Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Feldstein-Horioka Bulmacasının OECD Ülkeleri İçin Panel Veri Analiziyle Sınanması

Feldstein-Horioka bulmacasi, dunyada artan sermaye hareketliligine karsin yurtici tasarruflarla yurtici yatirimlar arasindaki guclu iliskiyi ifade etmektedir. Bu calisma 28 OECD ulkesi icin 1980-2015 yillik verilerini kullanarak Feldstein-Horioka bulmacasinin gecerliligini test etmeyi amaclamaktadir. Bu amac dogrultusunda yurtici tasarruflarla yurtici yatirimlar arasindaki iliski uc asamali bir yontemle arastirilmistir. Elde edilen bulgulari su sekilde siralamak mumkundur: a) Degiskenlerin kesitler arasinda birbirine bagimli oldugu uc farkli yatay kesit bagimliligi testiyle tespit edilmistir; b) CADF, CIPS ve Panik Atak birim kok testleri degiskenlerin duzey degerlerde birim koklu, birinci fark degerlerde duragan olduklarini gostermektedir; c) Degiskenler arasindaki uzun donemli iliskiler Durbin-Hausman koentegrasyon testi ve LM Bootstrap koentegrasyon testiyle arastirilmis ve koentegrasyonun varligi guclu bir sekilde reddedilmistir. Bu tespit 1980-2015 donemi icin 28 OECD ulkesinde Feldstein-Horioka bulmacasinin gecerli olmadigini, bu ulkelerde yurtici yatirimlarin uluslararasi sermaye piyasalari tarafindan finanse edildigini gostermektedir.
Molecular characterization of a neuropathogenic and nonerythroleukemogenic variant of Friend murine leukemia virus PVC-211

PVC-211 murine leukemia virus (MuLV) is a replication-competent, ecotropic type C retrovirus that was isolated after passage of the Friend virus complex through F344 rats. Unlike viruses in the Friend virus complex, it does not cause erythroleukemia but causes a rapidly progressive hind limb paralysis when injected into newborn rats and mice. We have isolated an infectious DNA clone (clone 3d) of this virus which causes neurological disease in animals as efficiently as parental PVC-211 MuLV. The restriction map of clone 3d is very similar to that of the nonneuropathogenic, erythroleukemogenic Friend murine leukemia virus (F-MuLV), suggesting that PVC-211 MuLV is a variant of F-MuLV and that no major structural alteration was involved in its derivation. Studies with chimeric viruses between PVC-211 MuLV clone 3d and wild-type F-MuLV clone 57 indicate that at least one determinant for neuropathogenicity resides in the 2.1-kb XbaI-ClaI fragment containing the gp70 coding region of PVC-211 MuLV. Compared with nonneuropathogenic ecotropic MuLVs, the env gene of PVC-211 MuLV encodes four unique amino acids in the gp70 protein. Nucleotide sequence analysis also revealed a deletion in the U3 region of the long terminal repeat (LTR) of PVC-211 MuLV clone 3d compared with F-MuLV clone 57. In contrast to the env gene of PVC-211 MuLV, particular sequences within the U3 region of the viral LTR do not appear to be required for neuropathogenicity. However, the changes in the LTR of PVC-211 MuLV may be responsible for the failure of this virus to cause erythroleukemia, because chimeric viruses containing the U3 region of F-MuLV clone 57 were erythroleukemogenic whereas those with the U3 of PVC-211 MuLV clone 3d were not.
Acute and subchronic toxicity of danshensu in mice and rats

Danshensu (3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl) lactic acid), a natural phenolic acid, is isolated from Salvia miltiorrhiza root, and is the most widely used traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of various cardiovascular diseases. It has been reported to have potential protective effects from oxidative injury. However, there is a little information about its possible toxicity. In this study, acute and subchronic toxicity of danshensu in mice and rats have been evaluated. In the acute study, danshensu intraveniouslly administered to rats failed to induce any signs of toxicity or mortality up to a maximum practical dosage of 1500 mg/kg body weight. Test substance administered acutely to mice caused dose-dependent general behavior adverse effects and mortality with the medial lethal dose of 2356.33 mg/kg. The no observed adverse effect level and the lowest observed adverse effect level were 1835 mg/kg and 2000 mg/kg, respectively. In the subchronic study, rats were tested by daily intraperitoneal injection of danshensu at the doses of 50, 150, and 450 mg/kg for 90 days, resulting in no mortality, no changes in body weight, food consumption, hematological and serum chemistry parameters, organ weights, or gross pathology or histopathology. The only treatment-related finding was transient writhing response observed in the 450 mg/kg group after administration.
The impact of corporate diversification on the capital structure of publicly listed firms : Evidence from a comparison between German and Italian firms

This study examined the impact of corporate diversification on the capital structure by making a comparison between German and Italian publicly listed firms. Firms were sorted into clusters of firms by their degree of product diversification (focused, moderate diversified and conglomerate) to explain the differences in corporate financial behavior. Ordinary least squares (OLS) regression analysis was conducted. Firstly, this study found an insignificant impact of corporate diversification on the capital structure. Secondly, this impact on the capital structure differs across degrees of product diversification. German focused firms had a positive significant impact on leverage, whereas a negative significant impact was found for Italian focused firms, Italian conglomerates and German conglomerates. The differences in GDP growth and corporate tax rates between Germany and Italy did not make a considerable difference in the comparison, measured by non-debt tax shields. There were no significant differences found using year and industry control. In order to test the endogeneity problem, an additional regression with one-year lagged independent and control variables was conducted. These results were consistent with the initial OLS regressions, suggesting that corporate diversification did influence the capital structure and not vice versa.
Novel Aggregation Properties of Candida albicans Secreted Aspartyl Proteinase Sap6 Mediate Virulence in Oral Candidiasis

ABSTRACT Candida albicans, a commensal fungus of the oral microbiome, causes oral candidiasis in humans with localized or systemic immune deficiencies. Secreted aspartic proteinases (Saps) are a family of 10 related proteases and are virulence factors due to their proteolytic activity, as well as their roles in adherence and colonization of host tissues. We found that mice infected sublingually with C. albicans cells overexpressing Sap6 (SAP6 OE and a Δsap8 strain) had thicker fungal plaques and more severe oral infection, while infection with the Δsap6 strain was attenuated. These hypervirulent strains had highly aggregative colony structure in vitro and higher secreted proteinase activity; however, the levels of proteinase activity of C. albicans Saps did not uniformly match their abilities to damage cultured oral epithelial cells (SCC-15 cells). Hyphal induction in cells overexpressing Sap6 (SAP6 OE and Δsap8 cells) resulted in formation of large cell-cell aggregates. These aggregates could be produced in germinated wild-type cells by addition of native or heat-inactivated Sap6. Sap6 bound only to germinated cells and increased C. albicans adhesion to oral epithelial cells. The adhesion properties of Sap6 were lost upon deletion of its integrin-binding motif (RGD) and could be inhibited by addition of RGD peptide or anti-integrin antibodies. Thus, Sap6 (but not Sap5) has an alternative novel function in cell-cell aggregation, independent of its proteinase activity, to promote infection and virulence in oral candidiasis.
The Feminine Entrepreneurship in Romania and New Ways for its Development

The paper was based on Lipstick & Money, A Leonardo da Vinci – Transfer of Innovation project about the entrepreneurship mentality, female entrepreneurs' personal characteristics/competences and motivation. In the first part a statistical overview about the Romanian labour market and female employment and management and women entrepreneurs on it was performed. Female mentality with regard to work and entrepreneurship was described based on literature review. Then, the main challenges of the LIMO implementation in Romania and also the main outcomes are exposed.
Market-Based Conservation for Better Livelihoods? The Promises and Fallacies of REDD+ in Tanzania

Governments, multilateral organisations, and international conservation NGOs increasingly frame nature conservation in terms that emphasise the importance of technically managing and economically valuing nature, and introducing markets for ecosystem services. New mechanisms, such as REDD+, have been incorporated in national-level policy reforms, and have been piloted and implemented in rural project settings across the Global South. By reflecting on my research on REDD+ implementation in two case study villages in Tanzania, the paper argues that the emergence and nature of market-based conservation are multi-faceted, complex, and more profoundly shaped by structural challenges than is commonly acknowledged. The paper identifies three particularly important challenges: the politics surrounding the establishment of community-based forest management; the mismatch between formal governance institutions and actual practices on the ground; and the fickleness of income from carbon sales and alternative livelihood opportunities. I argue that these challenges are not merely teething troubles, but they question fundamental assumptions of market-based conservation, more generally. I end with reference to better ideas for achieving sustainable development.
Political Stability and Economic Growth:Reflections on Indian Economy

Efficient economic policies and their implementation are only sufficient conditions of assured economic growth. However, the type of political structure and stability of the same form the necessary conditions of economic growth for any nation. The political conditions should be ideal and conducive to the nature of the economy. This paper attempts to define political system and its inter-relation to economic development. It further progresses to define political stability under the adopted political system of an economy. It also attempts to explain a state of political instability and its channels of transmission on economic growth. Further, an attempt to define various measures of political stability is made and the significance and impact of the variables is mentioned. Political polarisation in India is higher as it has a multi-party system with two major political parties and many regional dominant parties. Thus, it is difficulty to take a unitary view on the question of political instability and economic growth.
Value-Based Benefit Design to Improve Medication Adherence for Employees with Anxiety or Depression.

BACKGROUND Through reduced out-of-pocket costs and wellness offerings, value-based benefit design (VBBD) is a promising strategy to improve medication adherence and other health-related outcomes across populations. There is limited evidence, however, of the effectiveness of these policy-level changes among individuals with anxiety or depression. OBJECTIVES To assess the impact of a multifaceted VBBD policy that incorporates waived copayments, wellness offerings, and on-site services on medication adherence among plan members with anxiety or depression, and to explore how this intervention and its resulting improved adherence affects other health-related outcomes. METHODS A retrospective longitudinal pre/post design was utilized to measure outcomes before and after the VBBD policy change. Repeated measures statistical regression models with correlated error terms were utilized to evaluate outcomes among employees of a self-insured global health company and their spouses (N = 529) who had anxiety or depression after the VBBD policy change. A multivariable linear regression model was chosen as the best fit to evaluate a change in medication possession ratio (MPR) after comparing parameters for several distributions. The repeated measures multivariable regression models were adjusted for baseline MPR and potential confounders, including continuous age, sex, continuous modified Charlson Comorbidity Index, and the continuous number of prescriptions filled that year. The outcomes were assessed for the 1 year before the policy change (January 1, 2011, through December 31, 2011) and for 2 years after the change (January 1, 2012, through December 31, 2013). The primary outcome was a change in MPR. The secondary outcomes included healthcare utilization, medical or pharmacy costs, the initiation of medication, generic medication use, and employee absenteeism (the total number of sick days). RESULTS The implementation of the VBBD strategy was associated with a significant increase in average MPR (0.65 vs 0.61 in the pre-VBBD period; P = .004), the initiation of new medications for anxiety or depression (31.4% vs 29.5%, respectively; P = .033), and the filling of generic medications for anxiety or depression (85.1% vs 80.5%, respectively; P <.001). A multivariable adjusted analysis revealed a 0.05 increase in MPR after the benefit enhancement (P = .002). Healthcare utilization, costs, and absenteeism were not statistically different before and after the VBBD policy change. CONCLUSION The VBBD strategy was associated with improved medication adherence and cost-conscious medication use. Future analyses should explore whether these trends persist over time, and if they can further impact healthcare utilization, cost, and absenteeism.
Dyslexic students have more everyday cognitive lapses

There is a dearth of information about the everyday performance difficulties of adult dyslexic people. This study investigates the empirical support for anecdotal reports of increased vulnerability to distraction in dyslexia, using the self‐report Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ). Two groups of university students, a dyslexic group and a non‐dyslexic control group, were asked to complete the CFQ. The dyslexic group reported a higher frequency of everyday lapses in cognition, scoring significantly higher on a number of CFQ items. Representative problems include distractibility, over‐focusing (so that relevant peripheral information is missed), and word‐finding difficulties. A similar measure administered to close friends of dyslexic people, the CFQ‐for‐others, yielded results consistent with those of the CFQ, with major findings being that their friends considered them to be more disorganised, more distractible, and more absent‐minded than normal. The results indicate clearly the continuing effects of dyslexia on cognition in adulthood and demonstrate that dyslexic impairments are not limited to “artificial” laboratory tasks or even literacy tasks but, instead, pervade everyday life.
Plant morphometric traits and climate gradients in northern China: a meta-analysis using quadrat and flora data.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS The collection of field data on plant traits is time consuming and this makes it difficult to examine changing patterns of traits along large-scale climate gradients. The present study tests whether trait information derived from regional floras can be used in conjunction with pre-existing quadrat data on species presence to derive meaningful relationships between specific morphometric traits and climate. METHODS Quadrat records were obtained for 867 species in 404 sites from northern China (38-49 degrees N, 82-132 degrees E) together with information on the presence/absence of key traits from floras. Bioclimate parameters for each site were calculated using the BIOME3 model. Principal component analysis and correlation analysis were conducted to determine the most important climate factors. The Akaike Information Criterion was used to select the best relationship between each trait and climate. Canonical correspondence analysis was used to explore the relationships between climate and trait occurrence. KEY RESULTS The changing abundance of life form, leaf type, phenology, photosynthetic pathway, leaf size and several other morphometric traits are determined by gradients in plant-available moisture (as measured by the ratio of actual to potential evapotranspiration: alpha), growing-season temperature (as measured by growing degree-days on a 0 degrees base: GDD(0)) or a combination of these. Different plant functional types (PFTs, as defined by life form, leaf type and phenology) reach maximum abundance in distinct areas of this climate space: for example, evergreen trees occur in the coldest, wettest environments (GDD(0) < 2500 degrees Cd, alpha > 0.38), and deciduous scale-leaved trees occur in drier, warmer environments than deciduous broad-leaved trees. Most leaf-level traits show similar relationships with climate independently of PFT: for example, leaf size in all PFTs increases as the environment becomes wetter and cooler. However, some traits (e.g. petiole length) display different relationships with climate in different PFTs. CONCLUSIONS Based on presence/absence species data and flora-based trait assignments, the present study demonstrates ecologically plausible trends in the occurrence of key plant traits along climate gradients in northern China. Life form, leaf type, phenology, photosynthetic pathway, leaf size and other key traits reflect climate. The success of these analyses opens the possibility of using quadrat- and flora-based trait analyses to examine climate-trait relationships in other regions of the world.
Is executive coaching more effective than other management training and development methods

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present an analysis of the results of applying executive coaching (EC) as a management competency training and development strategy, setting up a comparison with other known training and development methods. Design/methodology/approach A dual sample is used. On the one hand, information is collected from a sample of 100 managers who participated as coachees in an EC process. On the other hand, the study provides the opinions of 236 HR managers as prescribers and promoters of company executive training and development actions. Findings The results suggest that EC is an effective management training and development method (MTDM). Furthermore, it is confirmed to be more effective than the rest of the techniques analysed in relation with sustained and observable management behaviour changes, whilst also providing advantages and drawbacks in its use. Practical implications Coaching seems to provide the most effective method for altering a selected number of concrete managerial behaviours, although its cost, length, and specificity limit its capacity to be used exclusively as a tool for continuous and generalised management training. Originality/value In addition to incorporating two different samples and points of view within the analysis, this work contributes evidence regarding behaviours addressed in EC processes – a feature that has received little analysis in the academic literature – and breaks new ground by comparing the results of this method with other MTDMs in terms of their degree of effectiveness in attaining observable and lasting behaviour changes.
Predictive Test Technique for Diagnosis of RF CMOS Receivers

In this paper, a sequential test technique is proposed to test a RF front-end receiver. With this technique the test circuitry can be reused by the receiver building blocks.The method is suitable to be fully integrated On-Chip. Moreover, the test area overhead has been kept low by using the receiver LO in the test circuitry. Therefore the test circuitry required to generate the test stimuli are an IF generator and an auxiliary mixer. The above technique has been combined with a test strategy based on the estimation of selected performance parameters of the receiver building blocks. These estimations are done by using easily measurable test observables as DC supply current consumption. RMS estimation errors for the gain and the 1dB compression point of the LNA and the down converter in the receiver chain are all below 2 %.
Aberrant expression of tumor suppressor proteins in the Ewing family of tumors.

BACKGROUND Deregulation of tumor suppressor gene function and abrogation of cell cycle control are common features of malignant neoplasms, but corresponding data on Ewing sarcomas and primitive neuroectodermal tumors are relatively scarce. We studied the expression of 4 tumor suppressor proteins in the Ewing family of tumors (EFTs). DESIGN We examined a series of 20 pediatric EFTs for abnormal expression of p16(INK4a), p14(ARF), p21(WAF1), and pRB by immunohistochemical analysis of pretreatment, nondecalcified archival specimens. Clinical follow up was available in all cases (median, 21 months; range, 5-103 months). Five patients presented with metastatic disease, 8 had no evidence of disease at last follow up, and 12 had an adverse outcome (death or progressive tumor posttherapy). RESULTS Twelve cases (60%) demonstrated abnormal expression of at least one tumor suppressor protein. There were 11 cases (55%) with loss of p21(WAF1) expression, 4 (20%) with down-regulation of p16(INK4a), 2 (10%) with absence of pRB, and one case (5%) with loss of p14(ARF) expression. Loss of p16(INK4a) expression correlated with metastatic disease at presentation (P =.026), and showed a trend toward shortened survival (P =.20). The p21(WAF1), p14(ARF), and pRB status was not significantly correlated with either metastatic disease at presentation or outcome. CONCLUSION Abrogation of the G1 checkpoint was common in this series of EFTs, and down-regulation of p21(WAF1) and p16(INK4a) were the most frequent findings. Loss of p16(INK4a) expression may identify a subset of cases with a more aggressive phenotype.
Current treatment and outcome of coronary in-stent restenosis in Sweden: a report from the Swedish Coronary Angiography and Angioplasty Registry (SCAAR).

AIMS The aim of this study was to evaluate treatment of coronary in-stent restenosis (ISR). METHODS AND RESULTS We investigated interventions for ISR and the occurrence of re-restenosis in the Swedish Angiography and Angioplasty Registry (SCAAR). From January 1st 2005 to March 3rd 2012, 212,166 coronary segments were treated and 7,806 restenoses analysed. During seven years of follow-up 1,079 re-restenoses were registered on clinically driven angiography. For BMS-ISR the adjusted risk of re-restenosis was significantly lower with DES (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 0.71, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.61-0.82), tended to be lower with DEB (HR 0.84, 95% CI: 0.62-1.16), but higher with BMS (HR 1.24, 95% CI: 1.0-1.55) as compared to balloon angioplasty. For DES-ISR a new DES was associated with a significantly lower adjusted risk of re-restenosis (HR 0.80, 95% CI: 0.66-0.99), and a similar but non-significant reduction with DEB (HR 0.86, 95% CI: 0.57-1.30) and BMS (HR 0.81, 95% CI: 0.53-1.24) compared to balloon angioplasty. For DES-ISR a DES with a different drug was not more effective than a DES with the same drug. CONCLUSIONS ISR in BMS should be treated with DES or DEB while the optimal treatment of ISR in DES remains to be proven.
A common project for the mediterranean : The importance of property rihgts for economic development and environmental management [Un projet commun pour la méditerranée : de l'importance des droits de propriété pour le développement économique et la gestion environnementale]

This article aims to defend the idea that the Mediterranean countries could unite around a common project that would remove, in one hand, the threat of conventional or radical interpretation of the Prophet for individual freedoms and ultimately the economic development and environmental quality of the southern Mediterranean countries and revive, on the other hand, what has made the greatness of the West, namely the recognition of freedoms individual through the protection of private property.