Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Time Variations and Covariations in the Expectation and Volatility of Stock Market Returns

This article investigates empirically the comovements of the conditional mean and volatility of stock returns. It extends the results in the literature by demonstrating the role of the commercial paper-Treasury yield spread in predicting time variation in volatility. The conditional mean and volatility exhibit an asymmetric relation, which contrasts with the contemporaneous relation that has been tested previously. The volatility leads the expected return, and this time-series relation is documented using offset correlations, short-horizon contemporaneous correlations, and a vector autoregression. These results bring into question the value of modeling expected returns as a constant function of conditional volatility. Copyright 1994 by American Finance Association.
Inhibition of Neisseria gonorrhoeae by a Bacteriocin from Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Supernatants from broth-grown cultures of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA 103 exhibited bactericidal activity against Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The concentration of the bactericidal substance increased significantly after induction by mitomycin C. Purification was effected by salt fractionation, chromatography on diethylaminoethyl-cellulose, and sedimentation by centrifugation at 100,000 × g for 90 min. Electron microscopy of this purified preparation revealed structures resembling R-type pyocins in both the contracted and uncontracted state. Pyocins in the contracted state were observed in association with the gonococcal cell surface. No loss of bactericidal activity was observed after treatment with proteolytic enzymes. Standard pyocin typing procedures identified the pyocin pattern as 611 131. The bactericidal activity of this pyocin was examined on various species of Neisseria. Out of 56 strains of N. gonorrhoeae from disseminated and nondisseminated infections, all were susceptible to pyocin 611 131. However, only 3 of 20 strains of N. meningitidis and 5 of 16 strains of N. lactamica were susceptible. The bactericidal activity that pyocin 611 131 has for N. gonorrhoeae and other species of Neisseria is significant because it departs from the expected specificity that heretofore has distinguished bacteriocins from most “classical” antibiotics.
Strategic and Business Planning Practices of Fast Growth Family Firms

Fast‐growth family firms were surveyed about their business and strategic planning practices. Of the 65 fast‐growth family firms surveyed, the majority prepare written formal plans. The business plans are in sufficient detail to enable the business to tie planning to actual performance and to adjust management compensation accordingly. The majority of the firms regularly share information with employees regarding comparisons between actual company performance results and goals or planned performance. Further, the majority of the firms describe their business strategy as a high quality producer strategy rather than as a low‐cost or time‐based strategy. Further, when bringing new products to market, these fast‐growth family firms adopt a first mover or early follower strategy. Implications of these findings for growth‐oriented family firms are presented.
Lung transplantation after allogeneic stem cell transplantation: a pan-European experience

Late-onset noninfectious pulmonary complications (LONIPCs) affect 6% of allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) recipients within 5 years, conferring subsequent 5-year survival of 50%. Lung transplantation is rarely performed in this setting due to concomitant extrapulmonary morbidity, excessive immunosuppression and concerns about recurring malignancy being considered contraindications. This study assesses survival in highly selected patients undergoing lung transplantation for LONIPCs after SCT. SCT patients undergoing lung transplantation at 20 European centres between 1996 and 2014 were included. Clinical data pre- and post-lung transplantation were reviewed. Propensity score-matched controls were generated from the Eurotransplant and Scandiatransplant registries. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis and Cox proportional hazard regression models evaluating predictors of graft loss were performed. Graft survival at 1, 3 and 5 years of 84%, 72% and 67%, respectively, among the 105 SCT patients proved comparable to controls (p=0.75). Sepsis accounted for 15 out of 37 deaths (41%), with prior mechanical ventilation (HR 6.9, 95% CI 1.0–46.7; p<0.001) the leading risk factor. No SCT-specific risk factors were identified. Recurring malignancy occurred in four patients (4%). Lung transplantation <2 years post-SCT increased all-cause 1-year mortality (HR 7.5, 95% CI 2.3–23.8; p=0.001). Lung transplantation outcomes following SCT were comparable to other end-stage diseases. Lung transplantation should be considered feasible in selected candidates. No SCT-specific factors influencing outcome were identified within this carefully selected patient cohort. Lung transplantation is feasible in selected stem cell transplant recipients http://ow.ly/z4vn30h6gao
Serum and CSF immunoglobulins G, A and M in 37 intracranial tumors.

OBJECTIVE To estimate different proteins and immunoglobulins as humoral immune response in patients with intracranial tumours. METHODS Cellulose acetate membrane electrophoresis for estimation of different proteins and radialimmunodiffusion (RID) for measurement of serum and CSF immunoglobulins were used. RESULTS Thirty seven patients with different types of tumours showed increase in serum alpha II globulin, significant decrease of IgG, in patients when compared with controls, significant decrease of IgG in malignant tumours compared with benign tumours. CSF albumin, gamma globulin, immunoglobulins G,A,and M were increased. CONCLUSION Alpha II globulin, steroid therapy and active neoplasia may be responsible for decreased serum immunoglobulins, while raised gamma globulin and immunoglobulins with intact BBB indicates capability of CNS to produce immunoglobulins.
FIRM CHARACTERISTICS AND ANALYST FOLLOWING IN THE UK

Abstract Bhushan (1989) proposed a model of analyst following, which he tested for US companies in 1985. The model was successful, in that the eight variables considered likely to influence analyst following were found to be significant in the regression model used, and an adjusted R2of 70% was achieved. The aim of this paper is to adapt his model and test it for UK companies using survey and other data from 1991. Bhushan found that the level of analyst following for a firm was positively associated with level of institutional investment, variability of returns, the correlation between the firm return and the market return and firm size. There was a negative association with the level of insider shareholdings and industrial diversification. The industrial category of the firm also was significant. This study shows similar results using data on analyst following of UK quoted companies, although industrial diversification does not appear to be an important factor in the UK, and the overall explanatory power of the model is lower than in Bhushan's study. An additional variable, the number of overseas listings, was found to add to the explanatory power of the model.
National Aggregate Consumer Sentiment toward Marketing: A Thirty-Year Retrospective and Analysis

An annual survey of U.S. consumers' sentiment toward the institution of marketing has been conducted for the past two decades. This report describes the measuring instrument (which produces a summary index number for each year), the sample, and the longitudinal trend of survey results-the upshot of which is a pattern of slightly improving consumer sentiment toward marketing practice. When also incorporating the findings of similar research done prior to this study, a 30 yr. historical record emerges. Finally, examination of secondary data reveals that selected macroeconomic variables relate strongly to the consumer marketing sentiment index. (c) 2005 by JOURNAL OF CONSUMER RESEARCH, Inc.
Who succeeds in mathematics? Caribbean perspectives on the mix of schools and mathematics

Within the Caribbean, there has been a perception that students are underachieving in mathematics. This assessment has seemingly been based amongst other things upon the proportion of students who are successful in mathematics compared to other subjects in external examinations. This notion was investigated in a case study of secondary schools in Antigua and Barbuda. Statistical data showed that student achievement in the examinations was on average lower in mathematics than across all subjects, including English language. However, this finding was not ‘true’ of students across all school‐types, generally a proxy for social class in Caribbean settings. In particular, the mathematics achievement of students in single‐sex schools was not far different from their performances in other subjects, but was markedly different from that of students in mixed‐sex schools. This finding concerning school‐type suggested at an underlying factor in many students’ mathematics performance, as school‐type in the Caribbean is predicated on students’ home backgrounds. This paper reports on these findings, and sets out how the education system appears to reinforce and further exaggerate advantages and disadvantages of students’ social and cultural histories.
Liberalization of the Foreign Exchange Market in Kenya and Short-term Capital Flows Problem

The paper analyses the relationship between real exchange rate movements and real interest rate differential on the one hand, and the impact of short-term (speculative) private capital flows and domestic and external shocks on the real exchange rate on the other. This has been analysed in two stages. First, it is expected that a purchasing power parity cannot hold and so the nominal exchange rate is shown to deviate from the perceived long-run equilibrium level determined by the purchasing power parity relationship and these deviations are governed by interest rate differential. It is shown that domestic inflation will rise with a real exchange rate depreciation and that the influence of foreign inflation will decrease with exchange rate appreciation. In the second stage of the analysis, a vector autoregressive (VAR) model is estimated with private short-term capital flows entering the model in levels and in their volatility form. The results confirm that domestic as well external shocks influence the movements of real exchange rate and real interest rate differential, thereby directly affecting or triggering capital flows. The policy lessons relate to the interest rate structure and the effects on the real exchange rate. Interventions to stem adverse movements in the nominal exchange rate seem to lead to high interest rates. This is one of the aspects of policy dilemma argued in the paper. Closing the gap in the real interest rate differential (that is lowering the domestic interest rate) will be consistent with a depreciation of the exchange rate. Perhaps the optimal approach is to limit intervention in the foreign exchange market and thus allow capital flows to be stabilized by the exchange rate movements in the medium to long term. This will remove the effects on the interest rate structure.
A study of the long term impact of an inquiry -based science program on student's attitudes towards science and interest in science careers

A STUDY OF THE LONG TERM IMPACT OF AN INQUIRY-BASED SCIENCE PROGRAM ON STUDENTS’ ATTITUDES TOWARDS SCIENCE AND INTEREST IN SCIENCE CAREERS FEBRUARY 1998 HELEN LUSSIER GIBSON B.S. UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS AMHERST M.Ed. UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS AMHERST Ed.D. , UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS AMHERST Directed by: Professor Klaus Schultz One reason science enrichment programs were created was to address the underrepresentation of women and minorities in science. These programs were designed to increase underrepresented groups’ interest in science and science careers. One attempt to increase students’ interest in science was the Summer Science Exploration Program (SSEP). The SSEP was a two week, inquiry-based summer science camp offered by Hampshire College for students entering grades seven and eight. Students who participated were from three neighboring school districts in Western Massachusetts. The goal of the program was to stimulate greater interest in science and scientific careers among middle school students, in particular among females and students of color. A review of the literature of inquiry-based science programs revealed that the effect of inquiry-based programs on students’ attitudes towards science is typically investigated shortly after the end of the treatment period. The findings
Hello, Lenin? Nostalgia On Post-Soviet Television In Russia And Ukraine

After the collapse of the USSR in 1991, Soviet television looked old-fashioned and seemed redundant, with the emerging post-Soviet televisual cultures turning their gazes to global sources of inspiration. The next decade affected Russia and Ukraine in very different ways. In Russia brief exposure to what was seen as “cheap mass-culture” left TV viewers and producers disillusioned. With the change of attitude towards Western TV, the ideas about Soviet TV changed, too. From a grey and unexciting model Soviet TV had become a shining example of “high quality” and nostalgia-driven content set in for the next few years. In Ukraine, where no domestic TV had existed as such prior to 1991 and where Soviet TV was rapidly fading into the past (and some-one else’s past, too), a decade of experimenting with programming had left the TV producers much more open to global television formats and Western ideas, developing programmes very different than the Russian ones.
Natural Cellular Cytotoxicity in Behçet's Disease

This study evaluated the cytotoxic activity of natural killer cells in the active and inactive stages of Behçet's disease (BD) and attempted to develop a new explanation for its immuno‐pathogenesis. Blood samples were taken from 16 BD patients and compared with 11 healthy individuals. The lymphocyte fraction was separated and diluated in RPMI‐1640. Candida as a target cell (T) was mixed with lymphocytes (E) (effector cells) in ratios of T:E 1/5 and T:E 1/25. After the numbers of colonies were counted with controls, the anticandidal index (natural cytotoxicity) was calculated. Natural cytotoxicity relatively decreased in the active stage and increased in the inactive stage of BD. Although the difference between the mean value of natural cytotoxicity in the active stage and in the inactive stage was significant, the difference between the averages of active stage and the control group was insignificant. However, the difference between inactive stage and the control group was remarkable. The increase of the natural cytotoxic activity in the inactive period of the disease may play a role together with other immune mechanisms in the aetiopathogenesis of BD.
Placebo-controlled trial of oral laquinimod in multiple sclerosis: MRI evidence of an effect on brain tissue damage

Objective In Assessment of OraL Laquinimod in PrEventing ProGRession in Multiple SclerOsis (ALLEGRO), a phase III study in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), oral laquinimod slowed disability and brain atrophy progression, suggesting laquinimod may reduce tissue damage in MS. MRI techniques sensitive to the most destructive aspects of the disease were used to further investigate laquinimod's potential effects on inflammation and neurodegeneration. Methods 1106 RRMS patients were randomised 1:1 to receive once-daily oral laquinimod (0.6 mg) or placebo for 24 months. White matter (WM), grey matter (GM) and thalamic fractions were derived at months 0, 12 and 24. Also assessed were evolution of gadolinium-enhancing and/or new T2 lesions into permanent black holes (PBH); magnetisation transfer ratio (MTR) of normal-appearing brain tissue (NABT), WM, GM and T2 lesions; and N-acetylaspartate/creatine (NAA/Cr) levels in WM. Results Compared with placebo, laquinimod-treated patients showed lower rates of WM at months 12 and 24 (p=0.004 and p=0.035) and GM (p=0.004) atrophy at month 12 and a trend for less GM atrophy at month 24 (p=0.078). Laquinimod also slowed thalamic atrophy at month 12 (p=0.005) and month 24 (p=0.003) and reduced the number of PBH at 12 and 24 months evolving from active lesions (all p<0.05). By month 24, MTR decreased significantly in NABT (p=0.015), WM (p=0.011) and GM (p=0.034) in placebo-treated patients, but not in laquinimod-treated patients. WM NAA/Cr tended to increase with laquinimod and decrease with placebo at 24 months (p=0.179). Conclusions Oral laquinimod may reduce (at least in the initial phase of treatment) some of the more destructive pathological processes in RRMS patients. Trial registration The ALLEGRO trial identifier number with clinicaltrials.gov is NCT00509145.
Positional Preferences, Endogenous Growth, and Optimal Income- and Consumption Taxation

This paper analyzes the impact of positional preferences, exhibiting conspicuous consumption and conspicuous wealth, on optimal consumption- and income taxes, for an endogenous growth model with public capital. Positional preferences raise the endogenous growth rate if the elasticity of intertemporal substitution is larger than one. Even if labor supply is exogenous, the consumption externalities introduce distortions so long as preferences are wealth-dependent, and with or without the presence of conspicuous wealth. Consequently, optimal consumption- and income taxes differ from zero. Numerical simulations present the effects of fiscal policy on the balanced growth path and transitional dynamics.
Employees' motivation in the luxury hotel industry: the perceived effectiveness of human-resource practices

This paper reports on empirical work conducted about the use and effectiveness of human-resource practices in six luxury hotels of multinational chains in Greece. The paper also explores the perceived significance of a number of job-related motivators in the luxury hotel sector and investigates the relationship between individual variables and the incentives offered to hotel employees. Strategies are suggested for developing suitable motivational programs for employees of different individual characteristics and backgrounds.
Multisensory training of standing balance in older adults: II. Kinematic and electromyographic postural responses.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to analyze the electromyographic and kinematic characteristics of postural responses of 24 healthy older adults both prior to and immediately after a multisensory balance training period. It was hypothesized that the muscle and movement characteristics of postural responses would be optimized in the group after training. METHODS Balance was tested by determining muscle and kinematic response characteristics used in compensating for support surface displacements. Twenty-four subjects were randomly assigned to a training group or a control group. The training group received a multisensory balance training program during a 15-day training period (described in the companion article). RESULTS The results showed that the training (a) significantly shortened the onset latency of the neck flexor muscle (p < .05); (b) showed a trend toward decreasing the response frequency of antagonist muscles; (c) showed a trend toward increasing the response frequency of the trunk flexor muscles; and (d) showed a trend toward decreasing the maximal excursion of the first-trial of the ankle joint rotation. CONCLUSIONS From these results and those of the companion article, it was concluded that the multisensory balance training program had an effect in optimizing the muscle and movement characteristics of postural response in the training group older adults.
An Analysis of Regional Positioning and Its Associated Food Images in French Tourism Regional Brochures

Summary The image of France has often been associated with that of food and wines and images of food products, vineyards and restaurants have traditionally dominated national and regional promotional strategies and tour operators' brochures alike. Indeed, food represents a powerful eye-catcher and a strong symbol of quality of life and authenticity, as a result it has represented an important theme used in advertisements. However, the food theme is in fact multiple and can also be used to portray symbols of cultural identify, communication and status. Therefore, the present study first aims at identifying the different food images that can be used by tourism advertisers in their promotional material. Secondly the study aims at investigating how different food images can be used for specific destinations' positioning strategies. The research uses a content analysis to identify the types of food images used in 19 French regional tourism brochures. Results show that country products/dishes and raw/natural products dominate food images followed by wine and vineyards images. Images of food producers, chefs, restaurants and the presence of people in the pictures on the other side are underrepresented. Parallels between the categories of food images used in brochures and the corresponding positioning strategies chosen by the regions are not very strong. Nevertheless, the study indicates that regions that position themselves on the traditional/rural/authentic theme use mostly images of raw products, country products and market scenes while only a few regions position themselves on the gastronomy dimension. In other terms, the cultural dimension of food as an identity marker for the regions is its principal use, and images of food associated to communicating/sharing or to status/lifestyle statements are rarely used in French regional brochures.
Glucose Transporter Expression of an Esophageal Gastrointestinal Tumor Detected by F-18 FDG PET/CT

A 74-year-old woman had dysphagia and underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy. A giant submucosal tumor was seen from the middle to the lower esophagus. Fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (F-18 FDG-PET/CT) was performed and F-18 FDG was found to accumulate in the submucosal tumor. The maximum standardized uptake value of the early phase was 4.93 and that of the delayed phase was 6.48. Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) was confirmed by both fine needle aspiration under endoscopic ultrasound and postoperative histopathologic findings. We stained the postoperative histopathologic specimen to investigate glucose transporter (GLUT) expression using immunohistochemistry, which revealed that GLUT-1 had a weak expression on membranes and GLUT-4 had a strong expression on membranes or in cytoplasm. GLUT-3 had no expression on membranes or in cytoplasm. Esophageal GIST is rare and the relationship between GLUT expression and F-18 FDG accumulation in GIST is probably rare.
From Markowitz to modern risk management

Nobel Laureate Harry Markowitz is often referred to as the ‘founder of Modern portfolio theory’ and deservedly so given his enormous influence on the money management industry.1 However, it is my contention that he should also be referred to as the ‘founder of Modern Risk Management’ since his contributions to portfolio theory formed the basis for how risk is currently viewed and managed. More specifically, Markowitz argued that a portfolio of securities should be viewed through the lens of statistics where the probability distribution of its rate of return is evaluated in terms of its expected value and standard deviation. Since the ultimate selection of a portfolio involves the evaluation and management of risk as measured by standard deviation, it is clear that Markowitz's process of portfolio selection represents the birth of modern risk management whereby risk is quantified and controlled. In this paper, I will first, introduce value-at-risk as a measure of risk and how it relates to standard deviation, the risk measure at the heart of the model of Markowitz. Second, I will similarly introduce conditional value-at-risk (also known as expected shortfall) as a measure of risk and compare it with VaR. Third, I will briefly introduce stress testing as a supplemental means of controlling risk and will then present my conclusions.2