Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Credit Availability and the Collapse of the Banking Sector in the 1930s

This paper examines the mechanism through which banking sector distress affects the availability of credit using the experience of the United States during the Great Depression. We utilize previously neglected data from a 1934 survey conducted by the Federal Reserve System of both banks and Chambers of Commerce regarding the availability of credit, and examine which aspects of the banking system collapse affected credit availability as indicated by the survey. We find that bank failures had the most dominant impact, but there is also some evidence for the importance of funding constraints from deposit outflows and of protracted bank liquidation.
Incidence and risk factors of recurrent episodes of bacteremia in adults.

BACKGROUND Bacteremia is a cause of high morbidity and mortality. Recurrent episodes of bacteremia, its risk factors and characteristics, have been poorly evaluated in the literature, although its occurrence has been established. PATIENTS AND METHODS Analysis of 1426 patients who presented with 1579 episodes of bacteremia and who were prospectively evaluated in a university-affiliated hospital during a 48-month period. The risk factors for a patient to develop a recurrence of bacteremia was assessed comparing those with recurrent episodes with those who survived an episode of bacteremia with no recurrence during the follow-up period. RESULTS A total of 105 patients presented with 248 episodes of bacteremia, of which 143 episodes were recurrent (recurrence rate, 9% of all bacteremic episodes). Two factors were independently predictive of recurrent bacteremia: (1) the presence of an underlying disease (especially a rapidly fatal one [odds ratio, 7.27]) or (2) any complication during the initial episode of bacteremia. Using these factors, the prediction model was significant, but misclassification was high, with a sensitivity of 61% and a specificity of 67% for a cutoff point that maximized both factors. CONCLUSIONS We identified risk factors for patients who presented with an initial episode of bacteremia to develop a recurrence rate. The recurrence risk factors may be used as a form of guidance for extreme preventive measures, but these factors could not predict recurrence with a high degree of accuracy.
Beyond the Indian Act: Restoring Aboriginal Property Rights

The authors not only investigate the current forms of property rights on reservations but also expose the limitations of each system, showing that customary rights are insecure, certificates of possession cannot be sold outside the First Nation, and leases are temporary. As well, analysis of legislation, court decisions, and economic reports reveals that current land management has led to unnecessary economic losses. The authors propose creation of a First Nations Property Ownership Act that would make it possible for First Nations to take over full ownership of reserve lands from the Crown, arguing that permitting private property on reserves would provide increased economic advantages. An engaging and well-reasoned book, Beyond the Indian Act is a bold argument for a new system that could improve the quality of life for First Nations people in communities across the country.
Catastrophic failures of freezing bags for cellular therapy products: description, cause, and consequences.

BACKGROUND Container integrity is critical for maintaining sterility of cryopreserved cellular therapy products. We investigated a series of catastrophic bag failures, first noticed in early 2001. METHODS Process records were reviewed for all PBPC and lymphocyte products cryopreserved in bags from January 2000 through April 2002. Patient charts were also reviewed. RESULTS One thousand two hundred and four bags were removed from storage for infusion to 261 patients. All products had been cryopreserved in Cryocyte poly(ethylene co-vinyl acetate) (EVA) bags in either 10% DMSO or 5% DMSO and 6% pentastarch. Product volumes were 25-75 mL, and bags were stored with overwrap bags in a liquid nitrogen tank. From January 2000 to April 2001, failure occurred in 10 of 599 (1.7%) bags. From May 2001 to April 2002, 58 of 605 (9.6%) bags failed, typically with extensive fractures that were visible before thaw. Of the 58 that failed, 24 were salvaged by aseptic methods and infused to patients under antibiotic coverage; 10 of those 24 (42%) had positive bacterial cultures. Bag failures were not related to product type, cryoprotectant solution, liquid versus vapor storage, or freezer location. Failures were linked to use of four Cryocyte bag lots manufactured in 2000 and 2001. After replacing these lots with a 1999 Cryocyte lot and with KryoSafe polyfluoroethylene polyfluoropropylene (FEP) bags, no more failures occurred in 75 and 102 bags, respectively, thawed through April 2002. DISCUSSION High rates of bag failure were associated with four Cryocyte bag lots. No serious adverse patient effects occurred, but bag failures led to microbial contamination, increased product preparation time, increased antibiotic use, and increased resource expenditure to replace products.
Earnings and Risk Changes around Private Placements of Equity

This paper investigates earnings and risk changes for a sample of firms that issued equity in a private placement. The study is motivated by empirical findings that announcements of public and private sales of equity are associated with opposite stock price effects. We find that earnings increase significantly subsequent to the equity offer and that postoffer earnings changes are positively correlated with announcement period stock price effects. We do not find evidence that private equity sales convey information about the underlying riskiness of firms' assets. These results suggest that private placements of equity convey favorable information to investors about future earnings and contrast with evidence from earlier studies that announcements of public equity issues convey unfavorable information about future prospects.
Quality of Life of Patients with Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck Receiving High-Dose Cisplatin Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy

Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of life (QOL) of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck before and during treatment with high-dose cisplatin and radiotherapy. Methods This was an observational and longitudinal prospective study conducted from June 2011 to March 2013 at the clinical oncology ambulatory unit of a public teaching hospital in São Paulo, Brazil. The University of Washington Quality of Life Questionnaire was used to measure the QOL of patients before and after each chemotherapy cycle with high-dose cisplatin (80–100 mg/m2, three cycles) and radiotherapy (2 Gy, 5 days/week for 7 weeks). Data were analyzed using Student t tests, and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Thirty-two patients completed the three cycles of treatment. The study population consisted primarily of white men with a mean age older than 50 years, who had a partner, a low education level, and who were heavy smokers and drinkers, Karnofsky Performance Status of 90% to 100%, pharynx tumors, and stage IV cancer, classified as T4 and N2 stages; the minority of them required interventions such as a feeding tube and tracheostomy. We observed a reduction in QOL after treatment initiation; this reduction was significant after the second chemotherapy cycle and the sixth week of radiotherapy. The abilities to taste, swallow, salivate, and participate in activities and recreation were affected significantly. We also observed a significant improvement in pain and anxiety resulting from the chemoradiation. Conclusions Healthcare providers need to be aware of the affected domains to provide improved QOL, well-being, and security to cancer patients who are receiving this type of treatment.
Professions and patriarchy revisited. Accountancy in England and Wales, 1887–1914

New evidence is presented about the campaign to secure the admission of women to the accountancy profession in England and Wales during the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. This evidence, which permits a more gender-encompassing approach, is analysed by reference to Witz's (1992) conceptual model of the relationship between patriarchy and professionalisation. It is shown that initially the campaign for admission comprised a usurpationary struggle pursued in civil society. Here equal rights were emphasised and credentialist tactics deployed. These efforts were successfully resisted by the professional elite. When, in consequence of male demands for a statutory monopoly, the issue entered the state arena and legalistic tactics were pursued, the admission of women was conceded in principle. However, the subsequent emergence of separatist solutions offered scope for internal demarcation and the creation of a gendered hierarchy within the profession under patriarchal control. The study emphasises the sustained nature of the campaign for the inclusion of women and its alignment with contemporary feminism. It also suggests the importance of proxy male power to the movement and revisits the ideological foundations of male resistance to it.
Australian Community Responses to Upgraded Farm Dam Laws and Cost-effective Spillway Modelling

Recent attention to farm dams and dam safety in Australia and elsewhere reflects both safety and sustainability issues, and is driven by the fact that since built, many dam safety aspects have changed, e.g. population distributions, meteorological information, estimates of rainfall and runoff, engineering methods, and design standards and techniques. Farmers in Australia have often overlooked the common law obligation to review/design dams in line with current standards because of high engineering consulting costs: this leaves them vulnerable to litigation if their dam fails and the downstream community is susceptible to unacceptable risk levels. The seriousness of this problem has been demonstrated by case studies undertaken in the policy-absent State of South Australia and the policy-driven State of Victoria. In each state, ten hazardous private reservoirs were investigated for spillway adequacy in line with state-of-the-art practice. The investigation follows the release of an innovative Australian developed cost-effective spillway design/review procedure that has been made available and promoted in both states to minimize cost burdens to dam owners and encourage better dam safety management. Recent surveys undertaken in South Eastern Australia to test community attitudes to the procedure and implemented dam safety and water allocation policy in Victoria are also reported. These surveys together with the ‘spillway adequacy’ investigations clearly demonstrate that farmers require more than awareness and encouragement to ensure they look after their dams properly.
Reassessing Segmentation in the Labour Market: An Application for Italy 1995–2004

The aim of this paper is to test for the presence of dualism in a standard wage regression. The disparity in wages between primary and secondary workers, according to labour market segmentation theory, is not provided by worker characteristics, but rather by job characteristics. A standard way to assess this situation is by looking at the estimated coefficients in a standard regression for comparable workers across different labour market segments. In an attempt to avoid arbitrary modelling choices, we deploy mixture regression methods which allow for endogenous determination of the number of existing labour market segments. Using Italian data, our modelling strategy outlines stark differences in returns to human capital between homogeneous workers in different markets. Thus, future policies should consider these findings when implementing labour market measures.
Asymptotic Solutions for Australian Options with Low Volatility

Abstract In this paper we derive asymptotic expansions for Australian options in the case of low volatility using the method of matched asymptotics. The expansion is performed on a volatility scaled parameter. We obtain a solution that is of up to the third order. In case that there is no drift in the underlying, the solution provided is in closed form, for a non-zero drift, all except one of the components of the solutions are in closed form. Additionally, we show that in some non-zero drift cases, the solution can be further simplified and in fact written in closed form as well. Numerical experiments show that the asymptotic solutions derived here are quite accurate for low volatility.
Family-Friendly Work Practices and Job Satisfaction and Organizational Performance

Management literature has emphasized the influence of family-friendly work practices (FFWPs) on work attitudes and organizational performance because there has been an increase in the number of women and dual-career couples in the workforce. However, previous studies on FFWPs yielded inconclusive results and focused on the direct relationship between FFWPs and outcomes. This study explores the influence of FFWPs on job satisfaction and organizational performance. Also, we investigate the moderating effects of managerial support and performance-oriented management. Results support the moderating effect of managerial support. But, findings regarding the moderating role of performance-oriented management do not support our expectation.
Urban food insecurity and the new international food security agenda

The new global and African food security agenda is overwhelmingly productionist and rural in its orientation, and is based on the premise that food insecurity is primarily a rural problem requiring a massive increase in smallholder production. This agenda is proceeding despite overwhelming evidence of rapid urbanisation and the growing likelihood of an urban future for the majority of Africans. Urban food insecurity can therefore no longer be ignored. This paper argues that achieving urban food security is the emerging development challenge for the 21st century and that the complexities of urban food systems urgently need to be addressed by researchers, policy makers, and international donors and multilateral agencies.
Electoral Strategy under Open-List Proportional Representation

Theory: This paper develops a theory of candidate strategy from social-choice principles and from the workings of open-list proportional representation. The theory is used to explain the campaign behavior and the spatial patterns of vote distribution for candidates to the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies. Hypotheses: Campaign strategy is evaluated with models that predict where deputies will offer budget amendments to benefit target municipalities whose votes they seek in subsequent elections. The choice of target municipalities is a function of the cost of erecting barriers to entry, the dominance of the deputy in the municipality, the spatial concentration of the deputy's statewide vote, the vulnerability of the municipality to invasion by outsiders, the weakness of the deputy in the last election, and the deputy's prior political career. Methods: Logistic regression of amendments to the Brazilian national budget in 1989 and 1990 and OLS regression of municipal-level electoral results for the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies in the 1990 elections. Results: Deputies seek secure bailiwicks, search for vulnerable municipalities, and strive to overcome their own electoral weakness by delivering pork. Candidates' tactics vary, partly because political backgrounds differ and partly because the differing demographic and economic contexts of Brazilian states reward some tactics and penalize others. Candidate behavior hinders voter control over deputies, increases incentives for pork seeking, and weakens party programs and discipline.
Towards autonomous robotic skin spatial calibration: A framework based on vision and self-touch

This paper deals with the problem of estimating the pose of tactile elements (i.e. taxels) composing a robotic skin covering the whole body of a robot. This problem arises when a robot skin technology has to be integrated into an already existing robotic platform. To date, the integration process is done by hand and it is not possible to predict where the sensor will be placed on the robot body. This paper presents a novel approach based on a RGB-D camera and exploiting the motion capabilities of the robot for activating the skin sensors. The method uses the measurements of the camera to reconstruct the unknown robot body outer shape and to compute how the area can be touched by the robot. The taxels responses and the related contact centroids are used for estimating the position of the sensors. Our method is based on few assumptions and is a step towards a calibration procedure that can be executed autonomously by a robot. Experiments performed on the Baxter robotic platform demonstrate the effectiveness of the presented approach obtaining an average position error less than 2mm.
Proposed changes to the value added tax: implications for tax revenue and price distortions

This paper examines changes to the value added tax (VAT) system proposed recently by the Indonesian Ministry of Finance-in particular that the exemptions for certain sectors be ended. Using the input-output relationships in the economy as a basis, it analyses the implications of these changes for tax revenue and for price distortions. It also considers other feasible changes to the VAT exemptions that could be advantageous. The paper concludes that the estimated revenue impacts of the proposed changes are small relative to the apparent scope for revenue increases from improved administration of the system as it stands.
Excitation of the corticospinal tract by electromagnetic and electrical stimulation of the scalp in the macaque monkey.

1. The responses evoked by non‐invasive electromagnetic and surface anodal electrical stimulation of the scalp (scalp stimulation) have been studied in the monkey. Conventional recording and stimulating electrodes, placed in the corticospinal pathway in the hand area of the left motor cortex, left medullary pyramid and the right spinal dorsolateral funiculus (DLF), allowed comparison of the actions of non‐invasive stimuli and conventional electrical stimulation. 2. Responses to electromagnetic stimulation (with the coil tangential to the skull) were studied in four anaesthetized monkeys. In each case short‐latency descending volleys were recorded in the contralateral DLF at threshold. In two animals later responses were also seen at higher stimulus intensities. Both early and late responses were of corticospinal origin since they could be completely collided by appropriately timed stimulation of the pyramidal tract. The latency of the early response in the DLF indicated that it resulted from direct activation of corticospinal neurones: its latency was the same as the latency of the antidromic action potentials evoked in the motor cortex from the recording site in the DLF. 3. Scalp stimulation, which was also investigated in three of the monkeys, evoked short‐latency volleys at threshold and at higher stimulus intensities these were followed by later waves. The short‐latency volleys could be collided from the pyramid and, at threshold, had latencies compatible with direct activation of corticospinal neurones. The longer latency volleys were also identified as corticospinal in origin. 4. The latency of the early volley evoked by electromagnetic stimulation remained constant with increasing stimulus intensities. In contrast, with scalp stimulation above threshold the latency of the early volleys decreased considerably, indicating remote activation of the corticospinal pathway below the level of the motor cortex. In two monkeys both collision and latency data suggest activation of the corticospinal pathway as far caudal as the medulla. 5. The majority of fast corticospinal fibres could be excited by scalp stimulation with intensities of 20% of maximum stimulator output. Electromagnetic stimulation at maximum stimulator output elicited a volley of between 70 and 90% of the size of the maximal volley evoked from the pyramidal electrodes. 6. Electromagnetic stimulation was also investigated in one awake monkey during the performance of a precision grip task. Short‐latency EMG responses were evoked in hand and forearm muscles. The onsets of these responses were approximately 0.8 ms longer than the responses evoked by electrical stimulation of the pyramid. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Bacillus radicibacter sp. nov., a new bacterium isolated from root nodule of Oxytropis ochrocephala Bunge

A Gram‐positive, facultative anaerobic, rod‐shaped, and endospore‐forming strain, designated 53‐2T was isolated from the root nodule of Oxytropis ochrocephala Bunge growing on Qilian mountain, China. The strain can grow at pH 7.0–8.0, 10–50 °C and tolerate up to 11% NaCl. Optimal growth occurred at pH 7.2 and 37 °C. The result of BLASTn search based on 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that strain 53‐2T, being closest related to Bacillus acidicola 105‐2T, possessed remote similarity (less than 95.64%) to the species within genus Bacillus. The DNA G + C content was 37.8%. Chemotaxonomic data (major quinone is MK‐7; major polar lipids are diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, unknown phospholipid, and aminoglycophospholipid; fatty acids are anteiso‐C15: 0, iso‐C15:0 and anteiso‐C17: 0) supported the affiliation of the isolate to the genus Bacillus. On the basis of physiological, phylogenetic, and biochemical properties, strain 53‐2T represents a novel species within genus Bacillus, for which the name Bacillus radicibacter is proposed. The type strain is 53‐2T (=DSM27302T=ACCC06115T=CCNWQLS5T).
Borderline Personality Disorder: A Challenge for Mental Health Services

Objective: This study had two main aims: to determine the stability over time of the diagnosis borderline personality disorder (BPD) in a psychiatric hospital population; and to assess the quality and effectiveness of treatment offerred within a state mental health service. Method: The case notes of 47 psychiatric hospital patients followed up for 3 years after the index admission were analysed. Results: The mean number of previous psychiatric hospital admissions was 9.0, and at least 74% of the sample had further admissions (mean 3.7) during the 3 year follow-up. Comorbidity with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder was rare, and was only 13% with major depression. Longitudinal stability of diagnosis was very high. Conclusions: The study firmly supported BPD as a valid diagnosis. Its treatment within the state mental health system was generally haphazard and ineffective. Post-discharge plans were implemented for only 3 subjects. Current moves toward community psychiatric treatment represent a unique opportunity for improving treatment of BPD by using existing resources more effectively.
Redistribution of wealth on merger announcements in India

Purpose – Research on mergers has made considerable progress over the last 50 years and has produced a vast body of literature, especially in the developed markets of the world. Little is known about the effect of announcements of mergers on shareholder wealth in the Indian context. Also unknown is the apparent influence of the market for corporate control on such wealth effects. The purpose of this paper is to fill gaps in this knowledge.Design/methodology/approach – The study uses a standard event study method and statistically analyses share price and other secondary data.Findings – It was found that the acquired firm shareholders enjoy significant wealth gains of 11.6 per cent in a 21‐day event window period, whereas the acquiring and combined firm shareholders do not do so. Mergers that do not see transfer of corporate control bestow significant wealth gains of 21.1 per cent on announcement on the target firm shareholders, whereas those where such a transfer takes place do not witness such gains.Rese.