Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
What do Sentiment Surveys Measure

Indices of business and consumer sentiment receive widespread media coverage and are closely watched by market economists despite their limited success as leading indicators. In this paper we ask what explains ‘sentiment’ and find that lagged economic indicators (such as changes in GDP, job vacancies and the cash rate) can explain a substantial proportion of the variation in a number of backward and forward-looking sentiment indices. This does not rule out the possibility that they may be useful for forecasting. We find, however, that when currently available economic information is appropriately ‘filtered’ from the sentiment indices, in most cases they fail even rudimentary Granger-causality tests of predictive ability. On a more positive note, we find that the Roy Morgan consumer confidence rating, NAB actual business conditions, NAB expected employment outlook over the next three months and the second question in the Roy Morgan and Westpac/MI consumer surveys all provide some, albeit small, contribution to forecasting employment growth. The second question of both consumer confidence surveys (which asks about anticipated personal financial conditions over the coming year) also appears to have some ability to predict recessions. Outside of these results there is little evidence that the surveys tell us anything we didn’t already know. Thus, there is reason to suspect that surveyed respondents’ forecasts offer little more information about the future path of the economy than a weighted average of lagged economic variables.
When to image carotid plaque inflammation with FDG PET/CT

ObjectiveQuantification of 18-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake in inflamed high-risk carotid atherosclerotic plaques is challenged by the spatial resolution of positron emission tomography (PET) and luminal blood activity. Late acquisition protocols have been used to overcome these challenges to enhance the contrast between the plaque and blood-pool FDG activity. However, for prospective studies the late acquisition is inconvenient for the patient and staff, and most retrospective studies of plaque uptake use data from early acquisition protocols. The objective was to evaluate changes in the quantification methods of FDG uptake in carotid artery plaques between early and late PET scans. MethodsFDG uptake 1 and 3 h after tracer injection was compared in 19 carotid artery plaques. The average plaque maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) and a target to background ratio (TBR), using venous blood-pool activity as background, were evaluated at the two time points. These methods have been shown earlier to quantitate the degree of inflammation in late hour scans. ResultsA good individual plaque FDG uptake consistency was found between the two time points for SUVmax, r2=0.86. In contrast, the ratio method did not conserve the results between the two time points: TBR r2=0.34. For both methods, absolute values changed over time. TBR values generally increased as blood pool activity decreased, whereas the individual plaque SUVmax values showed both increases and decreases over time. ConclusionIdentification of carotid plaque inflammation with PET can be performed 1 h after FDG injection using SUVmax for plaque FDG uptake quantification.
From disablement to enablement: Conceptual models of disability in the 20th century

Purpose. The aim of this work is to provide a general view of the conceptual elaborations on disablement in the 20th century and to discuss the role of these different contributions in developing the current concepts of disablement. Method. A review of the literature on conceptual models of disablement in the past century has been performed. Results. The 20th century has witnessed important theoretical considerations on health, diseases and their consequences. These considerations have generated various conceptual models, some of which share the same focus and point of arrival, the so-called ‘Disablement Process’. Among the models that were developed, two stand out, which were drafted and disseminated under the aegis of the World Health Organization, namely the International Classification of Impairments, Disabilities and Handicaps (ICIDH) and the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), but these are just one part of the conceptual elaboration in the field. Further conceptualization was produced in health and social settings by specialists, self-advocacy associations and activist groups. Conclusions. The current ICF model of the World Health Organization has been translated and recognized in 191 countries; it also incorporates the contribution of self-advocacy associations and it is now recognized by most of them. This model has enjoyed higher visibility than other conceptual models, though its level of development was not higher or more original. To our opinion the ICF is not very clear on the essential choice of the model, i.e., to see disablement as a dynamic process that happens when personal limits collide with socio-environmental needs, rather than as a personal feature. This choice is instead clearer in other models, like Nagi's 1991, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) model by Brandt and Pope, where the identification of three dimensions (the individual, the environment and the individual-environment interaction) clarifies the role played by all three dimensions within the process of disablement and introduces major hints for further considerations on how to create virtuous processes of enablement.
A Modigliani-Miller Theory of Altruistic Corporate Social Responsibility

Abstract A new theory of altruistic corporate social responsibility is developed. Firms that advertise their social and environmental good works in effect solicit charitable contributions from customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders. They compete with not-for-profits in the market to supply public and altruistic goods. To analyze how corporate altruism affects firm valuations, a model is developed in which investors gain utility both from personal consumption and from making donations to worthy causes. A share in a “responsible" firm is a charity-investment bundle. When individuals view corporations and not-for-profits as equally competent suppliers of charity-related “warm glow," small changes in firms' social policies induce exactly offsetting changes in individuals' portfolio choices. There is no effect on firm valuations, and no change in the aggregate supply of good works. When a sizable fraction of investors prefer corporate philanthropy over direct charitable giving (e.g., to avoid taxation of corporate profits), firm valuations will be maximized by following social policies that involve strictly positive levels of corporate altruism.
Private Incentives versus Class Interests: A Theory of Optimal Institutions with An Application to Growth

We build a dynamic political economy model with a two-class society: workers and the elite. A key feature of the model is that the formation of the elite, the rate of innovation, taxes and public spending are endogenous. Differently from most of the literature on institutions and growth which emphasizes the conflict between different classes, we focus on the tension between private incentives of the members of the elite and their class interests. Our model explains the observed differences in colonization strategies by showing how the optimal choice of institutions depends on the initial conditions faced by colonizing powers. The model also creates a mapping between institutions and economic outcomes which is consistent with the observed differences in the patterns of economic growth.
Earnings Surprises, Asymmetry of Returns, and Market-Level Changes: An Industry Study

Recent studies that examine the relationship between stock returns and unexpected earnings may be broadly categorized into two main approaches: the firm-specific approach of Skinner and Sloan (2002) and Lopez and Rees (2001), and the market-wide regime shifting behavior of Conrad, Cornell, and Landsman (2002). Although both approaches provide possible explanations for the asymmetric behavior of earnings shocks, no known study has attempted to establish which approach has stronger empirical support. In this paper, using industry sector results, we generally find stronger empirical support for the firm-specific approach as being more representative of stock price behavior.
The Phillips Curve, Macroeconomic Policy, and the Welfare of Canadians

A review of the two competing paradigms explaining inflation and unemployment fluctuations singles out the Keynesian Phillips curve as the clear empirical winner over its classic competitors. Reestimation of the Canadian Phillips curve for 1957-90 identifies a sharp structural shift toward a high degree of unemployment hysteresis after 1972. The recent attempt of macropolicy to flatten the aggregate demand curve and limit supply-side shock accommodation, which aims at lower and more stable inflation, is then shown to make unemployment higher and more unstable on average, to an extent that is an increasing function of the degree of hysteresis. Understanding and reducing hysteresis and developing a consensus-based incomes policy that has a chance of alleviating the dismal trade-off should therefore to top research and policy priorities.
European Integration and Regional Development in Northern Europe

PESCHEL K. (1992) European integration and regional development in Northern Europe, Reg. Studies 26, 387–397. Attention is directed to the spatial effects of ongoing West European integration, the unification of Germany and the possible westorientation of East Europe. The effects of Western European integration can be judged by theoretical reasoning and empirical knowledge about regional development trends in the past. Statements concerning the effects of German reunification have to be based on experiences of regional restructuring in Germany during the 1980s. Insights into the possible integration of Eastern and Western European economies are obtained by applying the results of models, developed to explain the spatial structure of international trade. PESCHEL K. (1992) l'integration europeenne et le developement regional dans l'Europe du Nord, Reg. Studies 26, 387–397. On considere les effets economiques et geographiques de l'integration ouest-europeenne en vigueur, l'unification de l'Allemagne et la po.
Regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in the neonatal rat: The role of maternal behavior

There is a growing literature that indicates that exposure to elevated levels of glucocorticoids can result in long term consequences for the developing brain. In the developing rodent there is a period from about day 4–14 when the adrenal response to stress is either minimal or non-existent thus resulting in stable low levels of circulating glucocorticoids. This has been designated as the stress hypo-responsive period (SHRP). Numerous experiments have demonstrated that maternal factors are critical for the regulation of the pup's hypothalamicpituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the maintenance of the SHRP. Following 24h of maternal deprivation the neonatal rat shows elevated basal levels of corticosterone and exhibits a robust corticosterone and ACTH response to mild stress. Further c-fos mRNA in the paraventricular nucleus is enhanced following stress in deprived pups. At least three aspects of maternal behavior play a role in the regulation of the HPA axis during development. Tactile stimulation appears capable in inhibiting most of the brain-related changes that occur following maternal deprivation. Feeding is essential for maintaining the adrenal unresponsive and reduces the sensitivity of the adrenal to ACTH. Passive contact suppresses the response to stress. In the adult cordicotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) is the major neuropetide that controls pituitary ACTH secretion. In the maternally deprived pup CRH gene transcription is down regulated and arginine vasopressin (AVP) appears to assume the major regulatory hormone that modulates ACTH. These data all indicate that maternal factors are responsible for actively inhibiting the endocrine responses to stress postnatally. Further, maternal deprivation also results in increased cell death in several brain regions. This during development most of the peripheral and central stress reponsive systems are capable of being activated. However, under conditions of normal dam—pup interactions these responses are mostly supressed by the dam's behavioral interaction with the pups thus preventing the potential toxic effects of increased secretion of glucocorticoids during critical periods of brain development.
How effectively does HAART restore immune responses to Mycobacterium tuberculosis? Implications for tuberculosis control

Use of highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART) has had a major impact on HIV-associated morbidity and mortality in industrialized countries. Access to HAART is now expanding in low-income countries where tuberculosis (TB) is the most important opportunistic disease. The incidence of TB has been fuelled by the HIV epidemic and in many countries with high HIV prevalence current TB control measures are failing. HAART reduces the incidence of TB in treated cohorts by approximately 80% and therefore potentially has an important role in TB control in such countries. However, despite the huge beneficial effect of HAART, rates of TB among treated patients nevertheless remain persistently higher than among HIV-negative individuals. This observation raises the important question as to whether immune responses to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) are completely or only partially restored during HAART. Current data suggest that full restoration of circulating CD4 cell numbers occurs only among a minority of patients and that, even among these, phenotypic abnormalities and functional defects in lymphocyte subsets often persist. Suboptimal restoration of MTB-specific immune responses may greatly reduce the extent to which HAART is able to contribute to TB control at the community level because patients receiving HAART live much longer and yet would maintain a chronically heightened risk of TB.
Myeloid and Erythroid Colony Growth in Non‐anaemic Patients with Fanconi's Anaemia

Myeloid and erythroid colony growth of the bone marrow and peripheral blood cells from one anaemic and four non‐anaemic patients with Fanconi's anaemia were studied. Markedly decreased myeloid and erythroid colony growth was found in all five patients regardless of their haematological status. The decreased colony formation in non‐anaemic patients with Fanconi's anaemia is thought to be due to an intrinsic cellular defect.
Complexity of contacts between synaptic boutons and dendritic spines in adult rat hippocampus: Three‐dimensional reconstructions from serial ultrathin sections in vivo

The morphological relationship between a synapse and dendritic spine is an important determinant of synaptic function, and has been studied extensively with the electron microscope. This has revealed that the universal idea of one synapse per spine is no longer tenable; dendritic spines may on occasions form synapses with two or more axonal boutons. To elucidate the detailed structure and relationship of spines and their synaptic contacts in the molecular layers of the dentate gyrus of the adult rat, a study using 3‐dimensional (3D) reconstructions was made from serial ultrathin sections (up to 150 sections per series), of both pre‐ and postsynaptic segments of axons and dendrites. We found that synapses from all unmyelinated axons examined were en passant and although most contacts between synapse and spine are one‐to‐one, all reconstructions examined contained both multisynaptic axonal segments, and multisynaptic spines. In the dentate gyrus, 3.48% mushroom spines were multisynaptic, synapsing with more than two axons, and 0.46% of the total population of synapses were multisynaptic. Although these values appear small, they actually comprise millions of contacts per cubic millimeter of tissue. Axonal varicosities can contact more than three dendritic spines originating from different dendritic branches while spines may branch with up to three heads, and spine heads may receive two or more synaptic contacts. Our data confirm the complexity of relationships between spines and synapses and show that a one–one relationship between synapse and spine cannot be assumed automatically. Synapse 63:369–377, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Human resource management in the Indian public and private sectors: an empirical comparison

This study compares human resource management (HRM) practices in Indian public- and private-sector organizations. The investigation is based on a questionnaire survey of 137 large manufacturing firms (public sector=81; private sector=56). The key areas of analysis include the structure of human resource (HR) department, the role of HR function in corporate change, recruitment and selection, pay and benefits, training and development, employee relations and emphasis on key HRM strategies. Internal labour markets (ILMs) are used to make the comparative analysis. The statistical results show a number of similarities and differences in the HRM systems of Indian public- and private-sector organizations. Against the established notion, the results of this study reveal that the gap between Indian private- and public-sector HRM practices is not very significant. Moreover, in a few HR functional areas (for example, compensation and training and development), Indian private-sector firms have adopted a more rational approach than their public-sector counterparts.
The effect of low-level laser therapy on trismus and facial swelling following surgical extraction of a lower third molar.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on postoperative trismus and edema after the removal of mandibular third molars. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty-two patients who were to undergo surgical removal of lower third molars were studied. Patients were randomly allocated to two groups, LLLT and placebo. Patients in the LLLT group received 12 J (4 J/cm(2)) low-level laser irradiation to the operative side intraorally 1 cm from the target tissue, and to the masseter muscle extraorally immediately after surgery. In the placebo group the handpiece was inserted into the operative side intraorally and was applied to the masseter muscle extraorally each for 1 min, but laser power was not activated. Inter-incisal opening and facial swelling were evaluated on postoperative days 2 and 7. Student's t-test used to analyze the data. RESULTS It was determined that the trismus and the swelling in LLLT group were significantly less than in the placebo group on postoperative days 2 and 7. CONCLUSION Within the limitations of this study it can be concluded that LLLT can be beneficial for the reduction of postoperative trismus and swelling after third molar surgery.
La structure financière du capital:tests empiriques sur le marché français

(VF)Cette etude s’interesse a deux theories alternatives expliquant la structure financiere du capital : la theorie du financement hierarchise et la theorie du ratio d’endettement optimal. Les analyses empiriques sur un echantillon d’entreprises francaises cotees a la bourse de Paris montrent que leur choix de financement semble reposer sur la theorie du financement hierarchise aux depens de la theorie du ratio d’endettement optimal. Les entreprises analysees privilegient le financement interne au detriment du financement externe et, en cas de recours a un financement externe, l’endettement a l’augmentation de capital. (VA) This study is a test of two alternative theories of capital structure : the pecking order theory and the static trade-off theory. The empirical tests conducted on a sample of French firms listed on the Paris stock ex-change show that their financing choice seems to be more in line with the pecking order theory than with the static trade-off theory. The tested firms prefer internal financing to external financing and, when using external financing, debt is preferred over equity.
Distraction osteogenesis for cleft palate closure: A finite element analysis

Background: Current methods of closure of the cleft palate result in the formation of scars and impairment of growth. Distraction osteogenesis (DO) might be an effective means to repair or at least reduce the size of wide clefts. This study investigates the biomechanical aspects of this process. Materials and Methods: DO simulation was applied to reduce the size of a unilateral hard palate cleft on a three-dimensional (3D) model of the maxilla. For the position of osteotomy lines, two different models were assumed, with the osteotomy line on the affected side in model A and on the intact side in model B. In each model, DO screws were placed on two different positions, anteriorly (models A1 and B1) and posteriorly (models A2 and B2). Displacement pattern of the bony island in each of the four models, reaction forces at DO locations, and von Mises stress were estimated. Mesh generation and data processing were carried out in the 3D finite element analysis package (ABAQUS V6.7-1; Simulia Corp., Providence, RI, USA). Results: In model B2, the island moved almost evenly, assuring a more complete closure of the cleft. The most uniform stress distribution was found in model B1. Conclusion: The results suggest that the best positions for the DO screw and the osteotomy line for closure of the cleft palate are posteriorly and on the intact side, respectively.
Jobs for the girls

This paper uses the findings of a recent study of professional women returning to work after a career break. It critically examines their return to work following attendance of a European funded updating course, and evaluates the initiative in terms of job and career success in terms of the women’s own perceptions. The study showed that the majority of women resumed work following the updating programme, but not necessarily at a level commensurate with their qualifications and experience, nor in their original professional area. Paradoxically, the respondents did not always see this as a negative outcome, and a large proportion of them attributed their successful return to completion of the professional updating course. The paper concludes by suggesting that a traditional female career model has not only continued relevance for women, but may be increasingly relevant to men. This presents a challenge to both policy makers and course providers.
Do acquirer company returns improve after a takeover? Empirical evidence for Australia

This article investigates the returns of acquirer companies in the wake of corporate takeovers. The study tests the post-takeover returns of Australian acquirer firms during the period 2001 to 2003, using two alternative benchmark models. We find evidence that acquirer companies outperform the market benchmark in the three years following the takeover. We also find that takeovers improve the share price performance of such companies relative to their pre-takeover history.
Sources of exchange rate fluctuations: empirical evidence from six emerging market countries

This paper investigates sources of fluctuations in real and nominal US dollar exchange rates of selected emerging market economies by decomposing the exchange rate series into stochastic components induced by real and nominal factors. The dynamic effects and relative importance of real and nominal shocks in explaining the behaviour of these exchange rates are analysed. The results indicate that real shocks dominate nominal shocks for the exchange rate series examined. In turn, these findings have important economic implications.