Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Innovation and Market Structure: An Empirical Evaluation of the 'Bounds Approach' in the Chemical Industry

This paper applies Sutton's [1998]‘bounds approach’ to the chemical industry. The approach predicts that (i) the lower bound of the ratio of the 1-firm concentration index to product concentration is bounded away from zero at high levels of product concentration only in high R&D markets and (ii) the lower bound on market concentration is higher and increasing in product concentration in markets with higher R&D intensities. We test these two hypotheses and find that the data strongly support them. A novel feature of our analysis is the use of plant level data in defining products and the classification of products into markets based on end-use.
Prognostic significance of vascular endothelial growth factor, tumor necrosis, and mitotic activity index in malignant pleural mesothelioma.

OBJECTIVES Tumor growth and metastasis are angiogenesis-dependent events, and several prognostic factors have been determined in malignant mesothelioma. In this study, we investigated the prognostic significance of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), tumor necrosis (TN), and mitotic activity index (MAI) in malignant mesothelioma. For the first time (to our knowledge), we also demonstrated the association between VEGF staining, TN, and MAI in malignant mesothelioma. METHODS Decortication and VATS materials of 40 patients were investigated. The routinely processed formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded, hematoxylin-eosin-stained tumor sections that had been used for the original diagnostic purposes were retrieved. Hematoxylin-eosin sections were selected for VEGF immunostaining, TN, and mitotic count. Clinicopathologic data, stage of disease, and survival of patients were all determined. The correlations between variables were evaluated by Spearman rank correlation test. Both univariate analysis using the log-rank test and multivariate analysis using Cox regression model were performed for survival analysis. RESULTS There was a significant correlation between VEGF staining and TN (r = 0.42, p = 0.006). In univariate analysis, both VEGF staining (p = 0.0002) and TN (p = 0.0055) showed significant correlation with short survival. Also, there was a positive correlation between VEGF and tumor stage (p = 0.046). In multivariate analysis, only VEGF was determined as an independent prognostic factor in malignant mesothelioma (p = 0.001). There was no association between MAI and survival (p = 0.504). CONCLUSIONS VEGF, known as an important angiogenic peptide, is an independent prognostic factor in malignant pleural mesothelioma. TN stimulates angiogenesis, and we observed a significant correlation between VEGF and TN. However, further studies are needed to evaluate the prognostic significance of angiogenic properties in malignant mesothelioma.
An analysis of trading strategies in eleven European stock markets

Abstract In recent years, the validity of the weak form efficient market hypothesis (EMH) has been called into question as several studies have uncovered evidence that technical trading rules have predictive ability with respect to both developed and emerging stock market indices. This study analyses the forecasting power of 2 of the most popular trading rules using index data for a selection of 11 European stock markets over the January 1991 to December 2000 period. The findings indicate that the emerging markets included in this paper are informationally inefficient; these markets displayed some degree of predictability in their share returns, although the developed markets did not. Furthermore, the results point to large differences in the performance of the rules examined; while small size filters consistently outperformed the buy-and-hold strategy in the emerging markets examined even after the consideration of transaction costs, the performance of the moving average rules was erratic and varied dramatically from market to market.
X-Efficiency and Effective Schools: A New Look at Old Theories

In response to demands for school accountability, states now devote much attention to distinguishing among effective and ineffective schools. These efforts, while varying considerably in rigor and sophistication, generally emphasize technical or allocative efficiency (e.g., the marginal productivity of measured inputs employed in various combinations) in schools and sometimes seek to estimate the "cost" of input bundles associated with successful schools. This approach, however, ignores the impact of "x-efficiency" (e.g., school policies, incentives, practices, etc.) on school performance. Drawing upon Leibenstein's seminal 1966 article on the theory of the firm and the "effective schools" research of the 1980s, this article uses a production function approach and basic econometric techniques to interrogate a rich panel of elementary school-level data in order to quantify the effects of x-efficiency on school performance. Findings reveal a substantial impact of school x-efficiency on academic outcomes, far in excess of the contributions of standard, observed school inputs. School influences are greater for mathematics achievement than for reading achievement in the elementary grades with effect sizes averaging 0.45 standard deviations for reading and 0.61 standard deviations for mathematics.
ÖĞRENCİLERİN ÖZEL DERSHANELERİN HİZMET KALİTESİ DEĞERLENDİRMELERİ VE BİR UYGULAMA

This study aims to determine the service quality that students get from private preparation courses. Students who attended the private courses for the preparation of university exam in the centre of Aksaray in 2012-2013 formed the target population of the study. While determining the students, cluster sampling method was used. T Test results display that the perceptions of students were lower than their expectations. Moreover, the results of correlation reveal that there is a relation between social demographic characteristics of students and their perceptions. In the factor analysis results while the expectation statements were gathered under six factor, the perception statements were gathered under five factors. Besides, in Manova analysis results it is determined that social demographic characteristics of students and perception factors show difference. The results obtained from this study give a new point of view to the existing studies and lead future studies
Buprenorphine treatment of opioid-dependent pregnant women: a comprehensive review.

AIMS This paper reviews the published literature regarding outcomes following maternal treatment with buprenorphine in five areas: maternal efficacy, fetal effects, neonatal effects, effects on breast milk and longer-term developmental effects. METHODS Within each outcome area, findings are summarized first for the three randomized clinical trials and then for the 44 non-randomized studies (i.e. prospective studies, case reports and series and retrospective chart reviews), only 28 of which involve independent samples. RESULTS Results indicate that maternal treatment with buprenorphine has comparable efficacy to methadone, although difficulties may exist with current buprenorphine induction methods. The available fetal data suggest buprenorphine results in less physiological suppression of fetal heart rate and movements than methadone. Regarding neonatal effects, perhaps the single definitive conclusion is that prenatal buprenorphine treatment results in a clinically significant less severe neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) than treatment with methadone. The limited research suggests that, like methadone, buprenorphine is compatible with breastfeeding. Data available thus far suggest that there are no deleterious effects of in utero buprenorphine exposure on infant development. CONCLUSIONS While buprenorphine produces a less severe neonatal abstinence syndrome than methadone, both methadone and buprenorphine are important parts of a complete comprehensive treatment approach for opioid-dependent pregnant women.
Synchronization of Reaction–Diffusion Neural Networks With Dirichlet Boundary Conditions and Infinite Delays

This paper is concerned with synchronization for a class of reaction–diffusion neural networks with Dirichlet boundary conditions and infinite discrete time-varying delays. By utilizing theories of partial differential equations, Green’s formula, inequality techniques, and the concept of comparison, algebraic criteria are presented to guarantee master-slave synchronization of the underlying reaction–diffusion neural networks via a designed controller. Additionally, sufficient conditions on exponential synchronization of reaction–diffusion neural networks with finite time-varying delays are established. The proposed criteria herein enhance and generalize some published ones. Three numerical examples are presented to substantiate the validity and merits of the obtained theoretical results.
On the Politicisation of the European Union: Lessons from Consociational National Polities

The debate on the politicisation of the EU should consider its consociational nature. Comparing the EU to Switzerland and Belgium, this article discusses S. Hix's and S. Bartolini's contrasting views on politicisation. S. Hix's recipe for bipolar politicisation is based on some incorrect assumptions. It is not obvious that the EU is evolving towards more Left–Right polarisation. Even if this were the case, the nature of the EU implies that compromises are indispensable. Therefore, Hix's suggestions would not suffice to clarify political choice, and Euroscepticism would not be reduced. The consociational nature of the EU also makes less credible S. Bartolini's fears of possible negative consequences for governability. The politicisation of constitutive issues can even help to integrate Eurosceptic segments of public opinion. The authors suggest a middle way regarding EU politicisation based on lessons from consociational polities, and the coupling of a system of ‘negotiation democracy’ with mechanisms of direct popular participation.
Explaining the Variation in Elasticity Estimates of Gasoline Demand in the United States: A Meta-Analysis

Meta-analysis is used to determine if there are factors that systematically affect price and income elasticity estimates in studies of gasoline demand in the United States. Elasticity estimates from previous studies are used as the dependent variable with data characteristics, model structure, and estimation technique as the independent variables. Included among the explanatory variables a rejunctional form, lag structure, time span, and national setting (U.S. versus the U.S. pooled with other countries). Inclusion of vehicle ownership in gasoline demand studies is found to result in lower estimates of income elasticity, data sets which pool U.S. and foreign data result in larger (absolute) estimates of both price and income elasticity, and the small difference between static and dynamic models suggests that lagged responses to price or income changes are relatively short. This study also found that elasticity estimates appear relatively robust across estimation techniques.
The Market Evaluation of Information in Directors' Trades

The purpose of this paper is to examine the propensity, characteristics and performance of directors' trades. Consistent with prior research we show that on average, directors outperform the market. However, we also find that there exist a large number of trades which do not share these abnormal share price returns and consequently have little information content. This has important consequences for market participants who use director trading activity as a signal for their own trading strategies. Using different measures of directors' trades based on trade characteristics, we report that purchases by directors are more informative than sales. In addition, the number of directors trading within a twenty day window and the percentage of the directors' holding that is being traded are both important factors in the abnormal share price performance following the trade. Copyright Blackwell Publishers Ltd 2002.
Some Simple Tests of the Globalization and Inflation Hypothesis

This paper evaluates the hypothesis that globalization has increased the role of international factors and decreased the role of domestic factors in the inflation process in industrial economies. Toward that end, we estimate standard Phillips curve inflation equations for 11 industrial countries and use these estimates to test several predictions of the globalization and inflation hypothesis. Our results provide little support for that hypothesis. First, the estimated effect of foreign output gaps on domestic consumer price inflation is generally insignificant and often of the wrong sign. Second, we find no evidence that the trend decline in the sensitivity of inflation to the domestic output gap observed in many countries owes to globalization. Finally, and most surprisingly, our econometric results indicate no increase over time in the responsiveness of inflation to import prices for most countries. However, even though we find no evidence that globalization is affecting the parameters of the inflation process, globalization may be helping to stabilize real GDP and hence inflation. Over time, the volatility of real GDP growth has declined by more than the volatility of domestic demand, suggesting that net exports increasingly are acting to buffer output from fluctuations in domestic demand.
International Labor Standards and International Trade

This paper reviews controversies regarding linkage of international trade and labor standards. Pressures for international harmonization of labor standards arise in the context of increased trade between countries with large disparities in wages, and also reflect the history of labor standards. A critical distinction is made between standards related to fundamental human rights and those related to employment conditions. The main conclusion is that trade sanctions to enforce labor standards should not be an option, but that international agreements on core labor standards, with voluntary compliance, may, apart from being worthwhile on ethical grounds, defuse calls for protection.
Developmental Age Influences the Effect of Epidural Dexmedetomidine on Inflammatory Hyperalgesia in Rat Pups

Background:Epidural α2-adrenergic agonists produce analgesic effects in children and adults, but efficacy and safety have not been established in neonates and infants. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of epidural dexmedetomidine on sensory processing, reversal of inflammatory hyperalgesia, and sedation during early development in rats. Methods:In rat pups aged 3, 10, and 21 postnatal days, mechanical withdrawal thresholds of the hind limbs were measured at baseline and after unilateral inflammation due to carrageenan. The effect of epidural dexmedetomidine on withdrawal thresholds was measured for 90 min after injection, and dose-response curves were constructed for each age group. The duration of the righting reflex was measured to assess sedation. The effects of epidural and systemic administration of dexmedetomidine were compared. Results:At all ages, carrageenan-induced hyperalgesia was reversed by doses of epidural dexmedetomidine that did not affect the threshold of the contralateral paw or prolong the righting reflex. Higher doses of epidural dexmedetomidine affected baseline nociception in the contralateral paw and produced sedation but had no effect when given systemically. Reversal of hyperalgesia and sedation were produced by lower doses of epidural dexmedetomidine in the youngest pups. Conclusions:Spinally mediated selective reversal of inflammatory hyperalgesia by epidural dexmedetomidine can be achieved at all ages; relatively lower doses are effective in early life, but the therapeutic window is narrow. These data have implications for the use and dosing of epidural α2 agonists in neonates and infants.
Nitric oxide and proteoglycan turnover in rabbit articular cartilage

Articular chondrocytes are known to synthesize large amounts of nitric oxide in response to exposure to interleukin‐1, but the role of this radical in proteoglycan turnover remains controversial. In this study, we used two different inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase, NG‐methyl‐L‐arginine and thiocitrulline, to study the effects of nitric oxide on the synthesis and breakdown of proteoglycan in rabbit articular cartilage. Synthes of nitric oxide by cartilage slices in response to treatment with interleukin‐1 and a partially purified mixture of synovial cytokines known as chondrocyte‐activating factors peaked during the first 2 days of culture and then fell to low levels, despite daily replenishment with fresh medium and cytokines to the cultures. The production of nitric oxide was completely inhibited by NG‐methyl‐L‐arginine and thiocitrulline. Interleukin‐1 and the chondrocyte‐activating factors inhibited proteoglycan synthesis and accelerated proteoglycan breat down in the slices of cartilage. Both nitric oxide synthase inhibitors substantially counteracted the suppression of prdteoglycan synthesis but exacerbated proteoglycan catabolism occurring in response to interleukin‐1 and the chondrocyte‐activating factors. The accelerated eatabolism was associated with increased levels of matrix metalloproteinases in the conditioned medium. This dual effect of nitric oxide complicates decision making with regard to the possible clinical applications of nitric oxide agonists or antagonists in diseases of cartilage.
General Method for Characterization of Power-Line EMI/RFI Filters Based on S-Parameter Evaluation

This paper deals with a general working approach for determining the lowest possible insertion loss of power-line interference filters in their stop bands at high megahertz or gigahertz frequencies. It is shown that at these frequencies, the measurement methods recommended for testing of interference filters in available standards for frequencies up to 1 GHz fail in determining their lowest possible insertion loss. This problem is solved by the newly developed method which also enables the characterization of concerned filters in a completely impedance unknown environment. It is based on two-port vector network analyzer measurement and postmeasurement data processing applying an impedance matching technique. Experimental verification of the new method using two Maury Microwave automated tuners and a cascade of low-pass coaxial filters was performed in the frequency band from 6 to 12 GHz. The results show that measurement-evaluation procedures performed according to the newly developed method provide more reliable and precise results when compared to measurement procedures corresponding to methods described in common standards. The new method was also applied to the characterization of a professional EMI/RFI filter from 1 to 10 GHz.
Board of directors within public organisations: a literature review

Compared to the debate on corporate governance in the private sector and to the literature on the macro level of governance in the public sector, the micro-level governance of public organisations remains a neglected area of discussion. Against this backdrop, the paper presents an overview of international literature regarding boards in the public sector organisations, in order to evidence if, and in which terms, the board of directors has been a topic of research in public governance in the recent years. In conclusion, the paper provides suggestions for future research on boards in public organisations.
Notes on consumption, investment and effective demand: II

In Part I we looked for the premises from which traditional theory derived the assertion that aggregate demand would adjust to productive capacity. These premises were found to lie ultimately in the conception of capital as a 'factor of production' em ployable in increasing proportion to other factors as the rate of interest falls—the basis, as we argued, of the idea of a demand schedule for 'saving' determining the rate of interest in conjunction with the supply schedule of full employment saving. The deficiencies of that conception of capital led us to the conclusion that, contrary to what is often argued, an analysis conducted in 'real' and 'static' terms provides no basis for the belief that investment decisions can, in the long period, adjust to decisions to save. In this second Part of the paper, the problem will be approached in terms of the 'monetary' analysis of Keynes' General Theory and the subsequent controversy. In section 1, we shall use Wicksell's theory of the price level as an example of how traditional theories would link their 'real' analysis of distribution with their analysis of the money rate of interest. We shall then argue, in section 2, that Keynes's different conclusions
A Meta-Analysis of Institutional Theories

Abstract : This thesis assesses the implications that institutional theories have for resource management in non-profit organizations, and specifically for the resource management in non-profit organizations. A meta-analysis of research studies that apply institutional theories is conducted in this study. Various dimensions, not mentioned in the theories, are discovered and analyzed in light of the theories. Assessments are made as to whether or not the various aspects of theory are appropriately operationalized through the discovered dimensions. The general conclusion is that the theories are appropriately operationalized, but there are problems with the treatment of unit of analysis. Recommendations based on the analysis are given for subsequent research which may further clarify applications of institutional theories.
Response of organic catatonia to risperidone.

Althoughen shown to be acutely responsive to several interventions, including benzodiazepines and electroconvulsive therapy, 1,2 some individuals do not respond to these interventions. A review of the literature does not reveal previous reports of catatonia treated with risperidone. Therefore, we report the response to risperidone of a patient with persistent organic catatonia. Report of a Case. Mr A's initial symptoms occurred during graduate school after the death of a close friend. He had a severe flulike illness for which he required residence for several weeks in the college infirmary. However, he was able to complete his PhD program in mathematics. When he was 31 years old, he had an apparent episode of catatonic excitement, followed by catatonic stupor. The initial course of catatonic stupor was episodic, but catatonic stupor became constant by the time he was 45 years old. His initial computed tomographic scan revealed discrete bilateral orbitofrontal atrophy, which
Measuring the Effect of Restructuring on Corporate Performance: The Case of Management Buyouts

Recent research has attempted to document that the financial gains associated with takeovers, LBOs, and other types of restructuring are attributable to subsequent improvements in operating performance. In this paper, the authors develop a more general framework for measuring the effect of corporate restructuring on performance and apply the framework to a sample of firms taken private by their management. They demonstrate that the estimation approaches employed in the literature embody restrictions on the general framework which the data can reject. However, the authors' best estimates provide evidence that management buyouts improve corporate performance, and the magnitudes of these improvements are similar to existing estimates. Copyright 1994 by MIT Press.