Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Market Imperfections and Optimal Capital Structure: Evidence from Indian Panel Data

This article is an attempt to answer the question: whether corporate firms in India have a tendency to adjust their financial structure to a targeted level? For this, we have focused on the partial adjustment process of long-term debt and equity. The results show evidence in favour of adjustment process towards optimal level of long-term debt and equity, but it is very slow in both the cases, especially in case of equity. Adjustment speed for long-term debt in India is similar to the speed of adjustment of developed countries, the United States (US) and the United Kingdom (UK). This finding does not support the view that economies characterized by private lending adjust faster than market-dominated economies as transaction cost of private lending is less in comparison to public lending. This study contributes to the existing literature by considering capital market regulation as one of the determinants of capital structure. It has been observed that stringency of capital market regulation exerts a negative impact on equity and debt. As the stringency of capital market regulation increases, it reduces the problem of ‘asset substitution’, and at the same time, raises the transaction cost of fund raising from the public domain. Moreover, the interaction between real and financial decisions has also been observed as the labour demand and leverage is inversely related. The impact of labour demand on leverage is transitory in nature.
Impact of Childcare and Eldercare on Off‐Farm Activities in Rural China

Using individual data collected in rural China and adopting Heckman's two-step function, we examined the impact of childcare and eldercare on laborers' off-farm activities. Our study finds that having school-aged children has a negative impact on rural laborers' migration decisions and a positive impact on their decision to work in the local off-farm employment market. As grandparents can help to take care of young children, the impact of preschoolers is insignificant. Having elderly family to care for decreases the income earned by female members of the family. Although both men and women are actively engaged in off-farm employment today in rural China, this study shows that women are still the primary care providers for both children and the elderly. Therefore, reforming public school enrollment and high school/college entrance examination systems so that migrant children can stay with their parents, this will help rural laborers to migrate to cities. The present study also calls for more public services for preschoolers and the elderly in rural China.
Ethics and influences in tourist perceptions of climate change

Ethical decisions to visit disappearing destinations are self-serving and influences feed into self-interest. Data were collected from a sample of pre-, during- and post-visit tourists to Venice and Svalbard, using expressive techniques and scenarios using the Hunt–Vitell model to understand ethical decisions, and the constructive technique and collage to understand influences. The results show that travel decisions are driven by individual selfishness, and any threat to freedom (i.e. the right to travel) is underplayed. The preferred scenario for long-term benefit for planet and people is via short-term economic and social negative impacts on the destination's locals, rather than the tourists' own experience. Respondents believe that they are blameless for their purchasing habits as they lack perceived behavioural control, and instead corporations ought to be providing sustainable products as the norm and not sell products that harm. In the scenarios, where respondents express concern for the locals in a disappearing destination (i.e. if we do not visit, they will not benefit from our expenditure), individual selfishness to visit could be the driver, rather than an altruistic act to provide support. Theoretical and policy implications are discussed.
Identification of Three Major Phosphorylation Sites within HIV-1 Capsid

We previously reported the presence of two cellular serine/threonine protein kinases incorporated in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) particles. One protein kinase is MAPK ERK2 (mitogen-activated protein kinase), whereas the other one, a 53-kDa protein, still needs to be identified. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the capsid protein CAp24 is phosphorylated by one of those two virion-associated protein kinases (Cartier, C., Deckert, M., Grangeasse, C., Trauger, R., Jensen, F., Bernard, A., Cozzone, A., Desgranges, C., and Boyer, V. (1997) J. Virol. 71, 4832–4837). In this study, we showed that CAp24 is not a direct substrate of MAPK ERK2. Moreover, using site-directed mutagenesis of each of the 9 serine residues of CAp24, we demonstrated the phosphorylation of 3 serine residues (Ser-109, Ser-149, and Ser-178) in the CAp24. Substitution of each serine residue did not affect viral budding, nor viral structure. By contrast, substitution of Ser-109, Ser-149, or Ser-178 affects viral infectivity by preventing the reverse transcription process to be completely achieved. Our results suggest that CAp24 serine phosphorylation is essential for viral uncoating process.
Antitumor effect of thymosin alpha 1/interleukin-2 or thymosin alpha 1/interferon alpha,beta following cyclophosphamide in mice injected with highly metastatic Friend erythroleukemia cells.

We investigated the effects of the systemic administration of thymosin alpha 1 plus relatively low doses of human recombinant interleukin-2 or very low doses of interferon alpha,beta in untreated and cyclophosphamide (CY)-treated DBA/2 mice challenged either subcutaneously or intravenously (i.v.) with Friend erythroleukemia cells (FLC). Both treatments resulted in the complete regression of subcutaneous tumor and cured a significative percentage of mice. They also increased the survival time of mice i.v. injected with large numbers of FLC. Neither immunotherapy alone nor CY, alone or in combination with single cytokines, produced similar effects. The antitumor action of these combined chemoimmunotherapy protocols seems to involve activation of the immune response since (a) a synergistic increase of the cytotoxicity of spleen cells was demonstrated in treated mice; (b) selective in vivo depletion of asialo-GM1, CD4, or CD8-positive cells abrogated this antitumor activity; and (c) a high lymphoid cell infiltration was found at the tumor site and in the livers of treated mice.
Measuring the "Ideas" Production Function: Evidence from International Patent Output

This paper estimates the parameters of the ideas' production function central to recent models of economic growth. We do so by evaluating the determinants of international' patenting rates across the OECD, where an international patent is one granted by the U.S. patent office to a foreign establishment. Taking advantage of variation in the flow of ideas produced by different countries over time, we provide evidence for three main findings. First, at the level of the production of international patents, country-level RD Jones, 1995). Second, we find that ideas productivity in a given country is constant or declining in the worldwide stock of ideas. Ideas production by other countries raises the bar for producing new-to-the-world technology domestically, outweighing the positive effects of international knowledge spillovers. Finally, ideas productivity is concave in the size of the R&D workforce and the linkage between ideas production and overall productivity growth is small. These results suggest that while the parametric restrictions required to generate endogenous technological change may be satisfied for individual economies, the growth rate associated with such effects may be modest. There seems to be a gap between the the sustained production of ideas by advanced economies and the ability to translate ideas into measured productivity growth.
Financial exclusion in Latin America — or the social costs of not banking the urban poor

This paper summarizes the findings of research in Bogotá, Colombia and Mexico City on the use of financial services by the urban population. The focus is on the majority of persons who have no relation whatever with a formal bank, cooperative or credit union. The paper identifies the characteristics of those who are “unbanked” and the range of reasons for their exclusion. It also discusses the multiple and considerable costs that this exclusion imposes on the unbanked population, as well as the loss in income that results for formal sector financial institutions. The paper concludes by describing some measures taken to extend financial services to the low-income population, and proposes the importance of linking “financial inclusion” to programmes of urban development and upgrading focused on the poor in developing countries.
Influence of portal pressure change on intestinal permeability in patients with portal hypertension.

OBJECTIVE To investigate intestinal permeability in patients with portal hypertension and its relationship with portal pressure. METHODS Twenty patients with portal hypertension were divided into two groups (A, B), 10 patients per group. In group A, patients were treated with combined transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) and modified Sugiura. In group B, patients were treated with modified Sugiura only. Intestinal permeability was assessed before operation, two weeks after TIPS, and two weeks after modified Sugiura; 20 healthy control subjects were also assessed. RESULTS Intestinal permeability was significantly higher in the patients than in the control group (P<0.01). In group A, portal pressure, intestinal permeability decreased two weeks after TIPS (P<0.05), and no obvious change was noted two weeks after modified Sugiura; but they were significantly lower than those before TIPS (P<0.05). In group B, intestinal permeability was not different before and after operation. Intestinal permeability in group A was not different from that in group B before treatment, but significantly lower after modified Sugiura (P<0.05). Portal pressure was significantly correlated with intestinal permeability (r=0.627, P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS This study shows that combined TIPS and modified Sugiura can lower portal pressure and intestinal permeability, and enhance the therapeutic efficacy on portal hypertension.
The Impact of Catastrophes on Insurer Stock Volatility

This article investigates the impact of natural catastrophes and the 9-11 attacks on (1) the volatility of insurance stocks and (2) the correlation of insurance stocks with the market. We find that natural catastrophes increase the volatility of insurance stocks. They also have a tendency to reduce the correlation of insurance stocks and the market. Investors can, consequently, diversify natural catastrophe risk by additionally holdings of a market portfolio. However, this does not hold for 9-11. The events of 9-11 led to increases in volatility and, simultaneously, to an increase in correlation. We also find evidence that 9-11 increased the beta of insurance stocks.
Brief report: differences in multijoint symptomatic osteoarthritis phenotypes by race and sex: the Johnston County Osteoarthritis Project.

OBJECTIVE To determine differences in the phenotypes (patterns) of multiple-joint symptomatic osteoarthritis (OA) involvement by race and sex. METHODS A cross-sectional analysis of symptomatic OA phenotypes was performed in a community-based cohort, comprising subjects for whom data were collected from 4 sites of symptomatic OA involvement (the hands, knees, hips, and lumbosacral [LS] spine) at a single visit (2003-2010). Mutually exclusive phenotypes describing all combinations of these 4 sites were compared by race and by sex, using Fisher's exact tests. For those phenotypes occurring in >40 subjects, logistic regression was performed, with adjustments for race, sex, age, and body mass index (BMI), and interactions of race and sex were assessed. RESULTS The sample included 1,650 participants, of whom 36% were men and 32% were African American. The mean age of the subjects was 66 years, and the mean BMI was 31 kg/m(2). Overall, in this sample, 13% of subjects had symptomatic hand OA, 25% had symptomatic knee OA, 11% had symptomatic hip OA, and 28% had symptomatic LS spine OA. African Americans, as compared with Caucasians, were less likely to have involvement of symptomatic OA in the hand only, or in some combination of the hand and other sites, but were more likely to have involvement of the knee only. Men, as compared to women, were less likely to have involvement of the hand only, but were more likely to have involvement of the LS spine only. CONCLUSION There are differences in the phenotypes of multiple-joint symptomatic OA involvement by race and by sex that may influence the definitions of multiple-joint, or generalized, OA.
Bupivacaine Wound Instillation via an Electronic Patient-Controlled Analgesia Device and a Double-Catheter System Does Not Decrease Postoperative Pain or Opioid Requirements After Major Abdominal Surgery

To assess the analgesic efficacy of patient-controlled bupivacaine wound instillation, 50 patients undergoing major intraabdominal surgery were enrolled into this prospective, placebo-controlled, double-blinded study. In all cases, a standard general anesthetic was administered. On completion of surgery, two multihole 20-gauge epidural catheters were tunneled through the proximal and distal apices of the surgical wound and placed above the fascia such that the tips were at the margin of the first and second thirds of the surgical wound, respectively. Postoperatively, a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) device was connected to the instillation system. Either bupivacaine 0.25% (Bupivacaine Group) or an equal volume of sterile water (Control Group) was administered. The PCA device was programmed to deliver 9.0 mL with a 60-min lockout interval and no basal infusion. During the first six postoperative hours, a coinvestigator administered “rescue” morphine (2 mg IV). Thereafter, meperidine 1 mg/kg IM was administered on patient request for additional analgesia. Instillation attempts and actual number of injections were similar between the groups. The mean number of pump infusions and the mean “rescue” opioid requirements during the 24-h study period were similar between the groups. The total “rescue” morphine administered during the first six postoperative hours was 16 ± 17 mg vs 18 ± 14 mg for the Bupivacaine and Control Groups, respectively. The total meperidine administered during this period was 1.6 ± 1.4 mg/kg and 2 ± 1.2 mg/kg for the Bupivacaine and Control Groups, respectively. Preoperatively, hourly for the first six postoperative hours, and on removal of the instillation catheter, patient-generated visual analog scales for pain were similar at rest, on coughing, and after leg raise. In conclusion, bupivacaine wound instillation via an electronic PCA device and a double-catheter system does not decrease postoperative opioid requirements after surgery performed through a midline incision. Implications After major abdominal surgery performed through a 20-cm incision, repeated 0.25% bupivacaine wound instillation via an electronic patient-controlled analgesia device and a double-catheter system does not decrease postoperative pain or opioid requirements.
Xyloglucan endo-Transglycosylase-Mediated Xyloglucan Rearrangements in Developing Wood of Hybrid Aspen1[W][OA]

Xyloglucan endo-transglycosylases (XETs) encoded by xyloglucan endo-transglycosylases/hydrolase (XTH) genes modify the xyloglucan-cellulose framework of plant cell walls, thereby regulating their expansion and strength. To evaluate the importance of XET in wood development, we studied xyloglucan dynamics and XTH gene expression in developing wood and modified XET activity in hybrid aspen (Populus tremula × tremuloides) by overexpressing PtxtXET16-34. We show that developmental modifications during xylem differentiation include changes from loosely to tightly bound forms of xyloglucan and increases in the abundance of fucosylated xyloglucan epitope recognized by the CCRC-M1 antibody. We found that at least 16 Populus XTH genes, all likely encoding XETs, are expressed in developing wood. Five genes were highly and ubiquitously expressed, whereas PtxtXET16-34 was expressed more weakly but specifically in developing wood. Transgenic up-regulation of XET activity induced changes in cell wall xyloglucan, but its effects were dependent on developmental stage. For instance, XET overexpression increased abundance of the CCRC-M1 epitope in cambial cells and xylem cells in early stages of differentiation but not in mature xylem. Correspondingly, an increase in tightly bound xyloglucan content was observed in primary-walled xylem but a decrease was seen in secondary-walled xylem. Thus, in young xylem cells, XET activity limits xyloglucan incorporation into the tightly bound wall network but removes it from cell walls in older cells. XET overexpression promoted vessel element growth but not fiber expansion. We suggest that the amount of nascent xyloglucan relative to XET is an important determinant of whether XET strengthens or loosens the cell wall.
Beyond the Roll-Call Arena: The Determinants of Position Taking in Congress

Most analyses of position taking in Congress focus on roll-call voting, where members of Congress (MCs) regularly cast votes, thereby regularly taking positions. Left largely unstudied has been position taking beyond the domain of rollcall voting. However, analyzing non-roll-call position taking raises interesting theoretical questions. Whereas most members cannot avoid taking positions (casting votes) on roll calls, outside the roll-call arena MCs have more discretion; they must decide whether or not to take a position at all. And, while roll-call voting is directly tied to policy consequences, the connection is weaker in non-roll-call position taking. These two distinguishing features of non-roll-call position taking motivate a variety of hypotheses about who takes positions and what positions they take. Our results reveal strong constituency links to both phenomena. The results also imply that party influence is greater on roll-call position taking. We interpret these findings in the context of leading theories of congressional behavior.
Storgodsdrift. Godsekonomi och arbetsorganisation i Skåne från dansk tid till mitten av 1800-talet.

The aim of this study is to systematically survey and analyse the Scanian manors’ economic and labour organisational development from the province’s Danish times to the middle of the nineteenth century. In this thesis the various surveys provides some clear results that make it possible to generalise the Scanian estate development. Manors were generally large at the end of the the seventeenth century and until the middle of the nineteenth century they grew, in many cases, into agrarian estab-lishments for large-scale production. The estates’ main income came, to an increasingly greater extent, from demesne production, which finally dominated the income profile. The peasants’ most important contribution to the estate owner was the corvee labour in most cases, and the extraction of labour could reach astounding levels in the 1800s. The peasants’ uncertain tenure rights were illustrated with great clarity in the continuing evictions, which were accelerated in the 1800s with the aim of expanding the demesne. The Scanian estate changes fit well into the classical criteria for the conver-sion from Grundherrschaft to Gutherrschaft. But Scania only got to halfway in this process during the agrarian upswing of middle of the sixteenth century. Instead, it was fully accomplished during the second upswing from the end of the 1700s and during the first half of the 1800s. The latter transformation was ambiguous. In answer to the growing market economy, feudal relationships at the estates were intensified, but at the same time society and the labour market were gradually changing. Concomitant with the increase of corvee labour, wage labour became an increasingly important supplement and in some instances had already begun to dissolve the old labour organisation by the middle of the nineteenth century. Fifty years later the corvee labour system had largely been abandoned and capitalistic production and labour forms were predominant at the Scanian estates.
Survival of patients undergoing hemodialysis with paricalcitol or calcitriol therapy.

BACKGROUND Elevated calcium and phosphorus levels after therapy with injectable vitamin D for secondary hyperparathyroidism may accelerate vascular disease and hasten death in patients undergoing long-term hemodialysis. Paricalcitol, a new vitamin D analogue, appears to lessen the elevations in serum calcium and phosphorus levels, as compared with calcitriol, the standard form of injectable vitamin D. METHODS We conducted a historical cohort study to compare the 36-month survival rate among patients undergoing long-term hemodialysis who started to receive treatment with paricalcitol (29,021 patients) or calcitriol (38,378 patients) between 1999 and 2001. Crude and adjusted survival rates were calculated and stratified analyses were performed. A subgroup of 16,483 patients who switched regimens was also evaluated. RESULTS The mortality rate among patients receiving paricalcitol was 3417 per 19,031 person-years (0.180 per person-year), as compared with 6805 per 30,471 person-years (0.223 per person-year) among those receiving calcitriol (P<0.001). The difference in survival was significant at 12 months and increased with time (P<0.001). In the adjusted analysis, the mortality rate was 16 percent lower (95 percent confidence interval, 10 to 21 percent) among paricalcitol-treated patients than among calcitriol-treated patients. A significant survival benefit was evident in 28 of 42 strata examined, and in no stratum was calcitriol favored. At 12 months, calcium and phosphorus levels had increased by 6.7 and 11.9 percent, respectively, in the paricalcitol group, as compared with 8.2 and 13.9 percent, respectively, in the calcitriol group (P<0.001). The two-year survival rate among patients who switched from calcitriol to paricalcitol was 73 percent, as compared with 64 percent among those who switched from paricalcitol to calcitriol (P=0.04). CONCLUSIONS Patients who receive paricalcitol while undergoing long-term hemodialysis appear to have a significant survival advantage over those who receive calcitriol. A prospective, randomized study is critical to confirm these findings.
Does regional currency integration ameliorate global macroeconomic shocks in sub-Saharan Africa? The case of the 2008-2009 global financial crisis

Purpose - – The purpose of this paper is to consider whether regional currency integration in sub-Saharan Africa ameliorates global macroeconomic shocks by considering the impact of the 2008-2009 global financial crisis on economic growth. This suggests that Central Africa Franc Zone (CFAZ) eurocurrency union membership amplifies the effects of global business cycles in sub-Saharan Africa. Design/methodology/approach - – The authors estimate the parameters of a quantity theory model of economic growth within a Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) Framework. Findings - – Parameter estimates from GEE specifications reveal that the contraction in credit during the financial crisis of 2008-2009 had larger adverse growth effects on sub-Saharan African countries who were members of the CFAZ eurocurrency union. The authors also find that sub-Saharan African countries who were members of the CFAZ eurocurrency union were more likely to experience a contraction in credit. Originality/value - – As far as the authors can discern, no existing empirical growth models use a GEE framework to estimate parameters of interest. The GEE parameter estimates are distribution-free, robust with respect to unknown forms of heteroskedasticity, and control for a wide variety of error structures that can induce bias in panel data parameter estimates.