Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
IS DEBT RESTRUCTURING NEEDED TO MAKE THE STABILITY AND GROWTH PACT (MORE) CREDIBLE

The emergence of the so-called PIIGS crisis which in 2009 became acute due to strongly diverging risk premiums, marked the beginning of a new phase for the European Monetary Union. Whilst the run-up to EMU had been characterized by an encouraging convergence of macroeconomic fundamentals of its member countries, it is now facing a serious threat in particular due to excessive levels of public debt. In 1997, the Stability and Growth Pact introduced a mechanism designed to prevent excessive public debt of the type currently observed; the fact of the matter, however, seems to be that levels of public debt has continuously grown from one economic cycle to the next. But the SGP apparently not only failed to fulfil its aim to keep the deficit and the debt level within its limits but also suffered from a severe loss of credibility; unless some profound action is taken it may further diminish, severely hampering the loose structure of the European Monetary Union. In order to regain some credibility, mitigate financial market’s concerns and, hence, lower borrowing cost, a consolidation path is needed to returns to acceptable levels of debt in the foreseeable future. This process has already started and measures have been taken by several eurozone countries to speed up fiscal consolidation. The aim of the paper is to analyze whether or not the group of the PIIGS countries are likely to return to debt levels in accordance with the SGP criteria or if it might be necessary to undergo a process of debt restructuring or default. By analysing different scenarios where nominal interest rates on debt (r) and nominal growth rates (n) as well as gaps thereof (r-n), herein called the automatic debt dynamics, are varied, this paper comes to the conclusion, that debt restructuring or default is a likely outcome for some of the PIIGS; arithmetics is in particular playing against Greece. As disillusioning and disappointing this outcome might be for some observers, it could be the starting point for a more credible set of rules for the SGP, which the author deems to remain a crucial component in any institutional set-up within the eurozone.
Targeted Delivery Systems for Oligonucleotide Therapeutics

Oligonucleotides including antisense oligonucleotides and siRNA are emerging as promising therapeutic agents against a variety of diseases. Effective delivery of these molecules is critical to their successful clinical application. Targeted systems can greatly improve the efficiency and specificity of oligonucleotides delivery. Meanwhile, an effective delivery system must successfully overcome a multitude of biological barriers to enable the oligonucleotides to reach the site of action and access their biological targets. Several delivery strategies based on different platform technologies and different targeting ligands have been developed to achieve these objectives. This review aims at providing a summary and perspective on recent progress in this very active area of research.
Optical nonlinear characteristics of a side-injection light-controlled laser diode with a multiple-quantum-well saturable absorption region

A multiple-quantum-well bistable laser-diode structure in which the input signal is launched into the main laser through an orthogonally configured subwaveguide is proposed. Insensitivity to input light wavelength (28 nm of 3 dB bandwidth) and high isolation of input versus output (over 30 dB) are observed. In addition, reflection of input signal is negligibly small. <<ETX>>
An Ivermectin-Sensitive Glutamate-Gated Chloride Channel from the Parasitic Nematode Haemonchus contortus

Nematode glutamate-gated chloride channels are targets of the macrocyclic lactones, the most important group of anthelmintics available. In Xenopus laevis oocytes, channels formed by the GluClα3B subunit from the parasite Haemonchus contortus were more sensitive to l-glutamate (EC50 = 27.6 ± 2.7 μM) than those formed by the homologous subunit from Caenorhabditis elegans (EC50 = 2.2 ± 0.12 mM). Ibotenate was a partial agonist (EC50 = 87.7 ± 3.5 μM). The H. contortus channels responded to low concentrations of ivermectin (estimated EC50 =∼0.1 ± 1.0 nM), opening slowly and irreversibly in a highly cooperative manner: the rate of channel opening was concentration-dependent. Responses to glutamate and ivermectin were inhibited by picrotoxinin and fipronil. Mutating an N-terminal domain amino acid, leucine 256, to phenylalanine increased the EC50 for l-glutamate to 92.2 ± 3.5 μM, and reduced the Hill number from 1.89 ± 0.35 to 1.09 ± 0.16. It increased the Kd for radiolabeled ivermectin binding from 0.35 ± 0.1 to 2.26 ± 0.78 nM. Two other mutations (E114G and V235A) had no effect on l-glutamate activation or ivermectin binding: one (T300S) produced no detectable channel activity, but ivermectin binding was similar to wild-type. The substitution of any aromatic amino acid for Leu256 had similar effects in the radioligand binding assay. Molecular modeling studies suggested that the GluCl subunits have a fold similar to that of other Cys-loop ligand-gated ion channels and that amino acid 256 was unlikely to play a direct role in ligand binding but may be involved in mediating the allosteric properties of the receptor.
Levels of Financial Capability in the UK

This article presents a new way of looking at and measuring financial literacy. Financial education work to date has focused on managing money, yet the survey described here shows that this is the area where levels of capability are highest. At least half of the UK population needs reminding that it is dangerous to live for the day and make no provision for changes in circumstance, unexpected expenditure, or retirement. In addition, with the low levels of financial capability identified by the survey, it is likely that mis-selling of financial products will continue in the UK. The authors conclude with policy priorities for the government.
Heterogeneous Individuals and the Optimal Level of Higher Education

We examine the effects of public funding on higher education within a game-theoretical framework, in which universities choose students according to their abilities to learn, whereas to widen the opportunity of receiving higher education, the tuition fees are partially financed by a graduate-tax subsidy system. We find that when individuals are impatient, partial public financing of higher education results in an overinvestment in higher education, which is, however, desirable in terms of improved access.
Value-at-risk: is lacking in sub-additivity just an annoying technicality?

Following the final revision of Basel II, Value-at-Risk (VaR) is becoming one of the most used risk measures for managing market and operational risks. Nevertheless, in recent years, some undesirable drawbacks in its use have been pointed out by academics. One of them is the so-called 'lacking in sub-additivity', which turns out to be not only an annoying technicality, but also the 'real culprit' of VaR misleading guide in capital allocation strategy. A number of numerical examples prove the fallacy of some common conjectures. Eventually, a risk measure, which is a revised version of the Expected Shortfall (ES), is suggested as a sound alternative.
Fishing Technology and Fleet Dynamics: Predictions from a Bioeconomic Model

Bioeconomic models of fisheries usually do not provide details of fishermen's short-run behavior. This paper develops a model for the short-run selection of fishing location by a profit-maximizing fisherman in an open-access fishery given that fish density increases further from port and given that fishing trips have a fixed duration. For any particular level offish price and fish stock abundance, a fishing vessel's technical characteristics (fuel consumption, catch rate, vessel speed) and economic characteristics (wage rates, fuel price) determine the optimum location for fishing. A long-run model is derived; the cost flows for the fishing vessel and the biological dynamics are added to the system. The models are applied to the evolution of a hypothetical fishery in which fishermen utilize either an active fishing technology (trawlers) or a passive one (long-liners).
Noncommutativity of constraining and quantizing: A U(1)-gauge model.

After discussing the general question of (non)commutativity of constraining and quantizing, we present a quantum-mechanical model with a U(1)-gauge constraint. The phase spaces before and after the symplectic reduction are topologically nontrivial, and hence the usual canonical quantization has to be modified. We show that Isham quantization can be used in both cases. The groups governing the quantizations are Sp(4,{bold R}){congruent}SO(3,2) for the unreduced and Sp(2,{bold R}){congruent}SO(2,1) for the reduced theory. The quantizations are nonunique and the analysis of the Dirac condition depends on the quantization chosen. In most cases quantization and constraining do not commute; in particular, we may find additional observables if we quantize before reduction.
Evictions: The hidden housing problem

Abstract Although evictions are a major housing problem that disproportionately affects lower‐income and minority tenants, no systematic data about evictions are collected on a local or national level. This article presents the scattered available data on the magnitude and impact of the problem, along with existing model efforts to reduce its incidence and impact. Creating a national database on evictions—how many, where, who, why, and what happens to evictees—would be an important first step in focusing attention on this neglected issue. Definitional questions must be resolved as an initial step. In an effort to launch such a project, suggestions are offered on how to begin creating such a database.
Leakage Suppression of Low-Voltage Transient Voltage Suppressor

In modern electronics, as the supply voltage decreases, the protection devices for low-voltage application are gaining more importance. In this paper, two types of diode-based transient voltage suppressors are proposed for protection against electrical overstress and electrostatic discharges. The modified diodes show lower leakage under low-voltage and sharp I-V transition after breakdown by only a few modifications on the fabrication process.
Correlates of insulin resistance in older individuals with and without kidney disease.

BACKGROUND Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with insulin resistance (IR). Prior studies have found that in individuals with CKD, leptin is associated with fat mass but resistin is not and the associations with adiponectin are conflicting. This suggests that the mechanism and factors associated with IR in CKD may differ. METHODS Of the 2418 individuals without reported diabetes at baseline, participating in the Health, Aging and Body Composition study, a study in older individuals aged 70-79 years, 15.6% had CKD defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60 mL/min/1.73 m(2) based on cystatin C. IR was defined as the upper quartile of the homeostasis model assessment. The association of visceral and subcutaneous abdominal fat, percent body fat, muscle fat, lipids, inflammatory markers and adiponectin were tested with logistic regression. Interactions were checked to assess whether the factors associated with IR were different in those with and without CKD. RESULTS Individuals with IR had a lower eGFR (80.7 ± 20.9 versus 75.6 ± 19.6, P < 0.001). After multivariable adjustment, eGFR (odds ratio per 10 mL/min/1.73 m(2) 0.92, 95% confidence interval 0.87-0.98) and CKD (1.41, 1.04-1.92) remained independently associated with IR. In individuals with and without CKD, the significant predictors of IR were male sex, black race, higher visceral fat, abdominal subcutaneous fat and triglycerides. In individuals without CKD, IR was associated with lower high-density lipoprotein and current nonsmoking status in multivariate analysis. In contrast, among individuals with CKD, interleukin-6 (IL-6) was independently associated with IR. There was a significant interaction of eGFR with race and IL-6 with a trend for adionectin but no significant interactions with CKD (P > 0.1). In the fully adjusted model, there was a trend for an interaction with adiponectin for eGFR (P = 0.08) and significant for CKD (P = 0.04 ), where adiponectin was associated with IR in those without CKD but not in those with CKD. CONCLUSIONS In mainly Stage 3 CKD, kidney function is associated with IR; except for adiponectin, the correlates of IR are similar in those with and without CKD.
Studies of the secretion of corticotropin-releasing factor and arginine vasopressin into the hypophysial-portal circulation of the conscious sheep. II. The central noradrenergic and neuropeptide Y pathways cause immediate and prolonged hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal activation. Potential involvement

Studies were performed to determine the effects of intracerebroventricular norepinephrine (NE) or neuropeptide Y (NPY) on the ovine hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. NE (50 micrograms) increased mean hypophysial-portal corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and arginine vasopressin (AVP) levels (1 h, 1.3- and 2.9-fold; 4 h, 2.2- and 5.7-fold) and caused acute and sustained increases in mean plasma ACTH and cortisol. NPY (50 microgram) also increased mean CRF and AVP levels (1 h, 1.4- and 4.2-fold; 4 h, 1.1- and 1.9-fold), increased pituitary-adrenal activity at 1 h, and caused ACTH hypersecretion at 4 h. When added to cultured ovine anterior pituitary cells, NPY neither increased basal ACTH release nor augmented CRF- or AVP-induced ACTH release. We conclude that: (a) activation of either the central noradrenergic or NPY pathways causes an acute and sustained stimulation of the ovine HPA axis; (b) such activation increases the AVP/CRF ratio, suggesting a dominant role for AVP in the ovine stress response; and (c) the central noradrenergic or NPY systems may cause sustained HPA activation by attenuating or disrupting the glucocorticoid negative feedback on those brain areas concerned with regulation of the HPA axis. The possible roles of the central noradrenergic and NPY systems in the etiology of the hypercortisolemia of endogenous depression and anorexia nervosa are discussed.
The Relationship Between a Silent Reading Fluency Instructional Protocol on Students’ Reading Comprehension and Achievement in an Urban School Setting

Reading fluency has been identified as a key component in effective literacy instruction (National Reading Panel, 2000). Instruction in reading fluency has been shown to lead to improvements in reading achievement. Reading fluency instruction is most commonly associated with guided repeated oral reading instruction. In the present retrospective study we examine the effects of a computer-based silent reading fluency instructional system called Reading Plus (Taylor Associates, Winooski, Vermount, USA) on the reading comprehension and overall reading achievement of a large corpus of students in an urban school setting. Findings indicate that the program resulted in positive, substantial, and significant improvements in reading comprehension and overall reading achievement on a criterion referenced reading test for Grades 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 and on a norm-referenced test of reading achievement for Grades 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 10. Moreover, mean gains made by students in the Reading Plus intervention were greater than mean gains for all students at the state and district level. The findings were generally positive for all subpopulations studied, including special education and regular education students. Qualitative reports from teachers who participated in the study were also supportive of the program. Implications for the study are explored for particular subgroups of students and for the role of fluency instruction with struggling adolescent readers.
Adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy in node-positive premenopausal women with breast cancer.

BACKGROUND Radiotherapy after mastectomy to treat early breast cancer has been known since the 1940s to reduce rates of local relapse. However, the routine use of postoperative radiotherapy began to decline in the 1980s because it failed to improve overall survival. We prospectively tested the efficacy of combining radiotherapy with chemotherapy. METHODS From 1978 through 1986, 318 premenopausal women with node-positive breast cancer were randomly assigned, after modified radical mastectomy, to receive chemotherapy plus radiotherapy or chemotherapy alone. Radiotherapy was given to the chest wall and locoregional lymph nodes between the fourth and fifth cycles of cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and fluorouracil. RESULTS After 15 years of follow-up, the women assigned to chemotherapy plus radiotherapy had a 33 percent reduction in the rate of recurrence (relative risk, 0.67; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.50 to 0.90) and a 29 percent reduction in mortality from breast cancer (relative risk, 0.71; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.51 to 0.99), as compared with the women treated with chemotherapy alone. CONCLUSIONS Radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy after modified radical mastectomy decreases rates of locoregional and systemic relapse and reduces mortality from breast cancer.
Hedged Global Bond Investing

HARRY S . MARMER is a consultant in the asset planning practice ofthe Toronto o#ce of William M. Mercer Limited. H e is also a part-time instructorfor M . B . A . graduates at the Faculty ofAdministrative Studies at York University. Prior to joining Mercer, MK Marmer was a senior investment analyst at the Sun Life Assurance Company $Canada, and a capital markets analyst at the Hudson’s Bay Company. H e is the author of numerous articles and speeches and is a member of the Editorial Advisory Board of Benefits Canada. Mr. Marmer holds a B . B . A . and an M.B.A. injnance and investmentsfrom the Faculty of Administrative Studies at York University.
A wireless sensor network approach for rehabilitation data collections

This paper presents a wireless sensor network approach for collecting rehabilitation data with exercising bilateral sanding units. Three wireless sensor nodes are attached to a conventional sanding unit for automatic data collections. Two wireless sensor nodes are desired for a set of sanding hand blocks, and the remaining one is used for the reciprocal exercise platform. Three wireless sensor nodes can be easily attached to conventional sanding units with less wiring and setup efforts for fast realizing data collection functions. Finally, a system prototype is produced in this project, and the bilateral accelerations, exercise strokes and gripping forces are also properly collected to validate our approaches.
Comparison of remote center-of-motion generation algorithms

Whenever a robotic assistant is designed for minimally invasive surgery (MIS), the trocar point constraint needs to be addressed. The robot assistant should generate a remote center of motion (RCM) that matches the trocar point position throughout surgery. There have been many studies regarding robot designs that handle this constraint on a mechanical level. Alternatively, software-based RCM generation algorithms, being more flexible, allow any robot geometry to be used. In this paper, the most well-known software-based RCM generation techniques that are applicable to any robot geometry are divided into two groups: world-frame-based techniques and trocar-frame-based techniques. Their advantages, disadvantages, and conditions for stability are discussed. All techniques are compared in a unified simulation of an endoscope control task. It is shown that when performing the same simulated trajectory, world-frame-based techniques may have algorithmic singularities, whereas trocar-frame-based techniques do not. Moreover, the need for closed-loop control of the RCM position is emphasized to avoid RCM drift.
WBC Associates with Readmission Following Cystectomy

Background: Radical cystectomy is associated with perioperative complication rates exceeding 50% in some series. Readmission rates are increasingly used as a surgical quality metric. White blood cell count is a crude surrogate for physiologic processes which may reflect postoperative complications leading to readmission. Objective: We assessed the association between final white blood cell count at discharge and risk of readmission following radical cystectomy. Methods: Records on 477 patients undergoing radical cystectomy from 2006–2013 were reviewed. Final white blood cell count was defined as the last documented value during index admission. Univariate analysis was performed using Fisher’s exact, Wilcoxon rank sum test, and Spearman’s coefficient tests where appropriate. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to test the associations between final white blood cell count and readmission. Results: 34% of patients were readmitted within 90 days of surgery. Amongst this cohort, a cutoff final white blood cell count of 9000/mm3 was identified, with a significantly higher proportion of patients with values >9000/mm3 experiencing readmission than those with values≤9000/mm3 (42% vs 28%, p = 0.004). Other perioperative variables associated with an increased readmission rate included initial hospital length of stay≤10 days, and receipt of a continent diversion. Following adjustment, final white blood cell count >9000/mm3 was associated with increased risk of readmission (OR 2.09, 95% CI 1.23–3.53, p = 0.006). Conclusions: Final white blood cell count is associated with hospital readmission following radical cystectomy. This metric may provide important guidance in discharge algorithms.
Political Influence and Career Judges: An Empirical Analysis of Administrative Review by the Spanish Supreme Court

This article develops an empirical analysis of judicial behavior in the Spanish Supreme Court, a court of law dominated by career judiciary. We focus on administrative review. The evidence seems to confirm that a career judiciary is not strongly politically aligned and favors consensus, formalism, and dissent avoidance. Notwithstanding, we detect a significant relationship between the decisions of the Court and the interest of the government. We suggest that our empirical analysis makes a significant contribution to undermine the myth of political insulation by career judges. Unlike previous literature, however, we argue and illustrate that judicial politicization can be consistent with consensus and dissent avoidance.