Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The New Keynesian Phillips Curve in an Emerging Market Economy: The Case of Chile

This paper presents GMM empirical estimations of the New Keynesian Phillips curve (NKPC) for Chile. Our results tend to support the hybrid version of the NKPC, with an estimated backward-looking coefficient of about 0.4. The estimated Calvo coefficient, that captures the degree of price rigidity, assuming firm specific capital is about 0.65. This implies that prices are optimally adjusted on average every 3 quarters, approximately. Our results also indicate the existence of a structural break in the NKPC, which occurred when the inflation target converged to its long-run level (around 2000). We find evidence that the frequency of optimal price adjustment and the degree of indexation to past inflation have decreased over time.
Dividend Policy and Financial Distress: An Empirical Investigation of Troubled NYSE Firms

This paper studies the dividend policy adjustments of eighty NYSE firms to protracted financial distress as evidenced by multiple losses during 1980-85. Almost all sample firms reduced dividends, and more than half apparently faced binding debt covenants in years they did so. Absent binding debt covenants, dividends are cut more often than omitted, suggesting that managerial reluctance is to the omission and not simply the reduction of dividends. Moreover, managers of firms with long dividend histories appear particularly reluctant to omit dividends. Finally, some dividend reductions seem strategically motivated, e.g., designed to enhance the firm's bargaining positions with organized labor. Copyright 1990 by American Finance Association.
1H and 13C HR‐MAS spectroscopy of intact biopsy samples ex vivo and in vivo 1H MRS study of human high grade gliomas

High‐resolution magic angle spinning (HR‐MAS) one‐ and two‐dimensional 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy has been used to study intact glioblastoma (GBM) brain tumour tissue. The results were compared with in vitro chemical extract and in vivo spectra. The resolution of 1H one‐dimensional, 1H TOCSY and 13C HSQC HR‐MAS spectra is comparable to that obtained on perchloric extracts. 13C HSQC HR‐MAS spectra have been particularly useful for the identification of 37 different metabolites in intact biopsy tumours, excluding water and DSS components. To our knowledge, this is the most detailed assignment of biochemical compounds obtained in intact human tissue, in particular in brain tumour tissue. Tissue degradation during the recording of the NMR experiment was avoided by keeping the sample at a temperature of 4°C. Detailed metabolical compositions of 10 GBM (six primary, two secondary and two unclassified) were obtained. A good correlation between ex vivo and in vivo MRS has been found. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Using complex networks analysis to assess the evolution of international economic integration: The cases of East Asia and Latin America

This paper exploits recently-developed indicators based on network analysis to investigate the pattern of international integration followed by East Asian countries and compares it with the Latin American performance. Standard trade openness indicators fall short of portraying the peculiarity of the Asian experience, and of explaining why other emerging markets with similar characteristics have been less successful over the last 25 years. The analysis offers an alternative perspective on the issue regarding international economic integration by taking into account the whole structure of international trade relationships and by determining both the position of countries in the world trade network, and its evolution over time. We find that East Asian countries are more integrated into the world economy, as they have moved from the periphery of the network towards its core. Our results support the idea that the degree of openness matters but it is not enough to characterize economic integration. The number and identity of trade partners, and the specific individual structure of trade for each country, need to be incorporated in order to fully characterize international economic integration. By doing so, it is possible to argue that the integration process of the East Asian countries mirrors their high economic performance, while the lower degree of integration of Latin America can be related to the lack of economic development of the region, even though their degree of openness has increased.
Modeling Petroleum Product Demand in Nigeria Using Structural Time Series Model (STSM) Approach

In this paper, the demand function for five major petroleum products consume in Nigeria namely gasoline, diesel, kerosene, fuel oil, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and aggregate was estimated using Structural Time Series Models (STSMs) which accounts for structural changes in energy demand estimation. STSMs incorporate stochastic rather than deterministic trend which is more general and therefore argued to be more appropriate in this study. The results suggest that the demand for petroleum products in Nigeria is both price and income inelastic and the underlying demand trends were generally stochastic in nature. LPG has relatively higher elasticities than the rest of the petroleum products, namely kerosene, gasoline, diesel and fuel oil.
An Analytical Model for Porous Polymer-Ceramic Capacitive Pressure Sensors

An analytical model for pressure sensors is constructed, predicting the capacitive response of a porous, polymer-ceramic composite under an applied pressure. Consisting of mechanical and dielectric counterparts, the iterative model is constructed in detail. The elastic modulus of the three-phase material is approximated by first considering only the polymer-ceramic composite mixture, and then incorporating porosity into the solid composite model. A new model has been developed for approximating the changing elastic modulus of porous polymers undergoing quasi-static compression, which induces the collapsing pores. Necessary material constants were obtained from experimental data published in literature. The permittivity of the paraelectric polymer matrix is modeled, accounting for piezodielectric effects imposed by external pressure and thermally induced stresses caused by substrate pinning. Similarly, the ferroelectric ceramic filler is modeled, considering changes in polarization caused by thermally induced phase transformations in the crystal structure. The final model is evaluated against experimental data, providing insight into composition and microstructure effects on the sensor response.
Updates in the treatment of ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast

Purpose of review Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) accounts for approximately 20% of mammographically diagnosed breast cancers. Currently, there is a trend to consider DCIS as a lesion for which treatment deescalation is advocated to avoid overtreatment, that is, radiotherapy in addition to breast-conserving surgery or even surgery at all. Recent findings The long-term follow-up updates of the four first-generation randomized trials comparing lumpectomy with and without radiation therapy have confirmed that radiation halves the local failure rates. However, radiotherapy is not associated with a survival benefit just as affirmed by the recently published evaluation of the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registries database, including 108 196 women with DCIS. Nevertheless, the risk of dying of breast cancer increases about factor 18 after experience of an invasive local recurrence. That means at least some DCIS have the potential to progress to a life threatening disease. At the same time, none of the recently updated prospective trials that tested the outcome after excision alone in low-risk DCIS achieved a 10-year local failure rate below 10%. Summary DCIS is not a uniform disease. Its clinical behaviour is heterogeneous, but up to date no citeria are available that allow a precise identification of patients with low or very low progression risk who do not need irradiation. Therefore, excision followed by radiotherapy is still the standard of care in patients undergoing breast conservation. Promising new approaches for risk estimation have to be validated prospectively before their use in daily practice can be recommended.
Using discrepant events in science demonstrations to promote student engagement in scientific investigations: An action research study

Students’ scientific investigations have been identified in national standards and related reform documents as a critical component of students’ learning experiences in school, yet it is not easy to implement them in science classrooms. Could science demonstrations help science teachers put this recommendation into practice? While demonstrations are a common practice in the science classroom and research has documented some positive effects in terms of student motivation and engagement from their use, the literature also shows that, as traditionally presented, science demonstrations do not always achieve their intended outcomes. This, in turn, suggested the value of investigating what design elements of demonstrations could be used to promote specific instructional goals. Employing action research as a methodology, the proposed study was developed to explore how science demonstrations can be designed so as to most effectively promote student engagement in scientific investigations. More specifically, I was interested in examining the effects of using a discrepant event as part of the demonstration, as a way to create cognitive conflict and, thus, increase interest and engagement. I also investigated the relative merit of the well-researched POE (Predict, Observe, Explain) design versus employing demonstrations that appear to the student to be unplanned (what I will refer to as NOE, or a Naturally Occurring Experience). This study was informed by Constructivism, Situated Cognition and Conceptual Change as theoretical frameworks. The project included the design, implementation and study of an intervention consisting of three instructional units designed to support students’ learning of the concepts of density, molecular arrangement of gas particles, and cohesion, respectively. In each of these units, lasting a total of two 80-minute class periods, students were asked to design and
Welfare Time Limits: State Policies, Implementation, and Effects on Families.

This report provides a comprehensive summary of what has been learned to date about time limits: about state policies, their implementation, the effects of time limits on employment and welfare receipt, and the circumstances of families whose welfare cases have been closed because they reached a time limit. The report is designed to serve as a resource as Congress considers reauthorization of PRWORA.
Network governance in government-linked companies (GLCs) and non-government-linked companies (NGLCs) in Malaysia

Purpose - This paper aims to investigate whether or not there exists a relationship between network governance structures in GLCs and NGLCs and performance in Malaysia. In pursuing this objective, the study will explore whether the structures are significantly different and, if so, will seek to establish whether the relationship between their structures and performance of the two groups differs. Design/methodology/approach - The study adopts a matched-pair analysis between GLCs and NGLCs in terms of board listing, types of industry and paid-up capital. All data related to variables were collected mainly from the annual reports of companies and the Bursa Malaysia websites. Besides paired sample Findings - The results showed that there were statistically-significant differences for both network governance structures of senior government officers (SGO) and politicians (POL) as directors between GLCs and NGLCs for the period under study. Therefore, the first hypothesis of significant differences between the network governance structures of GLCs and NGLCs is fully supported. However, the presence and contribution of both SGO and POL to firm performance are much more noticeable in NGLCs compared to GLCs. BSZ is generally positively correlated with performance and this relationship is stronger for GLCs than NGLCs. As for RDU, no statistically-significant relationship was found in all years. This indicates that there is no clear indication of any relationship between RDU and performance measured by ROA and ROE in all groupings of companies. Research limitations/implications - It is impossible to get an exact pair of GLCs and NGLCs companies. However, both groups of companies have been paired as close as possible based on their paid-up capital. The research was conducted in a period of three years only and before the transformation process of GLCs. As such, the findings might not reflect the general long-term performance of GLCs. Originality/value - This paper contributes to the literature as it examines the relationship between network governance variables to firm performance in the context of GLCs and NGLCs in Malaysia.
Child Trafficking: ‘Worst Form’ of Child Labour, or Worst Approach to Young Migrants?

This article presents a critique to the human trafficking discourse in relation to child migration, based on data obtained from the anti-trafficking community in the Greater Mekong Sub-region combined with an analysis of secondary material. It also presents a set of qualitative accounts of migration at a young age from Lao PDR and Thailand. On this basis a more theorized, grounded and nuanced perspective on child labour migration is developed. This situates child labour migration historically, embeds it within overarching processes of rural transformation and accounts for young migrants’ agency in the social process of migration, the latter shedding light on the social production of exploitation in relation to young migrants.
Effects of exogenous recombinant human growth hormone on an animal model of suboptimal nutrition.

BACKGROUND Nutritional dwarfing, a form of suboptimal nutrition, has been identified as a frequent cause of short stature and delayed sexual development in children. Retarded growth is an adaptive response to suboptimal nutrition. OBJECTIVE To assess whether recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) may promote growth during various levels of suboptimal nutrition. METHODS Using a previously developed rat model of suboptimal nutrition, six groups of rats (six rats/group) were fed a balanced 1:1 carbohydrate:fat ratio diet for 4 weeks. Three of the groups were administered daily injections of rhGH (0.1 mg/100 g BW) subcutaneously in the back while the other three groups were kept as controls and were given similar dosages of normal saline solution (NSS). Restricted rats within each treatment group were pair fed 80 and 60% of the ad-libitum rats intake. Daily intake of the 80 and 60% fed groups were determined based on the intake of the ad-libitum fed groups. Serum IGF-I and insulin were determined after 4 weeks of dietary treatment by radioimmunoassay while IGFBP-3 was determined by an immunoradiometric assay. Body composition was assessed in all rats by carcass analysis. RESULTS After 4 weeks, total weight gain and tail growth were higher (p < 0.05) in the rhGH treated group at 80 and 60% of-libitum energy intake. Serum levels of IGF-I and IGFBP-3 were higher (p < 0.05) in rhGH treated rats fed at 60% of ad-libitum. In comparison to the NSS groups, administration of rhGH in rats fed ad-libitum increased total body water. Energy restriction caused decreased fat percentage (p < 0.05) in both rhGH and NSS groups without differences among treated groups. CONCLUSION These results suggest that the anabolic effects of rhGH may overcome mild to moderate energy restriction.
Corporate Governance, Ownership Structure and Performance in Mexico

This article studies the relation between ownership structure and performance of 90 Mexican firms for the period 2005-2009. We used a two-stages least squares (2SLS) and generalized method of moments (GMM) because we consider the ownership structure as endogenous, and wish will be the most appropriate given the characteristics of the environment in which the company operates (Shlelifer & Vishny, 1997; La Porta et al. , 2000). The results obtained show a greater performance as to how ownership is concentrated in the Mexican market. This result derives from the institutional framework prevailing in the country where the companies were analyzed. In the Mexican case, the firms with high levels of ownership concentration, especially families, seek a better way to protect their interests. However, this high concentration in families leads to the use of additional governance mechanisms, such as debt or board structure, that have peculiar results (works such as substitutes or reinforcing components).
A cost-benefit analysis of an international dual degree programme

This paper provides a cost benefit analysis of undergraduate and graduate international dual degree programmes, which are relatively new and innovative educational approaches to preparing students to succeed in a contemporary international arena. A comparative model of international educational and experiential systems is offered and examples of two-way and one-way dual degree models are investigated. We conclude that international dual degree models are significantly superior in terms of academic, intellectual and experiential learning; therefore, graduates of these programmes will be better prepared to lead international ventures and serve as global citizens. Dual degree programmes require an institution-wide commitment to succeed in the short and long term. Academic institutions need to be flexible, creative, resourceful and forward thinking in order to successfully adopt and implement dual degree offerings. Most students who choose such programmes are positive risk takers and high achievers. Like any new and innovative initiative, the international dual degree offering has its own learning curve and constraints but offers the potential for a great outcome.
Bank merger and acquisitions activity in the EU: much ado about nothing?

This paper investigates the patterns of consolidation within the European banking industry and examines the efficiency of the banks involved in the merger and acquisitions (M&A) activity to determine whether their performance improved as a result of M&A decisions. The performance of these banks is compared with that of other large banks, which have chosen alternative routes of development. The period covered is 1998 to 2004. The findings suggest that banks involved in M&A activity are more efficient after the M&A or when compared with other large banks. Country-specific characteristics appear to play an important role in explaining the results.
Public opinion on energy crops in the landscape: considerations for the expansion of renewable energy from biomass

Public attitudes were assessed towards two dedicated biomass crops – Miscanthus and Short Rotation Coppice (SRC), particularly regarding their visual impacts in the landscape. Results are based on responses to photographic and computer-generated images as the crops are still relatively scarce in the landscape. A questionnaire survey indicated little public concern about potential landscape aesthetics but more concern about attendant built infrastructure. Focus group meetings and interviews indicated support for biomass end uses that bring direct benefits to local communities. Questions arise as to how well the imagery used was able to portray the true nature of these tall, dense, perennial plants but based on the responses obtained and given the caveat that there was limited personal experience of the crops, it appears unlikely that wide-scale planting of biomass crops will give rise to substantial public concern in relation to their visual impact in the landscape.
Exact surface and wedge exponents for polymers in two dimensions.

Using conformal-invariance arguments in two dimensions, we identify the exact infinite series of basic surface conformal dimensions for polymers, checked by transfer-matrix calculations for the n=0 vector model on a strip. For a self-avoiding branched polymer of arbitrary and fixed topology, near a surface or a wedge, we give the exponent \ensuremath{\gamma} in two dimensions as a function of the topology and of the wedge opening angle.
Viral protein synthesis in Friend erythroleukemia cell lines

Viral protein synthesis was studied in two Friend virus-induced erythroleukemia cell lines (Ostertag cell lines FSD1-F4 and B8) by the technique of immuno-precipitation with monospecific antisera to the major envelope glycoprotein gp70 and major core protein p30. One of the cell lines (F4) releases active Friend virus complex to the growth medium, where release of virus from the other cell line (B8) is barely or nondetectable. It was found that in the nonproducer cell line B8, a large-molecular-weight protein of about 65,000 containing p30 antigenic determinants is synthesized, yet no p30 is produced upon prolonged incubation and chase, suggesting that this might be the actual lesion that prevents mature virus production by these cells. In both cell lines, the predominant protein species that is immunoprecipitated with monospecific anti-gp70 serum is a protein of 55,000 to 60,000 daltons that is labeled with glucosamine to a much lesser extent that gp70 and appears to become heterogeneous with time. Large amounts of gp70 can be detected in the cell-free medium, but none of the unstable species of 55,00 to 60,000 molecular weight.
What order flow reveals about the role of the underwriter in IPO aftermarkets

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to investigate the cross-sectional determinants of the role of the underwriter in aftermarket price discovery. Design/methodology/approach - The paper estimates Gonzalo-Granger common factor weights across underwriter and non-underwriter execution channels in the IPO aftermarket and investigates the cross-sectional determinants of these CFWs. Findings - The first novel result is that verifiable facts are not a substitute for, but a complement to, underwriter certification and advice. Specifically, the underwriter's contribution to price discovery increases with the number of supplier and customer contracts reported in the prospectus. Second, the underwriter's role in price discovery declines when the IPO is first in a new technology or product space. These findings indicate that the verification process, not Research limitations/implications - Research design is applicable to IPOs in the USA and elsewhere. Originality/value - Previous research examining IPO aftermarket trading has been largely limited to the first day of trading. The paper contributes to the small but growing literature that examines the role of the underwriter beyond this period.
The predictive power of the term spread revisited: a change in the sign of the predictive relationship

We qualify some of the traditionally accepted results on the predictive power of the term spread over output. We show that in the case of short-term spreads, the direction of the predictive power may be the opposite to that usually found in the empirical literature, which has mostly rested on the use of long spreads, and in theoretical results, that have tended to neglect the consideration of multiperiod dynamics. An analysis of data for Germany and the United States confirms that short-term spreads have low predictive power and sometimes in the opposite direction to the traditional argument. Some suggestions for empirical work are derived from the analysis.