Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bank size, lending paradigms, and usage of Farm Service Agency's guaranteed loan programs

Purpose - – An established paradigm in small business lending is segmented by bank size with large banks more likely to lend to large informationally transparent firms while small banks are more likely to lend to small informationally opaque firms. In light of banking consolidation, this market segmentation can have implications for credit availability. Federal loan guarantees, such as those provided by USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA) may reduce the risks of lending to informationally opaque firms thereby mitigating the impacts of the bank size lending paradigm. This paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach - – This analysis utilized a binomial logit procedure to determine if there was any empirical evidence that smaller community banks served a unique clientele of farmers when making FSA-guaranteed loans. The analysis relied on a unique data set which incorporated detailed data on farm businesses receiving FSA-guaranteed loans, loan characteristics, as well as information about the originating bank and characteristics of the local credit markets. Findings - – Results were consistent with the bank size lending paradigm with smaller banks being less likely to engage in fixed-asset lending, and more likely to serve a riskier and less established clientele when making guaranteed loans. Research limitations/implications - – Data limitations did not permit detailed analysis of banks larger than $250 million in total assets nor for consideration of non-bank lenders. An expansion by these lender groups into serving more informationally opaque borrowers could mitigate any adverse impacts arising from fewer small community banks. Practical implications - – The results suggested that Federal guarantees do not completely eliminate the relative informational advantages of large and small size banks. And, continued bank consolidation, such that there are fewer small community banks, could result in less credit availability among smaller, less creditworthy farm businesses. Social implications - – While FSA guarantees may not enhance a large banks propensity to serve informationally opaque farm borrowers, they may enhance the ability of smaller community banks to serve groups specifically targeted through FSA lending programs; the provision of credit to family farmers who, despite being creditworthy, are unable to obtain credit at reasonable rates and terms. Originality/value - – The analysis examines relationship between bank size and the use of FSA guarantees using a unique data set which incorporated information on FSA-guaranteed loans, farm financial characteristics, along with characteristics of commercial banks which participated in the FSA-guarantee program.
Structural and Functional Association of Trypanosoma brucei MIX Protein with Cytochrome c Oxidase Complex

ABSTRACT A mitochondrial inner membrane protein, designated MIX, seems to be essential for cell viability. The deletion of both alleles was not possible, and the deletion of a single allele led to a loss of virulence and aberrant mitochondrial segregation and cell division in Leishmania major. However, the mechanism by which MIX exerts its effect has not been determined. We show here that MIX is also expressed in the mitochondrion of Trypanosoma brucei, and using RNA interference, we found that its loss leads to a phenotype that is similar to that described for Leishmania. The loss of MIX also had a major effect on cytochrome c oxidase activity, on the mitochondrial membrane potential, and on the production of mitochondrial ATP by oxidative phosphorylation. Using a tandem affinity purification tag, we found that MIX is associated with a multiprotein complex that contains subunits of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase complex (respiratory complex IV), the composition of which was characterized in detail. The specific function of MIX is unknown, but it appears to be important for the function of complex IV and for mitochondrial segregation and cell division in T. brucei.
Management Information Systems: Appreciation and Involvement

Failures in the implementation of management information systems “MIS's” can be attributed in part to a lack of managerial “involvement” and “appreciation. ” The concepts of involvement and appreciation are defined, and their measurement in a real-world research setting is presented. The testing of several hypotheses in this setting indicates that managers who involve themselves with the MIS will appreciate the system, and that managers who are uninvolved will be unappreciative.
Imperfect Market or Imperfect Theory: A Unified Analytical Theory of Production and Capital Structure of Firms

We present a unified analytical theory of production and capital structure of firms. It is extended from an analytical theory of production, whose main result is an analytical formula of variable cost of production as a function of fixed cost and uncertainty. Problems on capital structure can be naturally incorporated into the theory on production from a simple observation. Debt is fixed income for investors and hence fixed cost for issuing firms. The decision on capital structure is part of the decision process that determines the level of the fixed cost and variable cost of firms to achieve a high rate of return based on the understanding of current and future market conditions. The new theory offers a simple and parsimonious understanding to a broad range of empirical patterns documented in the literature. It reinforces the impression from other recent studies that puzzles in corporate finance often result not from “imperfect market” but rather from “imperfect theory”.
Ultrastructure and Development of Pasteuria sp. (S-1 strain), an Obligate Endoparasite of Belonolaimus longicaudatus (Nemata: Tylenchida).

Pasteuria sp. , strain S-1, is a gram-positive, obligate endoparasitic bacterium that uses the phytoparasitic sting nematode, Belonolaimus longicaudatus, as its host in Florida. The host attachment of S-1 appears to be specific to the genus Belonolaimus with development occurring only in juveniles and adults of B. longicaudatus. This bacterium is characterized from other described species of Pasteuria using ultrastructure of the mature endospore. Penetration, development, and sporogenesis were elucidated with TEM, LTSEM, and SEM and are similar to other nematode-specific Pasteuria. Recent analysis of 16S rDNA sequence homology confirms its congeneric ranking with other Pasteuria species and strains from nematodes and cladocerans, and corroborates ultrastructural, morphological, morphometric, and host-range evidence suggesting separate species status.
Microtensile bond strength of lithium disilicate ceramics to resin adhesives.

PURPOSE To evaluate the influence of the internal structure of lithium disilicate glass ceramics (LDC) on the microtensile bond strength to a resin adhesive using two surface treatments. MATERIALS AND METHODS Milling blocks of three types of LDC were sectioned (4 mm thick) using a precision cutting machine: IPS Empress 2 (conventional LDC), IPSe.max CAD (a refined crystal high strength LDC), and Celtra (zirconia reinforced LDC). Cut specimens received crystallization heat treatment as suggested by the manufacturers. Two surface treatments were performed on each group: hydrofluoric acid etching (HF) and airborne particle abrasion using 50-μm glass beads, while the as-cut surface served as control. Treated surfaces were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The disks were coated with a silane primer and bonded to pre-aged resin composite disks (Tetric EvoCeram) using a resin adhesive (Variolink II) and then stored in water for 3 months. Bonded specimens were sectioned into micro-bars (1x1x6 mm) and microtensile bond strength test (MTBS) was performed. Data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA and Tukey's post-hoc test (α=0.05). RESULTS Statistical analysis revealed significant differences in microtensile bond strength values between different LDCs (F=67, p<0.001), different surface treatments (F=232, p<0.001), and interaction between LDC and surface treatments (F=10.6, p<0.001). Microtensile bond strength of Celtra ceramic (30.4±4.6 MPa) was significantly higher than both IPS Empress 2 (21.5±5.9 MPa) and IPSe.max ceramics (25.8±4.8 MPa), which had almost comparable MTBS values. SEM images demonstrated homogenous glassy matrix and reinforcing zirconia fillers characteristic of Celtra ceramic. Heat treatment resulted in growth and maturation of lithium disilicate crystals. Particle abrasion resulted in abrasion of the glass matrix and exposure of lithium disilicate crystals, while HF etching produced a microrough surface, which resulted in higher MTBS values and reduction in the percentage of adhesive failure for all groups. CONCLUSIONS Within the limitations of this study, bond strength to lithium disilicate ceramics depends on proper surface treatment and on the chemical composition of the glass ceramic.
Comparison of deposits of versican, biglycan and decorin in saphenous vein and internal thoracic, radial and coronary arteries: correlation to patency

BackgroundMatrix proteoglycans versican, biglycan and decorin are important determinants of vessel‐wall structure and pathology. Thickened myxoid intimas typical of restenosis and early atherosclerosis are enriched in versican and biglycan, proteoglycans that promote proliferation and migration of smooth muscle cells and bind lipoproteins. In contrast, compact fibrous intimas are characterized by decorin. ObjectiveTo compare the distribution patterns of these matrix proteoglycans, and changes induced by organ culture in coronary artery, saphenous vein, internal thoracic artery (ITA), and radial artery, and correlate differences to patency. MethodsVessels were collected at the time of bypass surgery and heart transplantation and either fixed for immunohistochemistry or prepared for organ culture. Vessels in culture were labelled with [3H]‐glucosamine and processed for autoradiography and immunohistochemistry. Distribution patterns for proteoglycans and radio‐labelling were determined morphometrically. ResultsDistribution profiles in coronary artery and saphenous vein were similar, with relatively high levels of subendothelial versican and biglycan and low levels of decorin. In culture subendothelial incorporation of [3H]‐glucosamine and immunostaining for versican and biglycan, but not decorin, were significantly increased. In contrast, the thin intima of the ITA was relatively enriched in decorin compared with the medial layers and in culture intimal staining for decorin increased markedly compared with a modest increase for biglycan and no change for versican. There was an even distribution in radial artery of all three proteoglycans across the intima without subendothelial accumulations. In culture there was an increase in staining intensity for proteoglycans of the radial artery. Neither the ITA nor radial artery exhibited an increase in subendothelial incorporation of [3H]‐glucosamine in culture. ConclusionsThe distributions of proteoglycans, and responses to culture correlate to the known differences in patency between grafted saphenous vein and ITA and predict that the radial artery will outperform the saphenous vein but might not be as good as the ITA for long‐term patency.
Symbolic Consumption and Alternative Signals of Status

My dissertation is composed of three papers on symbolic consumption–how consumers use products, brands, and time to express who they are and signal status. The first paper (Brand Tourists: How Non–Core Users Enhance the Brand Image by Eliciting Pride) demonstrates the positive impact of non-core users of a prestige brand perceived as “brand tourists” into the brand community. The second paper (The Red Sneakers Effect: Inferring Status and Competence from Signals of Nonconformity) investigates the conditions under which nonconforming behaviors, such as wearing red sneakers in a professional setting, can act as a particular form of conspicuous consumption and lead to positive inferences of status and competence in the eyes of others. The third paper (Conspicuous Consumption of Time: When Busyness and Lack of Leisure Time Become a Status Symbol) further extends this line of investigation on alternative signals of status by uncovering the role of long hours of work and lack of leisure time as a status symbol. I conclude with a discussion of current working papers and future research agenda on symbolic consumption and branding.
Visible markers of brain injury influence attributions for adolescents’ behaviour

Primary objective: Experiments investigated whether attributions for a brain-injured person's behaviours were affected by markers of injury. People misattribute behaviours that result from brain injury to personality or life stages (e.g. adolescence), particularly when there are no visible markers of the injury. Research design: Scenarios presented a photograph of an adolescent boy, who either wore or did not wear a head bandage. The boy was described as suffering a brain injury and showing four changes in his behaviour, relating to sleep, anger, self-confidence and motivation. Methods and procedures: For each behaviour, students (n = 100) rated attributions to the brain injury and adolescence. Outcomes and results: When there was no bandage, participants attributed the behaviours to adolescence more than brain injury, whereas with the head bandage they invoked both causes equally. Conclusions: When actions resulting from brain injury are attributed to causes other than the injury, this misattribution hinders accurate diagnosis and treatment. Data on effects of injury and individual levels of pre-morbid behaviours lead to accurate attributions.
AN ASSESSMENT OF THE RISK AND RETURN OF FRENCH COMMON STOCKS

In this paper the relationship is examined between the average return and the risk of a sample of 144 French common stocks which traded continuously over the decade 1969–1979. Although it was found that a negative relationship existed between average return and systematic risk, sufficient evidence could not be gathered to reject the hypothesis that the pricing of French common stocks conforms to the Capital Asset Pricing Model. The nature and implications of the observed negative risk-return trade-off are discussed.
Role of polymorphisms in BCL-2 and BAX genes in modulating the risk of developing non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate whether polymorphisms of − 938C/A and Thr43Ala in the BCL-2 gene and G − 248A in the BAX gene are associated with the risk of developing non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). We genotyped polymorphisms of − 938C/A and Thr43Ala in the BCL-2 gene and G-248A in the BAX gene among 424 patients with NHL and 446 controls. We found that the − 938AA genotype of the BCL2 gene was significantly associated with the risk of developing NHL (p < 0.001) and this genotype was associated with advanced stage (p = 0.01). Meanwhile, individuals having − 248AG + AA genotypes were significantly associated with an increased risk of NHL (p = 0.01), and these genotypes were associated with larger tumor size (p = 0.02). The present study demonstrated that the − 938AA genotype of the BCL-2 gene and − 248AG + AA genotype of the BAX gene may be susceptible genotypes for NHL. There appeared to be an impact of the BCL2 − 938AA genotype on advanced stage and − 248AG + AA genotypes on tumor size in NHL.
The endogeneity of tariffs in Italy, 1890-1969

The theory of tariff endogeneity suggests that tariffs are influenced by macroeconomic disturbances. The paper tests a simple endogenous tariff model for Italy applying cointegration techniques to time-series data for the period 1890–1969. It is found that the average tariff level is cointegrated with industrial production, consumer prices, the terms of trade and the foreign trade balance (as a percentage of GNP) and that tariff setting has responded to disturbances in these variables. In particular, tariffs appear to have been raised in response to low output growth, increases in the terms of trade and a deteriorating foreign trade balance, and reduced in response to higher inflation.
Cointegration, Causality and Wagner's Law: A Test for Britain 1870-1913

Wagner's law, first proposed in 1883, has been tested on numerous occasions for many countries. The evidence presented to date on the existence of 'the law' has been mixed and interpretation have been hampered by the general neglect of such issues as non-stationary and cointegration. Henrekson (1990) considers the stationarity and cointegration properties of Swedish data, but finds no evidence of Wagner's law. In this study cointegration is taken as a necessary condition for the non-spurious existence of Wagner's law and the testing methodology is applied to British data, 1870-1913. Evidence of co-integration and unidirectional Granger causality is found in the data and support for the law is established. Copyright 1994 by Scottish Economic Society.
Local Labor Markets

This paper studies the processes of wage and employment dynamics within local labor markets. The theoretical context is a dynamic spatial equilibrium among locales that is supported by incentives to migrate to markets offering the greatest present value of future earnings. Thus costly migration arbitrages geographic wage differences. Using a time series of cross-sectional files from the Current Population Surveys of 1977-79, I find that wages are sensitive to interarea differences in market conditions. A positive relative shock to local labor demand increases relative wages within a locale, but expectations of future demand actually reduce current wages because of increased current migration. Thus wages are more flexible in response to transitory changes in local market conditions than to permanent ones. Consistent with theory, wages are most flexible among the least mobile demographic groups, who are inelastically supplied across geographic areas.
Intellectual capital: a human capital perspective

In this article, intellectual capital is seen as complementary capacities of competence and commitment. Based on theoretically and empirically robust human capital theory, we define intellectual capital as individuals’ complementary capacity to generate added value and thus create wealth. Resources are then perceived to be both tangible and intangible. This view is an extension of human capital theory to include the intangible capacities of people. Implications for future research are discussed.
Upper bound for ruin probabilities under optimal investment and proportional reinsurance

In this paper, we consider the optimal investment and reinsurance from an insurer's point of view to maximize the adjustment coefficient. We obtain the explicit expressions for the optimal results in the diffusion approximation (D-A) case as well as in the jump-diffusion (J-D) case. Furthermore, we derive a sharper bound on the ruin probability, from which we conclude that the case with investment is always better than the case without investment. Some numerical examples are presented to show that the ruin probability in the D-A case sometimes underestimates the ruin probability in the J-D case. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Junction resistivity of carrier selective polysilicon on oxide junctions and its impact on the solar cell performance

We investigate the junction resistivity of high quality carrier selective polysilicon on oxide (POLO) junctions with the transfer length method. We demonstrate n<sup>+</sup> POLO junctions with a saturation current density J<inf>c, poly</inf> of 6.2 fA/cm<sup>2</sup> and junction resistivity p<inf>c</inf> of 0.6 mΩcm<sup>2</sup>, counterdoped n<sup>+</sup> POLO junctions with 2.7 fA/cm<sup>2</sup> and 1.3 mΩcm<sup>2</sup>, and p<sup>+</sup> POLO junctions with 6.7 fA/cm<sup>2</sup> and 0.2 mΩcm<sup>2</sup>. Such low junction resistivities and saturation current densities correspond to excellent selectivities of up to 16.2 and imply a contribution of only a few mΩcm<sup>2</sup> to the total series resistance of the cell, enabling an efficiency potential larger than 26 %, which was estimated by numerical device simulations. We demonstrate experimentally a back-junction back contacted solar cell with p-type and n-type POLO junctions with an efficiency of 23.9 %. This efficiency is the largest reported so far for cells with polysilicon junctions for both contacts and it is limited by the passivation of undoped regions.
Business Value from Clouds: Learning from Users

Cloud computing enables firms not only to mitigate risks in today’s hyper-competitive business environment, but also to gain competitive advantages. Based on field interviews with seven early adopter companies, supplemented by some published reports, the authors describe six cloud computing benefit patterns and five business-related strategic risks that can be managed using cloud computing. Dynamically dealing with a mix of legacy systems and cloud solutions is but one of the dimensions of management required today as companies compete as members of ecosystems that include such entities as competitors, complementors, infrastructure providers, development platform providers, and orchestrators.
Fgf8 expression defines a morphogenetic center required for olfactory neurogenesis and nasal cavity development in the mouse

In vertebrate olfactory epithelium (OE), neurogenesis proceeds continuously, suggesting that endogenous signals support survival and proliferation of stem and progenitor cells. We used a genetic approach to test the hypothesis that Fgf8 plays such a role in developing OE. In young embryos, Fgf8 RNA is expressed in the rim of the invaginating nasal pit (NP), in a small domain of cells that overlaps partially with that of putative OE neural stem cells later in gestation. In mutant mice in which the Fgf8 gene is inactivated in anterior neural structures, FGF-mediated signaling is strongly downregulated in both OE proper and underlying mesenchyme by day 10 of gestation. Mutants survive gestation but die at birth, lacking OE, vomeronasal organ (VNO), nasal cavity, forebrain, lower jaw, eyelids and pinnae. Analysis of mutants indicates that although initial NP formation is grossly normal, cells in the Fgf8-expressing domain undergo high levels of apoptosis, resulting in cessation of nasal cavity invagination and loss of virtually all OE neuronal cell types. These findings demonstrate that Fgf8 is crucial for proper development of the OE, nasal cavity and VNO, as well as maintenance of OE neurogenesis during prenatal development. The data suggest a model in which Fgf8 expression defines an anterior morphogenetic center, which is required not only for the sustenance and continued production of primary olfactory (OE and VNO) neural stem and progenitor cells, but also for proper morphogenesis of the entire nasal cavity.
Knowledge integration within innovation process: a technopreneurial perspective

Knowledge integration (KI) is one of the major aspects driving innovation within an organisation. In this paper, we attempt to develop a better understanding of responses to the challenges of knowledge integration within the innovation process in technology–based firms. Using four technology–based Australian firms, we investigated how knowledge integration may be managed within the context of innovation in technology firms. Previous research highlights the role of four KI tasks that affect the innovation capability within technology–oriented firms, namely team building capability, capturing tacit knowledge, role of knowledge management (KM) systems and technological systemic integration. Our findings indicate that in addition to these four tasks, a strategic approach to integrating knowledge for innovation, as well as leadership and management, are essential to achieving effective KI across multiple levels of engagement. Our findings also offer practical insights into how knowledge can be integrated within innovation process, with specific implications for managers.