Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Acute Multidimensional Poverty: A New Index for Developing Countries

This paper presents a new Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) for 104 developing countries. It is the first time multidimensional poverty is estimated using micro datasets (household surveys) for such a large number of countries which cover about 78 percent of the world's population. The MPI has the mathematical structure of one of the Alkire and Foster poverty multidimensional measures and it is composed of ten indicators corresponding to same three dimensions as the Human Development Index: Education, Health and Standard of Living. The MPI captures a set of direct deprivations that batter a person at the same time. This tool could be used to target the poorest, track the Millennium Development Goals, and design policies that directly address the interlocking deprivations poor people experience. This paper presents the methodology and components in the MPI, describes main results, and shares basic robustness tests.
Functional relevance of NLRP3 inflammasome‐mediated interleukin (IL)‐1β during acute allergic airway inflammation

Overall asthmatic symptoms can be controlled with diverse therapeutic agents. However, certain symptomatic individuals remain at risk for serious morbidity and mortality, which prompts the identification of novel therapeutic targets and treatment strategies. Thus, using an adjuvant‐free T helper type 2 (Th2) murine model, we have deciphered the role of interleukin (IL)‐1 signalling during allergic airway inflammation (AAI). Because functional IL‐1β depends on inflammasome activation we first studied asthmatic manifestations in specific inflammasome‐deficient [NACHT, LRR and PYD domains‐containing protein 3 (NLRP3−/−) and apoptosis‐associated speck‐like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain (ASC−/−)] and IL‐1 receptor type 1−/− (IL‐1R1−/−) mice on the BALB/c background. To verify the onset of disease we assessed cellular infiltration in the bronchial regions, lung pathology, airway hyperresponsiveness and ovalbumin (OVA)‐specific immune responses. In the absence of NLRP3 inflammasome‐mediated IL‐1β release all symptoms of AAI were reduced, except OVA‐specific immunoglobulin levels. To address whether manipulating IL‐1 signalling reduced asthmatic development, we administered the IL‐1R antagonist anakinra (Kineret®) during critical immunological time‐points: sensitization or challenge. Amelioration of asthmatic symptoms was only observed when anakinra was administered during OVA challenge. Our findings indicate that blocking IL‐1 signalling could be a potential complementary therapy for allergic airway inflammation.
KIT-Negative Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors: Proof of Concept and Therapeutic Implications

The diagnosis of gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is currently based on morphologic features and immunohistochemical demonstration of KIT (CD117). However, some tumors (in our estimation approximately 4%) have clinicopathologic features of GIST but do not express KIT. To determine if these lesions are truly GISTs, we evaluated 25 tumors with clinical and histologic features typical of GIST, but with negative KIT immunohistochemistry, for KIT and PDGFRA mutations using DNA extracted from paraffin-embedded tissue. Most tumors originated in the stomach (N = 14) or omentum/mesentery (N = 5). The neoplasms were composed of epithelioid cells (13 cases), admixed epithelioid and spindle cells (8 cases), or spindle cells (4 cases). Absence of KIT expression was confirmed by immunoblotting in 5 cases. Tumor karyotypes performed in 4 cases were noncomplex with monosomy 14 or 14q deletion, typical of GIST. Mutational analysis revealed PDGFRA and KIT mutations in 18 and 4 tumors, respectively, whereas 3 tumors did not have apparent KIT or PDGFRA mutations. The PDGFRA mutations primarily involved exon 18 (N = 15) and included 11 tumors with missense mutation in codon 842 (PDGFRA D842V or D842Y). In conclusion, a small subset of GISTs with otherwise typical clinicopathologic and cytogenetic features do not express detectable KIT protein. When compared with KIT-positive GISTs, these KIT-negative GISTs are more likely to have epithelioid cell morphology, contain PDGFRA oncogenic mutations, and arise in the omentum/peritoneal surface. Notably, some KIT-negative GISTs contain imatinib-sensitive KIT or PDGFRA mutations; therefore, patients with KIT-negative GISTs should not, a priori, be denied imatinib therapy.
Active CMOS differential filter with +3.5 dBm IP1dB and +12.3 dBm IIP3

An S-band lumped-element active CMOS differential bandpass filter with high linearity performance is presented. A coupled-resonator topology was chosen to allow the use of identical parallel LC tank resonators throughout the filter which, in turn, facilitates the dc biasing arrangement for the active devices. Loss compensation of the substrate losses and tank parasitics is carried out using cross-coupled transistor pairs. A prototype filter was fabricated using a standard 130 nm CMOS process and experimental tests at 2.08 GHz show an insertion loss of 1.86 dB, return loss of 17.69 dB, a common-mode rejection ratio (CMRR) of 20 dB. The input 1-dB compression point (IP1dB) and input third-order intercept point (IIP3) of the filter are +3.5 dBm and +12.3 dBm, respectively, both of which are new linearity performance records for S-band CMOS active filters to the best of our knowledge. The core chip area measures 0.38 mm2.
SHAPING DEMOCRATIC PRACTICE AND THE CAUSES OF ELECTORAL FRAUD: THEORY AND EVIDENCE FROM PRE-1914 GERMANY

Why is there so much alleged electoral fraud in new democracies? Most scholarship focuses on the proximate cause of electoral competition. This article proposes a different answer by constructing and analyzing an original dataset drawn from the German parliament’s own voluminous record of election disputes for every parliamentary election in the life of Imperial Germany (1871-1912) after its adoption of universal male suffrage in 1871. The article analyzes the election of over 5,000 parliamentary seats to identify where and why elections were disputed as a result of “election misconduct. ” The empirical analysis demonstrates that electoral fraud’s incidence is significantly related to a society’s level of inequality in landholding, a major source of wealth, power, and prestige in this period. After weighing the importance of two different causal mechanisms, the article concludes that socio-economic inequality, by making new democratic institutions endogenous to preexisting social power, can be a major and underappreciated barrier to democratization even after the adoption of formally democratic rules.
Compressed Sensing MRI Reconstruction Using Wavelets For High Performance

MRI construction is one of the most important applications of Compressed sensing. Using Compressed Sensing, MRI can be constructed at low cost and at faster rate. Many sparse domains were tried for MRI reconstruction over the years. Reconstruction image quality parameter values show the effectiveness of MRI reconstruction procedure. Reduction factor gives a measure of samples collected for signal reconstruction. Very high reduction factor is favourable for MRI reconstruction, as it indicates that only a small fraction of the original signal space was used for reconstruction. By studying the properties of MRI such as sparsity and energy distribution in spectral space, compressed sensing can be applied to get very high reduction factor. Fourier transform is widely used for MRI reconstruction. However Discrete Wavelets are used due to its many advantages. Method of sampling from sparse domain determines the performance of the process. High reconstruction quality and reduction factor can be obtained by using Discrete Wavelets.
Involvement of Mu receptors in the opioid-induced increase in the turnover of mouse brain histamine.

The effects of i.c. v. injected selective ligands for mu and delta opioid receptors on histamine (HA) turnover in the mouse brain were investigated to determine the receptor subclasses involved in the neurochemical response to opioids. HA turnover was measured by the accumulation of tele-methylhistamine, a major metabolite of brain HA, after pargyline injection (65 mg/kg i.p.). The increase in the HA turnover induced by [D-Ala2,D-Leu5] enkephalin (0.5 microgram i.c.v.) was antagonized by naloxone (0.3 microgram i.c.v.) but not by ICI 174,864 (5 micrograms i.c.v.), a selective delta receptor antagonist. [D-Ala2,MePhe4,Gly(ol)5]enkephalin (DAGO; 0.1-0.5 microgram i.c.v.), a selective mu receptor agonist, produced an increase in the HA turnover, whereas [D-Thr2-Leu5]enkephalin, Thr (0.1-1.0 microgram i.c.v.), a selective delta receptor agonist, had little effect on the HA turnover. DAGO (0.1 microgram i.c.v.) also increased the steady-state level of tele-methylhistamine but not that of HA. The effect of DAGO was observed in various brain regions except for the hypothalamus, and it was the most marked in the striatum. DAGO (10(-7) and 10(-6) M) significantly increased the K+ (30 mM)-evoked HA release from mouse cerebral cortical slices without influencing on the spontaneous HA release. The enhancement of HA release induced by DAGO (10(-6) M) was blocked completely by naloxone (10(-6) M) but not by tetrodotoxin (10(-6) M). These results suggest that opioids with mu agonist activity increase brain HA turnover by facilitating HA release from nerve endings.
Changing Frames of Mobility through Radical Policy Interventions? The Stockholm Congestion Tax

The introduction of a congestion tax was a significant moment in the management of mobility in Stockholm. This paper critically examines this apparent consensus on confronting car based mobility, by analysing how mobility was framed at key stages in policy making, from the 1970s through to the trial in 2006 and subsequent implementation. Changing transport objectives are compared, and winners and losers are traced in relation to motility and environmental quality. The paper argues that a car-based automobility frame survives, even in the implementation of a radical policy of congestion taxation.
Fair Isn't Always Equal: Constituency Population and the Quality of Representation in Canada

Abstract. Is there a conflict between the principles of representation by population and the representation of communities of interest? In Canada, the legal requirement to design electoral districts based on pre-existing regions and communities of interest has produced large discrepancies in district populations. Several authors claim that this situation has a deleterious effect on the representational experiences of those citizens living in more populous districts. This paper examines whether the population of an electoral district affects the quality of political representation in that district. We first present survey data characterizing the relationship between constituency population and citizens' reported satisfaction with democracy and contact with politicians and parties. We then present audit experimental evidence from Canada demonstrating that the helpfulness of politicians towards citizens is not conditioned on constituency population. Our data indicate that constituency population has no clear impact on the quality of representational experiences in Canada, suggesting that it is possible to ensure the effective representation of communities of interest without harming the overall quality of Canadian democracy. Résumé. Y a-t-il un conflit entre les principes de représentation par personne et de représentation de communautés d'intérêts? Au Canada, des écarts importants entre la population de certaines circonscriptions électorales résultent de l'obligation légale de les délimiter en tenant compte des régions et des communautés d'intérêts préexistantes. Plusieurs auteurs soutiennent que cette situation entraîne des effets néfastes sur la représentation vécue par les citoyens qui habitent les circonscriptions les plus populeuses. Dans cet article, nous vérifions si la taille de la population influence la qualité de la représentation politique dans une circonscription électorale. Nous présentons d'abord des données d'enquête sur la relation entre la taille de la population d'une circonscription et (i) la satisfaction des citoyens à l'égard de la démocratie, (ii) leurs contacts avec les politiciens et (iii) les communications qu'ils reçoivent des politiciens et des partis. Puis, nous présentons des données d'une expérience menée au Canada qui indiquent que la propension des politiciens à aider les citoyens n'est pas influencée par la taille de la population de leur circonscription. Nos résultats indiquent que la taille de la population d'une circonscription n'a pas d'effet clair sur la qualité de la représentation au Canada, suggérant ainsi qu'il est possible d'assurer la représentation efficace des communautés d'intérêts sans nécessairement nuire à la qualité globale de la démocratie canadienne.
Biological impact assessment of nanomaterial used in nanomedicine. Introduction to the NanoTEST project

Abstract Therapeutic nanoparticles (NPs) are used in nanomedicine as drug carriers or imaging agents, providing increased selectivity/specificity for diseased tissues. The first NPs in nanomedicine were developed for increasing the efficacy of known drugs displaying dose-limiting toxicity and poor bioavailability and for enhancing disease detection. Nanotechnologies have gained much interest owing to their huge potential for applications in industry and medicine. It is necessary to ensure and control the biocompatibility of the components of therapeutic NPs to guarantee that intrinsic toxicity does not overtake the benefits. In addition to monitoring their toxicity in vitro, in vivo and in silico, it is also necessary to understand their distribution in the human body, their biodegradation and excretion routes and dispersion in the environment. Therefore, a deep understanding of their interactions with living tissues and of their possible effects in the human (and animal) body is required for the safe use of nanoparticulate formulations. Obtaining this information was the main aim of the NanoTEST project, and the goals of the reports collected together in this special issue are to summarise the observations and results obtained by the participating research teams and to provide methodological tools for evaluating the biological impact of NPs.
Managerial Economics and Operating Beta

We model a firm’s unlevered beta in terms of elementary microeconomic variables. The source of uncertainty is a shock to demand. A firm decides on capital before the shock, and on labor, output, and price after the shock. Some insights are: 1) with decreasing returns to scale of production, beta has an inverse relation with price elasticity of demand, given the income elasticity of demand; 2) beta has a direct relation with the firm’s returns to scale of production; 3) due to the impact of operating leverage, beta has an inverse relation with industry concentration; and 4) for a given returns to scale, beta has a direct relation with the capital-labor ratio that strengthens as industry concentration decreases.
Model Uncertainty and Exchange Rate Volatility

This article proposes an explanation for shifts in the volatility of exchange-rate returns. Agents are uncertain about the true data generating model and deal with this uncertainty by making inference on the models and their parameters' approach, I call model learning. Model learning may lead agents to focus excessively on a subset of fundamental variables. Consequently, exchange-rate volatility is determined by the dynamics of these fundamentals and changes as agents alter models. I investigate the empirical relevance of model learning and find that the change in volatility of GBP/USD in 1993 was triggered by a shift between models.
Why Do Some Countries Get CSR Sooner, and in Greater Quantity, than Others? The Political Economy of Corporate Responsibility and the Rise of Market Liberalism Across the OECD: 1977-2007

How can we explain the historical and trans-national variation of Corporate Responsibility – business’s voluntary engagement for social and environmental ends above legally mandated minimum standards – and how are we to understand this amorphous and essentially contested phenomenon? In this paper, I propose a political-economic explanation for the variation of Corporate Responsibility [Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Corporate Citizenship]. I posit that Corporate Responsibility’s temporal and cross-national variation is linked to its function of legitimating economic liberalization and market liberalism. Both employers and state officials have an interest in compensating for the hardships of liberalization and the weakening of institutionalized social solidarity. One way in which they seek to legitimate the market vis-a-vis their ‘stakeholders’ and the electorate, and justify themselves vis-a-vis their own conscience, is through Corporate Responsibility. CR inoculates firms against burdensome regulation and justifies a light regulatory touch; it facilitates business-friendly institutional reforms; it helps to satisfy employers’ needs and compensate for market failures and deficiencies in public provision. But CR cannot be understood in purely rational-instrumental let alone cynical terms. One of its most essential functions is to constitute businesspeople as responsible moral agents. Those in the engine rooms of contemporary capitalism – whether owners, managers, or employees – want to perceive themselves as serving the common good. This is true irrespective of capitalist ‘varieties. ’ In the place of Milton Friedman’s assertion that the business of business is business, employers chant: ‘Free us up so we can do some Corporate Responsibility! ’ Using national Corporate Responsibility associations and their membership levels as a proxy for the institutionalization of CR, this paper develops and tests a political-economic explanation for the temporal and trans-national variation of CR. Using Corporate Responsibility associations, a novel proxy for the state of CR in a given country at a given time, I hypothesize that Liberal Market Economies tend to ‘get’ CR earlier, and get more of it, than Social / Coordinated Market economies. Furthermore, Corporate Responsibility co-evolves with the decline of institutionalized social solidarity, ‘embedded liberalism’ and ‘organized capitalism. ’ Empirical evidence from more than twenty OECD countries and from the CR ‘leader’ United Kingdom and ‘laggard’ Germany support these hypotheses and illustrate the co-evolution of CR and market liberalism during the past thirty years. In sum, this paper suggests that CR functions as a material and symbolic substitute for institutionalized forms of social solidarity.
The Quality of Mutual Fund Portfolio Supervision

D URING THE 1942-1946 BULL MARKET, a security analyst for a New York brokerage firm who acted in a part-time capacity as an oil industry field expert for a mutual investment fund, submitted a particularly glowing report on one of the oil-producing companies. Departing from usual practice, he strongly urged that its stock be acquired. The mutual fund's investment staff, largely on the strength of the analyst's recommendation, passed up five other issues of similar quality under consideration at the time and purchased a sizable block of the stock. In less than a year it increased in value from $20 to $30 a share. The analyst was elated and at the first opportunity called the results of his astuteness to the attention of the fund's officials. They were far from enthusiastic. They pointed out that, although it was true that the stock had appreciated 50% in value since it had been purchased, 36 of the 42 stocks in the fund portfolio had shown greater appreciation for the same period. Furthermore, the average increase for all 42 issues was 68%.
Innate Sensing of Viruses by Toll-Like Receptors

The ability to detect pathogens is arguably the single most important task undertaken by the immune system. Appropriate recognition of invasive microbes is critical for mounting an immune response that can effectively combat the invading organism. A comprehensive understanding of the requirements for pathogen recognition is necessary for the development of efficacious vaccines and effective therapeutics. Toward this end, a tremendous investment has been made in determining how the adaptive immune system (B and T cells) distinguishes invading pathogens from host cells and tissues. These efforts have yielded remarkable models that describe how the immune system responds to the myriad of challenges it faces and provide a framework into which future discoveries can be incorporated. Recently, however, some of this focus has been redirected to understanding how pathogens are initially recognized by the host innate immune system and how these events contribute to and coordinate with the adaptive immune response. Detection of pathogens by the innate immune system is carried out by a class of immune-sensor molecules termed pattern recognition receptors, or PRRs. Several different classes of PRRs have been identified, each detecting microbes or microbial components and initiating responses that program antipathogen gene expression profiles and promote adaptive immune responses (28). The Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are a class of PRRs that detect an increasingly broad range of pathogens (74). While the majority of the work on TLRs has focused on detection of bacteria, it is becoming increasingly apparent that viruses are also subject to innate sensing by TLRs. An indicator of the importance of any host antiviral strategy is the ability of viruses to counteract that particular arm of the host defense. Two vaccinia virus genes, A46R and A52R, have been implicated as negative regulators of TLR signaling, indicating that TLR responses pose a realistic threat to viruses (11a, 29a). This review will focus on the state of our knowledge of TLRs' role in immune responses to viruses.
Britain and the Negotiation of the Maastricht Treaty: A Critique of Liberal Intergovernmentalism

This article critically examines the liberal intergovernmental (LI) approach to bargaining in the European Union. It explores its analytical and predictive power in relation to the British negotiation of three dossiers in the 1991 Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) on Political Union: social policy, foreign and security policy and enhancing the powers of the European Parliament (EP). It casts doubt on the LI explanation of national preference formation and contends that there are three weaknesses of the LI approach: the notion of preference formation; the assumption that governments are purposeful and instrumental actors; and the liberal intergovernmental conception of bargaining. More generally, the article casts doubt on the value of LI claims to explanatory as well as predictive value.
Too Good to be True? The Variable and Contingent Benefits of Displacement and Relocation among Low-Income Public Housing Residents

The forced displacement and relocation of low-income residents resulting from public housing redevelopment has attracted a great deal of research attention. Tracking studies of HOPE VI and similar redevelopment efforts in the US have depicted a record of mixed and inconsistent benefits for the families displaced. Detailed case studies of individual families are used to illustrate the variable and contingent nature of the impacts of displacement and relocation away from public housing. The cases presented here provide examples of how the experience of displaced families can change, sometimes dramatically, over time and how this affects their own assessments of the experience. Residents' perception of relocation is strongly influenced by their overall view of neighborhood restructuring, regardless of whether they themselves directly benefit. The findings suggest that qualitative and or ethnographic research into the experiences of displaced public housing residents can be useful in understanding how relocation affects the lives of very low-income households.