Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Title: Factor Underutilisation and "Jobless Growth" in Manufacturing: Evidence from Pakistan Subtheme: Macroeconomic Policies and Sustainable Growth

During the past decade, Pakistan has experienced jobless growth with the employment growth in its manufacturing sector lagging behind the growth in its GDP. This is of concern as Pakistan‟s growing labour force, lacking social safety nets and financial assets, rely on employment as their sole source of income. Thus employment is the main link between economic growth and poverty reduction. This paper aims to investigate the nature of this jobless growth by using the Levinsohn and Petrin (2003) methodology to estimate the production functions for the industries and calculate the extent of labour underutilisation in the manufacturing sector, with a distinction being made between production and nonproduction labour. Our hypothesis is that labour under-utilisation may be one of the driving factors behind this jobless growth. Finding lower than optimal employment for production and non-production workers across different industries and regions, it further tries to establish the possible links between factor utilisation, productivity and other industrial characteristics. Policy recommendations are made on the basis of this analysis.
Sustainable forestry in financial times

Sustainable forestry in financial times Sustainability has been a guiding principle of forestry in Europe for the last two hundred years, but at present the principle of sustainability is challenged by global economic pressures, ‘limits to growth’ are unavoidable in the global civilization, but this does not mean that nothing should grow! Money permits us to use markets to differentiate production and to exchange goods and services. Forestry firms, like all others, are bound to earn more money than their costs of production. In the 19th century investment calculation was first developed by foresters to account for the fact that forestry production necessarily depends on the natural environment which, in financial terms, requires a long-term investment. However, discussions on the ‘soil rent theory’ and efforts to maximize profits from forestry production turned out to be a complete failure. We ask what can we learn from the history of forestry; that in the real world development, society and economics can only be shaped within the limits of nature, technology and human behaviour. Financial thinking may influence the status of the economy, and cannot be changed by intelligent technology, but financial interests shouldn't govern economic thinking to the exclusion of all else. The latest financial crash and its consequences have demonstrated the dangers of the monetarian ideology, and consequently, we believe that a new concept of new sustainable economic order is needed, in which nature, labour, and technology must be considered as production factors of equal weight. Currently, there is an over-emphasis on ‘capital’ which has traditionally been considered as a production factor in economics, and is weighted to favour monetary interest. However, the politically declared aim of economics in democracy is human interest, and the conservation of nature or ecological interest is required for sustainable production. What is meant by ‘financial times’? That business leaders as well as politicians generally overvalue the monetary component of the economy, which in consequence skews their view on reality, society and ecology. Banking must support highly specialized production and markets for the exchange of goods. So called financial industries offer ephemeral ‘product’, which are not goods nor services but just ‘money-making’. Their profits and exorbitant wages are depriving working people of revenue and technological resources. Solutions to the problems of forest economics are to be found outside forestry and contemporary forest policies. The concepts are available that could improve the system, and two of them will be outlined here, although currently there is little evidence that they are likely to be adopted in the present European political system. Nevertheless, sustainable development has been an official policy of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Develeopment (UNCD) since 1992, and we should continue to discuss and promote it.
FORWARD PRICES AS FUNCTIONALS OF THE SPOT PATH IN COMMODITY MARKETS MODELED BY LEVY SEMISTATIONARY PROCESSES

We show that the forward price can be represented as a functional of the spot price path in the case of Levy semistationary (LSS) models for the spot dynamics. The functional is a weighted average of the historical spot price in general, and is derived by means of the Laplace transform. For the special cases of continuous-time autoregressive (CAR) moving average and Gamma-LSS processes for the spot dynamics, we are able to produce an analytical weight function. Both classes of processes are of interest in markets for power, weather and shipping, and we provide a discussion of the results based on numerical examples.
A Structural Snapshot of CYP2B4 in Complex with Paroxetine Provides Insights into Ligand Binding and Clusters of Conformational States

An X-ray crystal structure of CYP2B4 in complex with the drug paroxetine [(3S,4R)-3-[(2H-1,3-benzodioxol-5-yloxy)methyl]-4-(4-fluorophenyl)piperidine] was solved at 2.14 Å resolution. The structure revealed a conformation intermediate to that of the recently solved complex with amlodipine and that of the more compact complex with 4-(4-chlorophenyl)imidazole in terms of the placement of the F-G cassette. Moreover, comparison of the new structure with 15 previously solved structures of CYP2B4 revealed some new insights into the determinants of active-site size and shape. The 2B4-paroxetine structure is nearly superimposable on a previously solved closed structure in a ligand-free state. Despite the overall conformational similarity among multiple closed structures, the active-site cavity volume of the paroxetine complex is enlarged. Further analysis of the accessible space and binding pocket near the heme reveals a new subchamber that resulted from the movement of secondary structural elements and rearrangements of active-site side chains. Overall, the results from the comparison of all 16 structures of CYP2B4 demonstrate a cluster of protein conformations that were observed in the presence or absence of various ligands.
Shape Up Somerville: change in parent body mass indexes during a child-targeted, community-based environmental change intervention.

OBJECTIVES We investigated the body mass index (BMI; weight in pounds/[height in inches](2) × 703) of parents whose children participated in Shape Up Somerville (SUS), a community-based participatory research study that altered household, school, and community environments to prevent and reduce childhood obesity. METHODS SUS was a nonrandomized controlled trial with 30 participating elementary schools in 3 Massachusetts communities that occurred from 2002 to 2005. It included first-, second-, and third-grade children. We used an inverse probability weighting estimator adjusted for clustering effects to isolate the influence of SUS on parent (n=478) BMI. The model's dependent variable was the change in pre- and postintervention parent BMI. RESULTS SUS was significantly associated with decreases in parent BMIs. SUS decreased treatment parents' BMIs by 0.411 points (95% confidence interval=-0.725, -0.097) relative to control parents. CONCLUSIONS The benefits of a community-based environmental change childhood obesity intervention can spill over to parents, resulting in decreased parental BMI. Further research is warranted to examine the effects of this type of intervention on parental health behaviors and health outcomes.
A Nonlinear Approach to US GNP

A univariate nonlinear model is estimated for US GNP that on many criteria outperforms standard linear models. The estimated model is of the threshold autoregressive type and contains evidence of asymmetric effects of shocks over the business cycle. In particular the nonlinear model suggests that the post-1945 US economy is significantly more stable than the pre-1945 US economy. Copyright 1995 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Premia in Forward Foreign Exchange as Unobserved Components: A Note

We reconsider the signal-extraction approach to measuring premia in the pricing of forward foreign exchange, put forward by Wolff, in which the difference between the forward rate and the associated future spot rate is modeled as an autoregressive moving average (ARMA) model for the risk premium buried in a white-noise forecast error. We point out that an ARMA model for the risk premium is not always identifiable from information on the difference between the forward rate and the future spot rate only. We present solutions to the problem of identification and show how the model for the risk premium can be estimated in a direct way, provided that the identification problem is solved. For reason of comparison, we use the series analyzed by Wolff to estimate the models for risk premia. The results confirm the earlier finding that premia in forward exchange exhibit a certain degree of persistence over time.
Combating corruption in public procurement: Glenister v President of the Republic of South Africa

Corruption increases the cost of public procurement between 10% and 25%. In South Africa corruption, also in public procurement, is rife. One of the causes is that perpetrators are not held accountable. To ensure accountability, political and other undue influence in both the procurement process and the process of holding people accountable must be curbed. In the matter of Glenister v President of the Republic of South Africa and others, the Constitutional Court of South Africa held that the Bill of Rights creates a duty to establish an anti-corruption unit with appropriate independence. It can be argued, on the basis of this judgment, that on a purposive interpretation of section 7(2), section 195(1) and section 217(1) of the Constitution there is a positive duty on the state to ensure accountability in public procurement. This will include that political and undue influence in the procurement process and the process of holding people accountable be actively curbed.
The New Ambiguity of 'Open Government'

“Open government” used to carry a hard political edge: it referred to politically sensitive disclosures of government information. The phrase was first used in the 1950s, in the debates leading up to passage of the Freedom of Information Act. But over the last few years, that traditional meaning has blurred, and has shifted toward technology. Open technologies involve sharing data over the Internet, and all kinds of governments can use them, for all kinds of reasons. Recent public policies have stretched the label “open government” to reach any public sector use of these technologies. Thus, “open government data” might refer to data that makes the government as a whole more open (that is, more accountable to the public), but might equally well refer to politically neutral public sector disclosures that are easy to reuse, but that may have nothing to do with public accountability. Today a regime can call itself “open” if it builds the right kind of web site — even if it does not become more accountable. This shift in vocabulary makes it harder for policymakers and activists to articulate clear priorities and make cogent demands.This essay proposes a more useful way for participants on all sides to frame the debate: We separate the politics of open government from the technologies of open data. Technology can make public information more adaptable, empowering third parties to contribute in exciting new ways across many aspects of civic life. But technological enhancements will not resolve debates about the best priorities for civic life, and enhancements to government services are no substitute for public accountability.
Bearing The Cost: An Examination Of The Gendered Impacts Of Water Policy Reform In Malawi

Abstract Water insecurity is one of the most pressing issues currently faced by Malawi. The consequences of these issues are borne significantly by women, who are most directly involved with water provision and use, particularly at the household level. Since the mid-1990s, Malawi has undertaken a process of water policy reform. Reflective of international trends, these reforms include decentralization, privatization and user-pays. Under the reformed policy, women are hidden within generic terms such as ‘community’. Although the Malawian constitution makes gender discrimination illegal, such gender blindness has a similar effect to discriminatory law. The statistics indicate that women in Malawi are least likely to be able to afford user charges and there are a multitude of negative impacts upon women, ranging from health and education to empowerment. Whilst some men are beginning to experience the benefits of the reforms in Malawi, many women are losing what little control they once held.
Effects of Starvation and Molting on the Metabolic Rate of the Bed Bug (Cimex lectularius L.)

The bed bug (Cimex lectularius L.) is a common hematophagous pest in the urban environment and is capable of surviving extended periods of starvation. However, the relationship between starvation and metabolism in bed bugs is not well understood. To better understand this relationship, we measured the metabolism of all life stages for >900 h after feeding (starvation) using closed-system respirometry. Measurements were made around molting for the immature life stages, which occurs only after a blood meal. In addition, both mated and unmated adults were measured. Starvation and molting had significant effects on the metabolism of the bed bug. Mass-specific metabolic rate (; mL g−1 h−1) declined in a curvilinear fashion with the period of starvation for adults and with the postmolting period for immature bed bugs (used to standardize all immature life stages). A standard curve was developed to depict the generalized pattern of metabolic decline observed in all life stages that molted. Individual metabolic comparisons among life stages that molted revealed some differences in metabolic rate between unmated males and females. In addition, the mass scaling coefficient was found to decline with starvation time (postmolting time) for all life stages that molted. In most life stages, the ratio of to (respiratory exchange ratio) declined over time, indicating a change in metabolic substrate with starvation. Finally, daily percent loss in body mass declined in a pattern similar to that of . The observed patterns in metabolic decline are evaluated in relation to the life history of bed bugs. In addition, the evolutionary development of these patterns is discussed. The metabolic pattern after feeding was also found to share several similarities with that of other ectothermic species.
Changes in force and intracellular metabolites during fatigue of human skeletal muscle.

1. The relationship between intracellular metabolites and the generation of force during fatigue has been examined in the first dorsal interosseous muscle of the hand. With the arm made ischaemic, the muscle was fatigued by three bouts of maximal voluntary contraction, leaving approximately three minutes ischaemic rest between contractions. During one series of experiments intracellular phosphorus metabolites were measured by nuclear magnetic resonance during the intervals between the fatiguing contractions: in the second series contractile properties were tested with brief electrical stimulation during the rest intervals. 2. The relationships between loss of force and change in metabolite concentrations obtained with four normal subjects were compared with those from one subject with myophosphorylase deficiency (MPD) who could not utilize muscle glycogen and therefore produced no hydrogen ion from glycolysis during exercise. 3. For both the MPD and normal subjects the relationship between relative force loss and inorganic phosphate (Pi) concentration was curvilinear, force changing little in the early stages of the contraction when the intracellular Pi was accumulating rapidly but falling faster when the Pi was above 25 mM and increasing relatively slowly. 4. In the normal subjects intracellular pH fell from a mean of 7.03 +/‐ 0.01 (mean +/‐ S.E. of mean, n = 19) in the fresh muscle to 6.51 +/‐ 0.02 at the end of the fatiguing exercise; force, as a percentage of the initial value, fell in proportion to the increase in H+ concentration. In the MPD subject pH did not change and force loss was therefore independent of H+ accumulation. In the normal subjects the force of the fatiguing muscle showed an approximately linear relationship with the concentration of the monobasic form of inorganic phosphate. However, the MPD subject showed a quite different relationship, with force loss being much greater for a given concentration of monobasic phosphate. This result indicates that monobasic phosphate is not a unique determinant of force loss in fatigued muscle. 5. During the first 60 s of recovery in the normal subjects, pH remained low while force recovered, indicating a mechanism of force loss that was independent of H+ accumulation. However, the recovery of force was not complete, so that for comparable phosphocreatine contents the recovering, more acid, muscle generated less force than the muscle that was being fatigued. It was estimated that H(+)‐dependent and independent mechanisms contributed roughly equally to the observed force loss. The relationship between force and the concentration of monobasic phosphate differed in fatiguing and recovering muscle.
Local House Price Indexes: 1982-1991

We begin with a description of three house price panel data sets for the period 1982 to 1991. Next, we estimate a model that assumes the three sources are derived from an underlying unobserved price series, and we construct composite indexes that report house prices for 135 locations. These series can be used either as explanatory variables in studies of household formation, housing demand, and migration or to test models of the determinants of spatial and intertemporal variations in house prices. Finally, we construct regional series (based, alternatively, on census and Salomon Brothers regions) and two national aggregates and describe their movements. Our series are compared to other local, regional, and national series.
Standard cell library establishment and simulation for scan D flip-flops based on 0.5 micron CMOS mixed-signal process

The Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) design approach depends highly on the quality of the cell library to meet design specifications. Due to the use of both digital and analog signal processing, mixed-signal integrated circuits library are usually designed for specific purposes and the related design requires a high level of expertise and careful use of computer aided design tools. The paper establishes a series of standard cell: scan D flip-flops based on 0.5 micron complementary metal oxide semiconductor mixed-signal process. The research work presented in this paper includes reverse engineering, standard cell schematic and symbol building, standard cell layout drawing and post layout simulation.
Interest Group Success in the Courts: Amicus Participation in the Supreme Court

Over the past two decades there has been a rapid increase in the number of amicus curiae briefs filed in the Supreme Court. Some cases studied suggest that these briefs may have a substantial effect on the Supreme Court's decisions, but no systematic studies have examined the efficacy of such briefs. The present study utilizes a precision matching strategy to determine if litigants supported by amici have a greater chance of success in the Supreme Court than comparable litigants in matched pairs who have no amicus support. The analysis uncovers no evidence that support from amici substantially increases the chance of success of the supported litigants.
Effects of ensemble action selection on the evolution of iterated prisoner's dilemma game strategies

Iterated prisoner's dilemma (IPD) games have been frequently used for examining the evolution of cooperative game strategies. It has been pointed out in some studies that the choice of a representation scheme (i.e., coding mechanism) has a large effect on the evolution. A choice of a different representation scheme often leads to totally different results. In those studies on IPD games, a single representation scheme is assigned to all players. That is, all players have the same representation scheme. In our former studies, we reported experimental results in an inhomogeneous setting where a different representation scheme was assigned to each player. The evolution of cooperation among different types of game strategies was examined. In this paper, we report experimental results in another interesting setting where each player is assumed to have multiple strategies with different representation schemes. The next action of each player is determined by a majority vote by its strategies. That is, each player is assumed to have an ensemble decision making system. Experimental results in such an ensemble IPD model are compared with those in the standard IPD model where each player has a single strategy.
Foreign Direct Investment, Economic Freedom and Growth: New Evidence from Latin-America

This paper explores empirically the interplay between economic freedom, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and growth. We pursue a panel data analysis on a sample of 18 Latin-American countries over the period 1970-1999. Basic findings are two: First, economic freedom in the host country is found to be a positive determinant of FDI inflows into that nation. Second, FDI is positively correlated with economic growth in the host countries of the sample considered. We attribute this empirical regularity to the idea that FDI may help the process of technological diffusion from leaders to developing countries. The empirical analysis also points out to the need of a certain level of social capacity in the host country to benefit from the entrance of FDI.
Thiamine supplementation in the critically ill

Purpose of reviewTo summarize the properties of thiamine and evaluate current evidence on thiamine status and supplementation, for different populations of critically ill patients. Recent findingsThiamine, in the form of thiamine pyrophosphate, is a critical co-factor in the glyocolysis and oxidative decarboxylation of carbohydrates for energy production. Different studies have shown that critical illness in adults and children is characterized by absolute or relative thiamine depletion, which is associated with an almost 50% increase in mortality. Thiamine deficiency should be suspected in different clinical scenarios such as severe sepsis, burns, unexplained heart failure or lactic acidosis, neurological disorder in patients with previous history of alcoholism, starvation, chronic malnutrition, long-term parenteral feeding, hyperemesis gravidarum, or bariatric surgery. Nonetheless, thiamine supplements are not routinely given to critically ill patients. Clinicians should be able to suspect and recognize risk factors for the occurrence of severe neurological disorders secondary to thiamine deficiency, as early treatment can prevent the appearance of permanent neurological damage. SummarySymptoms and signs associated with thiamine deficiency lack sensitivity and specificity in critically ill patients. Consequently, depletion is frequently unrecognized and underdiagnosed by clinicians. Potentially deleterious consequences of thiamine depletion should be avoided by early and appropriate supplementation.