Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
TRADE UNIONS, EFFICIENCY WAGES, AND SHIRKING

Efficiency wage models typically study the determination of wages and effort levels in the context of a labour market where the supply side is competitive. In this paper, the authors examine the effects of unionization on wages and effort. In addition to the monitoring technology where a noisy signal of each workers performance is received, they propose and investigate a spot-check monitoring technology where the effort of a fraction of workers is measured exactly. They examine models where the union can bargain over wages alone, and over wages and effort. In all cases, the authors show that the popular wisdom that unions reduce effort is generally false. Copyright 1996 by Royal Economic Society.
Modelling variety in consumption expenditure on food in India

In this paper we compute nutrient‐income elasticities for two macronutrients (calories and protein) and five micronutrients (calcium, thiamine, riboflavin, carotene and iron) using an all‐India sample of rural households for 1994. We show that in each case the respective elasticities are positive and significant. This lends support to our hypothesis that an increase in income would increase nutrient intake by varying amounts, contrary to some assertions. We then compute differences in the elasticity of substitution for non‐poor and poor across commodity groups and show that these differences, while significant, are small. This further corroborates our conclusion that increases in income of the poor would lead to greater increases in their nutrient intake as compared to the non‐poor, although the magnitudes will be small.
Individual Wage Setting, Efficiency Wages and Productivity in Sweden

Swedish wage setting has undergone drastic changes during the last 10-15 years. While Sweden was known for its narrow wage distribution, wage differentiation and wage bargaining at the individual level has become leading principles among white-collar workers’ unions. The purpose of the present paper is to analyse the consequences of this wage policy shift. Wage differences have increased drastically among white-collar workers while remained constant or even decreased among blue collar workers. We show that wage differentiation has had a strong effect on white collar workers’ average wage, and caused a major increase in the wage gap between the aggregates of whitecollar and blue-collar workers. We also show that increases in the coefficient of variation of wages raise productivity in firms with many workers in that worker category. Last and foremost, we show that the transition to individual wage setting raises the scope for firms to set efficiency wages and we find support for the fair wage version of efficiency wage setting. The effects of higher wage/fair wage rates were stronger in the late 1990s, when wage differentiation increased more, than in the early 2000s.
Renal Carcinoma-associated Transcription Factors TFE3 and TFEB Are Leukemia Inhibitory Factor-responsive Transcription Activators of E-cadherin*

Translocations of the genes encoding the related transcription factors TFE3 and TFEB are almost exclusively associated with a rare juvenile subset of renal cell carcinoma and lead to overexpression of TFE3 or TFEB protein sequences. A better understanding of how deregulated TFE3 and TFEB contribute to the transformation process requires elucidating more of the normal cellular processes in which they participate. Here we identify TFE3 and TFEB as cell type-specific leukemia inhibitory factor-responsive activators of E-cadherin. Overexpression of TFE3 or TFEB in 3T3 cells activated endogenous and reporter E-cadherin expression. Conversely, endogenous TFE3 and/or TFEB was required for endogenous E-cadherin expression in primary mouse embryonic fibroblasts and human embryonic kidney cells. Chromatin precipitation analyses and E-cadherin promoter reporter gene assays revealed that E-cadherin induction by TFE3 or TFEB was primarily or exclusively direct and mitogen-activated protein kinase-dependent in those cell types. In mouse embryonic fibroblasts, TFE3 and TFEB activation of E-cadherin was responsive to leukemia inhibitory factor. In 3T3 cells, TFE3 and TFEB expression also induced expression of Wilms' tumor-1, another E-cadherin activator. In contrast, E-cadherin expression in model mouse and canine renal epithelial cell lines was indifferent to inhibition of endogenous TFE3 and/or TFEB and was reduced by TFE3 or TFEB overexpression. These results reveal new cell type-specific activities of TFE3 and TFEB which may be affected by their mutation.
Neonatal ureteral obstruction alters expression of renal sodium transporters and aquaporin water channels.

BACKGROUND Congenital urinary tract obstruction is a common cause of renal insufficiency in the neonate and during infancy. Recently, we demonstrated that ureteral obstruction in adult rats is associated with reduction in the abundance of renal aquaporins (AQPs) and renal sodium transporters, which paralleled an impaired urinary concentrating capacity. METHODS In the present study, renal handling of sodium and water, together with the expression of renal aquaporins and major renal sodium transporters, was examined in rats with neonatally induced partial unilateral ureteral obstruction (PUUO) within the first 48 hours of life to clarify the molecular mechanisms involved in the tubular functional defects in response to congenital obstruction. Rats were then followed for 12 or 24 weeks. RESULTS Neonatal PUUO caused a progressive reduction in single kidney glomerular filtration rate (SKGFR) on the obstructed side to 43% of controls at 12 weeks (115 +/- 28 vs. 267 +/- 36 microL/min/100g bw, P < 0.05), and 31% of controls at 24 weeks (106 +/- 24 vs. 343 +/- 41 microL/min/100g bw, P < 0.05). Na-K-ATPase abundance was decreased in the obstructed kidney compared with the nonobstructed kidney at 24 weeks (79 +/- 6%, P < 0.05), and the abundance of bumetanide-sensitive Na-K-2Cl cotransporter (BSC-1) located to the medullary thick ascending limb (mTAL) of the obstructed kidney was significantly reduced both at 12 weeks (42 +/- 10%, P < 0.05) and 24 weeks (50 +/- 10%, P < 0.05). Immunohistochemistry confirmed down-regulation of BSC-1 both at 12 and 24 weeks after onset of obstruction. Consistent with this, sodium excretion from the obstructed kidney was increased at 12 weeks (0.13 +/- 0.03 vs. 0.04 +/- 0.01 micromol/min/100g bw, P < 0.05), and persisted 24 weeks after onset of PUUO (0.15 +/- 0.02 vs. 0.06 +/- 0.01 micromol/min/100g bw, P < 0.05). AQP2 abundance in the collecting duct was also reduced both at 12 weeks (68 +/- 5%, P < 0.05) and at 24 weeks (69 +/- 13%, P < 0.05). Consistent with this, solute-free water reabsorption was decreased in the obstructed kidney at 12 weeks (0.61 +/- 0.42 vs. 1.97 +/- 0.63 microL/min/100g bw, P < 0.05) and remained decreased after 24 weeks of PUUO (0.42 +/- 0.04 vs. 1.56 +/- 0.39 microL/min/100g bw, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Major sodium transporters and aquaporins in the obstructed kidney are down-regulated in response to neonatally induced PUUO, which indicates that these transporters may play a crucial role for the persistent reduction in renal handling of sodium and water in response to PUUO.
Moment condition failure in stock returns: UK evidence

We examine the issue of moments existence in the UK stock market. It is found that the second moment of stock returns is finite, and therefore, the infinite variance stable distribution is ruled out as a candidate for modelling stock returns. In contrast with the US evidence, we cannot rule out the possibility that the fourth moment is finite.
Revisiting the US money demand function: an application of the Lagrange multiplier structural break unit root test and the bounds test for a long-run relationship

In this article, we examine the issue of a levels relationship and stability of the US money demand function over the period 1959:01 to 2004:02. We use the Lagrange multiplier structural break unit root test and the bounds testing approach to a long-run relationship in levels of the variables, namely real money demand, nominal interest rate and real income. We find greater evidence for a long-run relationship in levels and stability of the US money demand function when we use M2 as a proxy for money demand. However, we find little evidence for a long-run relationship between M1 and M2 with their determinants for the recent period, spanning the last decade or so.
Capital Structure and the Ex-Dividend Day Return

We apply an option-pricing framework to the ex-dividend behavior of common stocks. The framework explains the observed behavior of positive returns on the ex-dividend day and predicts that ex-dividend day returns will be higher for firms with greater financial leverage. Empirical testing supports the prediction. In contrast to prior studies, we find that dividend-capture activity has no significant impact on ex-dividend behavior, and we offer an explanation based on the importance of tick intervals.
The Effects of Transaction Costs on Stock Prices and Trading Volume

Abstract We study the effects of changes in bid–ask spreads on the prices and trading volumes of stocks that move from Nasdaq to the NYSE or Amex and stocks that move from Amex to Nasdaq. When stocks move from Nasdaq to an exchange, their spreads typically decrease, but the reduction in spreads is larger when Nasdaq market makers avoid odd-eighth quotes. When stocks move from Amex to Nasdaq, their spreads typically increase, but again, the increase is larger when Nasdaq market makers avoid odd eighths. We use this data to isolate the effects of transaction costs on trading volume and expected returns. We find that higher transaction costs significantly reduce trading volume, but do not have a significant effect on prices.Journal of Economic LiteratureClassification Numbers: G10, G14.
Resettling Farm Households in Northwestern Vietnam: Livelihood Change and Adaptation

This paper examines how a resettlement programme in northwestern Vietnam has affected the livelihood assets, strategies and outcomes of the resettled and host households. Data were collected using informal interviews, followed by a structured survey of 56 resettled and 52 host households. Results show a significant decline in natural capital for the resettled households and a lesser decline for the host households; however, both groups have partially compensated for this through land use intensification. The net income of the host households did not change significantly after resettlement, whereas the farm revenues of the resettled households fell dramatically, but, due to the compensation payments made to them, their net household income actually increased. Most compensation money has been consumed rather than invested in livelihood assets; livelihood outcomes might therefore deteriorate when the compensation payments end.
Robust association of the APOEɛ4 allele with premature myocardial infarction especially in patients without hypercholesterolaemia: the Aachen study

Background Genetic influence on the manifestation of coronary artery disease (CAD) and myocardial infarction (MI) has been shown previously. From many candidate genes the APOE (apolipoprotein E) with the major alleles ɛ2/ɛ3/ɛ4 is in the focus of interest.
Safety, Tolerability, Pharmacokinetics, and Pharmacodynamic Properties of the GPR40 Agonist TAK‐875: Results From a Double‐Blind, Placebo‐Controlled Single Oral Dose Rising Study in Healthy Volunteers

TAK‐875 is a selective G‐protein‐coupled receptor 40 agonist in development for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. This randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study evaluated the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of TAK‐875 following administration of a single oral dose of TAK‐875 (25–800 mg) in 60 healthy volunteers. TAK‐875 was eliminated slowly with a mean terminal elimination t1/2 of approximately 28.1 to 36.6 hours. Systemic exposure of TAK‐875 did not exhibit dose‐proportional increases across the dose range evaluated due to a greater than proportional increase in exposure at doses greater than 200 mg. A preliminary food effect assessment indicated that coadministration of TAK‐875 with a high‐fat meal decreased Cmax of TAK‐875 by 40% and AUC by 17%. Clinical adverse experiences were generally mild and transient. No dose‐dependent pattern was observed. In healthy volunteers, no glucose‐lowering effect and no increase in insulin or c‐peptide secretion were evident following administration of TAK‐875; the frequency of plasma glucose concentrations <70 mg/dL was similar in the TAK‐875 and pooled placebo groups. TAK‐875 was well tolerated in the study and has pharmacokinetic characteristics suitable for a once‐daily regimen. The pharmacodynamic data support the notion that TAK‐875, if effective in diabetic patients, may bear a low risk of hypoglycemia.
Rossby wave breaking, the upper level jet, and serial clustering of extratropical cyclones in western Europe

Winter 2013/14 was the stormiest on record for the UK and was characterized by recurrent clustering of extratropical cyclones. This clustering was associated with a strong, straight and persistent North Atlantic jet and was also associated with Rossby wave breaking (RWB) on both flanks, pinning the jet in place. The occurrence of RWB and cyclone clustering is further studied in 36 years of the ERA‐Interim Reanalysis. Clustering at 55°N is associated with an extended and anomalously strong eddy‐driven jet flanked on both sides by RWB. However, clustering at 65(45)°N has a dominance of RWB to the south (north) of the jet, deflecting the jet northward (southward). A positive correlation was found between clustering and RWB occurrence to the north and south of the jet. However, there is considerable spread in these relationships.
Understanding the effects of outsourcing: unpacking the total factor productivity variable

Research on why firms should outsource and how they should do it has proliferated in the past two decades, but few consistent findings have emerged concerning the benefits of outsourcing. We argue that this is in part due to the lack of an adequate framework for measuring the effects of outsourcing. To address this, we present such a framework based upon the Cobb–Douglas productivity function. We explain how our framework can be used to unpack one component of the Cobb–Douglas productivity function, the ‘total factor productivity’, which represents the other numerous sub-variables that affect outsourcing productivity, beyond the capital and labour expenditures. We also demonstrate the framework using a simple illustrative example.
Ontology- Versus Pattern-Based Evaluation of Process Modeling Languages: A Comparison

Selecting an appropriate process modeling language forms an important task for organizations engaging in business process management initiatives. A plethora of process modeling languages has been developed over the last decades, leading to a need for rigorous theory to assist in the evaluation and comparison of the capabilities of these languages. While substantial academic progress in the area of process modeling language evaluation has been made in at least two areas, using an ontology-based theory of representation or the framework of workflow patterns, it remains unclear how these frameworks relate to each other. We use a generic framework for language evaluation to establish similarities and differences between these acknowledged reference frameworks and discuss how and to what extent they corroborate each other. Our line of investigation follows the case of the popular BPMN modeling language, whose evaluation from the perspectives of representation theory and workflow patterns is comparatively assessed in this paper. We also show which tenets of modeling quality these frameworks address and that further research is needed, especially in the area of evaluating the pragmatic quality of modeling.
Implications of the ‘IAS Regulation’ for Research into the International Differences in Accounting Systems

Abstract Meek and Thomas (2004) call for research on the continued relevance of ‘rediscovered’ dichotomous accounting classifications. We provide such evidence by examining how developments surrounding the ‘IAS Regulation’ (1606/2002) influenced international differences in accounting systems in the European Union. Since a sufficient time series of actual post-2005 International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) reporting practice is not yet observable, we propose an initial re-classification of accounting systems based on evidence available to date, that is, the degree of implementation of the IAS Regulation in the Member States. Consistent with Nobes (1998), we find that the degree of public accountability to outside investors (the ‘public/private’ criterion) is becoming the primary differentiator for accounting systems in Europe, surpassing country-level variables such as legal system and culture. The distinction between consolidated and individual financial statements is the second emerging differentiator. While consolidated accounting is becoming more uniform across countries, cross-country cultural differences are most likely to persist in individual accounting. Based on our analysis we highlight two important areas of future research beyond the consolidated financial statements of listed firms (e.g. Nobes, 2005; Schipper, 2005). First, at the country level, the interaction of IFRS and individual financial statements will need to be reassessed. In addition, research could help introduce a degree of differentiation into financial reporting regulation for unlisted firms, because these firms are not a homogeneous group. Also, the convergence of national GAAP systems with IFRS will benefit from fresh research insights. Second, at the firm level, future research could analyze the extent to which the determinants and consequences of IFRS adoption, an area well researched for publicly traded firms (e.g. Cuijpers and Buijink, 2005), generalize to unlisted firms. Such research will help detect emerging patterns of accounting systems within an international context. It will generate insights into the disconnect of consolidated accounts from national influences, the degree of uniformity of consolidated accounts among international firms, the continued relevance of traditional classifications of international accounting systems for individual accounts and accounts of unlisted companies, and the convergence of national standards with IFRS.
The Relationship Between Export Promotion Spending and State Exports in the U.S.

Abstract The impact of export promotion spending on export activity is a relationship frequently alluded to but which has yet to be empirically explored. It is generally accepted in practitioner circles that exporting is viewed as an important way of achieving the economic goals of businesses and governments. At the same time, firms often face barriers or inhibitors, some of which can be attributed to the policies of these same government entities that impede the process of exporting. This study empirically considers the relationship between export promotion spending and export activity. The results support the notion that U.S. state government spending on export promotion results in increased exports. The implications of the findings for both export managers and public policy makers are described.
Promoting Service Quality and Client Adherence to the Service Plan

Abstract Relationships were examined among management's support for innovation and learning, employee attitudes, and client outcomes. Results from an employee sample within six nonprofit service organizations indicated that if organizational leaders create a work environment supportive of learning and innovation, supervisors may support their staff's empowerment, and staff may respond with increased trust and perceive service quality as higher. The results also indicated that as employees increase their trust in management, they become more affectively committed to the organization. Although fostering employee commitment may provide benefits not shown in this study, commitment did not appear to be directly related to increased perceptions of service quality.
The Global Economic Implications of Freer Skilled Migration

One consequence of the trade and technology driven increases in skill premia in the older industrial regions since the 1980s has been a perceived “skill shortage” in those regions, along with freer migration of skilled and professional workers from developing regions. While skilled migration flows remain too small to have large short-run effects on labour markets, a further opening to skilled migrants by the industrialised North could see substantial changes in labour markets and overall growth performance. The links between demographic change, migration flows and economic growth are here explored using a new demographic sub-model that is integrated with an adaptation of the GTAP-Dynamic global economic model in which regional households are disaggregated by age and gender. Skilled migration flows are assumed to be motivated by real wage differences to an extent that is variably constrained by immigration policies. A uniform relaxation of these constraints has most effect on labour markets in the traditional migrant destinations, Australia, Western Europe and North America, where it restrains the skill premium and substantially enhances GDP growth. Skill premia are raised, however, in regions of origin, and particularly in South Asia, although the extent of this is shown to depend sensitively on the responsiveness of skill acquisition to regional skill premia.
Comparative Molecular Analysis Substantiates Zoonotic Potential of Equine Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Despite the increasing importance of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in veterinary medicine, knowledge about the epidemiology of the pathogen in horses is still poor. The phylogenetic relationship of strains of human and equine origins has been addressed before, usually by analyzing results of common standard classification methods for MRSA. This work intends to go beyond the baseline of typing procedures in order to comparatively characterize equine and human MRSA strains with similar phylogenetic backgrounds. In addition to multilocus sequence typing, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, spa typing, staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec typing, and a PCR for Panton-Valentine leukocidin gene detection, a microarray analysis of a total of 185 structural, virulence-associated, and resistance loci was applied. The results showed that clonal complex 8 (CC8) was absolutely predominant (16 strains) in 19 investigated equine MSRA strains. Of the CC8 strains, 13 belonged to sequence type 254 (ST254) and the other 3 to ST8. This genotype has been isolated from different equine patients in various regions over several years, substantiating the apparent predominance of CC8 STs in MRSA strains of horses worldwide. Furthermore, comparatively investigated human strains of ST254 displayed molecular-typing results indistinguishable from those for strains of equine origin. Two further equine strains (ST22 and ST1117) showed similarity to ST22 human strains (CC22). One equine strain belonged to ST398, a genotype recently described as being frequently isolated from specimens from pigs and pig farmers. These data provide evidence for the adaptation of certain MRSA genotypes to more than one mammalian species, reflecting their extended host spectra.