Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Disentangling the driving force of pyramidal firms' capital structure: a new perspective

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to disentangle the driving force of pyramidal firms' capital structure from nine East Asian economies. Design/methodology/approach - To disentangle the driving force, this paper develops a new theoretical framework for the pyramidal firms'. Using panel regression, the new theoretical framework is tested on a set of 1,433 pyramidal firms covering a period from 1992 to 1997. Findings - The regression results reveal that the separation of cash flow rights and control rights in the pyramidal firms have led to high usage of leverage for the purpose of preserving the ultimate owners' (UO) dominance in the pyramidal firms that he or she controls. Based on the findings, the study concludes that the actual driving force of the pyramidal firms' capital structure is the UO non-dilution entrenchment motive. Originality/value - The main contribution of this paper is the new theoretical framework developed which enable us to disentangle the driving force behind pyramid firm's capital structure.
β3‐Adrenoceptors modulate left ventricular relaxation in the rat heart via the NO‐cGMP‐PKG pathway

Aims: Using a model of isolated and Langendorff‐perfused rat heart we analysed whether activation of β3‐adrenergic receptors (β3‐ARs) influences ventricular lusitropic performance. We also focused on the NOS/NO/cGMP/PKG cascade as the signal transduction mechanism.
A comparison of cyst age and assay method of the efficacy of contact lens disinfectants againstAcanthamoeba

AIMS (i) To determine effect of Acanthamoeba cyst age, method of production, and (ii) to assay technique on the efficacy of multipurpose solutions (MPS) and hydrogen peroxide based contact lens disinfectants. (iii) To establish if MPS can remove mature cysts from contact lenses according to the ISO/DIS 14729 regimen test for microbe removal. METHODS Immature and mature cysts of A polyphaga were tested against the MPS Opti-Free express and the hydrogen peroxide based solutions Oxysept 1Step and Oxysept 1 using two assay methods. Simulated patient regimen testing was performed with the Opti-Free express and Complete using mature cysts inoculated on to group I or group IV lenses. RESULTS Immature cysts were sensitive to disinfection by all solutions. No killing was observed with mature cysts with Opti-Free express, while immature cysts yielded a 1–2 log reduction in viability. Oxysept 1Step gave a 1.1 (SD 0.3) log reduction in mature cysts after 6 hours. Oxysept 1 gave a 2.4 (0.3) log reduction in mature cysts after 4 hours and a 3.8 (0.5) log reduction after 6 hours. Patient regimen testing using Opti-Free express and Complete resulted in no recovery of viable mature cysts from the contact lenses or from the soaking solutions. CONCLUSION Cyst age but not method of production used in this study influences the efficacy of contact lens disinfectants againstAcanthamoeba. MPS are effective in removing cysts from contact lens surfaces and may have a role in the prevention of acanthamoeba keratitis.
Effects of FGF-2 and FGF receptor antagonists on MMP enzymes, aggrecan, and type II collagen in primary human OA chondrocytes

Objectives: Fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-2 is a member of the FGF family and is found in the synovial fluid of patients with osteoarthritis (OA). The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of FGF-2 on human OA cartilage/chondrocytes by examining the association between FGF-2 and the cartilage degrading enzymes matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 and MMP-13 and the major cartilage matrix components aggrecan and collagen II. Method: Cartilage samples were obtained from 97 OA patients undergoing total knee replacement surgery. Cartilage tissue cultures were conducted and levels of FGF-2, MMP-1, and MMP-13 released into the culture medium were measured by immunoassay. The effects of FGF-2 on the expression of MMP-1, MMP-13, aggrecan, and collagen II were further investigated in cultures of primary human OA chondrocytes. Results: FGF-2, MMP-1, and MMP-13 were released into the culture medium from cartilage samples obtained from patients with OA. FGF-2 concentrations correlated positively with the concentrations of MMP-1 (r = 0.414, p < 0.001) and MMP-13 (r = 0.362, p < 0.001). FGF-2 also up-regulated the production of MMP-1 and MMP-13, and down-regulated the expression of aggrecan and collagen II, in human OA chondrocyte cultures. Furthermore, FGF receptor antagonists AZD4547 and NVP-BGJ398 down-regulated the expression of MMP-1 and MMP-13 and up-regulated aggrecan and collagen II both in the absence and in the presence of exogenous FGF-2. Conclusions: Our results suggest that, in contrast to its growth factor-like effects in some other tissues, FGF-2 induces catabolic effects in human OA cartilage. Moreover, FGF receptor antagonists showed promising beneficial effects on the balance of catabolic and anabolic factors within OA cartilage.
Consumer Credit Risk Characteristics: Understanding Income and Expense Differentials

This study investigates the consumer credit risk characteristics of Turkish households by analyzing factors related to their income and expense differentials. This study assumes that the income and expense patterns are the key elements of consumer credit risk. Based on a data set ranging from 8,551 to 25,566 households, during the period 2003-5, we employ a logistic regression method to model the determinants of income and expense differentials. We first concentrate on the income-expense balance of households to highlight those that are eligible for consumer credit. We reinforce our results by further analyzing the expenditure behaviors of households to find those that should be either primarily eliminated or targeted for consumer credit by financial institutions. Our overall results provide evidence on the factors identifying household income and expense profiles and, hence, consumer credit risk characteristics of Turkish households.
Mapping Knowledge and Intellectual Capital in Academic Environments: A Focus Group Study

This paper argues that knowledge mapping may provide a fruitful avenue for intellectual capital management in academic environments such as university departments. However, while some research has been conducted on knowledge mapping and intellectual capital management in the public sector, the university has so far not been directly considered for this type of management. The paper initially reviews the functions and techniques of knowledge mapping and assesses these in the light of academic demands. Second, the result of a focus group study is presented, where academic leaders were asked to reflect of the uses of knowledge mapping at their departments and institutes. Finally a number of suggestions are made as to the rationale and conduct of knowledge mapping in academe.
A Panel Data Investigation of the Relationship Between Urbanization and Growth

Urban economists have long sought to explain the relationship between urbanization levels and output. In this paper we revisit this question and look for a relationship between urbanization and growth using non- stationary panel data techniques. Our results show that a long run relationship between urbanization, output per worker and capital per worker cannot be rejected for either our sample of 30 developing countries or our sample of 22 developed countries. In addition, we estimate the long run average effects on GPDW of urbanization and capital. These results offer new insights and potential for dynamic urban models rather than the simple cross-section approach.
Equilibrium in a Production Economy with an Income Tax

This paper develops a method to study an infinite-horizon production economy distorted by a state-dependent income tax. This setting permits taxes to depend on the capital stock, an endogenous state variable, and thus captures situations where the evolution for capital and taxes is jointly determined. To solve this model, the consumption function is represented as a fixed point of a nonlinear monotone operator that is defined such that its nth iteration computes the consumption function n steps away from the horizon for a corresponding finite-horizon economy. The oparator's monotonicity is exploited in proving the existence of, and constructing, an equilibrium. Copyright 1991 by The Econometric Society.
Tax loss carry-forwards and optimal leverage

Standard contingent claims models of the levered firm examine capital structure choices with the assumption that full offsets of corporate losses are allowed. However, restrictions on tax loss carry-forwards (TLCF) are the rule rather than the exception. The EBIT model of Goldstein et al. (2001) is extended to measure how optimal leverage is affected by restrictions on TLCF. The restricted TLCF case reconciles the static trade-off model with the evidence that (i) optimal leverage is decreasing with firm growth and (ii) firms benefiting from TLCF may issue debt less aggressively.
Nutritional support in chronic renal failure: systematic review.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS The purpose of this systematic review was to locate and assess in patients with chronic renal disease the quality of scientific evidence to establish graded recommendations based on the efficacy and effectiveness of nutritional support. METHODS Computerized and online versions of MEDLINE (from 1989 through March 1999) and EMBASE (from 1988 through January 1999) were consulted. The Cochrane Library and the online Healthstar (from 1975) databases were also searched for clinical trials. A total of 593 studies were assessed. Following methodological review (primary reviewer), only 45 studies reviewed met criteria for selection and were analyzed by a group of experts (secondary reviewer). A final consensus was reached between the co-ordinators, experts and methodologists. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS Low and very low-protein diets associated with specific enteral supplements are indicated in most patients with chronic renal disease and in patients with incipient diabetic nephropathy to slow progression of disease and to improve their overall status, contributing to improved survival (grade A recommendation). The use of protein-restricted diets in diabetic nephropathy is only indicated in type I diabetes mellitus (grade A recommendation). An improvement in nutritional parameters was found when specific diets were given in chronic renal disease (grade C recommendation).
Liquidity constraints and time non-separable preferences

We present an intertemporal model of consumption and savings incorporating liquidity constraints and non separable preferences. We solve the problem numerically and characterize the optimal consumption behavior. We explore the traditional puzzles highlighted in the empirical literature as excess smoothness of consumption, its excess sensitivity to current income and its excess persistence. We show that a model with durability and liquidity constraints is able to reproduce some of the stylized facts. Next we show that some of the econometric tests are not robust and can mistake liquidity constraints for habit formation. Hence previous results establishing habit formation on US data should be interpreted with caution.
Apoptosis-mediated testicular alteration in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) in response to temporal phase relation of serotonergic and dopaminergic oscillations

ABSTRACT Reproductive performance of many avian species, including Japanese quail, is reported to be modulated by specific temporal phase relation of serotonergic and dopaminergic oscillations. Accordingly, it has been shown that the serotonin precursor 5-HTP and the dopamine precursor l-DOPA given 8 h apart induce gonadal suppression and given 12 h apart lead to gonadal stimulation, while other temporal relationships were found to be ineffective. In the present study, we investigated the effects of 8- and 12-h phase relation of neural oscillations on testicular responses including expression of GnRH-I, GnIH, pro-apoptotic proteins (p53 and Bax), inactive and active executioner caspase-3, and the uncleaved DNA repair enzyme PARP-1. Testicular volume and mass decreased significantly in 8-h quail and increased in 12-h quail compared with controls. Expression of ir-GnIH, p53, Bax and active-caspase-3 increased and that of GnRH-I, pro-caspase-3 and uncleaved PARP-1 decreased in 8-h quail compared with controls. A TUNEL assay also confirmed testicular regression in these quail. Testes of 12-h quail exhibited significantly increased expression of GnRH-I, pro-caspase-3 and uncleaved PARP-1 compared with the control group. Our findings suggest that differential response of avian testes to 8- and 12-h phase relation of serotonergic and dopaminergic neural oscillations may be attributed to autocrine/paracrine action of GnIH expression, which is upregulated in regressed testes, leading to apoptotic changes, and downregulated in developed testes, causing apoptotic inhibition. It is concluded that specific phase relation of neural oscillations may modulate the local testicular GnRH-GnIH system and alter the apoptotic mechanism in quail testes. Moreover, these findings highlight the physiological effects of time-dependent drug delivery, including the specific time intervals between two drugs. Summary: Testicular regression in quail in response to 8-h phase relation of 5-HTP and l-DOPA is GnIH induced, p53 dependent and Bax mediated, and this pathway reverses in hypertrophied 12-h quail testes.
MCM Forked Substrate Specificity Involves Dynamic Interaction with the 5′-Tail*

The archaeal minichromosome maintenance protein MCM forms a homohexameric complex that functions as the DNA replicative helicase and serves as a model system for its eukaryotic counterpart. Here, we applied single molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer methods to probe the substrate specificity and binding mechanism of MCM from the hyperthermophilic Archaea Sulfolobus solfataricus on various DNA substrates. S. solfataricus MCM displays a binding preference for forked substrates relative to partial or full duplex substrates. Moreover, the nature of MCM binding to Y-shaped substrates is distinct in that MCM loads on the 3′-tail while interacting with the 5′-tail likely via the MCM surface. These results provide the first elucidation of a dynamic nature of interaction between a ring-shaped helicase interacting with an opposing single-stranded DNA tail. This interaction contributes to substrate selectivity and increases the stability of the forked DNA-MCM complex, with possible implications for the MCM unwinding mechanism.
Inflation and Mexican economic growth: long‐run relation and threshold effects

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to estimate the long-run relationships and threshold effects between inflation and economic growth in Mexico. Design/methodology/approach - The paper shows the existence of such relationship in a cointegrated vector on economic growth (log of real gross domestic product (GDP)) and inflation rate finding a corresponding elasticity significantly negative. Moreover, the causal relationship between these two series is studied using a more robust Granger causality test, without finding any directional causality between them. Findings - The estimated threshold model suggests 9 percent as the threshold level (i.e. structural break point) of inflation above which inflation significantly slows the Mexican economic growth. Research limitations/implications - This paper uses the cointegration technique, and finds a significant and negative long-run relationship between inflation and economic growth for the Mexican economy. In addition, it is found that inflation is weakly exogenous. In the period 1970-2007 real GDP was elastic with respect to inflation, and therefore, considering the estimated coefficient, an increase of 1 percent on inflation produces a decrease of 1.5 percent on real GDP. Since, for most of the period under consideration Mexico experienced inflation rates higher than 10 percent, this result is consistent with most of the research suggesting that high levels of inflation produce a negative effect on economic growth. Practical implications - The analysis could be useful for policymakers in providing some clue in setting an optimal inflation target. For instance, the Mexican Central Bank could apply an expansionary monetary policy for supporting economic growth until the inflation rate does not exceed the threshold level. In fact, the threshold analysis suggests that if the inflation rate exceeds 9 percent, then Mexico's current favorable economic performance might be jeopardized. Originality/value - Specifically, this paper focuses on two questions: is there any long-run relationship between economic growth and inflation in Mexico? Is there a statistically significant threshold level of inflation above which inflation affects growth differently than at lower inflation rates in Mexico? Motivated by these questions, this present paper first examines cointegration techniques and then, threshold estimations.
Influence of Pulse Rise Time on the Inactivation of Staphylococcus Aureus by Pulsed Electric Fields

In this paper, the effect of rise time (200 ns and 2 μs, respectively) of rectangular pulse on the inactivation of Staphylococcus aureus has been studied. Apple juice with three different conductivities (1.5 mS/cm, 2.0 mS/cm, and 2.5 mS/cm) was inactivated 75 μs at an electric field strength of 25 kV/cm, 30 kV/cm, and 35 kV/cm, respectively. The experiment results showed that the pulse with shorter rise time had higher effect of inactivation and lower solution temperature increases after treatment, and the difference between te inactivation effects was more than 0.5 logs in general. Fast Fourier transform analysis showed that the pulse with shorter rise time had higher amplitude of low frequencies and more high-frequency components, which resulted in a higher transmembrane potential of Staphylococcus aureus cells and higher effect on intracellular material.
The relativistic solar particle event of May 17th, 2012 observed on board the International Space Station

High-energy charged particles represent a severe radiation risk for astronauts and spacecrafts and could damage ground critical infrastructures related to space services. Different natural sources are the origin of these particles, among them galactic cosmic rays, solar energetic particles and particles trapped in radiation belts. Solar particle events (SPE) consist in the emission of high-energy protons, alpha-particles, electrons and heavier particles from solar flares or shocks driven by solar plasma propagating through the corona and interplanetary space. Ground-level enhancements (GLE) are rare solar events in which particles are accelerated to near relativistic energies and affect space and ground-based infrastructures. During the current solar cycle 24 a single GLE event was recorded on May 17th, 2012 associated with an M5.1-class solar flare. The investigation of such a special class of solar events permits us to measure conditions in space critical to both scientific and operational research. This event, classified as GLE71, was detected on board the International Space Station (ISS) by the active particle detectors of the ALTEA (Anomalous Long Term Effects in Astronauts) experiment. The collected data permit us to study the radiation environment inside the ISS. In this work we present the first results of the analysis of data acquired by ALTEA detectors during GLE71 associated with an M5.1-class solar flare. We estimate the energy loss spectrum of the solar particles and evaluate the contribution to the total exposure of ISS astronauts to solar high-energy charged particles.
Do the Merits Matter Less after the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act?

This essay provides evidence on the impact of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (PSLRA) by examining all initial public offerings (IPO) from 1990 to 1999 and IPO-related securities class action litigation involving a mix of Section 11 and Rule 10b-5 antifraud claims. Others have provided evidence that the PSLRA increased the significance of certain merit-related factors, such as the presence of an accounting restatement, in determining the incidence and outcomes of securities fraud class actions. The increase in the importance of merit-related factors, however, is consistent with two possible hypotheses. First, the PSLRA may have reduced solely the incidence of nuisance litigation. Second, the PSLRA may have reduced the incidence of both nuisance litigation as well as a subset of the pre-PSLRA meritorious claims where the additional costs imposed by the PSLRA made such claims unprofitable from the perspective of plaintiffs' attorneys. This essay uses pre-PSLRA claims that resulted in non-nuisance outcomes to test between these hypotheses. The essay provides evidence that the pre-PSLRA non-nuisance claims lacking obvious "hard evidence" indicia of fraud (an accounting restatement or SEC action) would have faced (a) a lower probability of suit in the post-PSLRA period and (b) a greater likelihood of receiving a dismissal or low-value settlement in the post-PSLRA period. In determining the welfare implications of blocking frivolous suits, policymakers should therefore consider the negative impact of the PSLRA in also discouraging a significant fraction of non-nuisance litigation.
Dose-dependent reduction of dietary protein-induced colonocyte DNA damage by resistant starch in rats correlates more highly with caecal butyrate than with other short chain fatty acids

Previous studies have shown increased levels of colonocyte DNA damage (as measured by the comet assay) and thinning of the colonic mucus layer in rats fed higher dietary protein as casein or red meat with highly digestible starch. Feeding resistant starch (RS) as high amylose maize starch (HAMS) opposed these changes. However, the dietary level of HAMS was relatively high (48% by weight) so this study was conducted to establish whether HAMS had the same effects at lower dietary levels. Adult male rats were fed a diet containing 25% casein with 0%, 10%, 20%, 30% or 40% HAMS for 4 wk. DNA single strand breaks and 8-hydroxyguanosine levels were measured in isolated colonocytes by the comet assay. As expected, comet tail moment was greatest and the mucus barrier thinnest in rats fed 0% HAMS. DNA damage was reduced and the mucus barrier thickened in a logarithmic dose-dependent manner by HAMS. There was no significant difference in 8-hydroxyguanosine between dietary groups. Caecal and faecal short chain fatty acid (SCFA) pools rose with the increased level of dietary HAMS. DNA damage of colonocytes correlated negatively with caecal SCFA but the strongest correlation was with caecal butyrate, which is consistent with the proposed role of this SCFA in promoting a normal cell phenotype. These data show that HAMS prevents protein-induced colonic DNA damage in a dose-dependent manner. Inclusion of 10% HAMS was found to be sufficient to oppose colonocyte DNA damage, and to increase caecal and faecal SCFA pools.