Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Determinants of South African Women’s Labour Force Participation, 1995–2004

A striking feature of labour supply in South Africa is the phenomenal expansion in the labour force participation of women from 38 percent in 1995 to 46 percent in 2004. Even so, their participation has been persistently lower than that of men whose participation rates were 58 percent and 62 percent respectively. Furthermore, analyses of women’s participation rates by race show that the rates for historically disadvantaged groups such as Africans are still lower than those of Whites. For instance, in 1995 African women had a participation rate of 34 percent and it increased to 43 percent in 2004 while the corresponding rates for White women were 52 percent and 59 percent. In light of these disparities, this paper uses survey data to examine the determinants of the low level and also of the changes in African women’s labour force participation, during the first decade of democracy (1995-2004). By focussing on a ten year period, this research substantially differs from earlier studies which were preoccupied with short periods such as one year. A longer period is analytically advantageous because it allows the capturing of the changes and the robustness of the key determinants of female labour force participation in South Africa. Such information is important not only for reviewing existing policies but also for the formulation of new ones to increase female labour force participation which is a prerequisite for economic development. The study utilises a decomposition technique devised by Even and Macpherson (1990). The findings exhibit that female participation responded positively to education which has been the prime factor. Non-labour income, marriage, fertility and geographical variations in economic development persistently stifled participation. It is argued that the perceived change in participation is due to emigration and changes in human capital and financial endowments. Another important discovery is that -9 percent of the observed shifts in the participation rates from 1995-2004 is due to disparities in characteristics while differences in coefficients account for 109 percent of the shifts.
Gesture Annotation With a Visual Search Engine for Multimodal Communication Research

Human communication is multimodal and includes elements such as gesture and facial expression along with spoken language. Modern technology makes it feasible to capture all such aspects of communication in natural settings. As a result, similar to fields such as genetics, astronomy and neuroscience, scholars in areas such as linguistics and communication studies are on the verge of a data-driven revolution in their fields. These new approaches require analytical support from machine learning and artificial intelligence to develop tools to help process the vast data repositories. The Distributed Little Red Hen Lab project is an international team of interdisciplinary researchers building a large-scale infrastructure for data-driven multimodal communications research. In this paper, we describe a machine learning system developed to automatically annotate a large database of television program videos as part of this project. The annotations mark regions where people or speakers are on screen along with body part motions including head, hand and shoulder motion. We also annotate a specific class of gestures known as timeline gestures. An existing gesture annotation tool, ELAN, can be used with these annotations to quickly locate gestures of interest. Finally, we provide an update mechanism for the system based on human feedback. We empirically evaluate the accuracy of the system as well as present data from pilot human studies to show its effectiveness at aiding gesture scholars in their work.
A possible mechanism for combined arsenic and fluoride induced cellular and DNA damage in mice.

Arsenic and fluoride are major contaminants of drinking water. Mechanisms of toxicity following individual exposure to arsenic or fluoride are well known. However, it is not explicit how combined exposure to arsenic and fluoride leads to cellular and/or DNA damage. The present study was planned to assess (i) oxidative stress during combined chronic exposure to arsenic and fluoride in drinking water, (ii) correlation of oxidative stress with cellular and DNA damage and (iii) mechanism of cellular damage using IR spectroscopy. Mice were exposed to arsenic and fluoride (50 ppm) either individually or in combination for 28 weeks. Arsenic or fluoride exposure individually led to a significant increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and associated oxidative stress in blood, liver and brain. Individual exposure to the two toxicants showed significant depletion of blood glutathione (GSH) and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) activity, and single-stranded DNA damage using a comet assay in lymphocytes. We also observed an increase in the activity of ATPase, thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) and a decreased, reduced and oxidized glutathione (GSH : GSSG) ratio in the liver and brain. Antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were decreased and increased in liver and brain respectively. The changes were more pronounced in liver compared to brain suggesting liver to be more susceptible to the toxic effects of arsenic and fluoride. Interestingly, combined exposure to arsenic and fluoride resulted in less pronounced toxic effects compared to their individual effects based on biochemical variables, IR spectra, DNA damage (TUNEL and comet assays) and histopathological observations. IR spectra suggested that arsenic or fluoride perturbs the strength of protein and amide groups; however, the shifts in peaks were not pronounced during combined exposure. These results thus highlight the role of arsenic- or fluoride-induced oxidative stress, DNA damage and protein interaction as the major determinants of toxicity, along with the differential toxic effects during arsenic-fluoride interaction during co-exposure. The study further corroborates our earlier observations that at the higher concentration co-exposures to these toxicants do not elicit synergistic toxicity.
The frequency and size of price adjustment: microeconomic evidence

This paper presents direct, non-parametric microeconomic evidence on pricing behavior and evaluates the findings in light of theories of nominal price rigidity. The main issues examined include the durability of price quotations and the size of price changes. The analysis is based on a unique high-frequency panel data set of consumer prices recorded in 1993-1996 in Hungary. The results indicate that price adjustment patterns in the sample are primarily consistent with implications of two-sided (S,s) pricing models. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Proteasome Inhibition Promotes Parkin-Ubc13 Interaction and Lysine 63-Linked Ubiquitination

Disruption of the ubiquitin-proteasome system, which normally identifies and degrades unwanted intracellular proteins, is thought to underlie neurodegeneration. Supporting this, mutations of Parkin, a ubiquitin ligase, are associated with autosomal recessive parkinsonism. Remarkably, Parkin can protect neurons against a wide spectrum of stress, including those that promote proteasome dysfunction. Although the mechanism underlying the preservation of proteasome function by Parkin is hitherto unclear, we have previously proposed that Parkin-mediated K63-linked ubiquitination (which is usually uncoupled from the proteasome) may serve to mitigate proteasomal stress by diverting the substrate load away from the machinery. By means of linkage-specific antibodies, we demonstrated here that proteasome inhibition indeed promotes K63-linked ubiquitination of proteins especially in Parkin-expressing cells. Importantly, we further demonstrated that the recruitment of Ubc13 (an E2 that mediates K63-linked polyubiquitin chain formation exclusively) by Parkin is selectively enhanced under conditions of proteasomal stress, thus identifying a mechanism by which Parkin could promote K63-linked ubiquitin modification in cells undergoing proteolytic stress. This mode of ubiquitination appears to facilitate the subsequent clearance of Parkin substrates via autophagy. Consistent with the proposed protective role of K63-linked ubiquitination in times of proteolytic stress, we found that Ubc13-deficient cells are significantly more susceptible to cell death induced by proteasome inhibitors compared to their wild type counterparts. Taken together, our study suggests a role for Parkin-mediated K63 ubiquitination in maintaining cellular protein homeostasis, especially during periods when the proteasome is burdened or impaired.
A mathematical proof of Duverger's Law

A famous stylized fact in comparative politics, Duverger' s Law, is that electoral systems based on single ballot winner-take-all plurality voting will produce bipartisan competition. This paper presents an equilibrium model of elections in which this stylized fact emerges a logical implication of rational strategic voting behavior by individuals in a large heterogeneous electorate.
Prognostic impact of ventilatory efficiency in heart disease patients with preserved exercise tolerance.

BACKGROUND The minute ventilation/carbon-dioxide output (VE/VCO2) slope as a marker of cardiac events has been established in patients with severe heart failure, but it is not known whether it is useful for other heart diseases. METHODS AND RESULTS The present study investigated 215 patients with various heart diseases (age 59+/-11 years; ischemic heart disease, n=89; dilated cardiomyopathy, n=38; valvular disease, n=37; hypertensive heart disease, n=33; others, n=18) who underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing to determine the VE/VCO(2) slope. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the VE/VCO2 slope and were followed-up for 3 years. Forty-eight cardiac events (6 deaths, 42 re-hospitalizations) occurred during the observation period. Patients with a VE/VCO2 slope >34 had a significantly higher 3-year cardiac event rate (32.1%) than patients with VE/VCO2 slope <34 (18.9%, p<0.05). When patients were selected with relatively preserved peak oxygen uptake values (>16 ml . kg (-1) . min(-1)), patients with VE/VCO2 slope >34 still demonstrated a significantly higher cardiac event rate than other patients (35.0% vs 13.3%, p<0.01). CONCLUSION The VE/VCO2 slope may be a prognostic indicator of cardiac events in a heterogeneous group of patients with heart disease, independent of exercise tolerance.
Development and efficiency estimation of a regenerative test rig for induction motor testing

This paper presents the development and error analysis of a flexible test rig which is intended for emulating the static and dynamic characteristics of some mechanical loads found in industry. The test rig will provide a laboratory-based platform for assessing the efficiency of inverter-fed induction motors (IM) within a wide range as well that of variable speed drives (VSDs). The use of an Active Front End (AFE) with regenerative capabilities allows the power generated by the motor drive to be recycled within the system. An in-depth error analysis is conducted on the complete system. This is done by analyzing raw data obtained by means of 2 commercial instruments. Detailed comparisons of the error bands were done for the results obtained.
Hybrid nonlinear observer for Inertial Navigation

This paper considers the problem of designing an observer for navigation and localization of inertial systems. Since the measurement systems used in this field have a low update rate with respect to the control algorithm, the design of a suitable observer with sampled measurements is required. Here a hybrid non-linear observer is proposed, combining two different observers with different characteristics. A theoretical treatment is given in order to prove the convergence of the observer and it will be contextualized in the framework of the hybrid systems, providing an elegant setting for the proposed solution. Finally experimental results show the feasibility of the proposed observer and the good behaviors in terms of estimation error that can be achieved.
Type I focal cortical dysplasia: surgical outcome is related to histopathology

Pre-surgical and post-surgical data were examined and compared from 215 consecutive patients undergoing surgery for intractable epilepsy. Patients were selected on the basis of a proven histopathological diagnosis of type I focal cortical dysplasia (FCD I), alone or associated with other lesions. The patients were divided into five sub-groups: i) 66 with isolated FCD I, ii) 76 with FCD I and hippocampal sclerosis, iii) 49 with FCD I and tumours, iv) 16 with FCD I and other malformations of cortical development and v) eight with FCD I and anoxic-ischaemic or inflammatory diseases. The duration of epilepsy was greatest in patients with FCD I associated with hippocampal sclerosis, and those with isolated FCD I showed the highest seizure frequency at the time of surgery. Hippocampal sclerosis and tumours were the most frequent pathological lesions associated with FCD I in temporal lobe epilepsy. Febrile seizures significantly correlated with the presence of hippocampal sclerosis and FCD I. Isolated FCD I was observed in 31% of the patients, characterized by frequent seizures, negative magnetic resonance imaging, and frequent frontal or multilobar involvement. In comparison to patients with FCD I associated with hippocampal sclerosis, MCD or tumours, the patients with isolated FCD I had a worse post-surgical outcome (46% in class I). Our findings indicate that there is a high incidence of FCD I associated with other apparently distinct pathologies, particularly those affecting the temporal lobe, and highlight the need for a comprehensive clinicopathological approach for the classification of FCD I.
Labor union members play an OLG repeated game

Humans are capable of cooperating with one another even when it is costly and a deviation provides an immediate gain. An important reason is that cooperation is reciprocated or rewarded and deviations are penalized in later stages. For cooperation to be sustainable, not only must rewards and penalties be strong enough but individuals should also have the right incentives to provide rewards and punishments. Codes of conduct with such properties have been studied extensively in game theory (as repeated game equilibria), and the literature on the evolution of cooperation shows how equilibrium behavior might emerge and proliferate in society. We found that community unions, a subclass of labor unions that admits individual affiliations, are ideal to corroborate these theories with reality, because (i) their activities are simple and (ii) they have a structure that closely resembles a theoretical model, the overlapping generations repeated game. A detailed case study of a community union revealed a possible equilibrium that can function under the very limited observability in the union. The equilibrium code of conduct appears to be a natural focal point based on simple heuristic reasoning. The union we studied was created out of necessity for cooperation, without knowing or anticipating how cooperation might be sustained. The union has successfully resolved about 3,000 labor disputes and created a number of offspring.
The Free Cash-Flow Theory Versus Financial Constraints: Investments, Corporate Governance and Soft Budgeting Problems

The supposed preference of firms for internal sources of finances to fund their investments can be explained by either the free cash flow or the financial constraints theories, both stem from asymmetric information. Neither theory was found fully valid by recent research. Using a French data panel, conclusive evidence will be made in favor of the free cash flow theory in special cases. The validity of the free cash flow theory in special cases will bring new issues to light with the introduction of a new definition: capitalistic soft budgeting problems. Through this analysis, the possible interaction between capital market imperfections and general equilibrium will also gain new dimension.
A Molecular-Genetic Study of the Arabidopsis Toc75 Gene Family1

Toc75 (translocon at the outer envelope membrane of chloroplasts, 75 kD) is the protein translocation channel at the outer envelope membrane of plastids and was first identified in pea (Pisum sativum) using biochemical approaches. The Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) genome contains three Toc75-related sequences, termed atTOC75-I, atTOC75-III, and atTOC75-IV, which we studied using a range of molecular, genetic, and biochemical techniques. Expression of atTOC75-III is strongly regulated and at its highest level in young, rapidly expanding tissues. By contrast, atTOC75-IV is expressed uniformly throughout development and at a much lower level than atTOC75-III. The third sequence, atTOC75-I, is a pseudogene that is not expressed due to a gypsy/Ty3 transposon insertion in exon 1, and numerous nonsense, frame-shift, and splice-junction mutations. The expressed genes, atTOC75-III and atTOC75-IV, both encode integral envelope membrane proteins. Unlike atToc75-III, the smaller atToc75-IV protein is not processed upon targeting to the envelope, and its insertion does not require ATP at high concentrations. The atTOC75-III gene is essential for viability, since homozygous atToc75-III knockout mutants (termed toc75-III) could not be identified, and aborted seeds were observed at a frequency of approximately 25% in the siliques of self-pollinated toc75-III heterozygotes. Homozygous toc75-III embryos were found to abort at the two-cell stage. Homozygous atToc75-IV knockout plants (termed toc75-IV) displayed no obvious visible phenotypes. However, structural abnormalities were observed in the etioplasts of toc75-IV seedlings and atTOC75-IV overexpressing lines, and toc75-IV plants were less efficient at deetiolation than wild type. These results suggest some role for atToc75-IV during growth in the dark.
Fast and reliable dynamic common channel setup and reconstruction in point-to-point DSA networks

Even though many studies have dealt with the common channel issues, the detailed procedures for common channel configuration have not been paid much attention. In this paper, the fast and reliable dynamic common channel setup and reconstruction method for the point-to-point communications in DSA networks is proposed. The detailed time parameters for common channel setup and reconstruction, such as the request-response exchange time, channel request waiting time, and rendezvous time, are taken into consideration. Through the numerical analyses, the delay and throughput performance of the proposed method is evaluated. A variant of the proposed method is also presented, which delay performance is compared with the proposed one.
Medium Run Redux: Technical Change, Factor Shares and Frictions in the Euro Area

We develop a framework for analyzing “medium-run” departures from balanced growth, and apply it to the economies of continental Europe. A time-varying factor-augmenting production function (mimicking “directed” technical change) with a below-unitary substitution elasticity coupled with supporting short-run factor demands (and price setting) is shown to account for the observed dynamics of factor incomes shares, capital deepening and the capital-output ratio. Based on careful data accounting, we also identify a rising mark-up, which we ascribe to the rise of Services. The balanced growth path emerges as a special (and testable) case of our framework, as do existing strands of medium-run debates. JEL Classification: C22, E23, E25, O30, O51
A study of the effect of hemorrhage on the cardiorespiratory actions of halothane, isoflurane and sevoflurane in the dog.

OBJECTIVE To compare the cardiorespiratory changes induced by equipotent concentrations of halothane (HAL), isoflurane (ISO) and sevoflurane (SEVO) before and after hemorrhage. STUDY DESIGN Prospective, randomized clinical trial. ANIMALS Twenty-four healthy adult dogs weighing 15.4 +/- 3.4 kg (mean +/- SD). METHODS Animals were randomly allocated to one of three groups (n = 8 per group). In each group, anesthesia was maintained with 1.5 minimum alveolar concentration of HAL (1.3%), ISO (1.9%) and SEVO (3.5%) in oxygen. Controlled ventilation was performed to maintain eucapnia. Cardiorespiratory variables were evaluated at baseline (between 60 and 90 minutes after induction), immediately after and 30 minutes after the withdrawal of 32 mL kg(-1) of blood (40% of the estimated blood volume) over a 30-minute period. RESULTS During baseline conditions, ISO and SEVO resulted in higher cardiac index (CI) than HAL. Heart rates were higher with SEVO at baseline, while mean arterial pressure (MAP) and mean pulmonary arterial pressure did not differ between groups. Although heart rate values were higher for ISO and SEVO after hemorrhage, only ISO resulted in a higher CI when compared with HAL. In ISO-anesthetized dogs, MAP was higher immediately after hemorrhage, and this was related to better maintenance of CI and to an increase in systemic vascular resistance index from baseline. CONCLUSIONS Although the hemodynamic responses of ISO and SEVO are similar in normovolaemic dogs, ISO results in better maintenance of circulatory function during the early period following a massive blood loss. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Inhaled anesthetics should be used judiciously in animals presented with blood loss. However, if an inhalational agent is to be used under these circumstances, ISO may provide better hemodynamic stability than SEVO or HAL.
The Dynamics of Structural Shocks

This paper uses VAR and space-state methodology to analyze how the recent developments in 20 European countries have modified the dynamics of structural shocks. The results not only confirm a visible progress in (predominated output fluctuations) supply shocks convergence between the Central and Eastern European Countries (CEECs) and the eurozone, but also corroborate a positive initial impact of Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) creation and European Union (EU) enlargement on supply shocks correlation. In particular, it is found that Croatia, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia are good candidates to euro adoption under condition of greater fiscal policy alignment.
Soil Pollution by Acid Rains and Heavy Metals in Zlatna Region, Romania

In the Zlatna area located in the Western Carpathian region of Romania, around an industrial complex involved in mining, metallurgical and chemical activities, the environment and particularly the soils are polluted due to the acid rains and heavy metals on 55,664 hectares. About 68% of the soils in the area affected by the emissions from these industrial activities present a high vulnerability to the impact of these pollution types. The increase of the natural soil acidity up to 3.6-3.9 pH values and soil loading with heavy metals at content levels exceeding up to 41 (Pb), 11 (Cu), 7 (Zn), 4 (Cd) times the maximum allowable limits contributed to soil base depletion, microbiological activity disturbance, organic matter degradation, soil structure deterioration, sheet and gully erosion, as well as landslides.