Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Money and Asset Prices in a Cash-in-Advance Economy

An asset-pricing model with money introduced via a cash-in-advance constraint is presented. The monetary velocity is variable; hence money demand does not obey the trivial quantity equation. The effects of disturbances in output and money growth on real balances, the price level, and interest rates are examined. Monetary policy has effects on real asset prices. The Fisher relation and the premium on nominal bonds are discussed. The precise role of the timing of information and transactions for properties of price levels and interest rates are clarified.
Psychological distress and social support are determinants of changing oral health status among an immigrant population from Ethiopia.

OBJECTIVES To examine associations between psychosocial profile (psychological distress and social support) and changing oral health status (dental caries and periodontal disease), among a group of immigrants from Ethiopia to Israel. METHODS Three hundred and forty immigrants, aged 18-75 years, with a mean age of 38.4±13.5 years, comprised the study population and were followed over a 5-year period. Dental caries was recorded employing the DMFT index. Periodontal health status was recorded employing the Community Periodontal Index (CPI). Participants were interviewed using a structured written questionnaire which included two validated psychosocial scales, for psychological distress and social support. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed. RESULTS Among subjects with psychological distress, the adjusted mean caries (DMFT) increment in 2004-2005, since baseline (1999-2000), was 3.52±0.19 when compared to 0.35±0.15 among subjects with no psychological distress (P<0.001). Correspondingly, the percentage of people with increased periodontal pockets was 40%, when compared to 7%, respectively (P<0.001). In multiple linear regression analysis employing the DMFT as a continuous variable, and in multiple logistic regression analysis employing the DMFT as a dichotomous variable (% caries versus % caries-free), the four variables that reached statistical significance as predictors of caries status were previous caries experience, psychological distress, social support, and age. Gender, income, and education were not significantly related to current caries prevalence. In a multiple logistic regression analysis, the three variables that reached statistical significance as predictors of periodontal disease (shallow and deep pockets) were previous periodontal disease experience, psychological distress, and age. Social support, gender, income, and education were not significantly associated with periodontal disease prevalence. CONCLUSIONS This study presents persuasive evidence that supports the role of psychological distress and social support as determinants of changing oral health levels, among a low socioeconomic, relatively homogenous immigrant minority population.
The high‐performance organization:

Using a quasi‐experimental design, reports the findings of a study on the impact of high‐performance work teams on job characteristics, employee satisfaction, organization culture and quality. A naturally occurring control (n = 50) and experimental group (n = 50) were identified in one research site and questionnaires were distributed to both groups prior to and eight months into the high‐performance intervention. The results reveal a significant improvement in work variety, autonomy, satisfaction with feedback on performance, satisfaction with work allocation and suggestion/idea input. With respect to organization culture and beliefs, it was found that seven of the ten dimensions measured improved significantly. Finally, some quality gains were witnessed with only minimal extra resources.
The influence of capital structure on baltic corporate performance

Seeking for the optimal capital structure lasts for more than 50 years and still is very topical, especially during the market turmoil as it happened in 2008. No perfect answer is yet provided to the question of how large debt amount should be kept on the accounts. The main objective of the present paper is to analyze the impact of capital structure decisions on the equity performance and on the profitability of the companies located in Baltics. The study covered the time period of 4 years (from 2007 till 2010) and the sample data of 36 “blue-chip” companies listed on the Baltic Stock exchanges. The results of the study discover positive relationship between stock performance and sufficiency of equity capital. Besides, there was found an inverse relationship between the level of debt and capital profitability confirming the pecking order theory that in the best case the company should use self-generated funds.
Procalcitonin and Conventional Markers of Inflammation in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients and Peritonitis

Objectives To determine the significance of a newly described marker of inflammation procalcitonin (PCT), and to investigate its relationship to conventional markers of inflammation, such as C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), in patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD) and with peritonitis. Design A prospective, observational clinical study. Setting The Nephrology Division of a University-affiliated teaching hospital. Patients and Methods 51 consecutive patients on PD were included in the study. Of this number, 16 developed peritonitis during the observational period. Baseline PCT, CRP, and fibrinogen concentrations and ESR of 51 PD patients were determined at a time point (TB) prior to any evidence of infection. These results were compared with laboratory values from 74 hemodialysis patients and 34 nonuremic control subjects. All PD patients then were followed prospectively for evidence of peritonitis. In addition to routine blood tests, including hemoglobin and leukocyte count, and routine biochemical tests, blood samples were taken to measure PCT, CRP, and fibrinogen concentrations and ESR at the time (T0) when patients first were diagnosed with PD peritonitis and also on the 4th (T4) and the 14th (T14) days after treatment for peritonitis was initiated. PCT was assayed by immunoluminometry. Results No significant difference was observed between baseline median serum PCT concentrations in PD and hemodialysis patients; however, in both groups, baseline median PCT concentrations were significantly higher than those of nonuremic controls (p < 0.05). The 16 patients on PD who developed peritonitis had 21 PD peritonitis episodes during the study period. The increased PCT concentration observed at T0 in PD peritonitis episodes decreased with therapy, and this change was statistically significant (p < 0.05). In a receiver operating characteristic curve analysis for peritonitis, the area under the curve (AUC) for PCT was 0.80, which was significantly lower than the AUC for CRP and greater than the AUCs for fibrinogen and ESR. The sensitivity of PCT for peritonitis was lower than the sensitivity of conventional markers of inflammation; however, the specificity of PCT was higher. Conclusions Median serum PCT concentration in PD patients was significantly higher than in nonuremic controls but not hemodialysis patients. Serum PCT concentrations may serve as a useful adjunct to traditional markers of inflammation in detecting and monitoring inflammation and peritonitis in PD patients.
The role of religious identity in the mental health of older working and retired adults

This study investigates whether religious identity explains unique variance of the self esteem and depressive symptoms of older working and retired adults. Data were collected from a larger, five-year project begun in 1992 that compared the well-being of older workers and with that of new retirees living in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill, North Carolina metropolitan area. Data are from the third and final wave, collected between March and June, 1997, during which 242 of the eligible 255 people participated. Net of religious attendance, religiosity, and various control variables, religious identity predicted both mental health outcomes. As predicted, self esteem increased and depressive symptoms decreased as religious identity increased (i.e., viewing oneself as more competent, confident, and sociable as a religious person). Though there was a trend towards religious identity being more strongly predictive of mental health among retirees than among the working adults, these interactions did not reach statistical significance.
Organizational Identity and the Structure of Nonprofit Umbrella Associations

This article applies the concept of organizational identity to the structural issues faced by national and international nonprofit umbrella associations. Such associations grapple with several possible self-concepts, including goal-seeking systems, economies, and polities . Two associations—CIVICUS and Girls Incorporated—are studied in depth. Consensus around aclear identity is found to be a key factor in resolving the structural dilemmas of these associations.
Tocilizumab as monotherapy or in combination with nonbiologic disease‐modifying antirheumatic drugs: Twenty‐four–week results of an open‐label, clinical practice study

To assess the safety and tolerability of tocilizumab (TCZ) as monotherapy or in combination with nonbiologic disease‐modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) in patients with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who had an inadequate response at study entry to their current treatment with biologic agents or DMARDs.
The Eurozone Financial Crisis: Role of Interdependencies between Bank and Sovereign Risk

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to discuss and then analyze the interdependency between bank and sovereign risk before, during and after the financial crisis. Design/methodology/approach - The authors' approach is based upon an examination of 44 large banks headquartered in 13 countries; eight of these countries belong to the European Union, seven belong to the eurozone, and the remaining five belong to neither group. This provides a good comparison group of countries. Findings - Evidence is found supporting the existence of significant bank and sovereign risk linkages. There are, however, different patterns in the relationships across countries and even across banks within the same country. Also, higher correlations between bank and sovereign risk are found in countries in which the ratio of the assets of banks relative to their home country's GDP is relatively high. Research limitations/implications - Based upon the empirical results, allowing banks to invest in sovereign debt without requiring them to hold any capital against the “true” risk of such debt increases the likelihood of insolvency. This means that interdependencies between bank and sovereign risk are extremely important when setting regulatory capital requirements and considering whether action is needed to limit any increase in the likelihood of contagion. Originality/value - The paper provides a new examination of the interdependencies between individual bank risk and the sovereign risk of the countries in which they are headquartered, with special emphasis on the recent global financial and eurozone crises.
Monetary and Fiscal Policy Under Perfect Foresight: a Symmetric Two Country Analysis

This paper analyzes the effects of anticipated and unanticipated domestic monetary and fiscal expansions on both the domestic and foreign economies. The analysis is based on symmetric behavior, which is not only not an unreasonable first approximation, but also offers significant analytical advantages. Specifically, it enables the dynamics of the system to be decoupled into (a) averages and (b) differences of relevant variables. Not only does this render the analysis tractable, but it also helps provide economic insight. One striking aspect is that the differences, but not the averages, respond to announcements. The consequences of this for the dynamic adjustments of the two economies to the various disturbances are discussed at length.
Small business growth: recent evidence and new directions

Purpose – To review empirical contributions to the small business growth literature since the mid‐1990s.Design/methodology/approach – Narrative review of the literature using the framework adopted in previous reviews: management strategies; characteristics of the entrepreneur; environment/industry factors; and firm characteristics.Findings – The absence of any unifying theory means that the literature continues to feature a wide range of growth measures and model specifications. As a result of this, knowledge development appears fragmented rather than cumulative. New theoretical perspectives are needed if we are to develop our understanding of the growth process in small businesses.Research limitations/implications – Alternative types of research are suggested that focus on small business growth as a process rather than an episode. Future research needs to adopt multiple measures of growth and, more importantly, be based on theory longitudinal in scope but idiosyncratic in its focus. Empirical work should.
Economic performance and political mobility: Chinese provincial leaders

Chinese provincial leaders, unlike their counterparts in a democratic system, are not elected but selected. Hence the criteria by which the center uses to select and retain provincial leaders would be critical for the political mobility of provincial leaders. As China has been a developmental state since 1949, it is not unreasonable to expect that the center would retain or promote or demote provincial leaders according to the economic performance of their provinces. To test the hypothesis, I conducted multinomial regressions with a data set of Chinese provincial leaders between 1949 and 1994 in thirty provincial units. As the results show, the political mobility of provincial leaders is determined not only by the political movements of the PRC but also by the economic performance of the provincial leaders. The worse the economic performance record the more likely the provincial leader will be demoted. Moreover, the revenue contributions of the province during the provincial leader's tenure are also a det.
Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

With the continued failures of both early diagnosis and treatment options for pancreatic cancer, it is now time to comprehensively evaluate the role of the immune system on the development and progression of pancreatic cancer. It is important to develop strategies that harness the molecules and cells of the immune system to treat this disease. This review will focus primarily on the role of immune cells in the development and progression of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and to evaluate what is known about the interaction of immune cells with the tumor microenvironment and their role in tumor growth and metastasis. We will conclude with a brief discussion of therapy for pancreatic cancer and the potential role for immunotherapy. We hypothesize that the role of the immune system in tumor development and progression is tissue specific. Our hope is that better understanding of this process will lead to better treatments for this devastating disease.
Serial correlation and heterogeneous volatility in financial markets: beyond the LeBaron effect

We study the relation between serial correlation of financial returns and volatility at intraday level for the S&P500 stock index. At daily and weekly level, serial correlation and volatility are known to be negatively correlated (LeBaron effect). While confirming that the LeBaron effect holds also at intraday level, we go beyond it and, complementing the efficient market hyphotesis (for returns) with the heterogenous market hyphotesis (for volatility), we test the impact of unexpected volatility, defined as the part of volatility which cannot be forecasted, on the presence of serial correlations in the time series. We show that unexpected volatility is instead positively correlated with intraday serial correlation.
British Statewide Parties and Multilevel Politics

The article addresses how Britain's major statewide political parties—Labour, the Conservatives, and the Liberal Democrats—adapted to political devolution in Scotland and Wales. It explores party organization, programs, and policymaking. It argues that the Labour Party experienced the most territorial intraparty conflict but fairly rapidly achieved a new balance between British and Scottish/Welsh party interests. The Conservative Party struggled after its 1997 UK election defeat and failed to adapt to multilevel politics with any consistency. The Liberal Democrats experienced the smoothest adjustment, largely on account of their own federal party constitution. The article concludes that the findings provide some backing to "rational choice institutionalist" hypotheses of party change but that a "historical institutionalist" approach can provide a fuller understanding of how parties adapt to devolution reforms.
Mubarak’s Fall in Egypt: How and Why did it Happen?

Abstract After nearly 30 years in power, the Hosni Mubarak regime in Egypt, considered by many to be the strongest in the Arab world, collapsed suddenly in February 2011 after a mere 18 days of street protests. In this article, we try to explain the puzzling collapse of the Mubarak regime using regime transition theory. We argue that the Mubarak regime’s collapse came about as a result of four key developments, none of which were sufficient to cause the regime’s collapse, but when coalesced together exposed the regime’s lack of coercive and persuasive powers, thereby hastening its demise. We conclude that regime transition theory, developed to explain the third wave of democratisations in the 1970s and 1980s, is still relevant in explaining transitions from authoritarian rule.
A DNA Sequence Polymorphism in the Endoglin Gene Is Not Associated with Intracranial Aneurysm or Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Background and Purpose: Endoglin is a member of the transforming growth factor β family of proteins and plays a central role in vascular growth and development. There have been conflicting reports that polymorphic variation in the endoglin gene is a risk factor for intracranial aneurysms (IAs). We sought to further investigate the intron 7 5′-TCCCCC-3′ endoglin polymorphism as a risk factor for IA and subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in a population of patients from western Pennsylvania. Methods: We genotyped 98 IA patients and 191 unaffected controls for a length polymorphism in intron 7 using PCR-based methods. Results: The endoglin polymorphism was not associated with IA or the incidence of aneurysm rupture and SAH. No association was found when data were stratified by smoking and hypertension. Conclusion: These data, from a population recruited in western Pennsylvania, support recent findings in Japanese and German populations that, despite earlier observation to the contrary, endoglin is not associated with IA. Furthermore, our study extends previous observations by demonstrating no association between endoglin and either IA or SAH regardless of whether data were stratified for modifiable risk factors such as smoking and hypertension.
Quantification of bone involvement in Gaucher disease: MR imaging bone marrow burden score as an alternative to Dixon quantitative chemical shift MR imaging--initial experience.

PURPOSE To develop a semiquantitative magnetic resonance (MR) imaging bone marrow burden (BMB) score with inclusion of both axial and peripheral bone marrow in Gaucher disease as an alternative to MR imaging with the Dixon quantitative chemical shift imaging (QCSI) technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS Two experienced musculoskeletal radiologists with no experience in evaluating Gaucher disease blindly analyzed MR images of lumbar spines and femora. Interobserver and intraobserver variability were tested. In addition, the BMB score was determined as a parameter to evaluate bone marrow response to enzyme supplementation therapy. Finally, the BMB score was compared with fat fraction measurements obtained with Dixon QCSI. Differences between groups were analyzed by using the nonparametric Mann-Whitney test. A P value of less than.05 was considered to represent significance. Correlation was calculated by using two-tailed nonparametric rank correlation (Spearman rho). RESULTS In 30 patients (mean age, 39.3 years; age range, 12-71 years) the mean fat fraction was 0.20 (range, 0.08-0.40). The BMB score range was 3-13 points. A significant correlation was found between the two observers when using BMB (rho = 0.91, P <.001). The intraobserver variation showed a significant correlation (rho = 0.99, P <.001). There was a significant correlation between BMB and QCSI (rho = -0.78, P <.001). Although BMB was less sensitive than Dixon QCSI, it showed enough sensitivity to allow detection of bone marrow response to enzyme supplementation therapy. CONCLUSION BMB is a reproducible semiquantitative scoring system that is easy to use. It combines MR imaging of both axial and peripheral bone marrow and shows a significant correlation with QCSI.
The Role of Organization Culture in Predicting Organizational Effectiveness: a Case from Developing Countries

This study aims to extend cross-cultural research in examining the potential influence of organizational culture on organizational effectiveness in the context of higher education institutions of the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. A non-experimental and cross sectional perceptual data was collected using survey questionnaire through the senior faculty members and administrators. Selection of the subjects was made on one of the most efficient probability sampling techniques namely disproportionate stratified random sampling.Further, the measurement instruments based on a competing values framework of renowned scholars in the field were adopted to tape both of the study variables. Grounded on collected data for direct effect of organizational culture on organizational effectiveness was empirically tested via multiple regression analysis. Overall, the resultant information of regression model revealed organizational culture as a significant predictor of organizational effectiveness. Moreover, out of four traits of organizational culture, two traits i.e., clan, adhocracy showed significant positive relationships to organizational effectiveness, while bureaucratic type of culture exhibited as inverse association and seemed in line of prior research.Contrarily, exception is noticed for market type of culture. Discussion of these findings followed by implications, limitations, direction for future research and conclusion are given subsequently in the article. Key words: Organizational culture; Competing Values Framework (CVF); Organizational effectiveness; Higher education institutions
The effect of business advisers on the performance of SMEs

Purpose – Following on studies of the reported importance of a range of external advice and a study of the impact of marketing advice on small and medium‐sized enterprise (SME) performance, this study seeks to examine the relationship between business performance (growth) and the nature and degree of a wide range of business advice used by a sample of owner/managers of SMEs in the Manchester City‐region of the UK.Design/methodology/approach – The study was conducted with 140 SMEs in the Manchester City region using an administered survey instrument.Findings – The degree of use of a range of external advice was positively related to the growth rate of the SME. In common with most previous research, the most sought‐after advisers were external accountants and network contacts. Academic advice was sought very rarely. This study extends previous research and examine the nature of the advice provided by external accountants, which was found to include business, emergency, and financial management support in ad.