Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Inflation and Economic Growth: Some International Evidence on Structuralist and Distortionist Positions: A Note

An important debate has centered on the effects of inflation on economic growth. This paper employs Granger causality tests in a diverse array of countries in an attempt to discriminate between several competing hypotheses. A central question in this debate has been whether inflation contributes to or detracts from economic growth. Felix (1961), Seers (1962), Baer (1967), Georgescu-Roegen (1970), and Taylor (1979, 1983) have advanced a structuralist argument that inflation contributes favorably to real growth. Alternatively, Campos (1961), Harberger (1963), and Vogel (1974) have argued that the inefficiencies produced by inflation reduce real growth. The structuralist view that inflation has a positive effect on growth is based on the contention that inflation is a mechanism which induces forced savings (GeorgescuRoegen 1970; Taylor 1979). First, the government of a developing country, faced with an inadequate fiscal system, may resort to borrowing from the central bank as a way to finance expenditures. Thus inflationary finance may increase capital formation if the government uses its inflation-tax revenues to increase real investment. As long as private sector investment does not fall one-for-one, inflationary finance may contribute to real growth. Second, nominal wages may lag behind prices because of slowly adjusting expectations, sluggish wage bargains, or systematic governmental wage repression. If this is so, then inflation may increase growth in neoclassical fashion by shifting the income distribution in favor of higher saving capitalists and hence increasing savings and growth. From a more Keynesian perspective, inflation may increase growth by raising the rate of profit, thus increasing private investment. An alternative view is that inflation has a negative effect on growth (Mundell 1971; Taylor 1979). This position might be labeled the distortionary inflation view. Inflation may (with the help of government policies) create a variety of outputreducing inefficiencies (Baer 1967). First, inflation in a country with a fixed exchange rate will lead to a deteriorating trade balance and to speculative capital
Fine specificity of a continuously growing killer cell clone specific for H‐Y antigen

H‐Y‐specific cytotoxic T cells were first cloned in soft agar and grown over a period of 8 months in media conditioned with supernatants from mouse and rat spleen cells stimulated with concanavalin A. The specificity of cloned cells and their cytolytic potential remained essentially unchanged over the entire culture period. In addition to lysing male target cells expressing H‐2 Db antigens, the cytolytic cells lysed also male as well as female cells expressing H‐2 Dd alloantigens. Seventeen out of eighteen subclones derived from the original clone revealed the same activity. The cells divide about every 17–20 h and can be obtained in large quantities.
Strategic Planning in Bahrain

The tools and techniques of strategic planning are being increasingly used in many parts of the world. Suggests that, although the planners in Bahrain appear to have limited awareness, there is a clear need for them to become more familiar with various tools and techniques to enhance their planning ability. Reports on recent research into the use of ten of the most common planning techniques: SWOT analysis, the product life cycle, the experience curve, the growth‐share matrix (BCG), the directional policy matrix, the PIMS study, gap analysis, perceptual mapping, financial analysis and SPACE analysis.
Clinical outcomes of exercise-induced pulmonary hypertension in subjects with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction: implication of an increase in left ventricular filling pressure during exercise

Objective To investigate clinical outcomes of exercise-induced pulmonary hypertension (PH) and implications of an increase in left ventricular (LV) filling pressure during exercise in subjects with preserved LV ejection fraction. Design Longitudinal follow-up study. Setting Subjects who were referred for diastolic stress echocardiography. Patients and methods The ratio of transmitral and annular velocities (E/Ea) and pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) at rest and during exercise were measured in 498 subjects (57±11 years; 201 male). Exercise-induced PH was defined as present if PASP ≥50 mm Hg at 50 W of exercise, and an increase in LV filling pressure during exercise was present if E/Ea ≥15 at 50 W. Main outcome measures A combination of major cardiovascular events and any cause of death. Results During a median follow-up of 41 months, there were 14 hospitalisations and four deaths. Subjects with exercise-induced PH had significantly worse clinical outcomes than those without (p=0.014). Subjects with exercise-induced PH associated with an increase in E/Ea during exercise had significantly worse outcomes than other groups (p<0.001). However, prognosis was similar between subjects with exercise-induced PH without an increase in E/Ea and those without exercise-induced PH. In subjects with exercise-induced PH, E/Ea at 50 W was an independent predictor of adverse outcomes (HR 1.37; 95% CI 1.02 to 1.83; p=0.036). Conclusions Exercise-induced PH provides prognostic information in subjects with preserved LV ejection fraction. The excess risk of exercise-induced PH is restricted to subjects with an increase in estimated LV filling pressure during exercise.
The Clean Development Mechanism: a review of the first international offset programme

This review article examines the primary issues, the successes and the challenges of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), established under the Kyoto Protocol. It is the primary international greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions offset programme in existence today, and while not perfect, it has helped to establish a global market for GHG emission reductions. It generates offsets through investments in developing countries. The CDM has managed to establish – in its relatively nearly decade of existence –a credible, internationally recognized, multibillion dollar carbon offset market with participation from a large number of developing countries and private investors. It has also created processes and methodologies that other programmes are already emulating. A vast amount of work and investment – by participating countries, the private sector, and the UNFCCC secretariat – has gone into developing the CDM's rules, procedures and institutional structures. The creation and rapid growth of a large and unprecedented international programme, however, has not been without its challenges or controversies. Issues have been raised regarding the governance of CDM, the quality of approved projects and the contribution of CDM to sustainable development.
Response to lenalidomide in a patient with myelodysplastic syndrome with isolated del(5q) and JAK2 V617F mutation

In recent years, knowledge about the role of the JAK2 V617F somatic mutation in the pathogenesis of bcr/abl negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) has led to consideration of the mutational status in diagnostic algorithms. Moreover, it has shown a variable influence on disease course, so its prognostic significance might affect future therapeutic approaches [1–3]. The JAK2 V617F mutation is found in almost all patients with polycythemia vera and in nearly 50% of those with primary myelofibrosis and with essential thrombocythemia, although it is uncommon in other entities, a very low incidence having been reported in neoplasms with dysplastic and myeloproliferative overlapping features [1–4] (i.e. chronic myelomonocytic leukemia [CMML], atypical chronic myeloid leukemia [CML]). However, some groups have found a high frequency in refractory anemia with ring sideroblasts and thrombocytosis (RARS-T), a provisional entity included in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)/MPN unclassifiable [5–7]. The concomitant occurrence of the mutation in MDS with isolated 5q deletion in MDS has recently been reported in small subsets of patients in association with a well-defined peripheral blood and bone marrow proliferative pattern [8,9]. However, its clinical behavior and response to specific treatments, such as lenalidomide, is still unclear. We report a case of MDS with isolated 5q deletion in which the JAK2 V617F mutation was detected. Clinical features and response to lenalidomide are reported. An 85-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital on June 2009 because of dyspnea and anasarca. On physical examination, the skin and mucosae were pale. Signs of congestive heart failure were present (scattered rhonchi throughout and 3þ lower extremity edema). No hepatomegaly or splenomegaly was found. Chest radiograph revealed left pleural effusion. Laboratory tests showed marked macrocytic anemia and thrombocytosis (hemoglobin [Hb] 7.9 g/dL, mean corpuscular volume [MCV] 110 fL, platelets [PLT] 9716 10/L), and mild leukocytosis (14.26 10/L) with raised eosinophils (7%) and basophils (8%). Morphological examination (optical microscopy) revealed red blood cell (RBC) anisocytosis and poikilocytosis, hyposegmented and degranulated neutrophils, dysplastic platelets, and blasts51%. Leukocyte alkaline phosphatase score was 112 IU/L (control 20 IU/L). Biochemical renal and liver function parameters were preserved, as well as lactate dehydrogenase, vitamin B12, and folic acid serum levels. Bone marrow aspirate showed hypercellularity with outstanding mononuclear or hypolobated megakaryocytic hyperplasia. The myeloid–erythroid lineage ratio was normal, and few dysplastic changes were found on these cells. Monocytes accounted for 2% and blasts for 1% of nucleated bone marrow cells (WBCs); however, eosinophils and basophils were only mildly raised (3% and 2%, respectively). Conventional
Micromanipulation accuracy in pointing and tracing investigated with a contact-free measurement system

This study examines micromanipulation accuracy in pointing and in tracing a circle, using a novel contact-free measurement system. Three groups of subjects enable us to investigate the influence of age and micromanipulation expertise. The results show that, for all groups of subjects, a 10x magnification increases accuracy, but larger magnification does not improve it further. Expertise leads to reduced error, and grip force does not affect accuracy in the magnified condition.
SECTOR POTENTIALITY AND SOURCES OF GROWTH. AN ANALYSIS OF STRUCTURAL CHANGES IN ITALY IN THE NINETIES

The objective of this article is to analyse structural changes which occurred in Italy in the period 1992-2000. The analysis is carried out within the I-O framework by the use of multipliers, I-O elasticities, structural decomposition and causative approaches. These tools are used to assess over time the degree of sector interrelationships, the potentiality of sectors in fostering economic growth, the sources of change in the economy and contribution of sectors to growth. In particular, the structural decomposition approach is based on the use of a revised version of RAS finalised to isolate productivity and substitution effects affecting technology changes. From the analysis, there emerges that, in the nineties, the process of development has led to reinforcement of sectors more related to service supply and to an increasing reduction of the importance of agriculture and manufacturing sectors. Moreover, Italy has been interested by structural changes mainly due to the variation of the level of final demand, in particular of consumption, rather than technological changes. Finally, the Italian economy, in line with the general tendency of other industrialised countries, has been involved by the process of rising diffusion and importance of computer and communication technologies throughout the whole economy.
Functional Treatment After Surgical Repair for Acute Lateral Ligament Disruption of the Ankle in Athletes

Background: There have been several reports showing 20% to 40% failure after nonoperative functional treatment for acute lateral ligament disruption of the ankle. Hypothesis: Functional treatment after primary surgical repair has the advantage of decreasing the failure rate in comparison with functional treatment alone. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A total of 132 feet of 132 patients were included in this study. Of these, 78 patients were treated with functional treatment alone (group F), and the remaining 54 patients were treated with functional treatment after primary surgical repair (group RF). The clinical results were evaluated using the Japanese Society for Surgery of the Foot Ankle-Hindfoot scale (JSSF) score, measuring the talar tilt angle and the anterior displacement of the talus in stress radiography, and noting the elapsed time between the injury and the return to the full athletic activity with no external supports. Results: The mean JSSF scores at 2 years after injury were 95.6 ± 5.0 points in group F and 97.5 ± 2.6 points in group RF (P = .0669). The differences of the talar tilt angles compared with the contralateral side and displacement of the talus on stress radiography at 2 years after injury were 1.1° ± 1.5° and 3.6 ± 1.6 mm in group F, and 0.8° ± 0.9° and 3.2 ± 0.8 mm in group RF, respectively (P = .4093, .1883). In group F, 8 cases showed fair to poor results, with JSSF scores below 80 points and instability at 2 years after injury. In group RF, 9 cases (9.4%) showed dorsum foot pain along the superficial peroneal nerve, which disappeared within a month. The time elapsed between the injury and the patient’s return to full athletic activity without any external supports was 16.0 ± 5.6 weeks in group F and 10.1 ± 1.8 weeks in group RF (P < .0001). Conclusion: Nonoperative functional treatment alone and functional treatment after primary surgical repair showed similar overall results after acute lateral ankle sprain, but functional treatment alone had an approximately 10% failure rate and a slower return to full athletic activity. The authors recommend that treatment be tailored to suit each individual athlete.
Begränsning av bildfrekvens för exportbegränsade kameror Frame rate limiter for export restricted cameras

This master thesis describes the design of a low power and low noise CMOS circuit capable of limiting 9 frames per second. This is a part of a larger ongoing project for development and design of a low-cost IR night-vision network camera. This circuit is implemented in 0. 35μm process. An RC-oscillator with voltage averaging feedback concept is used as timing reference which is capable of overcoming ± 20% of frequency variations. The circuit consumes 85 μW power when enabled and 1.853 μW power when disabled. This circuit design allows 9 frames per second. The variation in frequency due to a temperature range of -40°C to 100°C is within ±2.5% and for voltage range of 3.2V to 3.6V is within ±1%.
What Do Recruiters Want in a Public Sector Manager?

Managers in the public sector have often been criticized for being bureaucratic, impersonal, reactive, cautious conformists when compared to their apparently charismatic, innovative, proactive and dynamic private sector counterparts; with all this implies for organizational performance. Using the recruitment advertisement as a lens, we analyze what recruiters say they are looking for in a manager in the two sectors. The results suggest that while material differences do exist, external perception owes more to stereotyping than clearly observable differences.
Antiulcer screening of Carthamus tinctorius on volume and acidity of stimulated gastric secretion in rats

Sir, The ulcers that affect the gastrointestinal system are normally provoked by an imbalance between aggressive and protective factors in the stomach, which is affected by factors such as acid-pepsin secretion, mucosal barrier, mucus secretion, blood flow, cell regeneration, prostaglandins, and epidermal growth factors. [1] Stress, smoking, nutritional deficiencies, ingestion of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, hereditary predisposition, and infection by Helicobacter pylori are all factors that can increase the incidence of gastric ulcer. [2] Moreover, calcium plays an important role in increased production of gastric acid. Induction of hypercalcemia through intravenous administration of calcium is usually associated with increased gastric volume and acidity. The acid stimulating ability of calcium is well known, and there is extreme sensitivity to calcium in patients with Z.E. syndrome.
Testing for Temporal Reliability in Contingent Valuation with Time for Changes in Factors Affecting Demand

We develop a temporal reliability test of the contingent valuation method. Separate random samples were administered the same telephone survey five years apart. In the retest, respondents have less favorable attitudes toward the environment. Given this result, a temporally reliable contingent valuation would find lower willingness to pay. We find that the estimates are temporally reliable. After accounting for attitudes which have changed over the five-year period, values are not significantly different five years apart. This study provides additional evidence that use of the contingent valuation method can provide useful information for environmental policy analysis.
Factors characterising the maturity of BPR programmes

Addresses the implementation of business process re‐engineering (BPR) programmes in 33 public and private organisations wishing to improve performance. By reviewing the existing literature, the research presented here began by identifying ten dimensions along which BPR projects might be measured. This research then uses these dimensions to investigate two research questions. Uses factor analysis based on quantitative data to address these questions. The factor analysis identified three independent aspects of BPR implementation: strategy, process and cost. These terms were then used in labelling three characteristic approaches, strategic BPR, process‐focused BPR and cost‐focused BPR. To investigate causality we re‐visited seven of the original organisations which had been in the early stages of implementation. Preliminary results indicate that managers might avoid the naturalistic tendency towards slow or stalled BPR maturity by intervening in a strategic sense at an earlier stage of implementation, thus bringing an organisation to a mature BPR programme more quickly.
The Role of Money Managers in Assessing Corporate Social Reponsibility Research

Donald Siege1 is an associate professor o f economics in the School o f Management at Arizona State University West. He received bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in business economics from Columbia University. Before joining A S U West, he was an assistant professor at the Harriman School for Management and Policy at SUNYStony Brook and a faculty research fellow ofthe National Bureau o f Economic Research.
P‐selectin glycoprotein ligand‐1 mediates rolling of mouse bone marrow‐derived mast cells on P‐selectin but not efficiently on E‐selectin

It has been shown recently that mast cells play an essential role as a source of tumor necrosis factor‐α production during neutrophil recruitment to sites of bacterial infection. Increased numbers of mast cells are indeed noted at sites of wound healing and inflammation. These cells are either recruited from the bone marrow or proliferate locally under cytokine stimulation. Little is known about how mast cell progenitors extravasate into tissue. Using antibody‐like fusion proteins of mouse E‐selectin and P‐selectin, we have analyzed the ability of immature mouse bone marrow‐derived mast cells (BMMC) to interact with the endothelial selectins. The P‐selectin glycoprotein ligand‐1 (PSGL‐1) was affinity‐isolated from detergent extracts of surface biotinylated BMMC with both selectin‐IgG fusion proteins. However, only P‐selectin‐IgG, but not E‐selectin‐IgG showed significant interaction with intact BMMC as tested by flow cytometry and cell attachment assays with the immobilized fusion proteins under flow and non‐flow conditions at physiological shear stress. Thus, in spite of carrying the necessary carbohydrate modifications which enable solubilized PSGL‐1 to bind avidly to E‐selectin, PSGL‐1 on the surface of BMMC is presented in a way that prevents it from interacting efficiently with E‐selectin. Affinity‐purified rabbit antibodies against mouse PSGL‐1 almost completely blocked the interaction of BMMC with P‐selectin‐IgG in flow cytometry as well as in cell adhesion assays under static and under flow conditions. Our data reveal that PSGL‐1 is the major binding site for P‐selectin on mouse BMMC progenitors, but does not support efficient interactions with E‐selectin.
Scheduling and resource allocation for wireless dynamic adaptive streaming of scalable videos over HTTP

Recently dynamic adaptive streaming over HTTP (DASH) has gained significant attentions. In this paper, we study DASH-based transmission of scalable videos in wireless broadband access networks (e.g. LTE, WiMAX), and propose a DASH-friendly scheduling and resource allocation scheme (DFSRA) to enhance the Quality-of-Experience (QoE) of wireless DASH users. By integrating DASH-based media delivery and radio-level adaptation in a cross-layer manner, the scheme can determine the optimal wireless resource allocation. A gradient-based algorithm is proposed to solve the optimization problem, which has the following advantages over traditional algorithms: (1) The characteristics of video content and scalable video coding are utilized. (2) The client buffer status is considered to reduce video playback interruption and buffer overflow. Simulations with the Qualnet tool demonstrate that our scheme achieves better performance than existing methods in the literature.
The NAIRU and Wages in Local Labor Markets

Unemployment in the United States has been below its presumed NAIRU ( nonaccelerating-inflation rate of unemployment) of 6 percent for more than four years. The doctrine or dogma of the NAIRU led to the expectation that an unemployment rate below the NAIRU would make accelerating inflation inevitable; but by all measures inflation has, if anything, declined and shows no signs of increasing. The NAIRU doctrine has had a major role in macroeconomic theory and monetary policy for several decades. For example, the seven hikes in interest rates by the Fed in 1994–1995 seem to have been motivated not by concerns about existing inflation (CPI-U inflation was steady and below 3 percent) , but by fears that an unemployment rate falling toward the 6-percent level, and then below 6 percent in September 1994, would foster future inflation. Theoretical and statistical criticisms of the NAIRU have been growing (see e.g., Robert Solow, 1986; James Tobin, 1993; Eisner, 1994; Rod Cross, 1995 [ essays by Cross, Frank Hahn and Tobin ] ; Ray Fair, 1996; Olivier Blanchard and Lawrence Katz, 1997;