Location-Specific Determinants Of FDI : The Case Of The Middle East And North Africa Countries

The thesis examines the foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and, in order to achieve a better understanding of how MENA economies may attract FDI, attempts to identify their possible location-specific de-terminants. The analysis is based on the results of the cross-section OLS regression meth-od. The examined empirical model is based on the eclectic theory developed by John Dun-ning and the previous empirical studies. To test the relevant location-specific determinants of FDI inflows into MENA region, eighteen countries are sampled for the period 1996-2006. The results of the regression analysis show that physical infrastructure and trade openness are significant determinants of FDI in the MENA countries

On the distribution of eigenvalues of Maass forms on certain moonshine groups

In this paper we study, both analytically and numerically, questions involving the distribution of eigenvalues of Maass forms on the moonshine groups Γ 0 ( N ) + \Gamma _0(N)^+ , where N N is a positive, square-free integer. After we prove that Γ 0 ( N ) + \Gamma _0(N)^+ has one cusp, we compute the constant term of the associated non-holomorphic Eisenstein series. We then derive an “average” Weyl’s law for the distribution of eigenvalues of Maass forms, from which we prove the “classical” Weyl’s law as a special case. The groups corresponding to N = 5 N=5 and N = 6 N=6 have the same signature; however, our analysis shows that, asymptotically, there are infinitely more cusp forms for Γ 0 ( 5 ) + \Gamma _0(5)^+ than for Γ 0 ( 6 ) + \Gamma _0(6)^+ . We view this result as being consistent with the Phillips-Sarnak philosophy since we have shown, unconditionally, the existence of two groups which have different Weyl’s laws. In addition, we employ Hejhal’s algorithm, together with recently developed refinements from [H. Then, Computing large sets of consecutive Maass forms, in preparation], and numerically determine the first 3557 3557 eigenvalues of Γ 0 ( 5 ) + \Gamma _0(5)^+ and the first 12474 12474 eigenvalues of Γ 0 ( 6 ) + \Gamma _0(6)^+ . With this information, we empirically verify some conjectured distributional properties of the eigenvalues.</p

Identification of developmental disorders including autism spectrum disorder using salivary miRNAs in children from Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by major social, communication and behavioural challenges. The cause of ASD is still unclear and it is assumed that environmental, genetic and epigenetic factors influence the risk of ASD occurrence. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short 21-25 nucleotide long RNA molecules which post-transcriptionally regulate gene expression. MiRNAs play an important role in central nervous system development; therefore, dysregulation of miRNAs is connected to changes in behaviour and cognition observed in many disorders including ASD. Based on previously published work, on diagnosing ASD using miRNAs, we hypothesized that miRNAs can be used as biomarkers in children with suspected developmental disorders (DD) including ASD within Bosnian-Herzegovinian (B&H) population. 14 selected miRNAs were tested on saliva of children with suspected developmental disorders including ASD. The method of choice was qRT-PCR as a relatively cheap method available in most diagnostic laboratories in low to mid-income countries (LMIC). Out of 14 analysed miRNAs, 6 were differentially expressed between typically developing children and children with some type of developmental disorder including autism spectrum disorder. Using the most optimal logistic regression, we were able to distinguish between ASD and typically developing (TD) children. We have found 5 miRNAs as potential biomarkers. From those, 3 were differentially expressed within the ASD cohort. All 5 miRNAs had shown good chi-square statistics within the logistic regression performed on all 14 analysed miRNAs. The accuracy of 5-miRNAs model training set was 90.2%, while the validation set had a 90% accuracy. This study has shown that miRNAs may be considered as biomarkers for ASD detection and may be used to identify children with ASD along with standard developmental screening tests. By combining these methods we may be able to reach a reliable and accessible diagnostic model for children with ASD in LMIC such as B&H

Association between habitat and prevalence of hantavirus infections in bank voles (Myodes glareolus) and wood mice (apodemus sylvaticus)

In order to determine the habitat preferred by Myodes (before Clethrionomys) glareolus and the corresponding Puumala hantavirus seroprevalence in those habitats, we captured rodents simultaneously in three significantly different habitats. We compared trapping success and presence of virus per habitat during an ongoing epidemic in order to test the hypothesis of a density-dependent seroprevalence. Our study showed that bank vole population density, as well as Puumala virus seroprevalence, were habitat dependent. Apodemus sylvaticus was found more vulnerable for deteriorating habitat conditions than M. glareolus and could play a role as vehicle for Puumala virus and as mediator for inter- and conspecific virus transmission. © Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. 2009.SCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe