Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Potential impact of albedo incorporation in boreal forest sector climate change policy effectiveness

Forests have an important role to play in climate change mitigation through carbon sequestration and wood supply. However, the lower albedo of mature forests compared to bare land implies that focusing only on GHG accounting may lead to biased estimates of forestry's total climatic impacts. An economic model with a high degree of detail of the Norwegian forestry and forest industries is used to simulate GHG fluxes and albedo impacts for the next decades. Albedo is incorporated in a carbon tax/subsidy scheme in the Norwegian forest sector using a partial, spatial equilibrium model. While a price of EU€100/tCO2e that targets GHG fluxes only results in reduced harvests, the same price including albedo leads to harvest levels that are five times higher in the first five years, with 39% of the national productive forest land base being cleared. The results suggest that policies that only consider GHG fluxes and ignore changes in albedo will not lead to an optimal use of the forest sector for climate change mitigation. Policy relevance Bare land reflects a larger share of incoming solar energy than dense forest and thus has higher albedo. Earlier research has suggested that changes in albedo caused by management of boreal forest may be as important as carbon fluxes for the forest's overall global warming impacts. The presented analysis is the first attempt to link albedo to national-scale forest climate policies. A policy with subsidies to forest owners that generate carbon sequestration and taxes levied on carbon emissions leads to a reduced forest harvest. However, including albedo in the policy alongside carbon fluxes yields very different results, causing initial harvest levels to increase substantially. The inclusion of albedo impacts will make harvests more beneficial for climate change mitigation as compared to a carbon-only policy. Hence, it is likely that carbon policies that ignore albedo will not lead to optimal forest management for climate change mitigation.
Driving simulator study on an emergency steering assist

This contribution is concerned with an emergency steering assist and its evaluation through subject testing in a driving simulator. In an emergency traffic situation where a rear end collision is imminent a swerving maneuver is often too difficult for most drivers. Therefore an assistance system is usefull that supports the driver by steering torque overlay. The paper presents the algorithm used for the assistance. The system was prototypically implemented in a driving simulator and testet with subjects to evaluate the benefits and challenges. The results show that the collision avoidance behaviour of the driver can be improved by the emergency steering assist.
Interpreting Housing Allowance: The Norwegian Case

Abstract Housing allowances are part of both the housing policy and the general welfare policy. In order to understand fully how the housing allowances affect welfare and well-being, one needs to use multiple approaches. We propose to complement traditional analyses of marginal effects and short-run incentives with long-run perspectives taken from the new social investment literature and elements of self-esteem and fairness taken from the literature on universalism. A neo-liberal approach where analysts limit themselves to studies of marginal effects and short-run incentives both in the housing and in the labour market runs the risk of neglecting important aspects of the effects of housing allowances. Therefore, this may lead to retrenchment. The approach we propose is illustrated through a closer analysis of important elements of the housing allowance system in Norway as it is today, and the development of the system over time.
Comments on "can Post Keynesians make better use of behavioral economics?"

The paper "Can Post Keynesians Make Better Use of Behavioral Economics? " argues that "there is scope for a successful engagement between behavioral economics and Post Keynesian economics if it is based on explicitly stated common ground defined in terms of methodology. " That argument limits the ways Post Keynesians can engage with behavioral economics. I suggest that Post Keynesians should also engage with behavioral economics on a theoretical level and discuss some ways Post Keynesians have already done so.
Electrophysiological and mechanical effects of calcitonin gene‐related peptide on guinea‐pig atria

1 The effects of calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP) on mechanical and electrophysiological responses were studied in the guinea‐pig atrial muscle preparations and in single cells. 2 CGRP (>10−9m) enhanced the twitch contraction in a concentration‐dependent manner in electrically driven left atria and increased heart rate in spontaneously beating right atria. The positive inotropic and chronotropic effects of CGRP were not inhibited by propranolol but were attenuated by reduction of the calcium concentration in the bathing medium. 3 In single left atrial cells, CGRP slightly hyperpolarized the resting potential but did not affect the other action potential parameters significantly. 4 Under whole‐cell voltage‐clamp conditions, CGRP increased the calcium inward current. The peptide also increased the steady inward current elicited by hyperpolarization and the late outward current by depolarization. 5 These results suggest that CGRP may produce the positive inotropic and presumably chronotropic effects by increasing calcium inward current. CGRP also increases the potassium permeability. Such effects on ionic currents may not produce any apparent change in the action potential conformation, due to their opposite directional actions and relatively weak potencies.
Privatisation as a Vehicle for Economic Development: An Appraisal

The ‘Neoclassical Counter Revolution’ school of thought emphasised privatisation as a vehicle for economic development. This school owes its existence to the political ascendancy to state power by conservative governments in the United Kingdom and the United States of America amongst others, around 1980. The ‘Washington Consensus’ was not to be outdone as it included privatisation amongst its ten policy prescriptions. The ‘Washington Consensus’ policies were a product of intellectual convergence by the three Bretton Woods institutions. It seems that privatisation has endeared itself to policy makers and is universally perceived as a vehicle towards economic development, save for a few exceptional cases for which China stands out. This paper interrogates this view and highlight that it deserves contextualisation for the realisation of maximum returns. Privatisation should consider other factors, far and above the ‘overemphasised’ productive efficiency. We conclude that such a policy might be counterproductive in a developing country with high unemployment and poverty rates such as Botswana. We also agree without question that ‘it is what the doctor ordered for a healthy American economy’ and others comparable to it, with the unemployment rate hovering around the natural rate.
Trading strategies in the market for tankers

This paper introduces a new approach in timing the sale and purchase of ships in the tanker market and examines the performance of this trading strategy over the period January 1976 to September 2004. Based on the long-run cointegration relationship between earnings and price, we establish a trading model which can be used as an indicator of investment or divestment timing decisions. We also perform statistical tests using the bootstrap approach in order to discount the possibility of data snooping biases and test the robustness of our trading models. Our results indicate that trading strategies based on earning-price ratios significantly out-perform buy and hold strategies in the tanker market.
A review and expert opinion of the use of certolizumab for Crohn's disease

Introduction: Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic, idiopathic, inflammatory bowel disease with no known cure. In those patients with moderate to severe disease, the result is often a clinically debilitating condition. In the last decade, one of the most significant developments in therapy has been a class of biological agents that neutralize TNFα. Certolizumab pegol (CZP) is the most recently FDA approved anti-TNF agent for the induction and maintenance of moderate to severely active Crohn's disease. Areas covered: The currently available evidence regarding the use of CZP in CD, the expected efficacy and possible adverse events associated with this population. Expert opinion: CZP is a TNFα inhibitor that is a safe and effective agent for treatment of CD. It has several unique features which make it useful in patients with moderate to severe disease.
A stochastic DEA study of hotel efficiency

This current study is the first to apply Stochastic Data Envelopment Analysis (SDEA) approach to assess the efficiency of hotels. The determinants of hotel efficiency were also investigated employing the Tobit regression model approach. The SDEA results show that the SDEA efficiency measures are higher than the deterministic ones and the greater the stochastic variability of outputs, the closer the envelope moves successively to any given observation and the efficiency score approaches one. The optimal solution to SDEA involves the presence of some buffer (slack) of all outputs. In applications involving practice production situation, such buffer (slack) can be interpreted as the firms' need to hold inventory, excess capacity and organizational slack against stochastic uncertainty of market environment. Our results also indicate that resort hotels achieve better efficiency than those in metropolitan areas and operating as part of a chain is not the main determinant of the efficiency of international tourist hotels in Taiwan.
The effects of monetary, fiscal and exchange rate policies on output, prices and the balance of payments in the open economy of Greece: 1955–90

This paper identifies a small empirical macroeconometric model for the open economy of Greece, and examines the interaction between policy instruments and certain macroeconomic variables. The model analyses and evaluates the implications of alternative government policies in a stabilization package, making use of ex post simulations and policy experiments. The policy experiments show that contractionary government policies financed by domestic credit accelerate the recession, and inflation declines with a lag. Imports are stabilized in the medium run, while the increase of the domestic credit results in reserve losses. In the case of foreign borrowing, finance reserves growth occurs. In the case of tax finance policies, the initial increase in inflation is reversed, due to the declining demand, and reserve flows are stabilized since monetary variables remained intact. Finally, if defensive exchange rate policy is followed, the reduced home demand stabilizes imports in the medium run, with exports having a.
The apolipoprotein B R3531C mutation. Characteristics of 24 subjects from 9 kindreds.

Familial ligand-defective apolipoprotein B (apoB) is a group of disorders caused by mutations in the apoB gene. In this report the R3531C mutation is characterized further using a monoclonal antibody MB19/dynamic laser light scattering technique to measure ratios of Cys(3531) to normal low density lipoprotein (LDL) particles. All six subjects studied showed a preferential accumulation of particles carrying the defective apoB allotype. We determined binding properties of LDL from R3531C heterozygotes by measurement of high-affinity binding to LDL receptors on fibroblasts and its ability promote growth of U937 cells. LDL from R3531C heterozygotes, compared to normal LDL, had 49.3% of the binding affinity and was 74% as effective in a U937 cell proliferation assay. To identify new probands, we screened 2570 subjects for the R3531C mutation. Nine probands were found with 15 affected relatives. Of the seven haplotypes we uncovered, two were novel, while five were identical to one initially reported as associated with Cys3531. Three silent mutations were detected also: T3540T, N3542N and T3552T. Analysis of lipid profiles of R3531C families showed, as with the R3500Q mutation, variable expression of the phenotype, modulated by environmental and other genetic factors. Both mutations tend to produce lower plasma levels of LDL in affected subjects than do defects of the LDL receptor (familial hypercholesterolemia, FH). This study shows that the Cys(3531) LDL particles are not only defective at binding to the LDL receptor, as determined by two separate methods, but that in all cases they accumulate preferentially compared to the normal allotype. -Pullinger, C. R. , D. Gaffney, M. M. Gutierrez, M. J. Malloy, V. N. Schumaker, C. J. Packard, and J. P. Kane. Apolipoprotein B R3531C mutation: characteristics of 24 subjects from 9 kindreds.
RNAs in Epstein–Barr virions control early steps of infection

Herpesviruses are dsDNA viruses, but their virions may additionally contain RNAs that can be transduced to recipient cells. The biological functions of herpes virion RNA species are unknown. Here we address this issue for EBV, a widespread human herpesvirus with oncogenic potential. We show that EBV-derived particles that include virions, virus-like particles, and subviral vesicles contain viral mRNAs, microRNAs, and other noncoding RNAs. Viral RNAs were transduced during infection and deployed immediate functions that enhanced EBV’s capacity to transform primary B cells. Among these transduced viral RNAs, BZLF1 transcripts transactivated viral promoters triggering the prelatent phase of EBV infection, noncoding EBV-encoded RNA transcripts induced cellular cytokine synthesis, and BNLF2a mRNA led to immune evasion that prevented T-cell responses to newly infected B cells. Hence, transduced viral RNAs govern critical processes immediately after infection of B cells with EBV and likely play important roles in herpesviral infection in general.
Performance Improvement for RF Energy-Harvesting Relays via Relay Selection

Energy harvesting (EH) is a promising technique to reduce energy consumption for information relaying. With EH capability, an intermediate node, acting as the relay, can replenish energy inherent in the radio-frequency (RF) signal from a source node and use the harvested energy to forward the received signal to the destination. To efficiently utilize the harvested energy, it is important to select proper relays to receive and forward the source signal. In this paper, we investigate the relay selection problem in the context of EH relays. Based on the celebrated time-switching relaying (TSR) protocol, we propose a new relay selection scheme that mitigates the risk of ill relay selection due to the mismatch between the source–relay and relay–destination channel conditions. In addition to the time-division (TD) block structure considered in TSR, we propose a full-duplex (FDX) block structure that improves the effective transmission time of EH relays. The performance of the proposed relay selection scheme in terms of the outage probability and the throughput using both TD and FDX block structures is analyzed. We also provide closed-form expressions of the outage probability under the high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) assumption. Numerical results are presented to demonstrate the superiority of the proposed relay selection scheme compared with the existing ones.
Meiosis in male PL/J mice: A genetic model for gametic aneuploidy

Sperm from mice of the PL/J strain have a high frequency of sperm‐head morphology abnormalities. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) methods revealed that PL/J sperm are also characterized by a high frequency of aneuploidy. The traits of abnormal sperm head morphology and aneuploidy are associated with numerous meiotic abnormalities. Spermatocytes of PL/J mice exhibit chromosome asynapsis during meiotic prophase as well as reduced crossing over, revealed by analysis of both MLH1 foci in pachytene spermatocytes and chiasmata seen at the first meiotic metaphase. During the first meiotic division, roughly one‐third of the PL/J spermatocytes exhibit aberrant spindle morphology, with abnormalities including monopolar spindles, split spindle poles, and incomplete spindle formation and centrosomal abnormalities. F1 progeny of a cross between PL/J and C57BL/6J did not exhibit a high frequency of either sperm aneuploidy or sperm head morphology aberrations, as would be expected if the PL/J traits were dominant. Among progeny of a backcross of F1 mice to PL/J, none of 16 males assessed exhibited elevated frequencies of sperm head morphology abnormalities. Four of the individuals exhibited elevated sperm aneuploidy, but not at the levels of the PL/J parents. Thus, it is likely that the aberrant PL/J traits are due to several genes and/or modifiers affecting the generation of both sperm aneuploidy and abnormal sperm head morphology. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 64: 471–481, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Relationship of arterial pressure and heart rate in fetal, new‐born and adult sheep.

1. Baroreflex activity was assessed in nine fetal, four new‐born and six adult sheep, using the relationship between heart period and arterial pressure. Arterial pressure was raised either by inflating a balloon in the dorsal aorta, by rapid intravenous injection of phenylephrine or methoxamine, or by slow intravenous infusion of methoxamine. 2. In the fetus the three methods gave different estimates of baroreflex sensitivity (balloon, 1.3 +/‐ 0.7 mmHg; injections, 5.4 +/‐ 0.5 msec mmHg; infusions, 7.2 +/‐ 0.9 msec/mmHg) whereas they were comparable in the new‐born and adult. 3. Estimates of baroreflex sensitivity were significantly lower in the fetus and new‐born than in the adult whichever method was used. 4. In the fetus there were variable changes of heart period when arterial pressure was raised by inflation of the balloon. The responses to injection of phenylephrine or methoxamine were also variable. 5. This variability was not associated with changes in electrocortical activity, the presence or absence of breathing movements or limb movements, or changes of blood gases. 6. In the fetus the heart period frequently did not change unless the arterial pressure was raised by approximately 15 mmHg (to 61 mmHg), suggesting that the threshold for baroreflex activity is above the normal range of arterial pressure before birth.
Beta Geared and Ungeared: The Case of Active Debt Management

Abstract This paper extends the results of Buckley (1981) and Schnabel (1983) on the relationship between geared and ungeared betas. We contrast a passive debt management policy with an active debt management policy and derive the relevant beta degearing formulae for the case of an MM perfect capital market with corporation tax. We also extend these results to a world with personal taxes and debt related costs.
Not all fascisms are created equal: a comparative perspective on the politics of nationality in interwar Germany and Italy * Nem todos os fascismos são criados iguais: uma perspectiva comparada da política de nacionalidade na Alemanha e na Itália...

The key objective of this article is to investigate, compare and contrast the specific politics of nationality developed by Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany during the interwar period. More than just highlighting the inherent complexities that characterize the study of nationalisms, this comparative effort aims at shedding light on social, political and institutional dynamics that helped structure and motivate the choices and actions of the European Axis powers.
Change negotiation in public-private partnership projects through output specifications: an experimental approach based on game theory

Public-private partnership (PPP) projects specify outputs rather than inputs. While changes are inevitable over long concession periods, output specifications should facilitate the negotiation of foreseeable changes. An experimental approach based on game theory was adopted to evaluate the effectiveness of different strategies for negotiating changes. A multi-stage bargaining process using the ‘z-Tree’ software was designed to simulate four change scenarios with three output specification versions encompassing different change management strategies in a computer laboratory. Under each change scenario, pairs of public and private participants negotiated on the sharing of additional costs incurred by changes in the life cycles of fictitious PPP projects based on the different versions of output specification. The time taken to reach settlement or negotiation breakdown was recorded together with the cost-sharing pattern, with feedback collected from the participants on the effectiveness of the specification strategies immediately after the experiment. It was found that a detailed and clear output specification incorporating a cost-sharing framework facilitates change negotiations. Although the first-mover advantage was recorded, the gaps were narrowed in the multi-stage bargains. A similar controlled experiment was conducted with university students for comparison. Findings should lead to improvements in output specifications for change negotiation of PPP projects.
On the memorization accuracy of autoassociative memory models

An autoassociative memory which is modeled as the standard recurrent neural network (N.N.) is capable of storing multiple patterns and subsequently recalling one of them in response to an input signal. However, we found in our recent trials that it can't always recall correct patterns accurately. In this paper, we demonstrate such phenomena by numerical examples and identify the cause of memorization errors. We also propose an immediate solution to memorize correct patterns without fail by storing extra patterns at the same time.
[Study of a Tunisian population of children with learning disorders].

BACKGROUND Learning disorders are increasingly a concern for Tunisians parents. These difficulties are divided into two groups: specific learning disabilities and non-specific learning disorders. AIM Our work is part of a federated research project. Our aim is to determine the incidence, etiology and management of learning disorders in the region of Sfax. METHODS We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study on a population of 304 children assessed by their teachers as having academic difficulty. A multidisciplinary assessment including a neurological examination, an assessment of score of intelligence and language assessment has been performed for 209 children. RESULTS Referring to our sample, learning disorders affect 21.3% of children in the region Sfax. The frequency of specific learning disorder is estimated at 10.3% (reading disorder 5.9%, dyscalculia 2.4%, reading disorder associated with dyscalculia 2%). Non-specific learning disorders were found in 11% of children. Etiologies in this group were dominated by mental retardation (2.1%), inappropriate education (2.3%). CONCLUSION Our study revealed the high frequency of learning difficulties. It allows us to distinguish between specific learning disabilities and non specific learning disorders secondary to neurological or precarious socio-economic conditions. However, the profile and severity of specific learning disorders could not be studied due to the lack of standardized Arabic tests in Tunisia. In countries with a lack of professional and specialized unit care as in Tunisia, reading interventions in school should be proposed. Only children with remaining difficulties after this training will be sent to specialized professionals.
Monetary policy in a transition to a floating exchange rate: remarks on the recent Brazilian experience

Let me begin with a bit of background. Going into the second half of 1998, Brazil was running a fiscal deficit on the primary concept and had the bulk of its domestic government debt (some 40 percent of GDP) financed in the short term. The current account deficit was widening toward 5 percent of GDP, even as the economy went into recession. Then, as it often happens when a country is vulnerable, Brazil ran into a crisis, with capital inflows grinding to a halt after Russia in August.