?

In February 2005, former Chairman Alan Greenspan referred to the decline in long-term rates in the wake of the Fed increasing the target for the federal funds rate by 150 basis points as a “conundrum. ” Greenspan’s remarks generated considerable interest and research. I show that the relationship between the 10 year Treasury yield and the federal funds rate changed dramatically in the late 1980s, well in advance of Greenspan’s observation. I argue that the marked change in the relationship between the federal funds rate and long-term yields is a natural consequence of Goodhart’s Law.
Let Them Eat Cake: A Note on Comparing Alternative Models of the Demand for Medical Care

This article comments on the Rand econometric approach to estimating and testing models of the demand for medical care as typified in Duan et al. (1983). The Rand methodology is contrasted with more mainstream econometric approaches to similar empirical problems as developed in the sample selection literature. It is shown that despite Rand's claim, their approach requires some fairly unusual assumptions on the model joint error distribution and functional form. Alternatively, their model likelihood functions may be interpreted as being nested in more general sample selection model likelihood functions with easily testable parameter restrictions.
Phased Learning with Hierarchical Reinforcement Learning in Nonholonomic Motion Control

In this paper, a hierarchical reinforcement learning algorithm for controlling nonholonomic systems is proposed. When applying reinforcement learning to the nonholonomic systems, acquiring adequate policies is difficult because of an increase of learning steps and a convergence of local optimal policies. The proposed algorithm is inspired by such human learning behavior. Human can learn to control such systems sufficiently even if they initially have little knowledge about the system's dynamics and the way to control. This human capability is suggested to be caused by their exploration strategies for acquiring the adequate policies. The key element of the proposed algorithm is a shaping function defined on a novel position-direction space. The shaping function is autonomously constructed once the goal is reached and constrains the exploration area to optimize the policy. The efficiency of the proposed shaping function was demonstrated by using a nonholonomic control problem of positioning the 2-link planer underactuated manipulator
Is Dynamic Cervical Shortening During Symptomatic Contractions Predictive of Preterm Delivery in Patients With a Normal Baseline Cervical Length?

Objective. The purpose of this study was to determine whether dynamic cervical change in symptomatic patients with a normal baseline cervical length (CL; ≥30 mm) is predictive of preterm delivery (PTD). Methods. A prospective observational study was performed in 120 symptomatic patients between 23 and 34 weeks' gestation. Patients underwent standardized CL sonography with contraction monitoring, and CL measurements were recorded each minute for approximately 10 minutes. Initial and minimum CLs as well as the presence of dynamic change were assessed for prediction of PTD. Results. Forty‐seven patients (39.2%) had dynamic cervical change and delivered at a mean gestational age ± SD of 37.1 ± 2.7 weeks compared to 38.7 ± 1.5 weeks for those without dynamic change (P < .01). A larger proportion of those with dynamic change delivered before 37 weeks (43% versus 15%; P < .01) and before 35 weeks (19% versus 0%; P < .01). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that dynamic cervical change was predictive of PTD, but not independently of the minimum CL. Statistical analyses were completed using the Student t test, χ2 test, Fisher exact test, Wilcoxon rank sum test. and logistic regression as appropriate. Conclusions. Although symptomatic patients with a normal baseline CL who have dynamic shortening generally deliver at term, they appear to be at increased risk of PTD.
Rapid Progression from Mild Cognitive Impairment to Alzheimer’s Disease in Subjects with Elevated Levels of Tau in Cerebrospinal Fluid and the APOE ε4/ε4 Genotype

Background/Aims: Increased cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tau, decreased CSF amyloid-β42 (Aβ42) and the apolipoprotein E gene (APOE) ε4 allele predict progression from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Here, we investigated these markers to assess their predictive value and influence on the rate of disease progression. Methods: Using ELISA, we measured the CSF biomarkers in 47 AD patients, 58 patients with MCI and 35 healthy control subjects. Twenty-eight MCI patients revisited the clinic and half of them progressed to AD during a period of 3–12 years. Results: The expected changes in CSF total (T)-tau, phosphorylated (P)-tau and Aβ42 levels were found in AD, confirming the diagnostic value of these biomarkers. We were also able to corroborate an increased risk for progression from MCI to AD with elevated CSF T-tau and P-tau and with the presence of the APOE ε4/ε4 genotype, but not with decreased Aβ42. Finally, for the first time we demonstrated that MCI subjects with high CSF T-tau or P-tau and APOE ε4 homozygosity progressed faster from MCI to AD. Conclusions: CSF T-tau and P-tau as well as the APOE ε4/ε4 genotype are robust predictors of AD and are also associated with a more rapid progression from MCI to AD.
Elaeophora in the meninges of a Malayan sambar (Rusa unicolor equina)

An adult nematode was grossly identified in the meninges of a Malayan sambar (Rusa unicolor equina), with numerous microfilariae associated with encephalitis and vasculitis on histopathology. The nematode was confirmed to be Elaeophora schneideri by sequencing a portion of the 18S rRNA gene. Our report highlights the potential for aberrant migration of E. schneideri in exotic deer species and the use of advanced testing to specifically identify this metazoan parasite, avoiding misidentification of Parelaphostrongylus tenuis.
Intraoperative Assessment of Closed Reduction for Developmental Dislocation of the Hip Using 3-Dimensional Fluoroscopy

Background: Postoperative imaging for operatively treated developmental dislocation of the hip typically uses computed tomography or a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Neither imaging modality offers the ability to intervene intraoperatively. The 3-dimensional (3D) C-arm provides an attractive alternative providing immediate intraoperative feedback on the quality of a hip reduction. Our primary research question was to determine whether 3D fluoroscopy could assess hip position after closed reduction and spica casting. Secondary questions included whether reduction was maintained postoperatively when compared with postoperative MRI, and to determine the radiation dose received by the infant. Methods: We retrospectively identified 16 patients from 2010 to 2013 who underwent closed reduction and spica casting for a developmentally dislocated hip who underwent both intraoperative 3D fluoroscopy and postoperative MRI imaging. Scans were retrieved and assessed by a blinded pediatric orthopaedic fellow. Assessment of hip reduction was graded based on the modified Shenton line of the pelvis in axial plane images. Effective radiation doses between imaging modalities were compared using an anthropomorphic phantom. Results: All hips were reduced on 3D fluoroscopic images. Comparing the intraoperative 3D scans with the postoperative MRI images all 16 hips were in the same position. At 12 weeks all hips were reduced and no signs of subluxation were identified on the plain anteroposterior radiograph. 3D fluoroscopy achieved the lowest effective dose of radiation per study measuring 0.3 mSv compared with 0.5 mSv for low-dose CT and 0.48 mSv for 60 seconds of live fluoroscopy. Conclusions: Accurate assessment of the quality of hip reduction is possible in the axial plane using 3D fluoroscopy with no significant loss of reduction in the early postoperative period. When comparing the effective radiation exposure to limited-cut computed tomography protocols, 3D fluoroscopy offers a low-dose alternative that may facilitate cost savings and early discharge. Level of Evidence: Diagnostic studies—investigating a diagnostic test; study of nonconsecutive patients with consistently applied gold standard; level III.
The Use of Pulsatile Flow to Separate Species

Abstract: Pulsatile motion greatly enhances the mass transfer of a dilute species compared to that due to pure molecular diffusion. If two dilute species are present in a carrier, the mass transfer of the faster diffusing species may be higher, lower, or the same as the slower diffusing species. This depends on the time constants associated with the system and the ability of a species to remain in the fast moving portion of the flow field. The difference in the mass transfer of each species can lead to a separation that can be used in a number of processes including the removal of carbon dioxide from the air. This phenomenon is modeled in an open tube geometry and in the annular space between two concentric cylinders. In annular pulsatile flow, the effect of the inner cylinder being off center from the outer cylinder on the mass transfer and separation is also analyzed. Finally, experimental results are presented to prove the validity of the models and the separation that can be achieved using this process.
Process robustness and reproducibility of sub-mm wave flip-chip interconnect assembly

The design margins for sub-mm-wave flip-chip transitions in three different topologies, coplanar-to-coplanar, stripline-to-coplanar, and stripline-to-stripline, were verified with the realization and S-parameter measurement of passive chip assemblies, which contain the same wiring architecture as our InP DHBT circuit integration. High yield was observed, and less than 2 dB insertion loss per transition was measured above 300 GHz on the stripline-to-stripline design.
The Persistence Effect of Unemployment in Turkey: An Analysis of the 1980-2010 Period

The study aims to investigate the unemployment generating effects of economic crises in detail for the 1980-2010 period in Turkey. While investigating the unemployment generating effects of crisis, the important effects of persistence of unemployment should not be ignored; where these effects become stronger in emerging economies in addition to developed countries. In this context, hysteresis effect ,which is mostly debated by the European side of NewKeynesian economics, will be analyzed within the framework of the persistence of unemployment. Accordingly, the study aims at investigating the unemployment generating effects of crisis in Turkish economy within the framework of hysteresis effect and persistence. The economic crises that occurred in Turkey during 1980-2010 are evaluated in terms of their effects on the persistence of unemployment. For this purpose, TURKSTAT's household labor force surveys for the period 1980-2000 were referred. For the 2000-2010 period, published TURKSTAT Household labor force surveys were evaluated in detail to investigate the persistence framework of the economic crisis. The data examined in the period is generated annually, summing to a total of 4.7 million survey data. In the empirical part of the study, the data acquired from surveys was subjected to factor analysis to identify the most significant factors. In the second stage, frequency tables and crosstabs were formed. The main findings of the study indicate that the significant effects of economic crises over hysteresis carry importance and the existence of such effects lead to increasing rates in unemployment for the examined period in Turkey.
Putting order to the separation logic jungle

Research results from so-called “classical” separation logics are not easily ported to so-called “intuitionistic” separation logics, and vice versa. Basic questions like, “can Brookes’s soundness proof of CSL be extended to intuitionistic separation logics? ” “Can the frame rule be proved independently of whether the programming language is garbage-collected? ” “Can amortized resource analysis be ported from one separation logic to another? ” should be straightforward. But they are not. Proofs done in a particular separation logic are difficult to generalize. We argue that this limitation is caused by incompatible semantics. For example, emp sometimes holds everywhere and sometimes only on units. In this paper, we introduce a unifying semantics and build a framework that allows to reason parametrically over all separation logics. Many separation algebras in the literature are accompanied, explicitly or implicitly, by a preorder. Our key insight is to axiomatize the interaction between the join relation and the preorder. We prove every separation logic to be sound and complete with respect to this unifying semantics. Further, our framework enables us to generalize the soundness proofs for the frame rule and CSL. It also reveals a new world of meaningful intermediate separation logics between “intuitionistic” and “classical”.
Spiky Globalization of Venture Capital Investments: The Influence of Prior Human Networks

We demonstrate a spiky globalization pattern in the cross-border spread of venture capital: rather than being uniformly distributed, cross-border venture capital flows are unevenly distributed, in that certain regions of the U.S. display particularly intense linkages with certain foreign nations. We posit that such spiky globalization of venture capital is driven by the spiky globalization pattern of prior human networks between locations, and provide empirical results supportive of our hypothesis. Specifically, we reason that immigrant entrepreneurs inherently tend to collocate with each other in their host nation, thus advantaging certain regions in the competition to act as sources and destinations of cross-border venture capital. This study sheds new light on geographical patterns in international venture capital and entrepreneurship.
Skill acquisition, capacity building and women economic empowerment: a case study of Women Education Center, Birnin Kebbi

Lack of vocational training has been considered as the bane of the economy of many African countries particularly Nigeria. The indispensable role of women in any development process calls for eradication of gender related barriers and women empowerment at all levels. This study examined the impact of skill acquisition and capacity building on women economic empowerment with reference to the activities of Women Education Center Birnin Kebbi. A sample of 225 respondents was selected from a population of 452 graduates due to time and cost constraints. A descriptive survey was conducted using a structured interview. Two null hypotheses stated were tested using spearman rank correlation coefficient at 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that there is a low positive correlation between skill acquisition and women economic empowerment and a high positive correlation between capacity building and women economic empowerment. However, while the relationship between skill acquisition and women economic empowerment was not significant, the relationship between capacity building and women economic empowerment was significant. Based on the findings, it was recommended among others that government should invest more on human capital development particularly on women, increase expenditure on instructional materials and infrastructural facilities at vocational training centers, improve by assisting trainees with capital to start business. Finally, women should be allowed by their guardians to learn functional skills to improve their economic status and avail themselves the opportunity offered by government to get functional skills. This will go a long way in attaining the MDGs.
Unemployment Benefits and Basic Income. Economic Performance, Income Inequality and Social Welfare

Two social security schemes are compared in the long run, one based on a basic income and on the other on unemployment benefits. The analysis is carried out in an overlapping generations model in which agents have to decide whether to become skilled or remain unskilled, and how much time to devote to work. We study the effects of both social security systems on the economic incentives determining individual behavior. We compare their implications in terms of economic performance, income inequality, and social welfare at the steady state. The laissez-faire situation is taken as the bench mark.