Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ADEMU WORKING PAPER SERIES Real Keynesian Models and Sticky Prices Version 2 . 1

In this paper we present a generalized sticky price model which allows, depending on the parameterization, for demand shocks to maintain strong expansionary effects even in the presence of perfectly flexible prices. The model is constructed to incorporate the standard threeequation New Keynesian model as a special case. We refer to the parameterizations where demand shocks have expansionary effects regardless of the degree of price stickiness as Real Keynesian parameterizations. We use the model to show how the effects of monetary policy for the same degree of price stickiness – differ depending whether the model parameters are within the Real Keynesian subset or not. In particular, we show that in the Real Keynesian subset, the effect of a monetary policy that tries to counter demand shocks creates the opposite trade-off between inflation and output variability than under more traditional parameterizations. Moreover, we show that under the Real Keynesian parameterization neo-Fisherian effects emerge even though the equilibrium remains unique. We then estimate our extended sticky price model on U.S. data to see whether estimated parameters tend to fall within the Real Keynesian subset or whether they are more in line with the parameterization generally assumed in the New Keynesian literature. In passage, we use the model to justify a new SVAR procedure that offers a simple presentation of the data features which help identify the key parameters of the model. The main finding from our multiple estimations, and many robustness checks is that the data point to model parameters that fall within the Real Keynesian subset as opposed to a New Keynesian subset. We discuss both (i) how a Real Keynesian parametrization offers an explanation to puzzles associated with joint behaviour of inflation and employment during the zero lower bound period and during the Great Moderation period, (ii) how it potentially changes the challenge faced by monetary policy if authorities want to achieve price stability and favour employment stability.
Development of An Artificial Male Germ Cell Niche Using Electrospun Poly Vinyl Alcohol/Human Serum Albumin/Gelatin Fibers

Objective Recent achievements in stem cell biotechnology, nanotechnology and tissue engineering have led to development of novel approaches in regenerative medicine. Azoospermia is one of the challenging disorders of the reproductive system. Several efforts were made for isolation and culture of testis-derived stem cells to treat male infertility. However, tissue engineering is the best approach to mimic the three dimensional microenvironment of the testis in vitro. We investigated whether human testis-derived cells (hTCs) obtained by testicular sperm extraction (TESE) can be cultured on a homemade scaffold composed of electrospun nanofibers of homogeneous poly (vinyl alcohol)/human serum albumin/gelatin (PVA/HSA/gelatin). Materials and Methods In this experimental lab study, human TCs underwent two steps of enzymatic cell isolation and five culture passages. Nanofibrous scaffolds were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier- transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Attachment of cells onto the scaffold was shown by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and SEM. Cell viability study using MTT [3-(4, 5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl) -2, 5-diphenyl -2H- tetrazolium bromide] assay was performed on days 7 and 14. Results Visualization by H&E staining and SEM indicated that hTCs were seeded on the scaffold. MTT test showed that the PVA/HSA/gelatin scaffold is not toxic for hTCs. Conclusion It seems that this PVA/HSA/gelatin scaffold is supportive for growth of hTCs.
SKIP regulates environmental fitness and floral transition, respectively, by forming two distinct complexes in Arabidopsis.

Ski-interacting protein (SKIP) is a bifunctional regulator of gene expression that works as a splicing factor as part of the spliceosome and as a transcriptional activator by interacting with EARLY FLOWERING 7 (ELF7). MOS4-Associated Complex (MAC)3A and MAC3B interact physically and genetically with SKIP, mediate the alternative splicing of about 50% of the expressed genes in the Arabidopsis genome, and are required for the splicing of a similar set of genes to that of SKIP. SKIP interacts physically and genetically with splicing factors and Polymerase-Associated Factor 1 complex (Paf1c) components. However, these splicing factors interact neither physically nor genetically with Paf1c components. SKIP-spliceosome complex mediates circadian clock function and abiotic stress responses by controlling the alternative splicing of pre-mRNAs encoded by clock- and stress tolerance-related genes. SKIP-Paf1c complex regulates the floral transition by activating FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC) transcription. Our data reveal that SKIP regulates floral transition and environmental fitness via its incorporation into two distinct complexes that regulate gene expression transcriptionally and post-transcriptionally, respectively. It is interesting to know whether SKIP is required for integration of environmental fitness and growth by control of the incorporation of SKIP into spliceosome or Paf1c in plants. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Production offshoring and the skill composition of Italian manufacturing firms: a non-parametric analysis

This work explores the effects of production offshoring on the workforce skill composition of manufacturing firms. Its aim is to assess if the firms’ strategy to offshore production determines a domestic employment bias in favor of high-skilled workers. Using three repeated cross-sections of firm-level data over the period 1995-2003, we test the effect of production offshoring on the skill composition by looking at different measures of skills by occupational title and by employing a quasi-experimental analysis based on propensity score matching. Our results point to a modest, and in some cases down-skilling, impact of offshoring on the skill composition of Italian manufacturing: in particular, we find that firms that farmed out production activities in 1998-2000 generally employ a lower share of skilled, non manual, workers with respect to the counterfactual of non-delocalizing firms. Despite the usual findings about the negative impact of international delocalization on low-skilled employment, we find that middle-managers are the most affected category. Such evidence may find a twofold explanation: on the one hand, skilled workers can decline more than unskilled workers because of a substitution effect that is driven by the will of reducing not only redundant activities, but also to outsource complementary skill-intensive activities such as control and coordination for which middle-managers are employed for. On the other hand, skilled workers may decline in absolute terms, because of a quantity effect that occurs when firms decide to transfer managerial staff in order to coordinate and supervise the activities shifted abroad.
A new method for classifying galaxy SEDs from multiwavelength photometry

VW acknowledges support from the European Research Council Starting Grant (PI: V. Wild), European Research Council Advanced Grant (PI: J. Dunlop) and European Career Re-integration Grant (PI: V. Wild). JSD acknowledges support from the European Research Council Advanced Grant (PI: J. Dunlop). RM acknowledges support from the European Research Council Consolidator Grant (PI: R. McLure). JSD also acknowledges the contribution of the EC FP7 SPACE project ASTRODEEP (Ref. No: 312725). This work was supported in part by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. PHYS-1066293.
Arthritis self-efficacy beliefs and functioning among osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis patients: a meta-analytic review.

OBJECTIVES The Arthritis Self-Efficacy Scale (ASES) is a widely used self-report measure of beliefs reflecting confidence in one's capacity to function despite pain and control pain or other symptoms of arthritis. Despite evidence linking higher ASES scores to lower levels of impairment, pain and emotional distress, numerous modest, non-significant associations have also been observed. In this meta-analysis, we evaluated overall associations between ASES scores and adjustment in RA and OA samples as well as potential moderators that may explain the heterogeneity in these associations. METHOD Data from 48 samples that met all 10 inclusion criteria (N = 9222 patients) were subject to analyses. RESULTS ASES scores had significant medium average effect sizes with functional impairment, pain severity and emotional distress but substantial heterogeneity was evident for each association. ASES-impairment associations were moderated by the diagnosis, ASES version and ASES subscale content: significantly larger effect sizes were found for studies that included RA patients, used the original 20-item ASES and assessed subscale content reflecting the pursuit of daily activities despite pain (i.e. functional self-efficacy) than for studies based exclusively on OA patients, the eight-item ASES and ASES pain control and other symptom subscales. Relations of ASES scores with pain severity and emotional distress were moderated by ASES version and subscale content, respectively. CONCLUSION The ASES has significant overall associations with key areas of functioning. Moderator analyses of the measure provide empirically grounded suggestions for optimal use of the ASES within OA and RA patient samples.
Modelling estuarine Crustacea population fluctuations in response to physico-chemical trends

Regular samples (generally every 2 wk) of 6 estuarine crustacean species, Carcinus maenas, Liocarcinus holsatus, Crangon crangon, Palaemon longirostris, Palaemon serratus and Gammarus spp. (mainly G. zaddachi ), were taken over a 12 yr period from the cooling water intake screens of West Thurrock power station on the Thames estuary, UK. Additionally, comparative data sets for abiotic variables (freshwater flow, salinity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, suspended solids, total nitrogen) were collected for the same time period. The comprehensive nature of the time series, and accompanying suite of variables, allowed the construction of statistical models for the trends in population abundance of the 6 species using multiple linear regression techniques. Statistically significant models were constructed for C. maenas, C. crangon and Gammarus spp. , accurately predicting annual, and longer term, fluctuations in abundance. All models had strong seasonal components, although for C. maenas temperature was the only physico-chemical variable with significant explanatory power. The importance of temperature as a controlling variable for the species was reinforced by the inclusion of an instrumental variable to simulate a threshold temperature for foraging activity. The optimal value was found to be 8°C. C. crangon was found to be positively correlated with dissolved oxygen, but showed a slight decline in abundance over the time period. There was no significant relationship with either salinity or temperature, variables previously suggested as being important. Gammarus spp. abundance had 2 significant explanatory variables (temperature and salinity) but also demonstrated a large decrease in population size with time. L. holsatus and P. serratus are summer-occurring species, so were recorded too infrequently to adequately capture seasonal dynamics. Despite the long time series, no significant model was possible for P longirostris abundance (non-normal residuals), which has been suggested previously as having a strong relationship with salinity. The results of the study provide the first significant multiple linear regression models that accurately predict estuarine crustacean abundance. Whilst these models are useful for helping to understand variability in the Thames, it will be interesting to determine whether populations in other estuaries demonstrate relationships with similar suites of physico-chemical parameters.
Fragility determinants of the private corporate sector in Colombia

The aim of this paper is to identify a set of early warning indicators that effectively discriminate between firms that are more prone to default on their financial obligations from those that are less prone to do so. To fulfill this objective, we use the Discriminant Analysis methodology. We find that the strongest predictors that a Colombian real sector firm will fail to meet their financial obligations are: debt ratio and the number of banking relationships. We also use a Logit model to estimate the debtors probability of default (PD) and its distribution. The PD distribution has a positive skew and leptokurtic, suggesting a low overall PD. When performing a stress test (i.e. when a negative shock is applied to the firms’ performance), we find that the PD distribution shifts to the right causing an increase in loan loss provisions and a decrease in net profits.
Hydroxyapatite-Based Coating on Biomedical Implant

The use of metallic biomaterials for replacement of biomedical implants has been traced back from the nineteenth century. These metallic biomaterials have been declared as clinical success as their mechanical properties that satisfy the prerequisite of the human bone. Nevertheless, critical issues of the materials when they are utilised as implants; including the releasing toxic and harmful metal ions through wear and corrosion processes after longer implantation. Besides that, the bonding strength between bone and implants itself is considered weak due to the different components of human bone and metal implants. Hence, developing hydroxyapatite (HAp) coating on metallic biomaterials is expected to overcome the problems faced by biocompatible metallic biomaterials. As far as this, various commercial techniques have been introduced to develop the HAp coating on metallic biomaterials. The techniques are including plasma-spraying method, sol-gel dip-coating, electrochemical deposition and high-velocity suspension plasma-spraying. The formation of HAp coating on metallic biomaterials improved the corrosion resistance together promoting its load-bearing ability and enhanced substrate-coating adhesion.
Formation of Nanostructured Tungsten with Arborescent Shape due to Helium Plasma Irradiation

Deeply nanostructured tungsten with an arborescent shape was found for the first time to be formed on tungsten-coated graphite by a high-flux helium plasma irradiation at surface temperatures of 1250 and 1600 K, an incident ion energy of 12 eV (well below the physical sputtering threshold) and a helium ion fluence of 3.5 × 1027 m-2.
PDP ESTIMATION USING LINEAR MINIMUM MEAN SQUARE ERROR IN MIMO-OFDM SYSTEMS

Over the recent years, the combination of Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) with Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) has gained significant interest and is considered as one of the most promising techniques for present and future wireless communication systems such as Wi-Max (IEEE 802.16) or 3 rd Generation Partnership Project Long Term Evolution (3GPP LTE). In Linear Minimum Mean Square Error (LMMSE) channel estimation for multicarrier system, it is necessary to know channel correlation function. Hence the estimation of noise variance using null carrier and Power Delay Profile (PDP) can be used to approximate which can be described in two parameters like; mean delay and Root Mean Square (RMS) delay spread. In this paper the estimation of channel at pilot frequencies with LMMSE estimation algorithms is carried out through Mat lab simulation. Simulation results show that the performance of LMMSE channel estimation using the proposed PDP estimate approaches that of Wiener filtering due to the mitigation of distortion effects.
A novel financial risk contagion model based on the MGARCH process and its parameter estimation

This paper proposes a new financial risk contagion model; the contagion-MGARCH model which is based on the multivariate GARCH process. Our measure of risk contagion could characterize the causality of the financial risk contagion, its economic significance, and its determinants by using the contagion equation containing latent variables. Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) estimation of the parameters in the new contagion model context is also covered. Key words: Financial risk contagion, MGARCH, latent variable.
Role of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in activation of inflammation at community-acquired pneumonia of children with different level of physical development

Background: With the aim of better predicting the course of the community-acquired uncomplicated pneumonia (CAUP) the study presents the results of research of the cytokine profile based on the obtained rates of pro- (interleukin 1-beta [IL-1β], tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-α]) and anti-inflammatory (interleukin 4 [IL-4]) cytokines in blood serum as well as results of the combined bacteriological and serological research of children with different level of physical development (PD), sick on CAUP. Methods: In order to reach the purpose of the research the work was carried out by controlled computer-generated randomization schedule in 2 stages. At the 1st stage the examination of 151 children with CAUP aged from 3 to 14 years from the onset of the disease and of 20 apparently healthy children (control group) was held. All children passed a study of sputum using staining of swabs according to Gram, culture test and determination of causative agents of pneumonia by the method of enzyme multiplied immunoassay (ELISA); in addition, the cytokine profile (IL-1β, IL-4 and TNF-α) was determined by the method of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. At the 2nd stage, according to the inclusion/exclusion criteria, 151 children in the dynamics of the disease were examined: on 7.2 ± 0.9 day from the onset of the disease, the cytokine profile rates were evaluated, and on 12.6 ± 0.9 day the level of IgM, IgG to atypical causative agents of pneumonia were recorded. Results: The results obtained during the research of the indices of the pro-inflammatory (IL-1β and TNF-α) and anti-inflammatory (IL-4) cytokines in blood serum of the children with CAUP and having different level of PD can be considered as factors for individually predicting the course of the CAUP of children with different PD. Conclusion: Data suggest that the ratio of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines during in­flammatory process in children with CAUP with different PD can be one of the additional, but not unique, factors for predicting the course of the dis­ease.
MULTI-COMPONENT RETURNS TO SCALE: A DEA-BASED APPROACH

Efficiency modeling in Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) has generally been studied to derivation of a single measure of efficiency. In the current paper, efficiency is viewed from a multi-component perspective. We first, define a multi-component efficiency model. Then, we define ”returns to scale” in multi-component environments and propose a method for identifying the nature of returns to scale. An illustrative application of the methodology to a sample of bank branches is given.
First detection of THz water maser in NGC7538-IRS1 with SOFIA and new 22 GHz e-MERLIN maps

The formation of massive stars is still not well understood. Accumulating a large amount of mass infalling within a single entity in spite of radiation pressure is possible if, among several other conditions, enough thermal energy is released. Despite numerous water line observations, with the Herschel Space Observatory, in most of the sources observations were not able to trace the emission from the hot core around the newly forming protostellar object. We want to probe the physical conditions and water abundance in the inner layers of the host protostellar object NGC7538-IRS1 using a highly excited H2O line. Water maser models predict that several THz water masers should be detectable in these objects. We present SOFIA observations of the o-H2O 8(2,7)-7(3,4) line at 1296.41106 GHz and a 6(1,6)-5(2,3) 22 GHz e-MERLIN map of the region (first-ever 22 GHz images made after the e-MERLIN upgrade). In order to be able to constrain the nature of the emission - thermal or maser - we use near-simultaneous observations of the 22 GHz water maser performed with the Effelsberg radiotelescope and e-MERLIN. A thermal water model using the RATRAN radiative transfer code is presented based on HIFI pointed observations. Molecular water abundances are derived for the hot core. The H2O 8(2,7)- 7(3,4) line is detected toward NGC7538-IRS1 with one feature at the source velocity (-57.7 km/s) and another one at -48.4 km/s. We propose that the emission at the source velocity is consistent with thermal excitation and is excited in the innermost part of the IRS1a massive protostellar object's closest circumstellar environment. The other emission is very likely the first detection of a water THz maser line, pumped by shocks due to IRS1b outflow, in a star-forming region. Assuming thermal excitation of the THz line, the water abundance in NGC7538-IRS1's hot core is estimated to be 5.2x10^{-5} with respect to H2.
Fast attrition of springtail communities by experimental drought and richness–decomposition relationships across Europe

Soil fauna play a fundamental role on key ecosystem functions like organic matter decomposition, although how local assemblages are responding to climate change and whether these changes may have consequences to ecosystem functioning is less clear. Previous studies have revealed that a continued environmental stress may result in poorer communities by filtering out the most sensitive species. However, these experiments have rarely been applied to climate change factors combining multiyear and multisite standardized field treatments across climatically contrasting regions, which has limited drawing general conclusions. Moreover, other facets of biodiversity, such as functional and phylogenetic diversity, potentially more closely linked to ecosystem functioning, have been largely neglected. Here, we report that the abundance, species richness, phylogenetic diversity, and functional richness of springtails (Subclass Collembola), a major group of fungivores and detritivores, decreased within 4 years of experimental drought across six European shrublands. The loss of phylogenetic and functional richness was higher than expected by the loss of species richness, leading to communities of phylogenetically similar species sharing evolutionary conserved traits. Additionally, despite the great climatic differences among study sites, we found that taxonomic, phylogenetic, and functional richness of springtail communities alone were able to explain up to 30% of the variation in annual decomposition rates. Altogether, our results suggest that the forecasted reductions in precipitation associated with climate change may erode springtail communities and likely other drought‐sensitive soil invertebrates, thereby retarding litter decomposition and nutrient cycling in ecosystems.